Chapter 266: Seventeen Years Old

In the wooden hall, white-haired Zhu Ding sat in an old wooden chair, the enchantments isolating sound and magic around him already activated.

Ning Xiaoling, Yan Yuan, Ming Lang, and three other male disciples gathered around the old man, recounting what had happened in Spirit Valley over the past day and night.

"The Teng Snake in White Snake Divine Valley has escaped?" Although Zhu Ding had his suspicions, he was still slightly surprised upon hearing the truth.

Ning Xiaoling nodded and said, "When I happened to pass by White Snake Divine Valley, I heard some movement inside. It must have escaped quite a while ago by then and was just biding its time."

Zhu Ding frowned, his aged eyelids creased. He recalled some past events and said, "That seal was set by a previous Grand Ancestor. Logically, it shouldn't have loosened... Could it be due to disrepair over the years?"

"Grand Ancestor?" Ning Xiaoling asked, "Is the Grand Ancestor the Wood Spirit Eye that the Feathered Serpent mentioned?"

"Wood Spirit Eye?" Zhu Ding frowned and asked, "Did that snake mention this name?"

"Yes!" Ning Xiaoling nodded vigorously.

Zhu Ding asked, "Did it say anything else?"

"It also said..." Ning Xiaoling hesitated for a moment, omitting the last part of what was said. She only stated, "It also said that the Underworld Sovereign might return."

Zhu Ding didn't find it strange. He said, "Deities are inherently immortal."

"Then, the Wood Spirit Eye..." Ning Xiaoling wanted to continue asking.

Zhu Ding explained, "The Wood Spirit Eye is not our founding ancestor, but she was of that generation. However, she died a long time ago. It's said she ventured alone deep into the Netherworld and never returned; her remains are likely gone. As for the Grand Ancestor... he vanished without a trace after establishing the sect. Only his portrait remains in the main hall of the sect."

Ning Xiaoling nodded.

Zhu Ding looked at the others and said, "What about you all? When did the White Snake Divine Temple rise from the ground?"

Everyone began to discuss and cross-reference the timing. According to their estimates, the White Snake Divine Temple had emerged about an hour after Ning Xiaoling's chance encounter with the battle in White Snake Divine Valley.

As for the origin of the Feathered Serpent, what Zhu Ding said was similar to what was recorded in the White Snake Divine Temple: "All white snakes are traitors. They divided the Underworld Sovereign's authority and gnawed at his remains, then fled to various corners of the world. In subsequent calamities, they were killed again by others who coveted the Underworld Sovereign's authority. The White Snake Divine Temple was originally built to record this history and imprison the traitors."

Zhu Ding sighed as he spoke, "Regarding the White Snake Divine Valley, we were indeed negligent. This matter is too ancient; even I can barely recall it clearly. Fortunately, there was alarm but no real danger."

Recalling the Feathered Serpent's final words, Ning Xiaoling cautiously asked, "Excuse me, Uncle-Master, where is Tianzang's burial ground?"

This was no secret. Zhu Ding didn't hide it and said, "It's in the Fissure God Valley, where the Luoshu Pavilion is located. That's a vast wasteland of ruins, and the Luoshu Pavilion is in the center of the Fissure God Valley. Of course, the precise location of Tianzang's burial is likely known only to the Master of the Luoshu Pavilion."

"Then..." Ning Xiaoling hesitated, asking, "How can a great deity like Tianzang be resurrected?"

Zhu Ding chuckled, "How would an old man like me, who's already waiting for death, know such things?"

Ning Xiaoling nodded gently, then pressed on, "Were Tianzang and the Underworld Sovereign irreconcilable enemies in ancient times?"

Zhu Ding said, "Xiaoling, if you're interested in this history, I can have the curator of the Spirit Archives explain it to you in detail. Of course, the true history is held by the Four Divine Pavilions. When the Divine Pavilions are truly opened, historical scenes will be restored over the ruins, vividly... That is a true marvel of the Central Lands."

Ning Xiaoling waved her hand and said, "No need, I was just asking casually."

Zhu Ding also replied casually, "Tianzang and the Underworld Sovereign were certainly irreconcilable enemies. It's said that the great deity Xuanze was implicated because of them."

Ning Xiaoling did not press for more secret details.

They went over the events in Spirit Valley once more.

As Zhu Ding listened to the details of the final battle, his gaze towards Ning Xiaoling softened even more, as if he were looking at his final, most cherished disciple.

"Sister Xiaoling was so brave back then!" Yan Yuan recounted with extreme excitement, "That giant snake just lunged forward with its mouth wide open, and Sister Xiaoling directly pierced its upper jaw. Then, as if in judgment, she calmly chopped off its wings, arms, and head..."

Ning Xiaoling felt a little scared listening. She thought to herself, 'I'm clearly my senior brother's adorable junior sister. When did I become so cruel?'

It must be Shen Tu corrupting me...

Just as she thought of Shen Tu, Zhu Ding began to inquire.

His expression also grew much more serious.

This was what truly concerned him.

The other disciples, seeing their Uncle-Master's gaze, exited one by one. Soon, only the old man and the young girl remained in the wooden hall.

"Tell me about your origins..." The old man leaned back in his chair, his hands resting on the armrests, and spoke in his usual casual tone.

Hearing these words, Ning Xiaoling subtly sensed a hint of danger.

She briefly recounted what had happened three years ago.

"That's why I joined the Purple Court," Ning Xiaoling finished.

"The Five-Path Demonic Fox?" The old man slowly began, saying, "Your life story is quite winding and legendary."

Ning Xiaoling said helplessly, "I also want to live a peaceful life."

Zhu Ding looked into her eyes, confirming that her previous story was true. He then slowly spoke, continuing to ask, "What about this blade? It has never been drawn by anyone since the establishment of the Nether Pavilion. Why did it choose you as its master?"

Ning Xiaoling said innocently, "Divine weapons like this have their own minds. How would I know what it's thinking?"

Zhu Ding didn't accept this explanation, but he vaguely guessed the reason: it must be that the Nether General of the Nether Pavilion approved of this.

He didn't press further. He merely said, "The escape of the white snake from the gorge is not a major issue since no one truly died. However, Shen Tu is of great importance... Xiaoling, if there are any other details, you'd best not hide anything."

Ning Xiaoling said, "Uncle-Master, I'll tell you the truth about whatever you want to know."

Zhu Ding asked, "Are you learning the Dao methods of the Underworld just to resurrect your senior brother?"

Ning Xiaoling nodded gently.

The old man looked at her with pity. He wasn't sure whether to shatter her delusion, and after a moment of hesitation, he ultimately said nothing.

Ning Xiaoling lowered her head, pretending not to notice his gaze. She steadied herself and whispered, "I found those spirit treasures with Shen Tu's guidance. Does that count as cheating? Will the spirit treasures be confiscated?"

The old man said, "These are all your opportunities. Our sect believes in destiny ordained by heaven, and we certainly wouldn't be unable to produce more than twenty spirit treasures."

Ning Xiaoling then worried unnecessarily, "By the way, Uncle-Master, monsters like the Feathered Serpent are still coveting the Underworld Sovereign's legacy. If the Netherworld ruins are opened, will something bad happen...?"

Zhu Ding said, "Don't worry, the Netherworld ruins have long been sealed off. Only the Grand Ancestor knows how to open them; even successive sect masters have not received that inheritance."

"Then it's permanently lost?" Ning Xiaoling felt somewhat relieved.

"Perhaps the Grand Ancestor is still alive..." Zhu Ding smiled and said, "In any case, this isn't something you need to worry about. However, you'll be a famous figure in the sect from now on. According to the rules, the sect will grant you one request, though it can't be too unreasonable, of course."

Ning Xiaoling said without hesitation, "I want to keep a cat."

"Isn't such a simple request a bit of a waste?" The old man felt it was somewhat unworthy.

Ning Xiaoling said, "This is fine."

Zhu Ding said, "Alright, wildcats can commune with the netherworld; perhaps it's an omen."

Ning Xiaoling was about to say something else when a finger suddenly tapped her forehead.

She was caught off guard.

The Yellow Springs-like bloodline within her suddenly surged, like a wild beast desperately trying to break free from its cage.

Ning Xiaoling wanted to resist, but the old man had already withdrawn his finger.

Zhu Ding extracted a wisp of spiritual energy from her forehead, infused it into a brocade pouch, and handed it to Ning Xiaoling, saying, "You are born extraordinary, and you might encounter many strange things in the future. If you are ever in danger again, simply open this pouch, and Uncle-Master will rush to you immediately."

Ning Xiaoling took the brocade pouch with both hands and said, "Thank you, Uncle-Master."

Zhu Ding said, "Alright, I'll go to Spirit Valley myself. If I find anything else, I'll let you know. Go back for now. Don't tell anyone else about what happened in Spirit Valley yet."

Ning Xiaoling felt a sense of relief and turned to leave with the brocade pouch.

She returned to her room immediately.

Although her injuries had healed, the blood-soaked clothes clung to her skin, making her very uncomfortable.

Ning Xiaoling boiled a pot of hot water and poured it into a wooden tub.

Steam rose thickly.

The young girl slowly peeled off the blood-stained white dress.

The blood-soaked dress fell to the floor, like a pile of withered crimson petals.

She stepped through the mist, gracefully lifting a slender calf. Her toes gently curled as the tip of her foot lightly touched the water to test its temperature. Then her foot submerged, and gradually, her entire body sank into the water.

The bloodstains clinging to her body spread out in the hot water.

Her long hair, matted with blood and dust, also fanned out in the water.

On her fragrant, delicate white skin, condensed water droplets slid along gentle curves, outlining her figure.

Ning Xiaoling felt a calm she had never experienced before.

This calm was like a skeleton sitting withered at the bottom of a well, gazing up at an unchanging night sky.

She reached out her hand, slowly scooping up a palmful of water, letting it trickle down her arm. Her gaze followed the water flowing between her fingers, clear and peaceful.

Dust washed away, impurities removed.

Fearing that her scarred wounds might soften too much, she didn't linger. She emerged from the water with a splash, dried herself with a fluffy blanket, and put on a white simple robe.

She walked past the half-length mirror on the wall. After hesitating for a moment, she finally turned around and looked at herself in the mirror for the first time in a long while.

At this moment, Ning Xiaoling's simple robe was unfastened, and she wore no lower skirt. Her cheeks were flushed from the steam, and her damp, beautiful hair draped over her shoulders.

She hadn't looked in a mirror for a very long time.

So she suddenly felt a little unfamiliar with the person in the mirror.

From a state of undisturbed calm to the emergence of mountains and rivers, from flawless snow-white skin to lush green grass, she was gradually growing up. But in this process, the person from the past was already gone.

"Senior Brother, you must wait for me," Ning Xiaoling said earnestly, looking at herself in the mirror.

She took a deep breath, fastened her robe, put on her skirt, and walked out the door with Shen Tu, sheathed in wood, on her back.

This was the new her, in the Purple Court realm.

The news of her winning the Spirit Valley Grand Competition had not yet truly spread, as it would take time to remake the promotional plaques.

Ning Xiaoling was the first to tell Yu Jin that she could legally keep a cat.

Yu Jin was carefree and hadn't realized Ning Xiaoling had won the championship. She was very happy about being able to openly keep a cat, simply because after the white cat recovered from its injuries, its fur became long and sleek, looking majestic like a little lion, which greatly pleased Yu Jin.

She quickly took Ning Xiaoling to bring Di Ting to the vicinity of the wooden hall.

The Fish King looked considerably fatter.

After Yu Jin temporarily left, Ning Xiaoling crouched down, grasped its scruff and lifted it up, then seriously said, "Di Ting, you're not an ordinary cat, are you?"

"Meow." The Fish King let out a meow after a slight pause.