Chapter Two: Reborn as the Eldest Daughter of an Immortal Sect

Bai Ruo rummaged through her wardrobe and pulled out a pale moon-blue gossamer dress. She casually gathered her long dark hair with a white jade hairpin, painted her brows and lips, and became as ethereal as a celestial maiden descended from the heavens.

Once she was satisfied with her appearance, she chose the path to the library pavilion that had the most disciples and was the farthest away. Whenever a disciple greeted her, she responded with a gentle smile, leaving behind the graceful image of a fairy.

Cultivating immortality did not mean severing all six senses.

Bai Ruo possessed natural grace; in the past, she had simply given her heart elsewhere.

The best way to deal with a white lotus was to outdo her at her own game: appear even more innocent, more beautiful, and more delicate. Was pretending to be lovely and gentle any harder than stealing hearts?

[Master, listen, the disciples are talking about you!]

“Have any of you noticed that Senior Sister Bai Ruo seems different since her return?”

“She’s even more beautiful now, like a true immortal!”

“And she’s more approachable with us disciples!”

“Exactly! I just greeted Senior Sister, and she not only replied but smiled at me!”

“Me too! I asked her for some advice, not expecting anything, but she told me to find her at the Spirit Platform tomorrow!”

“She used to be so cold, but now—if she stays this way, how could Shen Miao still hold the title of the Immortal Sect’s fairy!?”

“Right, right…”

“….”

Bai Ruo curled her lips.

“See? Isn’t this as easy as turning over my hand?”

[Yes, yes! Master is so powerful!]

From her dormitory to the library pavilion, wherever Bai Ruo appeared, hushed discussions followed.

The phrase she heard most often was, “Bai Ruo is indeed more beautiful than Shen Miao.”

As she stepped into the library pavilion, her gaze immediately fell upon Shen Miao, who was holding onto Bai Li Ce’s arm, looking up at him with an expression of pure innocence as she sought his guidance.

A disciple noticed Bai Ruo’s arrival and came over to salute her. Bai Ruo returned the gesture with a smile and calmly walked to the bookshelf opposite Shen Miao.

She met Shen Miao’s eyes and smiled.

Shen Miao’s eyes widened as she stared at Bai Ruo. She had seen Bai Ruo die with her own eyes in the Black Serpent Cave—how could she be alive and back at the Immortal Sect?

“Miaomiao, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Bai Li Ce asked with concern.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Shen Miao forced a smile at Bai Li Ce. “No, Brother Bai Li, I just still don’t quite understand this heart technique. Am I too stupid…?”

She looked so pitiful that even another woman would want to hug her, let alone Bai Li Ce, who could hardly resist.

“Don’t worry, maybe I’m not explaining it well. Since Senior Sister Bai Ruo is here, and she’s always been adept with techniques and heart methods, let’s ask her for help. I’m sure Senior Sister won’t refuse us!”

As Bai Li Ce comforted her, he placed his right hand gently on Shen Miao’s shoulder.

Out of Bai Li Ce’s sight, Shen Miao gave Bai Ruo a triumphant smile. Bai Ruo ignored her and continued reading bamboo slips.

[Master, they’re coming over! Ugh, what is that woman wearing? It stinks!]

[Little Mischief, you read my mind. Shen Miao must have bathed in incense.]

Bai Ruo suppressed the urge to pinch her nose to death and looked up at the pair, smiling sweetly as they approached for “advice.”

“Senior Sister, you’re so skilled with heart techniques. There’s one I don’t understand—could you guide me a little?”

Bai Ruo rolled her eyes almost imperceptibly. To others, it appeared as if she simply smiled as she replied, “Sorry, I can’t.”

Bai Li Ce was taken aback. Previously, Bai Ruo would chase after him to teach him these techniques. What was going on today?

He forced a smile onto his face, clenching his teeth. “May I ask, Senior Sister, why—”

“I don’t know it,” Bai Ruo interrupted, her answer crisp and direct, offering Bai Li Ce not a shred of dignity—not even a sliver.

Naturally, Shen Miao wouldn’t waste such a chance to play the victim. She gripped Bai Li Ce’s hand and squeezed out two crocodile tears.

“Senior Sister, everyone in the Immortal Sect knows you once admired Brother Bai Li. Now that he’s with me, you must feel unwilling to let go.”

In the past, whatever Shen Miao did went unnoticed as long as Bai Ruo was around.

Now, after finally winning Bai Li Ce, why should a supposedly dead person come back to wreak havoc?

Turning to Bai Li Ce with a gaze full of affection, Shen Miao put on a look of resolve.

“But—if you hate me, so be it. Why drag Brother Bai Li into this? There are so many people here. After all, Brother Bai Li is the Elder’s personal disciple. You’re making him lose face!”

Her words were well-reasoned, but Bai Ruo still ignored her.

[Master, when love rivals meet, sparks fly! I’ll never understand what’s so great about Bai Li Ce—low cultivation, handsome? Hah! He’s not even a fraction as good as the Supreme God!]

Watching Shen Miao’s concern for him, Bai Li Ce couldn’t help but feel he’d almost missed out on a good woman.

“Senior Sister, liking Miaomiao is my own choice. You can’t hate someone just because you didn’t get what you wanted. If you must take it out on someone, come to me instead!”

Bai Ruo nodded.

His words didn’t stir even a ripple in Bai Ruo’s heart; in fact, she almost wanted to applaud the pair.

How touching. Luckily, she was the lotus; if she were truly Bai Ruo, she’d probably be furious.

To Bai Li Ce, Bai Ruo now felt like an impenetrable ball—all their anger bounced back on themselves.

Left with no other choice, Bai Li Ce could only leave the library pavilion with the sobbing Shen Miao.

When it came to going head-to-head with Shen Miao, Bai Li Ce had little confidence.

After all, being a senior sister was no easy feat—Bai Ruo was not only the Sect Master’s daughter, but also, at a young age, had become the chief disciple.

Across thousands of years, the Xuanming Continent had no shortage of talent, but among women, Bai Ruo was likely the most outstanding in history.

[Master is incredible! Absolutely stunning presence!]

“This is nothing. I haven’t even started stirring things up yet, all right? This was just an appetizer. Just look at how scared Shen Miao was—pathetic.”

[Yes, yes! Master is mighty!]

They’d only spent a day or two together, but Little Mischief was already unconditionally devoted, showering her with praise. Bai Ruo found it odd, but couldn’t quite put her finger on what was strange.

Then again, she was indeed as remarkable as Little Mischief claimed!