Chapter 113

Shiziwen retrieved the few remaining low-grade medicinal pills from his storage, swallowed them, gritted his teeth against the pain and discomfort, and reapplied medicine and bandaged himself.

Translation: Shiziwen took out the few remaining low-grade medicinal pills from his storage space, swallowed them, and despite the pain and discomfort spreading through his body, he reapplied medicine and bandaged himself.

We need to keep concise but faithful. Let's produce: Shiziwen took out the few remaining low-grade medicinal pills from his storage space, swallowed them, and despite the pain and discomfort spreading through his body, he reapplied medicine and bandaged himself.

Check: This includes all the information—Shiziwen, from his storage space, took out the few remaining low-grade medicinal pills, after swallowing them he endured the pain and discomfort spreading through his body, and reapplied medicine and bandaged himself.

Approximately half an hour later, he changed into another set of sect attire.

Translation: About half an hour later, he changed into another set of sect attire.

He covered up his injuries.

Translation: He concealed his injuries.

He still had burn scars on his neck, but he only applied medicine, without bandaging.

Translation: He still had blast-injury marks on his neck, but he only applied medicine, without bandaging.

He planned to stay indoors for these two days, not going anywhere.

Translation: He planned to stay indoors for these two days, not going anywhere.

And when he took out his identity jade tablet, he discovered that Senior Sister Lu had sent him several messages.

Translation: But when he took out his identity jade token, he discovered that Lu Senior Sister had sent him several messages.

Note: The term "Lu Senior Sister" refers to Lu Xiangxiang; we retain the title rather than using her personal name.

He breathed slightly tense; previously, Lu Senior Sister would not send him messages, fearing that their contact would raise suspicion.

Translation: His breathing tightened slightly; previously, Lu Senior Sister would never send him messages, because she feared that any contact would arouse suspicion.

After Shiziwen infused his spiritual power into the identity jade tablet, Lu Senior Sister's voice came through shortly.

Translation: After Shiziwen poured spiritual power into his identity jade token, Lu Senior Sister's voice soon came through.

The first message read: "Ziwen, what exactly happened?"

Translation: First message: "Ziwen, what exactly is going on?"

Note: Ziwen is Shiziwen's given name; we render it as "Ziwen" in pinyin.

The second message: "Ziwen, the stolen items from the forbidden grounds were picked up by Sixth Senior Sister; do you know about it?"

Translation: Second message: "Ziwen, the stolen item from the Forbidden Ground was picked up by Sixth Senior Sister; do you know about it?"

The third message: "If possible, I hope you can meet me and tell me the full story."

Translation: Third message: "If possible, I hope you can meet me and tell me the full story."

The fourth message: "Why haven't you replied to me yet?"

Translation: Fourth message: "Why haven't you replied to me yet?"

The fifth message: "Ziwen, I'm very worried about you; are you injured?"

Translation: Fifth message: "Ziwen, I'm very worried about you; are you injured?"

After listening to the last message, Shiziwen's expression froze slightly; his fingertips on the identity jade tablet felt a chill.

Translation: After hearing the last message, Shiziwen's expression froze slightly, and a chill rose from his fingertips gripping the identity jade token.

He suddenly recalled what Elder Yuan Yao had previously said to him, and for a moment he felt lost and at a loss.

Translation: He suddenly recalled what Yuan Yao had previously said to him, and for a moment he was at a loss.

Does he like Lu Senior Sister?

Translation: Does he like Lu Senior Sister?

So, is he willing to risk entering the forbidden grounds for Lu Senior Sister, stealing the secret treasure?

Translation: So, he willingly infiltrated the Forbidden Ground and stole its secret treasure for Lu Senior Sister?

Like...

Translation: Like...

Shiziwen lowered his eyelashes, and the image of Lu Xiangxiang appeared in his mind, but in an instant it was replaced by another figure.

Translation: Shiziwen lowered his eyelashes, and the image of Lu Xiangxiang appeared in his mind, but in an instant, her image was replaced by another figure.

At that moment, his heart pounded like a drum.

Translation: At this moment, his heart pounded like a drum.

…

Translation: … (ellipsis). We need to output the ellipsis as is? Probably just "…". Keep as is.

Elsewhere.

Translation: Elsewhere.

Lu Xiangxiang paced anxiously back and forth in the room, having sent Shiziwen five messages, yet he still hadn't replied.

Translation: Lu Xiangxiang paced back and forth indoors, anxious and restless; she had already sent Shiziwen five messages, yet he still hadn't replied.

Could he have died?!

Translation: Could he have died?!

Lu Xiangxiang felt inevitably displeased.

Translation: Lu Xiangxiang inevitably felt displeased.

She shouldn't have trusted Shiziwen.

Translation: She shouldn't have trusted Shiziwen.

Shiziwen messed this up, meaning she would hardly be able to obtain the Tai Wu painting scroll in the short term.

Translation: Shiziwen messed up this matter, which means she could never obtain the Tai Wu Painting Scroll again in the short term!

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, feeling that Shiziwen was now useless.

Translation: The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, feeling that Shiziwen was now a good-for-nothing!

Suddenly, the identity jade tablet lit up.

Translation: Suddenly, the identity jade token lit up.

Lu Xiangxiang immediately infused her spiritual power into it, and soon a line of text appeared above the tablet: "Sorry, the plan failed."

Translation: Lu Xiangxiang immediately poured spiritual power into it, and soon a line of text appeared above the identity jade token: "Sorry, the plan failed."

Seeing those words, Lu Xiangxiang's expression suddenly turned grim; she had still held a sliver of hope, but...

Translation: Upon seeing those words, Lu Xiangxiang's expression suddenly turned grim; she had still held a sliver of hope, but...

Bang!

Translation: Bang!

Lu Xiangxiang slammed her palm onto the table, shattering it, her face dark with anger.

Translation: Lu Xiangxiang smashed the tabletop with one palm, her expression turning deathly pale.

What angered her even more was Shiziwen's cold attitude, offering no explanation, only a frosty result.

Translation: What made her even angrier was Shiziwen's cold attitude—no explanation, just an icy result.

Lu Xiangxiang took several deep breaths, calming her emotions.

Translation: Lu Xiangxiang took several deep breaths, calming her emotions.

Afterwards, she sent another message to Shiziwen.

Translation: Afterwards, she sent Shiziwen another message.

"Why?"

Translation: "Why?"

Shiziwen quickly replied: I lost the secret treasure accidentally while fleeing.

Translation: Shiziwen's side quickly replied: "During my escape, I accidentally lost the secret treasure."

Lu Xiangxiang exploded with anger.

Translation: Lu Xiangxiang exploded with rage.

Incompetent to succeed, yet ample to fail!

Translation: Inadequate for success, excessive for failure!

She really wanted to scold Shiziwen, but thinking that the plan had already failed, if she again quarreled with him over the Tai Wu painting scroll, she would be losing both wife and troops.

Translation: She really wanted to berate Shiziwen, but thinking that the plan had already failed, if she again quarreled with him over the Tai Wu Painting Scroll, wouldn't she be losing both wife and troops?

Lu Xiangxiang gradually calmed down; what she needed to do now was care about Shiziwen's condition, making sure he didn't feel neglected.

Translation: Lu Xiangxiang gradually calmed down; what she ought to do now is care about Shiziwen's situation, and must not let him think she holds a grudge.

With that thought, she messaged Shiziwen, basically expressing concern and apologizing for her guilt.

Translation: Having thought this through, she sent Shiziwen a message, basically expressing various concerns and confessing her own guilt.

Shiziwen's reply gave no indication of anything unusual.

Translation: Shiziwen's reply also showed nothing unusual.

Lu Xiangxiang thought she had coaxed Shiziwen into compliance, and then ended the conversation.

Translation: Lu Xiangxiang thought she had coaxed Shiziwen into compliance, and only then ended the messaging.

Yet she still felt uneasy inside.

Translation: Yet she still felt uneasy all over.

Since returning to the Carefree Sect, none of her actions have gone smoothly.

Translation: Since returning to the Carefree Sect, none of her actions have gone smoothly.

In Lu Xiangxiang's mind appeared the image of Yuan Yao, her gaze growing colder.

Translation: Lu Xiangxiang's mind conjured Yuan Yao's image, and her gaze grew ever colder.

…

Translation: …

Six days later.

Translation: Six days later.

The sun shone brightly, a gentle breeze brushed his face, and the front of the Carefree Sect bustled with activity.

Translation: The sun shone brightly, a gentle breeze brushed the face, and before the Carefree Sect's gates lay a lively scene.

Three enormous, magnificent spirit boats were moored quietly outside the sect gate.

Translation: Only three enormous, magnificent spirit vessels were seen moored outside the sect.

Numerous disciples of the Carefree Sect flocked to the sect entrance, some whispering and discussing, others excitedly gazing at the spirit boats.

Translation: Numerous disciples of the Carefree Sect flocked to the gate, some whispering among themselves, others gazing excitedly at the spirit vessels.

"Have you heard? This year's sect grand competition offers extremely generous rewards!" exclaimed a burly disciple enthusiastically.

Translation: "Have you heard? This year's sect grand competition rewards are extremely generous!" a burly disciple exclaimed excitedly.

"Of course we have."

Translation: "Of course I've heard."

"The sects ranking in the top three can enter the Heavenly Mansion Spirit Pool."

Translation: "Sects ranking in the top three can enter the Heavenly Abode Spirit Pool."

"The so-called Heavenly Mansion Spirit Pool is a mysterious and wondrous place! It gathers the purest and richest spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and can be called a treasure of the cultivation world."

Translation: The so-called Heavenly Abode Spirit Pool is a mysterious and wondrous place! There, the purest and richest spiritual energy of heaven and earth converges; it can be said to be a treasure of the cultivation world.

The effect of the Heavenly Mansion Spirit Pool is to strengthen the tendons and cleanse the marrow!

Translation: The Heavenly Abode Spirit Pool's effect is marrow washing and tendon changing!

What does that mean?

Translation: What does that mean?

Simply put, it can alter the internal structure and function of a cultivator's body, turning their originally fragile fleshly body as solid as a rock and greatly enhancing their cultivation foundation.

In this way, Cultivators can break through cultivation bottlenecks more quickly and advance to higher levels.

However, for ordinary Cultivators, soaking in the Heavenly Pool Spiritual Spring for an hour is already the limit of what they can endure.

If they are talented disciples, perhaps they can soak for half a day or one or two days.

Moreover, the Heavenly Pool Spiritual Spring does not belong to any sect or family.

Because it is a limited resource.

Therefore, basically every thirty years it is opened once as a reward for the Ninth Province Sect Grand Competition.

The top three sects receive the reward of entering the Heavenly Pool Spiritual Spring, but the number of people is limited. The numbers of people from the first, second, and third place sects who can enter the Heavenly Pool Spiritual Spring are respectively: twenty, fifteen, ten.

This time, going to the Heaven and Earth Domain, the Sect Leader and the Second Elder lead the team.

Meanwhile, the Grand Elder stays behind to guard the sect.

When Yuan Yao walked to the sect gate, she saw that the surrounding senior brothers and sisters were all excited, and she also felt a sense of anticipation for the Ninth Province Sect Grand Competition.

At this moment, Xiao Lingwei beside her suddenly stopped.

Yuan Yao and the others turned back to look at her.

"It's a message from the Master." Xiao Lingwei took out a communication crystal from her storage space and looked up at them.

Yuan Yao's expression instantly became solemn.

The Master's voice slowly came: "Master and A Yan are waiting for you in the Heaven and Earth Domain."

Hearing this, everyone let out a sigh of relief.

Cang Li laughed: "It turns out the Master directly took the Eldest Senior Brother to the Heaven and Earth Domain; doesn't that indicate the Eldest Senior Brother is fine?"

Yuan Yao's expression relaxed: "That must be the case."

Lu Xiangxiang beside her also smiled, but in the next instant, after catching a glimpse of a certain figure out of the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but direct her gaze toward the pale-faced one-eyed boy.

Not far away, Shiziwen seemed to sense Lu Xiangxiang's gaze and slowly raised his head.

Lu Xiangxiang immediately showed a look of heartache.

Shiziwen's lips pressed slightly, his gaze unconsciously drifted toward the high ponytail girl, only for an instant before he withdrew it, so quickly that one could hardly catch it.

【Target person Shiziwen, Awakening Value reaches 10.】

Yuan Yao heard the system announcement, then realized what it was, she looked around and then saw the thin youth's back.

"Who are you looking at?" Xue Jin followed her gaze and looked over.

Yuan Yao chuckled, "Just looking at people."

Xue Jin: "......"