Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Young Sect Master

Bai Meng Xing was still craning his neck when someone shoved him aside.

“What was that?” he yelped, then saw Bai Meng Jin’s hand on his shoulder.

His expression flipped instantly. “Ah—Sister, you want to watch too? Come, come. Here. Take my spot.”

Bai Meng Lian blinked at him, surprised enough to forget to scold. Then her mouth twitched. “Not bad. You’re finally making progress.”

She flicked him a look of rare approval. “Next month, I’ll add ten spirit stones to your pocket money.”

Bai Meng Xing looked like he’d been struck by lightning—then sweetened like honey. “Elder Sister, sit. I’ll hold the curtain for you!”

Bai Meng Lian and Bai Meng Jin exchanged a glance and barely held back their laughter.

From this angle, they could clearly see the swordsman standing between the two carriages, soft armor catching the lanternlight.

Bai Meng Lian had lived in Azure Cloud City her whole life. She had never seen someone like this, not once. “Someone like that is only a guard?”

Bai Meng Jin’s gaze stayed fixed on the sword tassel at his waist. “Guard is just a title. He’s an elite disciple of the Limitless Sect. Of course he isn’t like ordinary people.”

“The Limitless Sect?” Bai Meng Lian startled. “You know him?”

Bai Meng Jin’s expression didn’t change. “Look at his sword tassel. That taiji emblem belongs to the Limitless Sect.”

Understanding dawned in Bai Meng Lian’s eyes. “So that’s it.”

An elite disciple of one of the Upper Three Sects.

No wonder.

In this world, sects were countless, but three stood above all others—the Upper Three Sects: the Cinnabar Cloud Palace, the Limitless Sect, and Cang Ling Mountain.

In strength, the Limitless Sect could rival the Cinnabar Cloud Palace.

Those called elite disciples were pillars of their sect. They had real chances of reaching the Nascent Soul Stage—perhaps even the Divine Transformation Stage.

In other words, this “guard” might one day stand where Perfected Chang Ling stood.

A dragon among men.

But Bai Meng Jin knew he would become more than that.

His name was Bai Li Xu. In the future, he would become the Limitless Sect’s Chief Elder—second only to one person, above ten thousand others.

That one person sat inside the carriage.

Ling Bu Fei, the Limitless Sect’s Young Sect Master.

Not yet the sect master. Not yet.

In her memories, Ling Bu Fei’s youth was a mess. Born with Severed Meridians, unable to cultivate, he held the title of Young Sect Master but lived like a puppet.

And later?

Later, people said he rose from despair and remade himself in fire. They praised him as an example. Gentle. Low-key. Inspiring.

Bai Meng Jin had mocked him plenty behind his back.

In the Upper Three Sects, the Limitless Sect’s sect master hid away. The Cinnabar Cloud Palace’s Sect Master—rumor had it his foundation had been damaged by her and he was secluded healing. And Cang Ling Mountain’s headmaster was an ancient tree that had lived ten thousand years and didn’t move at all.

One after another, the leaders of great sects acted like they couldn’t show their faces.

She’d never expected the “poor little thing” who couldn’t cultivate to be this overbearing at fourteen or fifteen.

Across the street, Mo Qi’s face had been slapped in front of everyone—and then ground into the dust for good measure. The crowd’s laughter buzzed like flies around him.

At last Mo Qi snapped, anger rising through his forced politeness. “I’ve been civil. Why are you so overbearing, Your Excellency? Anyone can walk this street. How can you decide right and wrong with a single sentence? Even if your family is powerful, you can’t be this unreasonable!”

So he’d opened with a show of force, and the moment he met someone tougher, he began speaking of reason.

Bai Meng Jin’s mouth twitched. This world had always bullied the weak and feared the strong.

Bai Li Xu didn’t bother replying. He turned and spoke to the coachman. “Go. Call the city guard.”

The curtain of the White-Hoofed Wu carriage shook. Mo Qi was clearly both shocked and furious.

He had only said a few lines. He didn’t think he’d gone too far. Yet the other side gave him no face at all and called the authorities.

And beneath his anger, a thin thread of panic rose.

Had he provoked someone he truly couldn’t afford to offend?

Before he could decide whether to soften, the city guard arrived.

Phoenix Parasol City was a self-governing immortal city, managed by a council of elders and stewards from several families. The man leading the group looked to be in his twenties, dressed in brocade threaded with gold, a shining gold crown on his head.

He was handsome enough, but the outfit made him look like a rich merchant who’d crawled out of a jewelry box.

“Shang Lian Cheng…” Bai Meng Jin murmured, recognition clicking into place.

Bai Meng Lian turned, startled by her tone, but before she could ask, Shang Lian Cheng was already beaming at Bai Li Xu.

“Oh!” he exclaimed, clasping his hands. “No wonder the magpies have been chirping all day. So it’s Young Sect Master Ling gracing Phoenix Parasol City with his presence.”

His smile widened as if it might split his face. “What an honor. I failed to welcome you properly!”

Young Sect Master Ling.

The Limitless Sect’s Young Sect Master.

No wonder the pressure had been suffocating even from inside the carriage.

Mo Qi went rigid.

He yanked the curtain aside and stared—really looked—at Bai Li Xu’s ornaments and the carriage’s insignia.

Then he turned and shot a murderous glare at the head maid beside him.

Ignorant woman.

If she’d known the other side belonged to the Limitless Sect, why fight over a moment’s temper? Now his face was gone, and there was no getting it back. When he returned home, he might even be scolded for bringing trouble.

“Y-young master…” The maid’s hair had come loose from her earlier fall. Under his glare, she looked both frightened and wronged.

On the other side, Shang Lian Cheng spilled flattery and apologies, blaming the collision on poor city management. He bowed and smiled until his shoulders must have ached.

Bai Li Xu’s expression finally eased. He turned and looked into the carriage. “Young master?”

Whatever came from within, Bai Li Xu nodded once. Then he faced Shang Lian Cheng again. “Boss Shang, you’re too polite. Since it’s settled, let it be. Our young master has traveled far and is tired. It’s already late. He only wants to rest.”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Shang Lian Cheng whirled and barked orders. “Clear the road. Don’t delay Young Sect Master Ling’s journey!”

The city guard moved quickly. Within moments, the street was open.

Bai Li Xu clasped his hands once more, then returned to the carriage.

The coachman flicked the whip lightly. The Kaiming Beast rose with a slow, arrogant grace and swaggered forward, not sparing Mo Qi even a glance.

Shang Lian Cheng let out a breath, pleased. Young Sect Master Ling had a temper, sure, but at least he was easy enough to satisfy.

He turned to Mo Qi and smoothed his expression into practiced sympathy. “Young Master Mo, my apologies for startling you. I arrived late—please don’t take offense.”

He leaned in, winked, and lowered his voice. “Young Sect Master Ling is just like that. I had no choice but to slight you earlier. Please understand.”

In other words: I ignored you to keep him calm.

Mo Qi didn’t dare take offense anymore. He only wanted to leave quickly so people would stop pointing and laughing. “I understand. I understand. The road’s clear—we’ll go too.”

Shang Lian Cheng stepped aside with a smile. “Safe travels, Young Master Mo.”

And just like that, the excitement ended.

Bai Meng Jin lowered the curtain, smile lingering in her eyes.

In her memories, Ling Bu Fei was an inspiring example—no less impressive than Ning Yan Zhi. People called him gentle and low-key.

Who would’ve guessed he was this overbearing as a teenager?

[Do all you sect masters have two faces?]

[Steady.]