Chapter 229: Does She Cry Like This Every Day?
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
“Sect Master, disciple Ye Cong Xin seeks an audience.”
Inside the grand hall of the Main Peak, the conversation between Yu Zhao and Sect Master Ji Yuan paused as the announcement came from outside.
A brief silence followed before Yu Zhao smiled faintly.
“It’s rare for Junior Sister Ye to visit the Main Peak. She must have a request. Sect Master, why not invite her in and hear her out?”
Sect Master Ji Yuan noticed the fleeting amusement in Yu Zhao’s eyes and gave a slight nod. Ye Cong Xin had always distanced herself from the Main Peak, so her sudden appearance was intriguing.
“Enter,” he commanded.
Ye Cong Xin stepped inside with her head lowered, bowing respectfully to the Sect Master seated above. “Greetings to the Sect Master and to…”
Her voice faltered as her gaze landed on Yu Zhao. Surprise, resentment, and embarrassment flickered in her eyes before she forced a smile. “Senior Sister Yu is here too.”
“Ahem, Ye Cong Xin, what brings you here today?”
Aware that Yu Zhao had no intention of engaging with Ye Cong Xin, Sect Master Ji Yuan cut straight to the point, giving her no room for idle chatter.
Ye Cong Xin immediately knelt and spoke earnestly, “Sect Master, it has been many days since I last saw my master. I worry deeply for him. I beseech the Sect Master’s permission to visit.”
Sect Master Ji Yuan raised an eyebrow, surprised by her plea.
Ye Cong Xin was the first disciple of Lone Moon Peak to request a visit to Master Qing Yan. It was no wonder that Qing Yan had shown her such favor—compared to Fang Cheng Lang and the others, she appeared more loyal and sentimental.
However, Master Qing Yan was currently recuperating in the Grand Elder’s residence, a place even the elders of the sect could not easily access, let alone a disciple who had yet to reach the Golden Core stage.
Just as Sect Master Ji Yuan was about to refuse, Yu Zhao’s calm voice intervened, “Junior Sister Ye is clearly worried. Sect Master, why not grant her wish?”
The words rolling on Ji Yuan’s tongue shifted direction. “Since you’re so determined, it wouldn’t be right to disappoint you. Wait outside for now.”
“Yes.” Ye Cong Xin bit her lip, replied respectfully, and withdrew.
Yu Zhao’s lips curled into a playful smile. Ye Cong Xin was even more impatient than she had expected. Master Qing Yan had only been absent for a month, and Ye Cong Xin could no longer sit still.
Let’s see… Does she have a way to heal Master Qing Yan? She must.
If Master Qing Yan were to fall, Ye Cong Xin would lose her only support within the Five Elements Dao Sect. With Fang Cheng Lang aware of her true nature and harboring deep hatred for her, she would have no one left to shield her. Her good days would come to an abrupt end.
Thus, she would stop at nothing to restore Master Qing Yan to health.
“Yu Zhao, you’re scheming again, aren’t you?” Sect Master Ji Yuan knew Yu Zhao’s smile all too well. Whenever she wore that expression, someone was bound to suffer.
“Sect Master, perhaps soon you won’t need to worry about Master Qing Yan’s condition anymore,” Yu Zhao replied cryptically.
Sect Master Ji Yuan froze, then sprang to his feet, astonished. “Are you saying Ye Cong Xin can…? Hahaha! If your prediction is correct, I’ll personally allocate more spots for you in the Nine Abyss Secret Realm.”
Yu Zhao’s primary goal in visiting Sect Master Ji Yuan had been to secure more slots for the Nine Abyss Secret Realm. Hearing his assurance, she smiled faintly. “Then I’ll await the good news.”
Meanwhile, Ye Cong Xin waited outside the hall, her curiosity gnawing at her like a restless cat. As Sect Master Ji Yuan strode out of the grand hall alone, without Yu Zhao in sight, her unease only grew.
On the way to visit the ill, she couldn’t help but ask, “Sect Master, why isn’t Senior Sister Yu accompanying you this time?”
“I sent her to handle some tasks for me.”
“I see. Senior Sister Yu is exceptional in every way; no wonder the Sect Master values her so highly. Unlike me—weak in body, lacking in talent—I only hold my senior brothers back on Floating Island.”
The Sect Master Ji Yuan paused in his steps, frowning at Ye Cong Xin.
Ye Cong Xin felt a glimmer of hope, thinking her words had struck a chord, and continued her self-pity. “To be honest, I’ve always admired Senior Sister Yu. From the moment she was born, she stood at a place I’ll never be able to reach…”
“Yu Zhao may be outstanding, but you mustn’t undervalue yourself and lose the pride of a cultivator. The path of cultivation cherishes a steadfast Dao heart above all. Didn’t Master Qing Yan ever teach you this?”
Ye Cong Xin’s face turned crimson, and she stammered, “My master… he did.”
“If he taught you, then you must remember it well,” Sect Master Ji Yuan remarked with deep meaning. “He has high hopes for you; do not disappoint him.”
“Yes, I will remember,” Ye Cong Xin responded anxiously. Yet in her heart, she recalled how, when Master Qing Yan was present, Sect Master Ji Yuan never dared to speak to her like this.
Fortunately, these humiliating days were about to end.
Once she administered the potion to her master, he would return to his former self—the mighty Master Qing Yan, who commanded wind and rain. Then, no one would dare look down on her again.
For the rest of the journey, Ye Cong Xin kept quiet. Sect Master Ji Yuan, however, was restless, preoccupied with Yu Zhao’s earlier words.
“Grand Elder, Ji Yuan requests an audience.”
Standing outside a courtyard exuding rustic charm, Ye Cong Xin’s lowered gaze darted around as though she couldn’t believe the Grand Elder of the Five Elements Dao Sect resided in such a simple place.
“Come in.”
Following closely behind Sect Master Ji Yuan, Ye Cong Xin tiptoed into the courtyard.
“Grand Elder, this is Qing Yan’s youngest disciple, Ye Cong Xin. She has come to visit out of concern for her master’s injuries.”
“Greetings, Grand Elder.”
Ye Cong Xin’s voice trembled, vividly portraying the nervousness of meeting the Grand Elder for the first time.
A sharp gaze lingered on her for a long moment, making her even more reluctant to lift her head.
“Good child, Qing Yan is in the next room. You may go see him.”
“Thank you, Grand Elder.”
Ye Cong Xin hurriedly excused herself, unwilling to linger a moment longer.
Ding! Host, do not worry. No one can detect the system’s presence. Please feel free to use it.
Sensing Ye Cong Xin’s rapid heartbeat, the system immediately offered reassurance.
Ye Cong Xin silently entered Master Qing Yan’s room. On the bed lay a pale and haggard man, a far cry from the dignified master she remembered.
“Master!”
She knelt by Master Qing Yan’s bed, tears streaming down her face. Her sobs were filled with grief, though her heart held little sorrow. Her mournful cries reached the ears of those outside.
“Does she cry like this every day?” the Grand Elder asked.
Sect Master Ji Yuan gave an embarrassed smile. “Not always. It depends on her mood.”
After their brief exchange, the two fell silent again.
Ye Cong Xin cried her heart out for a while before speaking to the system in her Sea of Consciousness, “System, can you block the divine senses of the Grand Elder and Sect Master Ji Yuan? I don’t want them to find out about the potion.”
Though the allure of being her master’s savior was tempting, Ye Cong Xin decided to act discreetly and avoid revealing her uniqueness prematurely.
Ding! It can be done but will cost the host’s Luck Value.
“Fine.”
Ye Cong Xin agreed readily. She understood the system was just as opportunistic as herself and wouldn’t help her for free. Her priority was to revive Master Qing Yan without interference.
Of course, saving him wouldn’t be a free favor either. When and how she sought repayment for her efforts would be entirely up to her.
Ding! Divine senses have been blocked. Host, please proceed promptly.