Fang Xuan released his spiritual sense. A Half-Step Void Core cultivator's perception wasn't exceptionally strong, but it was more than enough to cover a few hundred meters around this small valley.
Soon, deeper in the bamboo forest, by a cold pond, he spotted that familiar figure.
Passing through the last bamboo screen, the sight before him made his steps falter slightly.
By the edge of the small cold pond, Ning Xian was standing barefoot in ankle-deep shallow water, her pant legs and sleeves rolled up.
Bending over, holding a crude bamboo pole sharpened at the tip, she stared intently into the clear pond water.
She was still wearing her plain white old clothes, but for ease of movement, the hem and sleeves were rolled high, revealing a section of her fair, jade-like calves and arms.
Her long hair was simply tied up with a wooden hairpin, and a few stray strands, dampened by the mist, clung to her face.
Then, Fang Xuan saw her move.
Her movements weren't showy; with a flick of her wrist, the bamboo pole pierced the water like an arrow released from a bowstring.
With a soft "splash," water droplets flew up.
When the bamboo pole was lifted, a palm-sized, silvery-white fish was already skewered on its tip.
A slight curve appeared at the corner of Ning Xian's mouth.
Fang Xuan was a little stunned.
......Fishing?
'No, big sister, you're a ruthless individual who will refine myriad living beings in the future. Are you really here spearfishing? Doesn't this scene feel a bit off.'
'But those legs are so white.....no, the water is so clear.......'
He was lost in thought, mainly looking at her legs; he was definitely being driven by lust.
Ning Xian seemed to have resolved her hunger, and her mood relaxed somewhat.
As she turned, her peripheral vision caught Fang Xuan standing by the bamboo forest, unsure how long he had been there.
A fleeting look of panic seemed to cross her face.
Subconsciously, she hid the bamboo pole, still skewering the fish, behind her, and her bare feet slightly recoiled.
Cultivators were supposed to cut ties with worldly desires.
And having a desire for food was like a child wanting candy; she was still a bit embarrassed.
But today, she truly couldn't endure the hunger any longer.
Fang Xuan quickly adjusted his expression, stepped forward a few paces, and, maintaining a respectful distance, bowed formally:
"Senior Sister, Fang Xuan greets you."
Ning Xian had clearly not fully recovered from the embarrassment of "being watched by her junior brother while secretly fishing." Her earlobes were slightly flushed, and her voice was a little dry: "Ah? Uhm...you, why are you here? Let's talk in the... the house."
Saying this, she awkwardly hurried out of the water, still tightly clutching the incriminating bamboo pole and the poor fish.
Fang Xuan watched her rare display of flusteredness.
He actually thought, 'She's so easily embarrassed; my great training endeavor might be difficult to pull off...'
Thinking this, he followed Ning Xian towards the bamboo house.
The atmosphere on the way was somewhat awkwardly silent.
Ning Xian walked ahead, her back straight, but her steps were a little hurried, and she was still carrying the fish, making her look rather uncoordinated.
Finally, Ning Xian broke the silence, her voice having returned to its usual coolness, though a careful listener could still detect a trace of panic:
"Yesterday...thank you, junior brother, for the life-saving medicine. The pill...was very effective."
Fang Xuan quickly said, "Senior Sister, you're too kind. It's a matter of kinship between fellow disciples; it's only right. Are your injuries feeling better, Senior Sister?"
"Much better," Ning Xian replied curtly. She paused, as if feeling too blunt, and added, "Thanks to junior brother's pill."
Then, she proactively asked, "Junior brother, you've come today because...?"
Fang Xuan took the opportunity to state his business: "Reporting to Senior Sister, today I went to see the peak lord. Due to some... misunderstanding between Senior Sister Shen and me yesterday, the peak lord has confiscated two months of my cultivation resources."
Ning Xian's steps paused slightly.
Fang Xuan continued, "Furthermore, the peak lord has ordered me to follow Senior Sister for these two months to learn basic sword theory and sect etiquette. If my cultivation resources are insufficient, I may ask Senior Sister."
After speaking, he quietly waited for Ning Xian's reaction.
Sure enough, Ning Xian remained silent for a long time before finally speaking again:
"No."
She stopped, turned, and looked at Fang Xuan.
She had lost all her cultivation and faced immense difficulty in rebuilding it; she could barely protect herself, let alone teach him.
Not to mention sword theory, even the most basic sword scripture, in her current state, she might not be able to demonstrate clearly for him.
Her gaze swept over the direct disciple sword tassel at Fang Xuan's waist, and her tone was calm: "As junior brother can see, apart from decent spiritual energy, my valley has nothing.
I cannot obey the peak lord's command. Junior brother should seek a more capable instructor or report back to the peak lord to retract the order."
What she said was logical and reasonable.
Fang Xuan understood this perfectly, but he couldn't let such an opportunity slip away.
He would have to pester her.
He immediately put on a troubled expression:
"Senior Sister, I understand your difficulties."
"But... this is a direct order from the peak lord. I've just joined the sect; if I can't even obey the first command, I might leave a worse impression. Senior Sister, please just... help me out for two months, even if it's just for show."
He observed Ning Xian's expression; seeing her slight frown, as if in thought, he quickly added fuel to the fire:
"Moreover, Senior Sister Shen... I don't think she'll give up easily. If I cultivate alone, I might not find peace. Here with Senior Sister... the environment is serene, perfect for avoiding unnecessary trouble."
His words were half-truths.
Avoiding trouble was true, but his main goal was to stick close to Ning Xian.
Ning Xian looked at him, complex emotions swirling in her clear, cold eyes.
Of course, she knew this was Shen Qingqing's trick. After all, Shen Qingqing was Shen Chen's illegitimate child, so making a complaint or something was quite normal.
To throw such a talented new direct disciple to a cripple like her, the intention was obvious—
Either drag him down or make him despise her.
She originally didn't want to play into their hands, nor did she want to delay the future of this junior brother, who didn't seem to have ill intentions.
But Fang Xuan's words also made sense.
The peak lord's command was indeed difficult for a new disciple to disobey. And... he was right, Shen Qingqing wouldn't give up.
Her place, perhaps, was a temporary refuge for him?
But... teaching? Resources?
A hint of bitterness surfaced on Ning Xian's lips.
What could she teach now? What could she give?
She looked at Fang Xuan's young and handsome face, unable to see through him.
However, he probably wasn't a soft persimmon to be kneaded at will.
His coming to her might not be entirely coerced; perhaps... he had his own plans.
She sighed softly, turned, and continued towards the bamboo house, her voice returning to its calm state:
"If that's the case... then I'll agree to junior brother's request. However, in my current condition, I truly cannot teach you anything profound. I can explain sect etiquette to you, but as for sword theory cultivation... I'm afraid junior brother will have to comprehend it on his own."
"Regarding resources... I am powerless. Junior brother will need to find a way himself."
This was an agreement, albeit a discounted one.
Fang Xuan quickly followed: "Thank you, Senior Sister. To receive guidance on sect etiquette from Senior Sister is already fortunate. As for cultivation, junior brother will strive hard himself and dare not trouble Senior Sister excessively."
The two returned to the bamboo house courtyard, one after the other.
Ning Xian walked to the stone table in the courtyard and placed down the bamboo pole and fish she had been carrying.
The silvery-white fish was still futilely wriggling on the bamboo tip.
The air seemed to quiet for a moment; in short, the atmosphere was very... awkward.
Ning Xian looked at the fish on the table, then at Fang Xuan standing nearby, and her pale little face seemed to flush slightly again.
She averted her gaze and cleared her throat:
"Junior brother... please sit. I'll... handle this."
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