Returning to Yulan Valley with Ling’er

Bai Xian stood to the side, watching them with a furrowed brow. She cleared her throat twice in feigned seriousness. “Young man, may I ask your name?”

Only then did Bai Ling realize her loss of composure. Her excitement moments before had made her forget her mother was present. Now, feeling embarrassed, she stood aside, her face flushed crimson.

Zhao Liang quickly struggled to make his greetings. “Auntie, hello. My name is Zhao Liang, I’m from Tian Family Village nearby. As for Ling’er and I…”

Just as Zhao Liang was about to explain why they had been chased by the serpentine monster, a thunderous roar erupted. The Tangle Serpent forced the flying sword from its left eye, blood streaming down and making its enormous head look even more menacing and horrific.

Bai Xian took out two jade bottles from her robes and handed them to Bai Ling. “One is Jade Magnolia Powder, the other is Jade Magnolia Pill. Hurry and tend to your wounds, restore your spiritual power. That creature seems about to go berserk. I’ll keep it occupied—take Brother Zhao and leave, wait for me at home.”

Bai Ling, still shaken by the Tangle Serpent, said in worry, “Mother, why don’t we leave together? It’s too dangerous for you alone.”

Bai Xian shot her a glare and said sternly, “If I take you both along, the serpent will surely catch up. You two would only be a burden here—better to return and set my mind at ease so I can deal with this beast properly.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Bai Xian waved both hands, sending Bai Ling and Zhao Liang dozens of yards away.

When they landed lightly on the ground, Bai Xian called out to them, “Go, quickly!”

Supporting Zhao Liang, Bai Ling hurried away, glancing back with every few steps. After traveling four or five miles, they finally stopped to catch their breath, sitting at the root of a great tree.

Bai Ling was pale, her chest stained with blood. Zhao Liang looked even more battered, his clothes little more than tattered strips.

Bai Ling took out the Jade Magnolia Powder and gently applied it to Zhao Liang’s wounds.

He winced, sucking in air through his teeth.

“Does it hurt?” Bai Ling asked anxiously.

“It doesn’t!” Zhao Liang gritted his teeth and forced a smile.

“Don’t pretend—if it hurts, just say so,” Bai Ling scolded.

“Ah, Mother, it hurts so much!” Zhao Liang suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs.

“You scared me half to death!”

Startled by his sudden outcry, Bai Ling raised a dainty fist and punched Zhao Liang in the chest—right on his wound. He grimaced in pain, tears streaming down his face.

“Serves you right for goofing off!”

Within moments of applying the powder, Zhao Liang felt a coolness spread through his body, easing his pain considerably. This truly was a magical remedy.

Bai Ling then took out the Jade Magnolia Pills, swallowing one herself and handing another to Zhao Liang.

“Clear your mind of distractions, focus entirely, and begin the Gathering Spirit Technique.”

With that, Bai Ling closed her eyes and began to circulate her energy. Zhao Liang followed suit.

Mist-like spiritual energy slowly emanated from their bodies, drifting outward.

After nearly half an hour, they both opened their eyes, almost at the same time.

“My spiritual energy is nearly fully restored!” Bai Ling exclaimed with delight.

Zhao Liang scratched his head in disbelief. “I feel even stronger than before, Ling’er. Could you give me one more Jade Magnolia Pill? This is really amazing stuff.”

“In your dreams! You think these are beans?” Bai Ling, though admonishing him, nonetheless poured out another pill and handed it over. “Here, take it. If you run into danger, this could save your life—don’t waste it.”

Zhao Liang accepted it with both hands, cradling it as if afraid it might dissolve. He carefully put it away inside his robes.

“Let’s go home. Climb on and sit tight.”

Bai Ling produced the Snow Cloud Ribbon. With Zhao Liang in tow, they soared into the sky.

After flying for more than an hour, they finally descended into a secluded mountain gorge.

The valley was surrounded on all sides by mountains, with a stream flowing like a jade ribbon from the heights. Though it was already late autumn, there was no sense of chill here; it was markedly warmer than outside. Great swathes of orchids were still in full bloom, the trees remained lush and green, their leaves yet to fall.

It was truly a paradise secluded from the world.

Bai Ling pointed to a courtyard not far ahead. “Look, just past the Jade Magnolia Valley—that’s home.”

“Ling’er, why didn’t we just fly straight to your house?” Zhao Liang asked. “Why walk this last stretch?”

“There’s an aerial ward set up,” Bai Ling replied. “If you try flying through, you’ll trigger the formation and be struck by a thousand swords—there’d be nothing left of you.”

Zhao Liang stuck out his tongue in fright. “That’s terrifying! If an outsider didn’t know and accidentally set it off, they’d be doomed!”

“The ward gives a warning first,” Bai Ling explained. “Cultivators would recognize it as a flight prohibition. Only if someone insisted on breaking through would the swords be unleashed. It’s not a trap to butcher every passerby!”

As they spoke, they reached the entrance of the courtyard.

The place was a neat square, about a hundred feet long and seventy or eighty wide. The walls were all built of fired bricks, which greatly surprised Zhao Liang. In Tian Family Village, houses were built of mud bricks; only the wealthy in Jimou City used such fired bricks.

As they entered, Xiao Bai came bounding over. Bai Ling lovingly stroked its head. “Good little one, you really saved us this time. Tonight, I’ll have Mother make you something delicious.”

Xiao Bai whimpered a few times, as if showing off or asking after its promised feast.

Bai Ling invited Zhao Liang inside to rest, and their idle chatter need not be recounted further.