Words spoken without intention may be heard with intent. Li Qingyuan, besides Qi Yingzhe, was the most prestigious disciple in the Cold Mountain Sword Sect. The reason was simple—he was one of the disciples with the greatest authority outside of Qi Yingzhe, overseeing the internal affairs of the sect. He had already felt resentful about being overshadowed by Qi Yingzhe and Zhou Yeran's children. This year, recruiting new disciples resulted in several outstanding ones, making Li Qingyuan even more uneasy.
"Senior Brother, don't pay too much attention to the rumors outside. People just like to exaggerate. There aren't that many geniuses in the world. In my opinion, as long as Master values you, why bother about what others do."
Li Qingyuan frowned, thinking that's easier said than done. If these disciples surpassed him, he would become nothing more than a steward handling daily affairs within the sect. That was not what he desired.
"Are those new disciples behaving themselves?" Li Qingyuan asked.
"Others are fine, but on the first day, Song Weizhi was scolded by the Third Elder during the morning class. However, she admitted her mistake, and the Third Elder only reprimanded her a bit."
Li Qingyuan nodded, picked up the spiritual spring water beside him, took a sip, and said, "They are still newcomers. We need to discipline them a bit. In a few days, I'll go meet these so-called geniuses."
"Yeah, they can't possibly compete with Senior Brother Li."
After Qi Yingzhe's class, Song Weizhi and the others were preparing to return to their residence. Just as they were about to leave, they saw a figure in the distance approaching. Song Weizhi recognized her as Zhou Qingxue.
Wei Zhao noticed too. She looked at Song Weizhi and said in a hurry, "Mistress, you and Miss Song can go back by yourselves. I have something urgent to attend to; I'll leave first." She wanted to run away, but Song Weizhi grabbed her wrist.
"Tsk, where are you in such a hurry to go? Didn't you see Miss Zhou coming over? Let's chat together." Song Weizhi looked at Wei Zhao, suppressing a laugh. She didn't expect her cold-faced guard to be afraid of someone. It amused her.
Wei Zhao, looking shocked, did see Zhou Qingxue. She wanted to escape but was caught by her Mistress. How could her Mistress behave like this?
While they were talking, Zhou Qingxue had already arrived. Originally, her face carried a smile, but when she saw Song Weizhi grabbing Wei Zhao's wrist, her expression immediately turned cold.
Following Zhou Qingxue's gaze, Song Weizhi released Wei Zhao's wrist and smiled, "Senior Sister Zhou, is there something you need?"
"I came to find Wei Zhao," Zhou Qingxue's gaze shifted to Wei Zhao.
Song Weizhi followed Zhou Qingxue's gaze to the earring on her right ear and then looked at Wei Zhao's left ear. She immediately revealed an amused expression. "Well, then I and Xia Xia will leave first. Wei Zhao, you can accompany Senior Sister Zhou."
Seeing that Song Weizhi and Song Zhixia were quite sensible, Zhou Qingxue immediately showed an approving smile. Only Wei Zhao rolled her eyes, looking at her master as she left her alone to face Zhou Qingxue.
"Senior Sister, why are you smiling?" Song Zhixia, who had walked quite far with Song Weizhi, couldn't help but ask.
"Silly Xia Xia, didn't you see the earring on Senior Sister Zhou's right ear? It's the same as Wei Zhao's. It seems she has taken a liking to Wei Zhao. Let me tell you, they are quite a good match." Song Weizhi smiled and pinched Xia Xia's hand.
Unexpectedly, Song Zhixia suddenly stopped and stepped on Song Weizhi's instep. Song Weizhi was stunned. She didn't do anything; how did she provoke the little girl?
The girl glanced ahead and said, "Senior Sister, you pay attention to others so carefully, even noticing what kind of earrings they wear?"
Song Weizhi realized her little bunny was jealous. She hugged the girl and kissed her on the top of her head, and then playfully said, "Alright, I was wrong. Xia Xia, rest assured, I will only look at my little Dao Companion in the future, never glancing at others."
The girl leaned against Song Weizhi's arms, snorting, not saying whether she was satisfied or dissatisfied. She just looked around and, seeing no one, quickly dropped a kiss on Song Weizhi's lips. Afterward, she shyly hugged Song Weizhi and didn't dare to raise her head.
Song Weizhi hugged the little girl, kissed the top of her head, and said with a smile, "Xia Xia, why are you shy after taking advantage of me? Moreover, our relationship now allows you to take advantage freely."
The more Song Weizhi spoke, the redder the girl's ears became. "Senior Sister, stop talking nonsense. If you say such things again, I'll go back to my room tonight."
Song Weizhi laughed at her little Dao Companion. The little girl was clever, knowing what she was afraid of.
"Okay, I was wrong. Xia Xia, at night, you mustn't leave me. I can't sleep well without hugging Xia Xia." Song Weizhi wanted to say more, but her mouth was covered by her little Dao companion. Well, her little Dao companion could only be spoiled.
On the other side, Wei Zhao pursed her lips and asked, "If you have something to say to me, say it quickly. I still have something to do later."
Zhou Qingxue looked at Wei Zhao's attire. She always felt that it was different from when she wore only black clothes in the secret realm. However, Wei Zhao's face was naturally cold. Whether it was black or moon-white, it looked extremely good on her.
They were still on the Martial Arts Field, and disciples passing by occasionally cast probing glances at the two of them. Zhou Qingxue's gaze fell on Wei Zhao's wrist, which had just been grabbed by Song Weizhi. She impulsively grabbed Wei Zhao's wrist and led her to a tree nearby.
Wei Zhao looked puzzled at Zhou Qingxue and asked, "What are you doing again?"
"Let you go, just go. Why so much nonsense?" Zhou Qingxue's voice came from in front of her.
After finally settling down, Zhou Qingxue pursed her lips and awkwardly asked, "Why didn't you talk to me last night?" She glanced at the earring on Wei Zhao's left ear, and a hint of an unnatural smile appeared on her lips. Unexpectedly, the ice block was quite obedient and had been wearing it all along.
"I didn't have anything to do, why would I look for you?" Wei Zhao was astonished. Why would she find Zhou Qingxue if she had nothing to do? She couldn't even escape in time!
Zhou Qingxue gave her a look and said, "Can't you find me to chat if you have nothing to do?"
Wei Zhao thought she had nothing to talk about with Zhou Qingxue. Of course, she didn't dare to say that out loud. "I'll find you to chat when I have time. If there's nothing else, I'll leave now."
"Don't leave. Come with me somewhere; I have something to show you." Saying this, Zhou Qingxue grabbed Wei Zhao's wrist.
"Where are we going? Why are you in such a hurry?" Wei Zhao was led by Zhou Qingxue while they both had the same pendant on their ears. It didn't take long for everyone to notice.
Finally, Zhou Qingxue led Wei Zhao to a courtyard and into a room.
Looking around, Wei Zhao asked, "Where is this?" She wondered what the young lady was up to.
Zhou Qingxue raised an eyebrow, smiling shyly, "This is my room. You liked the pastries made from the spirit fruits last time in the secret realm, right? My mother made those, and she made new ones today, so I wanted you to taste them."
Zhou Qingxue spoke without her usual arrogance. Her ears even had a faint blush. Wei Zhao felt that the young lady seemed somewhat pleasing at the moment.
While speaking, Zhou Qingxue took out all the spirit fruits from her storage bag. Originally, they were made by her mother for her and her brother, but she took them all while her brother was away, fearing that there wouldn't be enough for the ice block.
Seeing the table full of spirit fruits, Wei Zhao couldn't find words to say. The young lady seemed quite nice. Since arriving in this world, besides her Mistress, Zhou Qingxue was the person who treated her the best.
Wei Zhao looked at the smiling young lady and said, "Thank you. I can't finish all this by myself. Let's eat together."
Zhou Qingxue raised an eyebrow, "We ate together last time. Do you want me to watch you eat alone?"
Wei Zhao smiled and glanced at Zhou Qingxue but didn't argue. She simply picked up a piece of peach blossom pastry. Although she wasn't particularly fond of food, the scent of the peach blossom aroused her appetite.
"It's delicious. Thank your mother for me; I like it."
Hearing Wei Zhao's words, Zhou Qingxue's cheeks blushed slightly. She scolded herself for being unresponsive. The ice block was saying she liked the peach blossom pastry, not expressing any liking towards her. Why was she feeling happy? Then she quickly pushed away these thoughts. She wasn't interested in the ice block!
She hummed awkwardly and said, "If you like it, eat more. I brought you here this time to show you the way. If you need anything, you can come find me."
Wei Zhao nodded, "Okay."
Zhou Qingxue, who had barely finished eating a piece of peach blossom pastry, hadn't even finished talking when a loud voice from outside broke the calmness of the room, "Qingxue, where are the little snacks my mother made? I just went to mother's place, and she said they were here."
Zhou Chengwen's voice was loud. Both people in the room heard it, and Zhou Qingxue muttered to herself, "Oh no." She wanted to block the door, but Zhou Chengwen just knocked twice and pushed the door open. Then he saw Wei Zhao sitting in his sister's room, eating snacks made by his mother.
Zhou Chengwen's eyes widened, "No, why are you in my sister's room?"
Wei Zhao looked at Zhou Chengwen, confused, and asked, "She asked me to come; is it not okay?"
Zhou Chengwen was exploding with anger. Wei Zhao dared to ask him? He wanted to say that Wei Zhao touched his sister when he rescued her in the secret realm and now entered his sister's room. She must have bad intentions towards his sister.
Zhou Qingxue pulled up Wei Zhao, whispered to her, "My brother is here. I'll call you next time," and sent Wei Zhao out of the door.
Zhou Chengwen watched the two people outside, realizing that both of them had the same pendant on their ears, similar to the pair his sister usually wore. He stared at his returning sister, "Qingxue, what's going on with the earrings on her ears?"
Zhou Qingxue glanced at her brother and said, "Brother, I gave it to her to make it convenient for us to communicate."
"Be honest with your brother. Why are you so concerned about Wei Zhao? Are you attracted to her?" Zhou Chengwen didn't say the last part, but Zhou Qingxue naturally understood.
She pursed her lips, and her earlobes turned slightly red. She nodded slightly.