Mo Tiange knew that many Foundation Establishment cultivators were guarding outside. However, she couldn't be bothered to care. Even if she did care, what could she do? A Qi Refining disciple, how could she contend against so many Foundation Establishment cultivators? Anyway... without reinforcements, it was only a matter of time before she and her second uncle lost their lives.
A loud "boom" sounded from outside, snapping Mo Tiange back to reality. She took out her Greenwood Sword, resolved that uncle and niece would journey to the Yellow Springs together, to avoid falling into their hands and suffering further torment.
But just as she swung the sword, her hand suddenly went numb, unable to grip it, and it clattered to the ground. Then came a familiar voice: "What are you doing?"
Mo Tiange looked up and was immediately stunned: "You..."
Qin Xi, who had stepped through the doorway, frowned slightly: "Are you trying to kill yourself?"
Mo Tiange looked at him in disbelief: "Senior Brother Qin?"
Qin Xi said nothing more. He walked closer, took Ye Jiang's wrist, and channeled a stream of spiritual qi to examine his injuries.
After this examination, his brow furrowed. He then took out a jade box from his Qiankun Bag, opened it to reveal a lush, verdant spirit herb. He plucked one leaf from it and stuffed it into Ye Jiang's mouth. Then, forming a hand seal, a bright, fiery light was sent into Ye Jiang's body along with the leaf.
His actions were swift. By the time he finished, Mo Tiange had just reacted: "Qin... Senior Brother Qin? How are you here? What did you give my second uncle?"
Qin Xi was still channeling spiritual qi into Ye Jiang, merely glancing up at her: "Don't worry. This is a method to temporarily prolong life. Your second uncle's injuries are too severe. I can only make him conscious for a short while."
"This..." Mo Tiange was at a complete loss for words. The current situation was entirely beyond her expectations. A pile of questions swirled in her mind, yet she couldn't voice them immediately. Moreover, she felt the Qin Xi before her seemed different from before, as if she felt very insignificant in his presence. That meant...
"Senior Brother Qin, have you successfully established your Foundation?"
Qin Xi did not answer, still focused on channeling spiritual qi into Ye Jiang.
Seeing his actions, which indeed didn't seem harmful towards her second uncle, Mo Tiange thought for a moment, then rushed to the doorway. But outside, it was completely empty—there was no one left!
She was utterly astonished. Even if he had succeeded in Foundation Establishment, how could he possibly contend against those dozen or so Foundation Establishment cultivators? And how did he get here?
Mo Tiange felt her mind was a tangled mess—what in the world was going on?
Before she could voice her questions, Ye Jiang groaned at that moment, seeming to awaken.
Seeing this, Mo Tiange hurriedly rushed back: "Second Uncle!"
Ye Jiang opened his eyes with difficulty. Seeing the scene before him, his gaze finally settled on Qin Xi: "You are..."
Qin Xi said gently, "My surname is Qin."
Ye Jiang trembled, his eyes instantly bursting with wild joy: "You... you are..."
Qin Xi smiled slightly and said, "I am from the Qin family. I happened to receive the message and rushed here."
Hearing this confirmation, Ye Jiang actually calmed down. He closed his eyes for a moment, gasping as he grabbed Qin Xi's hand: "Finally... finally made it in time..."
But Qin Xi raised a hand, stopping him: "Don't get agitated. I cannot cure these injuries of yours. Right now, I can only give you a final rally. If you have any words, please convey them quickly."
These words caused a dimness to flash in Ye Jiang's eyes, but a smile soon appeared again. He had long known he wouldn't survive. Now, Xiao Tian was saved!
"Second Uncle..." Even though she knew her second uncle's life was nearly over, watching it happen still felt like a knife twisting in her heart. Mo Tiange looked up at Qin Xi, pleading urgently: "Senior Brother Qin. You have a way, don't you? Can you let my second uncle live..."
But Ye Jiang reached out a hand, stopping her words, and said with a smile: "Xiao Tian... don't be sad. There's always... always such a day."
Mo Tiange knew perfectly well she was being unreasonable, but she truly couldn't...
Ye Jiang sighed softly and said, "Xiao Tian, you... go outside first. Come back in... in a moment."
Mo Tiange wiped the tears from her face, not understanding: "Second Uncle, I..."
"Be obedient," Ye Jiang looked at her, his gaze firm, "just for a little while..."
She hesitated. Qin Xi spoke up: "Junior Brother Ye, I am here. You can rest assured."
Mo Tiange looked back and forth between the two of them, and finally, under her second uncle's insistence, nodded. Second Uncle must have his reasons, she thought. It's better to listen to him. Later... there might not be another chance.
Mo Tiange walked out of the room. Seeing the look in Ye Jiang's eyes, Qin Xi understood. With a wave of his hand, a soundproof barrier appeared around the two of them.
He said, "Fellow Daoist Ye, if you have something to say, speak plainly."
Ye Jiang gazed at the young man before him who appeared to be only in his early twenties, as if sizing him up: "I dare not accept... the title of Fellow Daoist from a senior. I think... Senior should be... Perfected Lord Shoujing, right?"
Qin Xi lowered his gaze, asking expressionlessly: "How did you know?"
Ye Jiang caught his breath, still smiling: "Although my... cultivation is... inferior to Senior's, I still... have some experience... Senior has suppressed... his cultivation to... Foundation Establishment, but the methods... are those of a Core Formation senior..."
Seeing him speak with such difficulty, Qin Xi channeled a bit more spiritual qi into his meridians and said, "Your elder brother was a comrade of mine through hardships. Since you are his blood brother, there's no need to call me senior."
Hearing this, Ye Jiang relaxed slightly, but still did not change his form of address: "So... Senior does not mind... mind the matters of that year?"
Qin Xi merely smiled: "I can understand your thoughts. Besides, why would I bother with such trivial matters involving juniors?"
Receiving this affirmation, Ye Jiang felt relieved. He closed his eyes, gasped for a while to steady himself, then spoke again: "Please forgive... this junior's rudeness... Does Senior hold... considerable favor towards... Xiao Tian?"
As these words left his mouth, a sharpness entered Qin Xi's gaze, yet he still replied steadily: "What do you mean by that?"
Ye Jiang was well aware of his slight anger but was not flustered, still speaking slowly: "Senior, please don't... don't misunderstand. The favor... this junior speaks of is not... feelings of love. Rather, Senior seems... seems unwilling to let... Xiao Tian know your identity. This junior... can sense... that Senior views Xiao Tian... with special regard..."
After speaking such a long passage, Ye Jiang was again short of breath.
Qin Xi channeled more spiritual qi into his body, his tone bland, not answering directly: "If you seek peace of mind, I will grant it. After today, I will take her back to the Xuanqing Sect and offer her protection until she has the ability to protect herself."
Ye Jiang revealed a joyful smile—finally, he had not gambled wrong.
"There is one more matter... If this junior does not ask clearly, it will be hard to rest in peace..."
As soon as he spoke, Qin Xi understood: "You mean her constitution?"
Ye Jiang nodded with difficulty: "This junior knows... the request is somewhat excessive... But if I don't say it... I will die... with eyes unclosed..."
This time, Qin Xi was silent for a long while before saying: "Very well, I also promise you this: if she does not agree, I will never force her."
"No," Ye Jiang shook his head, saying, "This junior... this junior is requesting... that when necessary, Senior can... give her a push..."
Qin Xi was taken aback, not quite understanding his meaning.
Mo Tiange sat outside the house, staring blankly at the sky.
Not a sound could be heard from inside the room. It was obvious some soundproofing method must have been used.
She was somewhat surprised because she had never imagined that Qin Xi was actually from the Xuanqing Sect. Moreover, from the meaning in his words, he seemed to be a junior disciple of Perfected Lord Shoujing.
But she also had a realization. No wonder, no wonder this Senior Brother Qin possessed unusual wealth and treasures, displaying an extraordinary demeanor everywhere.
Judging by the aura he displayed, it seemed he had established his Foundation? It was truly strange that he would establish his Foundation in another sect. Given his status, he must be an elite disciple in the Xuanqing Sect, and with both Core Formation and Nascent Soul seniors, Foundation Establishment should have been quite easy for him. Could it be some eccentricity of a disciple from a famous sect?
She couldn't help but find it amusing, but though her face twitched, she couldn't laugh.
She knew all too clearly that Second Uncle was about to perish... What would she do without Second Uncle? She asked herself, but only felt an emptiness in her heart.
She didn't know how much time had passed when Qin Xi's voice finally came from inside the room: "Junior Brother Ye, please come in."
Mo Tiange snapped out of her reverie, wiped the dampness from the corner of her eye, and hurried into the room: "Second Uncle!"
Ye Jiang leaned against the wall. Qin Xi was still channeling spiritual qi into his body, but his spirit had rapidly withered, even his eyes were almost unable to stay open.
"Xiao Tian..." He stretched out a hand with great effort.
Mo Tiange hurriedly grasped it, kneeling before him: "Second Uncle, I'm here."
Ye Jiang smiled, still striving to reach out and, like when she was a child, patted her head.
This action, filled with affection, made Mo Tiange blink, and tears began to fall "plop plop."
"Xiao Tian... Tian Ge, don't cry. Second Uncle... is leaving. You... must be well..." Tears also flowed from Ye Jiang's clouded eyes, tracing paths down his aged, wrinkled face. He too felt that this time was truly a final parting.
"Xiao Tian, Second Uncle... has two matters... I cannot let go of..."
"Second Uncle, tell me. I will definitely listen to you."
"Good... listen carefully. First, when you... form your Core, return... return to the mortal world Ye Family. See... if there are any with Spirit Roots. There's no need to rebuild... the Ye Family. Just give the descendants... some... some help."
Mo Tiange nodded repeatedly: "I know, I will definitely... definitely go back and look."
Ye Jiang nodded slightly, gazing at her with affection: "The second matter, Second Uncle... Second Uncle entrusts you to Perfected... Perfected Lord Shoujing. From now on... you must treasure... treasure yourself, understand?"
After saying this, Ye Jiang was already in tears. If he could, he truly wished, truly wished he could see it himself, but... Heaven no longer permitted it.
Mo Tiange, kneeling before him, was also sobbing uncontrollably, only able to nod desperately.
Amidst the tears, Ye Jiang's gaze began to grow unfocused. Even though Qin Xi continued to channel spiritual qi without pause, it could no longer revive his spirit.
He murmured: "Elder Brother... I'm sorry, I... I'm going to see you now..."
After that, there was no more sound.
Mo Tiange knelt there blankly, tears continuously dripping down, yet she didn't make a single sound.
She faintly felt as if she had returned to thirteen years ago, the day her mother died... that heart-wrenching grief of permanent loss left her unable to utter a word. When her mother died, she had felt as if the sky was collapsing, but later Heaven had given her a second uncle.
Second Uncle doted on her, spoiled her, yet also strictly disciplined her. Although she only called him Second Uncle, in her heart, she respected him like a father. Sometimes she would also think how wonderful it would be if her father were still alive, but each time she would scold herself for being greedy. Second Uncle had already given her everything he could, even including his life. What more could she ask for? Having Second Uncle was enough.
But... Second Uncle was still gone, leaving her behind...
It seemed as if the sky had collapsed once again.
"Junior Brother Ye!" In her haze, someone shouted, "Do you want to die?"
She opened her eyes in confusion, unable to see clearly what was before her, but she felt someone grip her shoulders, shaking her forcefully: "Breathe!"
A force struck her back. She couldn't help but cough, and her sobs spilled out along with it.
She collapsed over her knees, wailing loudly like a child, letting the tears drown her. Although she had learned immortal arts, although she was no longer weak, at this moment she still felt she was that little girl from thirteen years ago...
Second Uncle said that loss was necessary for growing up. But she would rather not grow up!
Someone sighed softly, pulled her up, and let her lean against his shoulder, but said nothing.