Although displeased, Fairy Fengqing maintained a calm expression on her face. "Fellow Daoists, have you come to take over the Bixuan Pavilion?"
Mo Tiange frowned slightly. Take over? According to the rules of the Immortal Alliance, the Bixuan Pavilion belonged to the alliance, but the alliance did not interfere in the internal affairs of individual sects. They had been sent here to guard the East Sea and prevent demonic cultivators, which had nothing to do with taking over.
Was Fairy Fengqing truly unaware she had spoken incorrectly, or was she simply accustomed to acting arrogantly within the Tiandao Sect, casually mentioning a takeover?
Qin Xi said, "We have been ordered by the Immortal Alliance to come and hold the line at the East Sea, to block the demonic cultivators."
Fairy Fengqing nodded. "The three of you, follow me."
With that, she took the lead and flew toward the Bixuan Pavilion.
Handing the Flying Side Treasure Ship over to Kuang Zhu, the three of them followed closely behind Fairy Fengqing and landed outside the Bixuan Pavilion's mountain gate.
As soon as they landed, a female cultivator stepped forward. "Greetings, Seniors. Greetings, Elder Ye."
The title 'Elder Ye' was directed at Mo Tiange. Mo Tiange looked at the person before her, puzzled. "You recognize me?"
This female cultivator appeared to be in her twenties, at the Foundation Establishment level. She wasn't exceptionally beautiful, but her aura was sharp, clearly indicating a formidable personality.
However, in their presence, she was respectful and did not dare to be the slightest bit impolite.
She said, "This junior is Ying Jinyi, currently the Sect Leader of the Bixuan Pavilion. I have seen a portrait of Elder Ye before. Having heard earlier that Elder Ye would be coming, I recognized you immediately upon seeing you."
"Sect Leader?" Mo Tiange narrowed her eyes. "What about Wei Haolan?"
"Sect Leader Wei passed away in meditation ten years ago."
Mo Tiange was stunned. "Passed away..."
She remembered that when she first came to the Bixuan Pavilion, Wei Haolan was only around a hundred years old. Although she had suffered severe injuries later and could never advance in cultivation for the rest of her life, she should have had another two hundred years to live... Right, when she first came to the Bixuan Pavilion, she herself was only in her thirties. Over a hundred and fifty years had passed since then. If Wei Haolan was unlucky and her old injuries flared up, it wouldn't be strange for her to pass away.
Ah, what a pity. If Wei Haolan were still alive, with the methods of a Nascent Soul cultivator, perhaps her physical injuries could have been repaired. Even if she couldn't advance, she could have lived a few more years.
Afterward, Ying Jinyi invited their group into the main hall of the sect leader. Mo Tiange didn't ask any more questions for the moment. It wouldn't be too late to find Ying Jinyi after matters were settled.
Fairy Fengqing very naturally took the seat of honor and accepted the tea offered by the Bixuan Pavilion Sect Leader's maid.
Mo Tiange's eyelid twitched slightly, but she concealed it well. Qin Xi merely glanced at the plaque hanging above that read 'Bishui Hall' and a faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Feng Ning paid no attention at all, not even lifting an eyelid—partly because she didn't care, and partly because she didn't think much of Fairy Fengqing.
"Please sit, Fellow Daoists," Fairy Fengqing said indifferently.
"Then we won't stand on ceremony," Qin Xi replied equally indifferently. The three of them sat down together.
Mo Tiange took the opportunity while drinking tea to secretly shift her gaze toward Ying Jinyi, who was standing to the side. Ying Jinyi noticed, glanced at Fairy Fengqing, and then gave Mo Tiange a helpless look.
Mo Tiange smiled slightly. This Ying Jinyi was truly clever. Originally, this was their first meeting, and their relationship couldn't compare to that with Wei Haolan. Yet, with this small gesture, it was as if they were sharing a little secret not meant for outsiders, instantly bringing them closer.
"Since you're here, I'll leave the matters of the Bixuan Pavilion to you. I'll return to the Tiandao Sect tomorrow," Fairy Fengqing said with a cold expression, showing no intention of explaining anything in detail to them.
Qin Xi's lips curled slightly. "Does Fellow Daoist Fengqing have nothing to hand over?"
"No need. Everything is here." Fairy Fengqing flipped her hand and tossed out a jade slip.
Qin Xi caught it and said, "In that case, we won't disturb Fellow Daoist Fengqing any further." He then turned to Ying Jinyi. "Miss, where shall we rest?"
Feng Qing was taken aback. She hadn't expected Qin Xi to be so straightforward. She had thought they would pester her with many questions...
Ying Jinyi immediately understood and quickly bowed. "Seniors, please follow me." She then bowed to Fairy Fengqing, turned, and led the three of them away from the main hall, leaving Fairy Fengqing alone, sitting on the sect leader's seat with a displeased expression.
Mo Tiange looked around. The Bixuan Pavilion's mountain gate and steps were severely damaged, and there were dried bloodstains all around. It seemed the recent battle had been quite fierce.
Along the way, disciples who saw them hurriedly bowed in greeting. Before Fairy Fengqing, they had never seen a Nascent Soul cultivator. Now, seeing three Nascent Soul cultivators together, they were so excited they couldn't even speak.
Seeing this, Ying Jinyi smiled apologetically. "Please forgive our disciples, Seniors. Our humble sect's disciples lack experience."
Mo Tiange waved her hand, indicating she didn't mind, and asked, "How many Core Formation cultivators does the sect have now?"
Hearing this question, Ying Jinyi showed a proud expression. "In reply to Elder Ye, the sect currently has four Core Formation Elders. The highest in cultivation, Elder Tang, has already reached the peak of the mid-stage."
Mo Tiange nodded. "To have four more Core Formation cultivators in just over a hundred years is quite remarkable."
Receiving praise, Ying Jinyi's face lit up with a smile. "It's all thanks to Elder Ye. If Elder Ye hadn't sent so many pills, the Elders wouldn't have advanced so quickly."
Mo Tiange merely smiled and asked, "Who is this Elder Tang you mentioned?"
"It's Elder Tang Shen. He is actually an old acquaintance of Elder Ye," Ying Jinyi promptly answered.
"So it's Tang Shen..." Mo Tiange was somewhat surprised. Tang Shen's aptitude was good, but his personality was too weak. The likelihood of him forming his Core wasn't very high. She hadn't expected him to become the highest-level cultivator in the Bixuan Pavilion. It seemed he had made great progress over the years.
The four of them soon arrived at an exquisite garden courtyard. Ying Jinyi bowed. "Seniors, please."
The three entered and found the garden elegant, with flowers everywhere and beautifully crafted walls and houses. Within the garden were several small courtyards, spaced neither too far nor too close apart—convenient for communication yet not infringing on privacy—a very clever design.
Feng Ning swept a glance and pointed at the small building by the water. "I'll stay there."
Ying Jinyi immediately called over two maids. "Take Senior Feng over there."
The two maids bowed. "Yes."
Just as Feng Ning was about to turn and leave, Qin Xi's voice sounded from behind her. "Miss Feng."
Feng Ning turned back, her gaze cool. "What is it?"
Qin Xi raised the jade slip in his hand. "Aren't you going to look at it?"
"You can look at it first and then give it to me later," Feng Ning said, then turned and left.
Watching her enter that small building, Mo Tiange said curiously, "This Miss Feng is really a bit unusual."
Qin Xi, however, said, "She's just not interested in this matter. Especially... she might even hold a bit of a grudge against me."
"What grudge?" Mo Tiange looked at him. "Didn't you say you've only met her a few times? Could there be some entanglement between you?"
"...What entanglement could there be?" Qin Xi said calmly. "She's very arrogant, but her cultivation is inferior to mine, so she doesn't like to acknowledge me when we meet."
Mo Tiange looked at him and smiled. "So there are times when you're not favored by women?"
Qin Xi laughed. "I'm not universally charming. Naturally, some people like me, some don't."
"I'd believe that when pigs fly," Mo Tiange said with a smile, giving him a sidelong glance before turning to Ying Jinyi. "Come inside with us."
Jinyi was secretly delighted. Judging by Elder Ye's demeanor, she seemed to have considerable affection for the Bixuan Pavilion.
Two maids opened the doors to a small flower hall. The three entered, and Mo Tiange and Qin Xi unceremoniously took their seats.
This small building was now their residence. Here, it was only natural for them to take the seats of honor. Someone like Fairy Fengqing, who casually sat in the seat of honor in another sect's main hall, was the one with no sense of propriety. The sect leader's seat wasn't for just anyone. Apart from the sect leader, usually only the Chief Elder might occasionally sit there. To go and sit in another sect's leader's seat was rather impolite, almost as if she didn't hold their sect in regard.
Come to think of it, Mo Tiange found this Fairy Fengqing even stranger compared to Feng Ning. It was normal for her to look down on the Bixuan Pavilion. The highest cultivation in the Bixuan Pavilion, Tang Shen, was only at the Core Formation mid-stage. In Kunwu, that was just a minor sect. But her attitude toward Qin Xi was interesting. Qin Xi's strength was a full minor realm higher than hers, yet not only did she maintain a cold face the entire time, she didn't even want to brief them on the situation.
"How has the Bixuan Pavilion been these past years?" Mo Tiange asked.
Ying Jinyi stood respectfully with her hands at her sides and answered, "In reply to Elder Ye, under the leadership of the previous Sect Leader Wei, the Bixuan Pavilion developed well. Since we began accepting male disciples, our reputation in the East Sea has been good, and we have recruited a group of disciples with decent aptitude. Currently, the sect has two thousand Qi Refining disciples, one hundred Foundation Establishment disciples, and four Core Formation Elders."
Mo Tiange smiled. "You are the Sect Leader. I am merely a guest elder and will not interfere in sect affairs. You don't need to answer so respectfully."
Hearing this, Ying Jinyi felt somewhat disappointed instead. Not interfering naturally meant she didn't have her heart set on the Bixuan Pavilion. In truth, she wished this Nascent Soul Elder would interfere. With the help of a Nascent Soul Elder, the Bixuan Pavilion's rise would be just around the corner. Perhaps it could soon join the ranks of medium-sized sects in Kunwu.
Back when she succeeded as Sect Leader, Wei Haolan had told her the true identity of the sect's guest elder, Elder Ye. She had been utterly shocked.
She had entered the sect after the great turmoil in the East Sea. Regarding this guest elder, she only knew she had deep ties with the Bixuan Pavilion. She hadn't expected her background to be so formidable.
Ten years ago, this Dao Lord Qingwei was still Perfected One Qingwei. Yet, being the last disciple of Dao Lord Jinghe of the Xuanqing Sect, a genius who formed her Core at eighty-four, and the Dao companion of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator—such origins were already enough to shake the Bixuan Pavilion. Later, when she learned that Elder Ye had left the mountain to travel, not knowing where she had gone, she had been very worried something might have happened. Unexpectedly, a few years later, not only did this Elder Ye return, but she also formed her Nascent Soul.
Upon learning of this, she was immensely grateful for the good karma established by her predecessors. Having a Nascent Soul stage guest elder, and one who was a famous figure in Tianji, meant the Bixuan Pavilion no longer had to worry about being bullied.
She had long planned to send a generous gift when Elder Ye held her Nascent Soul ceremony, to strengthen their relationship so their ties wouldn't fade over time. She hadn't expected the demon beast attack to occur, bringing Elder Ye to their doorstep ahead of schedule.
"What were the losses from this demon beast attack?"
Ying Jinyi answered, "Within the sect itself, the losses weren't too great. However, Linhai City was completely destroyed, and the mortals in the surrounding areas suffered heavy casualties. It will likely be difficult to recruit disciples in the future."
"That's not difficult. Kunwu has plenty of low-level cultivators. You can simply go to Kunwu to recruit disciples."
Ying Jinyi bowed her head respectfully. "Yes, thank you for your guidance, Elder Ye."
Mo Tiange couldn't help but smile. Such a simple matter—would Ying Jinyi not have thought of it? These words were flattery. She couldn't help but think of Wei Haolan. If it were her, with the friendship between them, there would be no need for such formalities. Ah, it's a pity she would never see her again.