Chapter 10 (1/2)
“What!”
Xiao Chen leaped to his feet instantly, “Why did you not tell me about this earlier!” With that, he immediately rushed out the courtyard and went straight to his father.
“Yes. I think it is Perfected Immortal Zixu, the leader of the Three Pure Sect. It appears that even our family has someone who is blessed with the fortune of becoming an Immortal. We will not have to fear the Huangfu Family anymore,” said Xiao Yifan with a smile.
“Is the leader still here?” Xiao Chen asked anxiously.
“He left two days ago. There was news of a strange and evil flower that consumes the souls of humans. He and your grandfather had left with Master Lingjue of the Sanctum of the Arcane Spring to investigate this matter.”
Xiao Chen frowned with dismay. He was hardly interested in evil flowers. He then asked again nervously, “Who are the three persons that Perfect Immortal Zixu had chosen?”
Xiao Yifan pondered and replied, “There is Xiao Han, Xiao Wan’er, and lastly, your cousin, Xiao Yu…”
Xiao Chen could feel his body quivering with disappointment. Had the fortune of being an Immortal just slipped past his fingers? Xiao Yifan noticed the gloomy look upon his son and said, “They will be leaving in a few days. Your sister sends for you. She might want to say her goodbyes before her departure.”
“I see…” Xiao Chen responded, his voice heavily laced with gloom. Before long, the somber-looking Xiao Chen meandered into a courtyard filled with beautiful blooming flowers. Falling leaves showered gracefully in a soft breeze that filled the garden with the scent of fragrances from the flowers, which are refreshing to both mind and soul of anyone who steps into this utopian paradise.
Just then, Xiao Chen felt a swift force boring down on him from behind. He swiftly spun on his heels, only to find the tip of a short, green sword stopped before his forehead. The point of its tip glimmered with a cold flash and holding the hilt of the sword, was a young girl, looking seventeen of age.
Her skin was fair as snow and her eyebrows were distinct dark lines. Clad in flowing robes of purple, her hair was hung straight down her back. She stood in the midst of the shafts of light, as if a sacred and celestial glow had been cast upon her purple robes.
She was none other than Xiao Yu, the Third Young Lady of the Xiao Family, Xiao Chen’s cousin who was three months his senior.
Xiao Yu giggled heartily, “Why are you not evading my stroke, boy? Word has come to me that you now can fight. This is perfect timing! Come, spar against me!”
It was hardly a secret to everyone within the household that the Third Young Lady was an avid lover of the martial arts. She was profoundly skilled in wielding the sword, with mastery of the weapon that might even put Xiao Yuan to shame, for the latter would never dare behave pompously in her presence.
Xiao Chen lightly pushed away the blade of her sword and asked, “Why is it that you have sent for me, Sister?”
Xiao Yu sheathed her sword and giggled gently, “An old Taoist master came two days ago and said that I am born with Spiritual Meridians. He wants to take me as a disciple. Hmph, surely my father’s own swordsmanship is stronger than the skills of a little Taoist shrine.”
Xiao Chen lifted his head, “But that is no ordinary Taoist shrine… That is a Cultivators’ sect…”
Xiao Yu broke into a roar of laughter, “Be that as it may, I have no intention of joining them. Ah! What a coincidence! You can go in my stead!”
“Sister…”
Then it dawned upon him. Xiao Yu had sent for him not to say her final goodbyes, but to allow him to go in her stead, knowing full well that Xiao Chen had always been interested to study the mystics of Immortality.
Despite some may question the veracity of deities and the supernatural, none would hardly forgo the chance of pursuing immortality and everlasting life. Many have schemed and plotted against one another only for the one chance of such an opportunity and fortune of extreme rarity. Yet, here it was, a person who would give up her own chance for him…
“Fret no more, boy. Xiao Han and Xiao Wan’er are also chosen. You will have to sit for a test before you will be truly accepted. I have long been irked by Xiao Wan’er and her antics; her trailing behind and swooning over Xiao Yuan every day. Make sure that you are better than both of them.”
Xiao Chen broke into a light smile and replied, “Of course. Thank you so much, Sister.”
Xiao Yu threw an arm over his neck and pulled him to her. She said, “Remember: bring back the Huangfu girl as your wife after three years and remember to return the favor to that Qin Xiu for the humiliation that he had given you.”
Xiao Chen forced a smile in return; even Xiao Yu had heard of this news. He then returned to the Water Immortal Pavilion, where he relayed the news to his parents. Xiao Yifan was overjoyed by it but Su Qing turned morose and morbid.
“You cannot go!”
The sudden shriek caught Xiao Chen and his father, as well as Lil Ruo who was cleaning in the living hall, unaware that they jumped in unison. Xiao Chen turned to his mother and found that all colors have left her; her face deathly pale. Never before he had seen her in such a state for more than ten years.
“Mother…”
“I have been very clear! You must not go! Why must you leave to study the ways of Immortality! You will remain at home and go nowhere!”
Su Qing rose to her feet suddenly and roared angrily.