Chapter 36 Yu Jiangheng, you make me very happy

Outside the gate of Qingyuan Zongshan, clouds and mist swirl, and the green mountains appear like dark eyebrows.

In the distance, the mountain peaks stretch endlessly, like a giant dragon coiled in the sky. The pines and cypresses on the mountains are lush and green, and occasionally a few cranes fly by, leaving behind a string of clear calls.

The stone steps leading up to the mountain gate are winding upwards, flanked by lush trees whose leaves rustle gently in the breeze.

On the plaque in front of the mountain gate, Yan Shuangwan, Qiu Nan, and Yin Simiao were waiting for Yu Jiangheng's return.

Yin Simiao lay on the rocking chair, impatiently fanning herself.

"What's so special about welcoming Yu Jiangheng? Are you two so curious that you have to drag me into the midday sun?"

Qiu Nan was speechless, thinking to himself: Didn't Senior Brother Yin ask to come here on his own?

During morning class this morning, Song Wenzhuo told Yan Shuangwan that her senior brother Yu Jiangheng was coming back.

Having been a disciple of the Qingyuan Sect for over three months, they had yet to meet the legendary senior disciple, Yu Jiangheng, because he was always away on missions.

Thinking of this, Yan Shuangwan pulled Qiu Nan to come to the mountain gate to greet them. However, Yin Simiao, who happened to be passing by, overheard them and insisted on coming over together, saying that he couldn't let his lovely junior sister be blinded by Yu Jiangheng, a guy full of bad intentions.

The three of them had no choice but to come together.

Actually, Qiu Nan wanted to invite Yin Lisheng along, but Tingxue Peak was not a place that could be visited casually. Moreover, Yin Lisheng was personally taught by Immortal Venerable Huaiwei and did not need to eat with them or participate in morning classes. In the past three months, the number of times they had seen Yin Lisheng could be counted on one hand.

The emerald green leaves shimmered in the sunlight, and occasionally a few leaves drifted down with the wind, gently landing on the three of them.

Yan Shuangwan raised her hand to brush the fallen leaves off her shoulder, her gaze occasionally drifting towards the direction outside the mountain gate, appearing somewhat expectant.

"Why hasn't Senior Brother Yu returned yet?" Yan Shuangwan couldn't help but ask in a low voice, her tone tinged with worry.

Yin Simiao chuckled lazily, "What's the rush? What could possibly happen to Yu Jiangheng? There's nothing to worry about."

Qiu Nan stood to the side, arms crossed, eyebrows slightly raised: "Senior Brother Yin says there's no need to worry, but deep down you're still concerned, aren't you?"

Yin Simiao scoffed: "Where did you get this twisted logic from?"

"Then why don't you keep lying there fanning yourself?"

Yin Simiao: "..."

Yan Shuangwan kindly came to the rescue: "I haven't met Senior Brother Yu yet. What kind of person is he?"

Yin Simiao curled her lips, her tone carrying a hint of disdain: "He's just a blockhead, always with a long face, like someone owes him hundreds of spirit stones. If it weren't for his high cultivation level, he probably would have been beaten up long ago."

Upon hearing this, Yan Shuangwan couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Senior Brother Yin, if Senior Brother Yu heard you say that, you'd probably be the one getting a beating, wouldn't you?"

Yin Simiao shrugged and said nonchalantly, "What's there to be afraid of? He's not here."

"Besides, I'm telling the truth. Yu Jiangheng always looks like he's unapproachable. He never even smiles. He's like an ice block. I seriously suspect that Master didn't accept female disciples before because he was afraid that Yu Jiangheng's deadpan face could scare people to tears."

"Junior sister, you'd better stay away from him in the future."

Qiu Nan was stunned and couldn't help but ask, "Really? Is Senior Brother Yu that scary?"

Yin Simiao raised an eyebrow and said mysteriously, "Of course it's true! With that dark face, any kid would be scared. Don't be fooled by his serious appearance. He's a nagging old woman, always meddling in everything. It's so annoying to be bothered by him."

"It's only because I'm kind-hearted and gave in to him out of consideration for our childhood friendship that Yu Jiangheng wasn't left without any friends."

Yin Simiao was so engrossed in his conversation that he completely failed to notice his beloved junior sister and junior brother frantically giving him meaningful glances.

"Shouldn't Yu Jiangheng thank you properly?"

“Of course…” Yin Simiao paused. That cold voice sounded so familiar…

He mechanically turned his head, and a familiar handsome face appeared before him.

Yu Jiangheng stood before the mountain gate, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his black robe making him appear even more aloof. His long, ink-black hair was casually tied back, with a few strands falling across his forehead, adding to his untamed air.

A simple, ancient longsword hung at his waist, its scabbard engraved with intricate patterns, subtly exuding a sharp and fierce aura.

Those deep eyes were like a cold, deep pool; his thin lips were pressed together, the corners of his lips slightly downturned, as if he was suppressing something.

At this moment, he was looking coldly at Yin Simiao, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

"Haha, Lao Yu, you're back! It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back," Yin Simiao said awkwardly, and could only manage a couple of dry laughs.

Yu Jiangheng glanced at him indifferently, his voice as cold as ice: "What, are you surprised to see me?"

"No way, I'm overjoyed! But my master needs me, so I'll have to go first..."

Yin Simiao was about to slip away halfway through his sentence, but Yu Jiangheng was prepared. He grabbed Yin Simiao by the back of his collar and dragged him to his side.

"Trying to run, huh?"

Yin Simiao was furious at making such a fool of himself in front of his junior brothers and sisters, but before he could even open his mouth to protest, Yu Jiangheng gave him a look, and Yin Simiao immediately remembered the fear of being controlled in those years, and obediently kept quiet.

Yu Jiangheng snorted coldly, turned his gaze to Yan Shuangwan and Qiu Nan, and softened his tone slightly: "You two are the newly initiated junior brothers and sisters?"

Yan Shuangwan quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Senior Brother Yu."

Qiu Nan quickly followed, saying, "Hello, Senior Brother Yu."

Yu Jiangheng nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the two of them, and said calmly, "No need for formalities. Now that we've joined the Qingyuan Sect, we're family."

Although his voice was still cold, his tone carried a hint of gentleness, which was quite different from the "ice block" image that Yin Simiao described.

Seeing this, Yin Simiao couldn't help but purse her lips and mutter under her breath, "Pretentious..."

Yu Jiangheng's ears twitched, and he gave him a cold glance: "Yin Simiao, what are you muttering about now?"

Yin Simiao immediately straightened her back, looking completely innocent: "I didn't say anything, you must have misheard me?"

Yu Jiangheng ignored him and turned to Yan Shuangwan and Qiu Nan, saying, "I'm going to Tingxue Peak. I've brought you gifts, and I'll give them to you later."

Seeing this, Yin Simiao quickly stepped forward and said with a grin, "Yu Jiangheng, you've been away for so long this time, did you bring me anything nice?"

Yu Jiangheng replied without turning his head, "No."

Yin Simiao's face immediately fell, and she muttered in dissatisfaction, "So stingy..."

Yu Jiangheng paused, glanced back at him, and then quickly left.

Yin Simiao looked at Yu Jiangheng's departing figure with a wronged expression, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Yan Shuangwan and Qiu Nan exchanged a glance and couldn't help but chuckle.

It seems that although this Senior Brother Yu appears aloof, he is not harsh on his fellow disciples, and is even somewhat...adorable?

Yu Jiangheng traveled by sword and soon arrived at Tingxue Peak.

He stood before the mountain gate, raising his hand gently...

He knocked on the door and said respectfully, "Disciple Yu Jiangheng requests an audience with Immortal Huaiwei."

A moment later, the bamboo door creaked open, and Fu Yunshu appeared in the doorway.

He was still dressed in white, his long hair flowing like a waterfall, his features clear and handsome, like a celestial being untouched by worldly dust.

"Come in," Fu Yunshu said calmly, his voice as cold as a clear spring.

Yu Jiangheng bowed respectfully before stepping into the bamboo house.

Yin Lisheng was sitting by the window.

He was bent over his desk copying something when he heard a noise, and looked up, his gaze falling on...

A hint of curiosity flashed in Yu Jiangheng's eyes.

“Li Sheng, this is Song Wenzhuo’s eldest disciple, Yu Jiangheng, the chief disciple of the Qingyuan Sect,” Fu Yunshu introduced calmly.

Yin Lisheng quickly stood up: "Brother Jiang Heng."

Yu Jiangheng returned the greeting, saying, "Greetings, Uncle-Grandfather."

His gaze swept over Yin Lisheng. The news of Immortal Venerable Huaiwei taking on a disciple had spread throughout the cultivation world in just three days, and Yu Jiangheng was naturally curious as well.

Fu Yunshu asked, "Did Wen Zhuo send you over?"

“Yes,” Yu Jiangheng took out a Qiankun bag from his sleeve and presented it with both hands: “My master ordered me to give this to Immortal Venerable Huaiwei.”

Fu Yunshu took the Qiankun bag, scanned it with his divine sense, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes: "Thank you for your hard work."

Yu Jiangheng respectfully replied, "It is my duty to share the burdens of the Immortal Venerable and my Master."

Fu Yunshu nodded slightly, her appreciative gaze falling on Yu Jiangheng: "Was your trip successful?"

Yu Jiangheng said in a deep voice, "Reporting to the Immortal Venerable, everything went smoothly."

"That's good." Fu Yunshu nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Upon seeing this, Yu Jiangheng cupped his hands in farewell and said, "This disciple still needs to return to report to my master, so I will not disturb you any longer."

Fu Yunshu said calmly, "Go."

Yu Jiangheng nodded slightly to Yin Lisheng before turning and leaving.

After Yu Jiangheng's figure disappeared outside the door, Yin Lisheng couldn't help but ask curiously, "Master, what's in the Qiankun Bag?"

Fu Yunshu glanced at him, a hint of amusement in his eyes: "You seem quite curious."

Yin Lisheng scratched his head. "I was being presumptuous. It's not necessary for this disciple to know."

Fu Yunshu shook her head, "It was originally prepared for you."

He handed the Qiankun bag to Yin Lisheng: "Take a look for yourself."

Yin Lisheng took the Qiankun bag and probed it with his divine sense. Inside, he saw a crimson lotus flower lying quietly, its petals burning like flames and emitting a scorching aura.

"What is this?" Yin Lisheng asked, puzzled.

Fu Yunshu said, "Burning Heaven Lotus."

Yin Lisheng: "What does Master want this Heaven-Burning Lotus for?"

Fu Yunshu said calmly, "Yu Jiangheng was on a mission this time and passed through Gaoping Volcano, so I had Song Wenzhu send a message ordering him to retrieve this Burning Heaven Lotus."

"Burning Heaven Lotus is an essential material for refining the Breath-Concealing Pill. The best Breath-Concealing Pill can even conceal the bloodline aura within a cultivator's body."

Yin Lisheng stopped what he was doing: "Master... do you want to conceal the Yin family bloodline within me?"

“Yes, and it would be best to complete this before you reach the Foundation Establishment stage,” Fu Yunshu sighed. “Li Sheng, the murderer of the Yin family massacre has not yet been found, and we do not know what their purpose is. Before you grow up, it is best not to let others find out that you are the orphan of the Yin family. Are you… willing?”

Yin Lisheng remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "I understand, Master is doing this for my own good. However, what I don't understand is why it has to be before Foundation Establishment."

Fu Yunshu tapped the table unconsciously with his fingers, pondering where to begin.

"Li Sheng, do you know why the Yin family has guarded the northern border for generations and never had much contact with other forces in the cultivation world?"

“I know,” Yin Lisheng nodded, “it’s for sealing.”

"What's inside that seal?" Fu Yunshu pressed.

Yin Lisheng paused, "I don't know."

"Ten thousand years ago, the Demon Emperor Shaoyu and the demon race under his command burned, killed, looted, and committed countless atrocities, causing immense suffering to the cultivation world."

"Demons are born to fight, and human cultivators are always at a disadvantage when they face them. Even the Great Ascension Real Person Chi Du couldn't get the better of Shao Yu back then."

"Later, Master Chidu fought a great battle with Shaoyu. We have no way of knowing the details, but we know that the Yin clan's ancestor played a key role in this battle and used some method to seal Shaoyu when he was unprepared."

"With their leader sealed away, the demon army was thrown into chaos. Human cultivators joined forces to drive them to the northern border, locking the remaining demons and Shao Yu together in the north."

Yin Lisheng listened very attentively. He had seen these past events in the illusion of Duan Yuan, but those scenes were too short for him to understand.

"I don't know what kind of sealing formation the ancestors of the Yin family used. Only those with the direct bloodline of the Yin family can approach the sealing formation. Moreover, the bloodline of the Yin family seems to have other special characteristics, but I don't know about them."

Fu Yunshu looked at Yin Lisheng and said, "The only thing I know is that once you reach the Foundation Establishment stage, the Yin family bloodline will be fully activated, and at that time even the best-grade Concealing Breath Pill will be useless."

"I see." Yin Lisheng nodded, looking at Fu Yunshu with gratitude. "Master has really worried too much about me."

"It's nothing," Fu Yunshu poked his cheek. "Just focus on your cultivation and grow up peacefully."

Yin Lisheng lowered his head, "Master is so good to me, I don't even know how to repay Master."

Fu Yunshu rubbed his head. "For me, the emotional value you've given me is already enough."

"What is emotional value?" Yin Lisheng asked, looking completely bewildered.

"It's just... you make me very happy."

Yin Lisheng said helplessly, "Master always lies to me. Even a three-year-old wouldn't believe such a thing."

Fu Yunshu smiled but did not explain; he was not lying.

For the previous ninety-nine lifetimes, Fu Yunshu was obsessed with cultivation. Rather than saying that he was fighting against the Heavenly Dao, it would be more accurate to say that he was actually struggling with himself, to the point of going astray in his cultivation.

Having let go of the shackles that had bound his heart in this life, and with such a sensible disciple as Yin Lisheng by his side, Fu Yunshu truly felt much more relaxed.

“Yu Jiangheng is quite outstanding,” she said, picking up the Burning Heaven Lotus and examining it. “The Burning Heaven Lotus required for the top-grade Concealing Breath Pill must have nine petals, which is extremely rare. I originally thought it would be good if Yu Jiangheng could bring back a five-petal Burning Heaven Lotus. I will use spiritual liquid to cultivate the rest for three to five years, which will also allow you to consolidate your foundation.”

"I didn't expect Yu Jiangheng to bring back the Seven-Petaled Heavenly Lotus directly, which saved a lot of time."

Fu Yunshu propped his head up and said, "Seven-petaled Heavenly Lotuses aren't easy to find. I estimate that I can cultivate a seven-petaled Heavenly Lotus into a nine-petaled Heavenly Lotus in just one year. I still need to thank him properly."

Yin Lisheng blinked, then came up with a good idea.

“Master, since the Seven-Petaled Heavenly Lotus was picked by me, I should personally thank Brother Jiang Heng. Why don’t you leave this matter to me?”

Fu Yunshu asked with slight doubt, "Can you do it?"

"Don't worry, Master," Yin Lisheng said with great certainty, "He will definitely like the gift I give him."