Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Senior Sister Zhou Is Mighty
Only Yu Zhao, who had been reborn, could see through Ye Cong Xin’s ambition so clearly. Their master, Master Qing Yan, felt only deep pity for Ye Cong Xin.

Master Qing Yan was about to give a few more reminders when, from the corner of his eye, he saw that Yu Zhao was still kneeling on the floor. His voice turned cold as he said, “For this Dragon Roar Valley training, let your junior sister go. As for you changing your cultivation technique, I will no longer pursue it.”

With his eyesight, Master Qing Yan could tell at a glance that the cultivation technique Yu Zhao was practicing now was no longer his Sea Moon Scripture.

In his view, Yu Zhao cultivating the technique he had personally created was actually an insult to his Bright Moon Over the Sea Art.

Yu Zhao changing her cultivation technique of her own initiative was, in fact, a good thing.

But he absolutely could not let what he truly thought show on his face. It was just right to use this as a handle to refuse Yu Zhao’s request.

Yu Zhao also knew that between her and Ye Cong Xin, Master Qing Yan would always choose Ye Cong Xin without hesitation.

She had only wanted to try once. Now that she had her answer, she did not cling to it and decisively took her leave.

After leaving Master Qing Yan’s cave residence, she went straight down the mountain toward the Main Peak.

After three years of closed-door cultivation, the Five Elements Dao Sect was the same as ever.

The rumors that had once swirled around Yu Zhao had been replaced by other news over these three years.

Because of that, her trip out this time did not attract much attention. She arrived at the Main Peak without any trouble.

“Senior Sister Zhou.”

Zhou Jin Yue was in the middle of preparing for the training that would take place three days later. Hearing the voice and looking toward it, she saw Yu Zhao and her face lit up with surprise. “Junior Sister Yu!”

Seeing Zhou Jin Yue again, Yu Zhao felt a kind of indescribable peace.

She was just about to step forward when Zhou Jin Yue strode over in a few quick steps, grabbed her arm, and started looking her over from head to toe.

“Honestly, what is going on with you? You clearly knew Quan Ye is a brainless brute, so why did you still provoke him? When the news first spread, everyone said your dantian was destroyed and that you would never be able to cultivate spells again. I was so anxious I almost grabbed a blade and went to fight Fang Cheng Lang to the death!”

Seeing the open worry on Zhou Jin Yue’s face, Yu Zhao was deeply moved and said, “Senior Sister Zhou, those were all just rumors.”

Zhou Jin Yue rolled her eyes. “Of course I know they were rumors. Otherwise, how could Quan Ye still be staying comfortably at the Cliff of Reflection? I would have begged Master long ago to throw him out of the sect.”

After speaking, she gave Yu Zhao another careful look, her eyes suddenly brightening. “Mid Foundation Establishment! Not bad, not bad. It seems resetting your foundation did not slow your progress after all. Now I can finally relax.”

Maybe because they had not seen each other for a long time, once Zhou Jin Yue started talking while holding onto Yu Zhao, she could not stop. One moment she was cursing Lone Moon Peak, the next she was talking about how she herself had been doing recently.

As she talked and talked, she suddenly felt that something was off. She rubbed her chin, then looked at Yu Zhao again with suspicion and said, “Junior Sister Yu, why do I feel that you… became strange after your closed-door cultivation…”

Thinking back, Zhou Jin Yue realized that from the moment they met until now, Yu Zhao had spoken very little. Zhou Jin Yue had been talking the whole time, while Yu Zhao simply stayed by her side as a quiet listener.

This was not right.

Had closed-door cultivation made her stupid, or was there some problem with the cultivation technique she practiced?

It was the first time Zhou Jin Yue had run into a situation like this. She frowned, feeling that it was a bit tricky to deal with.

Yu Zhao could tell at a glance that Zhou Jin Yue was thinking in the wrong direction.

She felt both helpless and amused.

Her practice of Illusory Tide Art had already been openly shown in front of Master Qing Yan, so she did not feel the need to hide it and told Zhou Jin Yue the truth.

She had gone through far too many highs and lows in her past life. In this life, her state of mind was naturally much more mature, and she had also gained some understanding of love and emotions. Because of that, cultivating Illusory Tide Art suited her very well.

On top of that, she had done early preparation and received Spirit Recovery Pills from Master Qing Yan, so this round of closed-door cultivation went smoother than she had expected.

In the first year of closed-door cultivation, she successfully mastered the first layer of Illusory Tide Art and smoothly reached Foundation Establishment.

In the following two years, she not only advanced from early Foundation Establishment to mid Foundation Establishment, she also mastered a special magical artifact.

If it had not been for the time limit, Yu Zhao would have liked to stay in closed-door cultivation for another two years, to stabilize her cultivation level and come out only after reaching late Foundation Establishment.

Still, three years had been enough.

“Illusory Tide Art? How have I never heard of it? Which senior’s cultivation technique is that?”

Although Zhou Jin Yue did not have a water spiritual root, she had at least heard of most famous cultivation techniques in the cultivation world.

But she truly had no impression of Illusory Tide Art.

“It is a cultivation technique created by a water spiritual root senior named Wanderer Bright Moon. Sadly, the Illusory Tide Art in my hands is incomplete and does not include the full set.”

Hearing that, Zhou Jin Yue showed a look of sudden understanding.

An incomplete cultivation technique. No wonder it was not famous.

Then, Zhou Jin Yue seemed like she was about to say something, but stopped herself.

She could not understand why Yu Zhao would give up the Sea Moon Scripture to practice an obscure, incomplete cultivation technique. Was that not cutting off her own future?

Of course Yu Zhao could see what Zhou Jin Yue was thinking. She quickly changed the subject and said, “Senior Sister Zhou, I also want to join the Dragon Roar Valley training three days from now.”

As expected, Zhou Jin Yue’s attention was pulled away.

She looked a bit troubled. “Junior Sister Yu, it is not that I do not agree. This matter was decided by the Sect Master and the elders. If you want to join, you still need Master Qing Yan’s approval.”

“I already asked,” Yu Zhao said. “Master refused.”

Zhou Jin Yue shook her head. “Then I also cannot hel…”

“Master agreed to let Junior Sister join the Dragon Roar Valley training,” Yu Zhao said.

Zhou Jin Yue’s expression changed slightly.

“I was the one who asked first,” Yu Zhao added.

“…I will think of a way to solve this!” Zhou Jin Yue gritted her teeth as she spoke.

She had already felt indignant over the unfair treatment Yu Zhao had suffered.

Yu Zhao’s words woke her up once again.

On Lone Moon Peak, Yu Zhao would never receive fair treatment.

As the Sect Master’s First Disciple and the disciples’ First Senior Sister, Zhou Jin Yue had both the responsibility and the duty to seek justice for Yu Zhao.

Yu Zhao and Ye Cong Xin were both at mid Foundation Establishment, and Ye Cong Xin was more popular and likable within the sect than Yu Zhao.

But anyone with a brain and basic sense would not choose Ye Cong Xin as a teammate for a training mission.

Because with her frail body, Ye Cong Xin was destined to be a burden.

That might be fine for ordinary training. However, this time they would be traveling a long distance to Dragon Roar Valley. Besides the various demonic beasts in the valley, they would also face many sudden incidents along the way.

Other than lightening the mood of the team, Ye Cong Xin would be of no help at all. In fact, people would have to split their attention to care for her and protect her.

Zhou Jin Yue was the team leader. Just thinking about that scene was enough to give her a headache.

Ye Cong Xin was someone Master Qing Yan insisted on sending. Zhou Jin Yue figured that Master would find it hard to refuse her. In that case, adding one more Yu Zhao would not make things any worse.

Last time, she had scolded Fang Cheng Lang until he was drenched like a dog in the rain. This time, she could see whether Fang Cheng Lang had improved at all.

If they were still as willful as before, she would simply drag Yu Zhao back to the Main Peak and make her her own junior sister.

If they could not recognize a treasure, she, Zhou Jin Yue, certainly could.

Yu Zhao was the one who was single-hearted, clear, and pure. As for that Ye Cong Xin… it was better not to mention her.

“Junior Sister Yu, three days from now, at the hour of Chen, gather in front of the sect plaza.”

Yu Zhao blinked.

[She had not even used her backup plans yet, and it was already settled? Senior Sister Zhou is mighty!]