Chapter 97 Journey 2: The Grand Sect Competition
After passing through the bustling main street, a three-courtyard house at the end of a quiet alley next to the Zhuoshu Academy in Leyuan City welcomed its new owner.
The courtyard is well-ventilated from north to south, with a small garden in the center. The afterglow of the sun shines on the houses, creating layers of light and shadow, making it as beautiful as a dream.
"Do you like it here? How about living here from now on? I'll come to visit you often."
Xu Xing squatted down, looking at Qu with a smile, seeking his opinion.
After nearly a year of recuperation, these children have regained their original fair complexion. Not only are they all handsome and pretty, but they are also well-behaved and sensible, making them very endearing.
Upon returning to Dongji, Xu Xing's first priority was to arrange their accommodations.
Leyuan City is the closest mortal city to the Jade Cloud Sect. Cultivators often pass through it, so its safety goes without saying. The city is also very prosperous, making it the perfect place for them to study.
Xu Xing planned to assess the children's aptitudes after they had adapted to mortal life. If they were capable of cultivating immortality or learning martial arts, he would take them to the Jade Cloud Sect. Even if they couldn't enter the Immortal Dao Academy or the Martial Dao Academy, it wouldn't matter, since his senior brother was already at the Nascent Soul stage and could easily recruit a few mortals into the sect.
Qu nervously tugged at the hem of her clothes and whispered, "Is this all for us to live in? Isn't it too big? We're easy to take care of, we don't need such a big place."
Xu Xing ruffled his shoulder-length hair. "We are cultivators, and the last thing we lack is money like ordinary people. Don't worry about that. Focus on your studies and come help out at your sister's shop in the future, okay?"
"Okay! I will definitely urge my younger siblings to study hard!" Upon hearing that she could work for Xu Xing in the future, Qu perked up, her big eyes full of enthusiasm, and made a solemn promise.
Fourteen-year-old Qu is the oldest and has taken on the responsibility of being the older brother, always taking good care of the other children.
Xu Xing took them to buy daily necessities, arranged for them to study at a nearby academy, and hired a cook to take care of their daily needs. Everything he did was done with great care and attention.
Qu saw it all and kept it in her heart, secretly vowing to repay her sister in the future.
After everything was arranged, Xu Xingcai returned to the Jade Cloud Sect with his senior brother.
This time she didn't dare to delay. Before even entering the vicinity of the Jade Cloud Mountain Range, she sent spiritual messages to her friends one by one. She stared at the disciple's jade tablet, lost in thought.
Not only is sending messages one by one troublesome, but it may also fail to send them out if there are spirit-blocking arrays or barriers, making it really unusable.
If it were her previous life's network communication, it would be much more convenient. Since spiritual power and some special magical artifacts can transmit messages, could she try to create a "spiritual network" that allows everyone to contact each other?
She could never make a mobile phone, but crafting a magical artifact with basic communication and forum functions wouldn't be difficult.
Xu Xing was deep in thought when she suddenly encountered a gust of wind in front of her. Her sword swayed, and because she was distracted, she didn't notice what was happening and momentarily lost her balance.
Shen Du put his arm around her from behind and whispered, "You should really learn how to fly on a sword."
Xu Xing's face flushed, but when she caught a glimpse of her senior brother's bright red ear tips, she became calm and even leaned back slightly.
Pressing against a firm chest, she looked up at Chen Du, smiling gently, "Senior brother, teach me."
Shen Du lowered his eyes and met her smiling gaze. He subconsciously looked away, but couldn't help looking back. After a long while, he finally responded with a soft "Mm".
His right hand, which had just wrapped around her waist, was now behind his back, his five fingers curling slightly.
The flying sword went straight into the mountain gate. Recalling the sect rules he had heard when he first entered Yuxiao Sect, Xu Xing said excitedly, "By the way! Senior brother, you are already a Nascent Soul cultivator. From now on, you can fly on your sword within the sect!"
But the Xuan Yue Sword slowed down and descended straight towards the mountain gate. Xu Xing was puzzled and was about to ask when he looked down and saw Wen Yao, Senior Brother Zuo Qiu, Aunt Lian and others waiting for them at the mountain gate.
Xu Xing leaped down from his flying sword, chuckled dryly, his voice trailing off, "Didn't we agree to have a small gathering at Xuanjian Peak tomorrow? Why is everyone here?"
She avoided everyone's gaze, feeling guilty and breathless. She had left without a word in the middle of the night and cut off all contact with the outside world, so it was only natural that Ayao and the others were angry...
Wen Yao stood expressionless at the front, and as expected, she was the first to rush forward. She looked at Xu Xing, then at Shen Du, and suddenly raised her arms to hug Xu Xing, choking back tears as she said, "Welcome home! I'm so glad you and Senior Brother Shen are both safe and sound..."
Zuo Qiuxu also cried out to hug Xu Xing, but Shen Du quickly pulled him away. Seeing that Junior Sister Linglan and Aunt Lian had squeezed past him and surrounded Xu Xing, he had no choice but to settle for second best. With red eyes, he punched Shen Du's shoulder and whispered, "It's so good that you're all alright!"
Xiang Yuquan stood at the back, his gaze sweeping over the two of them carefully, and said in a gentle voice, "Everyone has been thinking of you these past two years, and they all came as soon as they received the news."
The Abyss of Eclipse was not a place one could enter and leave at will. Knowing that their journey would undoubtedly be fraught with peril, the group had no intention of disturbing them; seeing the two safe and sound was enough. After agreeing on a meeting day at Xuanjian Peak, they dispersed, not in a hurry to ask how they had escaped the Abyss of Eclipse.
Moreover, the Abyss of Eclipse was no small matter, so Wen Yao and the others had not revealed the whereabouts of Xu Xing and Shen Du. They had only vaguely told Wang Lianhua and Zhao Linglan that they had stayed in a secret realm, and it was not appropriate to ask any more questions at this time.
Before leaving, Wen Yao deliberately glanced at the two of them, keenly noticing the subtle atmosphere between them. She winked mischievously at Xu Xing, her eyes conveying a clear meaning.
"..."
Xu Xing looked up at the sky nonchalantly, pretending not to see A Yao's furious expression.
She didn't care, but since her senior brother was so easily embarrassed, she decided to wait.
Back at Xuanjian Peak, Xu Xing released his contracted beast. Looking at everything familiar around him, he felt a sense of peace and a feeling of finally being home.
She didn't notice that Shen Du was standing at the edge of the barrier of Xuanjian Peak, his eyes showing hesitation.
Shen Du had seen Xuanjian Peak countless times in the illusion, each time closing his eyes and ears, undisturbed by external things, focusing solely on his mind. But now, seeing the familiar scene again, he began to suspect that this was yet another illusion, a deception…
He stands here, yet it seems he isn't here at all.
For a moment, all was silent, the wind stopped and the clouds dispersed, and the world seemed to stand still at this moment, with everything around turning into a black and white painting.
His distant gaze slowly swept over every blade of grass and tree on Xuanjian Peak. Shen Du's expression was calm, but his eyes grew increasingly dark until he saw Xu Xing and his contracted beasts frolicking outside the peach blossom forest.
She was pounced on by the Iron-Eating Beast, and in her panic, she hid behind the Wind Spirit Deer, her joyful laughter carried on the wind...
Noticing that Shen Du hadn't moved for a while, Xu Xing turned around while dodging Tuanzi's pounce and waved with a smile, "Senior brother, why aren't you coming over?"
At this moment, the silent scene, devoid of color, is revitalized, becoming dazzling and vibrant. The wind blows peach petals, a few landing in her hair. In an instant, the world comes alive in her eyes.
For Chen Du, Xuanjian Peak was merely a place to rest; only with her there did this place feel like her own.
After finally calming down the overly excited Tuanzi, Xu Xing cleaned off the long black and white hair on his body, walked towards Chen Du, and took his hand very naturally, "Senior brother, let's go pay our respects to Master first."
But in the snow-covered courtyard near Frost Peak, only one person sat alone, drinking tea.
"Master Jin? What are you doing here?" Upon seeing the man's face, Xu Xing's smile faded slightly, and his tone became polite but distant.
Jin Chu raised an eyebrow. "Don't be so distant when you see me. I'm a good friend of your master, after all."
No, that's not true!
Xu Xing thought to herself that she had never seen the head of the Punishment Hall on Li Shuang Peak since she became a disciple. Her master was aloof and had never liked outsiders to get close to Li Shuang Peak.
But why is Jin Chu here this time? Is Master not here?
Sure enough, the next moment Jin Chu spoke, "She went to the desolate lands and won't be back for a while, so she entrusted the two of you to me."
Xu Xing immediately glanced at the spiritual messages she had sent to her master. She had not received a response from her master, and the most recent spiritual message telling her master that she had returned to the Jade Cloud Sect had even failed to be transmitted.
Even in such a desolate place, there should be a way to receive spiritual messages. Where exactly did Master go?
"You've reached the Nascent Soul stage? Not bad." Jin Chu glanced at Chen Du. "But you're not even fifty years old yet, so be careful."
To have such cultivation at such a young age must mean one has had extraordinary encounters, enough to arouse the jealousy of some people.
Shen Du said in a deep voice, "Thank you for the reminder, Master Jin."
Jin Chu put down his teacup and left a black jade pendant on the table, saying, "If you need anything important, use this to find me."
"Also, I'm no longer the hall master, so don't call me by that name again."
After saying that, he turned into a ray of light and disappeared.
Is Jin Chu no longer the head of the Punishment Hall?
Xu Xing was quite surprised. It seemed that many major events had occurred in the Jade Cloud Sect during the two years they had been away.
Later, Xu Xingcai learned about the changes in the Jade Cloud Sect from Wen Yao.
More than a year ago, when Linghua Immortal Venerable, the sect master of Yuxiao Sect, emerged from seclusion, the first thing he did was to replace many of the leaders of the various departments of Yuxiao Sect. The biggest change was in the Punishment Hall, where the original hall master Jin Chu stepped down and the deputy hall master Kan Yuansi became the new hall master.
Due to its poor performance in recent years, the Thousand Machine Academy has been taken over by Elder Ning Wenbin, with Elder Murong Wu serving as its vice dean...
Murong Wu? Xu Xing remembered that this elder was one of the ones from the fishing competition back then. She remembered that he was the peak master of Guanyue Peak and a senior with a good temper.
As for Kan Yuansi...
Xu Xing glanced at Wen Yao and saw that she was indeed a little depressed. She had a grudge against Ji Huo Feng. The peak master of Ji Huo Feng, Kan Yuanyi, was also Kan Yuansi's sister. After this change, the already arrogant Ji Huo Feng became even more arrogant.
Seeing the worry on Xu Xing's face, Wen Yao patted her hand and comforted her, "Don't worry about me. Master and my senior brothers and sisters are very protective of me. Extreme Fire Peak wouldn't dare to do anything."
Xu Xing didn't feel much better. Even if they didn't dare to do anything openly, they would definitely try to trip him up behind the scenes.
Thinking of the power struggles within the Jade Cloud Sect, Xu Xing's hidden thoughts resurfaced. She lowered her eyes, realizing that she was still too weak to accomplish anything.
Wen Yao smiled and said, "I haven't congratulated you yet, but the things you sell in your shop are in high demand now. Last time I heard some disciples from the Immortal Dao Academy discussing how useful the spirit-enchanting items you sell are."
After returning this time, Aunt Lian sent over all the profits from the past two years, and Xu Xing's pockets bulged again. He couldn't help but smile, "Opening a shop is all about making money. My cultivation isn't good enough, so naturally I need to earn more spirit stones to protect myself."
“However…” Wen Yao hesitated for a moment, “rumors have spread from somewhere that the pills you refine are free of poison, and a few months ago, cultivators from other sects even came to ask for the pills.”
"Xu Xu, you need to be extra careful."
Thinking of Shen Du, who had already formed his Nascent Soul, Wen Yao's worry lessened somewhat. With a magical artifact protecting her and Senior Brother Shen Du's protection, Xu Xu should be safe in the Jade Cloud Sect.
Xu Xing nodded. Wen Yao's concerns were not unfounded. A tree that stands out in the forest will be felled by the wind. The Jade Cloud Sect was not safe, and she still needed to try her best to conceal her identity as an alchemist. Although she would inevitably have to hide it from the powerful figures in the sect, at least it hadn't been revealed yet. The fewer people who knew, the less danger she would be in.
But what Xu Xing didn't expect was that less than a year later, during a sect competition, her long-hidden identity was exposed in an unexpected way in front of the Jade Cloud Sect cultivators...
That period was the graduation assessment of the Immortal Academy. Because the sect leader, Immortal Venerable Linghua, personally watched the assessment process, many disciples who wanted to catch a glimpse of the sect leader's immortal appearance also joined in the fun. This assessment became the one with the most disciples watching.
The Jade Cloud Sect, having shaken off the gloom of the Demon Blood incident years ago, was unusually lively. Ning Wenbin, the dean of the Thousand Machines Academy, decided to hold an additional sect competition after the assessment, intending to let the sect leader see the talent of these young disciples.
All disciples of the sect are welcome to participate. The event is divided into inner and outer rounds, and the Thousand Machine Academy has generously offered rewards, which has made all the disciples eager to try.
Because Li Shuangfeng was an inner sect, Xu Xing and Shen Du had a good spot on the viewing platform. When they sat down, Wen Yao, who was sitting with the Chi Yangfeng disciples not far away, waved to them.
Following his little disciple's gaze, Jing Yu, the peak master of Chiyang Peak, realized that his little disciple's good friend was actually the female disciple who was quite skilled at fishing.
However, it seems that Frost Peak is far away...
Knowing her own limitations, Xu Xing had no intention of participating. While munching on sunflower seeds, she craned her neck to watch the excitement on stage and exclaimed, "One of the prizes for the champion is actually a fourth-order spiritual vein. Qianji Academy is really rich."
Shen Du, who hadn't planned to participate, glanced at her. If she wanted, she could give it a try; suppressing her cultivation at the Golden Core stage shouldn't be too conspicuous. Besides fourth-tier spiritual veins, the rewards included many rare materials, perfect for her.
After returning to his sect, Shen Du, who had been wanting to express his feelings to Xu Xing, was tempted. He had been trying to avoid Xu Xing and take on missions to earn some spirit stones so he could buy her a gift.
But for some reason, Xu Xing was clinging to him more than before, and Shen Du felt both happy and distressed that he couldn't find a chance to go down the mountain alone.
But if he wins first place, this reward would be worthy of being given to her...
Xu Xing, unaware of his senior brother's thoughts, was intently watching the competition.
On the central arena, a female cultivator wielded the Crimson Lotus Karmic Fire with unparalleled skill. Her every move was fierce, and the crimson flames burned her opponent's weapons to ashes.
After defeating five inner disciples in a row, she was qualified to challenge others according to the competition rules, and the opponents she chose could not refuse.
Ever since she started practicing alchemy and weapon crafting, Xu Xing had developed a hobby of collecting various spiritual flames. At this moment, her gaze was drawn to the brightly burning red lotus in the female cultivator's hand. She thought to herself: This flame is extremely pure and would be perfect for refining fire-attribute pills. She has accumulated quite a few of the five elements of spiritual flames over the years, but she doesn't have such a pure fire-attribute spiritual flame...
As Xu Xing pondered, a burning gaze suddenly fell upon her from the stage, accurately locking onto her among the many cultivators.
"Jiang Yun, a disciple of Ji Huo Peak, challenges Xu Xing of Li Shuang Peak. Please enlighten me, Fellow Daoist Xu."
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Author's Note: Thank you to the following readers for the nutrient solution: Sleep a Little Longer, Too Many Bugs, Sleep Until You Naturally Wake Up Every Day, Blue Feather's Tears, Happy Meow, Triangle City, 25656288, Late Sun and Cold Crow, and 57786656. They are all familiar little cuties, thank you so much! [Please!]
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