Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Returning to the Sect

By the time Young Sect Master Ling started the journey back, news from Phoenix Parasol City was already waiting on Sect Master Ling Yun Gao’s desk.

The first report came from Yang Xiang Tian. It was brief—an account of the abduction, a few key details, and one line that might have meant nothing to anyone else: they had brought back a young female disciple from the Cinnabar Cloud Palace.

Yang Xiang Tian had brushed it off.

Ling Yun Gao did not.

He had watched this nephew grow up. He knew the boy’s temper down to the bone.

At seventeen or eighteen, most youths had already started looking at women with restless eyes. Ling Bu Fei seemed to have skipped that stage entirely, spending his days stirring trouble as if nothing in the world could hold his attention for long. With the title of Young Sect Master, there were always people trying to cling to him—some for vanity, some for profit, some for malice. Plenty had tried to lure him, to tempt him, to drag him into something messy that might damage his foundation.

None had ever succeeded. In Ling Bu Fei’s eyes, women were less interesting than the birds behind the mountain.

And yet this time, he had snatched a young female cultivator—snatched her from the hands of the Cinnabar Cloud Palace, no less. That was not something to ignore.

So Ling Yun Gao sent a quiet inquiry.

That night, You Yan’s letter arrived.

So that was it. The girl had a Jade-Tempered Body.

Ling Yun Gao read the letter once, then a second time. He didn’t smile, but the tightness at the corners of his eyes eased, as if something in his mind had finally clicked into place.

He summoned Yang Xiang Tian and handed the letter over.

Yang Xiang Tian read it, blinked, and then let out a low breath. He was surprised, but he took it well. “In that case, let him keep her. The spiritual qi and devil qi in his body clash—when it flares up, the pain is unbearable. If she can ease it, that’s a good thing.”

Then his patience cracked, as it always did where Ling Bu Fei was concerned. “He could’ve said it plainly. Instead he had to mouth off at me. That brat’s temper isn’t like yours, Senior Brother Ling, and it isn’t like Senior Sister Jiang’s either. I really don’t know who he takes after.”

Ling Yun Gao’s voice stayed gentle. “He was born different. I never had the time to discipline him properly. It’s not strange he’s stubborn.”

He paused, then added, “Go tell Martial Uncle Hua to keep an eye on things. If that young lady has any problems… if she’s the sort who could lead him astray, it’s better we find out early.”

Yang Xiang Tian nodded. “Understood.” He left to handle it.

Elsewhere, Elder Yi Ming—who had set out the same day—reached the Cinnabar Cloud Palace a full day early.

After settling the disciples under his charge, he went straight to Perfected Chang Ling. He delivered a message, and then bowed in apology.

When he finished recounting the entire matter, Perfected Chang Ling sighed, the sound heavy with fatigue. “It was only a few days’ journey. I thought nothing could go wrong, and yet…”

Elder Yi Ming lowered his head. “I failed Senior Brother Chang Ling’s trust. I’m ashamed.”

Perfected Chang Ling waved it off. “It wasn’t your fault, Junior Brother. Don’t take it to heart. In the end… she simply lacked fate with the Cinnabar Cloud Palace. Her chance slipped past.”

They spoke a little longer, then Elder Yi Ming took his leave.

Outside the hall, Yue Yun Qiao—who had been crouched under the eaves the entire time—shot to her feet and rushed inside, her face pale with panic. “Master! What happened to Junior Sister Bai?”

Perfected Chang Ling looked at her, then handed her a letter. “She’s fine. But she can’t come to the Cinnabar Cloud Palace anymore.”

Bai Meng Jin had written two letters—one to Perfected Chang Ling, one to Yue Yun Qiao. In a few neat lines, she explained what had happened and offered apologies to both.

Yue Yun Qiao read to the end, and her voice wavered as if tears were lodged in her throat. “How can she not come? I prepared so many things for her…”

Huo Chong Xiao, who had followed her in, stepped closer and said softly, “Junior Sister, this is a good path for her. As her friends, we can’t hold her back just because it hurts to let go.”

Yue Yun Qiao understood. That only made it worse. “It’s so far,” she whispered. “It’ll be hard to see her again.”

Perfected Chang Ling reached out and patted her head. “When you reach Foundation Establishment, I’ll send you to the Spirit Cultivation Assembly. If she attends as well, you’ll meet again.”

Yue Yun Qiao looked up sharply. “Really?”

“Of course.” Perfected Chang Ling’s smile was warm, almost indulgent. “So cultivate properly. You’re only one step away. This time, push through in one go.”

Yue Yun Qiao clenched her fist. “I will. I’ll work hard!”

*