First Immortal of the Sword

Chapter 1541 - Envy

When Su Yi read the words A’Li had written in blood before leaving the ritual grounds, he couldn’t help but feel gratified. “Excellent! With will like that, what need is there to fear failing to one day soar through the heavens like a phoenix?”

If A’Li had just complained to him, expressing how hurt and wronged she felt, Su Yi would have felt sorry for her, but he certainly wouldn’t have been so pleased with her.

“Big Brother Su, those people’s attitudes were terrible. I even implicated my big sister; they mocked and shamed her too. I’ve committed their faces to memory. One day, I’ll show them a thing or two!” wrote A’Li.

Su Yi nodded. Inwardly, he said, The future is the future, and the present is the present. Once the Seven Stars Immortal Assembly starts, I’ll help you two vent!

“Big Brother Su, Big Sister got you a spot in the Seven Stars Immortal Assembly. You’ve got to show them what you’re made of and get a good ranking!” wrote A’Li. “I heard that those who make it into the top ten all receive generous rewards, no different from immortal fortune!

“But Big Sister says that the participants are all the top geniuses of the Jing Province’s younger generation. Please, don’t put too much pressure on yourself!”

When he saw the concern apparent in every line she wrote, Su Yi’s heart filled with warmth.

Alas, although A’Li didn’t know it, the elders of the Jade Firmament Immortal Sect had already rescinded the opportunity her big sister had worked to give him.

But then, Su Yi didn’t feel the need to inform her of this now. He just rose and said, “Come on, let’s go see your big sister.”

A’Li obediently nodded her head.

......

After returning to their residence, A’Ning locked herself in her room. She was still young, just in her late teens, and despite her extraordinary talent, she had little experience with worldly affairs.

And here she’d been whole-heartedly trying to ensure her little sister’s future prospects. She’d thought her master’s note would be enough to give her a chance at being chosen as an Immortal Seedling.

But reality was like a swift cudgel to the head.

Frustration, hurt, anger, unwillingness... all manner of emotions coursed through her heart. For the first time, she realized just how laughable and childish her behavior had been.

A’Ning sat there in silence, her beautiful face bleak.

The only person she felt she owed was her little sister.

That Su Yi’s words might have been pleasing to the ear, but in the face of reality, they’re nothing but hot air. She couldn’t even pass a trial like this, so why speak of will, spirit, and mentality?

A’Ning sighed. Even she couldn’t deny that her little sister’s aptitude... was far too mediocre.

But... A’Ning suddenly gnashed her teeth. No matter what, I have to help my little sister step onto the path of cultivation. I can’t let anyone mock or slander her like this ever again!

She’d only just thought this when someone came knocking on her door.

“Who is it?” A’Ning frowned. She’d already requested that no one disturb her.

But against all expectations, shortly after that knock rang out, someone pushed open the door.

A moment later, Su Yi led A’Li inside.

“You... are you here to laugh at me too?” A’Ning said icily.

Su Yi looked her over. “Did your sect’s higher-ups say they’d help you avenge his insult?”

A’Ning shook her head despondently. “They didn’t.”

How could she fail to realize that the higher-ups didn’t care about this matter at all? How could they possibly stick out their necks on A’Li’s behalf?

Especially not here; Sky Tripod Immortal City was the Northern Frost Sword Sect’s territory.

“Why ask about that?” A’Ning furrowed her brow.

Su Yi didn’t even pause to think. “I’ll help you vent this anger in their stead.”

“???” Although A’Ning found this absurd, she was moved, and her voice softened. “Don’t create trouble. I already asked Elder Ma to get you a spot in the Seven Stars Immortal Assembly. When the time comes, you’ve got to give it all you’ve got. If you do, perhaps an immortal faction will take a shine to you, break precedent, and admit you as a disciple.”

A’Li nodded along in complete agreement.

Su Yi couldn’t help but fall silent. He’d never had any interest in the Seven Stars Immortal Assembly whatsoever, yet both sisters were doing their utmost to get him into the competition, and they had only the best of intentions.

Finally, he said, “Your Elder Ma has said that I won’t be getting an opportunity to participate in the Seven Stars Immortal Assembly.”

A’Ning was instantly dumbstruck. “How is that possible!?”

A’Li was stunned too. It seemed she found this difficult to believe.

“I’ll go ask about it.” A’Ning was instantly furious. “They already promised me. How could they go back on their word?”

But Su Yi pulled her back. “I’m not interested in the Seven Stars Immortal Assembly, and if I want to participate, I don’t need that Ma person’s approval. I naturally have my ways.”

A’Ning said icily, “You’re... sure you don't need my help?”

Su Yi nodded.

A’Ning pointed to the door and said icily, “I fought for this opportunity for you out of the goodness of my heart, yet you’re acting like it’s nothing. I’m truly disappointed in you. Leave!”

“....”

From beginning to end, Su Yi said nothing. He just left.

If he didn’t want to do something, no one could force him.

......

After returning to his residence, Su Yi sprawled back out in his wicker chair.

A’Li soon rushed over and looked at him with concern. She wrote, “Big Brother Su, Big Sister isn’t mad at you. It’s just...”

Before she could finish, Su Yi laughed. “I know she has good intentions. Right, take this pill and go see your sister. Have her help you refine it, and you’ll soon be able to speak again.”

As he spoke, Su Yi took out a jade bottle and passed it to her. It contained a Five Aggregates Purification Pill.

A’Li’s thin frame quivered; she’d obviously been caught off guard. Disbelief was written all over her face.

“Quickly, take it,” Su Yi urged with a laugh.

Only then did A’Li come to her senses. She stretched out her hand and accepted it, her fingers trembling.

Su Yi waved. “Go on.”

A’Li took a deep breath and wrote, “Big Brother Su, thank you!”

Only then did she turn to leave.

Her frail frame seemed lighter and happier than before.

“Why thank me? You’re my benefactor,” Su Yi sighed softly.

As night approached, a soft voice with a hint of unique magnetism emanated from the courtyard of Su Yi’s residence.

“Sovereign, this junior has gathered the immortal medicinal ingredients you requested.”

“Come in,” said Su Yi, emerging from his room. “Don’t alert anyone else.”

An upright, impressive figure appeared out of nowhere.

She was dressed in white, and her long hair was tied up. She was slender, with no jewelry or other adornments, but this did nothing to detract from her enchanting, city-toppling beauty.

This was Qing Wei.

Some women were like immortals from on high, cold and aloof.

Others were worldly enchantresses, unmatched charmers whose good looks brought ruin to the world.

Qing Wei fell into the latter category. Every move this Saint Realm Immortal Lady made was full of endless charms.

But when she faced Su Yi, she was respectful and reserved, and she held her head low.

When Su Yi slowly sat back in his wicker chair, Qing Wei approached and proffered a storage ring with both hands.

“Please have a look inside, Sovereign!” said Qing Wei.

Although Su Yi’s cultivation base hadn’t yet recovered, his soul had, so he promptly accepted the jade slip and inserted his divine sense.

Several dozen immortal medicinal materials, each a heavenly material or earthly treasure, were laid out inside.

“Not bad,” said Su Yi. “Just one day, and you already gathered them all. Truly unexpected.”

Qing Wei’s eyes shone, and a smile tugged at her red lips. “Sovereign, I performed this task on your behalf. Naturally, I had to give it my all.”

Su Yi put away the storage ring and said, “Before you arrived, you had this place thoroughly investigated, didn’t you?”

Qing Wei’s pupils constricted, and she said softly, “This junior had no untoward intentions. I just wanted to confirm your whereabouts so that I could deliver the medicines personally. That’s why...”

Su Yi waved this explanation away. “I don’t care about all that. All I want to know is, what do you think of A’Li?”

Qing Wei fell briefly silent before saying, “The girl’s aptitude is indeed ordinary, but that doesn’t matter. Actually, I... quite envy her.”

“You envy her? What do you mean?” asked Su Yi.

Qing Wei spoke softly, making no attempt to disguise her thoughts. “She’s yet to truly step onto the path of cultivation, but she’s already won your favor, Sovereign. That would be enough to make any expert of the Immortal Dao envious. This junior is not exempt.”

Su Yi couldn’t help but laugh.

A moment later, he said softly, “Her connection to me will also bring unpredictable peril. As they say, fortune and disaster go hand-in-hand.”

A moment later, Su Yi shook his head. “Forget it. Never mind that. When my cultivation recovers, I have numerous matters to attend to. I cannot possibly look over A’Li. I’d like her to stay here, and I'd like you to look after her and guide her cultivation.”

Qing Wei’s delicate frame quivered, and she said with delight, “I absolutely won’t let you down, Sovereign!”

Su Yi thought for a moment. “When the time comes, ask A’Ning her opinion while you’re at it. If she’s willing, look after her too.”

When you loved a house, you loved even the crows roosting on its rafters. This was entirely out of consideration for A’Li; if she had a companion, she wouldn’t be too lonely. A’Ning was A’Li’s big sister. She was unquestionably the ideal choice for this role.

But of course, that was only if A’Ning was willing.

“Got it!” Qing Wei agreed without even pausing to think.

“Go on.” Su Yi waved, then rose and entered his room. He was champing at the bit to cultivate and recover his depleted cultivation base as soon as possible.

“Sovereign, forgive my boldness, but...” Qing Wei couldn’t help but ask, “Are you... really planning to participate in the Seven Stars Immortal Assembly?”

Su Yi was briefly stunned, but then, he nodded. “Yes.”

When the time came, he’d help A’Li and A’Ning vent their pent-up rage!

“Oh, right. You are not to get involved,” warned Su Yi.

He hated relying on his position to bully others. If Qing Wei got mixed up in this, it would be far too dull.

“I understand. I absolutely won’t do anything to ruin your good time, Sovereign.” Qing Wei smiled sweetly. Beneath the light of dusk, her charming good looks and ravishing figure were extraordinarily enticing.

Despite himself, Su Yi’s heart shook. An Immortal Lady enchantress was indeed far too tempting. Despite his ironclad heart, even he almost couldn’t take it.

It’s a pity, but my cultivation is still too low. Otherwise... Su Yi shook his head and gave the matter no further thought.

After he disappeared into his room, Qing Wei batted her charming eyes; it seemed she’d noticed something. She pressed her lips into a grin and silently departed.

That night, A’Ning helped A’Li refine the Five Aggregates Purification Pill, finally curing A’Li of the muteness that had plagued her for a full three years.