Chapter 17: A Full Exchange of Perspectives

Xiao Jinse wasn't in a hurry to approach Bai Lian; she disliked crowded places. She patiently waited until the onlookers dispersed before making her way toward Bai Lian with a cheerful demeanor. Su Youwei's keen eyes caught Xiao Jinse's joyful expression immediately. The woman's graceful posture caused Su Youwei to narrow her eyes.

Danger!

An instinctive sense of unease welled up within her, as if she were being repelled by this unfamiliar woman.

"Elder Martial Sister!" A familiar, intimate voice rang out, confirming Su Youwei's suspicions about the woman's identity.

As Xiao Jinse pointed in her direction and inquired, "Elder Martial Sister, is this our new Martial Sister?" Bai Lian nodded in affirmation.

Introductions followed, with Bai Lian facilitating the introduction between the two junior Martial Sisters.

"This is your Second Martial Sister, Xiao Jinse, who joined Qiongming Peak two months ago." "This is the new Martial Sister, Su Youwei."

"Hello, junior Martial Sister," Xiao Jinse greeted with a friendly smile, her attempt at warmth evident.

While Su Youwei wasn't particularly keen on conversing with Xiao Jinse, Bai Lian's presence alongside her left her little choice but to reciprocate. She offered a monotone, "Hello, Second Martial Sister."

The greeting lacked enthusiasm, but Su Youwei had no intentions of amending it. After all, as Bai Lian had noted, she was rather reserved.

Xiao Jinse examined the demure third Martial Sister. Her only source of puzzlement lay in the fact that the third Martial Sister's voice sounded more mature than she had anticipated. Was she overthinking it?

Accompanied by Bai Lian, Xiao Jinse and Su Youwei ascended Qiongming Peak. Although the two didn't appear particularly close, they each held one of Bai Lian's hands, walking side by side. They occasionally lowered their heads in thought.

Bai Lian found the scene heartening. She had worried that the two junior Martial Sisters might take an instant dislike to one another and engage in venomous verbal exchanges, as had been the case in some versions of the game's storyline.

Her concerns weren't entirely unfounded. In various endings, the four Martial Sisters remained strangers or even turned against each other due to differing perspectives on Bai Lian. Despite their individual protagonist auras, these auras were rendered ineffective in the face of each other.

In certain scenarios, the four Martial Sisters even turned on one another.

Yet, the harmonious interaction between the two junior Martial Sisters appeared promising. Their limited conversation could be attributed to their lack of familiarity, Bai Lian deduced.

"To help them grow accustomed to each other quickly, I need to create opportunities for them!" Bai Lian resolved.

She ushered them into her room with a warm smile. "Please, come in."

Inside, three figures and a rabbit sat quietly. A freshly brewed cup of green tea graced the table. Bai Lian's Tea Ceremony skill, although at a mere four points, proved sufficient to deceive Martial Sisters unaccustomed to tea.

Su Youwei stepped into Bai Lian's room for the first time. She inhaled softly, enveloped by Bai Lian's fragrant essence. The room felt like a warm embrace, and Su Youwei's consciousness began to drift.

Only after being called multiple times did Su Youwei snap out of her reverie. "Elder Martial Sister, what is it?"

She regarded Bai Lian with a hint of suspicion. Bai Lian stood up, explaining, "I'll go check if our master is within the forbidden array. In the meantime, you two can engage in a casual conversation. Given your similar ages, you should have plenty to discuss."

Su Youwei replied with a nonchalant, "Alright."

Xiao Jinse, however, was taken aback. About the same age? Did she hear correctly?

As Bai Lian exited the room, Xiao Jinse's nerves tensed. Suppressing her astonishment, she managed to inquire, "Younger Martial Sister, how old are you?"

Su Youwei responded matter-of-factly, "I'll be seventeen in three months."

Xiao Jinse's smile waned. Seventeen? Wasn't that her own age?

Did she just refer to this as a child?

Recalling her earlier conversation with Bai Lian, she felt a rising tide of indignation. Bai Lian had professed a fondness for children. Children, children... "She's like a child."

"I..." Xiao Jinse forcibly restrained the impulse to toss the third Martial Sister off Qiongming Peak's summit. No, she couldn't. Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian had urged them to bond. If she ejected the third junior Martial Sister now, when would she have the chance to meet Bai Lian again?

Hurriedly taking a sip of tea, Xiao Jinse redirected her focus. "Does Elder Martial Sister know your age?"

Su Youwei's voice remained devoid of emotion. "Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian didn't inquire."

Xiao Jinse felt relieved. Apparently, Bai Lian hadn't intended to keep it a secret. Yet, her gaze sharpened as she pondered. This third Martial Sister wasn't as simple as she appeared. How had such a deep individual infiltrated the pure Qiongming Peak?

She resolved to uncover the third junior Martial Sister's true nature, ensuring both Bai Lian and their master recognized her true face. Only then could they expel her from the sect.

Meanwhile, Su Youwei, while sipping tea, simmered with frustration. She held no expectations for the second Martial Sister she had yet to meet, and their brief interaction only solidified her initial impressions. This second Martial Sister seemed to harbor a distaste for her, consistently prying into matters she'd rather avoid.

Curiously, Su Youwei found herself harboring a dislike for this second Martial Sister in return. After their short encounter, she felt even more resolute in her assessment.

This Elder Martial Sister was virtually worthless, failing to match her in strength despite holding a higher rank. Su Youwei had no use for such an Elder Martial Sister.

Lost in thought, she contemplated how to prompt Xiao Jinse to leave Qiongming Peak. She couldn't be overtly rude; instead, she should encourage Xiao Jinse to depart voluntarily.

The dilemma posed a challenge.

Su Youwei took another sip of tea.

Click.

Why had the teacup shattered?

Observing the wet table, Su Youwei found herself momentarily speechless. Simultaneously, the jade rabbit gulped down tea hurriedly, desperate to depart and rejoin Bai Lian.

...

Meanwhile, Bai Lian had combed Qiongming Peak with her divine sense before entering the forbidden formation cave. To her disappointment, she hadn't located Master An Lan. The cave proved equally fruitless.

Had she ventured out again? Such behavior was typical of An Lan.

However, Bai Lian was disheartened. An Lan had promised to gift her a top-grade magic tool upon her return. Now, she'd have to wait.

Slightly despondent, Bai Lian meandered around the cave before her gaze settled upon An Lan's stone bed. Against the wall lay a translucent sword—a top-grade magic tool! Bai Lian's eyes widened in astonishment. The sword's form perfectly mirrored her Dirt Free Sword, but its grade had surged two levels.

"So, Master hasn't forgotten me," Bai Lian mused, her heart touched.

Beside the sword lay a letter, bearing An Lan's words. Bai Lian was instructed to claim the sword and, in An Lan's absence, to impart knowledge to the third Martial Sister. With newfound determination, Bai Lian took the upgraded Dirt Free Sword and departed the cave.

Her spirits lifted, Bai Lian returned to her room. Upon entering, a palpable heaviness in the air struck her.

"Is something the matter?" Bai Lian inquired.

Xiao Jinse replied, "Elder Martial Sister, the third Martial Sister and I engaged in profound discussions, fully exchanging our perspectives."

Su Youwei nodded solemnly. Evidently, they had engaged harmoniously.

Bai Lian smiled in approval. "Excellent. We are a family, after all. Regular exchanges of perspectives can only benefit us."

Xiao Jinse and Su Youwei exchanged glances, their expressions revealing strong mutual opinions.