Mo Tiange was somewhat afraid of this Second Uncle she had never met before. Not only did she not address him properly, but her expression was clearly guarded.
But Ye Jiang didn't mind. He was already old in years. In the past, he had married and had children, but the living bloodline was now several generations removed and consisted of mortals, so they ultimately had no kinship ties with him. However, his relationship with his eldest brother had always been very good. Now, seeing Mo Tiange and confirming that she was indeed of the Ye family's bloodline, he felt extremely moved.
After Ye Jingwen left, Ye Jiang asked Mo Tiange in detail about her life in the mortal world. Then, with great enthusiasm, he began teaching her about immortal cultivation matters and picked out many strange and wonderful things to give her.
During the few days following Ye Jingwen, Mo Tiange had often seen him pull strange objects from his robes—sometimes even flying swords—yet when he put them away, they completely disappeared. Ye Jingwen had said it was actually because he kept a Qiankun Bag inside his robes, and the items were all taken from there. This had made her envious.
Now, this Second Uncle gave her one. The Qiankun Bag looked like a leather pouch, made of tan-yellow fur that felt smooth and sleek to the touch. She didn't know what material it was made from. The opening was rimmed with snowy white, making it look quite exquisite.
Following her Second Uncle's instructions, Mo Tiange channeled a little Spiritual Qi into it. Sure enough, her hand slipped smoothly into the bag's opening. Feeling inside, it was empty, yet the space within was surprisingly vast.
Ye Jiang watched her with a smile.
There was also a bottle. When she pulled out the stopper, rich Spiritual Qi immediately rushed toward her face. She hurriedly plugged it back in, then placed the various items into her newly acquired Qiankun Bag. She looked up at Ye Jiang somewhat sheepishly and called out softly, "Second Uncle."
Ye Jiang smiled and patted her head. "No need to be so reserved. I am your Second Uncle, that's the absolute truth."
Mo Tiange gave an "Mm" in response, but still felt a bit distant.
Ye Jiang didn't force the issue. He asked gently, "Tian Ge, how did Ye Jingwen treat you along the way?"
Mo Tiange thought for a moment before replying, "Brother Ye was very good to me."
"Oh... Then, do you want to go back to the Xuanqing Sect with him?"
"This..." Mo Tiange hesitated, uncertain.
Ye Jiang said, "I imagine you don't really understand. Let me explain it to you in detail. If you join a sect, especially a major one like the Xuanqing Sect, there are many benefits. Not only do you receive Spirit Stones, pills, and other resources every month, but if you find a good master, it greatly aids your cultivation progress. And most importantly, with the Xuanqing Sect's reputation, it's like finding shade under a big tree."
He paused, then sighed. "Of course, there are drawbacks too. First, within major sects, high-level cultivators have their own factions, and low-level cultivators form their own small cliques, making it difficult to get along. Second, sect rules are strict, offering much less freedom compared to being a loose cultivator. Third, you possess a Pure Yin Constitution. I worry they already have plans for you..."
This notion of 'already having plans,' Mo Tiange understood clearly. It was like her ancestor who had passed down her cultivation technique—before she even knew what was happening, her future had been decided by others.
She then heard Ye Jiang continue, "Although your father's final words mentioned that Perfected Lord Shoujing made a Heart Demon Oath, this matter doesn't necessarily violate that oath. Besides, Ye Jingwen was so enthusiastic. I can't help but feel their aims go beyond just that."
Mo Tiange hesitated for a long time before saying, "Second Uncle, I'll do as you say. I... have no objections." If she had to choose between Ye Jingwen and her Second Uncle, she trusted her Second Uncle a bit more. After all, she had no real relationship with Ye Jingwen.
Ye Jiang pondered for a long while before reaching a decision. He instructed, "Tian Ge, you wait here in the Cave Abode for a bit. Second Uncle will go and come right back."
"Mm." Mo Tiange was actually glad to be alone. She still felt somewhat uncomfortable around this unfamiliar Second Uncle.
Ye Jiang took out several jade slips from his robes. "If you get bored, you can pass the time with these. I've set up formations in this Cave Abode, so be careful. If you accidentally enter one, don't move. Just wait for me to return."
"Understood." Mo Tiange took the jade slips.
After giving his instructions, Ye Jiang got up and left the Cave Abode.
Mo Tiange watched his figure disappear, then looked down at the jade slips in her hand. Her spiritual sense was still very weak; she could only read the contents by pressing a jade slip against her forehead.
Among these jade slips, some contained insights, others cultivation techniques. After looking through them one by one, Mo Tiange found herself drawn to one in particular.
The title of this jade slip was very simple, just four characters: The Way of Formations. It began: Heaven and Earth, Yin and Yang, the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams. To comprehend formations, one must first comprehend their meaning. It then detailed the concepts of Yin-Yang, the Five Elements, and the Eight Trigrams. To practice formations, one must first master the application of Yin-Yang, the Five Elements, and the Eight Trigrams.
Mo Tiange became engrossed. Although most Daoist cultivation techniques shared common principles, and the Plain Maiden Art she cultivated also discussed Yin-Yang, the Five Elements, and the Eight Trigrams, none delved as deeply. Moreover, the latter part listed several simple formations, making her marvel at their wonder.
She didn't know how much time had passed when the Cave Abode suddenly opened. Ye Jiang walked in, his face ashen.
Mo Tiange looked up, but before she could address him, Ye Jiang had already come over and grabbed her hand. "Tian Ge, we need to leave. Quickly."
"Huh?" She was stunned. "Second Uncle, what's wrong?"
Ye Jiang sneered coldly. "Fortunately, I was extra cautious and secretly went to listen to what they were saying. That Zheng Xuan asked Ye Jingwen what was really going on. Although Ye Jingwen didn't spell it out, he definitely wants you to join the Xuanqing Sect—it's Perfected Lord Shoujing's intention. Hmph, they clearly have designs on you."
Hearing this, Mo Tiange fell silent. Ye Jingwen had taken such good care of her along the journey. Could he also be harboring ill intentions?
Ye Jiang added, "Tian Ge, pack your things quickly. We're leaving immediately."
She didn't have much to begin with, so she only asked, "Second Uncle, where are we going?"
Ye Jiang paused, then sighed. "Kunwu is so vast. We'll head east. They shouldn't be able to find us for a while. It's just hard on you, so young and having to wander around with your Second Uncle."
Mo Tiange shook her head. She knew perfectly well that if not for her, her Second Uncle had nothing others would covet. It was because of her that he was forced to leave. Thinking of this, she felt a greater closeness to this Second Uncle. After all, he was her family. Others might not take her seriously, but her Second Uncle was still thinking of her.
The uncle and niece quickly packed their belongings. Ye Jiang also retrieved the formation he had set up at the Cave Abode entrance. Without even bothering to get a refund for the extra rent, the two quietly left Dongmeng Mountain.
Mo Tiange looked down at Dongmeng Mountain, with cultivators coming and going beneath her feet. She clenched her fist and finally followed her Second Uncle away.
Perhaps it was the innate connection of shared blood, but she was more willing to trust her Second Uncle. She had never hated herself as much as she did now. If not for this constitution, they wouldn't have to flee in such haste. Her Second Uncle could have joined the Xuanqing Sect, cultivated properly, and might even have had a chance at Core Formation. But now, her Second Uncle had become a loose cultivator and had to take her fleeing from West Kunwu. Perhaps he would never be able to advance again in his lifetime.
She secretly swore in her heart: One day, she would achieve Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, and even form a Nascent Soul like her ancestor. Then, she wouldn't need anyone to sacrifice for her, nor would she fear the covetous eyes of others. That was what immortal cultivation meant to her.
Volume Two: The Vast Immortal Path
A Qi Refining minor cultivator, struggling in the world of immortal cultivation~