I don't want to be trained by my senior sister!

Fang Xuan released his divine sense. Although the perception of a half-step Void Core cultivator was not particularly strong, it was more than enough to cover a radius of several hundred meters in this small valley.

Soon, deeper in the bamboo forest, by a cold pool, they saw that familiar figure.

As he passed through the last bamboo screen, the scene before him made him pause slightly.

Beside that small, cold pool, Ning Qian was standing barefoot in the ankle-deep water, her trousers and sleeves rolled up.

He bent over, holding a simple bamboo pole with a sharpened tip in his hand, staring at the clear pool water.

She was still wearing that old, plain white dress, but to make it easier to move around, the hem and sleeves were rolled up 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 strands of hair were damp with moisture and stuck to her face.

Then, Fang Xuan saw her move.

The movement was not fancy; with a flick of the wrist, the bamboo pole shot into the water like an arrow.

With a soft "splash," water splashed up.

When the bamboo pole was lifted, a small, silvery-white fish, about the size of a palm, was already strung on the tip.

Ning Qian's lips also curved upwards slightly.

Fang Xuan was a little stunned.

...Catching fish?

No, sis, you're supposed to be a ruthless person who will refine countless creatures in the future, and now you're here spearing fish with a harpoon? Isn't this a bit off?

But those legs are so white... no, the water is so clear...

He was so engrossed in looking at her that he was mainly looking at her legs; he was clearly aroused by lust.

Ning Qian seemed to have solved her food and clothing problems, and her mood relaxed a bit.

As he turned to the side, he caught a glimpse of Fang Xuan, who had been standing by the bamboo grove for who knows how long, out of the corner of his eye.

A fleeting look of panic crossed her face.

Subconsciously, he hid the bamboo pole with the fish still on it behind him, and his bare feet also shrank back slightly.

Those who cultivate themselves are meant to sever ties with worldly affairs.

She felt a little embarrassed about having a craving, just like a child asking for candy.

But today she really couldn't stand the hunger anymore.

Fang Xuan quickly composed himself, stepped forward, and respectfully bowed with his hands clasped at a distance of a few steps.

"Senior Sister, Fang Xuan pays his respects."

Ning Qian was clearly still not fully recovered from the embarrassment of being watched by her junior brother while she was secretly catching fish. Her ears were slightly red and her voice was a little dry: "Ah? Um...you, why are you here? Let's...let's talk inside."

As she spoke, she hurriedly stepped out of the water, still clutching the bamboo pole used as evidence and the poor fish tightly in her hands.

Fang Xuan looked at her, noticing this rare display of panic.

I think that since she's so easily embarrassed, my plan to "train" her might be going to be difficult...

As he thought to himself, he followed Ning Qian toward the bamboo house.

The atmosphere on the road was somewhat silent and awkward.

Ning Qian walked ahead, her back straight, but her steps were slightly hurried, and she was carrying fish in her hand, which looked out of place no matter how you looked at it.

Finally, Ning Qian spoke first. Her voice had returned to its usual cool and clear tone, but if you listened carefully, you could still detect a hint of panic:

"Yesterday... I am very grateful to my junior brother for giving me the medicine that saved my life. The medicine... was very effective."

Fang Xuan quickly replied, "Senior Sister, you're too kind. It's only natural for fellow disciples to act this way. Is your injury any better, Senior Sister?"

"Much better," Ning Qian replied briefly, then paused, seemingly feeling it was too abrupt, and added, "Thanks to my junior brother's pills."

Then, she took the initiative to ask, "Junior Brother, what brings you here today...?"

Fang Xuan seized the opportunity to get to the point: "Reporting to Senior Sister, I went to pay my respects to the Peak Master today. Because of some misunderstanding between me and Senior Sister Shen yesterday, the Peak Master punished me with two months' worth of cultivation resources."

Ning Qian paused slightly in her steps.

Fang Xuan continued, "In addition, the peak master has ordered me to follow my senior sister for the next two months to learn basic sword principles and sect rules. If I lack cultivation resources, I can ask my senior sister for help."

After he finished speaking, he waited quietly for Ning Qian's reaction.

As expected, Ning Qian remained silent for a long time before continuing:

"no."

She stopped and turned to look at Fang Xuan.

Now that I have lost all my cultivation and it will be difficult to rebuild it, and I can barely protect myself, how can I teach him?

Let alone the principles of swordsmanship, even the most basic sword techniques, in my current state, I might not be able to demonstrate them clearly to him.

Her gaze swept over the tassel of the personal sword at Fang Xuan's waist, and she said in a flat tone: "As you can see, my valley has nothing but spiritual energy."

"I cannot obey the Peak Master's order. Junior Brother, you should seek another capable advisor or report back to the Peak Master to rescind his decision."

What she said made perfect sense.

Fang Xuan understood the situation perfectly well, but he wasn't about to let this opportunity slip away.

The only option left is to pester them relentlessly.

He immediately put on a very troubled expression:

"Senior sister, I understand your difficulties."

"But... this is a personal order from the Peak Master. I'm new to the sect, and if I can't even obey the first command, it will leave an even worse impression. Senior Sister, please... do me a favor. Two months, just to make it look like a formality."

He observed Ning Qian's expression and saw that her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she were thinking, so he quickly added fuel to the fire:

"Besides, Senior Sister Shen... probably won't let this go easily. If I cultivate alone, I'm afraid I won't find peace and quiet. Senior Sister's place... the environment is quiet and secluded, which is perfect for avoiding some unnecessary trouble."

He was only half telling the truth.

While avoiding trouble was true, the main purpose was to get close to Ning Qian.

Ning Qian looked at him, her cold eyes filled with complex emotions.

Of course she knew this was Shen Qingqing's trick. After all, Shen Qingqing was Shen Chen's illegitimate child, so it was normal for her to complain.

The purpose of assigning such a brilliant new disciple to someone as useless as her is self-evident.

Either drag him down, or make him hate himself.

She originally didn't want to comply with those people's wishes, nor did she want to ruin the future of this junior brother who seemed to have a good heart.

But Fang Xuan's words also make sense.

As a new disciple, he could hardly disobey the peak master's orders. Moreover... he was right, Shen Qingqing wouldn't let it go.

Perhaps this place is a temporary safe haven for him?

Just...teaching? Resources?

A bitter smile appeared on Ning Qian's lips.

What can she teach now? What can she give?

She looked at Fang Xuan's young and handsome face, but she really couldn't see through him.

However, it's probably not a pushover that can be easily manipulated.

His coming here may not have been entirely forced; perhaps... he had his own plans.

She sighed softly, turned around, and continued walking towards the bamboo house, her voice regaining its calm:

"In that case... then so be it, junior brother. However, given my current condition, I am indeed unable to teach you anything profound. I can explain the sect's rules and regulations to you, but as for sword principles and cultivation... I'm afraid you'll have to figure it out for yourself."

"Regarding resources... I am powerless to help; junior brother will have to find a way on his own."

That's an agreement, albeit with some compromise.

Fang Xuan quickly followed up: "Thank you, Senior Sister. It is already a great honor to receive your guidance on the sect's rules and regulations. As for cultivation, I will work hard and dare not trouble you with too much trouble."

The two returned to the bamboo house courtyard one after the other.

Ning Qian walked to the stone table in the courtyard and put down the bamboo pole and fish she had been carrying.

The silvery-white little fish was still wriggling futilely on the bamboo tip.

The air seemed to fall silent for a moment, and the atmosphere was... awkward.

Ning Qian looked at the fish on the table, then at Fang Xuan standing to the side, and her pale face seemed to blush slightly again.

She looked away and coughed lightly.

"Junior brother...please sit for a moment, I...will take care of something."