Zanxing

Chapter 50 - Meng Ying (2)

When the first snow fell at the base of Gufeng Mountain, it had been more than three months since Yanxing had entered the inner sect.

The cascading waterfall at Chuhong Platform, just as the senior sisters had said, was frozen into a silver mirror, like a snapshot of spring frozen in time, still retaining the image of splashing water. 

In the distance, the four forests were covered with a layer of snow, pure white. Large snowflakes fell thickly like goose feathers, and overnight, the ground outside the small wooden building was quickly covered in a layer of snow. Stepping into it, the snow reached knee-deep, and the cold air brought a soft crunch as if one were stepping into a basin of salt.

The morning rooster had yet to crow; winter mornings dawn late. The remnants of the moon still hung on the horizon, lingering on the treetops. Mimi lay lazily on a small bed, resting its head on the windowsill, eyes half-closed, allowing snowflakes to fall on its nose, where they quickly melted.

Under a tree, a lantern illuminated the snow. Yanxing tossed aside her shovel, placed the final carrot on the snowman's face, and patted the remaining snow off her hands.

Tian Fangfang came out of the house, rubbing his hands together. At the sight of her, he laughed, "Wow, you're up early building a snowman. Aren't you cold, junior sister?"

"Not cold," Yanxing replied, looking at the snowman. "It'd be a shame not to make use of this snow." She was from the south and hadn't seen snow before she transmigrated. Last night, when the first snow began to fall, she excitedly spent half the night rolling around in it. Early this morning, she built a snowman and was very satisfied.

"That's true," Tian Fangfang nodded, thinking aloud. "I heard you're from Yue city. That place is in the south, right? You probably don't see much snow there."

Yanxing replied, "Wait for me a moment. I need to grab something from inside."

A moment later, she came out of the small wooden building carrying a bundle, and the two of them headed toward the main hall of the Taiyan Sect.

Yanxing had never come to the main hall of the sect before, aside from the first time during her entrance exam gathering Lianshan Flower. It was early morning, and while some disciples were already awake, most either went to the Chuhong Platform to train or lingered around the dining hall. Hardly anyone visited the main hall.

As Yanxing stepped through the main doors, she urged Tian Fangfang behind her, "Hurry up."

The sky had not yet fully brightened, but hundreds of lanterns illuminated the hall, casting a deep and warm glow in the chilly winter morning. The candlelight reflected off the crimson hall, making it particularly bright, and the shadows of people on the walls moved like a living mural.

The golden statue of Saint Yushan stood in the center of the hall, towering and grand. His beard and hair were lifelike, exuding an aura of otherworldly wisdom. He held a whisk in his hand, silently watching over them with a calm expression.

Even though the statue's gaze was serene, Tian Fangfang couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated. He whispered, "Junior sister, why are we here again?"

"Did you bring the stuff?" Yanxing asked.

"Yeah, yeah," Tian Fangfang replied, pulling out a bundle from his robe. He unfolded it to reveal a mix of spiritual fruits, herbs, and half a steamed bun.

"Is that all?" Yanxing frowned.

"Junior sister," Tian Fangfang grimaced. "Spiritual herbs and fruits are hard to come by, and I'm still growing. I have a big appetite. This half bun is what I managed to save from dinner."

"Fine." Yanxing opened her own bundle, revealing a neatly arranged collection of about ten pills. She handed two of them to Tian Fangfang. "Here, take these." She had been excelling in her alchemy classes, often bringing back more pills than the others. She had stockpiled quite a few, and her cat couldn't finish them all, so she kept them in the small wooden building.

Tian Fangfang took the pills, looking puzzled. "Uh, thanks, but what exactly are we doing here?"

Yanxing sighed. "Tomorrow is the inner sect exam, right?"

"Yeah, I know," Tian Fangfang nodded. "We've been training hard for months just for the chance to shine in the exam and hopefully become the sixth master's personal disciple."

"It's not just about making a big impression," Yanxing said. "I heard the inner sect exam is much more dangerous than previous ones. Once disciples enter the testing grounds, most won't make it out unscathed."

"You're worried about getting hurt?" Tian Fangfang asked, still confused. "But what does that have to do with what we're doing now?"

Yanxing gestured towards the statue of Saint Yushan. "Saint Yushan was the first cultivator in the entire Duzhou region to ascend successfully. He was the top in this field, so it's only right to pay respects to him."

"Pay respects... to what?" Tian Fangfang was baffled.

"To the exam god," Yanxing began placing the offerings from their bundles at the base of the saint's statue. She pulled Tian Fangfang down to bow with her. "Where I'm from, there's a tradition. Before a big exam, you pay homage to the top expert in the field for good luck, and you're sure to pass."

"Really?" Tian Fangfang asked, bowing alongside her. "I've never heard of this tradition."

"That's because you're ignorant," Yanxing said. "The more sincere you are, the better it works. Trust me, it can't hurt to bow a few more times."

...

The news of Yanxing and Tian Fangfang sneaking into the main hall before dawn, offering food, and bowing to Saint Yushan, quickly reached the ears of a few of the elders.

Xuan Ling, puzzled, said, "Could it be that she admired the saint and wanted to pay her respects? But why leave spiritual herbs, fruits, and pills? It's not a festival, so she's not making an offering, is she?"

Gu Baiying, who was lying down in the hall, opened his eyes at the remark, sat up, and sneered, "What other reason could there be? Tomorrow is the inner sect exam."

"So?"

"So, she's praying to the saint, hoping that some of his good fortune will rub off on her so she can get through the exam unscathed," Gu Baiying replied, clearly annoyed. "Isn't it obvious?"

Xuan Ling suddenly understood. "Oh, I see! This girl is quite naïve. Our Taiyan Sect's inner sect exam can't be passed by praying to gods. It all depends on real skill, and besides..."

Besides, this year, to select a personal disciple for him, the elders had deliberately increased the difficulty of the exam. The disciples who had already gone through a previous test might manage, but the new batch of recruits from across Duzhou? They'd be lucky to get through it without serious injuries.

He couldn't help but wonder how long this seemingly delicate girl could last in the exam.

Xuan Ling smiled. "If the saint truly has a spirit, I hope he'll watch over her and help her pass smoothly."

"Senior brother, that's not right," the young man beside him interjected, looking up and speaking in a flat tone. "In our Taiyan Sect, we rely on strength. Hoping for others' protection isn't the way of cultivation."

He picked up a spiritual fruit from the table, lightly brushing the scar on its surface.

"If she can't endure even this little bit of hardship, she doesn't deserve to cultivate. She might as well pack up and leave Gufeng Mountain."