Chapter 18: This Face Makes Everything Look Spectacular

Time flies, fleeting as a passing shadow.

For those who tread the path of immortality, the passage of years is nothing more than the rings of a tree—mere marks with little significance. Months, being even shorter, are but the blink of an eye.

Xia Huanjiao woke up early today, her eyes heavy with sleep. She rested her head on Xu Yingying’s shoulder, looking as if she were about to drift back into a dream at any moment. Her small head bobbed gently, and the disciples gathering in the plaza, seeing the little dumpling’s adorable, drowsy state, couldn't help but steal glances at her. There were few children in the Sword Sect, and a child raised right under everyone’s watchful eyes was rarer still. Naturally, everyone held a protective, indulgent affection for their young Sect Leader—with very few exceptions.

Standing in the crowd, Bai Lianyi gritted her teeth viciously as she looked at the pampered Xia Huanjiao, who lived a life of luxury. She clenched her jaw so hard it felt as if her teeth might shatter. *She’s nothing but a nameless, insignificant background character—why is she being coddled by so many people!*

However, she was currently tethered to the Pill Pavilion and had no choice but to follow the lead of the Pavilion’s senior disciple, bowing toward the sleepy little dumpling above. The senior disciple of the Pill Pavilion was not a lovesick fool like Xue Yunhe. Seeing that Bai Lianyi was a step slow, he reached out, pressed down on the back of her head, and forced her to bow.

"What are you doing?" he chided. "Hurry and pay your respects to the Sect Leader!"

Though the senior disciple lacked talent in cultivation, he possessed something others lacked: filial piety and a strict adherence to the rules. While his personality was somewhat rigid, his attitude was always proper. Having sensed over the past few days that his master’s attitude toward Bai Lianyi had shifted, he no longer felt the trepidation he once had. Instead, his demeanor had become indifferent. It seemed this girl, Bai Lianyi, had fallen out of his master’s favor. Even if the junior brother liked her, it was of no use at this point. The Pill Pavilion was still his master’s, not the junior brother’s.

Consequently, life had become much harder for Bai Lianyi lately. Her fingertips, once delicate and polished, and her appearance, which, while not peerless, had possessed a certain charm, now showed signs of exhaustion from a life of toil. She no longer looked as radiant as before. If one could perceive "protagonist" auras, one might have noticed that Bai Lianyi’s glow had dimmed significantly.

As for Xue Yunhe... he was still serving his punishment. Xia Huanjiao had been merciful by sentencing him to only ten years of tending to spirit herbs.

Since Jiang Biehe’s strength had been compromised, he could not lead the team. The leader this time was Chu Shiyue. Several months had passed, and she had grown much taller, with a cultivation base far more stable than before—a genuine Golden Core stage. She remained friendly toward Jiang Biehe and was quite respectful toward Xiao Ce—at least, far more so than she had ever been toward Lin Xiao. After all, what Lin Xiao had done previously was truly beneath contempt.

Xia Huanjiao stood under the bright sun and rubbed her eyes. Xu Yingying lifted her up, placing her above the crowd. Looking down at the masses, her eyes, dark as black grapes, held a composure that belied her age.

"This secret realm will surely hide great dangers. Every disciple must exercise extreme caution."

"Yes!" the disciples responded in unison. Their voices were firm as iron, their momentum soaring.

The volume of the response startled Xia Huanjiao, forcing her eyes wide open. She cleared her throat, though she couldn't hide the milky, youthful tone of her voice.

"Remember: do not draw your swords against your fellow disciples, do not use your strength to bully the weak, and do not be indifferent to the plight of others."

"To reach the Great Dao, one must cultivate both body and heart; neither can be omitted."

"Act with honor and integrity, so that your conscience may remain clear!"

"Yes!"

"Do good deeds, and seek not the rewards of the future."

"Do good deeds, and seek not the rewards of the future!"

Watching her vibrant disciples, Xia Huanjiao nodded with satisfaction. Her tone softened, shedding the gravitas of a Sect Leader to return to her usual, soft-spoken self.

"Alright, off you go to the secret realm with Xiao Ce. Remember, be careful. It doesn't matter if you don't bring back treasures; you are what matters most."

The disciples could not withstand such a warm, gentle "attack." Some of the more sensitive ones even teared up.

But then...

The little dumpling waved her hand with a look of slight disdain. "Alright, alright, enough with the sobbing. What does it look like? You’re only going away for a few months, get moving."

"Out of sight, out of mind."

The warmth that had just risen in their hearts vanished in an instant.

Watching their backs as they departed on their flying swords, the last trace of sleepiness vanished from Xia Huanjiao’s face. She immediately tugged on Xu Yingying, pulling her back toward the main hall.

She urged her, "Quick, quick! Let’s change our clothes and follow them to the secret realm."

Bai Lianyi and Chu Shiyue. Jiang Biehe and Su Jiao. *Tsk, tsk, tsk.* She couldn't afford to miss such a lively drama. Besides, as their dear, sweet Sect Leader, it was only natural for her to check in and see if her precious disciples were being bullied. Right?

Xu Yingying only disliked Xia Huanjiao acting alone; if Xia Huanjiao brought her along, that was a different matter entirely. Furthermore, while the secret realm of that powerful ancient cultivator might be a den of tigers and wolves for others, for Xu Yingying, it was nothing more than child’s play—as easy as taking something out of one’s pocket.

To avoid revealing their identities, Xia Huanjiao deliberately dressed in men’s clothing. Xu Yingying followed suit, making it easier to move about in the outside world. Both donned pale blue robes, looking like an older brother taking his younger brother out on a journey. Both were striking, a truly pleasing sight to behold.

However, Xia Huanjiao circled Xu Yingying, looking at her in men's attire, and felt something subtle. This appearance was far better than most, possessing a certain air of "a jade-like gentleman with no equal." That face, which could pass for either gender, now looked even more strikingly handsome and refined.

"Yingying, you look really good in men's clothes too!"

Before Xu Yingying could respond, the little dumpling reached out and pinched her cheek. The texture was exactly as expected. Definitely a girl.

Xu Yingying’s mouth twitched. She grabbed Xia Huanjiao’s little hand and said, "Don't mess around."

Xia Huanjiao pouted and leaned into Xu Yingying’s embrace, muttering, "Yingying is so pretty. Whether in light makeup or heavy, you are always perfect."

Xu Yingying was long accustomed to the strange things that occasionally spilled from Xia Huanjiao’s mouth. She acted as if she hadn't heard and prepared to take Xia Huanjiao to the secret realm. Before leaving, however, she flicked two wooden puppets from her sleeves; upon hitting the ground, they transformed into illusions of herself and Xia Huanjiao.

Xia Huanjiao’s eyes lit up at the sight. She grabbed Xu Yingying’s hand and chanted, "I want to learn this! I want to learn this!"

Xu Yingying nodded. "When your body is better, I will teach you."

Upon hearing this, Xia Huanjiao immediately lost interest. Wait for her body to get better? Who knew how long that would take. With a body as fragile as hers, whether she could even live to be eighteen was a question.

Perhaps sensing the little dumpling’s sudden despondency, Xu Yingying held her close. Her voice, usually cold, softened in the wind.

"Don't worry."

"You will get better."