Chapter 313: Thinking of Me

Yuan Yao and Ying Wuji left the inn and went to the neighboring restaurant to have a meal.

And their appearances were strikingly outstanding, drawing many sideways glances.

Among them were young disciples from other sects of the Ninth Province; having seen Yuan Yao and Ying Wuji at the sect's grand competition, they naturally recognized them.

"I heard that the 'hard bone' of the Two Provinces region was gnawed down by them," someone whispered.

"It's said that the Field Master of Xue Nu Chang was slain by the combined forces of the Six Disciples of Qian Shan!"

"I've also heard of this; I didn't expect them to be so formidable!"

"Could it be because the Field Master of Xue Nu Chang was too weak?"

"Heh, how could that be?"

"They haven't left the Cloudwater Realm yet; could they also be investigating the annihilation of Water Mirror Immortal Academy?"

"Quite likely."

The discussion continued without cease.

At that very moment, Yuan Yao and Ying Wuji stepped together into the spacious, bright hall of the restaurant.

After finding a quiet, comfortable corner to sit, they summoned the waiter and ordered several delicate, delicious dishes.

After the waiter left, Yuan Yao's bright, lively eyes fixed on Ying Wuji as she softly asked, "Junior Senior Brother, do you have any new developments or news regarding the Water Mirror Immortal Academy incident?"

Ying Wuji said: "Because too many people have come and gone from Water Mirror Immortal Academy, the scene has been severely damaged; moreover, many days have passed since the incident, and the corpses have begun to rot. However, a renowned physician earlier examined the corpses; although they died from sharp cutting wounds, they still retain a trace of poison."

"This bewitching drug is called Toxic Cicada; it possesses certain toxicity and a strong dizzying effect."

Yuan Yao, upon hearing this, fell into thought.

"Could it be the work of an acquaintance?"

Ying Wuji nodded, "If there are no surprises, this must certainly be a case of acquaintances wiping out a household. For the toxic cicada bewitching drug was detected in the water source within Water Mirror Immortal Academy."

"Earlier I heard Senior Sister Yao mention that only two people survived in Water Mirror Immortal Academy: a child under eight, and an elderly miscellaneous laborer of the academy..." Yuan Yao said this, her expression slightly changing, she looked at Ying Wuji and asked, "Could it not have been that old laborer who did this?"

Ying Wuji said: "The old laborer is highly suspect, since he is now missing; it cannot be ruled out that he fled after realizing his deeds were exposed. Eldest Senior Brother and the others learned of this early this morning and have also gone to Immortal Academy City to trace his whereabouts."

Just as Yuan Yao was about to say something, the waiter brought up the delicate dishes.

"Please enjoy your meal, honored guests."

Yuan Yao nodded and smiled at the waiter, then her gaze fell upon the dishes that looked extremely appetizing.

She had just reached out to pick up her chopsticks when, suddenly, a delighted female voice came from not far away.

"Yao Yao!"

Yuan Yao turned her head to see a girl in a water-colored moon-hua dress quickly walking up to her; the girl's hair bun was adorned with a phoenix jade hairpin, her visage was lovely, a pair of lively almond eyes, her face full of joy.

"Mingshu..." Yuan Yao, upon seeing who it was, after surprise, couldn't help but laugh and call out.

The visitor was none other than Weng Mingshu, daughter of the Heavenly Cloud Sect's sect master.

Weng Mingshu sat down without ceremony, her eyes bright as she looked at Yuan Yao, "Just now, as I passed by outside, I heard someone say you were in this restaurant, so I thought I'd come in to take a look; I didn't expect to actually meet you. How long has it been since we last saw each other?"

"Have you missed me?" Yuan Yao raised an eyebrow.

Upon hearing that, Weng Mingshu immediately lifted her proud chin, crossed her arms over her chest, and with a coquettishly proud expression said, "This young lady does not easily miss someone."

Yuan Yao let out a long "Oh."

"You also didn't send me a message to check on me." Weng Mingshu glanced askance at Yuan Yao, her tone carrying the reserve and grievance of an eldest miss.

Yuan Yao said: "You also didn't send me a message?"

Weng Mingshu pouted, "This young lady isn't waiting for you to send me a message?"

She is certainly not the type to take the initiative.

Yuan Yao sighed, "Alright, I've been busy cultivating, busy training; indeed I have no time to send you a message."

Upon hearing that, Weng Mingshu then smiled.

"So you've been thinking of me?"

"I have."

Upon hearing that, Weng Mingshu dropped her pretense; she was about to ask something when she saw Yuan Yao request new bowls and chopsticks from the waiter.

"Would you like to try some?" Yuan Yao indicated with her eyes.

"Sure." Weng Mingshu smiled brightly.

At this moment, she also finally turned her attention to Ying Wuji.

Ying Wuji gave her a slight nod.

Weng Mingshu returned the smile, "Fellow Daoist Ying."

Yuan Yao glanced outside the restaurant and saw young disciples in Heavenly Cloud Sect attire standing guard; among them she knew none, so she couldn't help but ask Weng Mingshu, "Where is your Eldest Senior Brother?"

"Eldest Senior Brother is in closed-door cultivation." Weng Mingshu picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of crispy meat, put it in her mouth, then mumbled indistinctly, "This time I came to the Cloudwater Realm with other fellow disciples to investigate the truth behind the annihilation of Water Mirror Immortal Academy."

Actually, she originally did not want to come.

But a few days ago she learned that the Six Disciples of Qian Shan had slain the Field Master of Xue Nu Chang in Yunshui Mirror, causing Xue Nu Chang to disband, and so she pleaded with her father to let her come to the Cloudwater Realm for training.

Weng Mingshu frowned and said, "You say, just who could be so heinous as to exterminate the entire Water Mirror Immortal Academy?"

Yuan Yao said: "We don't know either."

The two ate while they talked.

Ying Wuji, however, ate little and said little.

"You've broken through to the Initial Golden Core Realm?!" Weng Mingshu stared at Yuan Yao in shock.

Yuan Yao nodded and smiled.

Weng Mingshu bit her lip, showing a determination to also strive hard: "I too must cultivate diligently!"

But her zeal didn't last two seconds before she deflated; she glumly said, "Cultivation is so hard!"

"Want to become stronger?"

Think.

Yuan Yao asked, "Then what do you want to become stronger for?"

Weng Mingshu was stunned.

She also couldn't think of a specific reason.

Yuan Yao looked at her bewildered expression, then said: "You can't say it, which proves there's no reason that can make you persevere. Weng Mingshu, think more, what kind of future do you want?"

"Without the most fundamental reason, perhaps there is no motivation to support your perseverance."

Weng Mingshu, hearing that, fell into thought.

After a moment of silence, she raised her eyes to Yuan Yao and asked, "Then what is the reason that supports your desire to become stronger?"

Ying Wuji also looked toward Yuan Yao.

After meeting their gazes, Yuan Yao raised her eyebrows and smiled: "This is my secret, I won't tell you."

Live.

She wants them all to live.

She wants to change their destined fate.

She also wants to change her own fate.

Weng Mingshu also didn't pursue the question further, but instead said, "I've noted this question; next time we meet, I'll tell you personally."