Chapter 109: Blue Water’s Anger

Xueze nodded, just about to summon her magical artifact, when she saw the figure suddenly launch an assault on Jilin.

"Senior Brother, move aside!" Xueze pushed Jilin away, attempting to focus her mind to summon her weapon, but before she could concentrate, she heard Jilin’s cry.

"Junior Sister, watch out!"

Xueze felt a sudden, powerful gust of wind and opened her eyes in terror. All was dark before her; the figure approached, shrouded in murky black mist, causing Xueze to recoil in fright. She retreated rapidly on her sword, but she was no match for the assailant's speed. Sweat beaded on her palms in desperation.

"Who exactly are you?"

The figure pursued her, engaging in combat and securing the upper hand within two or three moves. With a light push, he knocked Xueze off her blade, sending her falling just as Jilin had. The sword, truly devoid of emotion, remained motionless in the air, failing to react or follow her.

Disappointed by the blade's cold indifference, Xueze prepared to summon her ice needles, only to find the figure had teleported directly in front of her.

"Such speed?"

Xueze was stunned, and suddenly, the figure caught her in his arms. In an instant, the air seemed to reverse, flowing upward, and the figure brought her back to stand upon the sword. "Who are you, really?"

"Take a guess!"

"You must be a spy from within Tianshan!"

Xueze scoffed and struck him with her palm without hesitation, but he remained unmoved. In her panic, he seized her hand.

"You!"

Unable to break free, Xueze struck out with her other hand, only to have that one firmly clamped down as well.

"Let me go!"

Seeing this, Jilin flew forward, roaring, "Release my Junior Sister at once, or you'll regret it!"

"Don't come near, Senior Brother!"

Before Xueze could finish, a blur of black mist passed before her eyes. When she could see clearly again, she was already far from Jilin. Jilin pursued relentlessly, and though Xueze was filled with worry, the figure finally released her. Amidst her confusion and terror, the man waved his hand, the black mist faded away, and the familiar appearance of Lanshui was revealed.

"Senior Brother!" Jilin called out first.

Xueze stood frozen, too embarrassed to look at Lanshui.

"Are you two practicing here?" Lanshui asked coldly, before dispelling the spell he had cast on Lianzi.

"Senior Brother, since you’ve played a prank on us, can we consider our mistakes settled?" Jilin asked tentatively.

Lianzi sidled over. "Senior Brother, you are so mischievous!"

"Mischievous? And what of you? Isn't this just reckless folly?" Lanshui scanned the surroundings. "This is the boundary between Tianshan and the outside world. If you were to encounter a true master while playing here, what would you do? I merely tested you slightly, and you were already struggling. How could you possibly face a powerful enemy?"

"But my Junior Sister and I haven't even shown our true abilities yet!"

"Then why didn't you? It was clear you couldn't even react in time. Do you think an opponent will grant you time to think?"

Jilin stuck out his tongue. "Well... the three of us couldn't even defeat an outsider? This is Blue Lake; commoners cannot use magic here, let alone challenge a Tianshan disciple. Senior Brother, you’re just relying on your..."

"Silence!"

Lanshui looked at the three of them with disappointment and flew off alone. Seeing this, the three followed sheepishly.

Back at the Snow Bamboo Grounds, they found no sign of Lanshui, and each felt a sense of unease.

"Senior Brother must have gone to find the Master. Will he report us?"

Jilin looked at Lianzi. "They have both been extremely busy lately. Senior Brother won't let the Master know about this. But he was so angry—what should we do? Xueze, why don't you try to persuade him? We are all too afraid to speak to him now!"

Xueze lowered her head, whispering, "We were indeed in the wrong, and we let Senior Brother test our foundations. Now... I am too filled with guilt and frustration to even face him. How could I possibly go?"

"This... it’s true. Senior Brother must be blaming me for failing to teach you well and for leading you into such recklessness!"

Lianzi, unaware of Lanshui's temper, thought the matter was trivial and tried to comfort Xueze with a smile. "Senior Sister, don't be sad. Mastery in martial arts isn't built in a day. We will practice hard from now on and stop running around, won't we?"

"Seeing Senior Brother's expression, he must have encountered something in the mortal realm; his anger is likely not just about our behavior. We were greedy for play and disregarded the rules—it is truly headache-inducing. But I am more concerned about what is happening in the mortal world. Could it really trigger a great calamity for Tianshan?"

Jilin paused, his expression turning tense. "You remind me, Junior Sister. The things the Master said a while ago had double meanings, but I only understood them as the threat being lifted and nothing to worry about. Now, I fear we must face something major!"

"Why are you both suddenly so concerned about this?" Lianzi asked.

"I am to follow Senior Brother into battle to protect Tianshan; naturally, I must understand the dynamics of the world!"

"I am in charge of the Snow Realm, a place vital to Tianshan. I cannot afford any mistakes. If there is a great crisis in the world, my duties will surely be implicated. This is truly worrying!"

Lianzi nodded, sighing. "Then we should just ask Senior Brother if there is anything going on. If you are afraid of being scolded, I will go, so you don't have to sit here looking so worried!"

"No need!" Lanshui suddenly appeared behind them. "The Master and I decided it is better not to keep some things from you. I will tell you now: Shuo is not dead!"

"What?" All three wore expressions of horror.

"The Master has already spoken of this man's power, though he does not yet pose a threat to Tianshan. As for the future, it depends on how he cultivates. However, since he has returned to the world, he surely has grand ambitions. You must be careful. This news will soon spread throughout Tianshan, and countermeasures will be taken. Do not worry yourselves over it!"

"Senior Brother, then..."

Lanshui glanced at Jilin and said expressionlessly, "Take care of yourselves and reflect on your own actions!"

With that, Lanshui walked away with a solemn air, leaving only his retreating figure behind.

"It's over!" Jilin sighed. "The devil is alive, and Senior Brother is ignoring us. We are in for some dark days ahead!"

"Indeed! Senior Brother didn't even acknowledge Senior Sister; he must be furious. What are we to do?"

Xueze looked at Jilin and Lianzi, struggling for a long moment. "What if we do some good deeds to show Senior Brother our sincerity? Perhaps if he sees we are earnest, he will forgive us?"

"That is true. We cannot have Senior Brother working himself to the bone while still being angry at us!"

Jilin nodded, agreeing with them. "But what should we do?"

The three looked at each other, at a loss. Suddenly, Xueze had an idea.

"The Master once mentioned a secret technique—a very difficult Tianshan art that few have managed to master. Why don't we try to learn it? It would be both a beneficial endeavor and a sign of our sincerity!"

Lianzi nodded, smiling happily. "Whatever Senior Sister says, I am willing to do!"

Jilin sneered, staring at Lianzi. "That is easier said than done! Senior Brother and I have both thought of learning that secret technique, but neither of us could master it. Do you think it’s simple? Forget all three of us—if even one of us could master it, it would be an honor for the Master!"

Xueze thought for a moment. "Well... by the time we master it, Senior Brother’s anger should have long since faded!"

"That's true!" Jilin looked at Xueze and laughed. "Why don't you suggest something else? Think of something else! I would rather cook for Senior Brother or make him clothes than waste my efforts trying to learn that!"

"Second Senior Brother, you’re just afraid of trouble!" Xueze sighed. "Tell me, with a formidable enemy like Shuo existing, why aren't you afraid? Look tomorrow—the other disciples will surely be practicing diligently. If you don't increase your own capabilities, how will you protect yourself? If you cannot even protect yourself, how can you protect others or Tianshan?"

"Senior Sister is right! Lianzi knows nothing; I would only be a burden and couldn't protect Senior Sister. I shall learn a powerful technique!"