Cultivating Immortality Begins with Acting as a Girl Chapter 178

“It’s also my fault. When I first entered the world of cultivation, I didn’t recognize the wickedness of human hearts and was deceived by that villain’s false sincerity. I confided in him, even telling him my true identity, which led to your tribulation today.”

Song Ling sighed, his expression tinged with apology.

Ni Huaijun quickly waved her hand, her eyes filled with sincerity and understanding: “Young Master, this is not your fault. You gave me a new life and allowed me to witness the vastness and beauty of this world. Even today’s twists and turns are a destined tribulation for Huaijun. Being able to see Young Master again, Huaijun has no regrets even if she dies!”

“Huaijun…”

Song Ling was moved. After a moment of contemplation, he said, “I plan to take you up the mountain to be responsible for my daily needs and managing the courtyard. Are you willing?”

“Of course, I am willing!”

Ni Huaijun’s face lit up with surprise, but then she spoke with some nervousness and lack of confidence: “It’s just, Young Master, can I do it? After all, I’ll be working within a cultivation sect. I’m afraid that if I don’t do well, I’ll cause trouble for you…”

Song Ling smiled faintly and shook his head, “It’s fine. I believe you can do well. Even if you don’t… I’m still here.”

She would just be a maid and a handyman who tidies the courtyard and serves tea and water. What trouble could she cause him? Of course, he couldn’t say that directly. Appropriately displaying a master-servant bond was also a means of control.

Song Ling’s words were like a spring breeze, instantly dispelling most of the tension and unease in Ni Huaijun’s heart.

“Thank you for your trust, Young Master. Huaijun will definitely do her best and live up to your expectations.”

Ni Huaijun’s face was serious. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she asked, “Oh, right, Young Master, you just said you told that villain your true identity. Could it be… Young Master, you didn’t join the Ziyao Sect with your original appearance?”

To be able to participate in the Ziyao Sect’s entrance examination, Song Ling had once demonstrated his ability to change his face and body in front of Ni Huaijun.

“That’s right.”

Song Ling nodded. Then, his face and figure shifted, and the image belonging to Princess Zhaoming appeared before Ni Huaijun’s eyes.

“Princess… Princess Zhaoming?!” Ni Huaijun was dumbfounded.

She had guessed that Song Ling might have transformed into someone else to join the Ziyao Sect, but she never expected it to be Princess Zhaoming.

Four months ago, when she and Song Ling first arrived in Linyao Town, she had personally witnessed Princess Zhaoming wantonly slaughtering innocent people on the street, leaving a deep impression on her.

“Young Master… are you a man or a woman?”

Ni Huaijun’s face showed a strange expression. She was now unable to confirm whether the image Song Ling displayed when they first met was his true appearance.

Song Ling smiled slightly, walked up to Ni Huaijun, and gently caressed her cheek, speaking softly, “Whether a man or a woman, what difference does it make? In the end, it’s merely a shell. In this world, everything is illusory; only the immortal path is eternal.”

“Then… should I call you Young Master or Miss from now on?”

Ni Huaijun looked up at Song Ling, her eyes seemingly covered with a thin layer of moisture, like the mist lingering over a lake in the early morning, making her eyes hazy and dreamy.

Song Ling’s gaze was profound as he spoke:

“Call me Your Highness.”

…

Ni Huaijun followed Song Ling up Ziyao Mountain.

She looked at his face and figure, which were identical to the real Princess Zhaoming, and a question couldn’t help but surface in her mind.

Since His Highness could change his appearance at will, was the unfamiliar man who threatened him before truly His Highness’s sworn enemy within the sect? Was it possible… that His Highness transformed into that person himself?

This thought had barely crossed Ni Huaijun’s mind before she immediately discarded it.

Even if His Highness did that, there must be a reason for it. She shouldn’t randomly speculate. All she needed to do was fulfill her duties.

After they returned to the small bamboo courtyard behind Crane Ridge Peak, Song Ling had just settled Ni Huaijun when he received a communication talisman from his master, Bai Yafu, saying that his senior brother, Wen Xingwen, had come out of seclusion and asked him to visit his cave abode for a chat.

Since it concerned the opportunity in the Grand Elder’s friend’s cave abode, Song Ling dared not delay and immediately set off.

Before long, he arrived at his master Bai Yafu’s cave abode.

“Greetings, Master.”

Song Ling bowed to Bai Yafu.

“Shaohua, let me introduce you. This is your senior brother, Wen Xingwen.”

Bai Yafu nodded slightly and smiled faintly as she introduced a young man standing to her left to Song Ling.

The man was not wearing the attire of a direct disciple but a daoist robe with a light blue main color and orange-red accents. He had a tall and straight posture, a handsome face, and a refined and elegant demeanor in his brows.

“Shaohua greets Senior Brother.”

Song Ling’s face showed a hint of restraint as he bowed respectfully.

Wen Xingwen looked at Song Ling with a calm expression, a hint of aloofness and indifference in his eyes, and spoke with little emotional fluctuation: “Hello, Junior Sister.”

Song Ling’s heart sank.

Wen Xingwen’s behavior surely meant someone had said something to him…

Song Ling’s gaze fell on his second senior sister, Ji Yuxi, who was standing less than a foot away from Wen Xingwen.

According to the concept of “social distance” in modern psychology research on Earth, when two people are so close, it often signifies an unusual relationship.

This second senior sister…

She really likes to make things difficult for him.

Wen Xingwen had now reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement. If he could win first place in the sect competition two years later, he would be granted a Foundation Establishment Pill. With his talent and the aid of the Foundation Establishment Pill, becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator was basically a sure thing.

Originally, within the Ziyao Sect, Song Ling already had Elder Xue Chenfeng as a major enemy, and there was also an unclear threat from the Grand Elder. If Wen Xingwen, a future Foundation Establishment cultivator, was also incited and secretly instigated by Ji Yuxi to view him, a kind person, as evil…

Wouldn’t his path within the sect become incredibly difficult?

After all, Master Bai Yafu couldn’t always look after him.

It seemed he needed to find a countermeasure…

Song Ling’s thoughts churned, but he showed no unusual expression on his face.

“Shaohua, I have already discussed the matter of escorting you to the Grand Elder’s friend’s cave abode with Xingwen. He has no objections. Furthermore, your second senior sister is also willing to go with you. With the two of them accompanying you, I believe this trip should be safe.”

Bai Yafu looked at Song Ling and said with a smile.

“Thank you, Master! Thank you, Senior Brother!”

Song Ling bowed again, then with a joyful expression, quickly walked to Ji Yuxi’s side, acting like good sisters as he directly linked arms with her, his eyes smiling as he said, “I didn’t expect Second Senior Sister to have time to come with me this time. We can get along well on the way!”

Ji Yuxi was startled by Song Ling’s sudden intimate gesture and instinctively wanted to pull her hand away.

However, remembering that Master was still watching, she forced herself to endure.

After all, Master had arranged for her to take Song Ling to settle in the bamboo forest behind the mountain to ensure harmony between them as senior and junior sisters. She didn’t want to disappoint Master.

…