Chapter 282: Outside Seven Stars City, at the Seven Stars Sect
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“Fifth Brother? What are you doing here? Did you succeed in awakening your bloodline?”
Quan Ye wandered aimlessly along the desolate path, his expression dazed. Hearing the voice, he looked up and saw Su Ming and Master Qing Yan standing not far away.
Su Ming pressed further, “Weren’t you supposed to stay at Green Hill Mountain and wait for us? Why are you out here alone?”
“I…” Quan Ye hesitated to reveal that the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan’s leader had driven him off the mountain. However, fabricating a random excuse would likely backfire.
He muttered vaguely, “The Nine-Tailed Fox Clan’s leader had to leave for a while, and I didn’t want to stay there.”
Su Ming was surprised. “But Master went to great lengths to ensure you could stay at Green Hill Mountain, agreeing to many conditions. Since we haven’t yet delivered the agreed-upon items, why would they let you leave so easily?”
Unaware of such arrangements, Quan Ye struggled to respond and merely grunted in discomfort.
Having been his senior brother for years, Su Ming immediately sensed something was off. He wanted to probe further but restrained himself upon recalling that Master Qing Yan had yet to speak.
“Did the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan’s leader leave any instructions before departing?” asked Master Qing Yan, his tone calm and his expression unreadable.
Quan Ye shook his head.
A barely perceptible crease appeared on Master Qing Yan’s brow as his gaze toward Quan Ye turned colder.
Master Qing Yan, with his sharp insight, could tell that Quan Ye had survived the critical phase of his bloodline awakening. His physical strength had drastically increased. For the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan to allow him to leave without any resistance suggested that he had failed to earn their acknowledgment.
After being abandoned by the White Peacock Clan, he was now rejected by the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan as well.
Master Qing Yan didn’t ponder the underlying reasons; he merely concluded that Quan Ye lacked ability. Even with the Azure Dragon bloodline, he had failed to win over these clans, forcing Qing Yan to deal with the aftermath.
Casting a cold glance at Quan Ye, he said to Su Ming, “Take Quan Ye back to the sect. I will follow shortly.”
“Understood,” Su Ming replied.
The lingering image of Master Qing Yan gradually faded like a dissipating shadow.
As soon as he left, Su Ming felt a weight lifted off his shoulders and resumed questioning Quan Ye relentlessly. Yet Quan Ye remained as tight-lipped as a clam, no matter how Su Ming pried. Occasionally, when pushed too far, Quan Ye snapped, even losing his temper at Su Ming. This finally enraged Su Ming.
Su Ming believed all the hardships he had endured following their master were on Quan Ye’s behalf. Yet, instead of gratitude, he was met with hostility.
It reinforced his belief: no matter how human-like a half-demon appeared, they were still demonic beasts at their core. Quan Ye was nothing more than an ungrateful beast wrapped in human skin.
If he ever showed concern for Quan Ye again, he swore he would be the biggest fool in the cultivation world.
By the time Master Qing Yan rejoined them for the journey back to the Five Elements Dao Sect, the once-close bond between Su Ming and Quan Ye had been irreparably fractured.
…
At a fork in the road, Lin Shuang deeply bowed to Yu Zhao, her expression sincere.
“Senior Yu, I cannot thank you enough. If there’s anything you need in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“There’s no need for such formality,” Yu Zhao replied calmly. “I accepted your items and agreed to lead you out of the Dragon Pool Mountain Range. It was merely a transaction.”
“Senior Yu, you don’t need to explain. I understand.” Lin Shuang shook her head.
Regardless of Yu Zhao’s motivations, the fact remained—she had saved Lin Shuang’s life. Such a favor was immeasurable.
Moreover, Lin Shuang had her own plans. With Yu Zhao’s reputation soaring, establishing a connection with her was a coveted opportunity. Who knew when she might need Yu Zhao’s assistance again?
After chatting a while longer, they parted ways at the fork. Lin Shuang hurried to rejoin her junior brothers and sisters, while Yu Zhao headed toward Hundred Flowers Valley, fulfilling a long-standing promise to visit Mo Ci and Jing Nan.
Thanks to her mastery of the Teleportation Technique, what would have taken half a month’s travel could now be completed in just five days.
…
Three days later, Yu Zhao passed by Seven Stars City, its walls adorned with a prominent depiction of the Seven Stars constellation. The sight triggered memories.
In her past life, among the sects that perished due to spirit vein exhaustion, the Seven Stars Sect had been one. Its location lay a hundred miles beyond Seven Stars City, and its spirit vein exhaustion was imminent.
Yu Zhao remembered this clearly because several of the Seven Stars Sect cultivators had pursued her, seeking to vent their frustrations. They had caused her significant trouble, nearly claiming her life on one occasion.
Her hatred toward them lingered—those moments of desperation and fear during her escape were unforgettable.
Yet, the matter of the spirit vein was more than a sect’s survival; it concealed secrets that could impact the entire cultivation world.
After a brief internal struggle, Yu Zhao recalled the essence of the Path of Emotional Detachment and steeled herself. She decided to visit the Seven Stars Sect. Their fate was not hers to determine; she only sought to remain true to her conscience.
…
An hour later, Sect Master Tian Shu of the Seven Stars Sect received a disciple’s message.
“Yu Zhao of the Five Elements Dao Sect is here to visit?” Tian Shu was taken aback. “Why would she come to the Seven Stars Sect?”
The Seven Stars Sect, with its three-hundred-year history, held a middling status within the cultivation world. It had seven Nascent Soul cultivators, including its sect leader and elders, with a smattering of Golden Core disciples.
Tian Shu had watched the recent grand competition, where Yu Zhao’s unparalleled talent left a deep impression. He had even bitterly commented that the Five Elements Dao Sect monopolized all geniuses.
Never did he imagine Yu Zhao would one day visit his sect. Since their two sects had no interactions, her purpose remained a mystery.
“Could it be about…” A thought struck Tian Shu, leaving him restless.
He quickly sent instructions for Yu Zhao to be treated with utmost courtesy while urgently summoning the elders to discuss this unexpected visit. The tension in his voice left no room for delay.
When the elders arrived, a thin Nascent Soul elder shared Tian Shu’s suspicion. “Could she be here for the spirit vein beneath our sect?”
At these words, silence enveloped the room.