Chapter 469 Senior Brother, I’m Out of Seclusion
Birds sang and flowers bloomed outside the window.
After seeing off Ancestor Lingzhi, Feng Yu Die stretched her body, which had become a little stiff from sleeping for several days. She washed her face, changed into a new set of clothes, tied her silver hair into a ponytail, and her expression regained its usual radiance.
She had figured it out.
Why did she always feel at ease with Ye Anping?
Why was Ye Anping’s roasted chicken the most delicious in the world?
Why did she hear the Inner Demon’s words before her Master?
Why… why…
Countless “whys,” but the same answer.
A simple two words—love.
It’s a pity that Xiao Tian also didn’t know where Ye Anping was going to attempt his Nascent Soul Formation. She only told Feng Yu Die that she could sense it was somewhere south of the Taibai Sect, but the location was very vague.
If not for this, she would have gone to tell Ye Anping right now, “Let’s be cultivation partners!”
After changing her clothes, Feng Yu Die held Ye Anping’s outer robe, buried her face in it again, and took a gentle breath. Then, she folded it neatly, put it back into her Storage Bag, and pushed open the door.
Outside was a small garden, just in the season of late spring and early summer, with blooming branches and overflowing fragrance.
The fragrance of flowers filled the courtyard, giving Feng Yu Die a sense of joy like seeing a rainbow after a storm. She stepped forward, passing by the stone path and the water pavilion, and suddenly heard the clacking sound of wooden swords colliding not far away.
Following the sound, she peeked through the crescent-shaped moon gate and saw Xiao Yunluo drinking tea and spacing out under a pavilion, while Yun Tianchong and Pei Lianxue were engaged in a fierce sword fight a short distance away.
The dancing sword shadows caught her golden eyes.
At this moment, with sweat clinging to her bangs, Pei Lianxue’s calm orange eyes and her agile yet not delicate figure made her heart flutter.
Junior Sister Pei is indeed very handsome! And so powerful!
“If only Junior Sister Pei had Que Que…”
“Huh?”
Xiao Tian, sitting on her shoulder, heard this murmur, paused for a moment, then took a deep breath and kicked her head.
Suddenly, there was a “crack—” sound.
“Hiss—”
Yun Tianchong took a deep breath and watched in shock as the wooden sword in his hand broke in half. The fragments shot towards Feng Yu Die’s forehead like crossbow bolts. He was so startled that he rushed to block them for her.
However, Feng Yu Die reacted quickly and raised her hand, catching the flying broken sword between her fingers.
*Swossh—*
Pei Lianxue’s wooden sword finally landed by Yun Tianchong’s neck. Her face was flushed, and she breathed deeply. Seeing the broken wooden sword in Yun Tianchong’s hand, a hint of joy appeared in her eyes.
“I concede!!!”
“Uh…”
Yun Tianchong pushed her wooden sword away from his neck. Although it was a little embarrassing to have his wooden sword broken by a Core Formation Stage cultivator, his wooden sword had already broken forty of Pei Lianxue’s wooden swords.
He put his hands behind his back and puffed out his chest, adopting a senior’s posture:
“Cough, cough… Not bad, worthy of inheriting the legacy of Immortal Yun Jian. With your late Core Formation Stage cultivation, you can actually… Hey?”
Before Yun Tianchong could finish speaking, Pei Lianxue seemed thirsty, turned around, ran to the pavilion, picked up Xiao Yunluo’s teapot, and poured it into her mouth.
*Gulp, gulp…*
Yun Tianchong felt like a tool, his eyes twitching. But he didn’t say much and prepared to go to the pavilion to eat some tribute pastries from Taibai Sect and rest for a while.
However, just as he took a step after turning, Feng Yu Die, who was outside the moon gate, also tiptoed over. Without a word, she took out two wooden swords from her Storage Bag:
“Let me try too.”
“Ah?”
Yun Tianchong saw the wooden swords Feng Yu Die threw into his hands. He wanted to tell her to rest for a while, but before he could say it, Feng Yu Die had already taken a wooden sword and run off to the side, cupped her hands, and bowed:
“Please give me guidance.”
Then, she took a step forward and swung at him.
*Clack—!*
Yun Tianchong quickly raised his sword to block the first strike and said with a frown, “Let this seat…”
*Clack!!*
“Forget it… sigh…”
Yun Tianchong looked at Feng Yu Die and couldn’t help but think of Grand Void True Person. He then thought of what Elder Lei had told him the last time he visited Sword Sect, and a sense of guilt arose in his heart. He didn’t refuse and practiced with Feng Yu Die.
The clacking sound of wooden swords colliding echoed through the courtyard again.
The Golden Crow gradually set in the west. After changing thirty-seven wooden swords, Feng Yu Die finally found an opportunity and forcefully struck the body of Yun Tianchong’s spirit sword with her own.
*Crack—*
Then, Feng Yu Die finally let out a sigh of relief, narrowed her eyes, and smiled:
“I concede! Hehe—”
Yun Tianchong was stunned for a moment and was about to say something to save face.
“Uh… Hmm, not bad, not bad, worthy of Taixu Zi… Hey?”
To his surprise, the same thing happened again. After bowing, Feng Yu Die turned and ran to the pavilion, sat down with Xiao Yunluo and Pei Lianxue, and drank tea to quench her thirst.
Looking at the three girls under the pavilion, Yun Tianchong couldn’t help but raise his head and rub his nose, feeling utterly exhausted.
Xiao Yunluo is the daughter of Old Madam Si…
Pei Lianxue is his father’s personal disciple…
Feng Yu Die is a prodigy…
When he thought about it this way, even his Yi Yi would have to be ranked after Young Master Ye’s fourth wife.
Yun Tianchong couldn’t help but worry about the future, fearing that his Yi Yi would be bullied if she married into the Ye family!
What could he do now?
“Sigh…”
Just as Yun Tianchong was worrying about his Yi Yi’s future, a flying sword suddenly descended from the sky. Qiu Shui Rou, wearing the sect uniform of a Xuan Xing Sect Elder, landed in the courtyard.
Qiu Shui Rou was happily tending to her flowers and plants in the Xuan Xing Sect when Si Xuanji directly hit her forehead with a jade slip, telling her, “I’m taking Ye Anping to the Wunian Sect for his Nascent Soul Formation. Go to Taibai Sect and bring Xiao Yunluo and the others back to Xuan Xing Sect.”
Although the written message said “Nascent Soul Formation,” from her understanding of her junior master’s temperament over the years, she knew that her junior master was simply finding an excuse to go to a place where she wouldn’t be disturbed to quench her thirst.
She was now worried that Si Xuanji might have caused some residual effects on Ye Anping, after all, her junior master’s appetite as a Void Realm cultivator was enough to swallow the heavens, and the Wunian Sect was located in the center of the Asking Immortal Sea, surrounded by high-level sea beasts.
Ye Anping would not have anyone to save him even if he shouted until his voice broke, and there would be nowhere to escape…
“Sigh…”
Qiu Shui Rou sighed and saw Yun Tianchong there. She nodded and greeted him:
“Sect Master Yun, it has been a long time. Immortal Dan Yue asked me to convey a message, saying that you can return to Sword Sect.”
“Ah…” Yun Tianchong was stunned and quickly stepped forward, asking in a low voice, “Fairy Qiu, did Immortal Dan Yue mention anything about Yun Kunwu and Grand Void True Person? I swear, I have repented and will start anew. In light of this incident at Taibai Sect, I helped protect Young Master Xiao and the others…”
Qiu Shui Rou clasped her hands in her sleeves, closed her eyes, and replied:
“Immortal Dan Yue is not that petty. Yun Kunwu is already dead, and Immortal Dan Yue has long forgotten about him. As for Grand Void True Person…”
“…”
Yun Tianchong was silent for a while after Qiu Shui Rou’s first sentence. Seeing Qiu Shui Rou shift her gaze to Feng Yu Die under the pavilion, he quickly explained:
“When we were in Donghuang City in the Central Domain, I personally kowtowed and apologized to Sister Feng. Sister Feng has also forgiven me.”
“Thus, the karma related to Grand Void will also be settled.”
“Thank you…”
Yun Tianchong suddenly looked relieved, cupped his hands in a bow, then looked at the three under the pavilion. He stepped forward and bid them farewell in a soft voice. Then, he transformed into a golden light and headed towards the Tian Ge of Taibai Sect, intending to inform Zu Yuan before rushing back to Sword Sect.
After sending Yun Tianchong off, Qiu Shui Rou sighed again and walked to the pavilion:
“You three pack up. I’ll take you back to Xuan Xing Sect later. Taibai Sect has suffered a setback, and everyone in the sect is busy. You should stay here.”
Xiao Yunluo was a little surprised to see Aunt Qiu and asked urgently, “Aunt Qiu, why are you here? Even Ah Ying is here… Where is my Master…”
Ah Ying glanced at Xiao Yunluo like a dumb dragon and immediately clicked his tongue:
“Stealing…”
Then, Qiu Shui Rou grabbed him and said with an embarrassed expression:
“She is… in seclusion.”
“Seclusion?”
“Well… in any case, I’m taking the three of you back to Xuan Xing Sect. Demonic cultivators have crossed the border, and the Southern Domain is a motley crew. I’m afraid you three might encounter trouble on your return journey, so my junior master asked me to personally pick you up.”
Xiao Yunluo scratched the back of her head and nodded somewhat confusedly:
“…Oh.”
However, Pei Lianxue, who was a little shy because it was her first time meeting Qiu Shui Rou, said weakly:
“But my Senior Brother hasn’t finished his Nascent Soul Formation yet… He didn’t tell me to return to Xuan Xing Sect. I want to wait for him here.”
“Young Master Ye asked you to return to Hundred Lotus Sect first.”
Qiu Shui Rou took out a red envelope from her sleeve and handed it to her, saying,
“Madam Kong of Hundred Lotus Sect sent a letter to Xuan Xing Sect a month ago, saying that your wedding preparations with Young Master Ye are almost complete and that you should hurry back to prepare. You were in the Southern Domain with Young Master Ye at the time, so this letter has been kept in the Xuan Xing Sect’s post office.”
!
Hearing this, Pei Lianxue froze. Her Senior Brother had said he would marry her before, but he also said he would find a good time. With the demonic cultivators stirring up trouble these days, and the matter of the “Summoning Immortal Order” before, this matter had been delayed.
“Miss Pei, I offer my congratulations. Young Master Ye also became famous from the Summoning Immortal Order, and he will soon attempt his Nascent Soul Formation. The Sect Master of Xuan Xing Sect will also bestow him a Dao title. If he can have a cultivation partner at this time, it will be a double blessing. How wonderful.”
Pei Lianxue slowly took the red envelope from Qiu Shui Rou and opened it. Inside, on a piece of red paper, were their birth dates listed on both sides, and a summary written in the middle by a diviner.
The compatibility of their zodiac signs indicated auspicious pairings, such as blessed and prosperous matching mandarin ducks, possessing both wisdom and courage, achieving great success, establishing themselves on firm ground, gaining fame and fortune, and living a happy life.
It also mentioned some taboos, such as being careful of “poultry” on the wedding day, and the wedding banquet should ideally consist of beef, lamb, and pork.
But the summary was just four words—a match made in heaven!
Pei Lianxue pursed her lips. Her usually calm eyes, similar to Ye Anping’s, finally revealed a hint of emotion.
She clutched the red paper, placed it on her chest, and smiled like a little mouse.
“Hehe…”
Ah Ying squeezed out from Qiu Shui Rou’s hand:
“Congratulations and prosperity!! Congratulations and prosperity!!”
“Thank you…”
Pei Lianxue smiled and stroked its head with her index finger.
Xiao Yunluo, who was mentally prepared, also offered her congratulations calmly:
“Lian Xue, congratulations.”
“Mmm… Thank you, Yun Luo.”
Only Feng Yu Die seemed a little flustered at this moment. Looking at the red paper in Pei Lianxue’s hand, her expression was as blank as a statue, and her silver eyebrows on her forehead slowly tilted to the sides.
“…”
Xiao Tian, floating above her head, quickly dived down to her ear and comforted her:
*Yu Die, Sister Pei doesn’t have Que Que! No Que Que! No Que Que! You two never had a chance anyway! Don’t overthink it!*
Feng Yu Die lowered her eyes and remained silent for a long time.
At this moment, Qiu Shui Rou raised her hand and tapped Pei Lianxue, who was still immersed in the thought of marrying her Senior Brother, on the head. She shook her head and urged:
“Alright, hurry up and pack. We’ll go and say goodbye to the Dao Ancestor before heading back to the Western Regions.”
“Okay!!!”
…
————
…
*Rumble—!*
In the center of the dark tribulation clouds, a golden lightning bolt struck the gleaming golden temple spire, then passed through the flying tiles and landed on the head of the black-haired youth sitting cross-legged before the golden Buddha in the center of the temple.
Three months had passed in the blink of an eye, and the last of the thirty-five Nascent Soul Tribulation lightning bolts finally descended.
After the golden lightning, Ye Anping’s lips parted slightly, and he exhaled a stream of golden spiritual energy that looked like mist. He finally felt the Heavenly Dao Golden Core he had accepted completely integrate into his meridians.
A sweet voice called out, opening his tightly closed eyes:
“Congratulations on your Nascent Soul Formation.”
Ye Anping looked forward. Si Xuanji, draped in the outer robe of the Xuan Xing Sect Master, was leaning on the now empty tribute table, with her feet propped up, looking at him with her cheeks resting on her hands.
Her yin and yang eyes curved into two arcs, and she looked quite happy.
“Phew… Thank you.”
Ye Anping let out a sigh of relief, took out his clothes from his Storage Bag, and put them on. Then, he took out a few water droplets and used a water-element spell to splash them onto the golden Buddha statue. After that, he took out a rag, climbed up, and helped the golden Buddha clean up the masterpiece he and Si Xuanji had created over the past three months, and also reattached Gu Ming Heart’s hand to his belt.
Si Xuanji, lying on the tribute table, saw that he was even actively cleaning up and pouted, asking:
“Why not let that bald donkey clean it himself?”
“We’ll need to borrow this place again for Deity Transformation and Void Breaking, and my Junior Sister and Yun Luo will also come. If we displease Master Zhi Ming, it won’t be good.”
“Did you forget about me?”
“I can’t just live off you, can I?”
Si Xuanji tilted her head slightly, floated up, and clung directly to Ye Anping’s back, hugging him.
Ye Anping sighed, jumped down from in front of the golden Buddha, pulled Si Xuanji off him, and carried her to have her sit back on the tribute table. He picked up the undergarments and mask hanging on the adjacent roof beam, then crouched down:
“Xuan Ji, lift your foot.”
“Anping, what are your thoughts after becoming this Venerable’s cultivation partner?”
While helping Si Xuanji put on the mask, Ye Anping lowered his gaze and said:
“Happy.”
“Perfunctory!”
Si Xuanji kicked towards his face, but Ye Anping caught her foot and inserted it into one of the mask’s holes. He then smiled helplessly and explained:
“I don’t talk much, and ‘happy’ is enough.”
Ye Anping picked her up, helped her put on her top, then draped the Xuan Xing Sect Master’s outer robe over her back, tied her belt, and carried her back to sit on the cushion before the golden Buddha. He himself sat on another cushion, pretending to still be cultivating Qi.
“Remove the restrictive barrier.”
Si Xuanji pursed her lips like a cat, shook her head, and sighed. Without saying much, she waved her hand. The dark purple spiritual barrier that enveloped the entire hall, designed to prevent outsiders from peeking or disturbing them, instantly transformed into specks of starlight and shattered, dissipating…
…
