Chapter Sixty-Eight: Attainment

When they entered the room assigned to Ye Sansi and the others, Xiong Gang noticed there were six beds and remarked, “The people on this island are really stingy, and have poor judgment too. With skills as extraordinary as yours and Second Brother’s, they actually put you both in the same room.”

Liu Lingshuang asked, “Aren’t your accommodations like this?”

Xiong Gang replied, “No, not at all. When I arrived, they gave me a single room. My place is much bigger than this.”

“It’s all the same, isn’t it?” Taiyi said indifferently. “Besides, if we were separated, we’d just worry about each other.”

“Second Brother, it’s not the same. Each of these hundred and eight stairways has sixty-four rooms, including eight large, twenty-four medium, and thirty-two small ones. Among these, two of each size are singles. I’ve heard from some disciples that there’s meaning behind the room assignments—they’re based on aptitude and ability. How could they put you and Big Brother in this room?”

Ye Sansi scratched his head and laughed, “What’s wrong with this room? I don’t mind as long as the bed is good for sleeping. Besides, we just arrived today, haven’t met the island lord yet, and haven’t been evaluated. The room must have been assigned at random.”

Jin Sun nodded and said, “Big Brother Ye, don’t listen to the big guy’s nonsense. The rooms really are assigned at random. When I came to the hall, the island lord just glanced at me and shook his head. I thought I’d failed. But then he ordered a disciple to take me to a single large room. How could that be random?”

Xiong Gang chimed in, “I heard there was a child assigned to a large room, so I was always paying attention. Who would have guessed it was a young girl?”

Jin Sun snuggled up to Liu Lingshuang and said playfully, “Sister Lingshuang, could I move in here? I’m scared at night, all alone in that big room. There are two beds empty here, and I’d feel safer with you all.”

Xiong Gang joked, “On this Immortal Island, disciples patrol everywhere by sword, and there are barriers at the sea and inner island. What’s there to worry about? In the past, you were only afraid because of me. Now that we’re friends…”

“Hey, hey, hey, hold on! I never promised to be friends with you, don’t make things up,” Jin Sun pouted, smiling.

Liu Lingshuang stroked Jin Sun’s hand and said, “Little Sun, you’re welcome to stay here, but you’re a young girl, and with Sansi and Taiyi here, isn’t it a bit inappropriate?”

“How is it inappropriate?” Jin Sun pouted, muttering, “Why is it fine for you and Sister Nian’er, but not for me with two older brothers?”

Liu Lingshuang laughed, “Clever little fox, quick with your retorts. But we’re different. The four of us have been through life and death together—our bond goes beyond worldly customs. You’re still young, and if…”

But Jin Sun didn’t care for these explanations—she only thought how kind Liu Lingshuang and the others were, and felt at ease with them. She interrupted, clinging to Lingshuang’s arm and resting her head on her shoulder, “Sister Lingshuang, please say yes, I beg you.”

Liu Lingshuang couldn’t resist Jin Sun’s adorable pleading and had to nod, smiling her agreement.

Jin Sun bounced with joy. Xiong Gang seemed lost in thought. Ye Sansi, seeing his expression, couldn’t help but secretly laugh.

Ye Sansi coughed and said, “There are six beds and only five of us. Why don’t you move in too, Xiong Gang?”

“Big Brother, that doesn’t seem appropriate…”

“What’s inappropriate? Since you’ve accepted me as your big brother, I must look after you. Besides, it’s good for us to look out for each other, isn’t it?”

Xiong Gang lowered his head and said nothing, sneaking glances at Jin Sun. Ye Sansi, pretending to be annoyed, said, “What’s this? You’ve already forgotten your promise after just swearing brotherhood? As your big brother, I’ve decided.”

Ye Sansi’s tone startled Xiong Gang, who quickly replied, “Alright, I’ll obey Big Brother’s instructions. I’ll go fetch my things now and make up a bed.” With that, he bowed and took his leave.

Jin Sun hurried after him to arrange her bedding. Li Taiyi lay back on his bed and sighed. “Sanshi, Little Sun moving in is her own wish, but Xiong Gang didn’t ask for this. Are we not forcing him?”

Ye Sansi laughed, “Taiyi, you say I know nothing of worldly matters, but didn’t you notice Xiong Gang likes Little Sun? The moment he sees her, his eyes turn soft. When Lingshuang agreed to let Little Sun move in, he looked so anxious—”

“Haha, you’re more observant than I am. I thought Xiong Gang was just being sympathetic, taking care of her out of pity. Who knew he had such feelings?”

Lin Nian’er smiled gently, “Words can lie, actions can deceive, but you can’t fake the look in one’s eyes—especially when you like someone. Seeing them brings comfort, and your eyes are filled with tenderness.”

Liu Lingshuang pouted, glancing at Sansi and muttered under her breath, “Tsk, so sharp with everyone else’s feelings, but can’t see I like you. Must be pretending to be clueless. Ye Sansi, you wild boy, you’re so annoying…”

“What did you say, Lingshuang?” Ye Sansi leaned over.

Lingshuang giggled foolishly, waving her hands. “Nothing, nothing.”

Two hours passed. Ye Sansi and the others found some fresh quilts in the cupboard and made up their beds.

Xiong Gang finally returned, carrying his heavy luggage by himself and preparing his bed without help. This pleased Ye Sansi greatly. Though Jin Sun was not as strong as Xiong Gang, her room wasn’t far away, and she soon returned as well, carrying only a thin quilt, which she laid on her bed.

Liu Lingshuang approached and, seeing how thin it was, said softly, “Little Sun, are you really just sleeping on that? This island isn’t like the city—sea winds are chilly at night, and you could get sick. I saw more quilts in the cupboard; I’ll fetch you one.”

Jin Sun quickly stopped her, “No, thanks, Sister. I’ve been on the island a while and know the weather. I’ve never feared the cold since I was a child—sometimes I even feel overheated. This little mat is enough.”

With everyone settled, they headed to the dining hall. This time, Xiong Gang didn’t go alone. Following Ye Sansi’s advice, he informed the residents of the stairway that after the upcoming disciple selection, their meals would no longer be covered, but for now, they could eat as usual.

After everyone finished their meal and left the stairs, the day had darkened. The six of them went to collect their dinner, the barrier glowing softly in the night.

Xiong Gang mused, “Be sure not to touch the barrier. It looks harmless, but it will burn you. I touched it out of curiosity once and got injured. It took days to heal, even though it wasn’t serious.”

Lingshuang laughed, knowing that when she first entered the island, the barrier was no obstacle at all—she could come and go freely draped in her Silverstar gauze robe from the Iron Killing Shop. Unfortunately, she’d lost the robe; otherwise, she’d have liked to explore ahead of schedule.

Beside the barrier, the food stall was still open. The disciple in charge greeted them cheerfully, “Brother Xiong, you’re finally here. I was wondering why you were so late tonight.”

“Haha, Brother Wang, with the selection coming up, meal money won’t be covered anymore. I thought I’d let them eat first to make up for it.”

“That’s nothing to apologize for. You’re doing a kindness paying for others’ meals. Why feel guilty?”

Xiong Gang smiled sheepishly. The disciple dished up their food, “The food is still warm—eat up! Good luck with the selection in two days. Once you’re initiated, you’ll eat at the Eastern Dining Hall—the food there is better than anywhere else.”

Xiong Gang cupped his fists in thanks, “I’ll thank you in advance, Brother Wang.”

“Don’t mention it, just eat.”

Though they were only in the outer areas of the Immortal Island, the air felt different—crisp and invigorating. The sea breeze brushed their faces, sweeping away all sleepiness.

Soon, they finished. The disciple cleaned up, saying, “Brother Xiong, you still have plenty of money with me. There’s more than enough, so since you won’t be covering meals anymore, this money—”

“Brother Wang, you keep it. In the two years I’ve spent on this island, you’ve looked after me well. Use it to marry a wife, how about that?”

The disciple replied softly, “As if I can’t get married without your money. But since you insist, I’ll accept. When you come to the Eastern Dining Hall, I’ll give you extra meat. Now, I’d better be off.”

With a wave of his hand, the barrier opened a gap like a doorway. He stepped through, and after a few paces, the opening closed, the barrier shimmering as before.

Back in their room, they fetched water and washed up in turn in the small back hall. The conditions on the outskirts of the island were meager, especially in Ye Sansi’s room—six beds at the entrance, and beyond a door, a tiny back hall.

They were all exhausted after the day’s events and soon washed and went to bed. Thoughts of the coming selection kept Xiong Gang awake—whether from excitement or nerves, he couldn’t tell. After two years on the island, if he failed to be chosen this time, he’d have to wait three more years—a terrifying prospect.

Jin Sun was no different. A young girl, weak by nature, she’d braved the island alone for months, enduring hardship. If she failed to be accepted as a disciple, it would not only be humiliating but a waste of her precious youth.

Lingshuang, Nian’er, and Taiyi all found it hard to sleep. Only Sansi snored away, sleeping soundly.

Ye Sansi wasn’t worried about the coming selection. If the island didn’t accept him, he’d just return to Cloudstep Mountain to visit Uncle Shu. With his magic gourd, it was easy enough to reach Nameless Peak. Besides, the world was full of sects—missing this chance was no great loss.

The five who lay awake listened to Sansi’s snores, shaking their heads with smiles. They couldn’t help but admire his optimism—a rare quality indeed.

Perhaps, as the old saying goes: “When you have little, you do not fear loss; when you have much, you cannot bear to lose it…”