Midnight Wanderings and Whispers in the Grove

The Blazing Spirit Sect was utterly silent in the dead of night, a stark contrast to its daytime clamor, with only the kind of quiet where a dropped pin would echo.

Feiluo traversed the main thoroughfare of the Sect Plaza, the inevitable path leading to the Blazing Spirit Sect’s grand entrance.

Perhaps due to the late hour, Feiluo found herself feeling an uncharacteristic sense of unfamiliarity towards this very road she had trodden countless times before. Normally, at this time, she would likely be drifting off to sleep while reading manga, or perhaps already nestled securely in Moxi’s embrace.

However, to be walking alone on the plaza’s path in the depths of night, this was a novel experience for her. Truth be told, it was quite an intriguing sensation. It felt as though everyone else in the world had suddenly vanished, leaving her as the sole inhabitant, imbued with a subtle blend of loneliness and liberation.

A sudden urge to hum a tune welled within Feiluo, but considering this was a frequent patrol route for the disciples, she swiftly suppressed the impulse.

Being discovered by the patrolling disciples would certainly not bode well.

While the Blazing Spirit Sect had no curfews or similar regulations, and the patrolling disciples wouldn’t typically question why someone was awake, not cultivating or meditating, and instead wandering the vast Sect Plaza in the dead of night… Under normal circumstances, however, encountering such a person would undoubtedly prompt the patrolling disciples to investigate, as someone roaming the sect grounds at night was inherently suspicious.

And once she was spotted by a patrolling disciple, the inevitable outcome would be a report to Moxi, followed by Moxi’s swift arrival, her capture, and a severe punishment! There was no doubt in her mind that the patrolling disciples would recognize her; she was absolutely certain of it!

If asked about her confidence, well…

‘Hmph hmph hmph, she had, after all, claimed the top spot on the Blazing Spirit Sect’s popularity rankings!’

Though it was merely a voting event organized by the disciples themselves, one shouldn’t underestimate its significance; nearly every disciple in the Blazing Spirit Sect had participated in this grand poll.

And she, Feiluo, had triumphed over the second-place Huqi with an overwhelming margin, securing almost two-thirds more votes!

‘Do you even comprehend the sheer value of a red-haired, golden-eyed loli?’

‘Tactical lean back.jpg.’

On a side note, both she and Huqi were petite lolis, and rumor had it that the third-place contender wasn’t very tall either, seemingly another loli.

‘Emmm…’

Feiluo felt as though she had stumbled upon a crucial detail.

Suddenly, Feiluo’s ears twitched, her contemplative expression shifting as she swiftly ducked into a nearby greenbelt.

A short while later, two sets of footsteps and voices engaged in conversation reached Feiluo, who was hidden amongst the foliage.

–Hey, Senior Sister, what are you looking at so intently? Is it something good to see?–

–Of course it’s something good! Ta-da! This is Junior Sister Fei’s latest masterpiece, absolutely adorable!–

–What?! New photos of Junior Sister Fei? I want to see! I want to see!–

–Hey, don’t snatch it! I’ll show you, won’t I?–

–Junior Sister Fei, so fragrant, so soft, and Junior Sister Fei wielding a sword is so cool, so dashing, it really gets me! This one with the messy hair looks so cute and lively, hehehe…–

–My assessment is: don’t open a barbershop here.–

As the patrolling disciples’ footsteps and chatter faded into the distance, Feiluo dropped the leaves she had been holding to obscure herself, her cheeks blooming with a cherry blossom flush.

To be honest, she knew her popularity was high, having topped the rankings, but seeing her photos circulated like this, and even commented on so effusively, still filled her with a degree of embarrassment.

Feiluo gently rubbed her slightly flushed cheeks, only stopping when the heat finally subsided. Stepping out of the greenbelt, she brushed off the clinging leaves and dust before resuming her journey towards the main gate.

As she passed a small grove within the sect grounds, Feiluo faintly discerned some rustling, yet she paid it no mind, assuming it was merely the stirrings of small animals. Indeed, the small groves within the Blazing Spirit Sect were home to various creatures; not only wild animals but also spirit beasts nurtured by the disciples of the Spirit Beast Hall.

There was no need to worry about these spirit beasts escaping, as they possessed intelligence, had been raised by the Spirit Beast Hall members since infancy, and shared deep bonds. Some exceptionally gifted spirit beasts could even cultivate and eventually assume human forms. Many disciples from the Spirit Beast Hall had, in fact, found their Dao companions among these very beasts.

Thus, Feiluo felt no particular surprise or strangeness regarding the sounds emanating from the grove. Gradually, however, she realized the sound seemed amiss; it wasn’t the typical noise of small animals, but rather sounded distinctly human.

‘How peculiar,’ she mused. ‘Why would there be human voices in the grove in the middle of the night?’

Feiluo paused, a surge of curiosity gripping her. She then reined in her aura, stealthily venturing into the grove, hoping the sounds would grow louder, allowing her to discern their conversation.

As she drew nearer to the source of the voices, Feiluo noticed it wasn’t a single person speaking, but two.

‘What could two people possibly be doing in a grove in the dead of night, instead of sleeping?’

Feiluo’s bewilderment deepened, her curiosity compelling her closer to the two voices.

Finally, after advancing a little further, Feiluo clearly distinguished what the two voices were saying.

–S-Senior Sister, sh-shouldn’t we go a l-little deeper? Th-this place is still too close to the outside.– This was a voice that immediately brought to mind a timid girl.

–Oh, don’t you worry, Junior Sister, no one will hear us.– This, in contrast, was a bright and cheerful female voice, one that could paint a hazy image of a sunny maiden in one’s mind.

–B-but…– The timid voice still wavered with hesitation.

–Really, there’s no need to fret, Junior Sister! Who would be out here in the middle of the night for no reason? And even if someone were, they might not even notice us!– the cheerful voice confidently assured.

‘Hello, yes there is,’ Feiluo muttered inwardly, continuing to eavesdrop on their conversation.

–Let’s not talk about that anymore, Junior Sister. I’ve missed you so much! My old hag of a master forces me to refine artifacts every day, and all I can do is stare at those broken metals. Without seeing you, Junior Sister, I feel like I’ve withered away.– the cheerful voice lamented.

–Me too, Senior Sister, I’ve missed you terribly! Ever since Senior Sister Yan Kongqing went for special training, so much of the work in the pill refinement hall has fallen on my shoulders. I’m afraid I won’t do a good job with many things, Senior Sister, I feel so much pressure.– the timid voice confessed.

‘So, it’s a couple airing their grievances in the middle of the night,’ Feiluo realized, understanding the reason for the two voices in the grove.

Having satisfied her curiosity, Feiluo no longer intended to linger and prepared to withdraw from the grove. Just then, she heard the cheerful voice let out a soft chuckle.

–Feeling stressed, are we? Then let me help you vent a little, Junior Sister!–

–Ah, wait, Senior Sister…– Immediately after, Feiluo heard the sound of clothes being torn, followed by the cheerful voice’s words: –No need to wait, Junior Sister, how thrilling it is out here!–

–B-mmph…– The timid voice’s words were cut short, seemingly muffled, and within seconds, faint, almost imperceptible gasps and soft moans began to emerge.

Feiluo’s face flushed crimson, and with a shy expression, she hastily retreated from the grove.