This is not how immortals cultivate

Chapter 388 It's my turn.
"Sister Chan'er is a descendant of the Silver Moon Palace. Her possession of the Silver Moon Veil may be at the behest of our master..."

The truth was difficult to describe in conventional language, and Xiao Lingyue couldn't bring herself to say it, so she made up a vague possibility and glossed over it.

"If that's the case, why are you so agitated? You just took Mother away without letting me say a word?" Cheng Yuling asked suspiciously.

She couldn't fit into the elite circles, but her extensive experience allowed her to pinpoint the suspicious points and firmly believe that things weren't so simple.

Both Xiang Yuan's act of forcibly changing the subject and Xiao Lingyue's act of taking her away without saying a word were too suspicious. They must be hiding something.
What exactly is it?
The truth was too outrageous for Cheng Yuling to guess. She stared intently at her daughter, trying to analyze some clues from the changes in her expression.

Xiao Lingyue said expressionlessly, "Sister Chan'er is the successor of the Silver Moon Palace and also the Holy Maiden of the Yellow Springs Path. She is decisive and ruthless. If Mother has said anything wrong, she really dares to kill you."

"Don't worry, Lingyue, you are a grandmaster."

"She is the same. If she were to unleash that ancient mirror of reincarnation, few in the world would be her match."

so smart!

Cheng Yuling frowned: "So, that's why Lingyue was helpless against the demoness... I understand, Xiang Yuan was also forced to do something because the demoness held him hostage."

How could that be? He has no idea how happy he is!
"Xiang Yuan, why did you have to get involved with the Yellow Springs Saintess for no reason!"

Cheng Yuling was heartbroken. Huangquan Dao had indeed been whitewashed and officially recognized by the Western Chu government, transforming from a heretical sect into a reputable one. But this was a political deal, and anyone with a brain wouldn't believe it.

Even if you wash her a thousand times, the Yellow Spring Saintess is still a demoness. Xiang Yuan would definitely be beaten to his knees by the demoness and taken back to be used as a furnace.

The truly reputable and righteous sect should be the Wushuang Palace, because the Wushuang Palace would not capture righteous young heroes to be used as furnaces.

"Because he is Xiang Wentian, the Left Envoy of the Underworld."

"..."

Cheng Yuling stood there, stunned. The sudden news left her completely bewildered.

"What do you mean by that? That they're a match made in heaven, and you, Lingyue, are the one who came later?"

How could that be? I was here first!
Xiao Lingyue cursed her bad luck inwardly. She was full of complaints whenever she thought about this matter. She ignored Yan Fumen and began to tell the story of the ill-fated relationship between the three of them.

After listening in a daze, Cheng Yuling said incredulously, "You and the demoness had a dual cultivation, sharing the same sky and complementing each other, and Xiang Yuan was pushed by you... You, did I hear that right?"

You heard right, disregarding the plot in between, this is the result.

Cheng Yuling looked at Xiao Lingyue with pity, and said with disdain, "How did I teach you? Keep a close eye on her, keep a close eye on her! But you sent a vixen over to watch her, and you actually treat her like a good sister!"

Xiao Lingyue had no words to express her suffering, but she silently told herself to think positively, at least Senior Sister Cheng was no longer asking about Master's affairs.

That's outrageous!
"Mother, things have come to this point, there's no point in saying more."

Xiao Lingyue stopped the incessant chatter of Cheng Yuling and said with narrowed eyes, "I know the nature of this vixen very well. Apart from her good husband, there is no one in the world who is not worthy of being killed. You must not set foot in my daughter's courtyard, and you should stay far away from her if you encounter her in the future."

Cheng Yuling frowned: "Silly daughter, I can tell that this vixen is alluring and seductive, and is by no means a kind person. You owe her a great debt of gratitude, and you will inevitably suffer from her harassment. If this continues, you will suffer in silence and be the one who will be unlucky."

As she spoke, she whispered advice to Xiao Lingyue, saying things like, "Do this and that, and I'll make sure that Xiang Yuanqin's wife and Yuan Niangzi get together."

These were all the methods of a first wife, and Xiao Lingyue nodded repeatedly as she listened.

Soon, Cheng Yuling changed the subject, speaking in an even softer voice, and imparted several unique skills.

Mother, do you want to listen to what you're saying? Is this something I can understand?
Xiao Lingyue shook her head repeatedly, trying to dispel the strange images in her mind. She had no use for any special skills. As for Chan'er, she only looked alluring and seductive, but she was actually a weakling, the kind of person who would make people laugh if they thought about her.

……

Small courtyard.

Xiang Yuan sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes closed as if in meditation.

Chan'er sat cross-legged in Xiang Yuan's arms, sometimes squirming and sometimes looking at Xiao Lingyue sitting at the table. With such a great favor in hand, she felt she had reached the pinnacle of her life.

She wasn't even this happy when she refined Jinse into an avatar.

Mentioning Jinse, Chan'er thought of something, hummed twice, and with a thought, Jinse's sixth incarnation emerged from a gray vortex.

In an instant, the room was filled with bright light, so bright that it could shine on people.

Seeing Xiang Yuan surrounded by makeup, Xiao Lingyue knew that Chan'er was deliberately trying to provoke her, but she was still angered. She watched coldly and said, "Shameless."

"Chan'er is a demoness, and that's how demonesses act, unlike some righteous sects..."

Chan'er sneered, "Since you're not as skilled as others, you ask your master for help. Your master actually got involved. His methods are truly impressive."

Xiao Lingyue: (_)
They wanted to refute it but had no way to do so, since the demoness was right; the Palace Master of Wushuang Palace, whose name they couldn't mention, had indeed met her end.

Seeing that Xiao Lingyue was speechless, Chan'er became even more smug. She withdrew Jinse's six incarnations, pushed Xiang Yuan, who was sitting cross-legged in meditation, and said to the astonished Xiao Lingyue, "You sit over there and don't go anywhere. This is what you owe Chan'er, so you have to keep your word."

Tonight, right in front of you, I will be the best husband in the world with you!
Xiang Yuan remained motionless, engrossed in his cultivation, oblivious to the changing seasons. Chan'er swiftly swiftly struck, and after a few moments, the pupa shrugged and disintegrated into a puddle of soft mud.

"..." x2
Xiao Lingyue raised her hand to cover her face, her lips twitching. She knew that Chan'er was taking the opportunity to humiliate her, but... this should be called self-humiliation.

What should we do? Should we pretend to be angry, hide the truth, and continue to let Chan'er remain ignorant?

"What are you waiting for, little sister? I'll be generous today and grant you a taste of marital bliss." Chan'er sneered, her eyes narrowed, her voice trembling slightly.

It was called a provocation, but in Xiao Lingyue's eyes, it was more like a plea for help. She waved her hand, saying that a proper girl wouldn't do such an absurd thing.

"What? Your sister saved your family just now, and you're going back on your word and denying your promise?" Chan'er's smile grew even colder.

Xiao Lingyue took a deep breath, unmoved by the provocation, and refused to comply no matter how much Chan'er mocked her.

"Humph!"

Chan'er had her own way of making Xiao Lingyue obedient. She pointed to the bedside, and Jinse arrived in a graceful manner, untying the ribbon at her waist and letting her clothes fall down to reveal her fragrant shoulders and beautiful back.

"You are crazy!"

Xiao Lingyue stood up and stepped forward, pulling Jinse's clothes back together. Looking down at the limp Chan'er, her anger vanished instantly. She twitched her lips and said, "Let me make this clear from the start: you brought this upon yourself. Don't blame me for repaying kindness with enmity if you make a fool of yourself later."

LOL, you're the biggest joke right now!

Under Chan'er's disdainful gaze, Xiao Lingyue, filled with grief and indignation, reluctantly picked up the remaining roots, and then...

Disdain → Surprise → Doubt → Shock → Reflection → Grief and Indignation
"go away!"

With a sob in her voice, Chan'er lunged forward, grabbing Xiao Lingyue's long hair and wrestling with her. Before the two could unleash their true abilities, Xiang Yuan suddenly emerged from seclusion, leaping into the air with a somersault.

"It's my turn!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The next morning, Xiang Yuan slowly opened the door, performed a set of sword techniques in the courtyard, and then went inside to do Xiao Lingyue's hair and makeup.

Chan'er has already left.

They fled in panic, without looking back.

Don't ask, the answer is that he's unhappy, with a look of indifference towards the mundane world, saying he's going back to the Yellow Springs to go into seclusion.

The blow was too great, and she felt like she was just a support character, causing the enchantress to question her life.

In contrast, Xiao Lingyue was calm and composed. She sat in front of the dressing table, looked at herself in the mirror, and muttered to herself that she was shameless. Then, as if thinking of something, she raised her hand to cover her face, also falling into a questioning of life.

On the bright side, in a comparison of who's worse, Chan'er is the one who feels most ashamed. She ran away overnight, and even her shouts weren't as forceful anymore.

Xiang Yuan held a wooden comb in his hand, glanced at Xiao Lingyue who was covering her face in her glasses, and smiled slightly: "Madam, what hairstyle are you planning to wear today? Like Mother's?"

"Are you feeling smug?" Xiao Lingyue said irritably.

"What do you mean by that, Madam?"

"You kept smiling."

"I've thought of something happy. To be honest, Madam, my cultivation has reached the Tongyou level, and I'm now a Grandmaster-level expert."

Xiang Yuan said in a serious tone, his upturned lips even harder to suppress than AK's: "Speaking of which, with such a big thing happening at home, Brother Xiao He still hasn't come home. What is he thinking? Everyone else is so busy, eager to show off and make a name for themselves."

He was still waiting to run into Xiao He so he could say, "What? You know I'm a grandmaster?" But he never even saw a ghost of Xiao He.

Could he really have died out there?

Le.JPG
When Prince Zhao, Xiao Yan, was young, he consulted a fortune teller who predicted that he would have ninety-nine sons. Xiang Yuan used to think that he had been deceived by the fortune teller, but now it seems that either the fortune teller was just making things up and accidentally got it right, or the fortune teller really did have some skill.

There's a high probability that he's a heartless old man!
Even before he practiced fortune-telling, Xiao Yan had a hobby of adopting sons, and that's how his eighth son, He Yuanzhi, came to be.

After having his fortune told, his interest in fortune telling intensified, and he adopted many godchildren. Whenever he felt a connection with someone or took a liking to them, he would ask if they were interested in being his son.

In this situation, the ninety-nine sons were of varying quality. Some, like the nineteenth son Fang Qixian and the thirty-fourth son Gu An, were extremely loyal, while others initially performed well but became blinded by power and gradually degenerated after Xiao Yan became the Prince of Zhao. After Xiao Qian came of age, he was busy with various tasks, earning pocket money for his father while managing the increasingly powerful family. Everyone else lived peacefully, but he alone carried a heavy burden.

No matter how good-tempered or capable Xiao Qian was, he couldn't stop Xiao Yan from bringing back a brother every few days. By threatening to deduct his allowance, he stopped Xiao Yan's bizarre habit of randomly taking in sons.

It was only at this point that Xiao Yan became much more docile. After becoming the Prince of Zhao, he was more cautious in choosing his adopted son and no longer asked questions as readily as before.

At this time, Xiao Yan was the King of Zhao, and his status as an adopted son rose accordingly. There were too many people asking him for favors. In the past, he would ask others for help, but now people would beg him on their knees.

Take Xiang Yuan, for example. If it weren't for Xiao He's strong recommendation, Xiao Yan would never have intended to adopt him as his son.

After having ninety-one sons, Xiao Yan adopted several more, bringing him close to the perfect number of ninety-nine.

A rumor gradually spread in the Prince Zhao's residence that as long as Xiao Yan gathered ninety-nine sons, he could ascend the throne and secure the country.

Such words should not be spoken carelessly. Xiao Qian suppressed them and repeatedly warned that anyone who dared to mention it again would be expelled from the Prince Zhao's residence.

While they weren't allowed to talk about it to his face, the rumors spread like wildfire in private, and soon the news reached not only Zhaowang Mansion but also the other prefectures of Guanshan Road.

There were too many ambitious people in the family, and Xiao Qian could only patch things up as he went, but he had no choice.

In Xiao Qian's view, it was impossible for the Zhaowang Mansion to take over the capital and become emperor on its own. Their ambition was absurd and laughable. Instead of thinking about the throne that was far away, it would be better to manage the Guanshan Road in a down-to-earth manner.

At that time, regardless of whether they advance or retreat, the Prince Zhao's residence will have a certain degree of initiative.

He hasn't even sat on the throne yet, and he's already thinking about giving orders. It's like he thinks he has too many people in his family and too many heads on his shoulders.

Not everyone can be as clear-headed as Xiao Qian. The vast majority of people in the Prince Zhao's mansion, especially those adopted sons who were blinded by power, had already begun to vie for power and put pressure on Xiao Qian as a group.

Brother, you've worked so hard, and your brothers feel bad for you. We'd like to help share some of the burden!
The Prince Zhao's residence was very large, and it was quickly divided into several cooking pots.

Xiang Yuan brushed his hair aside and kissed Xiao Lingyue's forehead: "Madam, which pot do you plan to eat at, or rather, shall we start anew and help our elder brother Xiao He get back on his feet?"

Xiao Lingyue rolled her eyes at Xiang Yuan: "My brother doesn't have the ability; if one's virtue doesn't match one's position, then one will surely face consequences..."

He stopped Xiang Yuan from talking nonsense halfway through his sentence, saying that things were still far from certain and that overthinking would only harm him.

“I understand what you mean, Madam, but if you don’t fight for it, others will. Once they succeed, things won’t be easy for the Prince Zhao’s mansion!” Xiang Yuan said with a smile, recounting his experiences in the Yellow Springs Path. Just like this Prince Ning, his little schemes were already going on and on.

“Even so, my brother is still…” Xiao Lingyue shook her head. Out of respect for her elder brother, she refrained from saying that he was utterly hopeless.

Is it possible that Xiao He was incredibly shrewd, perfectly inheriting the Xiao family's goofy and 140-point genes, able to seamlessly switch between grandson and grandfather, able to stand up on his own without assistance?

Xiao Lingyue was unaware of Xiao He's true nature and had no interest in vying for power. Like Xiang Yuan, she had witnessed the vastness of the myriad worlds and the so-called power held no interest for her.

Besides, so what if you become emperor? The mastermind behind the scenes can just flip through the Death Note and he's gone in a flash.

True power lies in one's hands, in one's fist, for fist is the most irresistible form of power!
Xiao Lingyue warned Xiang Yuan not to get involved in family squabbles, and to just sit back and watch the show. If anyone tried to win Xiang Yuan over, she told him to unleash his usual shamelessness and spit on them.

"That's not good, what if he swallows it?" Xiang Yuan asked worriedly.

"..."

Xiao Lingyue sighed, looking at herself in the mirror, wondering if she had been blind back then, otherwise how could she have fallen for such a person?

Just as he was thinking, he suddenly frowned and looked out the window at the courtyard: "Sister Lingyan is here. Strange, I'm not very familiar with her. What is she doing here? Could it be that her fiancé is hiding in my courtyard?"

Looking in the mirror again, he gazed into the distance, his eyes fixed on his nose, his nose on his heart, as if he were lost in thought.

"Husband, say something!"

"Madam is so beautiful!"

"..."

Xiao Lingyue was speechless. She had originally thought that she and Xiang Yuan could live together, cultivate together, and progress together, becoming a pair of immortal lovers who lived a life of peace and tranquility.

As soon as they set off, Chan'er inexplicably approached them. After walking a while, their master followed behind, pretending not to exist.

Even after passing by my house for a rest, I still couldn't find peace and quiet.

Why does this happen?

Looking at Xiang Yuan, who was lusting after the lady's beauty in the mirror, Xiao Lingyue was both annoyed and amused. She scolded him, "If only you were more ordinary."

"If I were more ordinary, would you still find me pleasing, Madam?"

"..."

Right.

While the two were dressing in front of the mirror, Xiao Lingyan passed by the courtyard three times. Each time she mustered up the courage to knock on the door, she would quicken her pace and leave.

Both Xiang Yuan and Xiao Lingyue possessed the cultivation of Grandmasters and had powerful senses. They took in this scene and couldn't help but feel some sympathy.

"Why, are you feeling distressed?"

"Oh, I haven't said anything yet!"

Xiang Yuan cried out that he was wronged, saying that without any evidence, how could a virtuous person be wronged?

"Hmph, Mother told me that last time you came to Prince Zhao's mansion, you stayed in Sister Lingyan's courtyard. If Mother hadn't been watching you closely, you would have stayed there overnight." Xiao Lingyue turned her head to look to the side.

No, she's not that kind of person. Even if you gave her a chance, she wouldn't be able to do it.

Xiao Lingyue had no intention of running into Xiao Lingyan while going out. This was a different matter from being kind-hearted. She wasn't that generous. It wasn't until the courtyard gate was knocked that she stood up in dissatisfaction, pressed Xiang Yuan back into the house, and went out to open the door herself.

My sister looks really beautiful today.

What Xiang Yuan? I didn't see him. He was probably kidnapped by the Yellow Springs Demoness.

Would you like to come in and have a seat?
Take care, sister.

With a smooth and effortless series of actions, the dazed Xiao Lingyan was sent away, leaving Xiang Yuanren completely numb.

I don't understand, I'm curious, I'm puzzled.JPG
Both of them came from the Prince Zhao's Mansion, so why is Xiao Lingyue so skilled while Xiao Lingyan is so incompetent?
After sorting through the information, Cheng Yuling's image appeared before his eyes, and he thought to himself, "The case is solved."

After returning to the room, Xiao Lingyue set up a restriction to erase any trace of her and Xiang Yuan's existence.

"What is this, Madam?"

“Sister Lingyan is not good with words. She was turned away, so Aunt Chen will definitely come to the door. I can’t confront her directly. She will leave on her own when she can’t find anyone,” Xiao Lingyue said skillfully.

"..."

Wow, you've mastered all of that!
As Xiang Yuan looked up, Cheng Yuling's figure loomed larger, its value skyrocketing.

Just as Xiao Lingyue said, in no time at all, Xiao Lingyan's mother, Chen Qiaofeng, arrived in a huff, and left in a rage because she couldn't find her precious son-in-law.

Judging from the situation, he's going to confront Cheng Yuling.

Xiang Yuan was itching to join in the fun, so he decided to bring a small stool over and check it out.

But soon, his attention was drawn to the central courtyard. The spatial restriction issued a warning that a Grandmaster of the Tongyou stage had arrived at Prince Zhao's residence and was approaching Xiao Yan.

Xiang Yuan squinted and looked towards the central courtyard from afar. Through layers of space, he saw a monk in white robes.

He was bald and handsome, with a tall and slender figure, ethereal and elegant, as free and easy as the wind.

Dajue Temple, a place of spiritual beauty.

Xiang Yuan recognized the bald head, not because the monk was handsome, but because he was almost as good-looking as Xiang Yuan.
It wasn't because Lingxiu was from Qi, but because he was a prince of the Liu family, whose original name was Liu Xiu, and who was the son of his junior brother Liu Che.
It was not because Lingxiu had forcibly transmitted Buddhist teachings, regardless of whether he agreed or not, that they forcibly begged for alms and insisted on converting him into Buddhism.

It was all because the old Taoist priest with a heartless heart made a bet with Abbot Huixing of Dajue Temple. Each of them would take a time traveler as their disciple. He arrived ten years late, causing the old Taoist priest with a heartless heart to lose the bet.

Xiang Yuan was deeply impressed by this bald man because of his nine-ringed tin staff, a masterpiece of nature.

"What is this tall donkey doing at Prince Zhao's residence?"

As Xiang Yuan expressed his doubts, Ling Xiu sensed something, slowly turned around, met Xiang Yuan's gaze, and bowed respectfully: "Amitabha..."

"We meet again, kindred spirits."

"..."

It's really fate. Now you have to call me Uncle!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

10,000 words, please vote with monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)