Chapter 16: A Deeper Kind of Bond

“Xing Zan,” Yu Xiu spoke up immediately, assigning the young girl a task, “guests from Jinlu Peak will be arriving soon. Check if there are any newly fallen branches or leaves at the peak’s entrance, and give it another thorough cleaning.”

“Daijiao” was the name Yu Xiu had given to the peak she resided on.

Having been in this world for so long, there were only a few people, things, or places Yu Xiu had personally named. There was her natal spiritual sword, Peize, which reflected her surname “Yu,” meaning “rain and dew.”
And Daijiao reflected her given name “Xiu” — dark-colored, perilous peak.

After being in seclusion for two years, if she hadn’t gone on a mission outside the Five Elements Sect right after emerging, Yu Xiu knew her friends would have come to visit long ago.

Whether there were newly fallen branches or not, Yu Xiu didn’t actually care. Xing Zan, though young, had always been meticulous and proper in her duties.
The real purpose was to send Xing Zan away quickly.

The little bird dumpling on Yu Xiu’s silver hairpin was already a little ruffled. She could sense it clearly — it was better not to let Xing Zan further displease Bu Xiwei.

As the master of Daijiao Peak, Yu Xiu had not entered through the main path this time, but landed directly beside her residence.

Given their prior interactions, Yu Xiu wasn’t worried that Bu Xiwei would deliberately trouble a young girl. But even if the Demon Lord unconsciously released a thread of anger, someone like Xing Zan — a mortal — would be completely unable to withstand it.

Bu Xiwei was too powerful, so powerful she didn’t even realize what she did was unbearable for the weak.

Yu Xiu wasn’t afraid of ten thousand possibilities — only that one in ten thousand.
And besides, it was better if as few people as possible knew Bu Xiwei was here.

Xing Zan looked at the plump little bird dumpling with some reluctance but still obediently went to the peak’s entrance as instructed.

Bu Xiwei, of course, understood what Yu Xiu meant by this.

The little bird dumpling raised its small head and snorted. “Humph.”
Then it elegantly lifted its ultramarine wings and began tidying its ruffled feathers and fluff.

“When your cultivation improves a little more,” Bu Xiwei said in a voice only she and Yu Xiu could hear, “you’ll be able to dissolve my leaked spiritual energy directly.”

In their past life, Bu Xiwei losing control of her spiritual energy around Yu Xiu had been all too common.

Back then, her spiritual energy had been far more chaotic and unstable. One moment of carelessness could injure both herself and others.
Yu Xiu had taken time to figure out how to guide and dissolve that energy properly.

From then on, every time Bu Xiwei’s power surged out of control, it was Yu Xiu who stabilized it.

In this life, Yu Xiu had yet to form her Golden Core. It was impossible for her to manage spiritual energy that even Bu Xiwei couldn’t detect.
But based on what she knew of Yu Xiu’s ability, Bu Xiwei estimated that it wouldn’t be long.

Yu Xiu was taken aback.
…She hadn’t expected Bu Xiwei to say something like this at all.

She had thought that Bu Xiwei, willingly staying by her side as a “spiritual pet,” was already a tremendous indulgence from the Demon Lord.

But now, she was actually willing to let Yu Xiu gain a degree of control over her spiritual energy?

Wasn’t that the same as entrusting her weakness to her?

Yu Xiu honestly didn’t know how to respond.

And yet… a few doubts crept into her mind.

From everything Bu Xiwei had said and done since her “rebirth” and their reunion, it wasn’t hard to guess that her past self had shared a very close bond with this Demon Lord.

Yu Xiu had always assumed they were “best friends” or “kindred spirits.”
But for Bu Xiwei to go this far… could there have been something deeper?

Especially considering that Five Elements Immortal Domain was a multi-orientation game where players could choose any gender, and there were no gender restrictions on who could be captured…

A flash of astonishment crossed Yu Xiu’s face.

Bu Xiwei couldn’t possibly be… into her…?!

No, that’s not right. Yu Xiu quickly calmed her thoughts. These were just her personal speculations. There was no solid proof.

Thinking too much is useless. It’s better to continue facing all situations with a calm and consistent approach.

Though her thoughts were briefly tangled, Yu Xiu’s actions remained composed. She walked back to her residence on Daijiao Peak at a steady pace.

The disciples of Chiyang Peak lived simply — food, clothing, housing, and transportation were all kept minimal. Yu Xiu was the same.

Her residence was a bamboo house with simple furnishings, not unlike her spirit boat.

This was Bu Xiwei’s first time visiting the place Yu Xiu called home.

The little bird dumpling leapt off Yu Xiu’s silver hairpin and zipped excitedly around the bamboo house, inspecting everything with extreme seriousness.

She had to remember every detail!

The sight of the bird zooming around, frolicking, was visually adorable — lively and charming. Yu Xiu couldn’t help but glance at her a few more times.

Before long, Xing Zan knocked on the bamboo house’s door and called out:

“Sister Xiu! Miss Huangfu Hanrui and Young Master He Xiuran from Jinlu Peak are here to visit!”

Xing Zan’s voice held a hint of excitement.

Sister Xiu really is sharp as hell! She had just picked up the broom, and the guests showed up immediately!

Huangfu Hanrui was the only daughter of Jinlu Peak’s master — also the current Sect Master of the Five Elements Sect. Sixteen years old, bright and lively, she was considered the “little princess” of the entire sect.

He Xiuran, seventeen, was the youngest personal disciple of Jinlu Peak’s master. He’d grown up with Huangfu Hanrui as her childhood friend — a cheerful and dashing young man.

Jinlu Peak’s master had three personal disciples, all male. They were like brothers to Huangfu Hanrui and had a good relationship with Yu Xiu as well.

Upon hearing those names, Bu Xiwei — perched on the windowsill — felt the urge to roll her eyes.

Unfortunately, a little bird dumpling didn’t have that ability.
She could only wear an expression of extreme disgust.

Those two were “old acquaintances.”

Back then, when Yu Xiu had stood firmly by Bu Xiwei’s side — advancing and retreating with her — these two had believed she’d been bewitched.

Huangfu Hanrui had even cursed her out right in front of Yu Xiu.

Called her a “crippled Demon Lord” who wasn’t worth Yu Xiu’s sacrifice.

Bu Xiwei still remembered clearly — that same so-called Jinlu Peak princess had cried her eyes out, clutching Yu Xiu’s hand, begging:

“Head Senior Sister! I’m begging you, please? Stop caring about this crippled Demon Lord!”

“If it weren’t for her, would you have ended up like this?!”

“She’s fine, isn’t she?! Every damn time, she hides behind you — pushing you into danger over and over! You’re the one bleeding, and she’s the one benefiting!”

“The Medical Immortal already said your injuries need to be treated with rest and the Five Elements Sect’s heavenly treasures! But because of her, your treatment keeps getting delayed! You’re only getting worse!”

“Head Senior Sister! I’m begging you! Come back with me! If this keeps up — you’ll really die—!!”

Bu Xiwei couldn’t remember exactly what Yu Xiu said in reply.

Because back then, she had just finished having her spiritual energy stabilized by Yu Xiu and was completely exhausted — on the verge of passing out.

All she could remember was Yu Xiu’s voice — gentle and steady, like spring rain and clear water.

That voice gave her the strength to let go — to fall into unconsciousness, knowing she’d be safe.