The weather was lovely today.
Around eleven in the morning, Ye Fan was leisurely lying on a lounge chair, soaking up the sun.
During the time the two elders were away, he had been living the best life imaginable.
When he felt like moving, he would stroll around the Imperial City. When he didn't, he'd stay at home.
At meal times, he'd enjoy warm, cozy dining with Liang Rujing, his granddaughter, no longer worrying about the two elders getting him into trouble.
He hadn't heard any news in over half a month; surely the two elders hadn't caused any major disasters.
Well…
It wasn't that they hadn't caused trouble.
It just wasn't so severe that they needed to seek him out for an explanation.
That was good.
"Junior disciple."
"Junior disciple."
Two long-absent voices called from behind him.
Ye Fan stood up and turned around, smiling as he asked, "Why have the two senior sisters emerged from seclusion so suddenly?"
"Because the grand competition is drawing near," replied the Second Senior Sister, Zi Qing, with a smile.
"It's already here?" Ye Fan blinked in surprise.
He felt like there was still some time left.
"You, always so lazy, you're almost losing your sense of time," Zi Qing wrinkled her nose, her tone slightly complaining. "By the way, where are the Second Elder and the others?"
"Oh, they went to the palace to play," Ye Fan replied casually. "When exactly does the grand competition start? Do you need to prepare anything else?"
"The grand competition starts in three days," the First Senior Sister, Zi Bing, said calmly. "There's nothing else to prepare; we'll just go there directly."
"Come, come." Ye Fan walked to the stone table in the courtyard and gestured.
The two senior sisters followed him, not understanding why.
"It's normal to have wins and losses in competitions," Ye Fan cautioned. "Just perform as usual, and don't push yourselves too hard."
"Junior disciple?" The two senior sisters were even more bewildered, not understanding why Ye Fan was saying this.
"We're going there to test how our cultivation has progressed," Ye Fan continued. "Don't go all out, and especially, don't get injured."
Ye Fan held onto the two senior sisters, chattering on and on.
Although they were his nominal senior sisters, Ye Fan had always treated them like grandchildren.
The competition was secondary; his granddaughters' safety was paramount!
In essence, Ye Fan had one central message.
You must be careful, and absolutely do not push yourselves.
If you can win, fight. If you can't, concede.
Your life is the most important thing.
It would be best if you didn't even get injured!
Ye Fan's lecture lasted for a full half an hour…
The two senior sisters became more and more confused…
They even had a misconception that the person in front of them wasn't their junior disciple, but rather a grandparent figure.
Even though they had never met their own grandparents…
"Junior disciple, did you eat something bad?" the Second Senior Sister, Zi Qing, asked cautiously.
"Eat?" Ye Fan chuckled. "Yes, yes, it's a grand occasion for your emergence from seclusion today, we must make a delicious meal to celebrate!"
With that, Ye Fan whistled and walked towards the kitchen.
The two senior sisters exchanged bewildered glances.
It seemed their junior disciple had indeed eaten something unsavory…
Before long, a table full of sumptuous dishes was served.
"It smells so good."
"As expected, Ye Fan's cooking is always the best; just smelling it is satisfying."
The two elders ambled in from outside.
Ye Fan blinked.
What was going on?
Weren't they causing trouble in the Imperial Palace? Why had they suddenly returned?
Also, it was mealtime, and Liang Rujing, unusually, hadn't appeared?
Those who should have come didn't.
Those who shouldn't have, did…
"We missed you, so we came back to see," the two elders said with a smile, seemingly understanding Ye Fan's question.
"Greetings, two seniors," the two senior sisters quickly bowed.
"Eh? Why have you emerged from seclusion so suddenly?" the Second Elder asked, perplexed.
"Second Elder, the grand competition is about to begin," Zi Qing explained the reason.
"Good, good, work hard then," the Second Elder expressed his elder's care. "I'll refine a batch of pills for you later."
"Second Elder's pills are very potent and will surely be of great help to you!" Master Xie Yan sat down and nodded in agreement.
The two senior sisters and Ye Fan were speechless.
Thank you…
We appreciate your kindness…
But please forget about the pills…
We're not that brave yet…
"Ye Fan, now that Little Bing and Little Qing have emerged from seclusion, let's go out and play," the Second Elder suggested after they had eaten.
"That would be good," Zi Qing nodded. "It's a good time to get some fresh air and relax."
Ye Fan looked at the First Senior Sister.
Zi Bing nodded in agreement.
Ye Fan could only accompany them out…
Although the Lantern Festival had passed, the Imperial City was still bustling.
However, Ye Fan noticed that the First Senior Sister seemed somewhat nervous, especially in crowded places.
She dared not look at the crowds, bit her lower lip, and clutched her clothes tightly…
She looked like she had social anxiety…
Zhen Xie Sect.
A female cultivator emerged from a cave in the back mountains.
"Greetings, Grand Elder!" Those around quickly bowed. "Welcome back, Grand Elder."
Everyone lowered their heads, feeling a bit uneasy.
Although their Grand Elder appeared to be a pure and beautiful celestial maiden, they all knew she was an outright devil who killed without blinking.
Especially thinking about what had happened recently, their hearts grew even more fearful…
"How has the sect been during my seclusion?" Wu Po Xie scanned everyone and asked calmly.
"The sect is all well," everyone quickly replied.
"Has Xiao Qian caused you any trouble recently?" Wu Po Xie asked with a smile. "Xiao Qian is usually a bit mischievous, but he's not ill-intentioned. If he has done anything wrong, please bear with him."
The others fell silent.
Wu Po Xie's gaze sharpened.
Something was wrong!
"Where is Xiao Qian?"
Her voice was not loud, but it caused the surrounding temperature to drop significantly.
No one dared to answer, all keeping their heads down.
"I'm asking you," the surrounding temperature dropped a few more degrees. "Where is Xiao Qian!"
"Grand Elder…" Finally, someone couldn't bear the oppressive atmosphere and replied tremblingly, "Wu Ming Qian… his life tablet shattered a while ago…"
"Rumble—!"
A violent explosion echoed from the back mountains.
By the time Wu Po Xie left, several ice sculptures had appeared in the ruins.
Wu Ming Qian's room.
Wu Po Xie sat on the bed, staring blankly at the shattered life tablet in her hand.
Her brother was her only relative, the one she had raised since childhood.
In her heart, Wu Ming Qian was both her brother and her son.
Now.
Her dearest kin had been murdered…
"Xiao Qian, don't worry…"
Wu Po Xie gently stroked the fragments of the life tablet, a morbid smile appearing on her face:
"No matter who did this, sister will make them accompany you in death… you won't be alone down there…"
"Crackle, crackle…"
The sound of freezing filled the room.
By the time Wu Po Xie left, the entire residence had been completely sealed in ice.