Chapter 42: Chapter 42

The cultivator sits by a fire and doesn’t notice Lan Xiaohui’s approach until she intentionally steps on a branch, twenty or so paces away from him. He is in a clearing, and though most of the area is naturally clear, there is a considerable margin that seems to have been cleared out by hand, and recently too.

He appears to be a young adult, about the same age as Lan Xiaohui — though trying to judge the age of a cultivator is an exercise in futility. If they look old, they are either extremely powerful, or they made a big mistake.

His first reaction upon hearing the branch snap is to reach for his sword, which is embedded into the ground next to the campfire. However, when he looks at her and realizes she is not a demonic beast, he freezes and hesitates.

It is a clear sign of diplomacy when he keeps his hand on the hilt of his sword, but uses his other one to lower his hood. He wants to talk.

Lan Xiaohui walks to within a distance of ten steps and then halts. Her hands are relaxed at her sides, though a breeze disturbs her dress, revealing some of her milky pale skin. She reaches for her makeshift coat, and pulls it closer.

From an outside perspective, she must not only look poor and unfortunate — to be in this place, with that appearance — but also weak.

“I did not think I would run into another person here,” he says. “I have nothing of value.”

Lan Xiaohui, despite her appearance, stands proudly and shows no hint of emotion. “I am not here to steal, brother.”

He blinks. “You are a fellow disciple?”

Lan Xiaohui nods and then she opens her coat slightly, to reveal a design embroidered into the tattered remains of her left sleeve.

He leans closer, narrowing his eyes, and then nods.

“My apologies, sister,” he says, waving his hand toward her, allowing her to approach. “I thought you were a thief or a rogue. This year, there were rumors that outside forces would attempt the Treasure Hunt.”

“I know,” Lan Xiaohui says. Despite her calm tone, I can sense that her heart is deeply shaken by the words.

Lan Xiaohui sits on the opposite side of the fire, and pulls her coat closer to her body. The air is cold and has been for a while, though she never showed any signs that it bothered her before.

“Brother, do you know why the Treasure Hunt began so early?” she asks, choosing her words carefully. “I have not heard anything.”

The other disciple looks up from the fire. “I heard another rumor that the Grand Elder ordered it, but more than that, I do not know. There was an incident between Black Tiger Peak and White Raven Peak. Do you know of it?”

Lan Xiaohui nods slowly. “I heard of it.”

“Were you at the Assembly, fellow sister?”

Lan Xiaohui shakes her head. “No, brother. I was away at the time.”

A flash of comprehension appears on the cultivator’s face and he nods. “The Black Tiger offered a reward to anyone who brings him an awakened treasure.”

Lan Xiaohui lifts her gaze from the fire and looks at the other disciple. “Is the Black Tiger participating in the Treasure Hunt?” As much as she tries, she cannot keep the freezing cold out of her tone.

The disciple laughs and shakes his head. “No, he went into seclusion. I heard he was close to breaking through into the Golden Core realm. That was about a month ago. He likely already achieved it.”

Lan Xiaohui nods.

“I think the Black Tiger convinced the Grand Elder to hold the Treasure Hunt early. I think the incident that happened has made him covet an awakened treasure. I am sure if he had one, he would be able to join the Galaxy Sword Sect.”

Lan Xiaohui presses her lips together, and then nods.

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“Have you found one, sister?” the disciple asks. “Your sword — it is very unusual.”

Lan Xiaohui pulls her coat over my vessel, concealing it from view. “No, brother. Unfortunately. This is a legacy treasure from my family.”

The disciple licks his lips and nods. “You must be from a wealthy family, sister. Why come here and risk your life?”

She thinks about the question, and shrugs. “My family is not that wealthy. I also wanted to challenge myself and further my Dao.”

He nods at her words. “I thought so too, but I regret coming here.”

“Why?”

The disciple shrugs. “I did not think it would be this difficult, sister. The beasts here are only of the third rank, but they are much stronger than that. I only entered the Foundation Establishment realm eight months ago, but even that is not enough.”

Lan Xiaohui shrugs. “Demonic beasts cultivate the body first, fellow brother. Without a strong Dao, you won’t survive here.”

The disciple laughs and nods. “So it would seem. I thought I could at least collect some resources before I leave, but…” He trails off. “I don’t know if I will leave with my life.”

Lan Xiaohui does not reply. However, now I am curious to know what she wants. At first, she told me she desires to leave this place and kill the Black Tiger. Recently, though, she has pushed further deeper and deeper into the Forbidden Ancestral Hunting Ground, sharpening her Dao.

The disciple provides me with the opportunity to find out: “What about you, sister? Do you wish to leave? We could travel together.”

Lan Xiaohui shakes her head, without even a moment of hesitation. “I plan to head deeper.”

He looks at her, as if she had lost her mind. “How? You are only in the Early stage of Foundation Establishment. I am in the Mid stage, and even I cannot survive here.”

If he knew that until a month ago she was in the Qi Condensation realm, he would’ve likely recycled himself into Blood Points, on the spot.

Lan Xiaohui offers a pure smile. “My Dao is here. I cannot live without my Dao.”

The disciple’s eye widen at her profound words, and he even leans back, as if they deal a physical blow to his center of mass.

He remains silent for a long time, and the only sound in the clearing is the crackling of the fire.

After a dozen or so minutes, he finally speaks. “I am Zhao Wei. What is your name, sister?”

She thinks for a moment, and then smiles. “Xue Lian.”

Zhao Wei seems surprised by this unusual name and then nods. “The Rivers and Lakes really are vast, fellow sister. You never know when you might meet an interesting character on the road.”

Lan Xiaohui covers her lips with her palm and chuckles.

“I have some spare clothes if you wish,” he says. “I can also repair your dress if you allow me.”

She offers a smile and nods. “Thank you, brother Zhao.”

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