21: A visit to Qingyun reveals a whole new world!

Chu Xuanjin's gaze fell on the gruesome bloody hole in his chest. The black Demonic Qi at the wound was like bone-eroding maggots, continuously eroding his vitality.

He flicked his finger.

A jade-green Medicinal Pill drew a gentle arc and landed precisely in Lin Qingyan's hand.

"Healing Pill, Profound Rank Low Grade."

Chu Xuanjin's voice was flat and waveless.

"Swallow it, and it will ensure your life is secure."

Lin Qingyan held the Medicinal Pill, which radiated a fresh medicinal fragrance, and was completely stunned.

A Profound Rank Medicinal Pill!

This grade of Medicinal Pill could only be claimed monthly by Core Disciples within the Sect; each one was incomparably precious.

The other party had just casually produced one.

"This... this is too precious! Senior's great kindness, this Junior has no way to repay..."

"It is nothing."

Chu Xuanjin only uttered two words.

(PS: One must still be aloof when out and about.)

Lin Qingyan dared not say more. He glanced at Liu Feiyan, who was filled with worry beside him, and without further hesitation, swallowed the Medicinal Pill.

The Medicinal Pill melted upon entering his mouth, and a gentle, pure medicinal force instantly spread through his limbs and bones.

The overbearing Demonic Qi that had been entrenched in his wound melted rapidly, like snow encountering the scorching sun.

His pale complexion recovered a hint of ruddiness at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Many thanks to Senior for bestowing the medicine!"

This time, his voice was much louder.

Chu Xuanjin ignored him. He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the corpse of the Black-Scaled Demon Ape.

"The Inner Core of this Yao Beast should be of some benefit to your cultivation."

Ye Chenfeng understood. He stepped forward, and a flash of sword light appeared.

The iron-hard head of the Yao Beast split open in response to the sound.

An Inner Core the size of a fist, burning with black demonic fire, was lifted by his spiritual energy and sent before Lin Qingyan and the other.

Lin Qingyan and Liu Feiyan looked at that Nascent Soul Stage Yao Beast core, then at Ye Chenfeng, their eyes filled with more shock than gratitude.

Decisive in killing, clean in taking the core.

This youth's Heart-Nature was even more terrifying than his sword.

"Senior, Fellow Daoist, please accept a bow from us!"

The two no longer declined; they solemnly accepted the Yao Beast core and bowed again.

"Let's go."

Chu Xuanjin waved his hand, as if he had only done a trivial thing.

The group continued on their journey.

Perhaps the Demonic Qi of the Black-Scaled Demon Ape was too overbearing, as no more blind Yao Beasts came to harass them for the rest of the journey.

On the road, the atmosphere gradually became less tense.

Liu Feiyan's gaze kept drifting involuntarily toward the taciturn youth in green robes.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, your... your sword technique is so fast." She gathered her courage and spoke softly.

Ye Chenfeng did not stop his pace, only responding indifferently.

"Mm."

Liu Feiyan's cheeks flushed slightly. She wanted to say more but didn't know how to start.

(PS: The two of them were not in that kind of relationship to begin with.)

Wang Duojin watched from the side and was amused. He leaned toward Su Linger and nudged her with his elbow.

"Second Senior Sister, look, Senior Brother's charm, tsk tsk."

Su Linger rolled her eyes at him without speaking, silently following behind their Revered Master.

Wang Duojin didn't mind. His eyes rolled, and he leaned toward Lin Qingyan again.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, can your Qingyun Sword Sect be considered a large Sect here in the Eastern Desolate Region?"

Lin Qingyan's injuries had stabilized by now, and he felt more favorably toward this seemingly lively youth.

"My Qingyun Sword Sect is quite well-known in the southern border of the Eastern Desolate Region," he replied modestly. "Our Sect Master has the cultivation of the Early Soul Transformation Stage, and with thousands of Disciples under the Sect, we can protect the peace of one region."

Wang Duojin's eyes lit up.

"A Sect Master at the Soul Transformation Stage! Doesn't that mean the Sect's annual income is... ahem, I mean, the Sect must be very impressive, right?"

Lin Qingyan smiled.

"Compared to hidden immortal Sects like the Myriad Dao Divine Sect, my Qingyun Sword Sect is but the light of a firefly."

He said this sincerely.

If even a Disciple was this terrifying, how profound must their Sect's heritage be?

The group walked and talked, and several hours later, they finally walked out of this perilous mountain range.

Ahead, the view suddenly opened up.

A magnificent Sect, built on the peaks of mountains and surrounded by clouds and mist, appeared before everyone's eyes.

Countless sword lights rose and fell among the mountains, and one could feel a sharp Qi piercing the sky from afar.

"Senior, that is my Qingyun Sword Sect ahead." Lin Qingyan pointed at the Sect, a look of pride on his face.

Su Linger and Wang Duojin looked up, their eyes filled with novelty.

This Qingyun Sword Sect had towering gates and Sword Qi that pierced the sky; it was indeed ten thousand times more impressive than any mundane force they had seen before.

But for some reason, compared to their Revered Master's Myriad Dao Divine Mountain, which could be carried with him and formed its own world, it always felt... a bit lacking.

"Let's go, let's find an inn in the city to rest first." Chu Xuanjin said.

"Senior, absolutely not!"

Lin Qingyan became anxious upon hearing this.

"You saved our lives; if we let you stay in an outside inn, wouldn't we be ungrateful wretches?"

Liu Feiyan hurriedly echoed.

"Yes, Senior, please must come to our Sect to stay for a few days, and let us fulfill our duties as hosts."

Chu Xuanjin looked at them.

"Very well."

Seeing him agree, Lin Qingyan and Liu Feiyan were overjoyed and hurriedly led the way.

At the mountain gate, the guarding Disciples saw the two, first feeling happy, then seeing Chu Xuanjin's group behind them, they showed vigilance.

"Senior Brother Lin, Senior Sister Liu, you are back! Who are these..."

"Do not be rude!" Lin Qingyan immediately scolded, "These are Senior experts from the Myriad Dao Divine Sect, and they are our life-saving benefactors! Go quickly and report to the Law Enforcement Elder, tell him I have an urgent matter to see him!"

The guarding Disciple dared not delay and hurriedly flew away on his sword.

Before long, an old man in grey robes with a stern face arrived in a hurry with several Disciples.

He saw the bloodstains on Lin Qingyan's chest and frowned.

"Qingyan, what happened?"

"Greetings, Law Enforcement Elder." Lin Qingyan saluted first, then recounted the events in the mountains—how they were in danger, how Ye Chenfeng killed the demon ape with one sword, and how Chu Xuanjin bestowed the medicine—from beginning to end.

The Law Enforcement Elder listened, terrified. His gaze lingered on Ye Chenfeng for a long time before turning to Chu Xuanjin.

With his Nascent Soul Great Perfection cultivation, he actually couldn't see through this young man in front of him at all.

The other party was like an unfathomable ancient pool.

"So it is the experts from the Myriad Dao Divine Sect who have arrived; this old man failed to welcome you."

The Law Enforcement Elder dared not delay and bowed to Chu Xuanjin.

"Senior and your Disciples saved our Sect's Disciples; this kindness, the Qingyun Sword Sect will keep in mind. The Sect Master is already waiting at Qingyun Hall, please, Senior, move your steps."

Chu Xuanjin nodded slightly without saying much.

The group followed the Law Enforcement Elder and stepped into the Qingyun Sword Sect.

Inside the Sect, pavilions and towers were arranged in good order. Everywhere one could see Disciples carrying long swords, rushing about, and an atmosphere of enterprising spirit rushed toward them.

Wang Duojin looked around, calculating in his heart.

"This location, this scale, this foot traffic... the fixed assets are worth at least this much..."

Su Linger felt the Sword Dao aura here, which was incompatible with her Frost Dao Body, making her feel slightly uncomfortable.

Soon, everyone arrived at the Qingyun Hall at the top of the main peak.

Inside the main hall, a middle-aged man wearing blue cloud-patterned Daoist robes, with a refined face but sword lights flickering between his eyes as they opened and closed, had been waiting for a long time.

His aura was deep and profound; he was the Qingyun Sword Sect Revered Master, a Cultivator at the Early Soul Transformation Stage, Yun Tianqing.

"Junior Yun Tianqing, greets Senior Chu."

Yun Tianqing saw Chu Xuanjin and actually stepped forward, performing a Junior's bow.

The several Elders behind him also bowed respectfully.

Chu Xuanjin's eyebrows twitched imperceptibly.

He thought to himself.

"Interesting, there was no cliché of looking down on people."

"I thought next would be the triple combo of questioning, provocation, and then face-slapping."

He remained calm on the surface, just nodding faintly.

"Sect Master Yun, you are too polite."

Yun Tianqing straightened up with a gentle smile on his face.

"I heard of Senior's great righteousness in saving my Disciples, Yun is deeply grateful."

He turned his gaze to Ye Chenfeng, his eyes full of admiration.

"This little Fellow Daoist, to have such Sword Dao cultivation at such a young age, is truly a heaven-sent talent. I wonder... is your Revered Master Senior Chu?"

"Precisely my Revered Master." Ye Chenfeng answered neither humbly nor arrogantly.

The admiration in Yun Tianqing's eyes grew stronger.

"A great teacher produces brilliant students; the reputation is well-deserved."

He stepped aside and made a "please" gesture.

"Senior has come from afar, it has been a tiring journey. I have ordered people to prepare light wine and have tidied up the best guest courtyard in our Sect, 'Listening to the Waves Pavilion'. Please, Senior and your three Disciples, do us the honor of staying."

His attitude was just right, neither fawning nor distant.

It made people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.

Chu Xuanjin looked at him, understanding in his heart.

This Sect Master Yun was a smart man.

He knew that a Revered Master who could teach a Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator, a powerhouse he himself could not see through, was definitely not someone the Qingyun Sword Sect could afford to offend.

Rather than making an enemy, it was better to form a good relationship.

"In that case, I will impose."

Chu Xuanjin did not refuse.

"Senior is too modest." Yun Tianqing was overjoyed. "It is our Sect's honor that you have graced the Qingyun Sword Sect with your presence!"

He personally led Chu Xuanjin's group through the halls toward the guest courtyard on the back mountain.

Along the way, he chatted and laughed, introducing the local customs of the Sect, but never mentioned Chu Xuanjin's background or cultivation, handling the measure perfectly.

Wang Duojin followed behind and whispered to Su Linger.

"Second Senior Sister, this Sect Master... why is he different from what is written in books?"

Su Linger glanced at him.

"How is it different?"

"Aren't the Sect Masters written in books supposed to be the kind who have their eyes on the top of their heads and want to exterminate people's entire families at the slightest disagreement?"

"Revered Master is here, he dares not." Su Linger said concisely.

Wang Duojin thought about it and nodded in deep agreement.

Yes, with Revered Master, this great god present, who would dare to act presumptuously.

Soon, the group arrived at the guest courtyard named "Listening to the Waves Pavilion".

The courtyard was built against the mountain, quiet and elegant. Outside the courtyard, there were green pines and cypresses, and in the distance, one could hear the roar of a waterfall. It was indeed the best place in the Sect.

"Senior, you and your three Disciples please rest here. If you need anything, you can send someone to inform us at any time."

Yun Tianqing saluted again.

"This Junior will not disturb you further."

After speaking, he took the Elders and retreated sensibly.

Inside the courtyard, only Chu Xuanjin and his three Disciples remained.

Wang Duojin immediately ran around the courtyard like a wild horse off its leash.

"Wow! This courtyard comes with a small Sword Intent cleansing array! Although the grade is not high, living here every day can temper one's Sword Heart!"

"This stone table is hundred-year warm jade! This tea set is South Sea fine porcelain!"

He touched here and looked there, his eyes full of little stars.

"Revered Master, this trip of ours was the right choice!"

Chu Xuanjin ignored him, just walked to the stone table in the courtyard and sat down, looking at the rolling sea of clouds in the distance, his gaze deep.

This Qingyun Sword Sect, this Yun Tianqing...

It really is a bit interesting.