3 Chapter 2: To the Sacred Land of the Fairies 1

"Um... Senior Sister Xu," Lingxi stammered, her face turning crimson as she covered it with her tiny hands. "I need to... um... relieve myself. I can't hold it any longer."

Fairy Xu gracefully halted her flight mid-air, acknowledging Lingxi's predicament with understanding. Her gaze then shifted to Qingyue, who had maintained an unusually reserved demeanor and a stoic expression throughout their journey. Xu noticed the pale complexion and beads of sweat adorning Qingyue's neck, clear signs of her discomfort. "Qingyue, do you also require a momentary respite?"

Qingyue's delicate hands clenched involuntarily, conflicting emotions surfacing in her eyes. "No, Senior Sister Xu. I can endure."

Sensing Qingyue's unwavering determination, Xu was reminded of a certain girl from her past—a girl with a similar indomitable spirit. With a nod of understanding, she gracefully descended to the ground. "Qing'er, I shall accompany your junior sister Ling'er to attend to her needs. As long as you remain within a kilometer of this serene stream, you shall be safe."

"Yes, Senior Sister Xu. I will patiently await your return," Qingyue replied, her legs trembling ever so slightly.

'Qing'er, I wonder if your resolve stems from sheer determination or a stubborn refusal to ask for respite,' Xu pondered as she led the timid "rabbit" into the nearby woods, searching for a suitable spot. Lingxi's relief came swiftly, yet a new problem presented itself—she had inadvertently soiled a portion of her Xiao Clan-issued female disciple dress.

'A fortuitous turn of events, perhaps—an opportunity to foster a bond between Lingxi and Qingyue, as sisters in arms,' Xu contemplated. Guiding Lingxi back to Qingyue, who now stood tall and composed, having successfully suppressed her bodily needs and maintained an unwavering facade, Xu couldn't help but think, 'Silly girl.'

"Qing'er and Ling'er, let us take a brief respite," Xu suggested, her smile radiating warmth. "A mere seven kilometers north of this enchanting stream lies a breathtaking waterfall and a tranquil lake. Let us venture forth and immerse ourselves in the sublime beauty of the surroundings. A refreshing bath awaits us as well."

"Senior Sister Xu, I would relish the opportunity to cleanse myself," Lingxi chimed in, tugging at Xu's lower garment. Xu found herself captivated by Lingxi's petite oval face and limpid eyes. Her smile grew tender as she turned to Qingyue. "Let us proceed, Qing'er and Ling'er." Xu extended her arms wide, encircling the waists of the two girls, and uttered a single command, "Close your eyes." Suddenly, a formidable aura emanated from her being, freezing all the hostile profound beasts within a ten-kilometer radius of the waterfall and lake. In the blink of an eye, the trio vanished from the stream and reappeared by the tranquil lake, mere meters away from the cascading waterfall.

"Wah! What a breathtaking sight," Lingxi exclaimed, her innocent voice surprising everyone present. Enchanted by their surroundings, she seemed to have forgotten her previous nervousness, murmuring about her 'father' and 'little Che'—topics slightly unsettling for an eight-year-old girl—as her cheeks flushed with delight.

Qingyue, on the other hand, remained poised and composed, her gaze gracefully meandering through the awe-inspiring scenery, savoring every minute detail. A delicate smile graced her lips, betraying a glimmer of admiration that eluded Xu's notice. Within the depths of Qingyue's contemplation, she marveled at her potential master—a beauty in her own right, whose fragile exterior concealed an indomitable power. Nurtured by hope and ambition, a thought took root within her: 'Perhaps, by following this person, I too can ascend to such formidable heights.' In the recesses of her heart, Qingyue silently pledged, 'Mother, why did you forsake me? I shall uncover the answers myself,' before redirecting her unwavering focus back to Xu.

While Lingxi immersed herself in the enchanting embrace of nature's flora and fauna, Qingyue seized this opportune moment to seek profound power. Her voice resonated with unwavering determination as she made her request, "Please accept me as your disciple, Senior Sister Xu, or rather, Master Xu." Qingyue's determination radiated from her unwavering gaze as if engaging Xu in an unspoken battle of wills.

Curiosity and surprise tinged Xu's voice as she inquired, "Why do you wish to be my disciple?" Her words carried a subtle undertone, questioning the reasoning behind Qingyue's choice. "Within the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace, there exist other esteemed senior sisters and elders. What prompts you to choose me? What if there were a fairer, gentler, or even more powerful senior sister? Would it not be too late to change your master then?"

"No, you are the one, Master Xu. Our fates are intertwined," Qingyue calmly affirmed, her determination unyielding. 'Please, please, please accept me. Qingyue will do anything for Master after finding answers from Mother.'

Xu was taken aback by Qingyue's resolute conviction. "Are you certain, Qing'er? Even knowing that there are the Seven Ice Fairies, Eight Elders of Purity, the Three Immortal Fairies, the Palace Mistress, and the Four Guest Sovereign Fairies within the Palace, you still choose me?"

"Yes!" Qingyue responded, her determination unshakable. "I choose you, Master, just as you chose me among the daughters of Floating Cloud City. I can sense something pleasant and refreshing emanating from your aura and presence." Realizing her slip of words, a blush finally graced her yet-to-mature, beautiful face adorned with baby fat. "No, Master, I didn't mean anything improper."

Xu never anticipated that such a conservative girl would be acquainted with such matters. Her heart warmed, and a gentle smile curved her lips. "This is your final confirmation. Do you truly wish to be my disciple?"

"Yes, Master!" Qingyue responded without hesitation.

"Umm... hello?" Lingxi interrupted, raising her right hand in the air. "I... I want to be with Master too!"

Facepalming at Lingxi's naive innocence, Xu chuckled softly. Their interactions reminded her of a certain someone she deeply cared about—a person bound by an unfortunate fate in this cruel and unjust world.

"Very well. I, known as Xu of the Heavenly Immortal Fairy, hereby accept Xia Qingyue and Xiao Lingxi as my second and third disciples, respectively." As Xu proclaimed her decision, an aura of the Sovereign Profound Realm enveloped the surrounding mountain range, compelling all the beasts to bow in submission. They recognized the might of a Monarch.