67. Promotion to Inner Disciple of Danxia

Xie Wuji burst out laughing, but at the same time, he sensed that if the person before him were a girl, a teasing remark at a moment like this would surely have left her red-faced with shame. Yet, Bai Li Yan'er seemed unfazed by his banter. Was it possible that, as a girl, she truly didn't care about comments on her figure? Moreover, Xie Wuji recalled that he'd previously asked around, and no one knew Bai Li Qingyan had a younger sister. Of course, it was possible she was an outer sect disciple, since with so many outer disciples, it was impossible to keep track of everyone’s siblings.

Right now, Bai Li Qingyan was naturally stunned by Xie Wuji's cultivation. He thought to himself, if they were in the same realm, even using a demon spirit, he wouldn't be a match for Xie Wuji. That "Mountain Crash" move was overwhelmingly powerful; despite his own higher level, he’d still been injured by Xie Wuji.

“Can you get up now…?” Bai Li Qingyan asked, a little embarrassed.

Only then did Xie Wuji realize he was still on top of Bai Li Qingyan, and their position was rather awkward. His face flushed as he hurriedly gave a sheepish grin and apologized, “S-sorry! Miss Yan’er, I was just distracted for a moment…”

“It’s fine,” Bai Li Qingyan said, smoothing a lock of her long hair by her cheek.

“What’s that scent on you? It’s really fragrant,” Xie Wuji asked.

“Oh, that? It’s probably because I bathe in Five-Colored Blossom Dew every day,” Bai Li Qingyan replied.

“That can’t be right. As far as I know, Five-Colored Blossom Dew is a medicinal ingredient. Don’t girls usually use perfume and petals when they bathe?” Xie Wuji questioned.

Bai Li Qingyan’s eyes dimmed. “It’s because I practice a special technique that fills my body with a tremendous cold yin energy. I’ve been cultivating it since I was a child, about five or six years old.”

She felt helpless just thinking about it. Ever since her master saved her, she’d begun training in this technique, one that only women practiced. Though it granted immense power, it also meant that the more she cultivated, the more she resembled a woman.

He was clearly a man, yet because of this technique, he had no Adam’s apple.

He was clearly a man, yet his skin was more delicate, fair, and flawless than any woman’s.

He was clearly a man, but among all of Danxia Sect, his features were the most beautiful—every smile, every frown, enchanted all who saw him. No one, man or woman, dared look twice, for fear they’d fall under his spell.

He was clearly a man, yet he had no true brothers. Few male disciples would even exchange more than a few words with him. He was one of Ding Desheng’s disciples, but none of his peers had ever become true friends. Xie Wuji was the first person to ever speak to him so openly.

He was clearly a man, yet had never known love. What girl would choose to be with a man more beautiful than herself?

At this, Bai Li Qingyan felt a sting in his nose and his eyes grew moist. He let out a mournful sigh, but said nothing. Who could understand his helplessness? Though his greatest enemy had now fallen, he’d lost so much—perhaps his whole life would be like this.

Seeing Bai Li Qingyan’s silence, Xie Wuji quickly said, “Miss Yan’er, did I bring up something painful? I think, whatever happened in the past is already behind you.”

“Sounds like you’ve been through a lot,” Bai Li Qingyan replied crisply. Her voice needed no disguise—thanks to that special technique, her voice had been identical to a woman’s ever since puberty. That was why she rarely spoke.

Yet, before Xie Wuji, she felt she could freely express her feelings, without the need for pretense or hiding herself as she did with others.

“I used to be a very ordinary person,” Xie Wuji began. “My parents were proud and worked hard, all to get me into a good school. But at those schools, all the kids were from rich families—their parents were bosses or officials. My family was just average, and I was bullied all the time…”

He forced a self-deprecating smile. “You know, they put cockroaches in my desk, cornered me after class, and even demanded protection money…”

He shook his head. “That’s how I got through it all. I barely made it to graduation, thinking I could finally stand on my own and support my family. I fell for a girl—truly thought I was lucky. But in the end, I lost her. The other guy was richer, from a powerful family. Ha…”

The laughter that followed was tinged with bitterness.

Xie Wuji’s words made Bai Li Qingyan’s heart tremble slightly. He said, “I’m not good at comforting people, but as you said, it’s all in the past. Now that you have a bright future ahead, don’t dwell on those unhappy things.”

“Yes, you’re right,” Xie Wuji agreed.

Bai Li Qingyan stood up and dusted off his clothes. “Today, I’m really glad—I got to exchange secrets with you.”

“Aren’t we having hotpot?” Xie Wuji asked.

“Not today, next time. I want to come with a good mood,” Bai Li Qingyan replied.

Xie Wuji smiled. “Alright, I’ll wait for you.”

He watched Bai Li Qingyan leave, then resumed his cultivation. In truth, Bai Li Qingyan hadn’t gone far. He was hiding behind a tree, secretly watching Xie Wuji. Biting his lip, he murmured, “If I told you I’ve been lying to you all along, would you still consider me your friend?”

But he quickly dismissed the thought, forcing a wry smile. “If you found out I was Elder Ding’s disciple, you’d surely despise me. After all, my master’s always made things difficult for you…”

Just as Bai Li Qingyan was about to leave, he caught sight of Dongmen Xianyun skipping toward Xie Wuji, with Fat Dragon and Thin Tiger flanking her.

Fat Dragon and Thin Tiger waved at Xie Wuji. “Brother Xie, time to eat!”

“You’re all here!” Xie Wuji set down his work and called out.

Dongmen Xianyun approached, sniffed the air, and declared, “A woman’s been here!”

“You’ve got a keen nose,” Xie Wuji teased.

Dongmen Xianyun pouted. “So, you’re seeing other girls behind my back, huh?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. That was just a friend, here to congratulate me on reaching the Golden Core stage,” Xie Wuji replied.

Dongmen Xianyun giggled. “I’m joking! I’m not mad. I came to let you know—the ceremony for your promotion to the inner sect is this afternoon. Since you jumped straight to fourth-grade Golden Core, you can skip the entry examination.”

“Oh?” Xie Wuji was delighted and began chatting warmly with everyone.

From afar, Bai Li Qingyan watched Xie Wuji and Xianyun bicker and laugh. A faint smile touched his lips as he murmured, “Those two are truly a perfect match…”

A sigh slipped out, and a look of loneliness flickered in his eyes as he gradually vanished into the depths of the bamboo forest.

Meanwhile, after eating his fill, Xie Wuji prepared to attend the inner sect promotion ceremony.

A fourth-grade Golden Core was neither a minor nor a major event in Danxia Sect. If he’d reached third-grade, he’d be immediately valued—just like Bai Li Qingyan and Dongmen Jianhao before him, sparking a fierce battle to recruit him. But a fourth-grade Golden Core wouldn’t cause such a scramble.

A third-grade Golden Core meant possessing twin demon spirits; fourth-grade, only one. Though it seemed a small difference, it was worlds apart in terms of significance. In the same realm, a third-grade Golden Core utterly outclassed the fourth.

Inside the main hall, the seven elders and the sect leader had already assembled. An inner sect disciple bore a tray, upon which rested the robes of the inner sect. The difference between the inner and outer sect uniforms was vast, and this was also the moment when Xie Wuji formally received his new status—a moment of great excitement for him.

“Xie Wuji, from today you are officially a member of Danxia Sect. That means you must now abide by the sect’s rules. Regardless of your past identity, from this moment on, any violation of the rules will be punished accordingly!” The Grand Elder, presiding over the ceremony, addressed Xie Wuji.

Ever since learning that Xie Wuji’s demon spirit was a Fire Ape and his Golden Core was fourth-grade, Ding Desheng had paid him little mind. In his eyes, someone like Xie Wuji was neither here nor there—one more or less made no difference.