Opportunities were rare, and no one wanted to miss them.
Jian Lin and Jiang Xueyin, one after the other, crept through the darkness and soon reached the vicinity of the place where spiritual energy flickered.
Before they got close, they heard voices. Jian Lin and Jiang Xueyin exchanged a glance, unsurprised. There were too many people here; it would have been an accident if no one had noticed.
With great tacit understanding, they tiptoed closer and hid in the shadows to observe. What they saw startled them.
The group of women gathered ahead were Jiang Xueyin's fellow disciples.
They were still some distance from the actual location where the spiritual energy had flickered. The disciples were hiding behind a large rock, seemingly arguing.
One person said loudly, "Miaoyin, stop pretending! I saw it all. You deliberately poked the Tail-Swallowing Beast's tail, and that's why it went berserk and attacked Senior Sister. You deliberately wanted to harm her!"
Jian Lin was startled. She glanced awkwardly at Jiang Xueyin, unsure if she should listen to their internal sect affairs.
Jiang Xueyin's expression was blank, her eyes dark and unmoving as she hid behind the bushes.
Thus, Jian Lin dared not move either, accompanying her and listening.
The one named Miaoyin retorted, "Don't just talk about me! When Senior Sister had her accident, everyone was involved. Don't deny it. Senior Sister monopolized Master's affection, and you all were jealous of her! You all hated her! You all wished she would die!"
The other disciples' gazes flickered, and not a single one stepped forward to refute.
Jian Lin was dumbfounded. Jiang Xueyin, as expected of the protagonist, was not short of any morally bankrupt traits.
Despite her fellow disciples being ungrateful wretches, she was still willing to risk her life to save them.
Soon, after the disciples finished their argument, they seemed to have decided who would lead the exploration. They left one after another, heading towards the place where the spiritual energy had flickered.
After confirming they had all gone far away, Jiang Xueyin said softly, "Actually, they are not wrong. Master did value me highly because I was her first disciple. Any good opportunities or treasures, she would give them to me first. If I couldn't use them, only then would she give them to other disciples. Over time, this naturally caused dissatisfaction among the other disciples. But I treated them sincerely and did my best to be the kind of Senior Sister I should be."
Jiang Xueyin sighed lightly and said blankly, "Even so, it's not enough. Perhaps it would be better for everyone if I died?"
Jiang Xueyin, with her protagonist's halo, having a doting master was standard. She just hadn't expected it to lead to so many complications.
Jian Lin didn't know what to say. In this matter, it seemed everyone was at fault, and yet no one was.
Thinking this, Jian Lin awkwardly changed the subject, "By the way, should we follow and see? To observe your disciples' performance. It seems like a rather dangerous place ahead."
Jiang Xueyin came back to her senses, nodded silently, stood up, and walked with Jian Lin.
As they approached, they understood why the disciples had argued over the Tail-Swallowing Beast.
Ahead lay a wetland swamp, covered with many exotic flowers and plants that emitted a faint glow. Among them, the most dazzling was a plant in the center that was entirely red. Its slender branches swayed, flashing with a powerful radiance.
The red plant was encircled and protected by the massive body of the Tail-Swallowing Beast. Its eyes were closed, as if it were sleeping, but its tail occasionally twitched, warning those who dared to approach and snatch the precious grass.
Jian Lin and Jiang Xueyin stayed at the outer edge, watching the disciples of Xuan Yin Pavilion cooperate to form a sword formation. One disciple stepped forward alone, stealthily approaching the red plant.
It would be best if she could collect the red plant without disturbing the Tail-Swallowing Beast. If it was disturbed and danger arose, the other five disciples were to use the sword formation to save her.
This was the plan they had devised.
As the disciple got closer and closer to the Tail-Swallowing Beast, Jian Lin became more nervous. She held her breath, not knowing what would happen next.
Suddenly, the Tail-Swallowing Beast opened its eyes. Its amber pupils, like two giant lamps, shot towards the person daring to approach it.
If the disciple had remained calm and waited for the Tail-Swallowing Beast to close its eyes, it would have been a good strategy.
Unfortunately, the disciple lacked composure. She immediately screamed and rushed upwards, shouting, "Save me quickly!"
In an instant, five sword lights converged in the air. Simultaneously, the Tail-Swallowing Beast stood up abruptly, its mouth wide open, lunging towards the disciple.
The Tail-Swallowing Beast was named so because its teeth were as sharp as knives, capable of crushing rocks. Its gaping maw was terrifying.
The disciple was so scared that her body stiffened. She had been rushing upwards, and if she had reached the sword formation, she could have resisted the Tail-Swallowing Beast's attack. Unexpectedly, she couldn't hold on and began to fall.
Seeing her about to fall into the Tail-Swallowing Beast's gaping mouth, Jiang Xueyin couldn't bear it and flew out to save her.
Jian Lin, seeing this, worried that Jiang Xueyin might be injured and lack strength, followed her and flew out to help. They grabbed the disciple from left and right. Jian Lin's foot landed on the edge of the Tail-Swallowing Beast's mouth, using it for leverage to leap up towards the sword formation.
With a bang, the Tail-Swallowing Beast crashed into the sword formation, giving the three of them a chance to escape. They quickly ran to another tree branch, looking back vigilantly.
While the Tail-Swallowing Beast could chase and bite during the day, its main task at night was to guard the red plant. Therefore, it did not pursue them. It merely snorted and turned to lie back down.
Jian Lin and Jiang Xueyin, along with the disciple, ran a considerable distance before stopping. The other disciples followed, dodging each other and whispering "Senior Sister," asking if she was alright.
Jiang Xueyin acted as if nothing had happened, greeting them with a smile and introducing Jian Lin as her savior.
Jian Lin, seeing her demeanor, felt a pang of sympathy and smiled without exposing her.
After greeting them, she tactfully moved away, leaving space for her fellow disciples to talk.
Leaning against a large tree, she quietly calculated that she would have to explore that remarkable plant again later to see what good thing it was.
After an unknown amount of time, footsteps sounded from behind. Jiang Xueyin walked over and said to Jian Lin, "Fellow Daoist Lin, I've discussed it with my fellow disciples, and we plan to find a place to rest tonight. What are your plans?"
"I still want to explore again," Jian Lin said truthfully, with a hint of reluctance in her eyes. "Fellow Daoist Jiang, it seems we must part ways."
Jiang Xueyin was taken aback, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. Although she and Jian Lin had met by chance and spent very little time together, there was already a feeling of mutual appreciation.
"Yes, we must part ways," Jiang Xueyin clasped her fists and said solemnly, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Lin, for saving my life. I will remember it always. If you ever need anything in the future, please come to Xuan Yin Pavilion to find me. I will go through fire and water without hesitation."
Both of them tacitly did not agree to meet in the secret realm. They both understood in their hearts that they were not on the same path. It would be good to meet again if fate allowed, but there was no need to force it if not.
"I will, definitely. And even if I don't need anything, I will come to find you, and we'll have a drink together." Jian Lin also clasped her fists and said solemnly.
Jiang Xueyin smiled sadly, "Then I must go. Fellow Daoist Lin, take care."
With that, she turned and left resolutely.
Jian Lin watched her retreating figure, fearing that Jiang Xueyin would be unable to bear the jealousy and resentment of her disciples and blacken. She was the protagonist, after all. If she were to blacken, would this world collapse?
With this thought, Jian Lin called out to stop her, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, I have something else to say."
Jiang Xueyin turned back, "What is it?"
Jian Lin hurried after her and said sincerely, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, do not doubt yourself. You have done nothing wrong. Your choices are a symbol of your noble character. One day, you will receive the recognition and rewards you deserve, as long as you do not give up."
Jiang Xueyin was filled with awe and moved to tears. Her voice was choked with emotion, "Thank you for your words, Fellow Daoist Lin. I will remember them. I will not doubt myself. I will wait for you... to come and have a drink with me."
After bidding farewell to Jiang Xueyin, Jian Lin's mood was extremely complex. It wasn't easy being the protagonist. Where was the male protagonist? Why hadn't he come out to save her yet?
Lost in thought, she quietly walked back to the swamp. After the previous attack, the Tail-Swallowing Beast's vigilance had heightened. It was now lying there with its eyes open, not relaxing in the slightest.
In fact, Jian Lin could have used an invisibility talisman to easily approach and pluck the plant. However, she wanted to train herself and chose to raise the He Yi Sword and slash towards the Tail-Swallowing Beast's head.
With a clang, the Tail-Swallowing Beast let out a painful howl. Jian Lin was overjoyed. This He Yi Sword was truly amazing! Although it hadn't been drawn, she felt a different sensation when using it. The feeling of complete mastery and lightness was particularly exhilarating.
After a fierce battle of thirty rounds with the Tail-Swallowing Beast, Jian Lin experienced what it meant for a good sword to guide its wielder's progress. The two sets of Bright Moon Sword techniques she used tonight were twice as powerful as before.
The poor Tail-Swallowing Beast accompanied Jian Lin for sword practice all night until the first light of dawn. The swamp emitted a strong light and then disappeared. The Tail-Swallowing Beast, without any lingering attachment, quickly burrowed into the dense forest and vanished.
Jian Lin steadied herself on a tree branch, gazing fondly at the He Yi Sword in her hand. "Our little He Yi is truly remarkable. Mommy loves you so much."
With the He Yi Sword on her back, Jian Lin first sat in meditation to cultivate for two hours. Then, she released the little bees of the Fragrance-Attracting Charm, searching for the Demon Lord while exploring the dense forest, wanting to see what other treasures she could find.
After wandering in the forest for most of the day, Jian Lin realized that perhaps only Xuan Yin Pavilion and she had been transported to this place. She hadn't encountered anyone else all day.
She followed the little bees forward, and suddenly, a bee hit something in front of it with a "bang" and fell to the ground. It then flew up again and hit it again...
What edge had she reached? Jian Lin curiously walked forward and touched it, indeed feeling a barrier. She was greatly surprised because, visually, there was no indication of it.
Jian Lin stood in place, forced to suspect one thing: was the secret realm divided according to strength?
Xuan Yin Pavilion and herself combined, their opponents were fifth and sixth-grade Tail-Swallowing Beasts, and the prize was that red plant. In short, everything was arranged.
Jian Lin let out a scoff. To be honest, with this level of skill, she simply couldn't be bothered. They didn't want her to go to a higher-level place, did they? She was determined to go!
She put the little bees back into her Qiankun Bag, raised her hand to the barrier, and channeled all her spiritual power into her palm. She was determined to... break through!