Chapter 154 – Cold Shoulder

  Inside her secluded residence, the air was thick with spiritual energy that had been gathered by the array surrounding it. While it was filled with too much Metal and Earth Essence for it to be comfortable for her, Bai Xuelian still benefited from the experience.

  She sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion as she attempted to keep her breathing calm and rhythmic. The Qi inside her Dantian surged and ebbed, while a faint aura shimmered around her. It was the unmistakable sign of someone on the verge of a breakthrough.

  But, despite her efforts, her thoughts refused to quiet. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Jun De.

  The memory of his warmth in the hot spring, the way his eyes were filled with desire as he stared at her body, and the strength of his arms as he wrapped them around her made her heart beat faster, disrupting the steady flow of her Qi through her meridians.

  ‘Focus. He may be the perfect partner and Dao Companion, but not for me. I cannot allow myself to be distracted from what matters. I will reach Foundation Establishment, and eventually far beyond it.’

  Her hands tightened slightly atop her knees, and she exhaled slowly to force her racing heart to calm. She told herself that it was just a single moment of indulgence before she returned to the path that she was meant to walk alone.

  ‘I seized the opportunity, but that is all.’

  Cultivation was her life’s pursuit, and nothing else mattered to her but to reach immortality.

  Gradually, her turbulent emotions began to still, and her breathing deepened as she cultivated. But, once again, she halted, and the cycle of Qi ceased.

  The resistance that she had felt in her cultivation had dissolved, and the flow of Qi was far easier than it had been before.

  ‘Did the Spiritual Energy change?’

  Each cycle of Qi that flowed through her meridians before returning to her Dantian was much quicker and purer than it had been just yesterday. Even her discomfort from her Pure Yin Body had lessened, the side effects that usually came from cultivation were completely absent.

  Confused, she reminded herself to check with her master when she returned to the Sect. For now, the most important thing she could do was to prepare as much as possible for Foundation Establishment.

  For Bai Xuelian, the days crept by with no change. She didn’t emerge from her residence, and no one attempted to disturb her.

  When she at last stepped out into the open air, the morning air was surprisingly cool, and the sunlight radiantly reflected off her blue robes.

  It was finally time for the Tranquil Mountain Sect to leave Ironvein Quarry.

  The main plaza, where they had first arrived and Zhao Wuxian had issued his challenge to spar against all who were willing, was crowded when she arrived. Disciples from the Ironvein Quarry Sect stood in lines to see them off, or to see Zhao Wuxian, who had become a legend to many of them.

  Elder Wen stood beside Sect Master Feng at the center of the Plaza, the two deep in conversation. Elder Wen looked tired, but satisfied with his efforts, while Sect Master Feng was practically glowing with relief and happiness at the results.

  The Sect Master's laughter boomed across the courtyard as he clapped Elder Wen on the shoulder, his large hand practically pushing the smaller man over despite the fact that they were both in the Core Formation Stage.

  “Your assistance was invaluable, Brother Wen.” Sect Master Feng said warmly.

  “The purity of the refined Blackiron Quartz is far beyond what we have ever achieved before. With this, I am sure your Sect Master’s spiritual artifact will have no issues with its repair.”

  Elder Wen snorted, but he couldn’t quite suppress a small, smug smile from appearing on his face from the shameless praise.

  “Hmph. It was no easy task, I assure you. Your Disciple’s efforts were tolerable.”

  Nearby, Zhao Wuxian stood with Han Lian, the two talking energetically. Han Lian’s laughter rang out across the plaza, light and carefree, while Zhao Wuxian’s grin was wider than ever.

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  ‘I wonder how Junior Brother Zhao’s wager went? I have no doubt he spent a week in the mines, but did Sister Han fulfill her end of the bargain?’ Bai Xuelian wondered idly. She would have to remember to ask him later.

  Although from the closeness that was between them, she suspected that both sides of the wager had been fulfilled.

  Her eyes shifted, almost unwillingly, to the final person of interest at the gathering.

  Jun De stood a short distance away from Elder Wen, as calm and poised as always, with his hands folded behind his back. The sunlight caught in his black hair, highlighting his outstanding appearance to everyone who saw him. Many of the female Disciples were outright staring at him.

  But there was something about his appearance that was distant and even cold, a look she was not used to seeing on him. He didn’t even look her way, not even when she walked to the edge of the Plaza and began to draw attention from everyone around her.

  Jun De’s composure was the same as ever, but there was something subtle in his bearing, a quiet restraint, or a wall that hadn’t been there before.

  Bai Xuelian’s heart gave a small, involuntary flutter as the memory of the hot spring flashed through her mind. She pushed the thought down quickly while suppressing the heat that rose to her cheeks.

  ‘He’s being careful around me, keeping his distance because of what I said.’

  She forced her expression to maintain calm serenity and stepped forward to join the others in the Plaza. Yet as she walked beside Jun De to wait for Elder Wen, she couldn’t help but glance sideways at him in the hope that he would smile at her.

  Jun De’s eyes flicked to her face before he nodded in greeting and returned to looking at Elder Wen and Sect Master Feng.

  Somehow, that calm indifference stung more than any rejection could have.

  ‘What did you expect? You told him you were only interested in the Dao, then you left him alone for days. Of course, he is wary of getting close to you again.’ A small voice whispered in the back of her mind.

  For a moment, Bai Xuelian simply stood there, unsure of what to say, before she managed to cobble together an awkward sentence.

  “Junior Brother Jun, it’s good to see you again. I trust the last few days here have been productive?” She asked softly, then silently cursed herself for her choice of words.

  Jun De turned to her, and rather than smile or jest with her as he usually would have, he retained his cool and polite attitude.

  “You as well, Senior Sister Bai. I hope that your time in seclusion was beneficial.” His tone was perfectly respectful and steady, but there was an unmistakable distance in it. There was not a trace of the closeness they had shared in the hot springs.

  Bai Xuelain’s heart tightened slightly, and a faint ache bloomed in her chest. She reminded herself that this was what she wanted, that she needed to keep her distance from him in order to properly concentrate on her cultivation.

  ‘Distraction is the enemy of cultivation, and attachment leads to stagnation. This is the best for both of us.’

  Before the awkward silence between them could stretch further, a boisterous voice broke through the tension.

  “Junior Brother Jun! Senior Sister Bai!”

  Zhao Wuxina strode toward them, his grin every bit as wide as it had been with Han Lian. He even threw a shameless wink over his bare shoulder at Han Lian, who laughed and shook her head. She was clearly used to his antics by now.

  As usual, the muscular young man was bare-chested and appeared to have used his best elixirs and oils to ensure that his bronzed skin shimmered in the sunlight.

  When he arrived by their side, he slapped Jun De playfully on the shoulder with enough force that Jun De’s robes rippled around him, and there was a sound as though Zhao Wuxian had struck stone.

  Jun De didn’t flinch from the force.

  “Our time in the Ironvein Quarry Sect was well spent, yes? Plenty of fighting and training, Junior Brother Jun De got to refine a batch of pills, and you appear on the verge of a breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, Senior Sister.”

  Jun De nodded, though he said nothing. Bai Xuelian managed a polite smile while also thinking that their time was well spent as she recalled her private moments with Jun De.

  ‘But there is no more time for distractions.’

  Elder Wen soon approached them, his presence commanding the attention of everyone around him.

  “Tranquil Mountain Disciples, it’s time for us to depart.”

  The crowd began to stir, while Elder Wen’s eyes swept over Bai Xuelian, Jun De, and finally Zhao Wuxian, who was still grinning like a fool.

  “You have all done well during our stay. Your conduct reflects well on the Tranquil Mountain Sect. Now, let us return home before Sect Master Feng starts to think he can keep us.” Elder Wen said gruffly, clearly eager to leave.

  Elder Wen flipped his hand, pulling the small pill refining furnace from his storage ring, and was about to enlarge it when a shout came from the assembled crowd.

  “Jun De!” Luo Feng shouted, pushing his way through the crowd. He was clearly exhausted, with bags under his eyes, but he fiercely stared at Jun De.

  “I won’t forget what you said to me. Mark my words, I’ll keep cultivating, and when I surpass you, I will come to the Tranquil Mountain Sect to challenge you fairly!”

  Jun De regarded him quietly before giving him a small nod.

  “I look forward to that day, Brother Luo.” Jun De replied.

  “Hah! Bring it on! The Tranquil Mountain Sect doesn’t shy away from a fight!” Zhao Wuxian declared while flexing his arms to show off his muscles.

  Elder Wen shook his head at the display before flicking the Pill Furnace into the air. It suddenly expanded until it was large enough to carry them all, its metal surface pitted and stained from years of use.

  “Enough lingering. It’s time we return home.”

  Zhao Wuxian gave Han Lian a final smile before leaping onto the furnace, and was soon joined by Elder Wen and Bai Xuelian. Jun De paused only long enough to give a final, polite nod toward Luo Feng before doing the same.

  With a roar like a thunderclap, the pill furnace soared into the sky.