Chapter 1266: Flower in the Mirror

Not everywhere possesses a sky.Yet when mortals lift their gaze,a similar sentiment they often find.The Bewildering Realm, Sector Xinwei.Floating dismembered limbs in the air,and spilled blood scattered about,all bespoke a fierce skirmishthat had just concluded.Several young cultivators exchanged glances,and finally, one who appeared the most composed stepped forth,bowing to a woman clad in sharp, green martial attire before him."We thank Senior Sister for your timely aid, else we..."He turned back to gaze at a bodypieced together by his junior brethren and sisters —it was a senior of their sectwho had led them on this perilous journey into the Bewildering Realm,perishing alongside a powerful sea creature,no longer able to guide them with his words.His voice was laced with sorrow:"This gift of renewed life,we shall never forget."The woman in green martial attire was dismembering a sea beast,separating flesh and bone, extracting the only worthwhile bone spines.She spoke casually, "We are of the same sect, no need for thanks."This woman had a comely face and moved with great decisiveness.With a sharp boning knife, she worked deftly within the sea beast's corpse.At this moment, a female cultivator with a slightly round facegazed at her for a few extra moments, then hesitated,"Are you... Bamboo Biqiong, Senior Sister Bamboo?"She had intended to address her as Junior Sister Bamboo initially,for truth be told, she had entered the sect earlier.But upon recalling the other's demonstrated combat prowess,she changed her address to "Senior Sister" just as the words were about to escape her lips.Bamboo Biqiong neatly finished processing several bone spinesand placed them into a storage box before looking at her."You are...?"The round-faced female cultivator replied,"I am Song Wenhe, a disciple of Elder Zhang, the Elder of Practical Affairs.I once saw you beside Senior Sister Zhu Suyao.It was about three years ago,"In truth, her subtle recognition of Bamboo Biqiongwas not due to that encounter three years prior.Rather, at the Sea Offering Ceremony,she had personally witnessed Bamboo Biqiong being brought forth under escort,and remembered how that Qi Kingdom prodigy,with astonishing courage,had fought to the death for his friend.Frankly, regarding the widely circulated matterof Jiang Wang's alleged collusion with demons,a tale that many on the Sea Fishing Tower seemed to relish,she did not believe it.To not contemplate overthrowing the current orderor annihilating humankind,yet venture alone into the sea for a friend far away at Sea Fishing Tower,to argue vehemently before a multitude of powerful beings,and even personally travel to the Bewildering Realmto desperately atone for his sins...paying the price of near deathto rescue a "cripple" who, at the time, held no discernible value,how could someone colluding with demons do such a thing?Would the demon race even agree?She bore no ill will towards Jiang Wang himself.The public propaganda was one matter,but in her heart, having witnessed the inner workings,everything Jiang Wang had done in the offshore islandswas truly beyond reproach.The battle on the Horizon Platform, which greatly humiliated Sea Fishing Tower,at its core, was merely Jiang Wang seeking justice.He could not obtain it through reasoned argument,nor through slaughtering sea creatures for atonement in the Bewildering Realm,thus he could only seek it through a duel of life and death.But thinking back to that scene at the Sea Offering Ceremony,it must not be something Senior Sister Bamboo would wish to recall.Therefore, after the other party acknowledged her identity,Song Wenhe avoided the topic,instead bringing up the old matter from three years ago...and mentioning Zhu Suyao,which could invisibly narrow the distance between her and Bamboo Biqiong.This was her cleverness.It was not without reason that Song Wenhe had hesitated about Bamboo Biqiong's identity initially.It was difficult for anyone who had seen Bamboo Biqiong in the pastto link the naive and innocent young girl from those days,the weak woman who lay dying on the Horizon Platform,with the formidable expert before them, possessing extraordinary combat prowess and ruthless methods.She had seen clearly how those sea creatures were slain just moments ago.Could experiences between life and deathtruly bring about such immense change in a person?Among the young disciples of Sea Fishing Tower present,there were also those who had participated in the Sea Offering Ceremony.Yet only Song Wenhe recognized Bamboo Biqiong.It was truly a difference as vast as heaven and earthbetween that time and this.They seemed like completely different individuals."Oh." To Song Wenhe's greeting, Bamboo Biqiong merely nodded,casually saying, "Meeting in the Bewildering Realm can be considered fate."Sea Fishing Tower has a total of twenty-four Elder positions,twelve of which are Elders of Practical Affairs.Even after Hai Zongming and Granny Bizhu met their demise one after the other,this number was merely filled again and not expanded.Simply stating a surname was enough to pinpoint the target.But he was only an Elder of Practical Affairs, nothing to dwell upon.She could handle it with composure.The young cultivators present, however, could not be so nonchalant.Who didn't knowthat the current Bamboo Biqiong was the personal disciple of Elder Gu Huaixin, the Elder of Sea Pacification!Gu Huaixin was the fourth-ranked Elder of the entire Sea Fishing Tower.Bamboo Biqiong's current status within Sea Fishing Towerwas no less than that of Xu Yuan,and surpassed even prominent figures like Bao Song and Yang Liu.However, ever since Elder Gu publicly announced his acceptance of her as a disciple,she had not appeared before others, maintaining an extremely low profile.To think they would meet her in the Bewildering Realm today!If they could forge a connection from this encounter,it might not be a misfortune but a blessing in disguise!Several male cultivators who were confident in their appearanceimmediately paid attention.Though in the battlefield of the Bewildering Realm,they all adopted dignified postures and wore righteous expressions.The cultivator who had spoken first showed surprise."So you are Senior Sister Bamboo Biqiong.I have long admired your renowned name and yearned to meet you!To my surprise, I encounter you here today!It's just... a bit awkward, I must seem a laughingstock to Senior Sister."Seeing Bamboo Biqiong's gaze upon him, he explained,"Look at me, my mind is wandering, I forgot to introduce myself.I am Fang Pu, a true disciple of Elder Liu, the Elder of Sect Protection.It is truly my honor to meet Senior Sister today!""Which Elder Liu?" Bamboo Biqiong asked casually.Among the eight Elders of Sect Protection,there were two with the surname Liu.Fang Pu calmly offered the answer:"The one with the higher ranking."His master, Liu Yu, among the eight Elders of Sect Protection at Sea Fishing Tower,was subtly the second-most influential.With the expanding influence of the Sea Calming Alliance,he had a chance to advance further,becoming the fifth Elder of Sea Pacification!His deliberate initial omission was to leave a deeper impression on Bamboo Biqiong.And with this answer, to inform her that his background was also not ordinary,and not far inferior to hers.Bamboo Biqiong merely nodded,and there was no further conversation.Just as Fang Pu was about to initiate another topic,a tall, handsome young cultivator beside him quickly interjected,"Is Senior Sister Bamboo also here for training in the Bewildering Realm?Alone?"Bamboo Biqiong switched to another small knife,beginning to skin another ox-like sea beast.The hide of this sea beast could be made into leather armor,commanding a quite decent price.It was also the only valuable thing on its body.She replied casually, "Yes, like you all, here for training."It was hard to imagine a prodigy like Xu Yuancollecting war trophies of this level.But this side of Bamboo Biqiongmade them feel less distant from her.The handsome young cultivator, with a smile he deemed most charming,said, "Training alone is too arduous; one cannot even catch a wink of sleep.Might Senior Sister require someone to lend a hand?I am quite skilled at processing hides."The other male cultivators who had intended to speakalmost wanted to vomit blood.They truly hadn't expected this fellow to be so quick to seize the opportunity.They had thought this would be a stage for each to display their charm and methods,but this fellow had opened his mouth and aimed to end the competition!However, in this situation, it was inconvenient to speak further.They could only harbor resentment in their hearts while maintaining a peaceful exterior."Who is your master?" Bamboo Biqiong asked casually.The handsome cultivator stepped forward a few paces,already naturally intending to help process the sea beast's corpse.He said, "The Elder of Sect Protection, surnamed Deng."In terms of status, he was no less than Fang Pu.In terms of appearance, he surpassed him by who knew how many degrees.And in terms of ability to flirt and attract,he considered himself a prodigy-level figure at Sea Fishing Tower!Thus, he was extremely composed and full of confidence."Oh." Bamboo Biqiong nodded."When I encounter Elder Deng later, I will mention it to him.Since you are so fond of assisting, you should be sent to the kitchen to help."The handsome cultivator stood frozen in place, awkward.Bamboo Biqiong paid no mind to his feelings,only busied herself with her own matters.When she was under Granny Bizhu,when had she ever been pursued by so many young and handsome talents?Granny Bizhu was merely an Elder of Practical Affairs,and she herself was quite unremarkable under Granny Bizhu's tutelage.At that time, any attention given was focused on her sister,who possessed extraordinary talent.Of course, there might have been some unkind glances,kept far away by her sister, never falling upon her, perhaps?It was just that ultimately, her sister herself had fallen for Hu Shaomeng.These men...A sharp voice screamed in her mind:"These unruly butterflies and bees, why spare their lives? Kill them all!"Bamboo Biqiong did not respond to the voice,only silently continued skinning, not saying a word.Life is cultivation.Battle, accumulate resources, a cyclical process, nothing more.Work as hard as that person, be like that person...Fang Pu used a Taoist technique to disperse some of the blood lingering in the surroundings,before speaking again."Senior Sister Bamboo, I wonder how long you have been training.Do you plan to return to the Floating Island for a few days of rest?"His rival's awkwardness naturally pleased him,but it also showed him how difficult Bamboo Biqiong was to approach.Learning from the former's failure, he decided to change his approach."If Senior Sister Bamboo is also returning to the Floating Island,might we travel together?"He said with considerable embarrassment,"I am not strong enough, I fear I cannot fully look after these junior brethren and sisters."Bamboo Biqiong put away the peeled hide,then looked at Song Wenhe. "Do you have a Directional Chariot?""Yes, yes, we brought one." Fang Pu interjected.He took down the Directional Chariot in his hand,and enthusiastically offered it, "If Senior Sister needs it, you can take it."Bamboo Biqiong took the Directional Chariot and put it on,calming her mind to adjust it slightly.After a moment, she handed the Directional Chariot back,saying faintly, "Returning along this route is very safe.I have cleared it completely."Had she actually killed her way through?Fang Pu was stunned for a moment, then somewhat flustered as he accepted it."Ah, good, thank you, Senior Sister!""No need to be polite." Bamboo Biqiong replied casually,then asked, "Right, I heard there is a prodigy from the Jing Kingdom training in this area.Have any of you seen him?"Everyone exchanged glances,and finally, Fang Pu said, "Senior Sister, have you brought your own Directional Chariot?""Yes, I have." Bamboo Biqiong nodded,and without waiting for him to speak further, she took out her own Directional Chariot and handed it over.Although Directional Chariots were valuable, with Bamboo Biqiong's status today,she naturally did not lack them.Furthermore, her Directional Chariot's information was more complete and clearer than the one Fang Pu had brought.Fang Pu took the Directional Chariot, also put it on,and after adjusting it slightly, he took it off,holding it back with both hands,"I heard someone mention it a few days ago.He should currently be within the range I have marked."Bamboo Biqiong took it back. "I thank you too.""It is my pleasure." Fang Pu offered a ingratiating smile,and then asked, "Might I know why Senior Sister is looking for the Jing Kingdom person?""Oh." Bamboo Biqiong said casually, "Just curious, that's all."She did not wish to say more, only waved her hand."Everyone, be careful on your way back. We part ways here."Thereafter, her green robe fluttered, and she departed quickly through the air.The young cultivators present all bowed in salute.Bamboo Biqiong in her green robe flew swiftly through the boundless Bewildering Realm.It wasn't that Gu Huaixin treated her harshly.Since he had decided to take her as his disciple,and use her to rebuild the faction's confidence,Gu Huaixin would not be short-sighted.Instead, he genuinely imparted his true teachings.Bamboo Biqiong had proactively requested to train in the Bewildering Realm.Just a year ago, she could never have imagined today.When she was in Qingyang Town,she was still a young girl who would cry out in hardshipif Jiang Wang made her lay down a few more illusionary formations.At that time, she was innocent and naive,still feeling the brightness of the world.She had no ambitious drive, no pursuit of cultivation.When her sister was present, cultivation was at her sister's urging.After her sister left, cultivation was merely the inertia of life.She preferred to wander aimlessly on Crescent Island,enjoying the gentle sea breeze and the clear sky.Or in a peaceful place like Qingyang Town,laughing and playing with that person and a dog...Only when a person realizes their responsibilitydo they gain a sense of urgency towards life.Suddenly, a mirror blocked her path.In the mirror was a face, beautiful yet venomous."Bamboo Biqiong! Why did you not listen to me just now and kill them all?" the woman in the mirror said."Sister." Bamboo Biqiong looked at her."A few careless words, their sin does not warrant death.""To harbor covetous thoughts towards you, they deserve to die!" Zhu Suyao said venomously."Can you still not see these things with human faces and beast hearts clearly?Have you forgotten Hu Shaomeng,forgotten why your sister has fallen to this state?""Not everyone is Hu Shaomeng." Bamboo Biqiong said."Men are all the same! Starting affairs and then abandoning,ungrateful and treacherous!" Zhu Suyao became agitated."Go, go back and kill them!"Bamboo Biqiong shook her head."Master said one should not kill under unnecessary circumstances.Killing is merely a means, not an end."Zhu Suyao said, "Killing them is not the end,the purpose of killing them is to prevent them from harming others!""Sister, you are smarter than me, you know this is not the case."Bamboo Biqiong looked at her. "You just want to kill."Zhu Suyao was stunned for a moment, then said fiercely,"I see you are changing quickly. You are not listening to your sister anymore, are you?"Bamboo Biqiong shook her head. "No.""Then why not act? Huh?" Zhu Suyao in the mirror was filled with resentment."Constantly speaking of Master, do you still believe in the so-called master-disciple relationship?Have you forgotten how that old hag Bizhu treated you?"Bamboo Biqiong whispered, "Master is different from Granny Bizhu.And Granny Bizhu, she..."She raised her eyes, looking somewhat cautiously at the mirror."She was at least... very good to you, Sister."Zhu Suyao instantly flew into a furious rage."I don't need her to be good to me, I can take care of myself entirely.What I need is for her to be good to you, I want her to be good to you!!"Her eyes were filled with tears, and within the tears were hate and resentment.Her hands twisted into claws, almost reaching out of the mirror,as if to tear someone's throat."She promised me! Before I entered the Heavenly Mansion Mystic Realm,she promised me!!"Bamboo Biqiong fell silent.After a long moment, waiting for Zhu Suyao's emotions to subside,she reached out and pressed her hand against the mirror surface,as if stroking her sister's face."Sister, don't be sad anymore... You want to kill.Let us find another target."