"So it's Elder Dongfang's man…"
Ning Shan fell into contemplation for a moment, her beautiful eyebrows furrowing slightly. Dongfang Shiqin's status within the Wonderous Palace was not low; she oversaw all internal affairs. Since Zhang Tiancheng was Dongfang Shiqin's man, Ning Shan would have to think twice about taking action. If she turned Zhang Tiancheng into a fattened pig, it would be a clear sign of disrespect to Dongfang Shiqin, and that could be problematic.
"You've worked hard, Junior Brother Zhang." Ning Shan's eyes curved, her face brightening into a smile.
With that, the tense atmosphere dissipated. Zhang Tiancheng and Wen Zhixing both heaved a sigh of relief.
It seemed Dongfang Shiqin's reputation was indeed effective.
"Not at all, not at all. It's all part of my duties." Zhang Tiancheng hastily shook his head, then said, "Senior Sister Ning, if you have no further need of us, my junior brother and I will take our leave." As he spoke, he tugged on Wen Zhixing, intending to retreat.
"There's no rush." Ning Shan spoke with a smile, but her gaze fixed on Wen Zhixing, who had kept his head down. "This junior brother, could you also be under Elder Dongfang?"
"Replying to Senior Sister Ning, this is…"
Just as Zhang Tiancheng was about to speak, Ning Shan interrupted him with a wave of her hand. "Lift your head. Speak for yourself."
Upon hearing this, Wen Zhixing tensed up.
It seems she couldn't deal with Zhang Tiancheng, so she's going to target me instead.
"Wen Zhixing greets Senior Sister Ning." Knowing he couldn't avoid it, Wen Zhixing boldly lifted his head.
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
Two soft gasps sounded simultaneously. It wasn't that Wen Zhixing was strikingly handsome; rather, his appearance, brimming with Yang Qi, startled them both. Ning Shan and Wen Miner had forgotten how long it had been since they last saw a furnace disciple in such good condition. One only had to look at Zhang Tiancheng, standing before them, to understand. Being as skinny as a rail was the typical state for these furnace disciples. The contrast between their conditions was stark, like heaven and earth.
"Senior Sister, this man seems a bit different, doesn't he?" Wen Miner tilted her head slightly, appearing innocently bewildered.
Ning Shan nodded and scrutinized Wen Zhixing once more. "Junior Brother Wen, when did you enter the sect?"
"Replying to Senior Sister, it has been over a month since I entered the sect," Wen Zhixing replied, his head bowed.
"A month, you say?" At this, Ning Shan finally showed a look of surprise.
That shouldn't be possible. In the Wonderous Palace, it's unlikely any furnace disciple could last over a month and still be so vibrant.
"I wonder, which Elder is Junior Brother Wen apprenticed to?" Ning Shan felt increasingly puzzled.
In the Wonderous Palace, all furnace disciples are apprenticed to an Elder, and these disciples are available for the Elders and their own disciples to choose for essence absorption at will. What's the story with this Wen Zhixing? By the look of him, it seems he hasn't been subjected to essence absorption. Yet... such a new furnace disciple should normally be eagerly sought after.
"Well, well, why is this dreary place so lively today?"
Just as Wen Zhixing was about to answer, an enchanting laugh echoed from afar. Everyone turned towards the sound. In the azure sky in the distance, a flash of white light appeared. Within moments, the light streaked towards them. Atop the flowing light, a figure with fluttering garments descended gracefully.
"So, Junior Sister Ning is here." The newcomer wore a long white dress, its hem adorned with blue luminescence that resembled ripples on a flowing lake. As she moved, countless ripples danced along.
It was Yun Xinyue, whom Wen Zhixing had briefly encountered before, one of Si Nanyan's disciples.
"Yun Xinyue." Upon seeing her, Ning Shan's eyebrows creased slightly, a hint of wariness flashing in her eyes.
The two of them were never on good terms.
"Little Miner is here too." Yun Xinyue paid no heed to Ning Shan, turning to look at Wen Miner and the large black dog beside her. With just a simple scan, she had already roughly understood what had transpired.
"Miner greets Senior Sister Yun." Wen Miner curtsied obediently, looking soft and endearingly cute.
"Such a good girl, far cuter than your senior sister." Yun Xinyue reached out and caressed Wen Miner's head. "You mustn't be like your senior sister in the future, alright?"
"Yun Xinyue, what do you mean by that!" Ning Shan snapped, her expression displeased.
However, Yun Xinyue acted as if she hadn't heard, simply turning to Wen Zhixing and Zhang Tiancheng. "Junior Brother Wen, so you're here. You've made your senior sister search quite a bit for you."
"Greetings, Senior Sister Yun." Wen Zhixing and Zhang Tiancheng hurriedly bowed.
"Junior Brother Wen, how are you feeling? Any discomfort?" Yun Xinyue patted Wen Zhixing's shoulders, her eyes curving into crescents.
Very good, even more robust than before.
"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. Everything is fine." Wen Zhixing appeared flattered on the surface, but inwardly his heart tightened.
Yun Xinyue didn't pass by coincidentally; she clearly came for me. It was fine as long as I stayed in my little courtyard and didn't go out. But once I left, news likely spread quickly to Si Nanyan and the others. This also demonstrated the extent of Si Nanyan's interest in me. This is not good at all.
"Junior Brother Wen, you've recovered so well. Why haven't you come to see your senior sister?" Yun Xinyue's tone was tender, feigning annoyance.
"This... Senior Sister, you've misunderstood." Facing Yun Xinyue's demeanor, Wen Zhixing broke out in a cold sweat. "How dare I disobey Senior Sister's command? It's just that I've only just recovered and haven't had the chance to visit Senior Sister yet," Wen Zhixing said, forcing the words out.
"So that's how it is. It seems Senior Sister wronged you after all," Yun Xinyue giggled.
Ning Shan, standing to the side and watching the three converse, seemed to suddenly remember something, and her expression changed.
She remembered. Some days ago, Si Nanyan had returned injured. She recovered by performing essence absorption on a furnace. However, no one really knew the specific name of that furnace. After all, few cared about a furnace. Yet, it was said that the furnace hadn't died but had survived. Looking at him now, Wen Zhixing must have been that furnace. This Wen Zhixing must be extraordinary. I heard that on that day, Wen Zhixing was drained to a husk, and now he's so vigorous...
If she knew that Wen Zhixing had already undergone essence absorption twice, she would likely be shocked beyond words.
"Junior Brother Zhang, Junior Brother Wen, are you two on patrol? Go on quickly. Don't let certain people delay your important duties. Senior Sister will come looking for you later." After some conversation, Yun Xinyue glanced at Ning Shan again and began urging the two to leave.
"Yes!" Upon hearing this, Wen Zhixing and Zhang Tiancheng were immediately delighted. They then respectfully greeted the others and quickly departed.
Before leaving, Wen Zhixing glanced once more at the large black dog. The dog also happened to glance back at him. Man and dog, their gazes met silently.
"Let's go quickly." Zhang Tiancheng tugged Wen Zhixing, reminding him in a low voice.
Wen Zhixing sighed inwardly, clenched his fists slightly, and then finally moved forward.
In that large black dog, he saw himself. Just wait. One day, he would stand up.
Once Wen Zhixing and Zhang Tiancheng had left, the smile on Yun Xinyue's face instantly vanished. The atmosphere at the scene suddenly grew cold.