After resting for a night at the inn, the group set off for Shaoyang Peak the next day.
This demon hunting trip had taken nearly half a month, and it was the first time Xuanji had been away from home for so long; she genuinely missed it.
She wondered how Linglong was doing. Linglong hadn't been able to join the demon hunt; was she still angry?
Her mother probably wasn't worried anymore, right? Maybe she even made a bunch of delicious food waiting for her return!
Once back, she wouldn't have to live in that dreadful Mingxia Cave anymore, and there was the excitement of the Flower Pinning Conference to look forward to; Xuanji suddenly felt life was pretty good.
Chu Yinghong saw her sneaking laughs at the front and couldn't help but ask, "You, you've been laughing since yesterday. Tell Aunt Hong, what's making you so happy?"
Xuanji leaned against her chest, looked at the clouds swiftly passing under her feet, and whispered, "Everything makes me happy. I never knew going out to play could be this fun. And then, the thought of being able to return home afterward makes me even happier."
Chu Yinghong laughed heartily, "Little girl misses home, huh? You've only been out for half a month. When you turn sixteen and leave the mountain for your training, it will be for several years!"
Xuanji quickly said, "Then... can I choose not to go? Or perhaps, go out for a few months and then come back to visit?"
Chu Yinghong shook her head. "Xuanji, eventually everyone has to grow up and step out from under their family's protection. Even though you're a girl, you need to learn to be a useful person and stop dragging everyone down as you did this time. This is not just for your own development but also to protect those you want to protect. Do you want to see your loved ones getting hurt or even dying to protect you?"
Xuanji's lips parted, but she had no response.
This incident had indeed dealt her a considerable blow. She had always lived in her own world, too lazy to look beyond it. Only later did she realize that the world outside was not at all what she thought. She truly didn't know anything.
Seeing that she fell silent, Chu Yinghong also said nothing more.
Some matters became counterproductive if discussed too much, especially with a child like her.
After a while, the little girl moved in her arms, like a warm, soft little animal. She gently took hold of her hand, whispering, "Aunt Hong, I want to be a useful person. I don't want to drag everyone down anymore."
Chu Yinghong felt a great joy in her heart and held her small hand in return, softly saying, "Aunt Hong will teach you many things. After we return to Shaoyang Peak, you can start learning with Aunt Hong."
Xuanji nodded silently. After a while, she suddenly looked up, "Aunt Hong, I want to start by learning Sword Flight. Is that okay?"
Chu Yinghong couldn't help but chuckle, "Okay... anything you want. However, Xuanji, it's not called stepping on a sword to fly; it's called Sword Flight..."
As she spoke, she intentionally pressed down with her foot, and the sword beneath her twisted and turned like a snake in the air, shooting up and down, left and right. The mist around them, like white gauze, was cut open by the sharp blade, grazing past their hair and playfully slipping through their fingers.
Xuanji burst into delighted laughter.
Amidst that laughter, everyone returned to the Shaoyang Sect, which they had left for half a month.
Upon reaching Shaoyang Peak, Chu Yinghong and Dongfang Qingqi went to find the Sect Leader at the summit.
By counting the days, the Flower Pinning Conference was set to officially start in two days, and representatives from various sects should all be arriving one after another. There was too much to take care of during this time: arranging accommodations for guests, preparing the martial arts field, settling the Heavenly Dog, and so on; none of which could be neglected.
While the adults were busy with serious matters, the children played on their own.
As soon as Xuanji landed, she hurried home to find her mother and Linglong. Naturally, Zhong Minyan also wanted to pay respects to his mater, whereas Yu Sifeng, intending to look for his master, was stubbornly dragged away by the other two. They wanted to introduce Linglong to him, transitioning from a trio to a quartet of good friends.
Unable to resist them, Yu Sifeng had no choice but to accompany them. Actually, he was reluctant to find his master so soon; his mask had broken, and his face had been seen by many. He didn't know how they would scold him, so he took it one moment at a time.
Xuanji, returning to the familiar courtyard, looked around and called, "Mother, Linglong! I'm back!"
No sooner had the words left her mouth than the door was kicked open forcefully, and a petite figure quickly pounced out, latching onto her with such force that she nearly staggered.
"Xuanji Xuanji Xuanji! I've missed you so much! You're finally back!" Linglong clung tightly to her neck, shouting at the top of her lungs, the sound echoing loudly.
"Linglong... I can't catch my breath... my ears are going to go deaf..."
Xuanji's soft protest obviously had no effect, as Linglong clung to her, touching her from head to toe, with tears of excitement in her eyes, she kept asking, "Was it dangerous? Are you alright? I was so worried, I couldn't sleep at all! Let me see if your arms and legs are all intact!"
"I'm not, not hurt..." Dizzy from her fussing, Linglong seemed far more formidable than any demon.
Linglong continued hugging her and shouting for a while before she noticed the two boys standing behind Xuanji, looking as stunned as wooden chickens.
"Ah, Xiao Liuzi!" Linglong's excitement kicked in again, like a chicken on steroids, she rushed over and hugged him, also checking him from head to toe, making sure all his limbs were still attached.
Zhong Minyan had long known her character, and could only offer a wry smile, patting her little head and softly saying, "We're all fine, no need to shout anymore. The whole Shouyang Mountain can only hear you yelling."
Yu Sifeng coughed from behind, indeed! He sighed softly, "Alas, girls from the Central Plains!"
It was laughable that those senior brothers always dreamed of the gentle and demure girls from the Central Plains—if they knew about Xuanji's laziness and Linglong's brashness, their eyeballs might just pop out.
Linglong had already noticed the handsome young man next to Zhong Minyan, and with her sharp ears, she heard his mutterings. Her brows furrowed in displeasure as she snapped, "What did you say! What about the girls from the Central Plains huh?!"
Yu Sifeng touched his nose, knowing the time to be tactful, "No, nothing..."
Linglong pouted, mimicking his odd accent, "No, nothing~~ Can't even speak the language from the Central Plains, yet commenting on its girls! Hey, who are you anyway?"
Yu Sifeng felt a headache coming, torn between escaping and not wanting to respond, he was feeling rather gloomy when Zhong Minyan kindly stepped in to help.
"This is a disciple of Lize Palace, named Yu Sifeng. We met the Vice Palace Master of Lize Palace on our way and Si Feng came to help us with demon hunting. He is our good friend; he has helped us a lot along the journey, Linglong, don't be so hot-tempered."
Xuanji nodded eagerly, finally finding the opportunity to chime in, "Yes, yes, Linglong! Si Feng is a good friend, you'll like him."
Linglong stamped her foot in frustration, exclaiming, "I don't like him! Not at all! I hate it! Why can he go demon hunting, why can all of you go, while I have to stay at home and be bored to death! I hate it! I'm almost suffocated here!"
Xuanji could only keep trying to soothe her.
As the commotion was in full swing, suddenly a voice carrying a smile came from the direction of the courtyard door, "Junior Sister, stop making a fuss, or Master will punish you again if he finds out."
As soon as Linglong heard 'Dad', her legs went weak, and with much reluctance, rubbing her eyes, she grumbled resentfully, "Eldest Senior Brother always scares me with Dad!"
Xuanji quickly turned around, and indeed, the person who had come was Du Minxing. Not having seen him for half a month, his complexion seemed much improved, shedding the previously bookish air of a scholar completely, radiating a sense of gentle and steady elegance.
Upon seeing Xuanji, he couldn't help but smile softly, saying in a gentle voice, "Xuanji, you all have finally returned. Mother and Junior Sister Linglong have been thinking of you every day."
In the whole Shaoyang Sect, aside from her parents and Linglong, the person closest to Xuanji was Eldest Senior Brother Du Minxing. Seeing him arrive, she hurried over and called out incessantly to him.
Out of affection, Du Minxing lovingly ruffled her hair, smiling and saying, "Let's go inside, and you can tell us about your adventures in demon hunting. This young fellow is...?"
Seeing Du Minxing looking towards him and noticing Xuanji holding his arm, Yu Sifeng felt a touch of irritation for some reason and simply introduced himself with a bow, "I am a disciple of Lize Palace, Yu Sifeng."
With a slight smile and unconcerned by his cold demeanor, Du Minxing just urged the children to go inside.
Upon hearing they would talk about demon hunting adventures, Linglong, thrilled, was the first to rush into the house, even turning back to beckon them, "Come on in! Xuanji, Xiao Liuzi, Si Feng! I want to hear all about your demon hunting!"
In her excitement, she had quickly forgotten her earlier quarrel with Yu Sifeng and comfortably accepted this new good friend.
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