Chapter 417 This Brother is No Good
There’s a saying that goes, "An elder brother is like a father."
Chen Pingping probably fit that description.
Wen Yuqing was always busy and had no time to look after them, so their Eldest Disciple took over all the affairs on Qingfeng. He taught Guang Xiaoyu how to conduct herself and Zi Ji how to survive.
AHEM!
Mainly, it was because he had no way to teach the two young women cultivation.
However, one thing was certain: Chen Pingping’s approach to Guang Xiaoyu’s and Zi Ji’s cultivation was different.
Guang Xiaoyu was one of the Demon cultivators; his requirement for her was: do not reveal yourself, do not reveal yourself, under no circumstances reveal yourself.
Zi Ji was the Netherworld princess; his requirement for her was: do not cultivate, do not cultivate...
Compared to the complexity surrounding Guang Xiaoyu, the Demon cultivator, Zi Ji’s identity was, arguably, even more precarious. She was not well-regarded in the Netherworld; on the contrary, some Big Shots were clamoring to kill her. Hence, Chen Pingping judged that the stronger Zi Ji became, the greater the likelihood of her attracting trouble. As for the cultivation resources he had given her before, she wasn’t using them anyway.
"This ’Brother’ Daoist, what you’re saying isn’t right," Bai Yisheng protested, unable to hold back. "What kind of brother doesn’t wish for his sister to become stronger?"
His face was full of grievance.
Eh? Chen Pingping thought, then smiled. "This matter is very complicated."
Bai Yisheng said, "I don’t believe it. How could it be that complicated?"
Chen Pingping merely smiled without elaborating.
"Xiaoyu is lazy, and Zi Ji is the same. As their brother, it’s one thing not to say anything, but to actually advocate for them not to cultivate? Do you want them to lead mediocre lives forever, to remain mere minor cultivators?" Bai Yisheng chided.
It was apparent that he genuinely cared for the two young women.
Chen Pingping responded with a smile, "Yes, yes, yes, I am wrong. I’ll remind them when I get back to cultivate diligently and bring glory to Fairy Valley’s Fifth Court."
Bai Yisheng sighed. "Although the current situation is less than ideal, I still hope they can cultivate diligently—not necessarily to bring glory to the Fifth Court, but at least for their own sakes."
Chen Pingping nodded. "Yes. Oh, by the way, what was your name again?"
"Bai Yisheng!" he responded.
"Okay, I remember now," Chen Pingping said. "I entrust my two younger sisters to Brother Bai."
Sigh. Bai Yisheng found it hard to maintain his composure, given that he had personally witnessed Chen Pingping in action before.
So extraordinary. If Chen Pingping were to teach the two young women, it might be even more effective than them staying at Fairy Valley’s Fifth Court, right? He had also seen Zi Ji chasing after Ancient Ferocious Beasts. Just... why was her cultivation so poor? It seemed to flicker, making her appear like an ordinary person.
"Brother Bai?" Chen Pingping called again.
"Ah? What is it?"
"I want Zi Ji to go find someone. Is that alright?" Chen Pingping asked with a smile.
"Who is she looking for?"
"Xiaoyu."
"What’s wrong with her?" Bai Yisheng asked, puzzled.
It turned out he was still in the dark.
Chen Pingping spoke up, "Something happened."
Bai Yisheng shook his head. "I’m afraid that won’t do. Zi Ji’s cultivation realm is low and her combat power is insufficient. Going alone could lead to trouble. By the way, what happened to Xiaoyu? I can go look for her."
He was very serious.
But if he knew that Guang Xiaoyu, along with Earth Chicken, was rampantly plundering the Southern Diaspora, he would probably be horrified, wouldn’t he? He had brought the two young women back from Heaven Martial with such high hopes, only for this girl to run off and become a bandit?
"Let her go!" Chen Pingping shook his head.
"Why can’t you go?" Bai Yisheng inquired.
"It’s not convenient for me."
"I will go with Zi Ji."
Sigh. Hearing this, Chen Pingping was speechless.
He wasn’t exactly sure what Zi Ji’s cultivation realm or combat power was; he hadn’t seen her fight in many years. However, he was very aware of Lao Huang’s capabilities. With the old bull around, Zi Ji would be safe.
Moreover, I can’t expose my identity as a Wuji Sect disciple. If Bai Yisheng found out about Guang Xiaoyu’s association with Earth Chicken, wouldn’t he be able to deduce my connection to the Wuji Sect?
In the end, he conceded. He didn’t want to get too entangled with Bai Yisheng on this issue, preferring a quick resolution.
Even if Bai Yisheng knew my true identity and origins, he would probably consider Xiaoyu and Zi Ji and keep this secret to himself. Or perhaps... he would reveal it. No matter. By that time, I might have already stepped into the Secret Realm with the Fairy.
Chen Pingping said with a smile, "You go! Bring your Senior Sister back."
"But..." Zi Ji was frustrated. "What if Senior Sister doesn’t want to come back with me?"
"Then break her legs."
"What if I can’t beat her?" Zi Ji was aghast.
"How could that be?" Chen Pingping glanced at Lao Huang, who understood the implication.
However, Lao Huang merely listened, noncommittal.
Zi Ji, understanding, then asked, "Her left leg? Or her right one?"
Chen Pingping said, "Whichever." He paused, then added, "Give that fellow a message: tell him to stop immediately."
That fellow was Earth Chicken. However, with everyone present, it wasn’t convenient for him to name names. Zi Ji understood. She nodded and led Lao Huang away.
Bai Yisheng was speechless behind them, thinking, What kind of brother is this? He must be a fake brother, right?
「After the two had left.」
Only then did the Fairy speak. "Not a bad aptitude, and very high comprehension. What a pity."
"What’s a pity?" Chen Pingping gave her a sidelong glance. "My sister?"
"No, Bai Yisheng," the Fairy said. "His fate is not good."
"Whose fate is good?"
"This guy’s." She pointed at the scholar.
The latter nearly choked. "Can’t you speak like a normal person? Just now you said my fate was bad."
This Fairy was really something, wasn’t she? Every day it was ’this person’s fate is no good,’ ’that person’s fate is bad,’ or ’so-and-so’s fate has changed again’...
Chen Pingping also grew interested. "Does being a Fairy mean you can perceive all mortal affairs? The cycles of Reincarnation?"
She shook her head. "I can’t. I can only see the shallow threads of life."
"How about my fate?" Chen Pingping asked.
"Too deep. I can’t see it."
"And her fate?" Chen Pingping pointed at Jiang Ni’er.
"Also deep."
She really has the makings of a charlatan, Chen Pingping scoffed inwardly and said no more.
Four hours had passed since the calamity of the invading army had subsided. The army had departed, and the numerous cultivators had also dispersed one by one. Among the onlookers, probably only the scholar was in a foul mood, as he had just lost his Destiny God Weapon. This annoyed him greatly.
Meanwhile, the Fairy showed no sign of leaving. She just casually discussed "fate" with Chen Pingping, occasionally casting profound glances his way, her thoughts unreadable.
「After a long while...」
The somber-faced scholar suddenly stood up. "I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave." Saying this, he gave Chen Pingping a look. "Take good care of my Divine Weapon. Sooner or later, I’ll reclaim it with my own hands."
"You won’t get it back," Chen Pingping stated confidently.
"Then I’ll gamble to win it back."
"I don’t gamble."
"You... How can you be like this?" The scholar glared at him angrily.
Chen Pingping rolled his eyes. "You won’t get it back anyway."
The scholar’s face stiffened. Without another word, he left in frustration.
The Fairy couldn’t help but smile. "It’s all fate."
"Stop." Chen Pingping also shot her a look and said, "Alright, now that there are no outsiders present, let’s discuss the matter of the Fusang Tree branch."
HEHE!
The Fairy looked at him with an enigmatic smile. At that moment, it was as if she had seen right through Chen Pingping’s hidden thoughts and intentions. She chuckled softly, "Do you truly wish to enter the Secret Realm?"
"Of course!" He nodded emphatically. "We’re holding the raw materials for a Heaven Tao Divine Weapon; we can’t let them go to waste!"
"No one can transcend cultivation realms to forge a Heaven Tao Divine Weapon, not even those legendary Artifact Refiners of astounding talent who have reached Perfection," the Fairy said, looking at him. "You’re so eager to melt down the Fusang Tree branch; you must have some other motive, right?"
"Big sister, I really do want to forge a Heaven Tao Divine Weapon," Chen Pingping insisted.
"What realm are you in?"
"Irrelevant."
"My Fairy Valley ancestor, Yu Changfeng, made several attempts, all ending in failure, and he was already at the Quasi-Emperor Realm back then," the Fairy narrowed her eyes. "Do you think you can succeed?"
"Yes!" Chen Pingping laughed freely.
This answer, and his carefree laugh, left the Fairy speechless. She acknowledged that Chen Pingping possessed some strength, but it was far from enough to achieve such a feat. Wanting to forge a Heaven Tao Divine Weapon was undoubtedly the rambling of a lunatic. It was simply impossible. The Fairy wouldn’t believe for a moment that he had no ulterior schemes or intentions.
But so what if he did?
Recalling their previous encounters, and the standoff between the invading army and the Wuji Sect, the smile on the Fairy’s lips deepened.
"In three months, come find me in Fairy Valley." With these parting words, the Fairy turned and left.