42: Chapter 42 Reencounter with Senior Sister

After flying for over half an hour, they finally reached the Inner Sect.

Unlike the peripheral areas, the buildings in the Inner Sect were more grand and majestic.

Pavilions and palaces were built along the mountains in an orderly fashion. The Spiritual Qi was noticeably denser than in the Outer Sect, and even the air seemed to carry a sweet fragrance.

Fu Hongxue led Ye Xiaoyao straight toward a towering hall.

The palace was built entirely of bluish-gray giant stones, with soaring eaves. A plaque hung above the main entrance, bearing three simple, ancient characters.

Hall of Transmitted Teachings.

"New Inner Sect Disciples handle their certification here to receive their identity jade plaques and primary Cultivation Techniques."

Fu Hongxue explained as she descended.

"Once the certification is complete, you will be considered an official Inner Sect Disciple and can move freely within the Inner Sect."

The two landed on the square in front of the hall.

The square was vast, paved with bluestone slabs that had been polished smooth and bright.

At this moment, many Cultivators were present, most of whom were in the Foundation Establishment Stage. They gathered in small groups, either sitting in meditation to Cultivate or sparring with Spells.

Occasionally, a few Core Formation Elders could be seen explaining something to a group of Foundation Establishment Disciples.

Ye Xiaoyao followed behind Fu Hongxue. The two walked side by side, very close together.

From an outsider's perspective, it looked like a female Core Formation Cultivator in a red dress was personally leading a young Disciple at the Early Foundation Establishment Stage.

This combination was rather eye-catching.

Soon, gazes from the square began to converge on them.

"Look, quickly!!"

An Early Foundation Establishment Cultivator in purple robes nudged his companion and whispered,

"Isn't that Martial Aunt Fu?"

His companion turned to look, his eyes lighting up as he marveled,

"It really is Martial Aunt Fu! I haven't seen her in a long time. Today, that red dress... she's so beautiful!!!"

Several male Disciples nearby nodded in agreement, their eyes following Fu Hongxue with looks of admiration.

At this point, someone noticed Ye Xiaoyao and asked,

"Who is that male Disciple following behind Martial Aunt Fu? Do you recognize him?"

"Don't know him, never seen him."

One person shook his head.

"He must be a Junior Brother who just reached Foundation Establishment, right? If he were a Foundation Establishment Cultivator who had promoted long ago, we should at least find him familiar."

"True."

The purple-robed Cultivator from before rubbed his chin.

"Although there are quite a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Inner Sect, we often gather to hear the Elders transmit teachings, so we recognize most faces. This person is indeed a stranger."

Looking at Ye Xiaoyao following Fu Hongxue, he muttered again,

"Strange, isn't Martial Aunt Fu usually quite cold and aloof? She doesn't really get close to male Cultivators. Why is she personally bringing someone to handle the procedures today?"

A pretty female Cultivator chimed in, her tone teasing,

"What's so strange about that? Martial Aunt Fu has never looked for a Dao Companion. Maybe this is someone she's taken a fancy to.

Look, this Junior Brother is quite handsome, tall, and has a dignified appearance.

If it were me, I'd also be willing to take someone like him as a Dao Companion."

Hearing this, the purple-robed Cultivator turned to glare at her and said,

"Junior Sister, doesn't your conscience hurt saying that?

You already have Senior Brother Wang, yet you're still looking at others? Aren't you afraid Senior Brother Wang will deal with you if he finds out?"

The female Cultivator gave a dismissive snort, rolled her eyes, and stopped talking.

Another male Cultivator shook his head: "Impossible. Even if Martial Aunt Fu wanted to find a Dao Companion, she wouldn't look for someone at the Early Foundation Establishment Stage.

The difference in cultivation is too great. Dao Companions need to progress together through Dual Cultivation; such a large gap would only be a burden."

"Shh—"

Another person, who hadn't spoken yet, quickly stopped them.

"Stop gossiping. If Martial Aunt Fu hears you, you'll be in trouble."

Only then did they shut their mouths and withdraw their gazes, pretending to continue Cultivating, though they still stole glances out of the corners of their eyes.

Ye Xiaoyao heard these discussions but remained expressionless.

Fu Hongxue clearly heard them too, but she didn't even frown, heading straight for the main entrance of the Hall of Transmitted Teachings.

The two entered the hall one after the other.

The space inside the hall was vast, with light spilling from high windows onto the polished stone floor.

A faint scent of sandalwood drifted in the air.

Directly facing the main door was a long row of reception desks.

Behind the desks sat two Core Formation Elders and several deacon Disciples.

On the left was a bookshelf area where many Jade Slips and scrolls were placed.

On the right was a massive jade wall with text and patterns flowing across it, seemingly some kind of announcement or mission board.

Fu Hongxue led Ye Xiaoyao toward the nearest reception desk.

Just as they stood before the desk, Ye Xiaoyao saw a female Cultivator in a pale pink dress turn around after finishing her procedures.

Their eyes met.

Both were stunned for a moment.

That female Cultivator was none other than Cao Sini.

The former number one beauty of the Outer Sect, who had been pestering Ye Xiaoyao just a few days ago.

At this moment, she held a newly received jade plaque, her face still carrying the joy of completing her certification. The moment she saw Ye Xiaoyao, her expression froze.

Shock.

Then, probing.

Cao Sini almost instinctively released her Divine Sense, scanning Ye Xiaoyao's entire body.

With this scan, her eyes widened even further.

Early Foundation Establishment Stage.

Just like her.

How is this possible?!

Cao Sini's mind was in a state of chaos.

The last time she saw Ye Xiaoyao, he was clearly only at the Early Qi Refining Stage. How many days had it been since then?

How did he reach Foundation Establishment?

She herself had prepared for a long time to reach Foundation Establishment.

Fortunately, she came from a mid-tier cultivation Family and did not lack foundation establishment pills.

On what basis could he do this?

Her gaze shifted and landed on Fu Hongxue standing beside Ye Xiaoyao.

Red dress, Core Formation, and an ethereal temperament.

An "oh" escaped Cao Sini's heart as she seemed to understand.

So that's how it is.

He's clung onto the thigh of a Core Formation Martial Aunt.

With the support of a Core Formation Cultivator, there would be no lack of Medicinal Pill resources, and foundation establishment pills would naturally not be a problem.

No wonder his cultivation was so fast.

Thinking this, a surge of complex emotions immediately welled up in Cao Sini's heart.

There was jealousy, and there was resentment.

And also a bit of... discouragement.

She had originally thought that once she successfully reached Foundation Establishment and her strength and status increased, she might have a chance to "pry" Ye Xiaoyao away from the Saintess.

After all, the Saintess was high and mighty and might not truly take Ye Xiaoyao seriously.

But now, Ye Xiaoyao had actually climbed onto another Core Formation Martial Aunt.

How could she even compete now?

Cao Sini bit her lip, but her face quickly switched to a smile.

She walked toward Ye Xiaoyao and said to him in a clear voice, with just the right amount of surprise,

"Junior Brother Ye, I didn't expect you to also succeed in Foundation Establishment! This is truly worth celebrating!"

Ye Xiaoyao watched her approach and sighed in his heart.

Here we go again.

He politely raised his hands in a salute and said in a flat tone,

"Senior Sister Cao, congratulations on your successful Foundation Establishment as well."

There was no warmth, no small talk, just a polite phrase of congratulation.

The smile on Cao Sini's face stiffened for a split second.

She could hear the distance in Ye Xiaoyao's words.

This kind of coldness hurt her more than a direct rejection.

It meant that Ye Xiaoyao didn't care about her at all, not even being bothered to put effort into being perfunctory.

Good.

Very good.

Cao Sini sneered inwardly.

Ye Xiaoyao, do you think that just because you have a Core Formation Martial Aunt as a backer, this Fairy can't do anything to you?

Her smile remained unchanged, but her gaze secretly swept back and forth between Fu Hongxue and Ye Xiaoyao.

This red-dressed Martial Aunt might also just be using Ye Xiaoyao.

What would a Core Formation Cultivator look for in a Foundation Establishment Dao Companion?

Most likely, she saw some specific trait in Ye Xiaoyao, or simply needed a tool for Dual Cultivation.

If that was the case...

Cao Sini's mind began to race.

Although her Cao Family wasn't a top-tier cultivation Family, they still had some influence in Nanjiang.

If she went back and asked her father to step in, to recruit Ye Xiaoyao in the Family's name with great rewards, or even directly propose a marriage alliance...

There might still be a chance.

After all, part of what a Core Formation Cultivator could give, her Cao Family could also provide.

Furthermore, if Ye Xiaoyao became a son-in-law of the Cao Family, he would be one of their own, making the allocation of resources even more legitimate.

Thinking of this, Cao Sini's eyes deepened.

Ye Xiaoyao, you will be mine sooner or later.

She made up her mind secretly, yet her face remained as bright as a flower. After a few more polite words, she turned and left.

Her steps were light, her skirt fluttering, leaving behind a faint fragrant breeze.

Fu Hongxue had been standing quietly by the side, not interjecting.

Only when Cao Sini was far away did she speak indifferently:

"That female Disciple seems very interested in you."

Ye Xiaoyao rubbed his nose and said somewhat helplessly:

"Martial Aunt Fu must be joking."

Fu Hongxue glanced at him and said no more.