Crush's Cold Senior Sister is Actually Childhood Sweetheart - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: “You’re Only Allowed to Go Through Fire and Water for Your Beloved, But I’m Not Allowed to Stick Up For a Friend?”

Even Cen Xiyao, who considered herself to have experienced all the ups and downs of the world, had never seen anyone like Ling Qi.

When Yang Chongguang had not yet ascended, Cen Xiyao had accompanied her through a long period of being bullied. At that time, they were both merely unknown rogue immortals. In the Upper Realm, a place that valued background and cultivation above all else, they had neither noble bloodlines nor the strength to defeat others. Not only was no True God willing to take them in, but they also had a young Yang Anping with them.

Because they had endured a life where everyone could step on them, they yearned even more to rise, craved ascension, and thus resented the immortal sect disciples who, backed by True Gods, had nothing to worry about, only needing to cultivate, with everything handled by their Masters. Cen Xiyao could even understand Yang Chongguang at that time, but she could never understand Ling Qi.

She couldn’t comprehend why someone born in the academy, a disciple under a True God, and personally tutored by the Emperor, someone whom countless immortal cultivators would rush to flatter and curry favor with just by sitting there, would abruptly cut ties with her past and stand bruised and battered at her doorstep.

She had asked this question from the very beginning. They yearned to ascend to True Godhood, to rise above, to hold high positions and no longer be bullied. What did you yearn for? Your immortal path was clearly smooth, so why choose such a difficult road, why go to this extent?

At that time, the bloodstains on Ling Qi’s face hadn’t even dried. She was panting heavily, yet she still smiled and said: “Because… I’m truly unwilling.”

…

“It’s just because I’m truly unwilling.” Inside the sleeping quarters, Ling Qi looked up at Cen Xiyao, who had been silent all this time, and said calmly, “It’s my own deep-seated obsession, I can pick it up but I can’t put it down. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”

She stood up from the chair, holding the wooden box from the table. When she reached Cen Xiyao’s side, Ling Qi turned to look at her and said, “I won’t be staying in Chongguang Palace for long.”

“I told you from the very beginning, sooner or later, I will leave this place.”

As she had one foot already out the door of the sleeping quarters, she was suddenly called back by the person behind her. “Ling Qi, I know True God Chongguang… you two might have some disagreements,” Cen Xiyao spoke with some difficulty, “but I still hope you can believe that she truly is—”

“Cen Xiyao, Senior Sister Cen.” Ling Qi called out twice in a row, her face still unmoved. “I always have to go home. I also have my own home.” Her voice wasn’t loud, but it made Cen Xiyao’s actions halt. Her expression darkened slightly, and then she let out a very soft sigh.

In the main hall of Chongguang Palace, ever since Ling Qi left, an awkward atmosphere had persisted. Yuan Shunhua held her chin high, not even sparing a glance for others, simply sitting there and drinking tea. Before one cup was empty, an immortal envoy would come to refill it. She continued to drink, consuming five or six cups in a row. In the eyes of the other Chongguang Palace members, this meant Yuan Shunhua would rather drink tea than bother with them.

Chongguang True God saw that her repeated attempts to start a conversation were met with indifference, so she decided not to try warming a cold shoulder anymore. The other disciples dared not speak rashly, huddled to the side. So, when Ling Qi and Cen Xiyao returned, they all collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

Since she had decided not to keep the divine bone, Ling Qi didn’t delay any further. As soon as she stepped through the main hall’s entrance, she pulled out the wooden box from her sleeve and handed it to the person in front of her. “The divine bone isn’t complete. You figure it out yourself.”

“I know.” Yuan Shunhua’s expression didn’t change at all, as if she had expected it. She stood up and was about to reach out to take it—

Suddenly, with a “whoosh,” a piece of kraft paper flew in out of nowhere. Plop. Before anyone else could react, the kraft paper unfolded completely, covering the wooden box, and then remained motionless.

The sudden turn of events made everyone present look in the direction the kraft paper had flown from. They saw An Jin jogging in, chasing that piece of paper, and awkwardly smiling at them. “Sorry, sorry, my invitation letter suddenly went crazy.”

An Jin was scared stiff. She had already wanted to leave earlier, seeing the weird atmosphere in the hall, but out of concern, she decided to stay and watch. That invitation letter had been in her sleeve the whole time, completely forgotten since the disciple selection ended. It wasn’t until she suddenly saw something fly out that An Jin realized her sleeve was empty and knew something was wrong.

In the main hall, Ling Qi’s hand had not left the wooden box. When the kraft paper flew in, it completely covered her hand. From an angle no one else could see, Ling Qi and Yuan Shunhua exchanged glances, their fingertips trembling slightly.

At this moment, a disciple who had been eavesdropping outside the door asked with some confusion, “What invitation letter?”

An Jin looked at the other person, her eyes filled with confusion, unsure what they meant. Wasn’t it common knowledge that everyone participating in the True God disciple selection in the mortal realm had to have an invitation letter, otherwise they couldn’t even enter the examination grounds?

Unexpectedly, whispers spread from the doorway: “Aren’t all invitation letters digital?” “Yeah, they were sent directly to my email. When did they start having paper ones?” “I only had a digital one too. That email even went into my spam folder; I didn’t see it for days and almost missed it…”

An Jin’s expression was blank for a moment. Her head suddenly buzzed. If all invitations were digital, what was this one in her hand? If it wasn’t an invitation, why would it appear in her home? If she didn’t have a real invitation, how did she even get into the selection grounds?

The disciples outside the door were still whispering to each other. Everyone in the hall exchanged glances, looking at each other. Although no one said a word, it almost felt noisy to those watching.

Finally, Yuan Shunhua spoke first. “This… immortal, may I please have this invitation letter as well?” This was the first time the Vermilion Bird Lord had spoken so politely to anyone since stepping into Chongguang Palace. The Chongguang Palace disciples beside her even seemed a little unaccustomed to it.

An Jin’s eyes flickered, and she looked at Ling Qi with some hesitation. Only after seeing the other party gently nod did she agree, “As the Lord wishes.” Ling Qi offered the wooden box again. Under the cover of the wooden box, a very small piece of paper quietly slipped into her sleeve. Ling Qi’s eyes paused for a moment. She subtly glanced at Yuan Shunhua. Then, as if nothing happened, she adjusted her sleeve.

Seeing that her objective was finally achieved, Yuan Shunhua began to have the leisure to address others: “True God, you’ve only just ascended, yet you’ve made this immortal palace quite impressive and taken in so many disciples. It’s truly commendable, truly commendable. Remember to keep up the good work.” Her tone was very casual, carrying a condescending air, like a leader casually praising a hardworking employee.

Ling Qi found it amusing. Chongguang True God had been ignored and interrupted all day, yet her tone was still sincere, showing no dissatisfaction. “Thanks to the Lord’s blessing.”

Just as Yuan Shunhua was about to step out of the hall door, the invitation letter, which had been stubbornly clinging to the wooden box and pretending to be dead, suddenly floated up again and flew to An Jin’s front. An Jin slowly reached out to it under everyone’s gaze. It landed in An Jin’s palm, rubbed lightly twice, then flew up and patted her shoulder. It was a little like comforting a child, and a little like saying goodbye.

An Jin’s eyes didn’t even blink. She stared intently at this invitation letter that had accompanied her for a long time. She watched it circle around her once, then fly back to the wooden box, landing back in its original spot with a “thud,” no longer making any movement.

Yuan Shunhua quietly watched this scene, lowered her eyes, and said in an unclear tone, “Going.” Everyone thought she was speaking to Ling Qi, but Ling Qi did not respond to her. Chongguang True God wanted to escort Yuan Shunhua all the way to the palace gates as she had arrived, but a glance from the other party made her and her disciples stop at the main hall entrance.

As soon as she saw the other’s figure disappear from sight, Chongguang True God’s brows suddenly furrowed. Her gaze swept around, but she didn’t see the person she was looking for. She quietly asked Cen Xiyao, “Where’s Ling Qi?”

Cen Xiyao was also startled. She looked around, her tone equally confused: “When did she leave?”

…

As soon as Yuan Shunhua stepped out of the Chongguang Palace gate and saw that no one was around, her ramrod-straight back instantly relaxed. Walking towards the divine chariot in front, her left hand touched the wooden box in her sleeve, her thumb gently tapping it twice. As she walked, she seemed about to skip. She was humming a tune, looking very happy.

Just as she reached the divine chariot, she heard a voice from behind suddenly call her name. Yuan Shunhua raised an eyebrow and turned around, but the next second, seeing the newcomer, she completely relaxed. “You scared me to death.”

The newcomer didn’t respond, looking directly into her eyes, their gaze slightly heavy. “How much longer are you going to keep that face?”

“Ying Huaiyu.” Yuan Shunhua, or rather, Ying Huaiyu, shrugged, leaning against the divine chariot behind her as if boneless. Her lips curled slightly, and instead of answering, she asked, “What about you? How long are you going to stay here?”

Without waiting for Ling Qi’s answer, she added: “Your answer is my answer. However long you stay in this cursed place is how long I’ll wear this face.”

This sounded very much like “if you don’t tell me, I won’t tell you,” but both of them knew perfectly well that she didn’t mean it that way.

A hint of helplessness appeared in Ling Qi’s eyes, like she was looking at her ignorant younger sister. “I’m here because the timing of Yang Chongguang’s ascension itself is very suspicious. Eight hundred years ago, soon after that red cloud descended, her heavenly tribulation came at the same time. Who wouldn’t say something’s fishy about that?”

A red cloud descended from the heavens, and the Emperor died violently. At that time, she hadn’t yet recovered from the series of shocks and blows when she saw Yang Chongguang’s heavenly tribulation for ascension pierce through the red cloud, soaring straight to the Ninth Heaven. The red cloud filled the sky for a full half-year, and that heavenly tribulation also lasted for half a year. It wasn’t until half a year later, when the red cloud dispersed and the heavenly tribulation disappeared simultaneously, that another True God appeared in the Celestial Realm.

Ying Huaiyu leaned against the divine chariot, her brow still raised high, her posture unchanged. “So you’re only allowed to suspect Yang Chongguang, but I’m not allowed to suspect Shen Tianmo?”

“Or rather—” She suddenly smiled. “Are you only allowed to go through fire and water for your beloved, but I’m not allowed to stick up for a friend?”