Wang Lan Biyu in similar fashioned clothing she wore just this morning strolls among the bamboo trees taking in the muted forestry around her. The banquet was far from both sight and sound as the thick layout of the bamboo seemed to block anything displeasing to the ears once you entered their domain. It was the closest one could get to the silence of the mountainsides besides the howling of the wind on days the sky deities were in a foul mood. This solitude, Lan Biyu who carried her guqin was more than satisfied with. At least that puppy dog Fuqing is good for something. After avoiding being found by her fellow disciples, Lan Biyu hid in the bamboo forest to find a place to play with her guqin. After what happened the night before, she was reluctant to play in the room given to her.
It would be too easy to lose herself in memories she long locked away. Looking around, she could see nothing but green and the bright starry sky with a large silver moon lighting up her way after she ditched the stone path. A pasty scaley head bumps into her earring, Lan Biyu glances down at the snake who seems to want to admire the stars with her. She finally gave a muted smile poking Chi's head softly "What do you know of admiring the stars?" It paid no mind to her rough words acting cutely and flicking its tongue at her cheek tickling Lan Biyu's heart. Looking back up at the moon she mutters so softly even Chi could hardly hear her master's words.
"How wonderful it would be if your brother and sister were up there..waiting for us to join them." Wrapping her long body around her master's neck, the snake was cool to the touch and soothed the melancholy in her master's heart somewhat. "..." Hugging her guqin tightly the girl went on making her way aimlessly through the bamboo trees and sweeping fallen leaves and dust past her feet. As she walked, her eyes grew a bit glazed, and noticing this, the white snake quietly stared at her master. Waiting to listen to her heart and grievances in place of her unresponsive shadows.
"Chi, soon we will be returning to that place. When that time comes, they will surely recognize us." She pursed her lips "-And yet master refuses to teach me how to become stronger with this body." The girl was aware that some things couldn't be helped, and also knew this day would come again. However now that she discovered the human city's revolting truth, how could she turn a blind eye to her master's potential future sadness? Each year among the humans had slowly opened her eyes to the truth of this land.
She was not reluctant to take action, but reluctant to the fact that her strength in this body may not be enough for the fight ahead. A glance ahead after the reminder of Chi showed the entrance of a small clearing much to Lan Biyu's mild apprehensions. Coming closer to inspect the wood entry and placing a hand upon its hazel surface Lan Biyu could tell the arbor was old but sturdy. And the knot in her chest since arriving in the city strangely loosened giving her a true feeling of peace. Eyes flickering with interest she seriously began to inspect the place that seemed to be deserted but lovingly cared for by others.
It wasn't that she doubted Fuqing's tale of a pond in the middle of the forest. However from what he said and claimed the center was very hard for other people to find. She even heard from the complaining disciples of other sects in the passing that this pond was just a myth meant to tease the gullible younger generation at one point. But seeing as she found it so easily, Lan Biyu merely pinned it on the fact that those children were rather dull and overlooked the entrance. When she entered the clearing it was also easy to see why people could overlook it when walking around for fun. Unlike outside the clearing where there was still room for you to move around and run, here the bamboo trees were tightly packed together making it hard to see through them.
The only way to get in cleanly was through the arbor she had just entered, following the stone path to a small pond surrounded by large rocks Lan Biyu could see tiny koi swimming happily within. The only light came from above shining on the delicate lotus blossoms which were neatly arranged at the sides of the pond so the center was clear and see-through. It was surprisingly clean as well, and sensing nothing malicious or strange about it. Lan Biyu could only assume a servant was in charge of cleaning and maintaining the area on a regular base just like the arbor. Directly across from where she stood at the water's edge was a large overbearing stone tablet she only took a glance at before looking away with disinterest. To the right of the pond was a stone table which from her inspection seemed neat enough for her to sit on.
Carefully putting a handkerchief on one of the two seats Lan Biyu carelessly dismisses the romantic setting around her that was obviously a love nest to some ancient humans in the past. And satisfactorily took her seat alone not caring to wonder more about why only she was able to find the clearing compared to many others who were more eager to find this sacred place. "Although the barrier they use is full of corruption, perhaps that old tale has some truth to it after all." Once she had fully entered the small clearing, she was able to breathe and relax to some degree.
The tension put on her by the beast repeling barrier was also lifted surprisingly enough. The spiritual energy she could only recover at an annoyingly slow rate was now flowing freely back into her veins. It was as if, this place held a purifying effect. Taking a deep breath Lan Biyu allows her green and grassy surroundings to engulf her without much resistance. Not rejecting the flow of pleasure and belonging deep within her bones, if one looks closely along her collar bone the flicker of silver against the moonlight flashed briefly before returning to the peerless snow white. She only gave herself that one moment of pleasure before hurriedly retracting the silky pleasure that one second of freedom gave her.
Just like her other kin, it was easy for her to be addicted to any sort of pleasurable feeling she experienced. Whether it be bathing in the blood of their prey or the odd warmth of their little lovers when playing in the human realm. But unlike her kin, since the tragedy of the past, she never allowed herself this indulgence fearing losing control of what dignity she had left in honor of that person who gave her warmth. Lan Biyu cutting off those longing instincts for heat calmly unwraps her guqin with full intentions of abusing the clearing before someone else arrives. Feather-like fingers fluidly move into position, and with a deep breath, Lan Biyu's eyes quietly flutter close.
Only when the crisp notes her instruments sang and cried out filling her ears clearly despite the thick trees around her did Lan Biyu's cold expression soften. Her heart on her sleeve and her soul imbuing her hands with nostalgia. Eyelashes flutter as white and black memories come and go without permission as if cleansing her of all troublesome thoughts. Rustling leaves. Whining wind passing flexible yet sturdy bamboo trunks. Her song was neither sad nor happy, merely reminiscent following the example of the swaying koi beside her who swam without much thought to their actions. Lan Biyu was lost in her world with a tranquil and lovely appearance to the outsider's eye. Even the wind favored her presence, daring not to interrupt her song too much only moving enough to make it's presence known.
It was easy for people to fall in love with this image of gentle beauty, sadly the times she showed others such a harmless air were rarer than fine jade. It was mere moments from her final notes did the girl's head tilt slightly, and her eyelids lifted slowly to reveal their distance. Rather than finishing the last few notes Lan Biyu abruptly places her hands on top of her strings muting them. She narrowed her eyes at the entrance of the clearing where there was nothing but endless bamboo and her heavy suspicions. Do not tell her that someone managed to follow her here?
Even if they were not allowed to use qi in the backyard of the sect, her divine sense was enough for her to recognize if she was followed by anyone with malicious intent. And she was confident in her ability to lose others in places densely packed with natural life like this garden. Unless that person was of a higher level and ability than herself. But what adult would dare mess with her after the things her master had said? And compared to Da Chuanli, her performance was lacking in attraction too. Blinking once Lan Biyu only then saw a wisp of white before frowning automatically. A koi makes a splash just then disturbing her thoughts and forcing her to look over skeptically.
Standing and walking over to inspect the fish who seemed to be more rowdy than just a few seconds before. The girl peers into the center of the pond, eyes focused on the faint reflection of the moon from her position occasionally being disturbed by the koi swimming beneath its surface. A wave, a splash, silver eyes flicker cautiously as the moon slowly grows a silhouette resembling a person before her very eyes. "..." Pursing her lips Lan Biyu didn't move and waited for the image to fully settle upon the rippling of the frantic koi fish. The person's dark hair was the first thing she could recognize, a pair of mature steady phoenix eyes, a sharp nose and chin.
Her brows furrow as a strange sense of familiarity fills her as well as an uneasy sensation in her stomach. The only reason she hadn't taken action was because the serenity of the clearing was much too pure for any tricks. For mystical things to happen, it couldn't be said to be impossible in this world. Was it perhaps an immortal playing tricks? Eyes flickering and no longer caring for the image to show itself Lan Biyu smoothly pulls her cold sword from her pouch swinging around with an unsurprised and annoyed light within her eyes. Da Chuanli could only step back before his neck was cut with a familiar smile and curved dark jewels for eyes.
"Junior sister, master sent me to retrieve you to retire for the night." He warily rubs his neck under her cold glower. If he didn't dodge just now most likely ointment would be needed. She's as ruthless as always. Lan Biyu didn't give the teen any face looking over her shoulder at the pond that solemnly reflected the simple moon once more. She couldn't stop the wisp of annoyance from showing on her pretty face and directly ignoring the teen went to retrieve her guqin on the side. Realizing he had done something to properly annoy her again. Da Chuanli helplessly probs her reason for ignoring him this time. "Is junior sister upset at me for disturbing you?"
Scoffing at him Lan Biyu didn't say anything in response keeping her mouth firmly shut and carefully wrapping her guqin back up. He made another guess sending her a mild-mannered smile "Are you still mad about this morning?" This was the only other reason he could guess for her to be upset with him this time. Though the grudges and hatred stay well preserved within her heart it wasn't as if she could be angry at him forever. Especially if he hadn't actively aggravated her afterward. And considering how they had gotten along rather decently since that incident with her injury during tribulation. Da Chuanli thought she would let bygones be bygones by the time night hit.
Lightly rubbing his neck as the girl deliberately went to exit the clearing without acknowledging his questions at all. He could only toss his hands up and follow after her. Da Chuanli glances at the pond and stone tablet she had been staring at when he first entered. He only had to take a single look before also like the girl before him, disinterestedly turning away with his hands behind his back to pursue the little girl who was trying to create as much distance between them as possible. He teases her after catching up effortlessly, looking down at her from the side. His dark eyes twinkled humourous with a hint of doting he didn't notice.
"Are you really still angry about this morning? Master was at fault for our matching outfits, and I was also messing with you earlier. I know you wouldn't trade valuable things for mere silver, you are not that vulgar. Ok? Junior sister Wang is so good-tempered there's absolutely no way she would do such shady things." A soft palm pushed his face away none too gently making the teen chuckle and move away as the owner wished. Knowing the girl wasn't too upset otherwise instead of moving his face away she would have straightforwardly stomped on his foot or cut him up. He relaxes slightly just as she says "Your bootlicking is disgusting."
"Junior sister's words are rather hurtful, what I said was from the heart." She finally sent the teen a look of contempt which he laughed at. Smoothly taking the guqin from her and tying it along his back for her with practiced ease. "Master said that in the morning all inner disciples are to follow their masters to the realm entrance before the outer disciples for practice." Lan Biyu was a bit confused "Did they already decide who would go and who wouldn't?" Da Chuanli explained patiently to her "This year GoldenCloud sect was gracious enough to allow two seniors for each sect to enter instead of holding a competition. Master said that it was because the appearance of An Xing realm was earlier and rather abrupt compared to the past and they couldn't afford to waste time for a full competition between all seniors."
Da Chuanli didn't really care whether this was true or false so he was rather flippant and bland when explaining it to her. But Lan Biyu's lashes shook slightly after hearing what he had to say.