Chapter 55:Daily life

The bamboo shadows swayed in the evening breeze outside Shu Yue’s bookroom, the faint scent of Lin Xiaoxi’s condensa flower tea lingering in the air. Shu Yue’s fingers rested on the bamboo grasshopper, its delicate craftsmanship a small anchor in her turbulent thoughts. Xiaoxi’s heart is pure. Her Golden Core aura pulsed steadily, but the second curse, unnoticed, stirred faintly, a shadow in her spiritual veins. I’m trying to face them—Chu Yi, Xiaoxi, even Wan Qing. But Qing Wan… The memory of Qing Wan’s distant silhouette in the sunset haunted her. I’m still failing her.

In her quarters, Qing Wan sat alone, her Silent Annihilation Sword Intent flickering in her grip, the blade reflecting her stormy eyes. The sight of Shu Yue’s gentle acceptance of Lin Xiaoxi’s gift burned in her chest, a mix of jealousy and betrayal. She’s soft with her, but cold with me. The curse’s remnants, subdued but present, whispered: You’re replaceable. She drove her sword into the ground, the earth cracking under her Foundation Building Late Stage aura. I’ll prove I don’t need her. Yet the memory of Shu Yue’s drunken warmth lingered, unraveling her resolve.

At the sect’s outer court, Wan Qing met with a cloaked figure, her zither silent but her voice low and sharp. “Luyue’s softening, but her bond with Qing Wan is the key. Push the council to isolate her.” The figure—Liu Qingxu’s spy—nodded, relaying her words. Liu Qingxu, in her chamber, activated the third jade slip, amplifying the second curse within Shu Yue. Her strength will break her. Her accusations were ready: Shu Yue’s recklessness in Blackwind Gorge, her drunken lapse, her failure to guide Qing Wan. The sect trials would be her stage.

Chu Yi, tasked with organizing Jinghong Peak’s trial preparations, noticed Qing Wan’s absence at training. He found her in the grove, her aura turbulent. “Sunny Sister, the trials start tomorrow. Master needs us.” Qing Wan’s eyes flashed, her voice cold. “She doesn’t need me. She has Xiaoxi.” Chu Yi frowned, his loyalty torn. “Master’s trying—for all of us. You saw her in the council.” Qing Wan’s grip tightened on her sword, her heart wavering. She defended me. But why?

Lin Xiaoxi, oblivious to the tension, bounded toward Shu Yue’s bookroom with a new plan. “Teacher! I found a spirit herb in the back hills—good for sword heart recovery!” She held out a glowing azure leaf, her eyes bright. Shu Yue’s lips curved slightly, a rare warmth in her gaze. “You’re relentless, Xiaoxi.” She accepted the herb, her divine sense scanning it—indeed, it could aid Qing Wan. I need to reach her. The second curse pulsed, unnoticed, dulling her senses, but she pushed it aside, determined.

That night, Shu Yue sought Qing Wan at her courtyard, the azure leaf in hand. The door was ajar, and Qing Wan stood inside, her back to the entrance, practicing slow, deliberate sword forms. Shu Yue knocked softly, her voice hesitant. “Qing Wan.” Qing Wan froze, her sword lowering, but didn’t turn. “What do you want?” Her tone was icy, but her shoulders trembled. Shu Yue stepped closer, holding out the leaf. “This… it’s for your sword heart. Xiaoxi found it.”

Qing Wan spun, her eyes blazing. “Another gift? Like your promises?” The curse’s whispers surged, but Shu Yue’s calm held. “No promises. Just a start. I’ve hurt you, and I’m trying to fix it.” Qing Wan’s gaze dropped to the leaf, then back to Shu Yue’s earnest eyes. The memory of her drunken vulnerability, her gentle touch, clashed with her anger. “Why now?” she whispered. Shu Yue’s voice softened. “Because I can’t lose you again.”

The air stilled, their gazes locked. Qing Wan’s hand hovered over the leaf, then pulled back. “I don’t trust you.” But her voice cracked, betraying a flicker of longing. Shu Yue nodded, setting the leaf on the table. “I’ll earn it. At the trials, stand with me.” She turned to leave, but Qing Wan’s voice stopped her. “If you fail me again…” She didn’t finish, but Shu Yue understood. I won’t.

As Shu Yue left, Wan Qing watched from the shadows, her smile cold. Their bond is fragile. She signaled Liu Qingxu: “The trials are set. Strike hard.” The third curse pulsed, ready to unravel Shu Yue at the sect’s grand stage, where Jinghong Peak’s unity would b

e tested.