358: Visit

The ripples in Fairy Qiyue's eyes had yet to settle. She was lost in thought for a moment before the corners of her lips slightly curved upwards, blooming into a pure and breathtakingly beautiful smile.

The smile was like the first thaw of spring snow, complementing her ethereal bearing to create a beauty that was startling in its intensity.

Ever since her first audience with Sect Master Chen Xuan, his actions always seemed to bring unexpected shocks and pleasant surprises.

Upon their first meeting, he had seen through her identity, background, and cultivation Realm at a single glance. That composure born of profound insight into worldly affairs still made her heart flutter when she recalled it. Later, when they traveled together to the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven in the Central Continent, even when trapped in perilous situations, he remained unflustered and calm. Even when facing the lofty envoys from the Spirit Realm, he never showed a trace of timidity, treating them with the same detached ease.

Although it had been less than a year since she began following the Sect Master, Qi Yue felt that the sights she had seen and the experiences she had lived through in this single year were a hundred times more thrilling than the quiet, uneventful centuries that came before.

Now, merely hearing about such a heroic feat of single-handedly averting a catastrophe filled her with a sense of yearning admiration.

To be able to serve by the Sect Master's side truly left her with no regrets in this life.

Even if someone said tomorrow that the Sect Master had pierced the heavens themselves, Qi Yue wouldn't be the least bit surprised. It would simply be a matter of course.

"It seems that in the coming days, many Cultivators will likely come to visit our mountain gate, drawn by his fame," Qi Yue said softly, pulling her thoughts back to the present.

Hearing this, Qin Tianxing thought of the long queue that had formed at the Dao Seeking Sect's mountain gate earlier and couldn't help but sigh, "I estimate it won't be long before many Soul Transformation and Void Refining Realm experts rush to the Flame Continent. After I return, I'll need to properly restrain the Disciples in my Sect to avoid any unnecessary trouble."

"Fellow Daoist Qin need not worry overly much,"

Qi Yue said in a placid tone. "The Flame Continent is, after all, ultimately under the jurisdiction of our Four Great Sects. Those Cultivators who come from afar will likely think twice and not dare to act recklessly."

Just as Qin Tianxing was about to nod in agreement, a series of crisp, urgent "dong-dong-dong" drumbeats suddenly sounded from beyond the courtyard wall.

The three of them followed the sound and looked over. There, standing atop the courtyard wall, was Shu Shichan, holding a small drum and looking utterly serious on her exquisitely beautiful face. She called out crisply, "What about after that? What happened after that?"

Wang Er was taken aback and instinctively asked in return, "After what?"

"My Revered Master, of course!"

Shu Shichan's peach-blossom eyes trembled slightly. She struck the drum heavily three more times, her voice rising a notch. "How many great Yao did my Revered Master slay in the Rain God Continent? What other earth-shattering heroic feats did he accomplish? Did he subdue any powerful Yao to bring back to the Sect as mounts? You didn't explain any of this clearly!"

Puffing out her cheeks, she looked thoroughly dissatisfied. "Your intelligence gathering is far too incomplete. How am I supposed to spread word of my Revered Master's Divine Might to the Sect's Disciples like this?"

"This..." Wang Er was immediately at a loss for words, his face showing a look of being cornered.

He often came to the Dao Seeking Sect to leech Spiritual Qi for his Cultivation, so he was all too familiar with the temperament of this "Jade-Faced Poison Immortal."

Shu Shichan might appear charming and cute, but once she got serious, it was always others who suffered.

He still remembered the last time when his boss, Qin Tianxing, was drinking with Senior Chen, and he, Zhu Yang, and others had gathered at another table. He had casually remarked, "My alcohol tolerance isn't great, I can't drink much." The next day, the entire Dao Seeking Sect was whispering that he "was nearing the end of his lifespan and wouldn't live much longer." Even his boss had specially come to ask him about his condition with deep concern.

Although in the end, Senior Chen had specifically gifted him two seventh-grade elixirs as compensation... the taste of those elixirs... Wang Er inwardly curled his lip. Let's just say unless absolutely necessary, he had no desire to touch them ever again.

Thinking of this, Wang Er wisely shut his mouth and obediently stopped talking.

Seeing this scene, Qi Yue said gently, "Shichan, what brings you here? I heard you were in seclusion at the Nine Heavens Pill Rhyme Hall, refining a new Medicinal Pill?"

One had to admit, the little Disciple the Sect Master had taken in truly possessed a beauty rarely seen in this world.

A pair of captivating peach-blossom eyes sparkled with life, set against an exquisite, flawless, pale face. Even women couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy upon seeing her.

Shu Shichan leaped down lightly from the wall, her figure graceful as she entered the courtyard. She struck the drum one last "dong," as if announcing her official entrance, before casually storing the drum in her storage ring.

"It's already finished!"

She crossed her arms, her chin slightly raised, her expression full of pride and high spirits. "As my Revered Master's last Disciple, refining a mere ninth-grade elixir is a trivial matter, easily accomplished."

Then she changed the subject. "Earlier, when I heard Senior Qin had come to visit, I knew he must have brought news of my Revered Master, so I rushed right over."

"Oh, right. Senior Qin, you went to the trouble of coming specifically to deliver the news. Thank you for your hard work."

Shu Shichan gave a light wave of her jade-like hand. A lustrous white porcelain jade vial materialized in her palm, which she offered to Qin Tianxing. "Please accept this ninth-grade elixir as a token of my gratitude."

As Qin Tianxing's gaze fell upon the white porcelain vial, his body gave a slight tremble, and a wave of physiological nausea rose from his stomach.

However, he maintained a polite smile on his face and cautiously inquired, "Might I ask, Jade-Faced Poison Immortal, what kind of elixir have you refined this time?"

"Senior, please don't call me by that 'Jade-Faced Poison Immortal' title. It sounds terrible and could lead to misunderstandings,"

Shu Shichan wrinkled her small nose, hurriedly correcting him.

Then she introduced proudly, "This elixir is called the Sword Sun Pill. After consuming it, it can greatly deepen a Cultivator's comprehension of the Sword Dao. It's an excellent auxiliary elixir for Sword Dao Cultivators!"

Hearing that it wasn't an elixir for boosting cultivation base or lifespan, the stone hanging in Qin Tianxing's heart settled slightly. Without hesitation, he tactfully declined, "Thank you for your kind intentions, little friend. However, my main path of Cultivation is not the Sword Dao. This precious Sword Sun Pill should be left for others who truly need it."

At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard gate. Xie Xingyao, dressed in a cyan dress, rushed in hastily, a faint sheen of sweat on her temples.

"Greetings, Senior Qin, Senior Wang, Elder Qi Yue!"

The young girl stopped and respectfully bowed.

The three of them had always been very kind to this well-behaved and sensible young lady and nodded in acknowledgment.

Shu Shichan gave a light cough, as if to remind her.

Xie Xingyao realized her oversight and quickly added, "And Senior Sister Shu!"

After saying this, her expression turned serious as she hurriedly reported the important matter. "Elder Qi Yue, on my way here, I received news. A group of Cultivators is at the mountain gate requesting an audience. They say they know Senior Brother Ye Hao and wish to pay their respects in person."

Hearing this, Qi Yue, Qin Tianxing, and the others exchanged glances, all showing a hint of surprise.

"Oh? They know Ye Hao?"

Qi Yue raised an eyebrow. "Ye Hao and Ping'an have been out on their training journey for some time now. Could they be friends they made along the way?"

Qin Tianxing suggested, "We'll know once we all go to the mountain gate to take a look."

As his words fell, the five figures simultaneously blurred, transforming into several streaks of light that shot towards the direction of the Dao Seeking Sect's mountain gate.