novelraw Chapter 117 - 102: Wangshu
Chapter 117 - 102: Wangshu
The sky stretched endlessly, crystal clear and blue.
A silver-white immortal boat darted agilely between towering mountains and clouds with cascading waterfalls.
The immortal boat was not large in size, with a streamlined design, speeding swiftly through the air. It was also equipped with an array concealing its aura. Not even the most astute of mortal or hermit would notice its presence.
Inside the small cabin of the immortal boat, simply yet elegantly furnished, the largest space was occupied by a lotus dais, upon which lay a black-robed youth still in unexpected slumber.
Beside the black-robed youth crouched a maiden wearing a Jade Rabbit Mask. Her hair and dress were pure white, and even her slightly exposed skin was fair and translucent. Her face only exposed a pair of crystal-blue eyes, which were curiously examining You Su’s face, as if she was observing some obedient creature. This added a touch of innocence to her ethereal and worldly demeanor.
Since the previous night, after transporting You Su onto the immortal boat, Fairy Wangshu had been watching him like this, seemingly never tiring of it. Raised on Lotus Peak since childhood with very few interactions with outsiders due to Profound Sky Sect’s special rules for her, she had no friends of the same gender, let alone gazing so closely at a young male.
She blinked her eyes and murmured softly, "Junior Brother..."
The voice was extremely soft, but coincidentally You Su’s eyelashes fluttered, and he awoke. Fairy Wangshu did not shy away, continuing to crouch beside You Su.
The first thing You Su did when he woke was to call out the name Ji Lingruo, but there was no response for a long time.
Last night, he had been talking under the moon with his junior sister, filled with deep emotions. He had confidently declared he would keep watching her until the moment of farewell, never expecting to suddenly fall asleep after smelling a peculiar fragrance.
The unresponsive You Su felt a bit flustered. In his blurred vision, there was only a white figure close at hand, but it was not Ji Lingruo.
Realizing something, You Su quickly moved aside and sat up. He recognized this maiden with the mask accompanied his master, and so he asked:
"Fairy...where am I?"
"This is the cabin of the Cloud Lotus Ship."
"Cloud Lotus Ship?"
"The Cloud Lotus Ship is the magical artifact of my master. We are on our way back to Profound Sky Sect."
"What time is it now?"
"Noon."
The ship’s window had a white gauze curtain fluttering in the breeze. The early autumn sun was still somewhat scorching as it shone in. You Su, feeling a bit downcast, regretted not properly bidding farewell to his junior sister. On reflection, that unusual fragrance was probably her plan to spare them both the sorrow of a conscious parting.
You Su sighed silently, feeling it was better this way, as it wasn’t a life-and-death departure. The path of cultivating immortality is long and winding, and there would be another meeting someday.
After sighing, he took a deep breath, hiding the regret in his heart. He began releasing his divine sense to carefully observe his surroundings and contemplate his current situation.
It seemed his master found him after he fell asleep. He was now on the journey back to Profound Sky Sect with her, who had an extraordinary background.
"My master, is she also the Fairy’s master?" You Su asked hesitantly.
"Yes." Fairy Wangshu nodded.
"Then where is my master?"
The cabin was filled with the lotus-like fragrance of his master, but there was no sign of her.
"Master is meditating on the deck outside. Seeing that you were asleep, she let you use her lotus dais."
Hearing this, You Su was somewhat taken aback. This indeed made him feel a bit flattered, and he hurriedly got up from the lotus dais, exclaiming in surprise:
"How can that be?"
He was about to leave the cabin to find his master, but Fairy Wangshu blocked his path with a sword:
"Master said not to disturb her. She asked me to ensure you rest well here, so you cannot go out casually."
"Alright then."
You Su didn’t wish to conflict with his master’s disciple, nor did he want to disturb his master against her wishes, so he had to retreat. He glanced around and was considering sitting on the floor, but Fairy Wangshu added:
"Master instructed you to sit on the lotus dais, so you should sit there."
You Su raised an eyebrow slightly. This masked fairy’s tone was assertive, almost like she regarded his master’s commands as sacred. He had no choice but to criticize internally, thinking his master’s disciple was a bit too obedient.
He had to sit back on the lotus dais again, not knowing what to say for a moment. Strangely, even though he and this unfamiliar masked fairy fell into silence, You Su didn’t feel awkward at all; rather, it seemed quite natural.
Noticing the maiden’s gaze lingering on him, You Su couldn’t help but ask:
"I am You Su. May I ask for the Fairy’s esteemed name?"
"Wangshu."
You Su had always been like a frog at the bottom of a well, unaware of the renowned name of Fairy Wangshu. He was just curious why she had no surname. Based on his desire to establish a good relationship with his master’s disciple, he clasped his fists respectfully and said:
"So, it’s Fairy Wangshu. An honor indeed."
"You are my junior brother, you shouldn’t call me Fairy Wangshu, you should call me Senior Sister," Fairy Wangshu solemnly corrected You Su’s mistake.
You Su thought it over carefully — he was his master’s disciple, she was the master’s wife’s disciple; although not of the same sect, calling her Senior Sister wasn’t inappropriate. But the other party only looked like a young girl, why necessarily a Senior Sister and not a Junior Sister?
"Is it possible that the fairy is older than me?"
"I’m forty-nine years old this year."
Fairy Wangshu’s tone was calm, but You Su was still a bit shaken. Although cultivators have techniques to maintain their youthful appearances, truly combining someone’s age with their appearance felt somewhat unbelievable.
Cultivators may live long lives, but not to the point of living for thousands of years. You Su remembered his master once told him that even the most formidable Venerable of the Void Realm wouldn’t break the five-hundred-year barrier, it was a law of heaven and earth. And this Fairy Wangshu, near fifty years old yet still looking like a young girl, was truly surprising.
"How old are you?"
You Su paused for a moment and replied, "Just turned eighteen."
"Then you are my junior brother." Fairy Wangshu seemed to confirm something as she slightly nodded, her blue eyes brightened, and she asked, "So has Master been with Junior Brother for these two thousand nine hundred and fifty-one days continuously?"
"..." You Su was momentarily speechless, feeling as though the other party had kept a meticulous count of days for some reason, yet her tone lacked any reproach, as if she was only seeking an answer.
"Uh, sort of."
"Does Master often talk to you?"
"Not really."
"Does Master teach you Swordsmanship?"
"Occasionally gives guidance."
"Then does Master..."
A series of questions concerning the master’s wife left You Su somewhat embarrassed; this Senior Sister’s concern for her master was quite intense. The thought of having monopolized their master for eight years made him feel a bit uneasy.
You Su also discovered that Fairy Wangshu’s stern and unapproachable demeanor was just a facade; her presence actually didn’t feel cold or distant at all. If anything, it resembled a secluded teenager full of curiosity.
"Alright, Senior Sister, you’ve asked me so many questions, now it’s my turn to ask you."
Fairy Wangshu extended a finger as white as jade, tapping it on her chin hidden behind the mask, and nodded, "Hmm."
"Senior Sister mentioned ’returning to the Profound Sky Sect’, could it be you’re a member of the Profound Sky Sect?"
"Hmm."
Upon hearing this, You Su was shocked; the Senior Sister was a disciple of the Profound Sky Sect and the master’s wife’s disciple, which meant the master’s wife was at least of Elder status within the Profound Sky Sect? Although he deduced from various clues that the master’s wife must have extraordinary status and cultivation, he hadn’t expected it to be so high—this almost counted as the pinnacle of status in the Zhongyuan Continent.
Moreover, what intrigued him more was why such an impressive master’s wife would choose his master, who was merely a Condensed Water Realm cultivator incapable of flying!
"May I ask, Senior Sister, what is your master’s true identity?"
But Fairy Wangshu no longer answered questions like before; she lightly shook her head and replied:
"Master told me not to say. She says she’s just your master’s wife. If you want to know more, you can ask her yourself."
?
You Su couldn’t help but recall the day he talked with the master’s wife—she asked him if he wanted to know who she was, and he declined her offer, after which she fell silent. Hearing the words echoed from Senior Sister now left You Su somewhat unclear on their meaning, unsure if it was a stubborn response from the master’s wife or if she genuinely thought this way, just like him.
Regardless, You Su felt a strange sense of joy, as if the master’s wife had truly changed towards him.
"Senior Sister, could you tell me about the Profound Sky Sect? As Junior Brother, having grown up in Chuyun City, I’m somewhat ignorant."
"Ignorant? Is that another word for being kind of stupid?"
Three black lines fell across You Su’s forehead, embarrassed, he said, "That’s somewhat what it means."
"Master never says I’m stupid."
Fairy Wangshu’s blue eyes flickered, and from her tone, You Su rarely detected some fluctuations, with a bit of self-satisfaction.
"Profound Sky Sect is the largest sect in Henggao Divine Mountain, consisting of thirteen lines—Treasure Appraisal Skill, Alchemy, Artifact Refining Technique, Spirit Plant Skill, Beast Taming Skill, Spiritual Building Skill, Skill, Array, Talisman Technique, Calligraphy, Blade Technique, and two lines of Swordsmanship, corresponding to the thirteen peaks of the Profound Sky Sect. Each peak is overseen by a Grand Elder skilled in its respective discipline, serving as the Peak Master. Among them, the Xuanshao Peak of Skill is the foremost, with its Peak Master serving as the Sect Leader of the Profound Sky Sect. Additionally, there are twenty-three lesser Elders each handling their duties and mastering their skills."
Upon hearing this, You Su felt a sense of admiration. Spirit Treasure Sect specializes in one path, but Profound Sky Sect offers a diverse and flourishing spectrum of lines—such broad-mindedness and audacity have made it the top sect in the Zhongyuan Continent.
This whole narrative seemed to open up a new world for You Su—in his mind, a magnificent and grand world of cultivation slowly began to reveal the tip of its iceberg.
Eagerly, You Su continued to ask his newly recognized Senior Sister questions, while Wangshu, looking at the unknowingly naïve You Su, seemed to see herself reflected in her master’s eyes. She felt not the slightest annoyance, patiently answering each of her junior brother’s questions.
A solitary boat swiftly sailed onward under the autumn sunlight, heading towards the world’s highest peaks, disappearing amidst the boundless sea of clouds.