Chapter 6 : Chapter 6 : Junior Sister Xi'er_1
Mo Jiuzhou let Xi'er, a girl guided by Qin Changqing, also a disciple of Xuanyi Peak lineage, join at the same time as him.
Back when Xuanyi Peak was established, Mo Jiuzhou was too lazy to manage, so he randomly grabbed a group from the sect.
Some of them were talented like Qin Lingshuang, possessing Tier 6 and Tier 7 Spiritual Roots.
Of course, there were also less talented ones. Qin Changqing was brought in from the outside, and some of them, like Xi'er, had Tier 9 Spiritual Roots.
However, her Spiritual Root belongs to Tier 9 Mid-level. With hard work and some luck in her cultivation, she might have the chance to attain Foundation Establishment.
Yet, for cultivators, such a chance is hard to estimate.
Just like Qin Changqing, Mo Jiuzhou even said he could grasp the sun and moon and pluck the stars.
As long as one possesses a heaven-defying fortune, isn't it possible even if the odds are one in a billion, right?
Under normal circumstances, if Xi'er doesn't come across any particular opportunity, she'd be able to make an attempt at Foundation Establishment by the age of fifty or sixty.
However, attempting and successfully reaching Foundation Establishment are two different things.
Within the Lingxiao Sect alone, there are countless people who fail to reach Foundation Establishment every year.
Not to mention Tier 9 Spiritual Roots, even those with Tier 8 and Tier 7 Roots have failed to reach Foundation Establishment as well.
So, cultivation is difficult!
Most people think they're the protagonist, but in the end, they realize they are not even a supporting character, merely a cannon fodder.
Xi'er is no exception.
Her current cultivation level is at Cultivating Qi's sixth layer, neither high nor low, and she's expected to reach the peak of Cultivating Qi before turning sixty if she continues to cultivate.
Originally, Xi'er didn't have any particular thoughts about her life.
She was well aware of the privilege she gained when Xuanyi Peak was founded and admitted into the inner sect, and she was content with her current treatment.
However, the incident of Qin Changqing descending the mountain sparked some thoughts among the 'poor-performers', including her.
Since reaching immortality seemed hopeless, why not return to the mundane world early and live a carefree life?
However, the allure of cultivation is simply too strong.
Even if one can't achieve immortality, the status of a powerful cultivator is enough for one to hold their head high.
So, most people just sigh at the thought, while Xi'er has been pondering over it for days, even discussing it with Mo Jiuzhou.
Of course, Mo Jiuzhou didn't want Xi'er to leave the mountain.
Xuanyi Peak had only just been established for twenty years, and it was in a rapidly developing stage.
Moreover, he didn't think Xi'er could accomplish much by leaving the mountain—youths can be impulsive.
Although he tried to persuade her, it didn't work.
Fortunately, her Senior Brother Qin Changqing was there, and he had a good relationship with his Junior Brothers and Sisters. He was the spiritual mentor for everyone.
In the courtyard,
Xi'er was squatting alone beside a spiritual field, tending to the medicinal herbs inside.
This was Qin Changqing's residence.
Of the entire Xuanyi Peak lineage, only Qin Changqing's place had all these things.
Apart from medicinal herbs, there were also vegetables, fruits, and even a fish pond. Sensing someone approaching, Xi'er turned around, her face full of surprise.
"Senior Brother?!"
Xi'er was the petite and adorable type, a bit shorter than Qin Lingshuang but more lively, having many thoughts and a fondness for the chicken Senior Brother Qin made.
"Am I seeing things?" Xi'er rubbed her eyes, making sure she wasn't mistaken. "Why are you back?"
Qin Changqing walked over with a smile.
"I came to see you," he said.
"To see me?" Xi'er was taken aback, then quickly understood. "Did Master ask you to come back?"
"Of course not. I came up to see Master for something and stopped by here on the way," Qin Changqing laughed. "What, am I not allowed to come back after descending the mountain?"
In truth, under normal circumstances, he wouldn't be allowed.
Those disciples who were sent to the mundane world were forbidden from returning to the mountain without special reason.
However, Qin Changqing had a token from Mo Jiuzhou, allowing him to come and go freely at Lingxiao Sect's gate.
"Hehe~ Of course not! You'll always be our Senior Brother," said Xi'er with a smile.
Seeing her smile was really adorable, with a small dimple on her right cheek and round, clear eyes.
After catching up for a bit, Xi'er suddenly sighed.
"Senior Brother, what exactly are we cultivating for? Everyone talks about seeking the Dao and becoming immortal, but the heavenly path is unfair, and some people are destined never to reach a higher realm in their entire lives. Just like me, I might not even achieve Foundation Establishment, let alone become an immortal.
These days, she had been struggling with these thoughts.
Contemplating her cultivation issues, the young girl's thoughts about life and philosophy grew increasingly muddled.
What exactly is the purpose of cultivation?
What's the meaning of persisting in seeking the Dao even when it's known to be fruitless?
Her spiritual mentor, Qin Changqing, stroked his chin. "Actually, cultivation... is just a way of life."
"A way of life?" Xi'er blinked curiously. "Why do you say that?"
"I ask you, why do farmers cultivate fields? Why do butchers slaughter pigs? And why do teahouse owners open shop?"Xi'er thought for a moment and answered, "To make money?"
"And what is the purpose of making money?"
"For... living?"
"That's it. What is the meaning of their lives? If you don't let them do these things, they wouldn't know what else to do. These seemingly meaningless things have already become their way of life."
Qin Changqing smiled slightly, "As for us cultivators, cultivation is a way of life, just like how they feel happy when they earn money. You will also feel the same when you have a breakthrough in your cultivation. Cultivating is not necessarily for immortality or long-lasting youth. In the end, as long as you feel happy, that's all that matters."
"Happiness is what matters." Xi'er seemed to suddenly understand the reason for her troubles – she was unhappy!
Her cultivation was difficult to advance – she was unhappy.
Everyone around her had better talents – she was unhappy.
She couldn't eat Eldest Martial Brother's chicken – she was unhappy.
Curiously, Xi'er asked, "So, Eldest Martial Brother, have you been happy these two years you've been down the mountain?"
"Of course, I got married and even have two children now. I couldn't be happier."
"w(.口.)w"
That was fast!?
"Is the secular world fun?"
"It's quite interesting." "Then, Eldest Martial Brother, can you take me to the secular world for some fun?"
Xi'er looked at Qin Changqing with anticipation.
He pondered for a moment.
Since the Old Man asked him to guide Xi'er, making her happy would naturally relieve her worries.
Perhaps, the Old Man would be happy as well.
With that thought, Qin Changqing smiled and said, "Alright, let's go." When Qin Changqing returned to Qin Mansion, the maid was accompanying Qin Yueru in the courtyard, basking in the sun.
"Madam is feeding the child," the maid respectfully said.
Xi'er curiously looked at Qin Yueru and then scanned over the entire courtyard.
Although the courtyard's decoration was similar to that at Xuanyi Peak, it clearly lacked some immortal aura and had more of a worldly atmosphere.
Outside the courtyard was the street, with crowds coming and going. Street vendors were selling various things, lively and bustling.
Xi'er had an outgoing personality and couldn't wait to explore the town with Qin Changqing after the visit to her martial sister-in-law.
It wasn't until evening when they returned. By this time, Su Xiaoyue had already prepared dinner.
When Su Xiaoyue heard from the maid that her husband had brought back a fairy, she became very nervous.
It wasn't because she was worried about the relationship between the fairy and her husband. It was just her natural reaction when facing an immortal from Lingxiao Sect.
"Eldest Martial Sister-in-law is so beautiful," the moment Xi'er saw Su Xiaoyue, she was amazed.
Generally, female cultivators tend to be more delicate and attractive compared to ordinary girls.
As they absorb spiritual qi from the heavens and the earth to refine their bodies, eliminating impurities and toxins, their appearance and temperament are bound to change.
Xi'er was born beautiful.
But looking at Su Xiaoyue, she was equally stunning and not inferior to her.
"The kids are so cute, too." Xi'er adored the two little ones.
"Thank you for your compliments, Miss Xi'er," Su Xiaoyue said somewhat shyly.
The two got along quite well.
After dinner, Qin Changqing had the maid prepare a guest room for Xi'er.
When the night fell, the children went to bed.
"My husband, Sister Xi'er seems to really like you," said Su Xiaoyue with a light smile in bed, "I never thought that an immortal from Lingxiao Sect could be so carefree and outgoing."
"It's not about liking or not liking, she and I have been on the mountain together for a long time, so we have a good relationship."
"So, do you like Sister Xi'er?"
Girls in the secular world have a better understanding of relationships than cultivators.
In Su Xiaoyue's opinion, Xi'er liked Qin Changqing.
When Qin Changqing thought about it, he did indeed like her.
When he first came down the mountain, he had hoped to create a family with a lovely junior martial sister.
However, Mo Jiuzhou asked him to guide his junior sister, not to be straightforward with her.
Moreover, Xi'er might not necessarily be willing to come down from the mountain.
Giving up the path to immortality completely is easy to say, but difficult to do.
Qin Changqing didn't think any further, blew out the candle, turned around, and enjoyed his time with Su Xiaoyue.
On the other side, Xi'er went to the courtyard, thinking of finding her Eldest Martial Brother to discuss cultivation as usual. However, when she had just stepped towards his door, she heard creaking noises.
Amidst the sounds, there were a man's panting and a woman's whimpering.
Her eyes widened, and her legs felt as if they were filled with lead, suddenly unable to move.
Useless legs, move!!