What Dao Lord Zhenyang said was merely speculation. As for the truth, with the Immortal Palace now collapsed, there was no way to verify it. Seeing Tian Ge looking troubled, Qin Xi said, "Don't think too much about it. At the time, we had no other choice. Who could have known something like this would happen?"
Tian Ge shook her head. "I know. I'm not that pedantic. It's just... thinking that the Great Upheaval of Heaven and Earth, the displacement of the continent, and so many people's fates being altered might have been caused by an unintentional action of ours... it's just a bit overwhelming."
If Dao Lord Zhenyang's guess was correct, then it was when their group used the Xuanxu Cloud-Connecting Formation to tear through space that they inadvertently triggered something, leading to the destruction of the Immortal Palace, the collapse of its restrictions, and finally the disappearance of that space. And this space was connected to some unknown law, which ultimately caused this Great Upheaval of Heaven and Earth.
This speculation had no real basis, yet the chain of events felt so logical it seemed inevitable.
Mo Tiange sighed inwardly and stopped dwelling on it. The situation was already set; further thought was pointless.
After meeting with Dao Lord Zhenyang, Mo Tiange and Qin Xi set off once more, returning to the Xuanqing Sect.
Dao Lord Zhenyang's opinion aligned with those of Dao Lord Xuanyin and Daojun Miaoyi. The Xuanqing Sect already had three Nascent Soul cultivators deployed for battle; there was no need for the two of them to remain. Besides, Mo Tiange had just advanced to Nascent Soul and had lost all her magic treasures. This was precisely the time for her to go into seclusion to stabilize her realm.
Two days later, the two finally saw the mountain gates of the Xuanqing Sect.
The vast Taikang Mountains, its six peaks clustered together, imposing and majestic. A boundless sea of clouds churned and swirled. Everything was just as it had been when they left.
The difference was that now, the Taikang Mountains' protective grand formation was almost fully activated, with only one or two exits left open. Patrol disciples were several times more numerous than usual, the atmosphere tense and heavily guarded.
Before the patrol disciples could even react to their presence, a streak of light soared from the direction of Lingyin Peak, speeding towards them.
"Shoujing, Qingwei!" The newcomer was none other than Daojun Hua Yan.
"Senior Brother Hua Yan," the two greeted in unison.
Daojun Hua Yan nodded with a smile, stepping forward to meet them. "Senior Brother Zhenyang already sent word back. I didn't expect you to return so quickly. How have you been all these years?"
Qin Xi replied, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Hua Yan. We were quite fortunate and fared well."
"That's good. Come, let's go inside first." Signaling for the patrol disciples to resume their duties, Daojun Hua Yan led the two down to Qingquan Peak.
Before they even reached Qingquan Peak, they saw nearly a hundred Foundation Establishment disciples standing in neat rows on the peak, led by several Core Formation cultivators, eagerly looking up and waiting.
Seeing them approach, these Foundation Establishment disciples chorused, "We respectfully welcome Ancestor Shoujing and Ancestor Qingwei back to the mountain!"
Mo Tiange was startled and turned to look at Daojun Hua Yan. "Senior Brother Hua Yan, this is..."
Daojun Hua Yan smiled. "These are extraordinary times. We can only keep things simple. Please don't mind."
*This* was simple? Mo Tiange thought to herself. If this wasn't simple, what would a grand welcome look like? Then again, from the sect's perspective, this truly wasn't extravagant. They hadn't summoned Qi Refining disciples. These Foundation Establishment disciples and Core Formation cultivators only belonged to Qingquan Peak. It couldn't compare to the last time Qin Xi returned after forming his Nascent Soul.
"We respectfully welcome Uncle-Master Shoujing and Uncle-Master Qingwei back to the mountain!"
As soon as they landed, the Core Formation cultivators, led by Perfected One Mingzhen, stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Senior Brothers and Sisters, there's no need for such formality." Qin Xi flicked his sleeve, using his spiritual power to gently lift them up.
The Core Formation cultivators of Qingquan Peak were all direct disciples of Dao Lord Jinghe and were much older than him. He was accustomed to addressing them as senior brothers and sisters, even after forming his Nascent Soul.
Mingzhen, however, dared not presume. He said respectfully, "Uncle-Master Shoujing has already formed his Nascent Soul. How can you still address us as such? Please, Uncle-Master, refrain from using 'senior brother and sister' in the future."
"..." Qin Xi smiled helplessly. This Senior Brother Mingzhen was excellent in all aspects, just a bit too rigid. Ever since Qin Xi formed his Nascent Soul, every time they met and he used the old address, Mingzhen would correct him.
Fortunately, apart from Mingzhen, people like Suxin, Changkong, and Qingyuan were more casual and each stepped forward to offer their greetings.
"Chongyun pays his respects to Uncle-Master Shoujing and Uncle-Master Qingwei!"
The last Core Formation cultivator to step forward made Mo Tiange pause for a moment before delight washed over her. "Brother Ye!"
This person was precisely Ye Jingwen. After more than eighty years apart, he had successfully formed his Golden Core.
Ye Jingwen looked up with a smile. "I dare not accept such an address. Uncle-Master is now a Nascent Soul cultivator; this form of address must also change. My master bestowed upon me the Daoist name Chongyun. Please, Uncle-Master, call me by my Daoist name from now on."
In front of everyone, Mo Tiange suppressed her excitement and also smiled. "It's been many years since I returned. Seeing an old friend suddenly, I got a bit carried away."
After all the Core Formation cultivators of Qingquan Peak had paid their respects, Qin Xi turned and asked, "Senior Brother Hua Yan, is my master in the Shangqing Palace? Shall we go pay our respects now?"
Daojun Hua Yan, however, said, "Senior Brother Jinghe is currently in seclusion. You'll probably have to wait a few days to see him."
"Seclusion?" Qin Xi was taken aback, and Mo Tiange also grew tense. "My master, he..."
"Don't think the worst," Daojun Hua Yan said with a smile, waving his hand. "Senior Brother Jinghe is just in seclusion cultivating a secret technique. There's no other reason."
"Ah." The two of them breathed a sigh of relief. They were used to their master's carefree, lazy demeanor, idling away in the Shangqing Palace flirting with his maidservants. Hearing he was in seclusion suddenly reminded them of the time he was injured.
"You two have just returned. You must be tired. Why not go rest first?" Daojun Hua Yan suggested. "Once you've settled in, I, your senior brother, will come visit and catch up with you."
Qin Xi nodded. "We'll trouble you then, Senior Brother."
Daojun Hua Yan smiled, cupped his hands in salute, summoned his flying treasure, and returned to Lingyin Peak.
Once Daojun Hua Yan left, Qin Xi instructed Mingzhen to dismiss the disciples.
Just as the two were about to head back to their cave abode, a Foundation Establishment female cultivator from among the disciples stepped forward. "I pay my respects to the two Ancestors."
Mo Tiange looked closely and exclaimed in surprise, "Linbo?"
"Yes." This woman, gentle in demeanor and dignified in bearing, was precisely Shui Linbo. She looked up with a graceful smile. "Upon hearing news of the two Ancestors, Linbo and Zhenji have already tidied up the cave abode. We respectfully welcome the Ancestors' return."
"Oh? Where's Zhenji?"
Shui Linbo smiled. "Zhenji... ever since he learned the two Ancestors were returning, he's been so excited he couldn't sit still for two days. So I had him wait at the cave abode to avoid any impropriety in front of others."
Mo Tiange glanced at Qin Xi. They both felt a mix of helplessness and amusement.
"In that case, let's return now, so he doesn't have to wait long."
"Yes."
The three of them returned to the mountain where their cave abode was located. As soon as the stone door opened, someone rushed out hurriedly. Seeing the two of them, he stopped, then suddenly knelt down. "Zhenji kowtows to Master, to Aunt."
"Zhenji!" Mo Tiange stepped forward and pulled him up. After decades apart, Ye Zhenji still looked the same. His cultivation had advanced; he was now at Foundation Establishment perfection. The childishness in his features had lessened, replaced by a steadier air.
"Aunt..." Looking at her, the corners of Ye Zhenji's eyes grew slightly moist. "You're finally back. You're both finally back..."
After so many years apart, Mo Tiange was also deeply moved. Having wandered outside for so long, everything about the Xuanqing Sect filled her with nostalgia, let alone Zhenji, who was her family.
"Aunt, are you well? You were gone for so long. I was constantly worried. Thankfully, Ancestor said your life lamps were fine..." Wiping the corner of his eye, Ye Zhenji laughed again. "Right, I'm so foolish. You're back safe and sound now, so of course everything is fine."
"Zhenji, the two Ancestors have traveled a long way. Let's go inside first to talk."
Reminded by Shui Linbo's words, Ye Zhenji came to his senses and patted his own head. "Right! I am foolish! Master, Aunt, come in and let's talk."
Entering the cave abode, Mo Tiange looked around. Indeed, the interior was neat and orderly, not a thing out of place. Presumably, the two of them had been diligently maintaining it.
As Mo Tiange surveyed the cave abode, she picked up the spirit tea Shui Linbo offered and took a small sip, then glanced at Shui Linbo with some surprise.
Shui Linbo smiled. "Zhenji said Ancestor Qingwei likes this type of spirit tea. I hope it suits your taste?"
Mo Tiange nodded. "You've been thoughtful."
Shui Linbo seemed to let out a sigh of relief. She bowed slightly and retreated.
Ye Zhenji was about to say something, but seeing the slight weariness on their faces, he swallowed his words and said instead, "Aunt, Master, you've just returned. You must be tired. I won't disturb you further. Please rest first. If you need anything, just summon us."
"Mm." Qin Xi patted his shoulder reassuringly. "You've worked hard all these years. You go rest too. Your master and aunt are back now. We have plenty of time to catch up."
"Yes."
After Ye Zhenji left, Mo Tiange watched his retreating back, waved her hand, and set up a soundproof barrier.
"What is it?" Qin Xi asked.
"I forgot to ask you before. Did you keep Shui Linbo here deliberately to train her to handle affairs?"
Hearing this, Qin Xi smiled and set down his teacup. "What else? With her aptitude, would I take her as a disciple?"
Mo Tiange nodded thoughtfully. "So that's it. Although Linbo's aptitude is poor, her character is steady. The two of us only have Zhenji as a disciple, and Zhenji's personality is a bit too simple."
"Exactly. As our cultivation rises, some matters become inconvenient for us to handle personally. We need disciples to represent us. As for Zhenji... I don't have high hopes. If not for you, I wouldn't have taken him as a disciple. That child's personality is best suited for pure cultivation. If we were to select a disciple from among the sect members, I'd find it troublesome. And Linbo has an extraordinary relationship with Zhenji; we can't avoid her anyway. It's better to simply keep her here to handle affairs on our behalf. That way, we can focus on cultivation in the future and leave the miscellaneous tasks to her."
"But," Mo Tiange frowned slightly, "I see her determination towards the Dao is quite firm. Wouldn't this hold her back too much?"
Qin Xi laughed. "What 'hold her back'? Many disciples would beg for such an opportunity. With her aptitude, if we don't assist her, does she have any chance of forming her Core?"
Mo Tiange thought for a moment and shook her head. For a Five Spiritual Roots cultivator to form a Core wasn't a matter of one in ten thousand; it was far rarer.
"Precisely. She handles affairs for us, and we assist her in forming her Core. It's not unfair to her."