Chapter 002
Su Yao believed that he was hesitant because he did not want to see Yun Tianqing and Su Yu. Seeing him nod, she gently sighed and said, "Junior Brother Xuanxiao, let us go"
Although Su Yao cared for her lover, she also noticed the change in Xuan Xiao. After all, this junior disciple was usually indifferent towards her and spoke very little. Why was he acting differently today... She couldn't help but feel a bit worried and said, "Junior brother, do you need to ask Elder Li You for a diagnosis? Is there something wrong?"
Although many of the inner disciples and direct disciples of Qionghua have perished, the outer disciples, who possess lesser abilities and are unable to go to the battlefield, have suffered little to no losses. Upon seeing Xuanxiao emerge, they all respectfully lowered their heads, their eyes flickering with admiration, reverence, envy, jealousy, and a hint of schadenfreude. This made Ming Xijue reflect on the advantages of being a cultivator, as they can not only clearly discern those fleeting glances but also perceive the subtle fluctuations of human emotions.
Regardless, he still has to do something
It must be said that Taiqing's two most favored disciples are Xuan Zhen, whom he raised like his own child, and Xuan Xiao, a prodigy of extraordinary talent. Treasures like the Water Spirit Pearl, which are meant to be safeguarded by the sect leader, were given to Xuan Xiao by Taiqing before his death, with the command that the future sect leader must never take it from him. Clearly, it is known that finding a woman born in the Yin year, Yin month, Yin day, and Yin hour who is also suitable for cultivation is exceedingly difficult, and it is uncertain how many years it would take. Taiqing hoped that after Wang Shu was retrieved, the Water Spirit Pearl could gradually neutralize Wang Shu's domineering icy power, helping Xuan Xiao alleviate the injuries caused by the excessively tyrannical Xi He's solar flames. With Xuan Xiao's qualifications, he would still be able to ascend.
However, it is precisely because of his extraordinary genius, combined with the strict regulations of the Qionghua Sect and the insurmountable gap in status, that Xuanxiao has become like a revered idol, both admired and feared by the majority of disciples. Now, such a lofty figure has unexpectedly suffered a devastating blow—his lover and friend have eloped! How could this not stir the gossiping hearts of everyone? How could it not excite the dark thoughts of those around him? How could it not become a topic of conversation?
"The way of heaven is merciless," Ming Xijue replied, a fleeting look of deep pain crossing her eyes before she spoke with fervent tone, "Perhaps Xuanxiao has never been able to break through the bottleneck, but the actions of Xuanji and Suyu have indeed confirmed some of my suspicions. Given time, I will surely be able to avenge my master!"
Ming Xijue contemplated for half a day, having thought through the events that were likely to occur. She adjusted her expression, absorbed Xihe into her body, and stepped out of the forbidden area
Su Yao heard Ming Xi Jue mention "Xuan Ji" twice before realizing that Yun Tianqing was dissatisfied with this title, which could only be used by secret disciples and sect disciples, as it seemed to imply that he had renounced the world. His amiable personality meant that everyone overlooked such trivial matters and called him by his given name. However, Xuan Xiao's use of this title... made one fear that he might truly be heartbroken. Thinking of this, Su Yao's expression softened slightly as she said, "I have ordered the disciples to search for the whereabouts of Yin Que in the region of Buzhou Mountain as much as possible, and I am also looking for the Han Qi. Junior Brother, do not worry."
Just as Ming Xijue was about to say something, he saw a paper crane fly into Su Yao's hand. Su Yao was momentarily taken aback, but after probing into it with her spiritual sense and understanding its content, she was overjoyed: "Junior Brother Xuanxiao, the two elders have returned. Let us go to Qionghua Palace at once!"
Ming Xijue was in the forbidden area, repeatedly replaying the memories of Xuanxiao, carefully contemplating his character. In her right hand was the dazzling and beautiful Water Spirit Pearl, capable of driving any woman mad, while also containing immense water elemental spiritual energy.
The Water Spirit Pearl is an ancient treasure, naturally effective. Ming Xijue said slowly, noticing Su Yao's worried expression as she looked towards Xuan Zhen. He reassured her, "Before the two elders left, I had already informed them that Xuan Ji and Su Yu had fled towards the Central Plains, and that Xi He and Wang Shu cannot stray too far. Su Yu usually relies on the power of the Sun Flame to pass through obstacles, so they are likely headed to the Yan Emperor's Shennong Cave to seek the Yang Hall within the Yin-Yang Purple Vault. With a clear objective, the two elders can easily capture them without any effort. Even if they manage to escape, our Qionghua has a unique secret method to detect Wang Shu's spiritual light, so my senior brother will certainly be safe. Even if they manage to escape, our Qionghua has a unique secret method to detect Wang Shu's spiritual light, so my senior brother will certainly be safe.
No one in Qionghua wished for anything to happen to Xuan Zhen, so Elder Li You from the Medicine Department, along with his two direct disciples, Su Yu and Xuan Shuo, as well as Su Yao, took turns watching over Xuan Zhen. They tirelessly employed various methods to keep him alive. Upon seeing Ming Xijue enter, Su Yao set aside her tasks. Although her complexion was haggard, she still expressed a faint concern: "Has Junior Brother Xuan Xiao's health improved?"
It is precisely for this reason that Xuanxiao's respect and admiration for his master must be very profound, which is why he would go so far as to risk falling into madness in order to trap Xuan Zhen, who is equivalent to the Half-Child of Taiqing, to save the demon realm. So, does this mean that if I were to directly cause trouble, it would actually be the most appropriate course of action
Ming Xijue was well aware that Xuanxiao had a smooth journey all along. From birth, he was the prince of the empire, the emperor's late-born son and the legitimate heir, nearly thirty years younger than the crown prince. The crown prince treated this younger brother as a son, so even with a change of emperor, he only became more favored. He was exceptionally handsome, well-versed in knowledge, and not only proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, horsemanship, and martial arts, but also gained a great reputation for leading troops in battle. He entered Qionghua at the age of twenty, having already missed the best age for cultivation, yet he managed to surpass the elders in just six years. Although he had the assistance of divine weapons like Xihe in the last three years, everyone knew that due to Su Yu's inferior cultivation, Taiqing had once advised Xuanxiao to take a break from cultivation. Therefore, during these six years, Xuanxiao spent twenty months specifically studying various techniques and formations without deliberate cultivation. Even so, he achieved such profound cultivation and had extensive research in miscellaneous studies. With such accomplishments, how could one not be impressed?
Although the elder Taiqing accepted Xuanxiao and Suyu for the purpose of the dual swords' ascension, it is evident that he genuinely cares for them. This is similar to Yun Tianqing, who has repeatedly violated the sect's rules, provoking dissatisfaction from the entire Qionghua sect regarding his treatment. After all, the rules of Qionghua are extremely strict; anyone who violates the rules more than three times is automatically demoted. Yet, Yun Tianqing, as a disciple of this sect, has maintained his status. Perhaps this is also due to the intention of having a more powerful and knowledgeable expert in the future for the binding of the demon realm. However, it is clear that this master has feelings for his disciples. Therefore, before his death, he ordered the names of Yun Tianqing and Suyu to be removed, indicating that they were no longer disciples of Qionghua, rather than mobilizing the entire sect to execute traitors, which demonstrates his heartfelt affection.
Ming Xijue suddenly felt a sense of pity for Su Yao. If it were not for the power struggles within the sect or her own need to remain a detached observer, she would not have had to endure such desolation for nineteen years, lacking a good reputation and ending up in such a fate. However, he understood more clearly that while the Lord God could tolerate his disrespect, even his dissatisfaction, curses, and mockery, there were absolute boundaries that must not be crossed. Thus, after a moment's hesitation, Ming Xijue simply nodded.
Ming Xijue is well aware of these individuals' thoughts, but he does not need to concern himself with them. Instead, he has come to Lingyun Valley, where the secret disciples reside. Although this place does not exist in the game, Ming Xijue has learned from Xuanxiao's memories that Jianwuping is merely a residence for inner disciples. The treatment of the entry disciples, direct line disciples, sect disciples, and secret disciples improves progressively, with each residence having increasingly abundant spiritual energy. Once one's cultivation reaches a certain level, they can even establish their own residence. As for Xuanxiao and Yuntianqing, they initially shared a room, but that became history three days later when the two formally became disciples.