The Thousand-Layer Schemes of the Sickly Beautiful Master - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

In the mountains, there’s no calendar, and when the cold ends, the years are unknown.

When Yun Shuchen woke again, she didn’t know how many years had passed. For cultivators with very long lives, it was truly just a fleeting moment.

Since she didn’t plan to rest for long, she didn’t leave Crane Feather Peak. She only set up a barrier at her bedroom door, separated from Qing Zhuxue by a wall, and meditated lightly to heal her internal injuries.

After resting for a few years, her body seemed better.

“Has anything big happened outside?” she asked.

“Everything is normal,” the cat with emerald eyes replied, its gaze shifting cleverly. “The master of Penglai Pavilion in the East Sea sent a letter inviting you for a chat and some drinks. He said the merfolk recently wove a batch of fine yarn, top-quality craftsmanship.”

“Hmm.” Yun Shuchen rubbed her forehead. “What’s that thing called again?”

“Qing Zhuxue.” She lowered her hand, closed her eyes, and leaned against the bedhead, feeling lazy and sluggish upon waking. “Go call her over.”

“She went to the outer sect to study,” the cat said obediently, curling into a furry ball. “She’ll probably be back for dinner tonight.”

“So hardworking?”

“The little master is indeed hardworking. She goes to the outer sect for lessons before dawn, studies at home, or practices cultivation techniques. Very diligent.”

Qing Zhuxue played a big role in helping Ah Jin improve its cooking skills. Ah Jin wasn’t great with human writing, so Qing Zhuxue found recipes in a vast sea of books and read them to it word by word.

This girl helped it a lot. Though quiet, most people wouldn’t have her patience.

Ah Jin couldn’t help but praise her to Yun Shuchen.

“Little master?” Yun Shuchen opened her eyes and said lightly, “When did her status get so high?”

The cat’s pupils shrank, and it lowered its head.

“Always studying,” Yun Shuchen said.

Moments later, she stood up, her long hair unbound, hanging at her waist. She took clothes from the wardrobe, preparing to bathe, then chuckled for some reason.

“She’s already not lively enough. Do you think she’ll study herself into a little fool?”

When she closed her eyes, it was early spring; when she opened them, it was midsummer, though likely not the same year’s summer. Crane Feather Peak was often rainy and snowy, but this time was the brightest, with summer flowers blooming vividly across the mountains.

From any spot on Crane Feather Peak, the flowers stretched endlessly, red as glowing clouds.

Yun Shuchen loved this scenery.

After bathing, she tied up her half-dry hair and sat in the front courtyard to enjoy the sun. The spot was carefully chosen—not too hot for summer, shaded evenly by a locust tree to avoid aging her skin. With the gate open, it was a breezy spot, very cool.

From this angle, the flowers, mountains, and clouds looked perfect.

She admired the mountain flowers, but among the reds, a figure in white gradually appeared.

Yun Shuchen spotted her from afar.

The young beauty came with the wind, her black hair and white robes flowing, her figure slender. Her brows and eyes were serene, her expression cool, giving her an ethereal charm. She seemed to notice Yun Shuchen, her face startled, her steps quickening slightly.

“How many years passed during my seclusion?” Yun Shuchen asked, looking away and nudging the cat’s backside with her shoe.

“Master, it’s been six years and five months.”

Qing Zhuxue lifted her hem and stepped into the courtyard, meeting her gaze. For some reason, her fingers tightened on her clothes.

Six years felt like another lifetime to her. At first, she occasionally asked Ah Jin when Elder Yun would emerge. After one, two, three, then four years, she nearly forgot what Yun Shuchen looked like or sounded like.

So she calmed herself, stopped thinking about it, and focused on reading, writing, and her tasks.

Seeing Yun Shuchen suddenly emerge, Qing Zhuxue was stunned by her beauty again but felt an odd sense of unfamiliarity.

She softly greeted her and stood politely to the side.

“You’ve grown so much,” Yun Shuchen said, standing and walking toward her. “I almost didn’t recognize you at first. I still think…” She gestured at her waist, smiling. “This height feels right.”

In truth, Qing Zhuxue now reached her shoulders. In a few years, she might be as tall as her.

The girl pursed her lips, saying nothing.

Still a quiet one, perhaps even quieter than before.

Noticing her slight unease, Elder Yun kindly changed the topic. “Have you read all the books on the shelf?”

“Hmm.” Qing Zhuxue seemed to relax. “I finished them. The outer sect seniors’ lessons mostly cover the same material, very complementary.”

Yun Shuchen casually asked a few questions, and Qing Zhuxue answered fluently. Her voice was serious, clear, and pleasant, though a bit formal, with a trace of youthful innocence. She stood in front of Yun Shuchen, blocking the coolest breeze.

Yun Shuchen brewed tea. “No need to stand there like a pillar. Sit casually.”

The half-grown girl nodded, pulled out a chair, sat quietly, and watched her.

Yun Shuchen smiled, slowly turned her teacup, and sighed. “In your eyes, how scary must I be? You’re so afraid to speak, worried you’ll say something wrong and offend me?”

“Not at all. You’re not scary,” Qing Zhuxue said sincerely. “I just don’t know what to say.”

“Hmm. You’ve gotten timid too,” Yun Shuchen teased with a sigh. “Last time we met, you called me Sister.”

“…”

“Alright, I won’t tease you,” Yun Shuchen said gently. “In three and a half years, the sect will recruit. The outer sect’s written test is earlier, so you have about six months to prepare.”

“The test covers what’s taught in the outer sect. You’re doing well, so no need to worry.”

“But the trials after entering the inner sect won’t be easy.”

“You’ll likely compete with disciples from cultivation clans.”

“Cultivation clans?”

“Yes, those who start training in the womb, fed elixirs instead of milk from birth.”

Taichu Realm was a major sect, and cultivators loved sending their heirs here, much like noble families arranged marriages. These clans planned carefully, with resources and elders guiding them. Cultivation was refined, and commoners rarely succeeded without exceptional talent or perseverance.

Qing Zhuxue started late.

But it wasn’t a big deal. The path of cultivation spanned centuries, and a few years’ head start didn’t change fate drastically.

Yun Shuchen sipped her tea, feeling the heat, and opened a folding fan, fanning lightly.

“Don’t worry too much. This afternoon, come with me to the Sect Leader.”

It was hot, and lunch was cold dishes, with smacked cucumber being especially refreshing. Yun Shuchen only sat outside in the morning when the sun wasn’t strong, spending most of her time indoors.

The dining table finally moved from under the old locust tree to its proper place—a small hall near the kitchen.

“Didn’t you say the outer sect ends in the evening? Why are you back so early?” Yun Shuchen asked.

“It’s the Ghost Festival,” Qing Zhuxue said after swallowing her food. “Most people avoid traveling at night, so there’s no class this afternoon.”

“Seems this day has its perks,” Yun Shuchen said, recalling old memories.

Qing Zhuxue had never gone out with Yun Shuchen before. She was ready, but Yun Shuchen took ages. She spent a long time picking clothes, frowning in thought, and casually asked Qing Zhuxue a few questions. Qing Zhuxue was stunned by the wardrobe, where even one color had shades in a gradient, vaster than a library.

Yun Shuchen chose a lotus-colored outfit. Dressing took another stick of incense. Then she did her makeup and styled her hair elegantly. It was meticulous work.

When she was finally ready, Qing Zhuxue saw the shadows slanting on the ground.

Elder Yun gave her a teasing smile, looking divine, and said as she passed, “Staring again? Let’s go.”

Qing Zhuxue headed down the mountain path but was pulled by Yun Shuchen, redirected to the highest peak.

Crane Feather Peak’s highest point was also Taichu Realm’s highest. It was a lone cliff, with an abyss below hidden by rolling clouds.

A brown stone stood at the edge, its inscription mostly blurred, faintly reading, “Beyond the world, time flows freely… a hundred years, big or small… pass like a dream.”

Later generations, inspired by Master Qiu Chuji’s poem, called it “One Dream Cliff.”

The wind was strong. Yun Shuchen moved with it, her hair undisturbed. She watched Qing Zhuxue, disoriented by the wind, for a moment before kindly casting a wind-shielding spell.

“Cultivators often head to high places when going out. Do you know why?”

“It’s easier to ride the wind.”

Before Qing Zhuxue could answer, Yun Shuchen lifted off, pulling her into the sky.

…

The Sect Leader’s Hall looked the same as six years ago, unchanged. The old Sect Leader sat cross-legged, meditating.

In the backlight, two figures—one tall, one short—stood at the entrance. The Sect Leader sensed Crane Feather Peak’s aura, opened his eyes, and saw Yun Shuchen, as expected.

“Who’s the other?” He looked closely and said happily, “Grown so much!”

“Yes,” Yun Shuchen said meaningfully. “A few more years, and she’ll catch the inner sect competition.”

“Good,” the Sect Leader said with a dry laugh. “Any plans? Which path will she take? It’s time to think about it.”

“That’s why we’re here,” Yun Shuchen said. “No more talk, Sect Leader Brother, lend me your Little Qilin.”

The Little Qilin was the Sect Leader’s beloved pet. It had grown rounder in recent years and liked napping on the hall’s beam; it looked like a ball unless closely inspected.

Its busiest time was every ten years during disciple recruitment, testing spiritual roots in the final stage.

Born between heaven and earth, humans came from the five elements. Due to different constitutions, their affinity for metal, wood, water, fire, and earth varied.

Qing Zhuxue first mastered “water” and still used it most naturally.

Yun Shuchen assumed her spiritual root included this element.

When Qing Zhuxue gently touched the qilin’s furry head, it closed its eyes, beginning a careful and difficult assessment.