Volume 3, Chapter 454 – Ascend the Heavenly Ladder, Tread Upon Lingxiao

“Sister, I believe you won’t lose to him.”

The little kitten nuzzled against Chi Xiyan’s neck, then reluctantly climbed off of her.

“I have to go.”

“I’ve already snuck out for too long. The people of the Lingxiao Sword Sect will grow suspicious.”

As she spoke, the girl swung her legs off the bed, hooking the discarded robes at the bedside with the tips of her toes.

Watching her movements, Chi Xiyan couldn’t help but recall, in a flash, the memory of that pale, delicate leg draped over her own shoulder.

‘I can’t keep looking.’

She lowered her gaze, pulling her eyes away from the girl’s soft, glowing body.

She bit down lightly on the tip of her tongue, forcing those inappropriate images out of her mind.

Just then, something unexpected happened.

The girl suddenly reached out, wrapped her arms around her, and pressed a light, fleeting kiss to her lips, quick as a dragonfly skimming water.

“Sister, I’ll see you at Lingxiao Peak.”

“I’ll be waiting. Come take me home.”

With those two lines, the girl left, leaving Chi Xiyan with nothing but the sight of her hurried, retreating back.

Chi Xiyan climbed off the bed.

She had only just finished dressing when Qing Niang came looking for her.

The moment she stepped through the door, Qing Niang lifted her nose and sniffed lightly.

Then she looked at Chi Xiyan, a knowing smile spreading across her face.

Chi Xiyan raised an eyebrow and flung a pillow straight at Qing Niang’s face.

“See nothing improper, hear nothing improper.”

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“Quite the temper, aren’t we.” Qing Niang chuckled awkwardly. “Though I am curious. When the people of the Lingxiao Sword Sect learn that their soon to be young sect master’s wife has been drawn from through dual cultivation, what expression will be on their faces.”

“It’ll be quite the sight, I imagine.”

“You do know, this particular cauldron was originally meant for Song Shixuan.”

Hearing this, Chi Xiyan’s eyes turned cold. “They won’t find out.”

“I’ll defeat Song Shixuan and bring Muxue home.”

Qing Niang’s expression grew complicated. She clicked her tongue softly. “Is it really going to be that simple?”

Chi Xiyan glanced at her. “What do you mean by that?”

Qing Niang sighed. “There’s an old woman in the Lingxiao Sword Sect named Qu Qingtang.”

“That old woman is no one to underestimate.”

“Everything with Chi Muxue, she’s the one pulling the strings behind it.”

“If you truly defeat Song Shixuan in front of everyone, you’ll be striking directly at her pride.”

“She won’t let the two of you leave the Lingxiao Sword Sect that easily.”

Chi Xiyan fell silent for a moment before speaking. “Perhaps.”

“But that’s exactly why I have to beat Song Shixuan fairly, openly, in front of everyone, so that no one has any grounds left to object.”

Qing Niang spoke again. “It sounds like you don’t really have a choice.”

“We really don’t.” Chi Xiyan said. “This is our only way out.”

“Then there’s nothing more to say.” Qing Niang shrugged and handed Chi Xiyan a small vial.

“Here. This is the Nine Nether Fate Reversal Pill you asked for. The alchemist has already finished refining it for you.”

Chi Xiyan took the pill, somewhat surprised, and opened the vial to take a sniff.

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A rich, potent fragrance rose from within.

She had no idea who had refined it, but the quality was far higher than she had expected.

She hadn’t held out much hope for this pill to begin with, and yet here was an unexpected gift.

Qing Niang looked at the pill in her hand and muttered under her breath.

“That alchemist really had it rough. Not only did she pour everything into refining that pill, she nearly paid with something far more costly.”

“Hm?” Chi Xiyan asked, puzzled. “What are you talking about? Paid with what? What happened to the alchemist?”

“…” Qing Niang paused for a moment before answering. “Nothing. I was just remarking how difficult it is to be an alchemist. Refining a single pill nearly cost her everything.”

“Oh.” Chi Xiyan tucked the pill away. “Who is this alchemist? Could you introduce me to her? I’d like to thank her in person.”

“Miss Chi.” Qing Niang laughed softly. “Rather than worrying about that alchemist, I think you should be putting your attention toward your wager with Song Shixuan instead.”

“Once your wager is settled, you’ll have the chance to meet her.”

Chi Xiyan nodded. “Alright. I understand.”

Qing Niang chuckled. “Oh, one more thing.”

“That alchemist also asked me to tell you, unless things reach an absolutely dire moment, don’t use this pill lightly.”

“Though I imagine you already understand the risks of this pill yourself.”

“…” Chi Xiyan considered this for a moment. “Mm. I know. I’ll be careful.”

She naturally understood what the pill was for.

It was a fail safe, meant to guard against something spiraling completely out of control.

Now that she had reached the middle stage of the Fifth Realm, using a pill of this caliber against someone like Song Shixuan alone would honestly be a waste.

Song Shixuan, as he stood now, wasn’t worth using a pill of that level on.

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Qing Niang continued. “The duel for the three year wager is in two days.”

“Your cultivation has surged, and your energy is still unstable. I’d suggest you spend these two days stabilizing it.”

“Mm.”

***

Two days later, Chi Xiyan roused herself from meditation.

She rose to her feet, an invisible pressure of spiritual energy erupting from her body before quickly withdrawing again.

Releasing and reining it back in, all as naturally as moving her own arm.

“My cultivation is completely stable now.” Chi Xiyan lifted her head, a restrained glint of sword light held within her eyes.

“Time to go.”

Qing Niang was already waiting outside the door.

Beneath the scorching sun, she held an oil paper umbrella overhead.

She spotted Chi Xiyan and a smile spread across her face.

“To make sure Miss Chi doesn’t lose her way, Xue’er specifically asked me to guide you there.”

“Then I’ll be in your care, Qing Niang.”

The two of them made their way to the outskirts of town.

Chi Xiyan lifted her head, her gaze following the mountain path all the way up.

“The Lingxiao Sword Sect really is a breathtaking sight.”

This was Chi Xiyan’s first time actually visiting the Lingxiao Sword Sect.

All she had ever known of it before had come from scattered rumors.

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Now, seeing the sect’s magnificent scenery with her own eyes, she realized the Lingxiao lineage was even grander and more forbidding than the rumors had ever suggested.

The Lingxiao lineage stood atop a snow peak that had endured for ten thousand years.

The steep, snow covered peak rose like a white blade, pointing straight toward the heavens.

Only a single mountain path remained, leading down to the town at its base.

By rights, no town should have ever existed in such a perilous place.

But over the centuries, so many seekers of immortality had come hoping to be accepted into the Lingxiao lineage that a sizable town had gradually formed at the foot of the mountain.

Qing Niang pointed toward the straight mountain path ahead.

“This is the Lingxiao Sword Sect’s Ascension Ladder.”

“Follow this path all the way up to the summit, and you’ll reach the Lingxiao Sword Sect itself.”

She let out a soft laugh. “Miss Chi, I’m only an outsider. It wouldn’t be proper for me to visit the Lingxiao Sword Sect directly.”

“The rest of the way, you’ll have to walk alone.”

“Mm.” Chi Xiyan nodded.

She let out a small, crooked smile.

“I’ve heard that the stairway up Lingxiao Sword Peak was left behind by the Lingxiao Sword Ancestor himself, as a trial for those seeking immortality.”

“Only those who successfully reach the summit earn the right to be accepted into Lingxiao Mountain.”

Chi Xiyan looked up at the steep, straight path ahead of her, and a surge of fierce resolve rose within her chest.

“Then, today, right here.”

“I will ascend the heavenly ladder.”

“And tread upon Lingxiao!”