Chapter 21: The Eldest Senior Sister Who Loved Makeup

Muyuanlou stood at the mountain peak, hands clasped behind his back. With a simple gesture, he drew in vast amounts of spiritual energy, shaping it into a pill in his palm. In the next moment, the power dissipated and the pill vanished without a trace.

“Still not quite there,” Muyuanlou mused, his gaze drifting into the distance. “That girl Ziyu might very well surpass me, achieving the realm I’ve long dreamed of reaching.”

“All those years ago, I could only obtain a barely adequate spiritual sword blank—far inferior to the Phoenix Dragon.”

Why had Muyuanlou accepted Ziyu as his disciple? Because it was he who had placed the Phoenix Dragon there. In his youth, Muyuanlou acquired a sword called Dawn’s Court, and once traversed the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains three times over. Yet, the path he yearned for remained elusive.

The Taixu Palace was filled with elders and grand elders like him. Unwilling to accept their own limitations, they pinned all their hopes on their disciples. Thus, the number of fine sword blanks atop Taixu Peak grew year by year, but those who could claim them were few and far between.

Muyuanlou doted on Ziyu, lavishing her even with precious soul-type spiritual medicines without so much as asking their purpose, gifting her an entire handful.

Thinking of this, Muyuanlou couldn’t help but wince internally. “That scoundrel Chen Daoxian is far too greedy—he demanded four drops of Black Phoenix blood for an exchange.”

In his field of vision, several second-generation disciples were gathering. Muyuanlou sighed, “My good disciple, this descent from the mountain will test your fortune.”

“Cultivation is a gamble with luck. I hope you’re one of the fortunate ones.”

If Muyuanlou could have obtained the Saint Maiden of the Nine Heavens’ technique for increasing luck, he would have spared no expense or risk to cultivate it.

Though an elder, Muyuanlou was just an ordinary one among many. Such thoughts were, surprisingly, much like those of ordinary parents.

…

Before the stone gates of Taixu Sect, a young man in green peered into the distance. “Why aren’t they here yet? Why aren’t they here yet!”

Beneath the stone sat a portly youth. “Stop pacing, you’re giving me a headache.”

The man in green was restless as a monkey, leaping about. The fat one, calm and unruffled, resembled the legendary Pigsy.

Ziyu stood nearby, carefully recalling the three secret arts imparted to her by Lu Wu.

The man in green slapped his thigh. “Here she comes, Senior Sister’s here!”

“Senior Sister is truly powerful, but her temperament is so sluggish—she always drags her feet.”

At that moment, Lu Wu detected a rich, fragrant scent of cosmetics.

“Ahchoo!” Though his body felt nothing, his soul couldn’t help but sneeze. He then quickly shut off his mouse mimic's sense of smell.

Goodness, what is this—a walking cosmetics warehouse?

As Senior Sister arrived, the fat one finally stood up. “Everyone’s here. Let’s go!”

He tossed out a high-quality flying vessel, enveloping the four humans and three beasts within.

Ziyu was stunned. “Brother Cang, you actually have a flying ship!”

Cang Yukun grinned. “Heh, the ultimate tool for showing off.”

Senior Sister Zhuoya replied, “You’ll understand soon enough.”

No sooner had the ship flown ten miles than it transformed into a gigantic white swan.

…

Ziyu didn’t know what “Sparta” or “Bangbu” meant, but whatever they were, she felt both at once—stunned and speechless.

Cang Yukun laughed heartily. “Actually, it’s just my beast companion’s illusion magic. Where would I get the money for a real flying ship? It’s just mimicking the Palace Lord’s vessel.”

The gaunt Tao Ye spat, “Show-off.”

The term “show-off” was something both had picked up from Ziyu, who in turn had learned it from Lu Wu.

Zhuoya frowned, “What devilish language is this? So uncouth.”

Cang Yukun waved it off. “Enough, let’s not argue. I’ll take a nap.”

Ziyu asked cautiously, “Brother Cang, if you fall asleep, will your swan drop us?”

“Uh!” Cang Yukun became serious. “That’s hard to say. Maybe I shouldn’t nap.”

Zhuoya interjected, “Let’s focus on the task at hand.”

“The three of us often carry out missions together—we’re a skilled team and know each other well.”

“I’m the main combatant of the team—my specialty is speed…”

Tao Ye cut in, “Don’t listen to her. She’s actually slow—so slow it’s astonishing. We’ve waited so long because she was drawing her eyebrows.”

Zhuoya arched an eyebrow. “How do you know I was drawing my eyebrows? Did you use a Wheel Eye talisman to spy on me?”

“Eh?” Tao Ye quickly denied it. “Absolutely not. Isn't it obvious? Do I need to spy?”

Zhuoya shrugged. “Enough joking. Tao Ye is best at tracking.”

“Cang Yukun excels at being a meat shield.”

Ziyu nodded after listening. “I practice the Taixu Phoenix Art and the Clear Wind Rain Sword.”

“Recently, I’ve been training three life-saving secret techniques—but I’m terrible at them.”

Tao Ye comforted her, “You’ve only been at Taixu Palace a short while, yet you’ve reached the fourth condensation stage, nearly the fifth. The three of us took years to reach eight or nine. Don’t say you’re bad; it’s just a matter of time.”

Ziyu’s mood sank. “I really am terrible at them.”

Zhuoya put an arm around her shoulder. “Junior Sister, you’ll definitely become strong. When the Phoenix Dragon sword blank appeared, everyone knew about it—many disciples envied you.”

“Oh, and all three of us have beast companions.”

“They make up for our shortcomings.”

“Cang Yukun has strong defense but slow speed, so his swan spirit beast is very fast.”

“Tao Ye is great at tracking but weak in combat—his monkey is fierce.”

“As for me, I have no weaknesses, so my beast companion has plenty.”

Beside Zhuoya, her crest-crowned serpent with potent flood dragon bloodline: ???

Ziyu hesitated. “Actually…”

“Actually, I have a beast companion as well.”

To show respect, Zhuoya used the formal term “companion.”

Tao Ye perked up. “Oh? Why didn’t you bring it?”

“I did!” Ziyu raised her hand, and Lu Wu stood on her fingertip.

“Here it is.”

Everyone—three humans, two beast companions—turned to stare at Lu Wu. Even the white swan glanced back curiously.

…

“Is this a spirit beast?”

“You call this a beast companion?”

“You use the formal term ‘companion’? Junior Sister, you’ve studied at the mountain’s schools, haven’t you? Our sect has academies everywhere.”

With Lu Wu’s instructions, Ziyu boldly fibbed, “It’s very powerful—can do anything.”

“Uh…” Zhuoya was unconvinced.

Ziyu added, “But it’s rather lively, likes to get close to people and beasts—just in its own unique way.”

“It bites.”

Cang Yukun leaned in, squinting at Lu Wu, wrinkling his nose. “Bites? That tiny mouth can break skin?”

Lu Wu was furious.

You can call me soft, you can call me small—I’ll accept it!

But I am obviously long!

Lu Wu soared up and landed a bite on Cang Yukun’s nose, taking a deep draught of blood.

“Owowowowowow!” Cang Yukun panicked. “You didn’t say it sucks blood!”

“Ouch, it took a lot—hurts!”

Lu Wu was surprised as well; after draining so much, he expected Cang Yukun to turn pale and blue-lipped, like those weaklings. Yet Cang Yukun seemed unfazed.

So that’s what body training is—what it means to be a meat shield!

Tao Ye whistled. “Savage, it really can pierce skin! But why no spiritual energy fluctuation?”

Zhuoya peered at Lu Wu, extending her finger. “It must be some rare beast—I’ve never seen an insect like this.”

Lu Wu landed on Zhuoya’s fingertip, only to find himself stuck.

You went out after putting on makeup and didn’t even wash your hands?!

Zhuoya examined him carefully. “Hey, look at this!”

Lu Wu sensed she’d noticed the coffin nail embedded in his mouthparts.

Zhuoya continued, “What a strong scent of blood—could it have sucked the blood of ancient divine beasts?”

“!!!” Tao Ye exclaimed, “Let me see!”

At that moment, Lu Wu sensed danger and quickly checked through the Book of Knowledge.

“Antlered Dragon Eagle, ninth condensation stage demon clan.”

Lu Wu hastily warned Ziyu.

Ziyu cried out, “Be careful, everyone! It told me an Antlered Dragon Eagle is approaching!”

They were about to dismiss it—but just then, a visible shadow covered the swan’s body.

Above—???

Everyone looked up.

A gigantic eagle, its body covered in blue feathers, spanned the sky.