Chapter Forty-One: The Whimsical Yang Xiaoman

Chapter Forty-One: The Whimsical Yang Xiaoman

Upon leaving, Fang Junmei did not immediately return to the Peak of Immovability, but instead headed toward the direction of the Medicine King Peak.

He thought to himself, since he was already out, he might as well see if Chunyu Qian had returned. If he had, Fang Junmei could pass his final trial, obtain the spirit stones, and then focus on cultivation.

Whoosh—

He had barely traveled a few miles before reaching a sparsely populated mountain path, when suddenly a sharp sound pierced the air behind him, as if a sword was rushing toward him.

Fang Junmei’s heart tightened. He had no time to turn around but quickly released his spiritual awareness to look behind him. Sure enough, he saw a short sword, about three and a half feet long, shooting toward him like a bolt of lightning.

The sword was exquisitely crafted, clearly designed for a woman, radiating a dazzling yellow glow. Its aura was comparable to the black battle blade wielded by the Blade Master of Chaos, and it was at least a low-grade magical treasure.

As for who was attacking him, Fang Junmei’s feeble spiritual sense could not yet discern.

There was no time to ponder further. With a swift movement, Fang Junmei dodged to the side, his actions rather awkward as he rushed away.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

To his side was a large tree just beyond the mountain path. Unfolding his lightness technique, Fang Junmei kicked the trunk three times in succession, spun around, and landed on the ground, glancing back.

He saw a petite female figure standing atop the tall steps behind him, smiling with pride as she looked at Fang Junmei. Her bangs were neat and elegant.

It was none other than Yang Xiaoman, the little senior sister he had met only once before.

Whoosh!

The yellow short sword missed its mark, circled back, and flew into Yang Xiaoman’s hand.

“Junior brother, your reflexes are quick! You can spar with me now!”

Yang Xiaoman’s lips curled into a mischievous grin, her crescent-shaped bright eyes brimming with playful energy, giving her the air of a little enchantress.

Seeing that it was her, Fang Junmei could only smile wryly at her harmless demeanor, unable to muster any annoyance, knowing she was merely teasing him.

“Greetings, senior sister.”

Fang Junmei gave a slight salute.

Yang Xiaoman nodded, sheathed the sword, and walked toward him, sizing him up with surprise. “I heard you’ve reached the eighth stage of Qi induction. I didn’t believe it before, and even now it’s hard for me to believe.”

“Senior sister flatters me.”

Fang Junmei smiled modestly and asked, “Isn’t today a day for cultivation, senior sister?”

Yang Xiaoman replied lightly, “My spirit stones are depleted, so I came to the Steward Mountain to see if there are any good tasks to earn some more. I didn’t expect to find you here.”

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Her words seemed casual, but Fang Junmei could easily sense the underlying frustration.

He nodded slightly and, after a moment’s thought, said, “Recently, I’ve earned over five thousand mid-grade spirit stones. If you urgently need to cultivate, senior sister, you’re welcome to use them.”

“So generous? Could it be you’ve taken a fancy to your senior sister?”

Yang Xiaoman teased, casting him a flirtatious glance, and her eyes held a captivating charm.

She appeared delicate and petite, but her words were bold and open, without any of the shyness typical of mortal women.

Fang Junmei was somewhat embarrassed by her teasing and forced a laugh. “Senior sister thinks too much. I’ve heard about the sect’s grand competition. As a disciple of the Peak of Immovability, it’s my duty to contribute. I believe preserving our peak’s place as an inner sect is beneficial to my future cultivation.”

“So you haven’t taken a fancy to me?”

Before the words had settled, Yang Xiaoman retorted, her crescent eyes shifting from mischievous to pitiable, as if tears might spill at any moment.

Fang Junmei’s face darkened at her words. He chuckled awkwardly, unsure how to respond. It was his first time facing such a whimsical woman.

She radiated not the transcendent aura of a celestial, but the elusive charm of a little spirit, never harsh or negative.

“Just joking with you!”

Yang Xiaoman giggled again, then grew serious. “It’s enough that you have the intention, junior brother. How could I accept your spirit stones? Besides, that amount can no longer satisfy my cultivation needs.”

Fang Junmei nodded.

At this moment, Yang Xiaoman recalled Fan Lanzhou’s instructions to her. Unexpectedly, as a senior sister, she hadn’t been able to help Fang Junmei, and instead he was offering her spirit stones. She couldn’t help but feel a greater fondness for him.

As they conversed, Yang Xiaoman had come to Fang Junmei’s side, and the two chatted leisurely on the quiet mountain path.

“This road doesn’t lead to the Peak of Immovability. Where are you headed, junior brother?”

Yang Xiaoman asked.

“Medicine King Peak.”

“Medicine King Peak? I heard you took Uncle Chunyu’s trial medicine task. Haven’t you failed yet?”

What a thing to say! Could she not hope for the best?

Fang Junmei was speechless at her words. He thought to himself that although his senior sister had cultivated longer, her experience and age were likely not proportional.

When he traveled among mortals, he was a proper gentleman and hero, but since arriving at the Peak of Immovability and befriending Song Shedde, he felt himself becoming something of a comic character.

Yang Xiaoman seemed to realize her slip, covered her mouth with a smile, and after a dry cough, said, “I meant, you’re still persevering?”

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Fang Junmei nodded.

Yang Xiaoman asked, “How many trials have you passed?”

Fang Junmei looked at her and, instead of answering, asked, “Have you ever taken this task, senior sister?”

Yang Xiaoman nodded, then shook her head. “I did, but when I arrived at Uncle Chunyu’s, he sent me back without letting me try the medicine.”

“Why?”

Fang Junmei was astonished.

At this question, the world in Yang Xiaoman’s eyes suddenly deepened for the first time, revealing a mysterious smile. She looked at Fang Junmei and said, “Junior brother, since you can still persevere, keep going. That ultimate pill might be your opportunity—be sure to seize it.”

A rare moment of seriousness.

Fang Junmei didn’t understand, but nodded.

Yang Xiaoman did not ask further about how many trials he had passed. She formed a hand seal, summoned a cloud beneath her feet, and rose off the ground, saying, “Get on. I’ll take you part of the way—your slow pace might take forever.”

“Thank you, senior sister.”

Fang Junmei accepted without fuss, leaping onto the cloud as they sped toward Medicine King Peak.

The wind rushed past, carrying a faint feminine fragrance to his nose. It was the first time Fang Junmei had been so close to Yang Xiaoman.

…

In no time, they arrived at Medicine King Peak.

After inquiring, Fang Junmei learned that Chunyu Qian was still away. He could only shake his head in resignation.

“Junior brother, interested in joining me for a few tasks? You won’t lack for spirit stones.”

Yang Xiaoman smiled.

Fang Junmei shook his head. “With my current cultivation, I would only drag you down. Returning to cultivate is what’s most important.”

He saw through things and refused to accept Yang Xiaoman’s spirit stone charity without reason.

Yang Xiaoman did not insist and sent Fang Junmei back to the summit of the Peak of Immovability before leaving again.

At the peak, Fan Lanzhou and Linghu Jinjiu were still in seclusion. Fang Junmei visited the Daoist of Lost Time, paid his respects, and then resumed his cultivation.