Chapter 9: The Past of the Green-Clad Lady

Winter night.

Deep within the boudoir of the Patriarch Song's residence.

The green-clad woman, wrapped in a winter fur cloak, gazed at the snowy scene outside the window with listless boredom.

The tops of the uneven pavilions were covered in a blanket of white crystalline snow, and large mounds of snow were piled beside the two great trees on the street.

The cold wind whistled as it blew through the window, making a hoarse, wheezing sound. The green-clad woman's pretty face was tinged with a few blushes by the winter wind, yet she remained completely unaware, still leaning against the window frame and gazing into the distance.

"Boring."

Now, the entire Canglan City was covered in a sky full of white; the streets were sparsely populated, appearing somewhat desolate.

Yet, were other days any different?

Day after day of cultivation, others scrambling to fawn over her, disgusting smiles, hypocritical kindness.

She herself was forced to put on the appearance of a refined young lady, all for the sake of this so-called face of the Immortal Clan.

Compared to that, the present moment seemed somewhat peaceful.

A young girl opened the door on tiptoe, her face looking somewhat embarrassed and bewildered.

The green-clad woman turned her head, her gaze as calm as a deep pool, carrying a sense of inquiry.

The young girl bowed clumsily, her body still somewhat uncoordinated. "Miss Song, I am a maid sent by the master to serve you; my name is Xiaoxue."

The green-clad woman gazed at the snowflakes filling the sky outside the window and murmured, "Xiaoxue, that is a nice name."

Xiaoxue replied, her voice somewhat youthful, "This servant was only taken in by the master a few days ago, which is how I got this name."

The green-clad woman turned back to continue watching the snowy scenery outside the window.

A red scarf, made from some unknown precious creature, was draped over the green-clad woman's jade-like neck.

Two small hands skillfully adjusted the scarf.

"Miss Song, it is cold out; be careful not to catch a cold."

Song Wanqing did not pay attention, merely looking sideways at the white painting outside the window.

It really was dreadfully boring.

Vernal Equinox.

The sun was mild, and the weather was clear. Canglan City, Song family residence.

A woman dressed in light green, holding her sleeves loosely, stood before the main hall.

An old man with the bearing of an immortal held a whisk, using his spiritual sense to probe the green-clad woman's constitution.

Patriarch Song was somewhat excited. "Sect Master Wang, what kind of spirit root does my daughter have, and where would her aptitude rank within the sect?"

The old Daoist first furrowed his brows, then suddenly relaxed them.

"Patriarch Song, let me congratulate you first. Her spirit root is extremely special; even I had to ponder for a long time before recalling a few lines of records in a sect jade slip."

"This should be the Xiaoming Spirit Root mentioned in the records—a Water-type Heavenly Spirit Root. She is born with an inherent understanding of the Dao of Water and has an affinity with the Water God, which ordinary people cannot reach."

Sect Master Wang pondered, "If she cultivates the Water Dao, the Nascent Soul stage is within reach, and she may even aim for the Deity Transformation stage."

Sect Master Wang stroked his white beard. "With such natural talent, I wonder if Patriarch Song is willing to part with her and send her into my sect? I will certainly do my utmost to protect her growth."

Patriarch Song, dressed in gorgeous fur robes, laughed twice. "Sect Master Wang, that is too distant. My opportunity for the Dao was bestowed by the old Sect Master, so I already had the intention of sending my daughter to the sect."

Sect Master Wang laughed a few times. "In that case, we are fellow disciples. Since you, Junior Brother, are willing to trust me, I will definitely not let you down."

Patriarch Song could not hide his joy. "Wanqing, you go back and cultivate first. Sect Master Wang and I have some matters to discuss."

Song Wanqing bowed and took her leave, her eyes filled with a deep sense of autumn, yet in the very center of this autumn mood lay a trace of pitch-black darkness that was difficult to detect.

Boring.

The young girl in white followed behind her, ready to serve at any time.

The two left the main hall.

Xiaoxue smiled and said, "Miss Song has a Heavenly Spirit Root, and an extremely rare type at that, even requiring Sect Master Wang of the Seven Sects to study it in detail."

A hint of a smile appeared on Song Wanqing's beautiful face. "Is that a good thing?"

Xiaoxue was puzzled. "Of course it is a good thing. With such talent, Miss Song will surely be a person who can roam freely through this world."

Song Wanqing smiled without saying anything. What in this world was worth roaming freely for?

It was merely a few words of praise from others, harboring jealousy that had to be buried deep in their hearts, harboring evil thoughts yet fearing discovery.

Mortals were like this, and Cultivators were even more so.

Cultivation was merely a path to obtain power, bitter training undertaken for the sake of things one desired and things one wished to seize.

Summer.

Inside the Immortal Sect.

Inside the simple, circular arena, two figures were engaged in a fierce battle.

The green figure thrust her sword forward violently, and the youth in white fell backward.

The green-clad woman withdrew her sword upon seeing this, her expression calm, with a faint, almost imperceptible smile on her lips.

The youth in white stood up. "Miss Song, I have lost."

The youth in white let out a hearty laugh. "Miss Song's sword skills are superb; I cannot reach them."

"Not at all, it was you, Senior Brother, who held back."

The youth in white laughed honestly.

The other disciples on the stage shouted loudly, "Senior Brother Li, you are not doing well. Is it that you cannot lift your sword when you see Junior Sister Song?"

Song Wanqing smiled and said nothing.

Boring.

Sect Master Wang watched this competition from the main stage, nodding frequently. An elder beside him spoke up at the right moment. "Sect Master, I do not know where you found this beautiful jade. Her aptitude is excellent, her appearance is superb, and her temperament is unique. She can be a pillar of our sect."

Sect Master Wang smiled. "Do you remember the disciple with the surname Song that the old Sect Master happened to take in while traveling?"

The elder pondered. "I have some impression."

"It is precisely his daughter, the darling of the Song family in Canglan City."

"So it is Patriarch Song's daughter. Patriarch Song was actually a disciple of the old Sect Master."

Sect Master Wang nodded. "I only learned of it recently."

Ignoring the clamor on the stage, Song Wanqing bowed to Sect Master Wang and the other, then left the spectator stand.

A faint smile always hung on her face, like an ornament worn on her face, never to be separated.

The strength of the Song family made the other disciples eager to befriend her, not to mention that she was such a stunning beauty.

She treated everyone's flattery and fawning with indifference.

Gradually, she felt annoyed, even irritable; beneath everyone's smile hid an unspeakable dark side.

Yet, she was able to see these malicious intentions and feel the darkness in the depths of their hearts.

Since she began cultivation, she could vaguely sense the malice hidden in people's hearts, and after drawing Qi into her body, she could see it intuitively.

Humans were inherently selfish and ugly creatures; with their thoughts hidden in the depths of their hearts, they could still maintain some superficial decency.

Yet, she could see it; she could clearly perceive the malice and evil thoughts in people's hearts.

Someone who appeared serious and foolish on the outside would have a dark side no weaker than others.

Asking someone to be selfless and not have a single evil thought when seeing beautiful things was simply asking too much.

It was precisely because she knew this that she felt bored.

The malice that others carefully hid became, in her eyes, a naked display.

Autumnal Equinox.

Inside the Immortal Sect.

Floating with immortal aura, atop a high mountain, amidst swirling clouds and mist, stood a simple, grand hall.

A female immortal in white sat upon the main hall, and below her was a stunning green-clad figure.

The woman in white said, "Qing'er, you are now at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, only one step away from the Golden Core stage. What are your plans for the future?"

The green-clad woman bowed and cupped her hands. "Master, this disciple wishes to return to the Song family to break through."

The woman in white nodded. "The Song family is where you were born in the mortal world, which is indeed somewhat helpful for breaking through your state of mind."

The woman in white waved her hand, and an exquisite storage bag appeared before her. "In that case, take these cultivation resources before you go, and return when you have made the breakthrough."

"Thank you, Master."