Concerned for the two Foundation Establishment disciples, Qin Xi and Mo Tiange took seven days to return to the Xuanqing Sect.
As they neared Taikang Mountain, even before entering the mountain-protecting formation, Mo Tiange saw from afar the figures of several Dao Lords and dozens of Core Formation Perfected Ones hovering in mid-air.
She glanced at Qin Xi with suspicion. "What's all this about?"
Qin Xi also didn't understand what was happening, but then he saw Wu De and Li Yang grinning as they answered, "Of course, they're here to welcome Shoujing Shizu!"
"Ah?" Both of them were stunned. To have several Dao Lords and dozens of Core Formation cultivators come out to welcome him just for forming his Nascent Soul? And led by the Head Supreme Elder, Dao Lord Zhenyang himself! This was too grand a reception. Even when Master returned to the mountain, he never received such a grand welcome!
While they were still in shock, Dao Lord Zhenyang had already led the massive crowd forward to greet them. From a distance, he called out with a beaming smile, "Shoujing, you've finally returned!"
Qin Xi snapped back to attention and respectfully bowed to Dao Lord Zhenyang. "Uncle-Master Zhenyang." He then greeted the other Dao Lords. "Honored Uncles."
Dao Lord Zhenyang chuckled heartily. "No need for such formalities, no need! Today is the last time you'll call us Uncle-Masters. From now on, you'll have to address us as Senior Brothers and Sisters!"
Qin Xi smiled and didn't stand on ceremony further. Having formed his Nascent Soul, he naturally now ranked among the Grand Elders. Henceforth, he would be Dao Lord Shoujing, and his forms of address would indeed change accordingly.
After he finished his greetings, the Core Formation cultivators on the other side also bowed in unison. "Greetings, Uncle-Master Shoujing." The simultaneous bow from dozens of Core Formation cultivators was truly an impressive sight.
Mo Tiange was momentarily overwhelmed by the scene before her. Not long ago, she would have had to address these people as Uncles and Aunts. In the blink of an eye, she now had to call Qin Xi 'Uncle-Master'. Although she herself wouldn't be addressed as such, as Qin Xi's wife, she would still be regarded as a senior.
Of course, the fact that she and Qin Xi had become cultivation partners would only be made public after informing her master.
Qin Xi, however, remained composed, still wearing a faint smile as he addressed the crowd. "Fellow disciples, there's no need for such courtesy." After speaking, he turned to Dao Lord Zhenyang. "Uncle-Master Zhenyang, this disciple has been out of contact for ten years, causing worry among my teachers. Today, upon returning to the mountain, I have troubled everyone to come and welcome me. I am truly ashamed."
Dao Lord Zhenyang laughed. "What shame is there? You were trapped in a perilous place like Tianmo Mountain for ten years, not only managing to escape in the end but also forming your Nascent Soul, greatly boosting the prestige of our Xuanqing Sect. Welcoming you today is only right and proper!"
"..." Qin Xi was momentarily speechless. He had always been low-key and wasn't particularly skilled at social interactions. Dao Lord Zhenyang's overly serious manner, while showing his regard, also made Qin Xi feel quite uncomfortable.
Dao Lord Miaoyi noticed his discomfort and said to Dao Lord Zhenyang with a smile, "Senior Brother Zhenyang, Shoujing has just returned from his journey and is probably tired. Perhaps we should let him rest first and discuss matters later."
"Oh, right!" Dao Lord Zhenyang patted his head, still beaming. "Shoujing, you two should go back to Clear Spring Peak to rest first and see your master. Junior Brother Jinghe will surely be very happy to see you back."
Dao Lord Zhenyang was usually steady and dignified, but today, his behavior showed he was utterly overjoyed.
Mo Tiange found it secretly amusing. The real point wasn't just Qin Xi forming his Nascent Soul, but that the timing of his breakthrough was perfect.
Although the Xuanqing Sect had fewer Nascent Soul Cultivators than the Tiandao Sect, it had the advantage of having more younger ones with greater potential. However, it had always been slightly outnumbered by the Tiandao Sect, and thus its overall strength was inferior. Coincidentally, during the last opening of Tianmo Mountain, the Tiandao Sect had lost a Nascent Soul Cultivator, causing its prestige to decline. Qin Xi forming his Nascent Soul at this time not only greatly boosted the Xuanqing Sect's prestige but also finally allowed the number of the Xuanqing Sect's Nascent Soul Cultivators to catch up with the Tiandao Sect. Given this, everyone would calculate that in another century or two, if the Tiandao Sect lost one or two more Nascent Soul Cultivators, the Xuanqing Sect would rightfully become the First Sect of Tianji!
Being the First Sect of Tianji wasn't just an empty title; the benefits were obvious. First was its appeal to cultivators. Drawn by the reputation of being the top sect in Tianji, many cultivators would flock to them, allowing them to select the best disciples. With the best disciples, their development potential would surpass other sects, ensuring the sect's prosperity for generations to come.
Dao Lord Zhenyang, as the Head Supreme Elder of the Xuanqing Sect, had lived for over a thousand years and had devoted centuries to sect affairs. To see that during his tenure, the Xuanqing Sect had the hope of becoming the First Sect of Tianji—how could he not be overjoyed?
After offering a few more words of encouragement, even Wu De and Li Yang, who had returned with them, received praise from the Head Supreme Elder, leaving them so excited they were nearly dizzy.
The two of them felt quite helpless. It took quite a while before they finally managed to extricate themselves and head back to Clear Spring Peak.
Upon arriving at Clear Spring Peak, they were greeted again by several senior brothers and sisters along with their respective disciples. After spending some time chatting, they were finally allowed to proceed to the Upper Purity Palace.
"Greetings, Shoujing Shizu, Qingwei Shishu." As soon as they stepped into the Upper Purity Palace, maidservants came forward to welcome them.
Mo Tiange swept her gaze around. Dao Lord Jinghe was actually not in the main hall!
"Where is your Shizu?" Qin Xi asked immediately.
Mo Mei, representing the other maidservants, bowed and replied, "Shizu is in the Seclusion Chamber."
Dao Lord Jinghe's own cultivation was extremely high, and he usually wasn't afraid of being disturbed during his daily cultivation, so he often practiced directly in the main hall. But now, as he was in seclusion due to severe injuries, he naturally had to go to the Seclusion Chamber.
Qin Xi nodded upon hearing this. "Understood. You may go."
"Yes." The maidservants bowed respectfully once more before going about their duties.
Qin Xi looked back at Mo Tiange. "It seems Master's injuries are truly severe if he's in the Seclusion Chamber."
Mo Tiange nodded silently. Since she had entered the sect, she had never seen Dao Lord Jinghe enter the Seclusion Chamber. Even when he said he needed to cultivate recently, he would just set up a restriction in the main hall. She had only heard of that Seclusion Chamber but had never been there.
"Let's go see him first. I hope Master is alright." Qin Xi sighed softly and led Mo Tiange out of the main hall. After winding through several corridors, they finally stopped before an unremarkable stone chamber.
Looking at this stone chamber, Mo Tiange thought, *This is truly the cultivation abode of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.* It had no superfluous decorations and was layered with restrictions. Unfortunately, Dao Lord Jinghe had had very few opportunities to use it.
Standing before the stone chamber, Qin Xi sighed again. "The last time Master entered the Seclusion Chamber was when I first entered the sect. At that time, Master hadn't yet reached the peak of the mid-Nascent Soul stage and would often go into seclusion. Later, after cultivating to the peak of the mid-Nascent Soul stage and lacking opportunities for further advancement, he cultivated less, trying to achieve a breakthrough in his state of mind. Who would have thought that the next time he would use the Seclusion Chamber would be under such circumstances."
After speaking, he clasped his hands together and swiftly formed a series of hand seals, striking them onto the door of the stone chamber.
The stone chamber trembled slightly. After a moment, a voice came from within. "Is that you, Xi'er?" The voice actually carried a hint of age!
Mo Tiange and Qin Xi exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.
Qin Xi responded, "Yes, Master. Tian Ge and I have returned."
After his words fell, there was another pause before the stone door rumbled open slowly.
As the stone door moved aside, they saw Dao Lord Jinghe sitting on the stone bed inside the chamber. He still wore a golden crown and magnificent robes, still exuding an imposing nobility, but his once raven-black hair had turned completely white!
"Master!" they both called out in unison, trembling as they stepped forward and knelt together before the stone bed, looking up at Dao Lord Jinghe in this state.
It wasn't just his hair that had turned white. His eyebrows and beard had also lost their color. Fine wrinkles had appeared at the corners of his eyes and on his forehead, and the muscles at the corners of his mouth had softened.
Originally, Dao Lord Jinghe's appearance seemed to be that of a man in his late thirties or early forties. Now, he looked to be in his fifties! What kind of injury could have aged him so much in just ten years?!
"Master, why have you..." Mo Tiange couldn't finish her sentence. Although this master of hers always loved to tease her, she knew in her heart how good he was to her. In this lifetime, apart from her deceased mother and Second Uncle, no one had ever doted on her as he did. Seeing her master like this, she felt as if her heart were being squeezed, filled with anguish.
Dao Lord Jinghe lifted his gaze, sweeping over the two disciples kneeling before him, and actually smiled faintly. "Don't worry. Your master isn't going to die."
After saying this, his gaze settled on Qin Xi, revealing a gratified smile. "Xi'er, you've finally formed your Nascent Soul."
Qin Xi looked up, tightly grasping Dao Lord Jinghe's hand, his voice hoarse. "Master, how are your injuries really? Tell us what can be done, what elixirs are needed. We will definitely obtain them for you."
"Yes!" Mo Tiange remembered that if her master's injuries could be healed with elixirs, she certainly wasn't lacking in resources. "Master, tell us. Whatever elixirs are needed, as long as there's hope."
"Ah!" Dao Lord Jinghe sighed softly and reached out to pat her head, as if still treating her like a child. "You don't need to do this. If I needed any elixirs, do you think your Uncle-Master Zhenyang wouldn't get them for me? Although your master is severely injured, I'm fine for now. We can discuss this matter later. Instead, do you two have anything to tell me?"
Hearing this, Qin Xi's eyes reddened. Taking Mo Tiange's hand, he said solemnly, "Master, for the past ten years, Tian Ge and I were trapped in Tianmo Mountain, by luck surviving. I have formed my Nascent Soul and have also taken Tian Ge as my wife. At the time, I was unable to report this to you. I hope you can forgive me."
Dao Lord Jinghe smiled—a gentle, benevolent smile unlike any he had shown before. Looking at these two disciples, arguably the ones he doted on most, he said softly, "That you two have become husband and wife is something I'm overjoyed about. There's no need to ask for forgiveness."
He looked at Qin Xi and asked, "Xi'er, since you've formed your Nascent Soul and have dual cultivated with Tian Ge, I assume the knots in your heart have been untied and your inner demons dispelled, is that right?"
Qin Xi replied in a low voice, "Yes. Previously, this disciple stubbornly refused to heed your advice, causing you worry."
Dao Lord Jinghe nodded with a smile. "It's good that you understand." He then turned to Mo Tiange. "Tian Ge, what about you? Do you still have any lingering worries or obsessions in your heart now?"
"No," Mo Tiange answered softly. "Master, rest assured. Senior Brother and I have been completely open with each other. Those misunderstandings and obsessions no longer exist."
"That's good." Dao Lord Jinghe paused for a moment before saying, "You two were missing for ten years. I always believed you would return. Today, you have finally lived up to my expectations."
Mo Tiange and Qin Xi both felt a tremor in their hearts.
Dao Lord Jinghe sighed again. "You two... Forget it. It's good that you're back. Since you are now husband and wife, go and cultivate well. Your master will continue his seclusion. If you have nothing urgent, there's no need to disturb me. I still want to recover from my injuries as soon as possible and attempt to break through to the late Nascent Soul stage!"