Chapter 189: You Owe Me One
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
Sect Master Wu Sang spoke openly, not bothering to shield his words from others. Yu Zhao, who was seated nearby, heard everything clearly, her brows furrowing ever so slightly.
Having been Master Qing Yan’s disciple across two lifetimes, she had never known him to suffer from any chronic illness. To her—and likely to most cultivators in the cultivation world—Master Qing Yan was an invincible figure, someone whose status was unshakable.
Sect Master Wu Sang mentioned that Qing Yan’s ailment was a result of forcibly increasing his cultivation. However, from the moment Qing Yan joined the Five Elements Dao Sect, he had been hailed as a rare genius, unmatched in a millennium. He shouldn’t have needed to resort to such drastic measures unless the situation was truly dire.
Yu Zhao’s thoughts immediately turned to the events of a century ago when the sect faced a grave crisis: an assault by three Nascent Soul cultivators. Could this be connected?
Sect Master Ji Yuan, observing Master Qing Yan’s darkened expression and silence, sighed heavily. The truth was, Qing Yan’s current volatile personality could also be traced back to the Five Elements Dao Sect.
Years ago, when three Nascent Soul cultivators launched a surprise attack while the sect’s Grand Elder was in deep seclusion, they brought with them hundreds of Golden Core cultivators to assault the sect’s gates. Qing Yan, in a decisive move, burned his soul essence to forcibly raise his cultivation and achieved the extraordinary feat of defeating all three. However, this victory came at a great personal cost.
Enduring prolonged suffering from his resulting ailment, the once magnanimous Qing Yan grew increasingly irritable and prone to devastating outbursts. To avoid affecting the sect, he chose to leave and search for a cure.
Eventually, Sect Master Wu Sang and Hermit Bao Hua intervened, halting the spread of his condition and stabilizing his emotions somewhat. Sect Master Ji Yuan tolerated Qing Yan’s temper because of his immense contributions to the sect. Qing Yan might not have been the ideal master or peak lord, but to the Five Elements Dao Sect, he was undeniably a loyal and exemplary disciple.
Sect Master Ji Yuan asked, “Qing Yan, did you hear what Wu Sang just said? For the sake of your life, you must stop losing your temper so recklessly. Striking your disciples is utterly disgraceful!”
After Sect Master Wu Sang channeled spiritual energy into Qing Yan, his headache lessened considerably. Qing Yan raised his eyes slightly and stated calmly, “The poison in Cui Jue’s body was administered by Yao Wu Ji.”
Everyone present, except for Si Tu Xuan, was familiar with Cui Jue’s predicament. All eyes immediately turned to Yao Wu Ji.
Yao Wu Ji desperately wished she could feign unconsciousness to escape the situation, but the overwhelming presence of these powerful figures rendered her attempts futile. She opened her eyes and spoke nervously, “Isn’t it normal to have disagreements and fights when traveling outside? Besides, I’ve saved them before.”
She added, “And honestly, they couldn’t beat me even together. Shouldn’t they reflect on their own lack of effort in training?”
Sect Master Ji Yuan found the situation quite tricky. Cui Jue was a rare alchemy genius within the sect. Learning that he was poisoned and unable to refine pills, Ji Yuan had spent countless hours in his chambers sighing in despair. No one could have anticipated that Yao Wu Ji was behind it, nor could they blame Qing Yan for wanting her dead.
“I… I can send a message to my master and request that he detoxify Cui Jue!” Yao Wu Ji suggested anxiously. She knew that unless Cui Jue’s issue was resolved, even her master might not be able to protect her. And if he did, it would likely come at a severe cost to her.
“Qing Yan, what do you think of this solution?”
Sect Master Ji Yuan glanced at Master Qing Yan while frantically winking at her. Their Five Elements Dao Sect already owed Hermit Bao Hua a favor, and if they could resolve both Yao Wu Ji’s issue and Cui Jue’s poisoning through this opportunity, it would be a perfect solution.
Before Master Qing Yan could respond, Elder Lotus suddenly interjected, “Cui Jue’s injury isn’t an ordinary one. Even Hermit Bao Hua may struggle to cure him. However, I might have a better solution.”
“Please, go ahead,” Sect Master Ji Yuan said eagerly.
“There’s a tree on the Floating Island called the Longevity Tree, said to bear fruits that can detoxify any poison, granting the eater immunity from all toxins and eternal youth.”
The Sect Master’s eyes lit up. This idea was excellent! The Longevity Fruit was an exceptionally rare treasure in the cultivation world. If Cui Jue could survive and eat one, not only would it cure him, but it would greatly benefit his future cultivation. In the long run, the Five Elements Dao Sect might gain another Transformation Stage cultivator!
“Qing Yan, if Yao Wu Ji can bring us the Longevity Fruit from Floating Island, we’ll consider her debt to Cui Jue settled. What do you think?”
Yao Wu Ji gulped nervously, casting a glance at Master Qing Yan. After pondering for a moment, Master Qing Yan nodded in agreement.
Yao Wu Ji felt as if a huge burden had been lifted off her shoulders—at least partially. The rest would depend on whether she could actually find the Longevity Fruit.
With a temporary solution in place, Sect Master Ji Yuan dragged Master Qing Yan away, relieved. To prevent Yu Zhao from being disturbed by others, he left both her and Yao Wu Ji in the care of the Green Wood Sect, allowing them time to recover. Sect Master Wu Sang and Elder Lotus arranged new accommodations for the trio.
Once the others left, Yao Wu Ji sneakily slipped into Yu Zhao’s room, clinging to her arm and wailing dramatically.
“Yu Zhao! If you don’t help me this time, I’m doomed!” she cried.
Yao Wu Ji was acutely aware of her own capabilities. Making it into the top ten of the individual competition wasn’t an issue, but vying for the Longevity Fruit among the top one hundred cultivators of the cultivation grand competition? That was almost impossible. Her only hope now lay with Yu Zhao.
“I’ll help you, but you’ll owe me one. If I ever need something from you in the future, you can’t refuse,” Yu Zhao replied calmly.
“Deal! Anytime, anywhere, just say the word!” Yao Wu Ji swore passionately, ready to pledge her life if it meant gaining Yu Zhao’s trust.
However, Yu Zhao frowned slightly. She wasn’t doubting Yao Wu Ji’s promise but was concerned about something else. In her past life, no one had found the Longevity Tree on Floating Island. Not a single rumor about the Longevity Fruit had surfaced. Whether the tree truly didn’t exist or the discoverers had kept the secret was unclear, but the journey to Floating Island would undoubtedly be fraught with danger.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Fang Cheng Lang and Zhou Jin Yue were elated when they saw Sect Master Ji Yuan helping Master Qing Yan back. They nearly burst into tears of relief.
“Master!”
“Sect Master!” they called out.
Sect Master Ji Yuan opened his mouth to address Fang Cheng Lang but froze upon noticing the bright red handprint on his face. He swallowed his words, handing Master Qing Yan over to Fang Cheng Lang.
“Yu Zhao is fine. Take your master back to rest,” he instructed.
“Understood!” Fang Cheng Lang replied hoarsely, his voice choked with emotion. Ever since Master Qing Yan had taken Yu Zhao away, he’d been on edge, as if his heart were roasting in hot oil. Now, he could finally relax.
After settling Master Qing Yan, Sect Master Ji Yuan returned to his room with his eldest disciple. The moment he sat down, he couldn’t help but ask eagerly, “You hit him, didn’t you?”