Chapter 16: Flattering Words Like a Rainbow

To learn the secrets of reaching the peak of the Open Aperture Realm, Li Zhenyu's condition was that he be allowed to accompany Jiang Ning in seeking out Senior Sister Lin Qian. Jiang Ning was speechless for a moment, because Li Zhenyu claimed he merely wanted to see with his own eyes the residence of the Senior Sister of the Idle Cloud Sect, so that he might visit it in the future.

Two streaks of rainbow light arced across the sky, stirring up a commotion below.

"That's Jiang Ning. He defeated Wang Shuo and Zhao Feng in a single move!"

"Zhao Feng is missing now, and it's somewhat related to him. Best not to provoke..."

"The enforcement team should be coming for him soon, don’t you think?"

"Coming for what? He’s a direct disciple—his identity is beyond doubt. Besides, unless you have a body, nothing can be proven. It’s not the first time an inner disciple has gone missing; in the end, nothing came of those cases. Everything depends on evidence. And most likely, it was someone from the Six Paths Sect. Who would be so foolish as to act within the sect itself?"

"…"

Jiang Ning’s ears twitched; he caught snippets of their conversation.

Standing atop the rainbow light, Li Zhenyu fanned himself and smiled, "It seems, Junior Brother Jiang, that you won't have peace in the days ahead..."

"Could you stop putting on airs in front of me?" Jiang Ning had had enough of him. Li Zhenyu always acted the elegant gentleman, spoke with affected gravity, and drew out his words so much that Jiang Ning wanted to hit him.

"That's not quite right," Li Zhenyu replied.

"..."

At that moment, another wave of excited shouts broke out.

"Senior Brother Jiang Ning, we love you!"

"Senior Brother Jiang Ning, look over here!"

Once again, it was those new female disciples from the outer court. This time, even a few junior sisters from the inner sect had joined in. The group was growing, and ever since Jiang Ning had revealed his strength, his already considerable charm had garnered him an actual fan club.

"Damn!" Li Zhenyu couldn't hold it in and cursed.

"Can't you leave some for me, you brat?"

"Keep up your act—it has nothing to do with me," Jiang Ning replied, exasperated.

...

Lin Qian resided at the First Peak.

Among the one hundred and eight peaks of Idle Cloud Sect, only the First Peak was truly unique. According to the principles of the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams, it was divided into several array gates—without knowledge of the formation's passcode, one could not enter or exit.

The First Peak was shrouded in a gray, misty fog. That was why Li Zhenyu, not knowing the formation, had tagged along like a persistent shadow.

When the two of them arrived at the First Peak, someone approached on a beam of rainbow light and greeted them with a slight bow.

"My lady knew you would return today and sent me to guide you."

Jiang Ning and Li Zhenyu exchanged glances. The latter wore his usual aloof and proud expression, leaving Jiang Ning speechless. He was genuinely surprised—Lin Qian had known they would come.

The maid before them had also reached the Open Aperture Realm.

"This Idle Cloud Sect truly seems full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. It makes one uneasy," Jiang Ning thought. Just like Li Qiaochan, just like Senior Sister Lin Qian. Li Qiaochan’s cultivation was about the seventh or eighth level of the Open Aperture Realm, yet Jiang Ning, relying on his Celestial Spirit Body, sensed she was extremely dangerous. Lin Qian was the same.

The only one who didn’t feel dangerous at all was Li Zhenyu. He gave off an air of mystery, but Jiang Ning sensed no threat from him. Still, there was something odd about this guy—Jiang Ning always felt ill at ease around him.

Led by the maid, the two entered the First Peak.

The First Peak of Idle Cloud Sect soared into the sky. Unlike the other peaks, it was the very symbol of the sect, standing behind those suspended palaces and pavilions like a colossal, ancient sword—heavy, simple, and imposing.

They passed through the mist and arrived at Lin Qian’s residence. Even here, the surroundings were blanketed in white haze, leaving only the area within the estate clear. Beyond, everything was shrouded in fog—mysterious and elusive.

"Please, have a seat," Lin Qian said with a bright smile, seated before a guqin, gesturing for them to sit at the tea table.

The maid poured tea for both of them.

"Senior Sister Lin Qian, you have exquisite taste. Your residence is extraordinary, truly fit for a fairy. It’s no wonder we ordinary folk can’t compare—such pure elegance is enough to refresh the heart and mind," Li Zhenyu began his act again.

Jiang Ning shot him a look.

Lin Qian, however, only laughed softly, "Junior Brother Li, you are too kind. If anyone here is ordinary, it’s me. You, on the other hand, are a true hidden master of our sect."

"Oh, I wouldn’t dare claim that," Li Zhenyu replied, waving his hand humbly.

Jiang Ning was tempted to expose him, but felt it would be unkind.

"To hell with it," Jiang Ning resolved. He couldn’t be outdone by Li Zhenyu today. He’d come here to win Lin Qian’s favor and obtain the technique for concealing his aura—then he could slip out of Idle Cloud Sect, free as a bird.

Breaking through to the Body Tempering Realm seemed impossible for now; this was currently his best option.

"I'm this handsome—I’ll definitely succeed," he encouraged himself. After all, he’d never tried courting a cultivator before, especially one as talented as Senior Sister Lin Qian. It surely wasn’t the same as with ordinary people—he’d have to improvise.

"I disagree with Senior Brother Li Zhenyu," Jiang Ning suddenly said with a serious air.

"Oh? What is your insight, Junior Brother Jiang?" Li Zhenyu asked, still playing the elegant gentleman as he sipped his tea.

"I think it’s not about the place, but the person," replied Jiang Ning.

Lin Qian’s bright eyes flickered as she looked at him.

"A mountain need not be high; it becomes famous if an immortal dwells there. Water need not be deep; it becomes spiritual if a dragon is present," Jiang Ning recited lines he remembered from his previous life.

"No matter the dwelling, even a simple cottage can be elegant when inhabited by the right person. Without flowers, snow, or music, without palaces or endless revelry, yet with moss greening the steps and grass coloring the curtains, the place can still be refreshing and refined. What makes Senior Sister Lin Qian’s residence special is not the scenery, but the person within. If I were to live here, I would only bring out the banality of the place. Just as ordinary rouge is simply rouge when used by anyone, but in the hands of Senior Sister Lin Qian, it becomes the adornment of a fairy.”

At his words, Lin Qian covered her mouth as she laughed, while Li Zhenyu stared in astonishment.

"Damn, I really am a genius, to say something like that," Jiang Ning thought, impressed with himself.

"Damn it, this brat has outdone me," Li Zhenyu thought, speechless. He hadn’t expected Jiang Ning to outshine him so thoroughly—what a masterful bit of flattery.

He had nothing to say.

"Junior Brother Jiang Ning, you are truly extraordinary. Perhaps one day we could discuss the Dao together," Lin Qian said, her eyes flickering as though in thought.

No one noticed the fleeting trace of dull gray that flashed in her eyes as she spoke—a dense aura of death, utterly devoid of any sign of life.

...

"Damn it, where did you learn to flatter like that?" Li Zhenyu grumbled as they left Lin Qian’s residence, his face dark.

He’d been completely upstaged by Jiang Ning.

"You’re up to no good. Now you’ve arranged to brew tea and discuss the Dao tomorrow. I see through you—you’ve got mundane intentions. You know cultivators shouldn’t have such distractions, right? Unlike you, I walk a different path. Why not let me bear these burdens for you?" Li Zhenyu muttered all the way back.

"Stop babbling and hand over what you promised," Jiang Ning said, not bothering to argue.

Cursing, Li Zhenyu dropped his gentlemanly pretense and took out a battered ancient book from his spatial ring.

"Here. But let me be clear—if you get into trouble, don’t blame me."

For once, he was serious, not joking.

"Understood," Jiang Ning replied, somewhat surprised, but he nodded.

"Don’t let this secret leak out. I’m only giving it to you because we’re cut from the same cloth," Li Zhenyu emphasized again.

Jiang Ning agreed aloud, but inwardly felt nothing but annoyance. "Who’s cut from the same cloth as you?"

He really didn’t want to get close to Li Zhenyu. Not only did he fear his greatest secret would be discovered, but this guy was definitely not someone who’d let him live a peaceful life. Secretive and mysterious, nothing good could come from being associated with him.

"Still, over the next few days, I need to get closer to Lin Qian—keep flattering her…"

What Jiang Ning wanted most was that technique for concealing one’s aura. If he hoped to leave Idle Cloud Sect in the near future, having that technique would make things much safer.