Chapter 244: He Was Never the Best Among His Senior Brothers
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“You fool!”
Sect Master Ji Yuan’s hopeful face turned to disappointment.
He couldn’t understand why Master Qing Yan dared to hide such an important matter. Had he ever considered the sect, his role as a Peak Master, or his responsibilities?
Thinking about how his leniency due to lack of strength had made Master Qing Yan increasingly reckless, Sect Master Ji Yuan felt even more furious.
He was so enraged that he wanted to throw two solid punches at him.
As he contemplated this, Master Qing Yan suddenly stepped forward, grasped his hand, and earnestly said, “Ji Yuan, I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you over the years.”
Sect Master Ji Yuan: !!!
Stunned, Sect Master Ji Yuan pulled his hand back in shock, jumping to the side of Hermit Bao Hua. Tugging at her sleeve, he shouted shamelessly, “Bao Hua! Bao Hua! Quickly, check on Qing Yan! Has he fallen ill again?”
Hermit Bao Hua was also taken aback. Instinctively, she moved closer to examine Master Qing Yan, but he blocked her with a flick of his sleeve.
“No need.”
His icy tone was devoid of emotion.
Oddly, both Hermit Bao Hua and Sect Master Ji Yuan sighed in relief at his curt reply.
Within his Sea of Consciousness, Master Qing Yan fiercely warned the foreign soul not to seize his body unexpectedly again. He then turned and coldly declared, “I will take Quan Ye to seek help from a powerful demon clan. Once the matter is resolved, I will let him decide whether to remain with the demon clan or return to the Five Elements Dao Sect. The choice will be entirely his.”
Opting for the demon clan would mean Quan Ye abandoning his identity as a disciple of the Five Elements Dao Sect and living in the cultivation world under a new guise.
Choosing the Five Elements Dao Sect meant Quan Ye would need to suppress his demonic tendencies and keep his true nature hidden forever.
Both options had their pros and cons, leaving the decision to Quan Ye.
After brief consideration, Sect Master Ji Yuan agreed to Master Qing Yan’s proposal.
Since the problem stemmed from Qing Yan’s actions, it was only fitting for him to resolve it.
Still irritated by the sight of Master Qing Yan, Sect Master Ji Yuan promptly left with Hermit Bao Hua after finalizing the matter.
Ignoring the protests from the voice in his Sea of Consciousness, Master Qing Yan decided to find Ye Cong Xin and seek assistance from Lan Zi Yu. However, upon learning that Ye Cong Xin was in seclusion, he had no choice but to temporarily entrust the care of the patient to Cui Jue.
Once Cui Jue agreed, Master Qing Yan immediately began preparations to take Quan Ye on the journey.
The foreign soul in his consciousness was not pleased.
“I know someone who can help Quan Ye, but you must take Su Ming along. With him, things will be much easier!”
“And why should I take him?” Master Qing Yan asked irritably.
He was not fond of noisy company, and Su Ming was notoriously talkative. Among his disciples, Su Ming was the least remarkable—not because he lacked talent, but because his playful nature kept him from focusing, leaving him slightly behind his peers in cultivation.
“Qing Yan, don’t underestimate Su Ming. He has incredible luck,” the foreign soul replied with a hint of wistfulness.
In truth, Su Ming’s luck was extraordinary. Had it not been for Ye Cong Xin later absorbing his luck, Su Ming might have been the first among his peers to achieve Soul Transformation.
Master Qing Yan was skeptical.
Sensing his hesitation, the foreign soul abandoned persuasion and resorted to threats: “If you don’t take Su Ming, the moment I regain control of this body, I will return to the Five Elements Dao Sect and bring him along myself.”
Faced with the soul’s unyielding stance, Master Qing Yan reluctantly agreed to the demand.
When Su Ming received Master Qing Yan’s transmission, he felt as though the sky was falling.
To travel with his master? Did he even have the courage?
On regular days, he didn’t dare say more than a few words to his master, fearing he might attract unnecessary attention. Yet now, Master Qing Yan had his sights set on him!
At a complete loss, Su Ming sought someone to discuss this with, only to realize he had no one to turn to.
His eldest senior brother was confined to his quarters. The second senior brother was bedridden. The fourth senior brother was tending to the injured second senior brother. The fifth senior brother was unconscious, and the junior sister was in seclusion.
Su Ming suddenly understood.
No wonder Master Qing Yan had chosen him. It turned out he was the only functioning disciple left on Lone Moon Peak.
His relief was mixed with anxiety.
Lately, Lone Moon Peak had been plagued with misfortunes. Would accompanying his master on this trip bring him similar ill luck?
Surely not. His master was the top cultivator in Soul Transformation. Who could harm him under such protection?
Trying to convince himself, Su Ming remained unconvinced. Desperate, he went to knock on Fang Cheng Lang’s door for advice.
Strictly adhering to the rules, Fang Cheng Lang did not step out but listened to Su Ming’s concerns through a narrow crack.
“This life awakened early?” Fang Cheng Lang murmured, his feelings complex.
According to his past-life memories, Quan Ye’s awakening was supposed to occur five years later.
In his previous life, Quan Ye had awakened in a desolate mountain with only Yu Zhao for company.
Unaware that bloodline awakening involved shedding and transformation, Yu Zhao panicked at the sight of Quan Ye’s bloodied wounds and unconscious state. Desperate, she fed him all her pills to no avail. Remembering an ancient legend, she resolutely cut her wrist, letting her blood flow into his mouth, soothing his turbulent energies and saving his life.
Quan Ye later described his ordeal using exaggerated, malicious language to slander Yu Zhao, even saying, “I’d rather die than drink her blood.”
Yu Zhao kept silent, never mentioning the incident.
Now, fate had changed.
Quan Ye’s earlier lamentation had come true.
There was no one left willing to save him selflessly.
He had gotten what he wished for.
“Eldest Senior Brother, Master has been acting strange since he woke up. He’s often absent, and when he’s around, he says odd things. It makes me uneasy,” Su Ming rambled on.
Fang Cheng Lang also noticed Master Qing Yan’s odd behavior. Over the past month, he’d asked questions only someone with prior knowledge shouldn’t have known. Some Fang Cheng Lang could answer; others, he could not.
For a while, he wondered if Master Qing Yan, like himself, had regained past-life memories.
However, the master’s inaction toward Ye Cong Xin disproved this theory. If he truly remembered his past, the first thing he’d do would be to eliminate Ye Cong Xin.
So, what had changed?
“Su Ming,” Fang Cheng Lang finally said.
“Eldest Senior Brother,” Su Ming replied, overwhelmed with emotion at hearing his name.
“Master chose you to accompany him because he values you. Don’t let him down,” Fang Cheng Lang advised solemnly.
“I understand,” Su Ming replied softly, his head bowed. “I just…”
He was afraid.
Afraid of his master’s volatile temper. Afraid of completely disappointing Master Qing Yan.
He had never been the best among his senior brothers.
This time, he hoped he could finally make his master proud.