Chapter Thirty-Seven: Jade Immortal

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Ah, have I been disliked? Liu Ping hurriedly said, "I just thought you were very cute, so I took a few extra glances."

Cute? The little girl, Ye’er, had never heard such praise before. She was slightly pleased, her tone softening a little. "Let’s hurry up."

"Alright." Liu Ping nodded, turned to close the door, feeling a bit nervous but even more expectant.

From the start, Liu Ping had wanted to meet this accomplished master, to ask for advice on what to watch out for when enduring the Yang Fire Tribulation, as well as other cultivation questions.

Yet even for a mere consultation, the Immortal Jade had not appeared, so cold and distant that Liu Ping gave up any thought of brazenly requesting an audience. Never could he have imagined that the Immortal Jade would summon him personally.

Could this be the legendary treatment reserved for protagonists?

Rubbing his chin, Liu Ping decided not to waste this opportunity. With no spiritual energy left inside him, and the spiritual aura in this haven being so dense, he began to practice breath regulation. In no time, his energy was completely restored.

This filled Liu Ping with envy; this cave paradise was truly a place suited for cultivation.

Glancing at the little girl leading the way, Liu Ping struck up a conversation: "Miss Ye’er, is your companion by any chance named Hua’er?"

"Ah? How did you know? Do you know Hua’er?" Ye’er was taken aback, staring at Liu Ping in surprise.

Just as Liu Ping was about to explain, Ye’er suddenly seemed to figure it out—most likely from the golden hairpin in Hua’er’s hair. She snorted, "Trying to be clever!"

Feeling the little girl’s frosty attitude, Liu Ping wasn’t put off. Instead, he found her all the more adorable and said with a smile, "Of course I’m trying to be clever. I didn’t expect Miss Ye’er to see through me at a glance—how sharp you are."

Hearing the flattery, Ye’er became somewhat smug and proud. "Naturally, do you know who I am?"

Liu Ping took the opportunity to ask, "May I ask, which venerable master taught such a clever disciple as you? Might you share your master’s Daoist title?"

At once, Ye’er’s expression cooled. She cast Liu Ping a sidelong glance and asked, "Are you trying to pry information out of me?"

Why is this little one so sharp? Liu Ping complained inwardly, but outwardly his face remained calm. "Why would I try to pry? I’m merely curious, wishing to know what sort of master could teach someone as intelligent as you. Immortal Jade—that doesn’t seem to be a Daoist title, more like a term used by common folk, isn’t it?"

Ye’er stared at Liu Ping for a while before replying, "My master told me once, but I’ve forgotten. So I can’t tell you."

"You forgot? Well, that’s that then." Liu Ping smiled. True or not, to press further would be tactless.

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The path ahead was still long. Along the way, though his relationship with Ye’er remained lukewarm, the atmosphere had lightened considerably.

But as they approached the Ninefold Pavilion, Liu Ping instinctively held his breath.

He was about to meet the formidable Immortal Jade. The thought alone made him nervous.

Sitting at the entrance was a little girl with a golden hairpin. Watching Liu Ping and Ye’er approach, she leapt from the steps and bounced over, "Ye’er, you’re finally here! Huh? Why is this big brother here too?"

Before Liu Ping and Ye’er could explain, the golden hairpin girl, Hua’er, giggled, "Ah, I get it! Ye’er, you must have taken a liking to this big brother. Handsome and graceful—a fine young man indeed."

Ye’er’s face darkened instantly. She snapped, "What nonsense are you spouting!"

Hua’er giggled, "Did I hit the mark? Is that why you’re embarrassed and angry?"

Liu Ping smiled awkwardly, uncertain what to say. In complete contrast with Ye’er’s temperament, Hua’er was playful and lively, like ice and fire—two polar opposites. Liu Ping couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: That Immortal Jade must be a hopeless lover of little girls! What shameful depravity. And yet, Liu Ping couldn’t help but feel a bit envious.

"Master told me to bring him over," Ye’er explained stiffly.

Hua’er was surprised. "Master? How strange. Master hasn’t summoned an outsider in ages. Why call for him all of a sudden?"

Ye’er snorted, "How would I know?"

With that, she led Liu Ping inside.

Upon entering, a pleasant incense filled the air, making one instinctively take a deep breath. The anxiety that had lingered in Liu Ping’s heart melted away in an instant, replaced by an almost incredible calm.

"Tranquil Mind Incense?" Liu Ping couldn’t help but marvel. This Immortal Jade was truly extravagant—their cultivation must be unfathomable. Glancing around, the room was bright as if illuminated by electric lights, belying the late hour.

Passing through the main hall, up the stairs to the third floor, along a corridor, and into a room, he was met by a folding screen.

On the screen was a peach tree, its branches brimming with flower buds, so lifelike they seemed ready to burst forth.

Ye’er said, "Master is inside. Take off your shoes before you go in."

Liu Ping nodded, took off his shoes, and slipped on a pair of wooden clogs inside. Ye’er closed the door behind him.

Taking a deep breath, the scent of the tranquil incense soothed his restless mind. He circled the screen and walked further in, only to see yet another screen, this one painted with blooming peach blossoms so vivid he almost thought he could smell their fragrance.

Continuing on, there was another screen depicting a peach tree lush with leaves, vibrant and full of life, with small peaches half-hidden among the foliage.

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He walked on and encountered yet another screen, this time with ripe peaches, plump and succulent, making his mouth water.

Without thinking, he reached out and, to his surprise, could actually feel one. Almost unconsciously, he plucked a peach, finding it in his hand.

Staring at the peach, Liu Ping was momentarily dumbfounded.

"It can’t be real..."

He quickly caught on, narrowing his eyes as he saw through the illusion.

The peach vanished, dissolving into countless colored droplets that splashed onto his hand, then slipped off to the floor. Slowly, as if growing legs, they crawled back onto the screen, at first a blur, but gradually sharpening into peaches once more.

"Remarkable."

He exclaimed in admiration and continued forward, soon reaching the final screen. This one depicted a withered peach tree, barren save for its branches. Through the thin screen, a vague figure could be seen.

The Immortal Jade was just behind it.

Liu Ping stopped there and bowed deeply. "I am Liu Ping from Qinxian County, styled Fengchang, disciple of Master Xuan Zhenzi. Greetings to the esteemed Immortal Jade."

"No need for such formalities. Besides, I am not called Immortal Jade at all; that is merely a fanciful title given by ordinary people," came the voice from behind the screen, leaving Liu Ping momentarily stunned. The voice was...

"Why are you just standing there? Come in," the Immortal Jade called again.

Liu Ping hurried around the screen and finally met the illustrious Immortal Jade.

The Immortal Jade was sipping tea, taking a small, delicate swallow before setting the cup aside. Looking at Liu Ping’s youthful face, the immortal smiled faintly. "I know your master, though I’ve never heard of a disciple like you."

Liu Ping stared at the Immortal Jade, eyes wide, his body frozen in shock—it was just as he had suspected...

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