Seventh Elder: “...”
A newborn calf truly knows no fear.
Just as he was about to say more, the Twelfth Elder, standing beside them, raised an eyebrow and interrupted, “Exactly. It's just attending a wedding feast. What could possibly go wrong?”
With that, she leaned in close to Song Yao, pinched her cheek, and said to the Seventh Elder with a beaming smile, “Rest assured, I will definitely bring your little pill cultivator back safe and sound. As for what comes after, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it~”
Jiang Jin, who had been standing silently by the side, took a step forward upon hearing this. He solemnly cupped his hands to the Seventh Elder and spoke in a steady voice, “Please rest assured, Seventh Elder. I will also look after Seventh Junior Sister.”
Seventh Elder: “...”
His brow twitched violently as the scene of this boy chasing after him to ask if senior brothers and junior sisters could marry suddenly replayed in his mind.
He coughed twice and waved his hand rather stiffly. “There's no need. Lin Mu's swordplay is excellent. You... just worry about your own safety and follow the rules. Don't bother yourself.”
Jiang Jin: “No need to be polite, Elder.”
Seventh Elder: “...”
Wait. He wasn't being polite!
Now was not the time to argue. Holding back his frustration, he instructed them, “In any case, be careful in everything.”
The Great Elder said in a deep voice, “Since things have come to this, there is no other way. Go back and pack your bags. The morning after next, bring the congratulatory gifts and depart for the Beiyao Sect on time.”
Seeing the somewhat heavy atmosphere in the hall, his tone softened slightly. “You don't need to worry too much either. After all, it is a joyous day for both sects' children. The Taiqing Pavilion and the Beiyao Sect likely won't do anything drastic. You just need to be a little cautious.”
“However, once the wedding is over, they might try to make trouble. You two must return to the sect as soon as possible. Do not wander around. Do you understand?”
The two obediently agreed.
In the Great Elder's impression, both of these children were obedient and sensible, with nothing to worry about. He simply waved his sleeve and dismissed them to rest.
Once the discussion ended, the meeting adjourned, and the Great Elder stayed behind to handle other matters.
When he finished and was about to head out, he looked up and saw Song Yao still sitting cross-legged on the threshold outside.
The girl was wrapped in a light-colored Daoist robe, her eyes gently closed and her long eyelashes cast down. A hazy, greenish spiritual energy swirled around her.
The spiritual energy flowed endlessly, like newly sprouted spring branches—vibrant and majestic, enveloping her completely.
The Great Elder instinctively softened his steps, a trace of astonishment rising in his heart.
Such an oblivious, deep state of meditation was difficult to achieve even for those who had cultivated for many years, let alone a junior who was only sixteen or seventeen years old.
He remembered how she had broken through to the Golden Core in just a few months, which was already spectacularly brilliant. Seeing her state of cultivation with his own eyes today, he was still deeply shaken.
The spiritual energy swirling around her was rich and continuous, and its circulation speed was incredibly fast. Was her spiritual root really only Heaven-grade third-tier?
With this kind of rapid progress, even a God-grade talent would probably be nothing more than this.
No wonder those old fogies all wanted to poach her and take her as a disciple. Who wouldn't want such a treasure?
While he was lost in thought, Song Yao's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she opened her eyes.
The greenish spiritual energy swirling around her retracted completely into her body along her meridians, leaving behind only a faint, fresh scent of vegetation.
She rubbed her eyes and looked at the Great Elder.
Coming back to his senses, the Great Elder composed his thoughts and asked, “Everyone has dispersed. Why are you still here?”
Song Yao stood up, pulling up her sleeves slightly. “I have something to ask.”
The Great Elder caught sight of her slender, bony arms and frowned.
How strange.
This child had been skinny when she first entered the sect, so why was she still like this after all this time?
How were Baicao Peak and the main peak feeding her?
Or was the impact of her incomplete soul really that significant?
This wouldn't do.
Surely the Nine Saints Hall couldn't even fatten up a single child?
His thoughts drifted far before he finally pulled them back, asking seriously, “What is it?”
Song Yao hesitated for a moment. “Is Master still alive?”
Great Elder: “...?!”
Suspecting he had misheard, he asked again, “What?”
Song Yao rephrased her question. “Is the Hall Master still alive?”
Shocked by such rebellious words, the Great Elder's temples throbbed. “Of course he's alive!”
Song Yao: “Really?”
Great Elder: “Really!”
Song Yao breathed a small sigh of relief. “That's good then.”
The Great Elder frowned. “Why would you think to ask this?”
Song Yao was extremely honest. “Since I joined the sect, I've never seen Master. Didn't they say before that he failed his breakthrough and was severely injured? I thought...”
The Great Elder hastily interrupted, “Don't jump to conclusions. The Hall Master is still alive.”
Song Yao: “Oh, okay.”
Great Elder: “...”
Looking at the clear, gentle eyes of the young girl before him, he suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
They had forced her to stay in the Nine Saints Hall as a personal disciple, yet they couldn't even give her a shred of security.
Instead, they had her constantly living in fear.
How could there be such an absurd situation in the world?
Softening his voice, he comforted her, “Rest assured, if anything really happens in the future, we won't let you kids rush to the front lines. The Nine Saints Hall will find a way to resolve it. Don't be afraid.”
“On this trip to the Beiyao Sect and the Taiqing Pavilion to witness the ceremony, the Twelfth Elder and your Second Senior Sister will also do their utmost to protect you.”
Song Yao blinked, finding this somewhat unusual.
She had never seen such a gentle Great Elder before.
In her past life, whenever they visited other sects, the Great Elder would practically beg her not to torture people or stir up trouble.
The more she thought about it, the more amusing she found it. Her eyes curved into crescents as she agreed.
Actually, she had only asked this question because she had wandered over to the forbidden grounds in the back mountain for a look when she had nothing to do a couple of days ago.
What she found had startled her.
She hadn't detected even a shred of her master's aura in the forbidden grounds, which was why she suspected he had already passed away.
Right now, with their Eldest Senior Brother and Fifth Junior Sister away, the Nine Saints Hall's strength was far from what it used to be.
If the Beiyao Sect and the Taiqing Pavilion really intended to cause trouble, and if Master were dead, the Nine Saints Hall would be completely doomed.
Furthermore, her master in her past life had been extremely indulgent with her, so it would be a bit of a pity if she couldn't see him one last time.
Rather than letting her mind run wild, it was better to just ask.
Now that she knew he was still alive, it was naturally for the best.
Without prying further, Song Yao turned around and strolled out.
Watching her retreating figure, the Great Elder was somewhat baffled.
Sometimes this child seemed quiet and obedient, but other times she was rather insolent—like just now, leaving without even bowing to him.
Wandering in and out of the discussion hall as if it were her own home...
...
The wedding customs for the alliance of these two sects were slightly different from other places.
Both were major sects, and neither was willing to be outshone.
They had to hold a ceremony at the Beiyao Sect first, and then another at the Taiqing Pavilion.
Lasting twelve days, the grand affair would see almost every sect in the Tianshu Realm sending representatives with gifts.
As the leader of the three major sects, the Nine Saints Hall could not afford to send cheap gifts or lose face, so they simply brought out the most luxurious spirit vessel in the hall for the trip.
Jiang Jin looked around the deck, then asked in confusion, “Why are there two night-luminescent pearls missing from this side?”
Rate on N.U.
