Chapter Seven: A Change of Name

“Huh? Why?” Feng Liqian was stunned.

“Because your name is far too renowned,” the High Priestess replied, pausing briefly as a flicker of hesitation passed through her eyes. Still, she continued, “To be honest, the most famous saintess in our Feng clan was named Feng Lixi.”

Feng Liqian froze, her heart thumping in alarm. She drew a deep breath, feigning ignorance as she asked, “You mean the great sage who founded the mortal realm?”

Could it be that the ancient myths were true? She realized that the “principles” she held dear now seemed as fragile as a house left in ruins by an earthquake—completely crumbled.

“Precisely.” The High Priestess’s expression grew grave. “This saintess of our Feng clan is renowned throughout the Three Realms. Her name is known to all. Yet you, my friend, have no spiritual roots. I think it would be wiser for you to choose a less conspicuous name, to avoid unnecessary trouble in the future.”

That made sense. Some people in the world are simply unreasonable; they might vent their anger on her just because of a name. One should wear a hat only as big as one’s head. For her own safety, a cultivator of her meager talents should keep as low a profile as possible in a sect—never too humble.

“Thank you for your advice, High Priestess.” Feng Liqian nodded repeatedly. “I’m new here and unfamiliar with the taboos. Would you be kind enough to grant me a new name?”

“What a clever girl you are,” the High Priestess praised. “In Azurecloud Sect, the True Master always refers to you as ‘the Feng clan girl.’ Why not simply call yourself ‘Nuwa,’ the girl?”

“Nuwa?” she thought, incredulously. What kind of name was that? Wasn’t it a bit too casual? Feng Liqian couldn’t help but hint, “Well, since this will be the name of the saintess, perhaps something a touch more formal would be better?”

The High Priestess took her suggestion readily and considered for a moment. “Then let’s use a homonym: ‘Nüwa.’ In meaning, it refers to a woman at the heart of the people, which fits the saintess’s role perfectly.”

Feng Liqian was nearly struck speechless—Nüwa? Heaven above, Nüwa! Was the esteemed priestess truly being casual with this choice?

Honestly, could there be a bolder female name in all of Chinese legend? What a coincidence—according to what she knew, the goddess who created mankind in Chinese mythology was also called Feng Lixi. Because of this, back in university, her classmates never tired of teasing her, calling her “the Titaness.”

Could it be that she, Feng Liqian, was actually the legendary Feng Lixi… that she was the fabled Nüwa?

“Nüwa… heh, Nüwa…” Feng Liqian—no, the freshly minted, hopeless little cultivator Nüwa—felt her heart pounding wildly in her chest, her mouth dry and her mind reeling. She grabbed the black clay jug and gulped down water as if her soul had left her body.

Ha! She was Nüwa! Was there any boast greater than this?

The High Priestess at her side was growing increasingly exasperated. Even the clan chief and all the tribespeople treated her with reverence, as if she were a goddess. Yet this random, unknown slip of a girl, whom she was personally renaming, dared to be so picky! Humph, she thought, ungrateful wretch!

The High Priestess’s brows knitted as she opened her mouth, about to scold. However, her gaze fell on Feng Liqian’s lower dantian, and she held back—this useless girl couldn’t even withstand the slightest pressure. She still needed her to impersonate the saintess and complete her task. If the girl were injured or crippled, she’d have to waste spiritual medicine on her!

So, in a cold voice, she asked, “What, do you dislike the name?”

“No, no, not at all. I like it very much. It’s an excellent name. For the High Priestess to bestow a name upon me is a blessing I must have earned over many lifetimes.” Feng Liqian set down the water jug and fanned her hands in exaggerated gratitude. But, mindful of the cautionary tale of King Zhou of Shang, she felt uneasy and, with some tact, added, “It’s just that I’m really not as worthy as you say. Perhaps it’s better to call me ‘Nuwa the girl.’ That way, should you or your clan ever find the true saintess, you’ll have a way to explain things to Azurecloud Sect.”

That, at least, sounded reasonable. Hmph, brat, you finally know your place. The High Priestess, seeing her attitude, deliberated and made a decision. “‘Nuwa the girl’ is, as you said, too casual. Here’s what I propose: continue using K’er’s name to avoid raising suspicion among the clan. As for Azurecloud Sect, they won’t discover anything for a while; I’ll deal with them later.” There had already been too much gossip in the clan. She didn’t want further trouble.

“Very well.” Feng Liqian immediately nodded enthusiastically, thinking, That’s how it should be. Otherwise, it would be blatant impersonation!

The High Priestess smiled, but repeatedly warned her, “Girl, you must utterly forget your former name. Remember, from now on your name is Feng Ke’er, saintess of the Feng clan.”

Feng Liqian nodded obediently, like a pecking chick, though she didn’t take the words to heart.

Having accomplished her task, the High Priestess pursed her lips almost imperceptibly and departed with a flourish.

By twilight, the glow of flames flickered outside, and the air was alive with voices. It seemed the bonfire festivities had begun.

The two burly, hairy-faced guards still stood outside the door. In other words, her confinement was not yet lifted. Feng Liqian wrinkled her nose and muttered, “Saintess? More like a saintess in captivity!”

Just then, Feng Queyi entered, carrying a platter of golden, sizzling roast meat. “Saintess, the High Priestess worried that the noise outside might disturb you, so she sent me to keep you company.”

She looked much improved, vibrant and full of life.

Perfect timing—Feng Liqian had a host of new questions. She gestured for Queyi to sit and studied her. “Aren’t you worried about exhausting your spiritual energy again and suffering backlash from the Tongyan technique?” From what the High Priestess had let slip, this woman must be in her forties, yet her face was as fresh as a girl’s. How did she maintain herself?

“Oh, it’s nothing. The High Priestess gave me a Spirit-Nourishing Pill.” Feng Queyi blushed and lowered her head to drink water, hiding her embarrassment.

So she’d come prepared. Feng Liqian nodded and asked, “Can’t you refine pills yourself? Is it because you lack the recipe?” So that’s why she had only those crude herbal poultices for her, instead of Rejuvenation Pills?

“Oh, the recipe for the Spirit-Nourishing Pill isn’t a secret; all cultivators know it. The salve I used on your injury was actually the raw material for Rejuvenation Powder. It’s just that, without spiritual energy, the effect is much weaker than the pill.” Feng Queyi glanced around uncomfortably. “Pill refining consumes a lot of spiritual energy. Only at the late Qi Condensation stage does one have enough to light the furnace.”

It wasn’t right to bully honest people. Having learned something new, Feng Liqian was in no hurry to let Queyi leave. She quickly changed tactics, “Sorry, I spoke out of turn. I really admire you—you can cultivate and preserve your youth.” She touched her own cheek and sighed, “In another twenty years, I fear I’ll be too old to look at.”

Feng Queyi had already heard from the High Priestess that Feng Liqian had no spiritual roots and would never be able to cultivate. In Azurecloud Sect, she’d been bullied as a useless waste, not even given the chance to speak. So being called back home was, for her, a relief more than a pity. That was why Feng Liqian sensed no arrogance in her, so common among cultivators.

Seeing this rootless waste about to enter Azurecloud Sect, Feng Queyi could imagine only a bleak future for her. She looked at Feng Liqian with sympathy and gently consoled her, “Actually, it has nothing to do with cultivation. When I first entered the sect, Fairy Moxue gave me a Beauty-Preserving Pill as a welcome gift. This pill keeps one’s appearance unchanged for fifty years. It has little use for cultivation, but it appeals to female cultivators’ love of beauty. Its effects are mild, so even mortals can take it. Fairy Moxue is no outsider—if you’re interested, you can ask her for one too.”

From this, Feng Liqian deduced some general knowledge about pills: their ingredients were largely the same, but differences in spiritual energy or refining technique accounted for their grades—powder, pellet, pill, elixir, and so on. “Powder” was simply ground herbs, requiring no spiritual energy, and thus could be made by anyone.

She was secretly delighted and resolved to collect as many pill recipes as possible once she reached Azurecloud Sect. Rejuvenation, beauty—she’d take them all back to the modern world and manufacture them. Even if she couldn’t make true elixirs, she could at least create effective powders. The beauty formula would certainly sell like crazy.

“Excellent idea,” she exclaimed, clapping her hands in praise. Then, feigning confusion, she asked, “Speaking of Fairy Moxue, I find something odd. The High Priestess told me she and the fairy are sisters. But you are the High Priestess’s niece. Why is your surname Feng, while theirs is Gong? Did the High Priestess take their father’s surname?”

Feng Queyi frowned slightly, a hint of indignation in her tone. “Saintess, you jest. Our Feng clan has endured for a million years and values tradition above all. We are not like small clans who let their children take the father’s surname and disrupt propriety! The High Priestess and Fairy Moxue’s mother is Master Cai Xia of Azurecloud Sect, who bears the surname Gong. Thus, her daughters are also surnamed Gong. A hundred years ago, Master Cai Xia visited our clan and met my granduncle. When she left, she took him with her. Seventy years ago, when my granduncle passed, the High Priestess returned his ashes to our clan. Only then did we learn he had descendants. After the previous saintess died, and Master Cai Xia soon passed as well, the sect leader of Azurecloud, seeing our clan had no one with spiritual roots, took pity on us and granted the High Priestess entry into our clan. Even so, we call her ‘aunt,’ not ‘maternal aunt,’ because she remains an outsider by blood.”

So, it really was a matrilineal society—perhaps even at its end! And this so-called “pity” from the sect leader was likely because the High Priestess had little talent for cultivation, so it was a convenient favor to grant.

Feng Liqian feigned sudden enlightenment and rose to bow deeply. “Thank you. Your explanation has enlightened me.”

Feng Queyi quickly returned the gesture. “You’re too kind, saintess.”

Feng Liqian, not letting the opportunity slip, took her hand affectionately. “Then I’ll be bold and call you Sister Queyi from now on. And you needn’t be so formal—just call me Little Qian.”

“Little Qian,” Feng Queyi replied with a gentle smile, making no further protest.

End of Chapter Seven: Renaming Complete!