Chapter 1101: That’s Not Me

Chapter 1101: That’s Not Me

“You have no right to be here,” Qin Shili stated directly, labeling Lin Nuo as nothing more than a newbie daring to show up in this place—completely unaware of his own insignificance.

If it were the old Lin Nuo, he might have been thrilled, as this was one of the rare moments Qin Shili spoke to him.

Even if she scolded him, he’d be over the moon—absolute classic clingy dog behavior, thinking a scolding was a form of concern.

She easily froze the spirit beasts that attacked her; after all, she was also a Martial Sister, viewing Lin Nuo like an elder sister would see a child. She felt he was immature, but with danger looming, she couldn’t help but step in to assist him.

In her current impression, Lin Nuo was a clueless and persistent person. However, she never expected him to dare follow her here, which truly caught her off guard.

But thinking it over, she shouldn’t have helped him; a little hardship would teach him a lesson.

Withdrawing her hand, she didn’t wait for Lin Nuo to leave and turned to continue her path forward.

As she walked further away, the icy aura around her weakened, causing the ice on the spirit beasts’ legs to start melting.

Lin Nuo realized he had been discovered, so he needed to find a chance to switch positions. He continued to follow her steps, cautiously moving forward.

Yet he didn’t dare get too close; the cold aura around Qin Shili was palpable. If he ventured too near, he might end up like the spirit beasts, frozen in place.

Once the ice melted off the spirit beasts’ legs, they redirected their aggression toward Lin Nuo and began to chase him.

Seeing the spirit beast lunging at him, he reacted swiftly, dodging out of the way just in time. The clumsy creature missed its mark and stumbled back into Qin Shili’s icy circle, its legs freezing up again.

Qin Shili didn’t turn back but listened to the sounds behind her. If Lin Nuo truly couldn’t hold on, she would freeze them all to end this farce.

How long could he hold out at this level?

At that moment, he should be shouting in fear, begging for her to save him, right?

Just a weakling, always putting on a brave face without knowing his own capabilities.

No sound, huh?

She stopped, realizing Lin Nuo’s noises had vanished, but she could still sense the spirit beasts’ fluctuations of power.

Did he leave?

Turning back, she noticed Lin Nuo was gone.

Good riddance.

She turned around again, continuing her journey, her form gradually blending into the forest, the cold air retreating to maintain the natural balance.

Lin Nuo dashed away from the spirit beasts, then kept close behind her, careful not to alert Qin Shili.

So far, so good.

Qin Shili reached a waterfall, the water crashing down from the mountain, producing a gentle rustle. The waters of Tianling Mountain were crystal clear and pristine, like a mirror reflecting back one’s appearance.

Qin Shili viewed her own looks with indifference, considering herself merely lucky to possess such beauty that made countless cultivators cheer. Not an ounce of vanity resided within her.

Just a bunch of shallow people admiring her appearance.

Her long, silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, and she gently brushed aside a few strands, inspecting her reflection in the water’s surface.

There was nothing to be proud of.

With few visitors, it was peaceful here, especially without the spirit beasts around. Sitting by the rocks, Qin Shili pondered deeply, seeking solitude after her daily training. She had many odd thoughts that she didn’t intend to share with her elders, fearing they might think her strange.

“Hm?”

Qin Shili finally noticed that a pair of eyes nearby was watching her, but she couldn’t determine who it was.

Who followed her here?

Is it Lin Nuo?

Impossible, he didn’t possess such capabilities. Every time he followed her, he quickly gave himself away. How is it that she only now noticed?

She needed to find out who it was.

Raising her hand, she conjured a frosty path ahead, swiftly rushing towards Lin Nuo’s hiding spot.

Her speed was astounding; in an instant, she reached the spot where Lin Nuo was hiding. But since Lin Nuo was an agile guy, there was no way he would let himself be caught off-guard, and in the blink of an eye, he had vanished.

[No one? No, he slipped away.]

Qin Shili scanned the leaves and grass around, confirming that someone had been there recently, yet she couldn’t identify who it was.

“Who are you? Why are you following me?” Qin Shili called out, her voice elevated.

Lin Nuo was certainly hiding, fearing that if Qin Shili discovered him, his carefully crafted persona would crumble.

Once that facade fell apart, this dream of his could very well collapse too.

He needed to keep up his act and stay close to her.

Quickly adjusting his expression, he exhaled deeply, then fell from the tree.

“Ow!”

He exclaimed, catching Qin Shili’s attention.

Is it Lin Nuo? Could the person stalking her truly be him?

Frost formed around her hand, summoning a sharp ice sword as she rushed towards Lin Nuo, as if intending to bring it down upon him.

“Second Martial Sister! Second Martial Sister! My dear Second Martial Sister! Don’t kill me!” Lin Nuo quickly adopted his formerly foolish tone, pleading for mercy.

“Were you just following me?”

Qin Shili’s sword pointed dangerously close to Lin Nuo’s neck; with a single miscalculation, his head could roll.

“Second Martial Sister, didn’t you see me? Why are you asking me if I followed you? Your voice is truly melodic.”

“Right here! You observed me from the shadows, and when I approached, you ran. So you’re the one?” Qin Shili pressed again.

“Second Martial Sister, I don’t know what you’re talking about… but I did see a black shadow darting away. Look at my level, I can’t even follow you without being discovered by you, right? Second Martial Sister, please put down your sword, we’re fellow sect members, right…”

“How did you escape from those spirit beasts?”

Qin Shili recalled this detail, keeping her sword raised while pressing Lin Nuo for answers.

It was strange; if she didn’t help him, how could he have escaped?

“There was a black shadow, fast as lightning, who drove those spirit beasts back. I couldn’t see who it was. But I think it might have been some elder, unable to watch me suffer.”

“You brought this on yourself.”

Qin Shili lowered her sword. She began to believe Lin Nuo’s words.

After all, the actions of an elder sounded far more reasonable than Lin Nuo’s capabilities.

“Get out of here; otherwise, no one will come to rescue you.”

“I just wanted a closer look at you, Second Martial Sister. Once you leave, I’ll go too.”

“Suit yourself.”

Qin Shili dismissed Lin Nuo, letting him be. If he annoyed her, she would freeze him in place to stop the chatter.

If he weren’t her fellow Martial Brother, she would have dealt with him much more harshly.

“Second Martial Sister, what are you doing here?”

Lin Nuo inquired, but Qin Shili ignored him.