Mo Tiange lowered her gaze, seemingly considering.
Elders Qingyi and Qingmiao did not speak, merely watching her intently.
After a long while, Mo Tiange finally spoke: "In principle, since you two elders have gifted me my great-great-grandmother's secret techniques, I should offer something in return. However, with my current cultivation level, I don't seem qualified to be a Guest Elder."
Hearing that her words carried no tone of refusal, Elder Qingyi smiled and said: "We two old women won't live much longer. When that time comes, the sect will have no Core Formation cultivators left. Even if we made you a full elder, it wouldn't be inappropriate. Moreover, with your current cultivation and talent, reaching Core Formation shouldn't be difficult." At this point, she paused and sighed. "Tian Ge, for Bixuan Pavilion to rebuild, relying solely on those three won't be enough. I hope you will lend a hand for the sake of our Founding Patriarch."
Such a sincere and earnest request made it difficult for Mo Tiange to voice a refusal.
After thinking for a moment, she asked another question: "If I were willing to become a Guest Elder, how long would I need to stay in Linhai?"
Elders Qingyi and Qingmiao both revealed smiles. Qingmiao said: "Not too long. As a Guest Elder, once Haolan recalls the scattered disciples and establishes her authority, you can use the excuse of going into seclusion and return to Kunwu."
"But... as a disciple of the Xuanqing Sect, wouldn't it be inappropriate for me to become another sect's Guest Elder?"
Elder Qingyi replied: "You needn't worry about that. It's not unheard of for disciples of major sects to serve as Guest Elders elsewhere, as long as the two sects aren't in conflict. Our Bixuan Pavilion is in Linhai and has no intention of going to Kunwu, so it naturally won't affect you. If you're still concerned, you can report it to your masters when you return to your sect."
Hearing Elder Qingyi speak so casually, Mo Tiange thought it over and slowly nodded: "If that's the case, then I don't mind doing my part for Bixuan Pavilion. It can also serve as repayment for the kindness of you two elders in gifting me the jade slip."
Receiving her agreement, Elders Qingyi and Qingmiao felt a weight lift from their hearts and smiled: "Good, good! From today onward, we are all on the same side."
With that, Elders Qingyi and Qingmiao personally led Mo Tiange down to the third floor and announced to the other three that Mo Tiange had been invited to become a Guest Elder of Bixuan Pavilion.
This news was still somewhat shocking. Xia Qing was momentarily stunned, while Wei Haolan, who had just regained consciousness, and Tang Shen wore complex expressions.
Mo Tiange responded to everyone with a smile. A so-called Guest Elder held the title and received resources but did not interfere in sect affairs. They all understood that Mo Tiange, as a Xuanqing Sect disciple, had no reason to stay at Bixuan Pavilion permanently and posed no conflict with them. So, after the initial shock, they quickly returned to normal, offering their congratulations and exchanging formal greetings anew.
After the greetings were done, Elders Qingyi and Qingmiao returned to the fourth floor to continue healing, while Mo Tiange remained on the third.
"Fellow Daoist Ye," Wei Haolan's injuries were still severe, but she could at least stay awake now. She greeted Mo Tiange with a smile, "From now on, we are fellow sect members."
Mo Tiange smiled slightly. Wei Haolan naturally understood the two elders' intentions. Even if her cultivation was preserved, advancing further in this lifetime would be difficult. Thus, the elders were making Mo Tiange her backing.
"Sect Leader Wei, there's no need for such formality. Bixuan Pavilion will still rely on you in the future. What I can do is limited."
Wei Haolan smiled: "We both know the reality of the situation, Fellow Daoist Ye. Regardless, I entrust it to you."
Wei Haolan was an intelligent person. Dealing with someone so intelligent was comfortable because she knew how to maintain proper boundaries. Therefore, after Ren Yufeng was killed, with Wei Haolan here, serving as Bixuan Pavilion's Guest Elder shouldn't be too unpleasant.
After briefly conversing with Wei Haolan, Tang Shen cautiously glanced at Mo Tiange several times before finally gathering his courage and speaking in a low voice: "Fellow Daoist Ye, could we talk?"
Mo Tiange was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected Tang Shen to take the initiative to speak with her. After a brief consideration, she readily agreed: "Alright."
Tang Shen glanced at the teleportation array. "Shall we... go over there?"
Mo Tiange nodded. Whatever Tang Shen wanted to discuss likely wasn't suitable for Wei Haolan and Xia Qing to hear.
Descending to the second floor, Mo Tiange stopped: "Fellow Daoist Tang, speak plainly."
Tang Shen lowered his head, remaining silent for a moment before speaking: "Fellow Daoist Ye must already know I possess the Pure Yang Constitution."
"...That's correct."
Tang Shen seemed unable to look at her directly, turning his head slightly as he said: "Then... what are your thoughts, Fellow Daoist Ye?"
Mo Tiange knew what answer he wanted to hear. She simply smiled: "Fellow Daoist Tang, perhaps you should share your own thoughts first."
"..." Tang Shen fell silent for another long moment before saying, "My great-great-grandmother was killed by that demonic cultivator. My family is outside, and I don't know their situation. I want to cultivate properly, kill that demon, and avenge my great-great-grandmother."
His expression as he said this was serious, finally showing a hint of a man's resolve.
Yet Mo Tiange's tone remained calm: "And so?"
"So..." Tang Shen looked up, with a determination he had never shown before, "Fellow Daoist Ye, would you engage in Dual Cultivation with me?"
She had known he might bring this up, but she still hadn't expected the usually timid, almost feminine Tang Shen to say it so directly.
Mo Tiange paused for a beat. Seeing his pleading expression, she still shook her head: "I'm sorry, Fellow Daoist Tang. I cannot agree to Dual Cultivation."
Even though Tang Shen had long sensed Mo Tiange's lack of interest in him, he hadn't expected her to refuse so bluntly. Stunned for a moment, he hurriedly added: "Why? Fellow Daoist Ye, I have the Pure Yang Constitution, and you have the Pure Yin body. For us to meet is a heaven-sent match. Why do you refuse?"
Mo Tiange smiled faintly: "Then why have you been unwilling to engage in Dual Cultivation with your fellow female disciples all these years, Fellow Daoist Tang?"
Tang Shen was taken aback, murmuring: "I... I don't like them, so..."
"Then it's the same for me," Mo Tiange said evenly. "You have no feelings for me either; it's only because I have the Pure Yin Constitution. But if we, without love, become Dual Cultivation partners, how is that any different from before?"
Tang Shen looked up at her but said nothing.
Mo Tiange looked at this young master Tang who had never known hardship and said: "I will not engage in Dual Cultivation for such a reason. On the path to immortality, I will walk step by step on my own."
Her tone was so resolute. Disappointment flashed in Tang Shen's eyes, but he didn't want to give up: "Fellow Daoist Ye, if you engage in Dual Cultivation with me, your cultivation advancement will be faster."
Mo Tiange smiled slightly: "Fellow Daoist Tang, you are not a woman, after all. Perhaps cultivators always put benefits first, but for a woman, being bound to someone she doesn't love is truly a form of torture."
"..."
"Of course, it's not that there's anything wrong with you, Fellow Daoist Tang." Seeing his deeply hurt expression, Mo Tiange still wore a slight smile, a flicker in her gaze. "But matters of the heart are like this. I am a cultivator, but I am also a woman. Perhaps some women can abandon their original principles for the sake of cultivation, but I am not among them. I have my own pride, so there are some things I will insist on to the end."
"..." Tang Shen's lips moved a couple of times, but no words came out.
Mo Tiange then smiled: "Wasn't that originally your stance as well, Fellow Daoist Tang? Don't let your great-great-grandmother's death blind you. For the Great Dao of cultivation, Dual Cultivation is ultimately a side path. If your goal is also to attain the Great Dao, it's better to hold fast to your original heart, quietly guard your inner field. What you gain that way will surely be greater."