Chapter 29 A sudden surge of courage arose within me; I dared to test my true feelings…
Once outside the secret realm, Li Qingyun, preoccupied with her thoughts, became somewhat absent-minded.
He didn't even notice that he was surrounded by people, and kept his head down as he continued walking forward.
It ended with her falling into Chang Yubai's arms.
The elders, who had originally wanted to take advantage of the situation to quickly recruit the children, looked at each other, none of them daring to make any rash moves.
Chang Yubai waved away a few people and took the opportunity to say, "Xiaoyun is too tired today, she needs to rest."
Luo Songping spoke up first: "I understand, I understand. Kids are sleep-deprived anyway. Don't worry, the Heavenly Sword Sect has prepared rooms for you two and will definitely treat you well. I'll show you the way..."
"No need."
Chang Yubai interrupted him: "Tell me the location, I know the way."
Luo Songping:? ? ?
You're not from this clan, so how would you know the way?
But I dare not refute it.
Who knows, maybe someone they know has visited the Heavenly Sword Sect before?
Asking such questions could lead to privacy issues, which would be problematic.
Luo Songping respected the genius's wishes, gave him a location, and after seeing that Chang Yubai was indeed not off course, he felt relieved and let him go.
Before leaving, she waved and said, "Little Yun, see you tomorrow!"
Especially after receiving Li Qingyun's "See you tomorrow" message, which resembled a tiny quail peeking out, Luo Songping was overjoyed.
See? My first impression was right. Now these two, master and apprentice, are treating me specially, which is really pleasing.
Wei Nian: "..."
Wei Nian: "Be more composed. Don't be ashamed at your age."
If it weren't for the string of bulging veins on the back of his hand, this statement might have been somewhat convincing.
...
The door was pushed open.
Chang Yubai stepped into the house first.
As Li Qingyun watched the distance between the two gradually widen, and then looked at Chang Yubai's white-clad back, a certain idea suddenly became clearer in her mind.
There's no time like the present.
A surprise attack is worse than a well-planned strategy.
Before Chang Yubai could turn around, Li Qingyun gripped the Jingyuan Stone tightly and patted Chang Yubai's waist with her small hand.
Chang Yubai: !
A grasshopper-like sudden turn of the head.
Xiao Li Qingyun hadn't expected such a strong reaction from him, and chuckled awkwardly, "Master, there's dust on your clothes."
Chang Yubai: "How could that be... Oh, okay, I understand. If there's ash, then there's ash."
The volume gradually changed from surprise to calm. When Chang Yubai turned around, his eyes looked as if he had seen a ghost.
He had already seen Xiaoyun's evasive eyes, which meant that Xiaoyun was lying.
But since Xiaoyun didn't bring it up, it probably wasn't anything important. She'll tell me when she wants to.
Perhaps Xiaoyun was in the process of gaining insights into a new realm and was momentarily distracted, which led to her clumsy movements and exaggerated gestures?
Children should always be given space to be understood.
Chang Yubai nodded to himself with satisfaction.
He really knows how to raise children.
Li Qingyun: "..."
Li Qingyun: You big oaf!
He almost blurted out "Holy crap!"
Can I say that? Heaven knows what he just glanced at!
Li Qingyun's lips twitched involuntarily, and her gaze toward Chang Yubai became strange. She even tried to move her stiff body to rest, but she did so with her hands and feet moving in unison.
There's no other reason than that the thing Jingyuan Stone helped him glimpse was truly extraordinary.
He saw himself using Chang Yubai's perspective. What he saw was an open wooden door, and a fully developed adult version of himself walked out—sleepy eyes, long, loose hair, and clothes still disheveled from just waking up!
And at the end of the scene, someone said something dry, complex, and completely unclear!
Master.
Although the adult version of himself in the scene didn't speak, Chang Yubai was looking at him in such an intimate and ambiguous scene that there probably wasn't a third person present!
The one who should call me "Master" in a master-disciple relationship can only be myself!
Li Qingyun was so surprised that she could fit a whole egg in her mouth.
Chang Yubai, you're actually like this, Chang Yubai.
You actually have designs on your apprentice! And the apprentice is the one making the move!
Li Qingyun was so shocked by her own reflection in the image that she crashed.
But he quickly realized what was happening.
Chang Yubai… Li Qingyun couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
Sure enough, Master has a taste for this.
He puts on a show of indifference to praise or criticism, but deep down he enjoys watching his apprentice seduce him.
This was actually not unexpected.
Li Qingyun had long considered this possibility. Perhaps Chang Yubai bought her with an unspeakable, ambiguous purpose?
After all, I have a gentle wood elemental root and a decent appearance, so isn't it natural for me to have wicked thoughts?
Master Chang usually behaves too seriously, so I thought this guy would never get involved in this kind of thing in his life.
Li Qingyun: "Hehe."
If you like it, that's good. This wish-granting stone has really been a huge help.
He was already worried about what to do if Chang Yubai didn't have a place for him in his heart. After seeing this scene, Li Qingyun finally understood that he still held a place in Master Chang's heart.
However, the place was too deep, and Master Chang was completely unaware of this.
Otherwise, they wouldn't even acknowledge the master-disciple relationship.
"If you don't hold on tight to me, I might run away, Master~" Li Qingyun said softly, smiling happily.
What could be more delightful than the fact that his biggest worry was just a passing cloud?
Master Chang actually cares a lot about himself deep down. Regardless of whether this concern is legitimate or not, what he needs to do first is to help Chang Yubai recognize this concern.
We can't let Master Chang remain confused any longer!
He's determined to get this meal ticket from Qingyun!
As for the method...
Li Qingyun turned her back to Chang Yubai and gave a very wicked smile.
This is the Heavenly Sword Sect; if you want to find an opportunity, there are plenty of them.
"Master, please don't blame me afterwards, or I'll really cry in front of you."
Li Qingyun had already begun to fantasize about the day when he and Chang Yubai would truly become master and disciple, and when they would offer tea and gifts to each other.
Chang Yubai: "..."
Something's not right.
Is Xiaoyun going to go mad with evil spirits?
Why are you standing by the bed, shaking so badly?
"Xiaoyun?" Chang Yubai asked in confusion.
"Ah! Here!" Li Qingyun quickly stopped grinning and turned around with a serious expression.
It seems everything's fine again... Chang Yubai frowned in confusion, then relaxed: "Xiaoyun, could you tell me what Zhan Tianjiao saw and heard?"
This is just making conversation out of nothing.
But Chang Yubai had no other topics to ease the awkwardness.
Li Qingyun was still very excited and did not realize that this was already Master Chang's best effort. He only felt that his master was indeed subconsciously good to him and could not help but care about his affairs at Baidai Building.
“Master, let me tell you, I’ve grasped a huge part of the first step of the mantra!”
Then came the unstoppable torrent of children's voices.
...
The next day.
Someone gently knocked on the door of the master and his apprentice's room.
"Who is it?" Xiaoyun got up early and was already dressed neatly as she ran to the door.
As for Chang Yubai? He'll probably remain asleep until the sun is high in the sky.
"It's me, little Yun." The person who came was Luo Songping.
Good morning, Grandpa Luo.
Li Qingyun maintained her well-behaved image and greeted everyone politely.
Luo Songping: "..." This is the first time in so many years that someone has called me grandpa.
Tianjiao, you are truly amazing.
"Xiaoyun, where is your master?"
“Master is still sleeping.” At this point, Li Qingyun appropriately put on a wronged expression. “Master always gets up very late, and no matter how I call him, he won’t wake up. What should I do? Is he delaying Grandpa Luo’s important business?”
"No, no, how could that be? Haha." Luo Songping quickly waved his hand. "What are you talking about? What urgent matter could I possibly have?"
Yes, there is, but it would be too obvious to say it out loud.
"Ahem! Uh, it's like this, Xiaoyun, Grandpa has something he wants to talk to you about. Do you think we should go somewhere else?"
Luo Songping couldn't hold back his laughter after he finished speaking. Could this strange, soft voice really come out of his own throat?
Eight years old is still too unusual for a cultivator. Luo Songping has never seen such a young cultivator even though he is over six hundred years old!
But what can you do when someone is a real child?
We mustn't scare them.
Fortunately, Xiaoyun was very well-behaved. She was willing to change places and came over with me right away.
"Xiaoyun, it's like this, have you ever considered joining our Heavenly Sword Sect?"
Seeing that Chang Yubai was not around, Luo Songping immediately started his main mission: to steal someone else's partner!
Although Chang Yubai is a very strong rogue cultivator, he is still a rogue cultivator after all! He is not as reliable as someone who has the Heavenly Sword Sect as his backer.
In terms of resources alone, we can't keep up. Look, our Heavenly Sword Sect can easily produce a Peaceful Wish Stone, yet your master, Chang Yubai, still has to go to great lengths to ask us for one. There's no comparison! There's simply no comparison in terms of resources!
Luo Songping became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke, wishing he could give eight hundred examples to compare the vast difference between the Heavenly Sword Sect and Chang Yubai.
Li Qingyun: "...Cough!"
Okimatsuhira: Blah blah blah...
Li Qingyun: "...Ahem!"
Okimatsuhira was still rambling on and on...
Li Qingyun: "Cough! Cough! Cough!"
Luo Songping stopped: "Xiaoyun, is your throat sore? I'll prepare some spiritual tea for you right away. Let me tell you, it's the spiritual tea from our Heavenly Sword Sect..."
As Luo Songping spoke, he got up, intending to go back to the Grand Elder to snatch some new tea, but he realized as soon as he turned his head that he didn't need to.
Li Qingyun: "...I reminded you."
Rakusho Hei: "...Ah, right, haha, good morning."
"Good morning," the person being greeted replied.
Who knows when Chang Yubai arrived? He was completely silent, standing behind Luo Songping listening to him chirp his crickets.
His face hadn't changed much, but he was now holding a long sword in his hand!
Luosongping: It's over.
It's a mess.
Li Qingyun couldn't let his plans be ruined, so he quickly greeted Chang Yubai excitedly: "Master, good morning! You're finally awake. I've been discussing this with Grandpa Luo for ages."
"Discuss?" Chang Yubai had no idea where those two words came from.
"Yes, Grandpa Luo invited me to join the Heavenly Sword Sect. Master, do you want to come along?"
Li Qingyun blinked her big, watery eyes and looked over expectantly.
But in fact, the little guy knew very well that Chang Yubai's aloof nature made it impossible for him to fit in with others. Moreover, there was a strict order from Chang Yubai's master not to stay among people for long. Even if Chang Yubai wanted to come to the Heavenly Sword Sect, it would not allow it!
As expected, Chang Yubai shook his head.
He simply tightened his grip on the sword hilt.
Luosongping had already begun wiping away non-existent cold sweat.
"You want to join the Heavenly Sword Sect?"
"Yes, the Heavenly Sword Sect is amazing! Master, we're sure to have a great time here."
"……Why?"
"Huh?" Li Qingyun tilted her head. "Master, aren't you coming?"
"I have a master, and I will not join any sect." Chang Yubai's words sealed his fate.
Even though she knew his answer, Li Qingyun couldn't help but tremble at his resolute words.
He had made himself so clear, yet Chang Yubai was unwilling to hesitate even for him. How could this relationship be considered that of master and disciple?
If Chang Yubai continues to be ruthless, she will only be abandoned.
We absolutely must carry this plan through to the end!
“But, Master…” Li Qingyun looked at Luo Songping with a gentle expression, “I want to join the Heavenly Sword Sect.”
This is truly a case of "after the darkest hour comes the dawn"! Luo Songping beamed with joy, but after glancing at Chang Yubai, who had a dark expression on his face, he quickly wiped the smile away.
Strange, can someone at the High Martial Realm scare someone at the Profound Martial Realm?
“I,” Chang Yubai paused for a long time before finally speaking again, “I know a lot.”
"I can teach you anything you want to learn."
Luo Songping secretly scoffed; he didn't believe that Chang Yubai, the rogue cultivator, possessed a treasure comparable to that of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Little Yun is so sensible! Eight years old is good, eight years old is well-behaved, eight years old is the most endearing age for cultivators!
“But Master…” Li Qingyun poked at the ground with her two index fingers, speaking cautiously, “Master, you are a rogue cultivator, and you are so lazy and unambitious, with no future. You are hindering your cultivation too much.”
Click.
It turned out that An Ning's sword hilt had been cracked from being squeezed.
Luosongping: Hiss—
Ancestor, stop! Stop right now! Your master is going to kill someone!
But Chang Yubai did not make a move.
Instead, he looked over in disbelief, his usually composed face finally showing a different expression.
This expression appeared only for Xiaoyun.
"You...don't want me anymore?"
Huh? Rakusho Hei almost stumbled.
Although Chang Yubai's words are correct, it is indeed true that the disciple wants to abandon his master and seek another way out, but why is it the master who is pitiful?
How strange, let me take another look.
Li Qingyun was also struck by his reaction, and her conscience pounded. But in the end, she hardened her heart and decided to continue: "But... Brother, apart from always calling you Master, do you really consider me your disciple?"
Chang Yubai's consciousness was brutally sliced by the blade of words.
This is the real reason why Xiaoyun wanted to leave him.
But how could he refute that? He truly didn't consider Xiaoyun his apprentice.
He regarded Xiaoyun as a child to be carefully cared for, as his mentor in his childhood, and as a family member who would accompany him forever. However, the word "disciple" never appeared in his mind.
How could he possibly acknowledge his own master as his disciple?
How is this any different from treating one's father like a son?
"I'm sorry, Master... Brother."
Li Qingyun delivered the final blow to Chang Yubai with a changed form of address: "Brother, I want to learn skills from Grandpa Luo. I will become very powerful. I will never forget your kindness, and I will definitely repay you!"
"Brother!" He ran over and hugged Chang Yubai tightly. "Brother, thank you. Thank you for giving me a new life. I will definitely live well and live up to your kindness."
What about me?
Chang Yubai stood frozen in place, unable to believe what he had just heard.
Xiaoyun seems to be saying that he has his own life now.
What about Chang Yubai?
Where is he?
Xiaoyun gave him one last hug before nestling into Luosongping's arms.
Chang Yubai remained blankly at a loss, unsure of what reason he should use to take it back.
He didn't hear what Luo Songping said to him; all he could hear was a constant buzzing sound.
"Why……"
Master, why did you abandon me twice?
Am I not your apprentice?
Am I not your family?
Do we... really have to separate?
Li Qingyun and Luo Songping had completely faded from sight, but that didn't stop Chang Yubai from remaining frozen in place.
"Master...you really don't want me anymore?"
He didn't understand.
He had never experienced anything like this before.
All he knew was that he didn't want Xiaoyun to leave.
Can anyone tell him how to win his master back?
...
"Uh, your, your master seems to be..."
"Grandpa Luo, am I a bad child? I think I made Master sad." Li Qingyun was the first to put on a pitiful look.
How can anyone still criticize them?
Luo Songping immediately sided with Li Qingyun: "How could that be! It's your master who delayed your cultivation, you can't think too much about it!"
Their stance can shift so quickly.
Li Qingyun: "Okay~ Grandpa Luo is the most amazing, he knows the most, and what he says must be right. I believe Grandpa Luo."
"Wow, this is a treasure."
You have such a sweet tongue!
Li Qingyun: Hehe.
Then, still feeling uneasy, he turned his gaze back in the direction he had left.
What happened? Didn't the big oaf catch up?
Li Qingyun's heart skipped a beat.
Don't just stand there like an idiot.
He was somewhat worried, but when he thought of the scene that Jingyuan Stone had shown him, Li Qingyun had to suppress his worries.
There's no mistake, Chang Yubai's inner thoughts are very clear, he cares a lot about himself.
Master won't abandon him!
You big oaf, you have to catch up!
Please, you have to come!
-----------------------
Author's Note: The beginning of Xiaoyun's misunderstanding...
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