Chapter 52 - Chapter 51

Zhou Qingxue grabbed Wei Zhao's wrist. This person was a bit annoying, but blocking tribulation for others was no small matter. She didn't want Big Ice Block to get hurt. 

While Zhou Qingxue was speaking, the clouds above Song Zhixia's head pressed even lower. The first thunder tribulation had already struck. Fortunately, the talismans Zhao Xuankun provided were reliable enough to block the first thunder tribulation for Song Zhixia. 

Before everyone could breathe a sigh of relief, the second thunder tribulation followed suit. Song Weizhi's hand holding the sword brimmed with spiritual qi as she confronted the tribulation. Due to her continuously advancing cultivation, this thunder tribulation merely consumed some of Song Weizhi's spiritual qi. She forcefully split the tribulation in mid-air, ensuring that it didn't touch Song Zhixia at all. 

Just as the third thunder tribulation was about to strike, Song Weizhi gently placed her palm on the small of Song Zhixia's back and stepped back. Song Zhixia felt a warmth, as if the lost spiritual qi had returned. 

After the third thunder tribulation, the dark clouds in the sky dissipated, as if nothing had happened. Only the deep hole beneath Song Zhixia's feet proved that someone had indeed passed through the tribulation. 

Song Zhixia, having successfully endured the last thunder tribulation, remained calm, without any injuries. On the other hand, Song Weizhi looked a bit pale. Song Zhixia quickly ran to her side. 

Feeling something was amiss, she wondered how she could endure the third thunder tribulation so easily with only 30% of her power remaining. It must be related to her Senior Sister's hand placed on her lower back. Even now, her dantian still felt warm. 

Song Zhixia lightly pulled Song Weizhi's sleeve, whispering, "Senior Sister, what's going on? How could I handle it so easily?" 

Setting up a barrier around them, Song Weizhi gently explained, "I placed the little figure in your dantian and Qi. Use your spiritual qi to investigate and see what it's doing." 

Song Zhixia was stunned. Senior Sister put her little figure inside her? That was an essential item for cultivators. Seeing Song Weizhi's pale face, she realized that her Senior Sister had used her spiritual qi just now. It meant that Senior Sister had blocked two thunder tribulations for her. 

In a hurry, she said, "Senior Sister, take it back quickly. How can such an important thing be left with me? You got injured for me again." 

Seeing the redness in the eyes of the little junior sister, Song Weizhi quickly embraced her, soothing her, "Xia Xia, don't worry. I'm fine. I'll just take some recovery pills later. Let the little figure stay with you for now. It's crowded here, and I don't want others to know my bottom line." 

"Senior Sister, are you okay?" 

"Don't worry, I'm fine. It's just that this time, Xia Xia can also protect me, so I'll take advantage of it and hide behind her." Song Weizhi smiled, lifting the barrier around them and going to a nearby open space to meditate and rest. 

Wei Zhao couldn't wait. She immediately ran over to check if Song Weizhi was injured. 

Seeing Wei Zhao running towards Song Weizhi, Zhou Qingxue muttered under her breath, "What's the hurry? Your Mistress blocked tribulation for another woman. Can't you see it? And you're rushing over like this, tsk." 

Zhou Chengwen looked at his sister muttering there, feeling a bit uncomfortable. He always felt that his sister's attitude towards Wei Zhao was a bit strange. 

After a few hours of rest, they set off again. This time, they were accompanied by Zhou Qingxue and others. Originally, Zhou Chengwen wanted to leave with his sister first, but Zhou Qingxue insisted on taking some more time to recover. Thus, they joined Song Weizhi's group to venture deeper into the secret realm. 

Compared to the initial part of the secret realm, the danger was reduced as they delved deeper. Occasionally, some demonic beasts appeared, but the disciples quickly killed them. Song Weizhi stayed directly behind her little junior sister, letting her earn points. With the little figure, her little girl strength was more than enough to deal with these demonic beasts. 

Wei Zhao also frequently protected Song Weizhi by her side, and Song Weizhi enjoyed the leisure. Following the two was easy. In the evening, everyone returned to the square where they first entered the secret realm. At this moment, the spirit stones on the square displayed the top thirty rankings of this secret realm. 

Song Weizhi's name prominently occupied the first place, followed by Song Zhixia, Wei Zhao, and Zhao Xuankun. The top few positions were all taken by Song Weizhi's group. 

At this moment, Qi Yingzhe arrived at the square with some disciples behind him. He stood on a high platform and said softly, "The top thirty disciples of the secret realm have been decided. I have instructed the stewards to take everyone to the residences of inner disciples to rest. As for the rest, fellow cultivators, there is no need to be discouraged. The path of cultivation is long, and three years later, I will be here waiting for all of you." 

Although Qi Yingzhe's voice was soft, everyone in the square could hear it. Immediately, he instructed his disciples to take the top thirty disciples to their residences. 

Unexpectedly, Qi Yingzhe personally came to lead Song Weizhi's group to their lodgings. He approached politely, "Welcome to join us. From now on, we are fellow disciples. If there's anything you need, feel free to come to me anytime. It's getting late today; let me take you to rest." 

"Alright, thank you." Song Weizhi replied. 

The group followed Qi Yingzhe, flying to the disciples' residences on his flying artifact. 

Song Weizhi originally intended to fly on her sword but was stopped by the little girl. "Senior Sister, let's ride on my sword together." 

Song Weizhi smiled, nodded at the little girl, and stood behind her, wrapping one arm around her waist. She obediently watched the little girl controlling the sword. 

Upon reaching their residence, Qi Yingzhe briefly instructed the disciples and left. The others went to their rooms for rest, while Song Weizhi went to Song Zhixia's room. 

As soon as she entered the room, the little girl activated the restrictions and eagerly said, "Senior Sister, your little figure is still here with me. Quickly get it out and take it back." 

Song Weizhi smiled and said, "It's okay; no need to rush. I can see that she's sleeping soundly in your dantian. Let her sleep a bit longer." 

"Senior Sister, I'm not joking. You blocked all the thunder tribulations for me this time. Every time, it's you helping me. When can I protect Senior Sister?" The little girl's eyes were slightly reddened. 

Song Weizhi hurriedly comforted her, "We are like a family, aren't we? It doesn't matter who protects whom. There's no need for such words." 

"Then, Senior Sister, please take out the little figure." 

Seeing the urgency in the little girl, Song Weizhi had no choice but to take her little figure out of the little girl dantian. The little figure didn't understand why it was brought out again, and its little hand still held a tiny pill. 

Song Weizhi poked the little figure and laughed, "You know how to play. You even brought something out. Mischievous little thing, give it to me." She pointed at the small pill in the little figure's hand. 

The little figure, as if unwilling to give it to Song Weizhi, hid its little hand behind its back. Song Weizhi found it amusing. "You're holding something that belongs to someone else, and yet you look wrong? Give it to me obediently. I'll let you play over there next time." 

The little figure pouted and reluctantly handed the pill to Song Weizhi. Song Weizhi gave the pill to Song Zhixia, saying, "Xia Xia, your Golden Core almost got taken away by this little thing. Hurry and put it back." 

Song Zhixia smiled, touched the little figure head, and returned her little figure to her dantian and Qi. She urged Song Weizhi, "Senior Sister, don't play around first. Quickly put the little figure back." 

"Okay, I'll listen to my Xia Xia." Song Weizhi smiled and gently shook the little Nascent Soul in her hand. The little one was wiggled by Song Weizhi, and it squatted with a slightly aggrieved expression, staring at Song Weizhi with big eyes. With a smile, Song Weizhi put the little Nascent Soul back into her body. 

Only when Song Weizhi's little figure returned to her body did Song Zhixia finally breathe a sigh of relief. Her Senior Sister was too good to her; even this little figure thing was given away so casually. The little girl reached out to hug Song Weizhi, and Song Weizhi held her waist, lifting her onto her lap. 

"Alright, let's not be unhappy, okay? I missed Xia Xia." Song Weizhi said, kissing the top of the little girl's head. 

"I missed Senior Sister too. I've been missing you since you left." Song Zhixia said shyly, burying her head in Song Weizhi's shoulder. 

On the other side, Wei Zhao was in a different situation. After killing many demonic beasts in the secret realm, she was exhausted. Just as she was about to sleep, she heard a knock on the door. Wei Zhao wondered who could be visiting her; her Mistress had already gone back to the room with her little Dao Companion. Why would someone else come to find her? 

She responded a few times, "Coming, coming," and hurriedly went to open the door. What if it was her Mistress looking for her? 

To her surprise, when Wei Zhao opened the door, she saw Zhou Qingxue. Wei Zhao felt a headache coming. She shouldn't have been kind. Why was the young lady looking for her even after leaving the secret realm? And how did she know where she lived? 

"What's up with you?" Wei Zhao scoffed. 

Zhou Qingxue had originally come to find Wei Zhao in a good mood, but when she saw Wei Zhao's expression, she became irritated. "What's wrong? Didn't see the person you wanted to see? It's clear that Song Weizhi likes Song Zhixia. She even blocked the thunder tribulation for her. You have nothing to do with it. You're just following her around day by day." 

"Sigh, that's my Mistress. If I don't follow her, who else should I follow? Follow you? Miss?" Wei Zhao couldn't help laughing. What did this young lady want? 

"Well, if you want to follow me, I have to reluctantly agree." Zhou Qingxue smiled and raised her eyebrows at Wei Zhao. 

Wei Zhao sneered, "You're thinking too highly of yourself. Don't talk nonsense. What's the matter? If there's nothing, I'm going back to sleep." 

"Big Ice Icu, wait a moment, this is for you." Zhou Qingxue awkwardly handed a jade earring to Wei Zhao. 

Wei Zhao frowned and asked, "What does this mean? And why is there only one?" 

Zhou Qingxue sternly said, "This is a spirit tool for communication. Wear it, and I'll be able to hear you wherever you are. Consider it a reward from me." The peach-colored blush on her cheeks, however, revealed her embarrassment. 

"Why do I need this? I don't want to find you." Wei Zhao grumbled. 

Her words irritated Zhou Qingxue, "If you accept it, wear it. If you don't, I'll stay here." 

Wei Zhao was amused by her helplessness. It seemed she had no choice but to accept. 

"Alright, alright, give it to me. I want to sleep." Wei Zhao said, wanting to quickly close the door. However, the door was blocked by Miss Zhou. 

Wei Zhao was dumbfounded. She was just used to reading novels; how did she end up offending this young lady? 

"No, I've changed my mind. You've accepted it. What if you don't wear it? I must put it on for you." Zhou Qingxue said, smirking. 

Wei Zhao sighed and warned herself not to read novels anymore; they were causing trouble! 

She realized that she couldn't afford to offend Miss Zhou and reluctantly said, "Fine, give it to me. Help me put it on quickly, and you can leave." 

Zhou Qingxue's lips slightly curled up, suppressing a smile. She said, "Then lower your head a bit; it's not easy for me to put it on for you." 

Wei Zhao obediently lowered her head, waiting for the young lady to finish putting it on and then leave her alone. 

Zhou Qingxue's lips still carried a hint of a smile. She gently used her spiritual qi to create a small hole in the earlobe of Wei Zhao's left ear. Then, softly, she placed the jade earring on Wei Zhao's ear. 

Her left hand touched Wei Zhao's earlobe, and even her fingertips felt a bit hot. After she finished putting it on, Zhou Qingxue said as if nothing happened, "Alright, remember not to take it off. If you have something to say, just use your spiritual qi to activate the earring, and you can talk to me." 

Wei Zhao nodded, "Understood, understood. You can go now." 

Zhou Qingxue glanced at the earring on Wei Zhao's left ear, identical to the one on her right ear. Blushing slightly, she turned around and left. She thought, "Big Ice Block can't do anything to me!" 

Wei Zhao, seeing that the young lady finally left, immediately locked the door. She touched the earring on her left ear, feeling a bit uncomfortable. However, after fiddling with it for a while, she didn't take it off. She felt that if she did, the young lady wouldn't let her off, so she might as well just wear it.