Chapter 23: Senior Sister Zhou’s Dominance
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Ye Cong Xin’s ambitions were clear as day to Yu Zhao, who had lived through another lifetime. Their master, Master Qing Yan, only felt pity for Yu Zhao.
Master Qing Yan was about to offer more advice when he noticed Yu Zhao still kneeling. His voice turned cold. “This time, the Dragon Roar Valley training will be left to your Junior Sister. I won’t hold you accountable for changing your cultivation technique.”
Master Qing Yan’s discerning eyes had already noticed that Yu Zhao’s current technique was no longer his Bright Moon Over the Sea Technique. To him, it was an affront for Yu Zhao to abandon his original creation. However, Yu Zhao’s initiative to change techniques was also a relief, providing a convenient excuse to deny her request.
Yu Zhao, knowing full well that Master Qing Yan would always side with Ye Cong Xin, accepted the outcome without fuss. She bowed and departed promptly.
Leaving Master Qing Yan’s cave, Yu Zhao made her way straight to the main peak.
After three years of seclusion, the Five Elements Dao Sect was unchanged. Rumors about Yu Zhao had faded, replaced by newer gossip. Her appearance at the sect stirred little attention as she arrived at the main peak.
“Senior Sister Zhou.”
Zhou Jin Yue, busy preparing for the training three days away, turned at the sound of Yu Zhao’s voice. Her face lit up with joy. “Yu Zhao!”
Seeing Zhou Jin Yue again filled Yu Zhao with an indescribable sense of comfort. She stepped forward, only to be seized by Zhou Jin Yue, who immediately inspected her.
“What happened? You know Quan Ye is a reckless brute. Why provoke him? When news spread that your dantian was destroyed and you’d never cultivate again, I was ready to grab my sword and find Fang Cheng Lang to settle the score!”
Yu Zhao felt deeply moved by Zhou Jin Yue’s concern. “Senior Sister Zhou, those were just rumors.”
Zhou Jin Yue rolled her eyes. “Of course, I knew they were rumors. Otherwise, Quan Ye wouldn’t be peacefully reflecting on the Cliff of Reflection. I’d have begged Master to expel him from the sect.”
She examined Yu Zhao more closely, her eyes brightening. “Mid-Foundation Establishment! Not bad at all. Seems starting over didn’t hinder your progress. I can finally stop worrying.”
Having not seen Yu Zhao for a long time, Zhou Jin Yue’s chatter seemed endless. She alternated between venting her frustrations about Lone Moon Peak and sharing updates about her life.
Midway through, she suddenly stopped and frowned. “Yu Zhao, I feel like… you’re different after your seclusion.”
Reflecting on their reunion, Zhou Jin Yue realized Yu Zhao had barely spoken, playing the quiet listener while she carried the conversation.
Something wasn’t right.
Had seclusion dulled her mind? Or had her new technique gone awry? Zhou Jin Yue, facing such an unusual situation for the first time, frowned in concern.
Yu Zhao couldn’t help but laugh at her overthinking. Since her Illusory Tides Technique had already been revealed to Master Qing Yan, she saw no need to hide it and explained honestly.
Her experiences from her past life made her emotionally mature in this one, enabling her to cultivate the Illusory Tides Technique with ease. With prior preparation and the Restorative Pills gifted by Master Qing Yan, her seclusion progressed smoothly.
Within the first year, she successfully mastered the first layer of the technique and reached Foundation Establishment. Over the next two years, she advanced from the early to mid-stage of Foundation Establishment and gained a unique artifact. Had it not been for the time limit, Yu Zhao would have preferred two more years to solidify her progress and aim for the late stage.
“Illusory Tides Technique? I’ve never heard of it. Which senior created it?” Zhou Jin Yue, though not a water-attribute cultivator, was familiar with famous techniques in the cultivation world. This one drew a blank.
“It’s an original technique by Bright Moon Hermit, a senior water-attribute cultivator. Unfortunately, the version I have is incomplete.”
Zhou Jin Yue nodded in understanding. “An incomplete technique… no wonder it’s not well-known.”
Still, she hesitated. Why would Yu Zhao abandon the Bright Moon Over the Sea Technique for an obscure, incomplete one? Wasn’t that cutting off her future?
Seeing Zhou Jin Yue’s unspoken doubts, Yu Zhao deftly changed the subject. “Senior Sister Zhou, I’d like to join the Dragon Roar Valley training in three days.”
Zhou Jin Yue, predictably, shifted focus. “Junior Sister, it’s not that I disagree. The Sect Master and elders approved this. If you want to participate, you need Master Qing Yan’s permission.”
“I already asked. He refused.”
“Then there’s nothing I can do…”
“But he approved for Junior Sister Ye to attend.”
Zhou Jin Yue’s expression shifted.
“It was my request that he denied first,” Yu Zhao added.
“…I’ll handle it!” Zhou Jin Yue gritted her teeth.
She had long been indignant about the unfair treatment Yu Zhao endured on Lone Moon Peak. Now, Yu Zhao’s words reignited her resolve. As the Sect Master’s senior disciple, she had both the responsibility and duty to fight for justice on Yu Zhao’s behalf.
Both Yu Zhao and Ye Cong Xin were mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators, but Ye Cong Xin’s delicate constitution would make her a burden in such a dangerous venture. The journey to Dragon Roar Valley was fraught with demonic beasts and unpredictable challenges. Adding Ye Cong Xin to the team only meant trouble.
As the team leader, Zhou Jin Yue foresaw the headaches this would cause. However, since Master Qing Yan insisted on Ye Cong Xin’s participation, adding Yu Zhao wouldn’t worsen the situation. It might even serve as a wake-up call to Fang Cheng Lang and others.
If they continued to neglect Yu Zhao’s value, Zhou Jin Yue wouldn’t hesitate to recruit her to the main peak as her personal junior sister. They couldn’t see her worth, but Zhou Jin Yue could.
“Junior Sister Yu, three days from now, meet at the sect square at dawn.”
Yu Zhao blinked.
She hadn’t even used her backup plan, and it was settled?
Senior Sister Zhou was truly formidable!
Jin Yue is the best