Chapter 108: The Rosy-Cheeked Rascal

The mountain path was rugged and winding, twisting and turning with countless bends. Towering peaks loomed high, layered one upon another like a majestic fortress. I stood at the foot of the mountain, gazing upward. At the summit, clouds swirled gently, phoenixes soared across the sky, and cranes called out from the distant marshlands. The grandeur of this scene was truly overwhelming, befitting its reputation across the Six Realms as the foremost sacred place where cultivators often achieved transcendence and ascended to immortality.

Though it was summer, the mountain was ablaze with blooming flowers and the chorus of birdsong. The deeper I ventured into the forest, the more abundant the wildflowers and grasses grew. The mountaintop was dense with trees, their thick canopies casting rich shadows, the greenery vibrant and lush—more splendid than even the most splendid springtime scenes.

A cool breeze swept over me, carrying a faint chill. I pulled my garment closer, tucking my neck slightly, feeling a measure of comfort. Glancing down at Pinky, he seemed oblivious to the cold, standing proud and upright like a little gentleman, which only made my own crouched, timid posture beside him seem all the more awkward.

Rubbing my hands together, I looked around. Since setting out, I had yet to see a single soul. I grew frustrated—where had all the senior disciples and junior brothers gone so early in the morning? I couldn’t find a trace of them anywhere!

“Junior Brother, you’re here!”

Lan Duo’er’s voice suddenly rang out, clear and repeated, approaching from the distance. Hearing her call, my heart leapt with hope. I lifted my head and shouted back through the trees.

“I’m here! I’m here!”

I had left at the first watch and had been trekking this mountain path for nearly an hour. Pinky still hadn’t determined which way led to the rear mountain’s Infinite Palace of Lingyun Mountain. I had feared that today, being led by this Pinky, I might miss the gathering with my senior disciples and junior brothers to study immortal techniques. Yet now, unexpectedly, I had met Lan Duo’er here. Truly, the heavens had been extraordinarily kind and merciful to me.

“Junior Brother, Junior Brother.”

Lan Duo’er’s voice sounded again.

In the next moment, countless orchids drifted down from the treetops, swirling through the air like a celestial rain of petals. Amidst the cascade of flowers, a woman clad in flowing robes of verdant green appeared, dancing gracefully toward me.

She landed lightly on the lush grass ahead, stepping forward until she stood before me. As the orchid petals settled and my vision cleared, I recognized her immediately—this woman in the green feathered garment was none other than my proud and overbearing senior sister, Lan Duo’er.

Her eyes fixed intently on me, glowing with a faint blue light. She looked like a hunter about to pounce on her prey. For some reason, my heart tightened. I gripped Pinky’s little pudgy paw tightly and pushed him in front of me, placing myself behind him as a shield.

But Pinky was utterly uncooperative. No sooner had I pulled him forward than he flattened himself against the ground and wriggled sideways like a little pink worm, trying to crawl away.

Such heartlessness! Seeing his own junior uncle in peril, this little creature abandoned me and attempted to escape.

Just as I bent down to grab his chubby body, Lan Duo’er stepped forward again, blocking me squarely.

“Junior Brother.”

She smiled, her eyes still shimmering with that eerie blue glow, making me feel like a lamb awaiting slaughter—pitiful and helpless, powerless to resist. All I could do was await my fate.

“Junior Brother, you seem so afraid of me.”

She spoke coquettishly, stepping closer with a bright smile.

The distance was too close. A gentle breeze carried the heavy scent of orchids directly to my nose.

We were nearly the same height, though I was somewhat taller. Our eyes met, wide and unblinking. After a long moment, her gaze softened like water, and she feigned shyness, casting me a reproachful glance before lightly stamping her foot.

“Junior Brother, Junior Brother, looking at me like that makes me feel shy.”

“Shy?” I asked, puzzled. “Do two people looking at each other normally feel shy?”

She bit her lip, shooting me another reproachful look. As I stared at her, perplexed and ready to question further, she turned her head aside for a moment. After a while, she looked back and gave a nod.

“I see,” I said, understanding.

Then I bowed respectfully. “Junior Fish has only recently entered the mountain. Today is my first time coming to the rear mountain of Lingyun Mountain. Because the mountain paths are rugged and complex, with many forks, Pinky and I have been wandering in this forest for almost an hour and still have not found the way to the Infinite Palace at the mountain’s rear. Now, to encounter a fairy here is truly a blessing bestowed upon Junior Fish by fate. Junior Fish has a humble request and hopes the fairy will grant it.”

“A humble request?” she murmured, then asked, “Junior Brother, if you have any difficulties, simply speak them to this fairy. I will do my utmost to assist you.”