Chapter 109: A Cut Above

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A truly flawless “barrier,” regardless of its size, had a “true-qi defensive shield” that existed in reality yet cast no visible form—it could not be seen by the naked eye. Since She Meier had only just learned how to set up barriers, her power to condense true qi was still far from sufficient. That was why the “umbrella formation” she had created still had a visible shape.

As Yan Chixia watched, he thought, “Even so, She Meier is already quite remarkable! I only wonder how long the barrier she has set up can last.”

The light rain continued to fall.

Yan Chixia, Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, Pinecone, and She Meier stood together beneath the “umbrella formation,” sheltering from the rain while chatting animatedly. After less than a quarter of an hour, there was suddenly a faint popping sound, and the “umbrella formation” She Meier had created collapsed.

“Ah?” Tu Xiaomeng was startled and immediately cried out, “How did that happen?”

“Of course it happened!” She Meier explained, somewhat embarrassed. “Mengmeng, my cultivation level is still low, and I’ve only just learned to set up barriers. My power to condense the true-qi defensive shield isn’t strong enough, so the umbrella formation I created could only last for such a short time. But it doesn’t matter. I’ll set up another one now and continue sheltering everyone from the wind and rain…”

“She Meier, wait a moment,” Yan Chixia suddenly said. “Let me try setting up an umbrella formation and see how I do.”

With a casual wave of his hand, a perfectly formed “umbrella formation” immediately appeared above them, once again shielding everyone from the pattering raindrops.

“Ah!” Tu Xiaomeng cheered involuntarily. “Brother Yan, you’re amazing!”

Pinecone also gave a simple-minded laugh.

“Hehehe, Brother Yan is really amazing!”

Bai Xiaoyue and She Meier said nothing. The two of them unconsciously raised their heads and began examining it.

The umbrella formation Yan Chixia had created was about the same size as She Meier’s. However, the true qi condensed into its defensive shield was slightly purer and denser than hers. It appeared faint and indistinct, almost imperceptible, already nearly blending into the air.

As she watched, She Meier sighed in admiration.

“Yan Chixia, you really are more capable! Back then, I boasted that once I learned how to set up barriers, I would use a ‘living knot’ to restrain you and deprive you of your freedom. But now it seems I’ll probably never be able to control you!”

“Heh heh…” Yan Chixia teased her. “She Meier, don’t be afraid! I did say that once both of us learned to set up barriers, if you dared use a living knot on me, I would give you a dead knot in return, leaving you helpless and unable to go anywhere… But that was only a joke. So don’t let it weigh on your mind!”

She Meier’s face flushed.

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“I wouldn’t! Yan Chixia, don’t get smug. Before, I was fighting you alone and couldn’t defeat you. But now Xiaoyue, Mengmeng, and I are sworn sisters. If you dare bully me again, neither of them will stand by and do nothing!”

“That’s true!” Yan Chixia said with a laugh. “She Meier, I forgot you had an allied army… Fortunately, you reminded me. I certainly won’t dare provoke you in the future!”

She Meier, Bai Xiaoyue, and Tu Xiaomeng were delighted and all began laughing.

Pinecone blinked in surprise, then joined in with a simple-minded chuckle.

Yan Chixia’s umbrella formation remained above them for nearly half an hour before suddenly collapsing with another soft pop.

Just then, the raincloud was blown away by the wind.

The rain had passed, and the sky had cleared. The flowers, grass, and trees washed by the rain looked especially fresh beneath the brilliant sunlight, giving off a warm, soothing fragrance that refreshed the spirit.

Yan Chixia, Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, Pinecone, and She Meier began wandering and playing on the mountain.

Before they knew it, noon had arrived. Tu Xiaomeng’s stomach began to growl, and she smiled at Yan Chixia.

“Brother Yan, I’m hungry! I want something delicious…”

“All right!” Yan Chixia readily agreed. “Xiaomeng, we’ll have a grand feast together today. Let’s find a suitable place for a picnic. I guarantee that whatever you want to eat, you’ll have!”

Tu Xiaomeng was overjoyed. She immediately began searching for a place to eat together with Bai Xiaoyue and She Meier, while Yan Chixia and Pinecone followed behind.

Before long, they discovered a patch of perfectly level grass beneath a large rock, an ideal spot for their meal. Everyone formed a circle on the grass and sat down on the ground.

Yan Chixia smiled.

“Today is a beautiful day, and it’s rare for the five of us to come up the mountain together. Now we’re going to share a feast. Sister, She Meier, Xiaomeng, Pinecone—what would you like to eat? Just tell me. I guarantee I’ll provide everything!”

“Wonderful!” Tu Xiaomeng immediately beamed. “Brother Yan, I want shredded carrots with cashews, honey-glazed ham, golden diced chicken, and fragrant crispy fish fillets.”

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She Meier smiled sweetly.

“Yan Chixia, I’d like fish shreds with green bamboo shoots, salt-baked river prawns, mountain chicken stewed with straw mushrooms, and steamed sea bass. I’d also like some Daughter Red wine!”

“Hehehe…” Pinecone chuckled in his simple-minded way. “Brother Yan, I like pine-nut sesame cakes and noodle soup.”

Bai Xiaoyue smiled.

“Little brother, I’d like dry-fried okra, lotus-root slices with white fungus, egg-drop seaweed soup, and lettuce tossed with almonds.”

“Are you all finished? Is that everything? Nothing else?” Yan Chixia asked with a laugh.

When all four assured him that they wanted nothing more, he silently recited an incantation and summoned the talisman paper, cinnabar, and brush stored inside his storage ring. Using true qi to control the paper, he spread it out before him in midair, then began drawing on it with the cinnabar brush, swishing it back and forth.

Before long, all the delicacies they had requested appeared vividly upon the paper.

She Meier watched from the side, green with envy.

When Yan Chixia finished drawing, he put away the brush and ink. Then he gripped one corner of the “paper talisman drawing” with his right hand and gave it a shake.

A flash of golden light burst forth. In an instant, all the assorted meat and vegetable dishes came to life, large platters and small bowls tumbling onto the grass one after another. They were perfect in color, aroma, and flavor, and their enticing fragrance filled the air, making everyone’s mouth water.

Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, Pinecone, and She Meier all cheered. They hurriedly picked up their chopsticks and happily began eating and drinking with Yan Chixia.

While eating the shredded carrots with cashews, Tu Xiaomeng suddenly remembered the carrots and vegetables they had planted earlier and called out,

“Brother Yan, Sister Bai, how are the carrots and vegetables we planted in the grotto-heaven doing? Have they grown well? Shouldn’t they be ready for harvesting by now?”

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