Chapter 78: But... He Calls Me "Sister"
He looked up, only to find that it was indeed Bi Ji.
Bathed in the moonlight, Bi Ji wore an elegant, understated pale-green gown.
Her emerald-green hair cascaded smoothly over her shoulders; her features were gentle and breathtakingly beautiful, and her aura was one of serene softness—as if she were a forest sprite stepping forth from the moonlit woods.
"Senior Bi Ji, why are you still up so late?" Jiang Bai asked, sounding a bit surprised.
Bi Ji walked over to the campfire. Her voice was incredibly gentle—soothing and pleasant to the ear.
"At my level of cultivation, whether one sleeps or not is largely just a matter of habit or choice. You’ve been out here meditating for quite a while, and I felt a bit... uneasy, so I came out to check on you. I never expected..."
Her gaze fell upon the fish roasting over the fire, giving off a savory, charred aroma. The corners of her lips curved slightly upward. "You certainly have a high spirit—sitting here and feasting all by yourself."
She sat down on a relatively flat rock beside Jiang Bai, her movements graceful and natural.
As she drew near, a faint, delicate fragrance drifted into Jiang Bai’s nostrils.
Feeling a touch of awkwardness, Jiang Bai lowered his head slightly, focusing his attention on the roasted fish in his hands.
As he turned the skewer over, he replied, "I’d been cultivating for a long time and started feeling a bit empty in the stomach, so I whipped up a little something to eat. Would you like to have a taste, Senior Bi Ji?"
As he spoke, he picked up a skewer of fish—which appeared to be cooked to absolute perfection—and held it out to her.
Bi Ji reached out quite naturally and accepted it.
Her fingers were slender and fair, looking as if they had been carved from the finest mutton-fat jade. As she took the skewer, her fingertips brushed ever so slightly against the back of Jiang Bai’s hand.
A cool sensation registered on her skin, yet Bi Ji felt as though her heart had skipped a beat; inexplicably, a flush of warmth rose to her face.
Fortunately, the moonlight was soft and dim, so her reaction went largely unnoticed.
Holding the roasted fish, she withdrew her hand, gently blew on the hot food, and took a small bite. Her eyes lit up slightly. "It tastes wonderful. I never realized you possessed such culinary skills."
"I just threw it together haphazardly; I’m just glad you don’t find it beneath you, Senior Bi Ji."
Jiang Bai picked up a skewer for himself and took a bite as well. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and seasoned with just the right balance of saltiness and savory flavor—it truly was quite good.
The two of them ate in silence for a few moments.
Then, after what seemed like a brief hesitation, Bi Ji spoke up softly. "Were you... cultivating this whole time?"
"Mm." Jiang Bai nodded.
"To be so diligent... barely pausing for a moment. What is it all for?"
Bi Ji tilted her head; her emerald eyes, illuminated by the flickering firelight, appeared exceptionally clear and gentle, filled with sincere inquiry.
Jiang Bai’s chewing slowed to a halt.
He raised his head, gazing at the dancing flames, his eyes growing deep and resolute.
"To become a powerful Soul Master."
He spoke slowly—his voice not loud, yet carrying the weight of a thousand tons.
"To... exact vengeance upon certain people. And also... so that one day, I may touch upon that legendary realm: to ascend to godhood."
"Vengeance?" Upon hearing this, Bi Ji nodded inwardly; that reason was, after all... quite logical.
"To ascend to godhood?"
Bi Ji’s tone held a hint of wistfulness.
"Do you truly believe that gods actually exist in this world?"
She, of course, believed it—indeed, she knew far more about it than most human Soul Masters.
Di Tian’s occasional sighs and reminiscences, along with the being resting within the lake, had made the reality of the Divine Realm abundantly clear to her.
"Mm."
Jiang Bai answered without a moment’s hesitation, his eyes devoid of even the slightest trace of doubt. "I do believe. And not only do I believe—I intend to reach that very pinnacle."
Gazing at the unbridled confidence and ambition shining in his eyes, Bi Ji felt a subtle stirring within her heart.
"You seem... quite confident?"
Her voice grew even softer, tinged with curiosity.
Jiang Bai swallowed the mouthful of fish he was eating, shifting his gaze from the flames to the deep, dark night sky. As if speaking to the stars themselves—or perhaps reaffirming his own Dao Heart—he slowly recited:
"A noble steed knows its journey is long; it gallops forth with vigor, needing no whip to urge it on."
"Within my heart lie towering peaks and soaring aspirations; I shall traverse every pass and mountain range to seize the destiny that awaits!"
He lowered his gaze, turning to look at Bi Ji—his eyes gleaming with that sharp, radiant spirit unique to the young.
"The path of cultivation is meant to be exactly this way. It is a race of a hundred competing vessels—only those who row with vigor take the lead. It is like rowing against the current: if you do not advance, you inevitably fall back. One must contend with the heavens for destiny, and contend with oneself for supremacy."
"If one lacks even this basic level of self-confidence—if one is constantly looking over one’s shoulder, hesitant and timid—how can one ever hope to travel far or climb to great heights?"
He paused, his tone shifting to become at once more gentle and more resolute.
"In cultivation, one’s state of mind is paramount. As long as my thoughts flow unhindered and I remain steadfast in the path I have chosen, I shall press forward with unyielding resolve. As for what is right or wrong—I possess my own inner compass to judge, and ultimately, the verdict shall be rendered by the strength I wield in the future."
Bi Ji listened in silence, gazing at the youth before her—a boy young in years, yet possessing a maturity and tenacity far beyond his peers. Within her heart, a complex ripple of emotions began to stir.
There was admiration, there was a sense of profound reflection, and—was there also a faint trace of... worry?
She shook her head ever so slightly, offering counsel in the gentle, nurturing tone of an elder.
"I understand your aspirations. However, the path of cultivation is boundless and infinite; it demands a balance between exertion and rest. If you continue to push yourself so relentlessly—so tirelessly, almost to the point of self-inflicted cruelty—your body will eventually buckle under the strain. Your spirit, too, will become weary and depleted; in the end, such an approach may very well prove counterproductive."
Jiang Bai picked up another skewer of roasted fish. He examined it closely to ensure it was thoroughly cooked, then handed it to Bi Ji, exchanging it for the skewer she had nearly finished.
Bi Ji accepted it, her fingertips brushing against his once again—a fleeting, accidental touch that caused her heart to flutter just a beat faster.
"Senior Bi Ji, regarding what you said..."
Bi Ji cut him off, speaking on a sudden impulse she could not quite explain: "You may simply call me Bi Ji."
Jiang Bai picked up a fresh skewer, took a bite, and spoke while he chewed.
"Bi Ji, I understand the wisdom behind your words. But do you know this? Comfort—that is something reserved for later."
He turned his gaze toward Bi Ji, his eyes clear, earnest, and unwavering.
"I am still so young—this is the golden age for cultivation: my body is strong, and my energy is boundless. If I don’t push myself now, then when? I certainly don’t possess the kind of innate talent or luck that allows one to achieve greatness only in old age. The only things I can rely on are every ounce of effort I expend in the present moment, and every drop of sweat I shed."
Upon hearing this, Bi Ji couldn’t help but smile.
This boy certainly had a knack for spouting eloquent arguments.
Acting on a sudden impulse, she reached out a finger—fair and smooth as jade—and gently tapped Jiang Bai on the head, her tone carrying a blend of playful chiding and genuine concern.
"Nonsense! Even so, you must go about it with proper method. If you keep going like this, your body won’t be able to endure it—and your mind will become exhausted, too!"
Jiang Bai was momentarily taken aback by her slightly intimate gesture; he immediately turned his head, fixing his gaze directly upon Bi Ji, who was now standing mere inches away.
Moonlight and firelight intertwined across her gentle, exquisitely beautiful profile; her emerald eyes resembled two deep pools, brimming with tender concern.
The night breeze stirred a few strands of her hair, wafting a faint, delicate fragrance through the air.
Jiang Bai’s heart, too, involuntarily skipped a few beats.
Steeling his resolve, he spoke in a solemn, earnest tone.
"So, you see, I often look for opportunities to relax and unwind."
He deliberately drew out his words.
"For instance... interacting with—and admiring—a peerless beauty like you, Sister Bi Ji. It brings such joy to my body and soul; it truly leaves me feeling refreshed and invigorated!"
"As the saying goes: gazing upon a beauty nourishes the eyes; thinking of a beauty nourishes the heart; and pursuing a beauty nourishes one’s very life force! It is, quite simply, my infallible secret to maintaining both a sound state of mind and the drive to continue my cultivation!"
"..."
Is that... really right?
Bi Ji was left utterly stunned by his sudden remark—laden as it was with obvious teasing—and by the utterly natural way he had addressed her as "Sister Bi Ji."
She parted her lips, yet for a moment, she found herself at a loss for how to refute him.
The flush of warmth that had only just begun to fade from her cheeks seemed to quietly creep back up again.
This... this boy...
What a smooth talker! And so utterly lacking in proper deference!
But... he called me ’Sister’...
A subtle, peculiar sensation—one she had never experienced before—sent a gentle ripple across the tranquil lake of her heart, a heart that had remained still and silent for hundreds of thousands of years.
In the end, she simply turned her head slightly away, averting her gaze from Jiang Bai’s intense, smiling eyes. She offered no verbal rebuke, nor did she object to the title he had used.
Sometimes, silence implies tacit acceptance—and indulgence.
And so, the human and the beast sat side by side by the campfire, sharing a simple meal of roasted fish while chatting about everything under the sun.
Their conversation ranged from insights on cultivation to amusing anecdotes from across the continent; from the habits of Soul Beasts to the customs of human society...
Jiang Bai was knowledgeable and witty in his conversation, while Bi Ji was deeply experienced, gentle, and accommodating.
Surprisingly, they found themselves to be kindred spirits; one topic led seamlessly into the next, creating an atmosphere that was both relaxed and harmonious.
Before they knew it, the moon had begun its westward descent.
Bi Ji looked up at the night sky, then glanced at Jiang Bai beside her—who remained as spirited as ever, with not a hint of weariness in his eyes. Deep within her heart, a faint sense of tenderness and reluctance—feelings she herself had not even realized were stirring—began to surface.
"I suppose... we should call it a night."
She spoke softly, her voice carrying a faint, almost imperceptible trace of wistfulness.
"I never expected... that I would end up talking with you for so long. It feels like... time has truly flown by."
She slowly rose to her feet, gracefully brushing a few specks of dust from her skirt.
"I’m heading back now. As for you..."
She paused, turning to look at Jiang Bai, her tone imbued with a softness and concern he had never heard from her before.
"Remember to get some rest early as well. While cultivation is important, proper relaxation and sleep are equally vital for both the body and the soul. Do not... push yourself too hard."
Having said this, she lingered no longer; with light, airy steps, she made her way toward the tent.
Jiang Bai watched her silhouette vanish behind the tent flap, a strange sense of warmth and tranquility welling up within his heart.
Facing the direction of the tent, he responded softly:
"I understand. Thank you, Sister Bi Ji."
The night breeze swept past, carrying with it a chill, yet also the warmth of the campfire—along with that faint, reassuring fragrance.
Inside the tent, Bi Ji leaned her back against the flap. Hearing the young man’s clear voice call out "Sister Bi Ji" from outside, and feeling the slight quickening of her own heartbeat, a smile of profound tenderness—one she herself hadn’t even realized was there—slowly blossomed across her exquisite features.
Then, catching sight of Jiang Li’er, who was still fast asleep and snoring softly, a faint blush—for reasons she couldn’t quite fathom—spread across her lovely face.
Meanwhile, in another tent nearby, the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress—who were supposed to be asleep—opened their eyes almost simultaneously.
They were lying back-to-back.
The Ice Empress curled her lip in disdain, muttering inwardly:
Talking for that long?
That wretched human brat... he really knows how to spin a silver tongue...
Though... why do I have this strange feeling...?
The Snow Empress, for her part, merely let her eyes flicker slightly, appearing deep in thought.
The night grew ever deeper.