23 With a Blink of the Eyes

The day's work begins in the morning, and Cui Huai rose early to practice some gibberish bird-speak.

"Good morning!"
"How are you?"
"I'm fine, thank you!"
...

The System asked in a state of collapse: "Cui Huai, didn't you learn phonetic symbols? Where exactly did you pick up this thick, unrefined accent?"

Naturally, she was self-taught.

Having spent time and effort memorizing words only to struggle with speaking, Cui Huai was far more broken than the System. Her expression revealed a listless resentment: "I did learn the phonetics. My eyes learned them, but my mouth couldn't keep up. This is the level it's at now; just make do and listen."

Back at the Wuyazong, she felt time flew by. A simple retreat, circulating her spiritual energy, closing and opening her eyes—decades would pass in a blink. She had nothing to do, and no one dared to bother her.

Now, she had been at the Xiaoyao Sect for only three or four months, and her daily activities included, but were not limited to: attending morning lectures, practicing swordsmanship during the day, planting trees, provoking Long Aotian, infuriating her creditor, cuddling with her senior sister, insulting the System, and staying up late at night to study bird-speak and write various manuals...

The Xiaoyao Sect seemed to exist in its own domain where time slowed down; every day felt exceptionally long. Now, a new item had been added to the morning: practicing that damn conversational language.

As the System's tasks piled up, at some point, Cui Huai began to emanate a faint aura of death, one that grew in intensity with each passing day.

The System, knowing when to retreat, decided to delay the issuance of subsequent strange tasks. After all, if Cui Huai wasn't afraid of death, it had no leverage over her.

In this world, Cui Huai had no family, no friends, no lovers; she was solitary and unencumbered. Others wanted to rely on her, but she needed no one. Simply put, aside from her strength and wealth, Cui Huai had nothing. And since the System had personally restricted her strength and wealth, the System itself felt that Cui Huai’s situation was truly miserable.

It had told her long ago: why did she have to kill all the targets of her conquest in one go? If she had left one or two to complete the tasks, wouldn't it have been better for everyone?

Cui Huai was currently shrouded in resentment, so the System hurriedly searched its main brain: [How to coax a demotivated teenager into studying hard?]

The first point was to balance work and rest. It promised not to issue any new tasks for a while, allowing Cui Huai some peace, time, and space of her own.
The second point was to provide plenty of encouragement and tolerance.

"Host, I’ve discovered you have a natural talent for English. That pronunciation you just used was truly unique. Practice a bit more, and you will become a rising star in the English world!"

Before the System could even apply the third point, Cui Huai gave it a cold look: "I hope this star crashes right into you and smashes you to pieces."

*Sigh*, bullied again. Could it get another system to come and coax it? Being a system is hard; being Cui Huai’s system is harder still!

***

Upon reaching the courtyard for the morning lecture, they learned that Master Qingyan, influenced by yesterday's notes, had decided to go into a half-month retreat.

Consequently, the group was left to their own devices. They practiced swordsmanship spontaneously, mostly the four who could cultivate, while Zhu Yu observed from the side.

Of course, Cui Huai didn't let Zhu Yu off either. She handed him a manual for movement techniques that didn't require spiritual energy, telling the "combat-useless" Zhu Yu to start learning. Yes, she had pulled another all-nighter, and this time without any memories to rely on, she had forced herself to create a movement technique that a mortal could use. After all, such things didn't exist in the cultivation world previously; Cui Huai had to invent it herself.

She stayed up so late that she felt heart palpitations—a sensation she had never experienced before. Detecting her physical state, the System kept sounding alarms: "Cui Huai, don't drain the pond to catch the fish! Take it easy, don't you dare die of overwork here!"

Amidst the System's shrill shrieking, Cui Huai shakily completed the manual.

Zhu Yu held what his senior sister claimed was the "second-greatest treasure of the family," looking thoroughly confused: "Since I am a doctor and a mortal, why should I learn this?"

*Because next year, you’re going to participate in the Wuyazong competition too, you silly child!*

Cui Huai had privately asked her master, and the Wuyazong competition required each sect to field a team of five disciples. In a large sect, disciples would break their heads fighting for those five spots. But at the Xiaoyao Sect, they barely scraped together five disciples. Each radish had its hole; it was just enough.

Fearing that if Zhu Yu knew the "good news" that he was also required to compete, the Xiaoyao Sect's only sponsored student would run away, the master and Cui Huai reached a tacit agreement to hide it from him. After all, if Zhu Yu ran, where would they find a new disciple on such short notice?

So, Cui Huai had spent the night putting together a movement technique suitable for Zhu Yu. During the competition, if he couldn't win, he could at least dodge!

Faced with Zhu Yu's question, Cui Huai hadn't yet figured out how to explain it without revealing the cruel reality, while still giving him the motivation to learn.

Jiang Xuan chimed in: "Junior brother, aren't you afraid of medical disputes?"

Zhu Yu didn't understand: "What is a medical dispute?"

On this topic, Jiang Xuan had plenty of insight: "It's when a patient isn't satisfied with your treatment and comes for revenge! In the cultivation world, if you can't dodge that strike, you're likely to lose your life on the spot!"

Zhu Yu turned pale with fright: "Is your cultivation world so lacking in martial virtue? But I only treat patients I’m confident about, and I do my best. The patients should be understanding, right?"

Jiang Xuan shook his head: "Junior brother, you're thinking too simply. First, you might have tried your best, but a difficult patient might think you didn't. Second, even if the patient is satisfied, their family might not be. And finally, there's the possibility of collective punishment."

Zhu Yu, though he didn't understand the first two, asked humbly: "What is collective punishment?"

Jiang Xuan spoke eloquently: "Let me give you an example. Suppose a patient thinks Master Leyou's treatment was ineffective, but Master Leyou is socially anxious and impossible to find. If the dissatisfied patient can't find her, won't they come to hack you instead? After all, you two are related."

"So, if you want to avoid being hacked, you must not only be a brilliant doctor but also incredibly lucky—every treatment must satisfy the patient and all their extended relatives. Furthermore, every doctor you know must be equally brilliant and lucky to ensure you aren't implicated."

After Jiang Xuan's conclusion, Zhu Yu’s face turned even paler. He clutched the manual tightly: "That is terrifying! I had better learn this movement technique well."

Zhu Yu bowed to Cui Huai: "Many thanks, Senior Sister, for your deep concern. I just flipped through it, and the illustrations are unique, just like the sword manual you produced yesterday. It must also be the work of Immortal Yanchi; no wonder it's called your family's second-greatest treasure. Junior Sister is so generous, I have no way to repay you."

Looking at Zhu Yu’s sincere expression, the impoverished Cui Huai’s mouth lost its dignity: "Junior Brother, it's not that you can't repay me. If you’re truly grateful, a few spirit stones would make me very happy."

She had fought through the night, yet the credit went to Immortal Yanchi. She couldn't get the fame, so surely she could get some material compensation.

Upon hearing "spirit stones," much of Zhu Yu's gratitude faded: "Senior Sister, our sincere bond as sect-mates cannot be measured by spirit stones. I wouldn't want to tarnish your pure heart with them."

Cui Huai gritted her teeth, forced to accept the high praise Zhu Yu had heaped upon her. Zhu Yu was truly stingy!

She had felt a tiny bit of guilt for hiding the truth about the competition, but that guilt vanished instantly.

Cui Huai, frustrated by the lack of spirit stones, listened as Jiang Xuan boasted nearby: "Immortal Yanchi is truly a role model. When the entire cultivation world is obsessed with making the strong stronger, only he cares for mortals, thinking of how to give them the power to protect themselves. Compared to those who chase fame and sit atop the world as the 'Number One Sword,' he is morally superior by leaps and bounds. He is truly my idol!"

*Chasing fame?*
*Sitting atop the world as the Number One Sword?*
That was practically pointing at her, Sword Venerable Lingye.

Cui Huai lashed out with a slide-tackle, sending the eloquent Jiang Xuan sprawling. As he slammed into the ground, Jiang Xuan looked at the culprit, his expression a mix of confusion and grievance: "Junior Sister, why did you do that? How did I offend you?"

Cui Huai smiled and reached out to pull him up: "I was simply testing your reaction time, Senior Brother. It seems you have plenty of room for improvement."

Jiang Xuan, pulling himself up with her help, suddenly realized: "Junior Sister, it was my small-mindedness that doubted your gentlemanly heart. My perspective was too narrow."

Nearby, Fu Qin, who had been practicing sword forms, moved his gaze away from his blade. He let out a strange chuckle, walked over to pat Jiang Xuan on the shoulder, and pulled out two spirit stones: "Senior Brother, even if you are short on spirit stones, remember to buy some 'Spirit-Strengthening Pills'."

The Spirit-Strengthening Pill was the most common brain-boosting pill in the cultivation world, popular for its low price and decent effect.
Need to memorize a mental technique? Take one.
Struggling to draw a talisman? Take one.
Mentally exhausted? Take one.
In short—to put it politely—he was calling Jiang Xuan a big idiot.

The big idiot Jiang Xuan obviously didn't realize it and was still thanking Fu Qin for his generosity.

For some reason, no matter how she looked at him, Cui Huai found Fu Qin inexplicably unpleasant. Her limbs acted faster than her brain, and she performed a slide-tackle toward him.

Fu Qin stumbled, but before he could fall, he stabilized himself with spiritual energy. *What a pity.*

However, Cui Huai had expected this wouldn't work on him, so her main goal wasn't to knock him down. Fu Qin looked at the large, gray footprint on his pristine white pant leg, his brows knitting deeply.

Cui Huai said innocently: "Third Senior Brother, your reactions aren't bad, but they could still be improved."

*Ha!* Fu Qin was a perfectionist; this footprint would be enough to ruin his day.

The big idiot Jiang Xuan, seeing his benefactor’s sour mood, mistakenly thought Fu Qin was dissatisfied with his own reaction speed and tried to flatter him: "Junior brother, don't be discouraged. You're already much stronger than me—you only got a footprint, while I was sent sprawling. Junior brother, you're still the best!" Jiang Xuan gave a thumbs up as he spoke.

Fu Qin couldn't do anything to Cui Huai for the moment, but he was truly annoyed by the footprint on his clothes, and Jiang Xuan was still hovering nearby. He waved a hand of spiritual energy, and the spirit stones he had just given Jiang Xuan were snatched back into his own palm.

"Senior Brother, I think the Spirit-Strengthening Pill isn't enough. You’d better save up your own money to buy 'Spirit-Nurturing Pills'."

The Spirit-Nurturing Pill cost ten times more than the Spirit-Strengthening one and was much more effective—the best choice for the incredibly wealthy or those with severely lacking intellect. In short—to put it politely—he was calling Jiang Xuan a world-class, invincible, ultimate big idiot.

Jiang Xuan stood there, staring at his empty palms, stunned. *Huh? You gave them to me and took them back? Are you playing with me?*

It was one thing for a junior brother to play with a senior brother. But for a wealthy junior brother to tease a broke senior brother? That was truly too much!

***

After the morning sword practice—or rather, after they had all finished sabotaging each other—everyone had free time.

Cui Huai was coerced by her creditor, Fu Qin, to visit the grove, while Jiang Xuan followed behind, pestering Fu Qin for a few more spirit stones.

Before they could even see how the trees were faring, they spotted a familiar woman from afar.

Wu Xiaofang, the woodcutter’s wife, had been waiting at the entrance of the Xiaoyao Sect since early morning. The Xiaoyao Sect had no gatekeepers and no one to announce visitors. Being a mortal, she didn't dare trespass into a cultivation sect, so she could only gamble on her luck and wait for the immortals to come out.

Compared to the last time she had waited at the gate to beg the immortals to save her husband's life, today’s wait was much more relaxed. She was patient; she could wait. If she couldn't see them today, she would come back tomorrow.

Now that her husband had recovered well, she had to come in person to express her gratitude. She carried a basket of eggs—the ones her hens had laid over the past few days. Aside from those used to nourish her husband, the rest were here. She didn't know if the immortals ate eggs, but it was the best thing she could offer.

Like her gratitude, whether the immortals needed these eggs was their business, but she had to give them. Receiving kindness meant one should know how to repay it. Though her abilities were limited, she had to do her best.

After waiting all morning, she saw three immortals heading their way. What luck! She had only waited half a day. She smoothed her hair and wore a bright smile, hoping to present her best self to these kind immortals.

The immortal walking in the back saw her, froze for a moment, and then, as if realizing something, suddenly shouted toward the back: "Zhu Yu! Junior brother! Don't you dare come out! Run! Your patient's family is at the gate, coming to seek revenge!"