I Really Like the Male Supporting Character (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 28

For the next two weeks, Ah Luo practiced and cultivated as she usually did. She also spent her time attending lectures by the sect elders on cultivation techniques or going to the sect’s medicine field to help collect medicinal herbs in exchange for some spiritual grain or spiritual fruits.

Her life was orderly and peaceful. Her days passed by like a stream of water until the day before the trip to the hidden realm arrived.

Since she hadn’t yet achieved the level of not needing food, unlike other cultivators, she was still bound to eating spiritual grains and spiritual fruits. That evening, after a day of cultivation, she washed a spiritual fruit and began munching on it.

The spiritual fruits of the cultivation world were juicy and delicious, rich in spiritual energy, and just a couple of them could fully satisfy one’s hunger.

As she lay on a wicker chair under the cherry blossom tree, crunching on her fruit, Ah Luo gazed up at the clear blue sky. Her mind was preoccupied with her plans for when she was in the hidden realm.

She knew her cultivation level was low, and she’d been training tirelessly for the past half month to avoid any mishaps within the realm. Unfortunately, despite her diligence, her progress remained stagnant.

The original Lin Luoyin had never been one to slack in her training, either, yet she had seen little improvement over the years. Her constitution simply made her cultivation of spiritual energy nearly impossible, and it seemed like relying on her own skills for survival was not an option for her.

When one path is closed, another must be found.

Ah Luo was a practical and adaptable person. She remembered clearly that, before the female protagonist entered the hidden realm in the book, Lu Cang had given her some treasures. Surely, as his youngest disciple, she’d be granted something similar.

She had behaved obediently these past few days and never actively sought Lu Cang’s presence—after all, Lin Luoyin had lived under the radar for over a decade. Any drastic change would be suspicious.

Ah Luo was cautious and patient. All she needed to do was wait for Lin Qingyun to tell their master about their plan to enter the hidden realm, and then she’d naturally have an opportunity to receive some benefits from him.

Just as she thought this, a soft yet detached voice echoed in her mind, as if someone were whispering directly into her ear, saying, “Disciple Luoyin, come to the Wandao Peak.”

Ah Luo’s froze mid-bite. Her whole body stilled, and she could feel her ears going a little numb.

If she wasn’t mistaken, that was her master’s voice! Was he using his spiritual sense to communicate with her?

Of course, given her master’s advanced cultivation, his spiritual consciousness extended over a vast area, so this small Wandao Peak would naturally be within his scope.

Once his voice dissipated, silence returned to her.

Ah Luo was embarrassed. She got up from the chair and used a charm to quickly tidy herself up. She couldn’t help but hope that her master hadn’t noticed her just now, covered in sticky fruit juice.

At the peak of Wandao stood a large rock, polished smooth as if by some unseen hand. Ah Luo rode a white crane to the summit, where she saw a white-robed figure standing on the smooth rock, facing the distant misty expanse and the evening clouds lit with hues of the setting sun. The wind lifted his snowy robe and sent his long sleeves fluttering.

With a posture as upright as a sword, he seemed like a lone green pine on the mountainside—unwavering and indestructible.

Hearing the sound of the crane’s wings, Lu Cang slowly turned. His black hair drifted freely in the wind. His dark eyes were calm and deep, framed by the glow of the sunset behind him, which cast half of the sky in a fiery hue.

For a moment, Ah Luo was dazed. She had learned from the past, so she didn’t dare to look at him for too long and quickly lowered her head.

Even so, her heart pounded furiously. That pure white figure left an indelible impression in her heart.

The crane landed, and Ah Luo climbed down before walking over to Lu Cang.

“M-Master,” she said.

His gaze, which was too intense to ignore, fell on her. At the same time, Ah Luo felt a chill hit her. She felt her whole body stiffen as she lowered her head even further.

After a long pause—or maybe it was only a fleeting moment that felt like an eternity—that cold, emotionless gaze drifted away, and his deep voice resounded.

“I heard you’re planning to go to the Linjin Hidden Realm?”

Ah Luo softly replied, “Yes.” 

She was worried that he’d see it as reckless, so she quietly added, “I thought it’d be good practice…”

“If so, take this,” he coldly and indifferently said.

A round jade bead floated in front of Ah Luo and hovered mid-air.

The bead was the size of a thumb, and it was smooth and flawless. Ah Luo cautiously reached out her hand, and it settled in her palm. It felt cool to the touch.

“Master, what is this?” she asked. She raised her head to look at him; her curiosity had won over her caution.

Lu Cang had already turned away by then, and all she saw was his broad back and flowing black hair.

His voice came with the breeze, clear and crisp, like the clash of stone and metal. “This contains half of my cultivation. Should you face danger, channel your spiritual energy to activate it. It will protect you.”

Ah Luo’s eyes widened. Lu Cang was at the peak of his cultivation. Considering his realm of cultivation, his bead held the strength to defeat five Void Return cultivators!

This was an incredible safeguard! It was truly befitting for the female protagonist’s strongest supporter.

After doing that mental calculation, Ah Luo’s eyes crinkled with happiness. It was clear to her that her master still cared for her. Originally, she’d planned to bring her sister along to seek some benefits from him, but he had gone out of his way to prepare this treasure for her alone.

She knew that, in the original storyline, the female protagonist had never received something like this; this was unique—hers alone! The thought filled her with joy.

With her excitement easing her initial shyness and fear, Ah Luo gave Lu Cang a deep bow. Her voice was bright and full of gratitude as she said, “Thank you, Master!”

Her cheerful tone rang out clearly, and her doe-like eyes narrowed into crescent moons. Her cheeks showed her little dimples on them as she beamed with joy.

Lu Cang hadn’t turned around, but his spiritual sense perceived it all.

It was hard to define the feeling, but he felt a slight tug at his heart. An indescribable emotion rose within him.

He had given his eldest disciple, Lin Qingyun, many treasures over the years but had never felt such a clear surge of gratitude from her. It wasn’t that Lin Qingyun was ungrateful—she was just reserved and had never been as expressive as Lin Luoyin was now, and their interactions had always been respectful and restrained.

For this youngest disciple of his, he felt a lingering sense of guilt.

For over a decade, he’d barely given her any attention or guidance and had never offered her any help or protection.

Though he hadn’t fulfilled his role as a master and had neglected her for so long, she still looked up at him with clear, untainted eyes. Her eyes remained filled with admiration and respect for him.

When she had called for him that time, it had made him realize his negligence towards her. As such, he’d brought her here to make amends with a gift.

This jade bead was a rare treasure he’d acquired long ago. It contained a body that could house his consciousness. Once activated, he could manifest a second self in this world. He’d originally saved it as a trump card for his own tribulation, yet because of that small touch of hidden guilt, he gave it to Ah Luo instead.

Her cultivation level was too low. If she entered the hidden realm without anything to protect her, she would almost certainly die upon entering the hidden realm.

With his double protecting her, though, she should be fine.

Lu Cang slowly lowered his eyes. As the wind carried his cool voice, he said, “Go, and return if there’s anything you need.”

“Yes, Master!”

The Linjin Hidden Realm opened as scheduled. Ah Luo arrived at the entry grounds with Lin Qingyun. When they arrived, many of the sect’s elders were already waiting. When the time came, they would open the gateway to the realm together.

Ah Luo and her sister hadn’t been standing long when a young man in green robes approached. He wore a longsword at his back, and he had sharp features, bright eyes, and a light smile.

“Junior Sister Luoyin, are you also heading to the hidden realm today?” he asked, though his gaze was fixed on Lin Qingyun. It was obvious who he was really interested in speaking to.

This was the book’s male protagonist, Gu Xingjue, one of Guiyuan Sect’s best disciples, who was admired by many sect girls.

Ah Luo nodded. “Yes, I want to see what the realm is like.”

Lu Qingyun gave only a slight nod to Gu Xingjue in greeting. Her expression remained composed. With Lin Qingyun’s attention elsewhere, Gu Xingjue finally turned to Ah Luo. He offered, “Junior Sister Luoyin, your cultivation level is low. Once inside, how about we stick together? I can watch over you.”

Ah Luo thought, ‘Even if you hadn’t offered, I’d have followed you anyway.’

However, before she could respond, a girl’s delicate voice cut in,  saying, “Brother Xingjue!”

Li Jiaojiao fluttered over towards Gu Xingjue like a little butterfly. After greeting Gu Xingjue, she turned to look at Ah Luo. She raised her chin and said, “Junior Sister Luoyin, with such low cultivation, aren’t you afraid you won’t make it back from the hidden realm?”

Lin Qingyun frowned. “Junior Sister Li, my sister’s abilities are none of your concern, nor should you worry about her safety; our master has already ensured her protection.”

At this, Li Jiaojiao’s face paled. She remembered the terrifying, mountain-like pressure that had recently left her humiliated and speechless. After that encounter, she’d complained to her father—who was a peak master, only to be punished by him instead of receiving justice. She had grounded her for over half a month and had only released her today when the hidden realm was to be opened.

Li Jiaojiao had grown up hearing stories about Lu Cang. However, he lived in seclusion for most of the time and rarely appeared in public. As such, she had never seen or experienced his power firsthand. It was on that day that she finally realized how terrifying Lu Cang was—he was a person that even her omnipotent father had to be afraid of.

Seeing Li Jiaojiao reluctantly silence herself made Ah Luo feel pleased.

Sure enough, this brainless cannon fodder female supporting character would be reduced to nothing but a loser in front of the female protagonist.

Just then, the elders rose into the sky. They formed an array and channeled their spiritual energy until a round, shimmering portal appeared above.

“The Linjin Hidden Realm is open. Disciples, line up and enter in an orderly fashion,” a solemn elder announced.

Lin Qingyun held Ah Luo’s hand and lifted the two of them with spiritual energy. They floated towards the portal.

At the last moment, Ah Luo glanced back at the distant platform where the elders gathered.

Most disciples who entered the hidden realm were young. Their worried masters would often wait outside for them. As such, atop the platform stood a group of highly cultivated sect elders—some seated, others standing.

Ah Luo scanned the platform, hoping to spot someone she knew, though she knew it was unlikely.

She saw some figures dressed in white, but none were him. She felt a tinge of disappointment as she turned back and stepped into the portal.

At that instant, she thought she heard the faint sounds of excited voices around her…