Chapter 30 Parting, parting, you must not abandon me and I will not return...
Li Qingyun felt uneasy.
At least on the way to the main hall with Luo Songping, Li Qingyun was constantly worried and fearful.
Even though he had already achieved the remarkable result of topping the list of geniuses, he still felt uncertain without Chang Yubai by his side.
Is Chang Yubai coming or not?
In the main hall, all the branch elders were already seated. As soon as Luo Songping entered with Xiaoyun, all eyes in the hall turned to them.
Luosongping was extremely smug.
The other elders were still plotting and planning, and even mocked him, saying he was sure to fail. But what happened? He, Ryōshōhei, actually brought the child back!
Luo Songping: "Unlike some people who are petty and try to outsmart a child, I think they're getting more and more shameless as they get older."
The other elders, who had been pleasantly surprised, instantly fell silent.
"Luo Songping, what are you so smug about? In the sect, you're at best mediocre. Do you dare say you've beaten me in swordsmanship?"
"What are you yelling about? You can't even give people some peace and quiet in the morning. Open your eyes and look carefully. Xiaoyun has a wood elemental root and is closest to my Hundred Herbs Garden. I am the most suitable person to teach Xiaoyun."
"A bunch of ingrates! I'm not dead yet!" This was Elder Wei Nian's defiant remark.
Luo Songping ignored these unreliable old folks and looked down at the main character of the conversation with a smile: "Xiaoyun, would you like to learn some skills from Grandpa Luo?"
Li Qingyun, of course, readily accepted the offer and clung to the only familiar face in the room: "Of course, I like Grandpa Luo the most!"
Although Luo Songping didn't say anything, his smug expression had already said everything he could boast about in his life.
Wei Nian gritted his teeth, unwilling to give up: "Come back first!"
As for others, they are so jealous they're unrecognizable.
I should have rushed to take the shift yesterday!
Surprisingly, Oki Matsushita beat him to it!
Li Qingyun: "..."
As expected.
I had long heard of the Sword Sect's reputation for freedom, and now that I've seen it for myself, it truly lives up to its name.
But Li Qingyun really didn't want to pay attention to these elders or not.
Why hasn't his master shown up to take him back yet...?
No way, he didn't really mess things up?
If Chang Yubai also chooses to comply, then we might as well just abandon him...
No! That can't be!
be patient!
Li Qingyun quickly shook off the tightly tangled thoughts in her mind, admonishing herself that not much time had passed and that she needed to give Master Chang some time to react, and not to rush things.
While Xiao Yun, sitting next to her, was lost in thought, the elders in the main hall, who were vying for the title of genius, had much more to consider.
After Luo Songping swiftly defeated everyone in the "Who is more suitable to be Xiaoyun's mentor?" contest, the group remained undeterred and wanted to find ways to become Li Qingyun's top mentor from various angles.
The fourth elder, who was skilled in flying swords, kept talking and immediately recognized Li Qingyun as a promising talent.
The Fifth Elder, who was skilled in greatswords, disagreed, saying that greatswords should be taught from a young age.
The Sixth Elder, who was skilled in two-handed swordsmanship, disagreed, saying that his technique was light and agile, and most suitable for him to practice with Mu Genyuan.
There was also the Seventh Elder, who tried to raise his hand but only knew how to use the Snake Sword. His hand was pushed down halfway up, and everyone worked together to point out that his skills were not up to par, making him too ashamed to show his face.
Wei Nian: "Cough cough."
Wei Nian: "I am not very talented, but I am quite proficient in all kinds of longswords, regardless of their type."
One sentence can kill a game.
The crowd was practically groaning.
"snort!"
A cold snort interrupted everyone's interest.
At first, the elders didn't pay much attention, thinking it was just someone who couldn't control their temper and dared to talk back to the Grand Elder. But as soon as the next sentence came out, things started to get a little strange.
"act like a buffoon!"
"Third brother?" Wei Nian's face darkened. "Sit down. What are you doing?"
"That's right, Third Elder. Everyone's having a good time, so why are you the only one with a lot of resentment? Are you deliberately trying to spoil everyone's fun?" Sixth Elder Xu Xuhua secretly put down her rival.
Third Elder Huang Wuyang did indeed do it on purpose, but not because he couldn't get a spot to teach Li Qingyun.
He swept his brows and eyes across his colleagues in the hall, finally letting out that contemptuous snort.
"A bunch of rabble, they've all wasted their lives!"
Then he glared fiercely at Li Qingyun: "The moment you entered today, you caused the united and friendly elders to turn against each other. You are simply a black sheep! If we continue to let you stay in my Heavenly Sword Sect, today's dispute in the main hall will become tomorrow's entire sect!"
Wei Nian's head was buzzing: "Third brother, are you crazy?"
Luo Songping was also confused, and finally slowly said, "A strategic retreat? Interesting."
But be careful not to hold a grudge if you go too far with your insults.
At this moment, the elders thought Huang Wuyang was just acting for fun, but they didn't expect him to actually do it for real.
Similar insults and rumors continued to pour in, and the other elders grew increasingly grim as they listened.
"Shut up!"
Finally, Wei Nian and Luo Songping couldn't sit still any longer.
Luo Songping quickly covered Xiao Liqingyun's ears and held the still bewildered child in his arms.
Wei Nian pointed at Huang Wuyang's nose, his imposing aura directly hitting him: "If you're sick, get out of here, stop embarrassing yourself!"
After cursing, he slapped the person away, as if afraid that the mouth wouldn't be shut up and would say some more unpleasant things.
The other elders, who were ranked lower, broke out in a cold sweat. For some unknown reason, they all said they had other matters to attend to and left.
The once carefree and elegant hall suddenly descended into chaos and unpleasantness.
Wei Nian: "Is he sick?"
Wei Nian: "What's wrong with him?!"
Luo Songping also felt something was wrong. In his memory, Junior Brother Huang was an honest and upright person. Why did he suddenly act desperately today?
"Xiaoyun, don't mind him. There are always a few oddballs among the elders of our sect. Just don't treat him like a human being."
Li Qingyun, who was inexplicably scolded, said: "...Oh."
His expression was calm, and he seemed genuinely unconcerned.
Luo Songping secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Wei Nian angrily flicked his sleeves and chased after the branch hall under the jurisdiction of the Third Elder. Luo Songping tried to stop him but didn't have time.
"Hey! Why is even the eldest brother getting anxious?" The second elder was dumbfounded.
What should have been a joyous occasion turned into a complete mess early in the morning.
"Grandpa Luo." Li Qingyun, her face numb, tugged at Luo Songping's sleeve and pulled him back to her side: "I'm tired. Where is my room?"
“Your room isn’t… Ah, that’s right, you’re already a disciple of the Sword Sect, you should indeed have your own room.”
"Here, this token will guide you. Just follow the signs and you'll get there."
A token that looked like wood landed in his hand. Li Qingyun didn't reply and simply turned and left.
Luo Songping tried to stop him but didn't have time to make a move.
They all walked really fast.
"Why are you all acting like you haven't taken your medicine so early in the morning?" Luo Songping couldn't understand what had just happened in the main hall.
...
"What utter nonsense."
Li Qingyun locked the magic array, casually tossed the token onto the table, and was immediately enveloped in a low-pressure atmosphere.
Li Qingyun was originally worried about whether Chang Yubai would turn back, but the scene in the main hall made her unable to worry at all, and even made her furious.
But after her anger subsided, Li Qingyun quietly took the token back into her palm.
This hasn't happened in a long time.
Li Qingyun felt helpless and terrified.
Actually, Lian Wushuang was just as ruthless two months ago, but back then Chang Yubai was there to protect her. Now... although Luo Songping would comfort her and tell her not to bother with them, he would just give her words of comfort and then leave her with nothing.
If Chang Yubai were facing this situation, Huang Wuyang would absolutely not have walked straight out of the main hall, and he would not have shown any leniency because of whether the person opposite him was the Third Elder or not.
But even though he deliberately slowed down for so long, Chang Yubai still didn't come.
Li Qingyun felt increasingly uncertain.
He curled himself up into a ball, quietly burying himself in panic.
He had seen it.
He didn't want to be with Luo Songping.
He thought of Quan Quan. He had desperately sought Quan Quan's help before, thinking that Quan Quan would be his lifeline, but in the end, Quan Quan would still give up on him due to pressure.
Luo Songping was as approachable as Quan Quan, and he also lent a helping hand when he needed it. However, Li Qingyun was no longer the same person who had been born just a few years earlier.
He didn't think he was important enough to Luo Songping to replace an elder.
The Ranking of Prodigies... Even if you're at the top, can you really influence someone's stance?
But isn't the blessing bestowed by the tree god also seen as a calamity?
Huang Wuyang said he would be the fuse that ignites chaos in the sect, and that his existence would disrupt the peace of the Sword Sect in the future. Such words were ridiculous, and he should have just forgotten them.
But after Huang Wuyang finished speaking, the first reaction of the others was that the matter should be discussed later. They no longer cared about taking him as a disciple as they had at the beginning. It was as if in an instant, everyone was avoiding him like the plague. He could be convicted with a fabricated charge.
How familiar it is.
Back in the Tree Domain, wasn't he about to be expelled from his home just because of a casual rumor?
People don't care whether the statements are true or false. As long as someone opens the floodgates and points the finger at them, then that person is a terrible villain.
Why...
You are a cursed lone star.
"I am not."
You will face constant cold shoulders and be rejected by others.
"I am not a cursed lone star."
The curses from my memory echoed wildly in my ears, sometimes spoken by that wicked fortune teller, sometimes by the illusions in the buildings.
The piercing sound is so annoying!
"I already told you I'm not a cursed lone star!" Li Qingyun roared, finally clearing the noise from his mind.
He was quite certain that he was not.
Chang Yubai spent three months in close contact with him. If he were truly a cursed lone star, those three months should not have existed!
Why?! Why is it that Chang Yubai can stay by my side, but I have to believe everything I hear when it's someone else?!
Why should everyone echo that phrase "a cursed lone star"?!
After venting his anger, he lost all his strength and slumped back into his seat.
He curled himself up into a ball again, but this time, tears welled up in the corners of Li Qingyun's eyes.
He regretted it; he shouldn't have abandoned Chang Yubai.
"Master, I miss you so much."
Chang Yubai was someone he should cherish, but he felt he could turn the tables on him.
How could he forget? If it weren't for Chang Yubai, he wouldn't have even been able to leave the Great Wilderness, let alone cultivate to his current level.
How could anyone be so ungrateful as to greedily demand more?
Is Chang Yubai too easy to talk to?
No, he's just too stupid.
He was the most foolish one when it came to Qingyun.
“I’m sorry, Master… I shouldn’t have tried to be clever. Master, please save me. I will never act on my own again. I never want to leave you again…”
But he said such hurtful things, would Chang Yubai really still take him back?
If the world without Chang Yubai is the one he should experience, then that would be too terrifying.
Li Qingyun dared not think about how she would get through this.
...
If we turn back the clock a few degrees, to when Qingyun had just walked away with Luosongping.
Chang Yubai was still standing there, stunned.
He was quietly looking back on the first half of his life, trying to find the reasons he could let go of.
But no matter how he searched through his memories, no matter when or where, there was always a figure very close by his side.
Upon closer inspection, the figure took on a distinct shape, its face clearly changing from dignified to youthful.
The tall figure silently disappeared, replaced by a tiny little creature, barely reaching the top of his thigh, chirping around him like a merrily little sparrow.
He was in a daze.
But then it dawned on me.
He knew that Xiaoyun was not his master, and he could not find solace in a young child.
But actually... he had already made preparations.
He knew that his master would die one day. After his master died, he would inherit the cave dwelling left by his master, tidy up the square courtyard, lock the cave dwelling, and prevent anyone from entering.
That way, they can't get out either.
He would stay in the courtyard, waiting for Li Tiansheng to break through to the Divine Martial Realm and leave this world, so that he could stand up openly to vindicate his master, or, in his own name, to make a name for the deceased Venerable Qingyun.
He had thought it through very thoroughly. He knew that with Li Tiansheng's talent, becoming a god would only take a blink of an eye. He just needed to quietly lie low and be a background character.
He only needed to stay quietly alone in the courtyard...
No, the courtyard is gone.
The situation was even worse; he had lost everything.
Without relatives or hometown, it was like the first time he opened his eyes to see the world; in his confusion, he was all alone.
But he was lucky when he first arrived. Not long after he opened his eyes, his master came and picked him up.
Returning to his past self from a hundred years ago was also lucky. He only took a few steps before seeing his master again, but the model was smaller and he almost didn't recognize him.
Whether it was Venerable Qingyun or Xiaoyun, they were his first relatives in this life.
He didn't understand what he had to be so conflicted about.
Master said it very clearly: Don't look back, don't look back!
Why are you still clinging to the past?
Compared to that ambiguous master-disciple relationship, aren't there more important things waiting for me to face right now?
He doesn't want to be alone!
"...Xiaoyun".
A murmur, as if savoring something, or perhaps letting go.
Chang Yubai closed his eyes, then opened them again, the bewilderment that had arisen from his daze finally completely disappearing.
Then, he took a step and walked in the direction Xiaoyun had left.
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