Chapter 661

Chapter 661: Not Xuan Yu

His legs and arms trembled uncontrollably. He had failed to draw Qi into his body, making it impossible to sustain himself without food. He was so exhausted that even lifting a pair of chopsticks was a struggle.

Many times, he had to crawl down the mountain. Even so, he still forced himself to enter the kitchen, preparing delicious meals to deliver to Lu Chao Chao’s cave dwelling.

It was not until half a year later that he finally succeeded in drawing Qi into his body.

His diligence was unparalleled within the Sword Sect.

Fortunately, once he succeeded, he exhibited an exceptional level of comprehension, which led to him being accepted into Without Folly Mountain.

His path in cultivation was grueling and fraught with hardship.

“Master, do you ever feel heartache?” Xuan Yu suddenly asked.

Lu Chao Chao’s eyes widened in an instant. “Heartache? Of course, I feel heartache! Whether palm or back of the hand, they’re both flesh. Which one of my disciples have I not cared for?”

“Once a teacher, forever a parent—cough, I mean, a mother. I’m basically half your mother, right?”

“You refuse to call me ‘Master’ most of the time. If you don’t mind, you could just call me ‘Mother’ instead?” Lu Chao Chao hesitated for a moment. Eh, whatever. ‘Mother’ and ‘Master’ aren’t that different anyway.

As she spoke, Xuan Yu’s expression suddenly darkened.

He remained silent for the rest of the journey, refusing to say another word.

Lu Chao Chao rubbed her nose, looking pained. Xuan Yu was unpredictable—he would often throw a cold glare her way for no apparent reason.

Who else had to endure such a frustrating disciple like she did?

The two traveled without speaking until they reached the border between the Spirit Realm and the Fiend Realm—a place known as Ancient Bridge Town.

Sixteen years ago, when the Fiend Realm attacked, Ancient Bridge Town had been left in ruins, its streets littered with corpses. After more than a decade of recovery, it was only now regaining its former prosperity.

Standing at a street corner, Lu Chao Chao was surrounded by the lively calls of street vendors.

She had always liked mortals, fond of the bustling atmosphere of the mortal world.

She led Xuan Yu on a nostalgic visit, buying various snacks before eventually arriving at Lingping Village.

Barefooted children were chasing one another outside the village.

Ox carts trundled toward the town.

Elderly villagers sat under an ancient banyan tree, smoking dry tobacco while gossiping about household matters.

Upon spotting the two ethereal figures who looked like banished immortals, many villagers stopped in their tracks, stealing glances. When they saw the two standing before a dilapidated house, curiosity filled their eyes.

Even the children gathered around, sneaking peeks at the two outsiders.

“Go ahead and pay your respects.” Lu Chao Chao said.

Xuan Yu responded with a faint hum before kneeling on the ground, solemnly tearing pieces of spirit paper, setting them alight. Then, he retrieved offerings from his storage pouch…

Only then did the villagers rush to inform the village chief that an immortal had arrived in their village.

By the time the old village chief hobbled over with his cane, Xuan Yu had already finished the ritual.

“I am the chief of Lingping Village. Greetings, immortal masters. What brings such esteemed guests to our humble home? If there is anything I can assist with, I shall do my utmost.” The village chief stood with many villagers behind him.

Lu Chao Chao could see the fear in their eyes and immediately reassured them. “No need to be afraid, elder.”

“We are disciples of the Sword Sect. My disciple here has come to pay respects to his departed parents.”

Upon hearing this, the village chief’s nervousness eased, replaced with warmth.

Sword Sect disciples often roamed the land, slaying demons and protecting the people. When the Fiend Race invaded, the Sword Sect had aided in defending the realm.

Within the Spirit Realm, Lu Chao Chao’s Sword Sect was deeply revered by the common people.

“So, you are a disciple of the Sword Sect. My apologies for any disrespect.” The villagers bowed politely.

“You… are the villagers of Lingping Village?” Lu Chao Chao recalled the massacre—back then, not a single person survived.

“Little immortal master, there are no original residents of Lingping Village anymore. They’re all dead… We are refugees who resettled here. This little master—could he be one of the few lucky survivors?” The village chief was shocked and deeply moved.

“I happened to rescue him and took him to the Sword Sect to train.”

The village chief sighed. “A blessing in disguise, indeed.”

“Quick! Bring Aunt Tao here.”

“Aunt Tao is the only original villager of Lingping Village who survived. She escaped the massacre because she was visiting her parents’ home at the time. Over the years, she has refused to leave, choosing to remain here. Bring her quickly…”

A quick-footed child immediately ran off to call her.

When the young girl dragged along an elderly woman with white hair, Lu Chao Chao handed two spirit stones to the child, making the girl grin from ear to ear.

Though Aunt Tao looked only in her fifties, her hair was entirely white, her face weathered by time.

“Aunt Tao is a pitiful soul. She visited her parents’ home for a few days, only to return and find her entire village massacred. Her husband, in-laws, children—none survived. She turned white-haired overnight and hasn’t been completely sane since.”

Now, hearing that a survivor had returned, Aunt Tao came running, her eyes glistening with tears.

Upon seeing the two immortal-like figures, she faltered slightly.

Her hair disheveled, she tilted her head curiously, staring at Xuan Yu.

“Young immortal, what is your name?” Aunt Tao’s voice was hoarse, filled with cautious hope.

Xuan Yu lowered his gaze and answered quietly, “I am the grandson of the Xuan family, Xuan Yu.”

“At the age of six, my father sent me to town to study. I only returned to the village during the New Year and holidays. Aunt Tao, do you remember me?”

He lifted his head, his gaze calm as he met Aunt Tao’s eyes.

Aunt Tao tilted her head slightly, muttering, “Xuan Yu… Xuan Yu… the scholar…”

After repeating the name a few times, she suddenly smiled. “Yes, yes! The Xuan family had a little grandson named Xuan Yu. I heard he had an excellent memory, so they sent him to town early for studies.”

“The Xuan family cherished him like a treasure… Xuan Yu…”

“Now, there’s only you and me left in the entire village…”

Aunt Tao suddenly wailed, throwing herself onto Xuan Yu, crying her heart out.

Xuan Yu’s body stiffened. He lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly.

“It’s alright, it’s alright. The Xuan family’s child has great fortune. Following an immortal master to cultivate is a good fate.” The village chief consoled.

Aunt Tao sobbed for a long time before she finally calmed down.

“How does she… survive now?” Xuan Yu’s voice was hoarse as he looked at Aunt Tao.

“She’s pitiful. Her maternal home is the neighboring village, yet she refuses to return and insists on staying here. The village takes care of her as best we can.”

Perhaps worried about Aunt Tao’s welfare, Xuan Yu bestowed many gifts upon the village and urged them to look after Aunt Tao well.

“Aunt Tao, the village has only you and me left. We should look out for each other.”

“This is my transmission jade pendant. Keep it with you, and call for me whenever you need me.” He handed it to her.

The villagers saw how highly he valued Aunt Tao, and their respect for her grew. Even the village chief looked at her with a newfound excitement.

A village protected by a Sword Sect disciple—and an Inner Sect disciple, no less—would undoubtedly thrive.

After Lu Chao Chao and Xuan Yu left, Aunt Tao stared at the jade pendant for a long while.

Then suddenly…

She threw it to the ground.

“No… no… this isn’t right…” She shook her head, eyes filled with terror.

“He’s dead… He’s dead… Xuan Yu drowned in the river after school!”