LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 109: The Third Elder
Chapter 109: The Third Elder
You Su couldn’t figure out the reason, so he compared the texts several times and realized that the two types of writing were indeed completely different.
The text in the evil book was simpler, while the text in the two books was more complex and ancient.
However, neither resembled the “Chinese characters” from his vague memories of his past life. Logically, since he had been blind since childhood, he shouldn’t have been able to read the books of this world in the first place.
Surely he couldn’t be born with the Innate Evil Cultivation Holy Body, naturally able to read the forbidden texts of evil cultivators, right? But then again, he could also naturally understand books like General Knowledge of Spiritual Treasures and Wishful Wind Control Technique.
“Sister, why is this writing different from what I’ve seen before?”
“This is Divine Mountain Script.”
“Divine Mountain Script? What’s that?”
“There are two types of writing in the world. One is the widely used Five Continents Script, and the other is the special Divine Mountain Script. Like swords, writing can also carry the essence of the Dao and connect to the profound mysteries. Divine Mountain Script was created by the Five Immortal Ancestors. However, it is extremely complex, obscure, and profound, making it very difficult to learn. Even if you learn it, you might not be able to write it, which is why it hasn’t been widely adopted.
“For example, talismans inscribed with Divine Mountain Script are more powerful than those with Five Continents Script. Similarly, the same sentence written in Divine Mountain Script can provide deeper insights than when written in Five Continents Script. There are many other special effects as well, which is why the Divine Mountain strictly controls the use of Divine Mountain Script. Those who can write it are not allowed to do so freely. These two books of mine are specially written in Divine Mountain Script for important disciples to study.”
Heavenly Maiden Wangshu patiently explained. She didn’t think much of it. You Su came from a remote area and had been blind since childhood. It was already impressive that he had learned Five Continents Script through spiritual sense. Not knowing Divine Mountain Script was normal, and it wasn’t something one could learn just by wanting to.
You Su nodded, still frowning slightly. He couldn’t understand why he could naturally read Five Continents Script but not Divine Mountain Script. Deep down, he felt an inexplicable sense of unease, though he couldn’t pinpoint its source.
He decided to set aside this strange feeling for now. If he revealed his innate ability to read scripts, it would only raise suspicions and concerns among others.
“Sister, can you teach me Divine Mountain Script?”
Heavenly Maiden Wangshu hesitated for a moment, her slender fingers intertwining slightly. “I can’t teach you. Only those from the Ancestral Pagoda or the Peak Master of Book Immortal Peak have the authority to teach Divine Mountain Script.”
You Su sensed her guilt for not being able to help him and said, “Sister, I’m sorry. It seems I’ll have to trouble you to read it to me again.”
Heavenly Maiden Wangshu blinked, her gaze softening as she looked at You Su, clearly happy to be of help again. “Mm.”
Before You Su could take out the book, Heavenly Maiden Wangshu had already started reciting from memory: “Let’s start with The Essentials of Sword Techniques. The sword is a weapon of elegance and precision…”
For three days, You Su diligently studied with his sister.
Through these two books and her explanations, You Su gained a deeper understanding of cultivation and the sword path, which he excelled in. Heavenly Maiden Wangshu, in turn, learned more about the mundane world outside the mountains from You Su.
In the small courtyard on Lotus Peak, Lotus Sword Venerable was still in seclusion and hadn’t returned.
A delicate jade rabbit mask covered Heavenly Maiden Wangshu’s face, revealing only her clear, flowing blue eyes. Her white dress was modest, yet it couldn’t hide her slender waist and long legs. Only her neck and wrists were exposed, her skin as white as snow.
Beside her stood a peach tree. The fruit of this tree had no special effects; it was just an ordinary spiritual fruit with benefits like nourishing spiritual veins and stabilizing the Spirit Platform. However, its taste was highly praised, making it one of the most beloved spiritual fruits among cultivators.
At some point, Heavenly Maiden Wangshu had drawn the sword at her waist. She held it carefully, using it to trim the branches of the peach tree. Even though it was a spiritual plant, if left untrimmed, the peaches wouldn’t grow very large.
You Su focused his spiritual sense on observing his sister’s sword techniques. Each cut and stab was executed with precision. Despite his confidence in his own sword talent, he wasn’t sure he could trim each branch as perfectly as she did.
You Su suddenly wanted to test if his sister could maintain such focus. He seized the moment and called out, “Sister!”
Heavenly Maiden Wangshu wasn’t distracted at all, and the branch she was cutting fell cleanly. “What is it?”
You Su was amazed. His sister’s hand was as steady as a mountain. “You’ve been working so hard reading to me these past few days. Thank you.”
“It’s no trouble. Master said that reviewing the old helps one understand the new,” Heavenly Maiden Wangshu replied, continuing to trim the branches.
“That’s one thing, but do you have anything you like? I’d like to prepare a thank-you gift for you.”
“Something I like?” Heavenly Maiden Wangshu repeated, as if thinking, then said, “I like you, Brother.”
You Su was stunned for a moment but didn’t let it go to his head. He knew his sister must have confused the meaning of “like.” “I meant things, not people.”
“Brother isn’t a thing?”
You Su’s face darkened. “I meant items. What items do you like?”
Heavenly Maiden Wangshu suddenly sheathed her sword and didn’t answer. Instead, she said calmly, “Brother, the Third Elder is here.”
The Third Elder?
You Su spread out his spiritual sense but found no one other than his sister in his sea of consciousness.
“Greetings, Third Elder.”
Heavenly Maiden Wangshu sheathed her sword and bowed respectfully in a certain direction.
Minor elders were generally named after their surnames or titles, but only grand elders could be numbered. The Third Elder was one of them. She was the Peak Master of Peach Blossom Peak, skilled in spiritual plant techniques, and held an extremely prestigious position. Even the true disciples of the Mystic Firmament Sect Leader had to bow to her.
You Su was about to bow in the same direction as his sister when he suddenly felt something was off.
Although his vision was blurry, he could still make out shapes. There was no one in that direction, neither in his spiritual sense nor in his physical sight.
Was the Third Elder really there? Or was she still there? It seemed like she was deliberately testing him. If he bowed to an empty spot, it would likely leave a bad impression on the Third Elder.
You Su fully activated his spiritual sense and suddenly turned around, bowing toward the peach tree. “You Su pays his respects to the Third Elder.”
“Interesting.”
A pleasant, mature voice suddenly rang out in the air. Heavenly Maiden Wangshu also turned to look.
Beside the peach tree, a woman in a spring dress suddenly appeared. She wasn’t standing but casually sitting on the ground, leaning against the tree. Her side profile accentuated her ample chest, and the curves of her hips, wrapped in her dress, were striking. Her skirt was slightly disheveled, revealing two calves as smooth as mutton-fat jade.
The Third Elder shook a delicate, translucent gourd in her hand, and the immortal wine inside sloshed around. “How did you figure it out?”
You Su knew what she was asking and replied respectfully, “Through my spiritual sense.”
The Third Elder glanced at You Su with her peach-blossom eyes and scoffed, “Don’t lie. You’re only at the Spirit Platform Realm. No matter how strong your spiritual sense is, how could you detect a Void Realm expert who’s deliberately hiding?”
“It was the hint you gave me. The fallen leaves were bent where you sat.”
“So you really are blind.”
An invisible force lifted the Third Elder’s mature body, and she stood up straight, smiling as she gazed into You Su’s clear eyes. “My body is light and soft. The leaves weren’t bent by me but by this wine gourd.”
“My mistake, Third Elder. Please forgive me.”
The Third Elder glanced at the handsome young man, her eyes filled with appreciation.
“You Su, the new disciple of that old Lotus Sword?”
As soon as she spoke, the Third Elder’s figure appeared in You Su’s sea of consciousness—a humanoid shape surrounded by a green mist, making it impossible to see her clearly.
You Su noticed that while both the Third Elder and his Master’s Wife were shrouded in mist due to their cultivation levels, his Master’s Wife’s mist had an additional black spot…
You Su didn’t understand but quickly replied, “Yes, Third Elder.”
“Go down the mountain.”
The Third Elder spoke casually, then raised her head, letting the fragrant wine flow into her crimson lips. She looked stunning.
You Su frowned, unsure why the Third Elder was sending him down the mountain. He asked, “What do you mean, Third Elder?”
“You’re a true disciple of Lotus Peak, which means you’re part of the Mystic Firmament Sect. Why haven’t you reported to the Scripture Hall? Do you plan to stay here on Lotus Peak like a wandering ghost?”
“I…”
You Su was genuinely innocent. No one had told him that joining the sect required reporting to the Scripture Hall. Now that he thought about it, it made sense. The number one sect in the Central Realm Continent couldn’t just let anyone join.
“Third Elder, why didn’t I need to?” Heavenly Maiden Wangshu asked, puzzled.
“You were born in the Mystic Firmament Sect. What’s there to report? In this sect, you’re the only one like that.” The Third Elder looked at Heavenly Maiden Wangshu with affection, then glanced at You Su, who was still standing there. “What, do you need me to personally escort you?”
“Third Elder, you flatter me. I’ll go now.”
You Su made to leave but hesitated because he had no idea how to get down the mountain.
After all, he was blind. Back in Chuyun City, he could walk around like a normal person because he had walked those paths countless times. But here on Lotus Peak, even though his spiritual sense was stronger, he had no idea where the path down the mountain was.
As he hesitated, Heavenly Maiden Wangshu walked up to him and said softly, “I’ll go with you, Brother.”
You Su felt a warm flow in his heart, grateful to have such a sister.
The Third Elder, who was still behind them, called out, “Little Wangshu, why are you tagging along? Aren’t you going to attend my lesson?”
You Su then remembered that the Third Elder was still here. Such an important guest wouldn’t come just to remind him to report to the Scripture Hall. She must have come to teach his sister.
Before You Su could persuade his sister to stay, Heavenly Maiden Wangshu replied bluntly, “Third Elder, I won’t be attending.”
The Third Elder was slightly taken aback. In her memory, Heavenly Maiden Wangshu had always been an obedient child. Although she disliked the cold and aloof Lotus Sword Venerable, she adored her only disciple and had even wished Heavenly Maiden Wangshu would become her own disciple.
In the eight years since the Thirteenth Elder had left the sect, the Third Elder had been the one to teach Heavenly Maiden Wangshu most frequently. Heavenly Maiden Wangshu had always attended her lessons diligently, never missing a single one. But now, for the sake of a new junior brother, she had refused.
The Third Elder, who felt like she had been “robbed” by You Su, was on the verge of tears. She had once jokingly told Heavenly Maiden Wangshu that the Thirteenth Elder should leave a junior brother for her, but she never expected that the icy woman would actually bring back a male disciple.
“Little Wangshu, didn’t you say you wanted to learn how to grow peach trees properly? If you don’t attend the lesson, you won’t learn well,” the Third Elder said, still trying to coax her like a child.
“Sister…” You Su also tried to persuade her.
“Third Elder, my master has returned,” Heavenly Maiden Wangshu reminded her earnestly.
For the past eight years, the other grand elders had been teaching Heavenly Maiden Wangshu in place of her master. Now that Lotus Sword Venerable had returned, the other elders no longer had the obligation to continue teaching.
The Third Elder’s brows furrowed. She took another sip of wine and glared at You Su, but Heavenly Maiden Wangshu stepped forward, blocking her view.
“Fine, fine. You won’t even attend my lesson for the sake of your junior brother. Go ahead, I won’t stop you.”
Heavenly Maiden Wangshu thanked her and, ignoring the Third Elder’s frustration, turned and walked down the mountain.
“Brother, let’s go.”
You Su stood there, unsure if it was appropriate to leave a grand elder alone on the mountain. But Heavenly Maiden Wangshu was already walking away, so You Su quickly thanked the Third Elder and hurried after her.
You Su moved closer and whispered, “Sister, the Third Elder…”
“Brother, don’t worry. The Third Elder isn’t angry.”
Heavenly Maiden Wangshu was born with a pure heart and was highly sensitive to others’ emotions.
She slowed her pace, allowing You Su to walk beside her, and added, “Besides, the Third Elder didn’t come for me. She came to see Master.”
You Su suddenly understood. He felt a cold, soft touch on his hand and quickly pulled away, exclaiming, “Sister, why are you holding my hand?!”
“Brother, don’t you like it?”
“It’s not about liking or not. Don’t you remember what I told you about the differences between men and women?” You Su said sternly.
“You’re blind. If I don’t hold your hand, what if you fall?” Heavenly Maiden Wangshu said innocently.
“Sister, I’m not a blind mortal. I’m a blind Spirit Platform Realm cultivator.”
“Aren’t both weak and in need of protection?”
“…”
The mature fairy in the green dress watched as the two figures disappeared into the mist. The anger on her face had long since vanished, replaced by a serene smile.
The Third Elder shook the translucent wine gourd in her hand. Even though she had taken several sips, the level of immortal wine inside remained unchanged.
“He Shutong, oh He Shutong, did you realize you couldn’t teach Little Wangshu properly and brought back a junior brother to do it for you? You’ve taught her well. She’s becoming more and more like a real person.”
She shook her head and looked toward the depths of Lotus Peak’s lush forest. Her expression turned serious as she walked gracefully inward, murmuring to herself, “Don’t die so easily. Otherwise, Little Wangshu will have to become my disciple…”