Phoenix Power: The True Colors of the Empress - Chapter 45. New beginning.

Wu’er found herself alone in the Book Collection Pavilion, and the thought of being the only one there from now on brought her a sense of comfort and ease. The solitude was a welcome change.

Despite the fact that coming to the Pavilion was meant to be a punishment, Wu’er couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. She had no desire to get entangled with those other people anymore.

Yet, she couldn’t stop thinking about the man who had stepped forward to defend her and speak on her behalf. Why had he chosen to stand up for her when no one else believed her?

This mysterious man reminded her of Cang Ling Ye, though she knew that was impossible. Deep down, she accepted that Cang Ling Ye had likely forgotten about her. Besides, apart from their eyes, there was little resemblance between them.

Moreover, what were the chances of Cang Ling Ye appearing here and suddenly coming to her aid?

In that moment, she had wanted to ask the man if he was indeed Cang Ling Ye and why he had intervened on her behalf. But she hadn’t had the opportunity, and she feared that rushing to ask might have rendered his help meaningless.

So, Wu’er simply memorized the man’s appearance and then followed Xiao Heng to the Book Collection Pavilion.

Looking at the rows of books before her, Wu’er felt a surge of excitement. The emptiness of the place made her feel as though she had returned to the carefree days in the Dark Moon Forest.

Reflecting on her past, she realized that her time living among the wolves had been the most comfortable. After all, there were no plots or schemes to worry about.

But Wu’er knew she had to brace herself and keep moving forward because she longed for a better life.

The horrors of what happened in the Dark Moon Forest would haunt her forever. The wolves, who felt like family to her, had their blood drained dry that dreadful night. She could do nothing but watch helplessly as they died. Wu’er never wanted to experience that kind of pain again.

She resolved to become stronger. Only by doing so could she protect herself and those she cared about. Returning to the Dark Moon Forest was not an option now; she had to stay and continue her learning.

Wu’er now understood the world that often left Cang Ling Ye torn between laughter and tears.

There were many terrible things in this world, like Luo Yue’s jealousy, Xiao Heng’s ambition, and the indifference of so many.

Yet, there were also beautiful things, like Cang Ling Ye’s unwavering persistence and the bravery of the man who stood up for her today.

This world was full of imperfections, but it also held many things worth cherishing. With a kind heart, one could see the beauty amidst the flaws.

Xiao Heng had arranged for someone to bring over cleaning tools. Wu’er insisted on cleaning by herself, and they didn’t stop her. They left, perhaps thinking it was best that she cleaned alone.

Wu’er was eager to learn more about this library. She believed it held great potential. The grand library, with its vast collection of books, was undoubtedly the Lishan Sword Sect’s most precious treasure. However, it was now covered in a layer of dust. Wu’er was determined to brush away that dust herself, revealing the library’s true splendor!

Wu’er was determined to understand the contents of these books. Familiarizing herself with the library’s vast collection was her goal.

She had made all the necessary preparations and decided to start from the first bookshelf at the entrance, cleaning and organizing each book one by one.

With so many books, the task would undoubtedly take a long time if she did it alone. However, Wu’er knew that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. She embraced this philosophy and began her work, bit by bit, starting at the entrance.

Fortunately, Wu’er had learned to read. In the six months she had been at the Lishan Sword Sect, she had absorbed a wealth of knowledge from the teachers.

Though it had only been half a year, she had mastered enough words to make others envious of her talent.

But Wu’er knew her quick learning was not due to talent alone; it was her relentless effort and focus that made the difference. She put in more effort and was more dedicated than anyone else.

Wu’er began by cleaning the entrance of the library. The bookshelf there was filled with the history of the Lishan Sword Sect.

Although the sect had declined, it once boasted glorious achievements. Understanding its history was crucial to Wu’er.

The Lishan Sword Sect had been established several hundred years ago, and Wu’er wanted to understand why it had declined.

As she flipped through the history books, Wu’er’s heart was moved. The Lishan Sword Sect had once been so illustrious that even the founding Emperor of the Yuel Li Kingdom hailed from it.

In its prime, the sect emphasized both civil and martial arts, fostering both moral integrity and skill.

However, modern demands and the pursuit of benefits had led the Sect Master to focus solely on cultivating techniques, neglecting the education of literature and knowledge entirely.

But a tall house needs a solid foundation; a pavilion in the air is just an unrealistic illusion. Without a strong base, how can a tall house stand?

Wu’er had skimmed through a portion of the history of the Lishan Sword Sect and had a rough understanding of its current situation. She also grasped why the sect found itself in such an awkward position.

It was truly disheartening. The once glorious Lishan Sword Sect had now fallen into a half-dead state. It was hard to bear.

Even Wu’er, who had been somewhat isolated from the world, understood this basic principle. Yet the Sect Master, driven by profit, had only focused on recruiting disciples, neglecting these essential steps.

Wu’er fetched water from the well by herself. Despite the heavy workload and the complexity of the task, she meticulously organized the library books, not slacking off in the slightest.

After an entire day, Wu’er hadn’t even finished a tenth of the work. However, with the help of candlelight, she was pleased to see the neatly tidied bookshelf, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

Despite being busy all day, she hadn’t yet finished tidying her room.

Her room was on the second floor, originally prepared for disciples to rest after studying all night. Now, it had become Wu’er’s room. She earnestly tidied up the space. The pavilion had excellent lighting, with a view of the garden outside the window, though it was now abandoned.

Wu’er lay on her neatly tidied bed, the bright moonlight shining through the window. She felt very pleased.

In this serene and beautiful room, Wu’er began to fall asleep, a sweet smile on her face as if dreaming of something beautiful.