Xiao Yi woke up suddenly, drenched in a cold sweat from a nightmare in which she had been swallowed by the small white dragon.
She got out of bed and immediately saw Shao Cheng outside.
"Master!"
"Awake now?" Shao Cheng asked. "Are you alright?"
Xiao Yi replied, "I'm fine, thank you for your concern, Master."
Shao Cheng nodded. "Good to hear. Don't take it to heart; your Eldest Senior Brother is just like that."
"Even if I slack off a bit in my cultivation, he'll scold me too."
Despite being scared by the white dragon, Xiao Yi didn't hold any grudge against Ji Yan.
She knew that he was just trying to help her.
"Eldest Senior Brother?"
Shao Cheng said, "He's still at the Sword Cave, but don't disturb him; he's trying to fix the issue."
Xiao Yi shivered as she recalled the terrifying sword intent from the white dragon.
Just as terrifying as Eldest Senior Brother.
She didn't dare approach Ji Yan at the moment.
Shao Cheng added, "Rest for a few days. It'll take some time for your Eldest Senior Brother to repair the Sword Cave."
"Understood, Master."
Curious, Xiao Yi asked, "What about Second Senior Brother?"
Shao Cheng huffed, "That lazy boy is lying under the tree. According to him, he's just lying like a corpse."
"Honestly, I must have sinned in my past life to end up with two disciples like this: one who is diligent and determined, and the other who is lazy and unmotivated."
"If only I could merge the two of them."
Seeing her master rant about her two senior brothers made Xiao Yi find the whole situation amusing.
Noticing her smile, Shao Cheng reminded her, "Just follow your Eldest Senior Brother's example. Never, ever follow your Second Senior Brother's habits."
"If you do, I'm afraid my poor heart won't take it."
The existence of Lü Shaoqing alone was enough to make Shao Cheng feel ashamed to face the ancestors of Tianyu Peak.
It also meant he was often criticized by the sect leader during meetings.
If another one like him appeared, Shao Cheng might as well end it all.
Xiao Yi found it even more amusing. She stuck her tongue out playfully and said, "Master, I'm going to check on Second Senior Brother."
"I'll go urge him to train."
Shao Cheng sighed, "Urge him? You're dreaming."
"If you don't get influenced by him, I'll already be thanking the heavens."
"Go on, go."
Xiao Yi arrived under the tree and saw the hammock swaying gently.
In a clear voice, she called out, "Second Senior Brother."
Lü Shaoqing's voice came from the hammock, "Feeling better?"
Xiao Yi walked up to him with a smile. "Much better."
Lü Shaoqing eyed her warily. "Why are you smiling so slyly? What are you up to?"
"Just so you know, your Second Senior Brother is pure and innocent. Don't get any ideas about me."
Xiao Yi was half-angered to death.
Rolling her eyes, she retorted, "Second Senior Brother, you know, you're asking for a beating when you act like this."
Lü Shaoqing's eyes brightened. "Who's planning to beat me?"
Xiao Yi was puzzled. Is he a masochist? Or does he just love fighting that much?
"Second Senior Brother, are you looking for someone to spar with?"
"Spar?" Lü Shaoqing scoffed. "Who would want to do that? Does sparring fill your belly?"
Xiao Yi then asked about what happened the previous night.
"Second Senior Brother, were you sparring with Eldest Senior Brother last night?"
Lü Shaoqing replied, "Sparring, my foot. Your Eldest Senior Brother was acting crazy. I wasn't indulging him."
Xiao Yi felt a bit disappointed that she didn't get a clear answer.
From her master's words, she had gathered that her Second Senior Brother was no weakling.
How else could he spar with Eldest Senior Brother?
Ji Yan's sword intent was overwhelmingly powerful, and yet Lü Shaoqing could still match up to him.
Even if he wasn't as strong as Ji Yan, he couldn't be too far behind.
Xiao Yi shook Lü Shaoqing's hammock. "Second Senior Brother, just tell the truth."
"We're all family now. Don't keep secrets from me."
"Come on, last night, were you sparring with Eldest Senior Brother?"
Lü Shaoqing replied, "No, I was giving him a beating."
Xiao Yi pouted. "I don't believe you."
Eldest Senior Brother is so powerful. No matter how strong you are, you couldn't possibly be his match.
"If you don't have anything else, go play on your own. I'm taking a nap."
Does he think I'm a child?
Xiao Yi pouted even more. "Second Senior Brother, you're bullying me."
Seeing her teary-eyed expression, Lü Shaoqing was taken aback.
"What are you talking about? Who said I'm bullying you?"
"Watch out, or I'll have to discipline you."
Xiao Yi insisted, "Second Senior Brother, you are bullying me."
"I'm going to tell Master."
Lü Shaoqing shifted to a more comfortable position. "Go ahead. I'm not afraid."
"Besides, do you have any witnesses?"
The little red bird chirped loudly above them.
Lü Shaoqing frowned. "Stupid bird, what kind of witness are you?"
"Chirp again, and I'll pluck all your feathers."
Xiao Yi giggled. "Second Senior Brother, see? Xiao Hong can be my witness. It can testify for me."
"Xiao Hong?" Lü Shaoqing was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter. "You're right. Xiao Hong suits it perfectly."
The little red bird on the tree stiffened, then fell straight to the ground.
Thud!
The bird lay there, frozen in place.
Seeing it like this, Xiao Yi felt worried. "Is Xiao Hong okay?"
"Chirp, chirp."
Xiao Hong, the red bird, did a flip and flapped its wings, quickly taking off again.
It perched on the hammock, pointing its right wing at Xiao Yi while chirping angrily, as if protesting her choice of name.
Is that how you name things? Just because I'm red, I'm Xiao Hong? If my feathers were black, would you call me Xiao Hei? Can't you come up with a nicer name?
Impressed by the bird's intelligence, Xiao Yi's eyes sparkled.
"Second Senior Brother, is Xiao Hong your pet? What's it saying?"
Lü Shaoqing replied, "It says it really likes the name and thanks you for it."
Xiao Yi's eyes turned into crescent moons. "You're welcome."
She reached out to pet Xiao Hong, but it pecked her hand.
"Ouch!"
Lü Shaoqing smacked the bird away. "This is my junior sister. Be respectful to her."
"If you misbehave again, no more food for you."
Seeing Xiao Hong's pitiful expression, Xiao Yi's heart softened. "It's alright."
"Second Senior Brother, does Xiao Hong like spirit beans? I can take it to eat some."
The moment Xiao Hong heard about food, it immediately flew onto Xiao Yi's shoulder.