Chapter 76 - 67: Xiao Qing, From Now On, Your Sister Will Need You to Take Good Care of Her

Early one morning, Bai Ruxue returned to Shiqiao Village from the Tianxuan Sect.

Having reached the Nascent Soul Realm, Bai Ruxue possessed the ability of Shrinking Inches. Although the Tianxuan Sect was thousands of miles away from Shiqiao Village, a round trip only took her an hour.

But regardless, she cared for Xiao Mo by day and pored over books in the Tianxuan Sect’s Library Pavilion by night. This relentless routine had continued day after day for several months.

Coupled with the fact that Xiao Mo’s time was drawing ever nearer, Bai Ruxue grew increasingly anxious.

Under this mental and physical strain, Bai Ruxue had grown somewhat haggard.

Just as Bai Ruxue walked into the courtyard, planning to make breakfast for Xiao Mo, the door to the master bedroom opened, and Xiao Mo emerged.

"Xiao Mo, you’re up so early today."

Bai Ruxue tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a small smile on her face.

Though Bai Ruxue had called Xiao Mo "husband" before, that had been in the heat of the moment.

Afterward, Bai Ruxue had been quite embarrassed. ’To call Xiao Mo my husband before we’re even married... it seems so improper.’

Besides, she didn’t want people gossiping behind their backs, saying things like, "They’re already acting like husband and wife before the wedding. How could Mr. Xiao’s fiancée be so shameless?"

So, Bai Ruxue had reverted to using his name.

Bai Ruxue didn’t care what people said about her, but she couldn’t stand them speaking ill of Xiao Mo.

Besides, she could always call him that after they were properly married. It would be just as special then.

"I haven’t been sleeping well these past couple of days," Xiao Mo said with a smile. "I figured instead of just lying awake in bed, I might as well come out to the courtyard for some fresh air and a little walk."

Bai Ruxue went over and helped Xiao Mo to a seat in the courtyard. "Why don’t you rest for a moment, Xiao Mo? I’ll go heat some water for you to wash up."

"Thank you," Xiao Mo nodded.

Bai Ruxue smiled gently. "Why are you being so formal with me?"

Xiao Mo paused for a moment before smiling. "You’re right."

"Just wait a moment..."

Bai Ruxue went into the kitchen and skillfully started a fire to heat the water. After helping Xiao Mo wash up, she returned to the kitchen to make breakfast.

A short while later, Xiao Qing woke up. After greeting Brother Xiao, she started washing the clothes and hanging them up to dry.

Watching the two sisters busying themselves in the courtyard, his gaze lingering on the elegant figure in the kitchen, Xiao Mo lowered his aged eyes, seemingly contemplating his next move.

Before long, Bai Ruxue brought out a pot of congee, along with steamed buns and pickled vegetables. Xiao Qing washed a pair of chopsticks for Xiao Mo.

As the three of them ate breakfast, chatting about interesting events in the village, Xiao Mo finished the congee in his bowl. He smiled at the two sisters and said, "I have something I’d like to give you both."

"What is it, Brother Xiao?" Xiao Qing’s interest was piqued, and she asked with curiosity.

"Just a moment..."

Xiao Mo got up and went into his room.

When he returned, he was holding a scroll.

He unrolled the scroll, revealing a painting of numerous rivers and lakes.

"Brother Xiao... what is this?"

Xiao Qing stared at the magnificent, awe-inspiring scroll, completely stunned.

"This is a River Map I created for you,"

Xiao Mo patiently explained.

"’Traversing the rivers to become a flood dragon, and entering the sea to become a Hidden Dragon.’ I’ve heard this is a necessary step in your cultivation.

"Over the years, while working on water conservancy projects, I consulted the river charts and local gazetteers of the Qi Kingdom, and I often conducted on-site surveys.

"Ultimately, I selected this specific route.

"When you traverse the rivers, you will start at Ganyue Port, then enter Siming Lake. From there, follow the Chunsong River, pass through the Luo River and the Yunya River, and finally enter the North Sea.

"I’ve made all the necessary arrangements for you along the entire path.

"You’ll face the least resistance on this route. Furthermore, the waterworks I’ve built will help prevent floods, minimizing the impact on the common people. This will reduce the karmic burden of your Tribulation Crossing."

"But Brother Xiao, I’m only in the Early-stage Golden Core Realm. I don’t need to traverse the rivers yet. The one who needs to is..."

Halfway through her sentence, Xiao Qing seemed to realize something and turned to look at her sister.

Bai Ruxue’s head was bowed, her hand under the table tightly gripping the fabric of her dress.

Xiao Qing understood what Brother Xiao meant now.

’My Realm isn’t high enough yet,’ she thought. ’So for now, this River Map... it’s for my sister.’

Xiao Mo said nothing more. He simply raised his head and looked calmly at Bai Ruxue, awaiting her answer.

"I’m not going!"

After a long silence, the woman lifted her head, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears as she looked at Xiao Mo.

"Ruxue, many of my former students are in the prefectures and counties along these rivers and lakes. For the sake of this old man, they will surely make things convenient for you.

"Besides, your Realm is high enough now.

"The time, the place, the people—everything is aligned.

"An opportunity like this is incredibly rare."

Xiao Mo urged.

"I’m still not going!" the woman said stubbornly. "If I go, what will happen to you?"

"Xiao Qing can take care of me," Xiao Mo said gently. "I can wait for you to return after you’ve traversed the rivers and completed your Tribulation Crossing."

"But Xiao Mo..." Tears began to slide from the corners of Bai Ruxue’s eyes. "Even if I traverse the rivers and return, how much time will you have left?"

"..."

For a moment, Xiao Mo was silent.

"Ruxue, listen to me—"

"I’m not listening! I’m not listening!"

As if terrified that Xiao Mo would convince her, Bai Ruxue covered her ears, fled the courtyard, and flew off into the distance.

"Sister..." Xiao Qing called out from the courtyard.

"Brother Xiao... I... I’ll go after her," Xiao Qing said, worried.

"There’s no need." Xiao Mo shook his head. "Don’t worry, your sister will be fine. She has likely gone to the Tianxuan Sect."

"Huh?" Xiao Qing paused, stunned. "Brother Xiao, you..."

"I’ve known for a long time. Every night, your sister goes to pour over ancient texts, searching for a way to extend my life."

Xiao Mo said with a faint smile.

"It’s alright. This time, your sister will definitely undertake her journey to traverse the rivers and become a dragon."

Xiao Mo stood up and patted Xiao Qing’s shoulder. "Xiao Qing, from now on, your sister is going to need you to look after her."

"Brother Xiao... what... what are you going to do?"

A terrible premonition bloomed in Xiao Qing’s heart.

Xiao Mo only smiled faintly, raising his head to gaze at the vast sky in silence.

...

"There has to be a way!"

"There must be a way!"

Bai Ruxue flew to the Tianxuan Sect. Wiping the tears from her eyes as she went, she hurried into the sect’s Library Pavilion.

It wasn’t as if she hadn’t directly asked Elder Fuchen if there was a way to extend a mortal’s life.

But the Elder had remained silent, simply giving Bai Ruxue a token that granted her access to the Tianxuan Sect’s Library Pavilion to find the answer herself.

During this time, Bai Ruxue had consulted the old woman who managed the Library Pavilion, read countless books, and found numerous life-extending methods, but none of them were suitable for Xiao Mo.

’Where is it?’

’So many books! How can there possibly not be a single method suitable for extending Xiao Mo’s life?’

’Where could it possibly be?’

On this day, Bai Ruxue was far more frantic than usual.

She frantically flipped through one book after another.

Finally, in the furthest corner of a bookshelf on the third floor, she spotted a yellowed, ancient tome.

At first, Bai Ruxue paid it no mind, simply flipping through it quickly like all the others.

But when she saw one particular page, her gaze froze.

"Dragon Thunder Liquid. It is rumored that when a member of the Snake Race traverses the rivers and undergoes their transformation upon entering the sea, this liquid can be obtained from the Thunder Tribulation. For a Cultivator, it can purify their Root Bone. For a mortal, it can extend their life..."