The disciples of the Tianxuan Sect were mostly reserved, and Linghu Yaqi, in particular, was known for her stoicism. It was rare to see her in such a furious state, chasing someone with her sword drawn!
"Who is that person? Why did they anger Senior Sister Linghu so much?"
"They aren't wearing the sect's robes, so they must be an outsider."
"Senior Sister Linghu has always been sensible. How could she get into a conflict with a guest?"
Yan Yuqing was darting around, pursued by Linghu Yaqi. Even while fleeing, he couldn't resist taunting her, which only fueled her anger and made her attacks more ferocious.
As he ran, Yan Yuqing cursed Nangong Yu internally, calling him inhuman for knowing Linghu Yaqi's high cultivation and yet sending him, the scoundrel, to provoke her and scout the terrain. He knew this situation wouldn't end well.
"Yaqi, stop," a deep voice echoed. The furious Linghu Yaqi immediately calmed down.
"Disciple greets Master."
"Cultivators should focus on their hearts. You are usually intelligent, why are you letting your temper get the better of you?" The Sect Leader's expression was kind, his tone gentle yet unyielding. "They are guests who have traveled far. Even if there were any shortcomings in our hospitality, you should have been more tolerant. How could you chase a guest like this?"
"Disciple knows her mistake."
"Go to the Xuanji Pavilion for reflection."
"Disciple obeys." Linghu Yaqi offered no argument, nor did she show any resentment. She turned and left with composed grace, as if the person wielding a sword and intent on killing moments ago was someone else entirely.
Once Linghu Yaqi was out of sight, the Sect Leader turned to Yan Yuqing. "Young friend, you are a guest at our Tianxuan Sect. Please forgive any lack of proper hospitality."
"I greet the Sect Leader," Yan Yuqing said, bowing deeply. "Thanks to the assistance of your esteemed sect's Brother Tianze, we were able to escape a calamity in the past. Today, Brother Nangong and I have come specifically to express our gratitude."
"There is no need for thanks," the Sect Leader replied, his voice somber. "Tianze is currently in seclusion for cultivation and cannot see you. Please wait one more day, then depart."
"Sect Leader, our visit to your sect is not solely for expressing thanks. We have a more important matter that needs to be discussed with Tianze personally," Yan Yuqing said with a smile. "If the Sect Leader could please ask Tianze to come out, we will leave immediately after seeing him, without lingering for another moment."
Tianxu Zi furrowed his brows slightly. He regretted his earlier indulgence of Tianze's pursuit of heavenly principles and his departure from the Tianxuan Sect. Things had now escalated beyond his control. He had cast several divination hexagrams, all of which turned out to be useless. Whenever Xiao Man was involved, he could divine nothing.
"You are here for Xiao Man?"
"The Sect Leader is mistaken. We are not here for her, but for someone else," Yan Yuqing replied with a wicked smile. "Someone whose life is tied to Tianze's."
Tianxu Zi narrowed his eyes. Who else could it be, regarding Tianze's life, other than Xiao Man?
"Who is this person you speak of?"
Sang Hua quickly whispered something into Tianxu Zi's ear. For a fleeting moment, the calm expression on Tianxu Zi's face faltered, but he quickly regained his composure. "Young friend, please go and rest. When Tianze emerges from his seclusion, he will see you."
"Thank you, Sect Leader."
"Someone, escort our young friend back to his quarters."
A flicker of an unreadable light crossed Yan Yuqing's eyes before he followed the young disciple away.
Tianxu Zi glanced at Sang Hua, who nervously touched his nose. "Sect Leader, I originally intended to inform you about this matter, but I didn't get the chance."
"Does Tianze truly have a child?"
"It is absolutely true," Sang Hua nodded gravely. "Ten years ago, when Senior Uncle Tianze arrived at Tianjian Sect to rescue Xiao Man, he said that she was his wife and the mother of his child."
"Yaqui also knows about this?"
"She does."
The Sect Leader sighed. "Alas, alas. I am truly getting old and can no longer manage these trivial matters. Find an opportunity to spread the news of Zefang's passing. Tianze's seclusion is nearing its end, and Zefang should no longer exist."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"Also, regarding Yaqi..."
"Sect Leader, you needn't worry about Yaqi. Given her proud nature, once she learned that Tianze had a wife and child, she proactively dissolved the engagement," Sang Hua explained. "Sect Leader, will having these two remain in the sect cause any problems?"
"It's easy to invite a god, but difficult to send one away," Tianxu Zi felt a growing unease. "I observed that this young man's cultivation is not low; he is already in the mid-Nascent Soul stage. What about the other person's cultivation?"
"Sect Leader, this disciple cannot discern it," Sang Hua admitted helplessly. Nangong Yu's cultivation was beyond his ability to perceive. Ten years ago, his cultivation was already higher than Sang Hua's, and now it was even more unfathomable.
"Go and take a look."
Tianxu Zi secretly went to observe, a sense of unease gnawing at him. Upon seeing what he saw, Tianxu Zi's face turned green. "We've truly invited a formidable guest this time."
"Sect Leader, this was this disciple's mistake."
"It matters not. Whether you invited them or not, they would have come. Rather than let them sneak in, it is better to openly let them in and keep them within our sight. That way, we can know what they intend to do in a timely manner."
"Sect Leader, should we send someone to watch them?"
"One in the Soul Transformation stage, and another in the mid-Nascent Soul stage. Who can keep an eye on them?" Tianxu Zi sighed deeply. "Truly, the younger generation surpasses the old. Among the rising stars, there are already those in the Soul Transformation stage. It seems the hexagram I cast back then is truly going to come true."
"Sect Leader, about Senior Uncle Tianze..."
"His heavenly tribulation is also approaching," Tianxu Zi took a deep breath, suppressing the unease in his heart. "May everything proceed smoothly."
"Sect Leader, Senior Uncle Tianze said that Xiao Man is the glimmer of hope for his heavenly tribulation. Should we find Xiao Man and bring her back to the Tianxuan Sect?"
"Sang Hua, that Dao companion is already in the Soul Transformation stage. Do you think Xiao Man, who inherited the Myriad Poisons Golden Body, could have a low cultivation base?" Tianxu Zi said with a wry smile. "Let alone you, perhaps even I, if I were to personally intervene, would not be her match now."
"Sect Leader, her high cultivation is a good thing! This way, she won't be constrained by the Tianjian Sect."
"Foolish child, her parents were murdered, her clan annihilated. How much hatred must be in her heart? Moreover, Yue Tianxia is determined to see her dead. This Cangxuan realm is about to fall into chaos," Tianxu Zi suddenly understood why Tianze had gone into seclusion and no longer concerned himself with worldly affairs. At the same time, he became even more curious about what he had glimpsed when he peeked into the heavenly way.
"This disciple feels she doesn't seem like someone filled with hatred," Sang Hua mused, recalling Xiao Man's appearance. Even after the tragedy of her mother's death, she had maintained her composure and had not senselessly killed innocent people. "Master, you haven't met her, have you? She..."
"I have met her," Tianxu Zi said slowly. "Even after emerging from the land of no return, she showed no trace of malice. It was truly rare, but... Forget it. If we cannot prevent it, we can only take things one step at a time."