Chapter 080: I’m Still Young
Exiting the council hall, Zheng Xiangbai immediately announced to the disciples from the three sects within the town to prepare themselves as they would all depart for Sheng Hui Valley early tomorrow morning.
At the same time, Qin Gou and Li Yuanzhen, who was among the crowd, exchanged a glance. A faint smile curved the lips of the Saintess who gambled with her life, and she turned towards the gathering place of the Dark Holy Land disciples.
“It’s the Evil Subduing Saintess.”
“Greetings, Righteous Valor Fairy!”
“I have always looked up to Senior Sister Li as a role model for my entire life!”
As soon as Li Yuanzhen appeared, the disciples of the Dark Holy Land were almost universally flushed red with excitement, their eyes filled with unreserved admiration and respect. This was the model of the righteous path, renowned for saving tens of thousands of lives every time she ventured out for training!
For a moment, the Little Gambler felt as if she had returned to the Sword Questioning Sect. She could only lightly nod her head, continuously responding to the surging tide of admiration. She knew that the Sword Questioning Sect and the Dark Holy Land had been on good terms for generations, so it was natural for her tales of glory to have spread to the Dark Holy Land.
“The Righteous Valor Fairy is indeed as the rumors say, with a clear sword heart, unparalleled beauty, and an extraordinary demeanor.”
“It’s a pity she left so quickly; I didn’t even get to speak a single word with Senior Sister Li.”
“Fool, what do you know? The Righteous Valor Fairy must be afraid that her presence here would delay our cultivation time. She’s simply too considerate!”
“Goodness gracious, to think such a woman with an orchid heart exists in this world. Seeing her today makes this life worthwhile!”
Meanwhile, Li Yuanzhen had arrived outside Shen Zhen’s residence.
“Li Yuanzhen of the Sword Questioning Sect requests an audience with Senior Shen.”
“The Evil Subduing Saintess? Please, come in.”
Inside, Shen Zhen, through his veiled hat, calmly observed Li Yuanzhen, who was as pure as the spring snow and possessed exceptional beauty and an unearthly aura. He showed no airs of a cultivator at the Dharma Aspect Realm. He knew very well that one day, the Evil Subduing Saintess would undoubtedly enter the Dharma Aspect realm, and her becoming the next Sect Master of the Sword Questioning Sect was already a foregone conclusion, merely a matter of time.
“May I ask what important matter brings the Evil Subduing Saintess here at this hour?”
“The Sword Questioning Sect and the Dark Holy Land are like branches of the same tree. This humble Daoist has some information that I wish to share with Senior Shen and the Holy Land,” Li Yuanzhen said with a gentle, beautiful smile. “It concerns the true identity of Wang Xuan.”
“Xuan Master’s true identity?” Shen Zhen was quite puzzled.
“Indeed. The so-called ‘Celestial Master’ Wang Xuan, from the moment of his birth, has been an External Incarnation of Qin Gou of Arc-Moon Mountain,” Li Yuanzhen stated with a solemn tone, devoid of any pretense.
“What?!” Shen Zhen exclaimed in disbelief and astonishment. “Qin Gou of Arc-Moon Mountain… that Demon Master?”
“Precisely,” Li Yuanzhen lightly nodded. “However, Senior Shen need not worry. By chance, Wang Xuan obtained the ‘Longevity Fruit’ and has long since developed his own spiritual intelligence, leaving his main body with very little control over him.”
“Evil Subduing Saintess, this is not a matter to be trifled with!” This piece of information was truly unbelievable, yet Shen Zhen did not believe that the Evil Subduing Saintess, renowned throughout the world, would have any reason to deceive him. Moreover, the deep friendship between the Sword Questioning Sect and the Dark Holy Land was not built in a day.
If Qin Yuan could see this scene, he would surely be amazed. The leader of the blood oath alliance between the three sects—the Sword Questioning Sect, Linjiang Immortal Nunnery, and the Dark Holy Land—the True Lord Zhu Xie, had been thoroughly corrupted by Old Qin and had begun to fool his future loyal subordinate as if he were a simpleton.
“A joke? Does Senior Shen truly believe that I came here today just to casually accompany Qiu Lingyun of Fusheng Nunn on a sightseeing trip, as I casually mentioned before? This humble Daoist has been carrying a mission all along! If you don’t believe me, Senior Shen, please look at this.”
As she spoke, Li Yuanzhen drew the Myriad Derivations Sword from behind her.
“This is the personal Emperor Weapon of Sect Master Xia, the renowned Myriad Derivations Sword!” Shen Zhen recognized it instantly.
“This sword represents the will of our Sect Master of the Sword Questioning Sect,” Li Yuanzhen stated firmly and logically. “The reason for informing Senior Shen of this matter is to allow your sect to be forewarned. After all, Wang Xuan, or rather Qin Gou’s External Incarnation, the Dao-Peeking Eyes, is too miraculous. It is the common treasure of our righteous sects, and must be controlled and protected properly.”
Upon seeing the Myriad Derivations Sword, Shen Zhen knew that this matter was not trivial and was by no means groundless. He could not help but say with admiration, “Sect Master Xia truly thinks of everything, worthy of being the number one Dharma Aspect in Das Prefecture.”
“Moreover, the matter of Wang Xuan being Qin Gou’s External Incarnation had already shown signs. Wang Xuan has always been known as the Celestial Master, but if you think about it carefully, who was the very first person in this world to be called the Celestial Master?”
“Who?”
“Qin Gou of Arc-Moon Mountain!”
“Wasn’t he always known as the Demon Master?”
Li Yuanzhen: …
Shen Zhen took a deep breath and said, “Forget it, whether he’s Celestial or Demon, as long as we know the outcome. The Dark Holy Land is indebted for this. I will report this to the sect immediately. Thank you, fellow sect, thank you, Evil Subduing Saintess!”
“If that is the case, this humble Daoist shall take my leave. My current mission is to protect ‘Wang Xuan’ closely, and I ask Senior Shen to take good care of him as well,” Li Yuanzhen said, cupping her fists.
“Wait a moment.”
Shen Zhen said with concern, “Although Wang Xuan has not caused any major notoriety over the years, knowing now that he is, after all, a creation of that ‘Master of Demon Cultivation’, has he acted improperly towards the Evil Subduing Saintess during this journey? Please speak freely. With me here, I will surely uphold justice for the Evil Subduing Saintess.”
Hearing this, Li Yuanzhen could not help but be taken aback.
Shen Zhen said angrily, “Could it be that he truly dared to make a move against you?!”
“No, not at all,” Li Yuanzhen denied decisively, chuckling. “The reason I hesitated was that I didn’t expect Senior Shen to ask this.”
“Then he…”
“Is a true gentleman!” Li Yuanzhen asserted. “As they say, men and women should not have unnecessary contact. He never even touched this humble Daoist’s hand! I don’t know if he’s pretending, but if he can maintain this facade for his entire life, then he is a true sage. Frankly speaking, during this time of constant interaction, in my impression, this ‘Demon Master’s Incarnation’ is truly noble and refined, gentle and courteous.”
“Then I can rest assured. He even generously shared information about the Longevity Fruit tree earlier. It seems his temperament is indeed vastly different from that of the rumored Demon Master Qin Gou. There is a reason he is called the Celestial Master,” Shen Zhen said, nodding slightly.
“Senior Shen can rest assured. Otherwise, I guarantee, this person would not be able to stand before Senior Shen as he is today!” The Little Gambler made a deeply hidden, suggestive remark, feeling exceptionally satisfied.
…
“Mistress, we have arrived. This is Sheng Hui Valley. Not long ago, divine light shone, and the large characters ‘Egu’ appeared in the sky. The Egu secret realm will surely emerge soon.”
“Mm, then let us establish a cave dwelling here together and wait patiently,” Gu Feiyan said, her clear and pure eyes looking towards the men and women beside her.
“Yes, Mother!” The men and women bowed respectfully.
Gu Feiyan waved her hand helplessly. “How many times have I told you not to call me Mother? It’s quite embarrassing.”
“Mother pursued our souls from the underworld and gave us a second life. She is naturally our reborn mother, and we must respect her!”
Gu Feiyan’s expression tensed. She looked at Qin Yuan, who was secretly chuckling beside her, and gritted her silver teeth. “A’yuan, tell them, I’m still young, younger than you.”
“Mother!” Qin Yuan playfully stomped his foot, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
