Into The Sea

“Ah Yue…” Lan Wu couldn’t help but shiver. The body in her arms was burning hot, while the cold seeped into her back, freezing her to the bone. “Did you reach the Foundation Establishment stage?”

How else could Ji Lingyue’s appearance have transformed so drastically overnight?

Gathering spiritual energy, opening the spiritual veins, purifying the body, shedding all worldly impurities – all culminating in such breathtaking beauty.

They said it took a hundred days to establish one’s foundation, but wasn’t Ah Yue a bit too fast?

While these thoughts raced through her mind, Ji Lingyue whimpered softly, groaning, “It hurts…”

“Hurts?” Lan Wu snapped back, glancing down at her trembling lashes. Standing out here in the snow wasn’t an option, especially since she was only draped in a robe—far too improper, even in the deserted Jinling Peak.

Scooping Ji Lingyue into her arms, Lan Wu turned and headed towards her room.

The girl hung limply against her shoulder, her burning cheek pressed against Lan Wu’s neck. The warmth of her body was irresistible, and Lan Wu couldn’t help but hold her closer, soaking in the heat as she quickened her pace.

As soon as she pushed the door open, a rush of warm air greeted them.

Lan Wu sighed in relief. Qin Yu, at least, had the decency to set up a warming formation in the room. Otherwise, she would have truly believed Ji Lingyue was being bullied.

She carefully laid Ji Lingyue on the bed, looking her over and asking, “Where does it hurt?”

“Everywhere… It hurts everywhere…” Ji Lingyue’s voice trembled.

It felt like her bones were being shattered and rebuilt, her skin peeled off and regrown over raw flesh. And to make matters worse, the serpent venom flared up at night, making her feel like she was burning alive, forcing her to stumble into the icy pond in a desperate attempt to ease the pain.

Her lips were nearly bitten bloody, and her newly formed skin was delicate as silk. Even Lan Wu’s gentle carrying had left red marks on her porcelain-like skin.

“Where’s your Master?” Lan Wu asked.

“He… He went to the Central Region with… Second Senior Sister…” Ji Lingyue managed before another groan escaped. Gripping Lan Wu’s clothes tightly, tears streamed down her face. “Lan Wu…”

“I’m here.” Lan Wu hugged her tightly, at a loss for what to do. “I’m sorry, I should… I should have come to you sooner…”

She felt a wave of guilt, cursing herself for being able to sleep through the night. But she knew this pain was inevitable. If Qin Yu were here, he might have given her some pills, but with him gone, Ji Lingyue had to endure it.

At this point, all she could do was hold Ji Lingyue tightly, so she wouldn’t be alone.

They stayed like that, one sitting and one lying down, until the sun climbed high in the sky. Only then did Ji Lingyue’s tense body finally relax, lying exhausted in Lan Wu’s arms. Lan Wu looked down and saw that Ji Lingyue was drenched in sweat, her face as pale as paper, and her long hair stuck to her face in clumps.

Taking out a handkerchief, Lan Wu gently wiped her face and asked softly, “Does it still hurt?”

Ji Lingyue took a moment to catch her breath before shaking her head. She raised her hand, a golden light gathering in her palm. Lan Wu’s eyes fell on it, and she couldn’t help but smile. “You can channel your spiritual energy now.”

Ji Lingyue gave a weak hum and withdrew her hand, burying her face against Lan Wu’s abdomen. Lan Wu froze, then chuckled, gently stroking her hair. Noticing the damp robe clinging to her, she asked, “Do you want to bathe?”

“Yes…”

Despite saying so, she stayed motionless in Lan Wu’s arms. Lan Wu looked around, about to ask where to heat water, when a slender hand reached up, the wide sleeve falling back to reveal a delicate arm.

Ji Lingyue’s fingers tightened on Lan Wu’s robe, gently pulling her down until their eyes met in surprise.

Ji Lingyue blinked, her long lashes fluttering, revealing clear, dark eyes. “Lan Wu…”

“You…” Lan Wu felt a bit uneasy, turning her head slightly. She knew Ji Lingyue had always been beautiful, but the refinement that came with establishing her foundation was almost too much, especially being this close. Her heart skipped a beat.

She could almost rival the legendary beauty of the mermaids.

“What… what is it?”

Ji Lingyue frowned slightly, hesitating. “Don’t you like how I look now?”

“How could I not?” Lan Wu quickly denied. “I’m not blind.”

“Then why…” she paused, asking confused, “won’t you look at me?”

“Who says I’m not?” Lan Wu replied hastily, forcing herself to meet her gaze. But soon, her cheeks flushed.

Ji Lingyue blinked, a thought forming in her mind that made her inexplicably happy. “Are you… blushing?”

“Blushing?” Lan Wu coughed, reaching out to pinch Ji Lingyue’s nose. “You’re so skinny. Why would I blush?”

“But your face is red,” Ji Lingyue mumbled.

“I’m just hot! You’re so close and sweating so much.” Lan Wu protested. “Look, you’ve even made my clothes wet. I need to wash them too…”

Before she could finish, Ji Lingyue touched her chest, and a ripple of golden light spread from her fingertip. In an instant, the sticky sweat vanished, leaving Lan Wu sitting dry and clean, staring at her in a daze.

“Cleansing Spell,” Ji Lingyue stated calmly. “It’s in the third chapter of The Path of Cultivation.” With that, she slipped out of Lan Wu’s embrace and retreated to the corner of the bed, pouting. “Never mind, you can go. I’m fine now anyway.”

Despite her words, when Lan Wu actually hopped off the bed, Ji Lingyue couldn’t help but glance back, her dark eyes peeking out from under her lashes. Lan Wu caught her gaze and chuckled, extending a hand. “Want to come down the mountain with me to Jixue City?”

“But Master…” Ji Lingyue began instinctively.

“He’s not here, remember?” Lan Wu winked, grinning. “Just the two of us, to celebrate your Foundation Establishment. I’ll treat you to something delicious.”

After a moment of hesitation, Ji Lingyue climbed out of bed and took Lan Wu’s hand. “Okay.”

Lan Wu’s face flushed again. She quickly turned away, stammering, “Y-you should put on some clothes first!”

As the largest city in the Norther Region, Jixue City was simpler than its counterparts in other states, yet still grand and imposing in its own right. The streets were laid out in an orderly grid, and in the distance, one could see the sprawling residences of nobles, government offices, and ancestral temples. Even the street performers added to the bustling atmosphere. Every few steps, one would encounter masked low-level cultivators, showcasing minor spells and tricks for the entertainment of passersby, hoping to earn a few coins. It was truly a place where mortals and cultivators coexisted closely.

Ji Lingyue had little interest in the usual jewelry and makeup that captivated most young ladies. However, seeing Lan Wu’s enthusiasm, she patiently accompanied her from one shop to another, dutifully offering her opinions. Feeling a bit guilty, Lan Wu decided to take her to a clothing store, intending to pick out a few outfits for her.

Ji Lingyue quickly declined, “Why should I buy clothes? My robes are enough.”

“You can’t possibly wear those all the time,” Lan Wu dismissed her protest. Her eyes scanned the racks of colorful dresses, and she picked out a few, thrusting them into Ji Lingyue’s arms. “Go on, try them on.”

Ji Lingyue opened her mouth to argue but, seeing Lan Wu’s determination, resigned herself to the task and disappeared behind the changing screen.

When she emerged, Lan Wu was chatting happily with the shopkeeper. Turning to see Ji Lingyue, her eyes lit up, “Beautiful!”

“This dress was made for you, young miss!” the shopkeeper chimed in.

Ji Lingyue blushed, fiddling with the delicate fabric of the dress. “Th-this must be expensive.”

“Not really, just fifty low-grade spirit stones,” Lan Wu replied casually. “I’ve already paid. Once the shopkeeper helps packs everything up, we’ll head out.”

Ji Lingyue’s jaw dropped. “Fifty… Where did you get so many spirit stones?”

“I have plenty of spirit stones,” Lan Wu hummed, taking the wrapped garments and a storage ring from the shopkeeper. She handed the ring to Ji Lingyue. “This is for you too. Now that you’ve reached Foundation Establishment, you should be able to use it.”

Ji Lingyue was even more surprised. “A storage ring… Isn’t that even more expensive?”

Lan Wu smiled, “I told you, my family is wealthy. I brought a lot of valuables from home and exchanged them at the Baibao Pavilion for plenty of spirit stones. Don’t worry about spending too much. I can afford it.”

Ji Lingyue hesitated, then looked up at her, her voice barely a whisper. “Why are you spending so much spirit stones on me?”

“Why does there need to be a reason?” Lan Wu tapped her forehead gently, “What kind of relationship do we have that we need to be so particular about such things?”

Ji Lingyue blinked, her lips parting slightly.

But… what kind of relationship do we have?

Before she could voice the question, Lan Wu had already turned and headed out of the shop, her bright, beautiful face bathed in the sunlight, looking relaxed and sincere.

Seeing Ji Lingyue lagging behind, she turned back and lazily called out, “Come on, aren’t you hungry?”

Ji Lingyue fell silent for a moment, pressing her lips together. She quickly walked up to Lan Wu and fell into step beside her.

Watching their intertwined shadows on the ground, a pang of sadness welled up in her heart. She even began to doubt herself—was it just because of her young age and inexperience that she alone was here, turning these thoughts over and over?