As evening approached, a person sat on the hillside, gazing at the sky.
Qin Xi leaned against the door of the dilapidated house, watching the person who was watching the sky.
The weather today was excellent. The sky was clear and pure, azure as if washed clean, with faint wisps of clouds and a gentle breeze. If this were the mortal world, it would surely be a day for scholars and refined guests to go on outings and enjoy the spring greenery. But cultivators rarely had such leisurely interests. Whether the sun was bright or thunder and lightning flashed, it was all the same in their eyes.
Therefore, he knew this person's attention was certainly not on the scenery.
Yet after watching for a long time, he himself sighed first, because he felt he might have taken on a troublesome matter.
A cultivator with too many emotions... he didn't think they would have much of a future. But since he had already agreed, he couldn't go back on his word.
In truth, Ye Jiang had been correct. He had indeed been quite optimistic about this child originally, feeling that although her aptitude was poor, she had the potential to become a high-level cultivator. For example, she could endure loneliness and wasn't afraid of arduous cultivation; she lacked greed yet possessed a drive to advance; she was clever and quick-witted, able to skillfully employ methods; and moreover, when it was time to be ruthless, she wouldn't be indecisive and could make swift decisions.
A cultivator possessing these qualities only lacked opportunity.
But then, he had to discover that she was prone to being entangled in emotions!
Cultivating immortality wasn't merely about advancing in cultivation level; one also needed a sufficiently strong inner self to grasp power. A cultivator entangled in emotions would find it difficult to achieve great accomplishments.
So now he was a bit troubled. How exactly should he handle this person? To indulge her felt too wasteful; to instruct her, he lacked the inclination.
"Junior Brother Ye."
A voice reached her ear. Mo Tiange tilted her head slightly and saw Qin Xi walking over.
"Senior Brother Qin, is something the matter?" Her voice was very calm, so calm it surprised Qin Xi.
He examined her carefully, finding nothing unusual, then said, "We should set off."
Mo Tiange nodded, stood up, and brushed off her sleeves.
But Qin Xi didn't move. Instead, he asked another question: "Are you really alright?"
Mo Tiange turned to look at the setting sun, a faint smile curling the corners of her mouth. "I'm fine."
Her appearance like this indeed didn't seem like she was still grieving. Qin Xi thought about it; apart from that day, she really hadn't cried again. She probably wasn't forcing herself to hold up.
He then said, "Do you have anything else to prepare?"
Mo Tiange was silent for a moment, as if thinking of many things, but in the end, she only let out a soft sigh. "Nothing. What isn't needed can just be left behind."
This sentence seemed to carry some implication. Qin Xi suddenly felt his earlier worries might have been somewhat unnecessary. This woman was more rational than he had imagined.
He couldn't help but ask another question: "Are you sure you can let go of everything?"
Mo Tiange smiled. This time, the smile wasn't forced at all. After smiling, she said softly, "Second Uncle said that losing is for the sake of growing up. Similarly, I feel that experiencing is for the sake of making oneself stronger."
Experiencing is for the sake of becoming stronger... Qin Xi silently repeated this sentence in his heart, feeling he had nothing more to say.
Mo Tiange truly felt very calm.
Thirteen years ago, she was still a child. She could walk out of the sorrow of losing her mother; now she wouldn't be defeated either.
Second Uncle had always told her that one needed a strong inner self to achieve great goals. Now that Second Uncle was gone, how could she let him down?
She calmly told herself to live well, to cultivate well—not for Second Uncle, but for herself.
Although she had initially embarked on the path of cultivation unintentionally, cultivating immortality was still something that could bring her joy. Learning a new technique, advancing a stage, becoming stronger, defeating enemies—all of these could bring her joy.
Then, she would just keep walking this path. Doing what she liked, walking forward resolutely.
Following Qin Xi onto the flying sword, the two rode the wind on their swords, embarking on their journey.
This flying sword was yet another magic treasure. Mo Tiange no longer felt any jealousy or envy at all. Since this Senior Brother Qin had significant origins, it was perfectly normal for him to possess many fine treasures.
However, after flying for a while, Mo Tiange felt something was odd. "Senior Brother Qin, why are we heading east?" Heading east was the way back to Yunwu Mountain.
Qin Xi glanced at her, still flying swiftly on his sword, and answered, "There are some matters that need to be dealt with."
"Oh..." Perhaps he still had unfinished business. Mo Tiange thought this to herself, yet she felt somewhat worried. That day, over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators had retreated. Qin Xi had spoken vaguely about it; she didn't know the inside story. But even if he could make over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators retreat, could he also deal with the Core Formation cultivators of Yunwu Mountain in the same way?
She clearly knew she had deeply offended that Branch Master Jiang. Jiang Chengxian wasn't just his direct descendant; he was his only bloodline, equivalent to having his lineage severed by her. Furthermore, now that the Yunwu Sect belonged to the Zixia Sect, the Zixia Sect also had a Nascent Soul cultivator! Even if this Senior Brother Qin had elders backing him, they were too far away.
Just as she was lost in heavy thoughts, she suddenly heard Qin Xi speak: "Junior Brother Ye, what are you worried about?"
Mo Tiange snapped back to attention and answered honestly, "Worried about being intercepted if we go back." Even if he had now reached Foundation Establishment, facing a Core Formation cultivator, he would still be like an ant. If they considered the elders behind him, they would only need to restrain him... She still felt her life wasn't very secure.
But Qin Xi merely smiled faintly. "It won't happen. Just rest assured."
Mo Tiange gave a soft acknowledgment, then remembered something else. "Senior Brother Qin, you have now reached Foundation Establishment. It seems I shouldn't address you like this anymore." By convention, after advancing a stage, she should call him Uncle-Master.
Qin Xi shook his head. "I merely entered seclusion a step ahead of you. You are now fully prepared; Foundation Establishment is only a matter of time. There's no need for such trouble."
Mo Tiange didn't share his confidence. Melancholically, she said, "My Second Uncle was able to reach Foundation Establishment because my father used pills to push him there. Second Uncle said he used a full five Foundation Establishment Pills to establish his foundation. My aptitude is even worse than Second Uncle's. Foundation Establishment... I'm afraid it won't happen within a year or two."
In fact, she was already prepared to spend ten or twenty years. If Foundation Establishment didn't succeed, she would continue striving for Foundation Establishment Pills until she succeeded.
"Just rest assured. Once we reach the Xuanqing Sect, there will naturally be sect elders to instruct you. Foundation Establishment isn't that difficult. Besides, we've been fellow disciples for three years and are already used to these forms of address. Why change them?"
Hearing him say this, Mo Tiange felt too embarrassed to refuse further and didn't say anything more. However...
She said somewhat hesitantly, "Senior Brother Qin, actually... Ye Xiaotian isn't my real name."
Qin Xi smiled. "I know. You follow your mother's surname, Mo, and your given name is Tian Ge. Now you don't need to conceal your identity anymore. When you go to the Xuanqing Sect, use your original name. But I'm also used to calling you this and don't want to change."
Qin Xi usually kept his distance from others and rarely showed such a casual, lighthearted side. Mo Tiange couldn't help but smile as well. "Then I'll follow Senior Brother Qin's lead."
At this moment, the Yunwu Mountain Branch Master that Mo Tiange was worried about was not within Yunwu Mountain.
The stone door of a cave abode opened. A Foundation Establishment-level young maiden came out and bowed to the Branch Master Jiang waiting nearby. "The Patriarch invites Branch Master Jiang."
Branch Master Jiang, who had been growing impatient, was overjoyed upon hearing this. He politely returned the bow to the maiden before following her into the cave abode.
On the meditation mat in the center of the cave abode sat a withered, thin Daoist. As soon as Branch Master Jiang saw this person, he immediately bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Grand Elder."
A long time passed before the Daoist gave an "Mm" and opened his eyes. "Sit."
Branch Master Jiang still performed a respectful bow before sitting down.
"Speak. What is the matter?"
The Daoist's attitude was somewhat indifferent, but Branch Master Jiang didn't dare show the slightest disrespect, because this seemingly unremarkable Daoist was a Nascent Soul cultivator!
"Grand Elder, it's about that matter from before. This disciple wishes to beg you to uphold justice."
After saying this, Branch Master Jiang looked eagerly at the Daoist before him. But the Daoist didn't even glance at him. Taking the spirit tea offered by the serving disciple, the Daoist slowly savored it for a while before saying, "Uphold justice? How do you want this old man to uphold justice? Avenge your worthless great-grandson? You might as well just have another one; it would be faster!"
Although this Daoist appeared gentle in appearance, his words were cutting, causing Branch Master Jiang's face to flush red. He naturally knew his great-grandson was worthless, but no matter how worthless, he was still his own bloodline!
"Grand Elder," Branch Master Jiang said in a humble, pleading tone, "this disciple doesn't ask you to take action personally, only that you agree to let me seek revenge. This disciple only has this one great-grandson. Even if he had a thousand faults, it's a matter for my family. How can I let an outsider kill him?!"
Unfortunately, his words didn't move the Daoist. This Grand Elder merely snorted lightly. "It seems you're still not clear-headed. For us cultivators, what does the death of a junior or two matter? A junior who only stirs up trouble and has no ability at all is better off dead! Go back. Don't bring this up again."
"Grand Elder!"
Seeing he wasn't obeying, a sharp glint appeared in the Daoist's eyes. "What? Do you resent this old man for not helping you?"
Branch Master Jiang quickly lowered his head but didn't refute.
The Daoist snorted. "Fine. This old man will make it clearer for you. This Qin Shoujing you speak of is no ordinary Core Formation cultivator. He has Nascent Soul elders backing him."
Hearing this, Branch Master Jiang was shocked. "Grand Elder, this person actually has such origins?"
The Daoist gave an affirmative hum through his nose. "Otherwise, why do you think he dared to act so presumptuously in the distant Eastern Kunwu? Let me tell you, behind this Qin Shoujing is that old fellow Qin Jinghe. You don't know about this Qin Jinghe, but I do. This person is extremely protective of his own and also very fond of killing. Ordinarily, it's fine; constrained by the Xuanqing Sect's rules, he won't act arbitrarily. But if you harm his people, it's not impossible for him to travel thousands of miles to come and slaughter indiscriminately! This old man is only at the early stage of Nascent Soul; I can't fight him. So you'd better save yourself the trouble."
"Grand Elder, don't Nascent Soul cultivators avoid indiscriminate killing?"
"That's because your knowledge is shallow." The Daoist closed his eyes and said slowly, "Nascent Soul cultivators avoid indiscriminate killing to prevent the emergence of inner demons and stagnation in cultivation. But if they have a reason, they can certainly take action."
Branch Master Jiang lowered his head in silence. According to this, that Qi Refining junior disciple was actually untouchable!
The Daoist spoke again. "Also, you'd better go back and investigate what exactly this Qin Shoujing was doing staying in your Yunwu Mountain. Their Xuanqing Sect is one of the top major sects in Tianji. What could they possibly lack? Yet he specifically infiltrated a minor sect and stayed for three years. I'm afraid his aims were not small..."