On the day of the trial, Yuqin Xuanya, the most prominent disciple of this generation—whose reputation within the sect had been soaring—arrived on time, carrying her massive sword and donning a striking crimson dress.
Yet, after ensuring that everyone had been assigned to their respective teams, she did not participate in the trial herself. Instead, she turned and returned to her cave for seclusion.
As a result, the two disciples heading to the Northern Continent ended up receiving the rare privilege of one-on-one protection from a True Immortal in the shadows.
The round trip to the Northern Continent took a little over a month. After returning, Jiu Jiu spent the following months pondering over what her Fourth Senior Sister had said to her.
At first, she was certain there was nothing between her and Li Changshou beyond simple camaraderie. They merely enjoyed each other’s company.
But gradually, doubts began to creep in.
Could it be that she had unknowingly developed feelings for little Changshou?
No way.
Sure, the idea of a senior and junior having a special bond was slightly thrilling, but she had always treated him as a younger generation member in need of care.
It was just… she had been lured in by his cooking.
The more she thought about it, the more conflicted she became, to the point where she could no longer focus during meditation.
Months passed, and then—just as she was drowning in confusion—a paper crane carrying a message from Li Changshou landed in her hands, inviting her to refine pills together.
Jiu Jiu immediately leaped up in excitement.
Then she froze.
Wait… this reaction…
“Could it be that I actually… have feelings for a little junior barely over a hundred years old?!”
“Some things can only be confirmed by asking.”
Her Fourth Senior Sister’s teasing voice echoed in her ears.
Jiu Jiu sat on her bed, lost in thought, before slamming her fist down.
What was there to be afraid of? Just ask!
Determined, she changed into a fresh hemp robe and rode her massive gourd straight to Xiao Qiong Peak.
This time, Li Changshou was refining a batch of poisonous pills to prepare for future tribulations.
By the time Jiu Jiu arrived, he had already arranged his poisonous herbs and layered himself in multiple protective artifacts.
Jiu Jiu had worn this bulky “protective suit” once before and had sworn never to wear it again.
As a result, Li Changshou had to be extra careful every time he refined poison pills, ensuring that no stray toxins would harm his senior, who was providing spiritual power support.
During the refining process, the two conversed casually, just as they always did.
Yet, throughout the sixteen-hour session, Jiu Jiu found herself constantly distracted by her Fourth Senior Sister’s words.
She wanted to ask something—over and over—but never found the right moment.
“It’s just one question. Why is it so hard to say?”
“Could it be that I…”
“Impossible! I’m not some old cow preying on young grass!”
Ask. Just ask, and it’ll be fine!
Jiu Jiu took a deep breath, adjusted a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and glanced at Li Changshou, who was focused on forming the pill.
With all the strength she could muster, she spoke in the softest voice:
“Um… how… how was my performance this time?”
“As excellent as always,” Li Changshou replied with a smile from behind his protective layers. “Your spiritual power was a huge help.”
The poison pill trembled slightly. Li Changshou immediately adjusted the medicinal flow.
Jiu Jiu blinked. Her voice dropped even lower.
“Then… Changshou… what do you think of me…?”
At that moment, Li Changshou was at the crucial stage of forming the pill, fully focused on controlling its properties.
Due to the layers of protective gear muffling her voice—and the fact that she spoke so softly—he didn’t quite catch her words.
All he registered were the words “junior” and “how”—which, given their conversation, seemed to refer to…
Nodding slightly, he responded with a calm smile:
“Very strong.
Very stable.
And, most importantly, incredibly pure—without a single impurity.”
After a brief pause, he furrowed his brows, staring intently at the pill as it neared completion, and added:
“I wish I could be the same.”
Jiu Jiu froze.
Her lips parted slightly as her entire body stiffened, her trembling hand pointing at Li Changshou.
“You… do you even know what you just said?!”
Li Changshou replied with a puzzled expression, “Huh? Did I say something wrong?”
Did you say something wrong?!
“Very strong, very stable… but most importantly, incredibly pure—without a single impurity…”
“I wish I could be the same.”
WHO?!
How could he say something so utterly outrageous?!
Jiu Jiu’s round cheeks instantly turned crimson. The blush spread down her neck as wisps of steam rose from her forehead.
She staggered back, struggling to form words. Then, in a flustered panic, she spun around and bolted.
Two steps later, she took off into the sky, flying at full speed toward Potiantian Peak.
“Hm?”
Li Changshou, momentarily distracted by the rushing wind, turned to glance at her retreating figure.
She left?
She didn’t even take her usual wine as payment?
Jiu Jiu’s spiritual power was indeed incredibly stable and pure. That was precisely why they succeeded on the first try, saving the other eight sets of materials he had prepared.
If only he could have such pure spiritual power himself… well, his tribulation was approaching anyway…
Wait.
Could she have misunderstood something?
Li Changshou quickly realized the possibility.
Forget it. Focus. Pill formation first.
Everything else can be explained later.
—
Amidst the peaks of Du Xian Sect…
Riding her oversized gourd, Jiu Jiu chugged mouthfuls of wine, flying like an arrow until she crashed into the forested mountainside of Potiantian Peak.
The entire grove trembled from the impact, sending birds scattering into the sky.
Under the trees, amidst fallen leaves and grass, a petite figure in hemp robes lay sprawled out, her hands covering her face as her breath came in short gasps.
But soon, she exhaled softly, her flushed face peeking out from beneath her arm. She lifted her hand, shielding her eyes from the golden sunlight filtering through the leaves.
“Very pure…
Tsk, what nonsense.”
Reaching for a storage pouch, she found the brightly colored immortal dresses her Fifth Senior Brother had brought—gifts from her Fourth Senior Sister.
“What am I even thinking?! He’s my junior!”
Jiu Jiu tossed the pouch aside.
But after a moment, she hesitantly glanced at it again.
Just trying them on… wouldn’t hurt, right?
As long as no one sees…
wannaberecluse On SRTT Chapter 50.1