Chapter 40: Gathering at the Secret Realm, First Meeting with Master’s Wife

After the Tianyuan Sect disciples disembarked from the flying ship, they discovered that many forces had already arrived, and people were everywhere.

“I wouldn’t have thought Elder Wen would lead the Tianyuan Sect this time. It has been a long time.”

Shortly after leaving the ship, an old man at the Soul Formation stage stepped forward to greet them.

“Ah, Elder Qi of Pure Yang Sect. It’s been a long time.”

Wen Yuanying promptly replied.

Tianyuan Sect and Pure Yang Sect had always been on good terms, and their elders knew one another.

“Old Qi, are you interested in Elder Wen? You’re certainly eager to please her.”

Before the two could exchange further pleasantries, another middle-aged man at the Soul Formation stage approached them.

“Li Huan, nothing decent ever comes out of that foul mouth of yours.”

Qi Hu instantly retorted.

“Ah, Elder Li Huan of Mysterious Yin Sect. Long time no see.”

Wen Yuanying truly wished to ignore Li Huan, but basic courtesy demanded a response, so she offered a greeting.

“Fellow Daoist Wen, that wasn’t aimed at you. If you ever want a Dao companion, please consider me first. I may not be much, but I’m better than certain old fools.”

Li Huan had long pursued Wen Yuanying, but she had always refused, saying she wanted to focus on cultivation. Seeing Qi Hu of Pure Yang Sect chatting with her made him jealous.

“My heart is set on cultivation. I have no plans to find a Dao companion, so please say no more, Elder Li.”

Wen Yuanying had guessed she might encounter Li Huan when leading the group this time. But she was still annoyed to see him. His constant pestering had made her wary of him.

Wen Yuanying had cultivated for more than two hundred years. Though she looked like a mature woman, she had lost none of her appeal. A few signs of age showed on her face, but she was still beautiful, with all the poise of a noblewoman.

As the three conversed, more figures arrived-some lords of various cities, others elders from different sects. In this region, nearly everyone knew one another.

Just as the crowd exchanged greetings, another woman approached.

“Oh? Isn’t that the Great Elder of the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion? I heard she’d been in secluded cultivation for three years. Has she come out?”

“It truly is her. Her cultivation has reached the peak of the Soul Formation stage-a half-step into Body Integration. Truly terrifying.”

“The Soul Formation stage is a formidable barrier for everyone. Many spend their entire lives trapped within it, yet she is nearly past this threshold.”

The woman was Ye Qiuyue, Great Elder of the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion and Ye Tianyi’s aunt.

“Sister Qiuyue, I never expected you to emerge from secluded cultivation.”

Upon catching sight of her, Wen Yuanying hurried forward to welcome her. Find the original chapter at novelping.com.

Back when the Seventh Elder, Qin Changqing, and Ye Qiuyue had been romantically involved, she frequently visited the Tianyuan Sect. Since Wen Yuanying was the sect’s sole female elder, frequent association over time turned the two into close friends.

“Yuanying, your talent is good. It’s time you spent a longer period in secluded cultivation. Experience and a solid foundation matter on the path to immortality, but cultivation must still come first.”

Ye Qiuyue did not look especially warm, but her words still showed concern.

“You’re right, Sister. I’ve been at mid Soul Formation for a long time. I should make a breakthrough.”

Wen Yuanying nodded.

“Where is Changqing’s disciple?”

Ye Qiuyue had come to see Qin Changqing’s Personal Disciple. After leaving seclusion and learning of Changqing’s death, she had grieved for a long time. Once she learned that he had left a disciple behind, she volunteered to lead this expedition.

“You mean Qin Xiao? He’s resting with the disciples. I’ll take you over.”

Since Ye Qiuyue wanted to find Qin Xiao, Wen Yuanying used that as an excuse to hurry away from the elders exchanging greetings.

Qin Xiao had stopped pretending to be injured. He was cultivating with his eyes closed, continuously refining Spirit Liquid. After Yun Man’s beating, he felt that he could refine it a little faster.

He would make the most of whatever time remained before the trial. Every bit of Spirit Liquid he could refine would help.

“Qin Xiao.”

Immersed in his cultivation, Qin Xiao suddenly heard someone call his name.

“Elder Wen, what did you summon me for?”

Recognizing Wen Yuanying, Qin Xiao immediately answered respectfully.

“This is Elder Ye, Great Elder of the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion and an old acquaintance of your master. She wants to see you.”

Wen Yuanying promptly introduced her.

“The Great Elder of the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion?”

Qin Xiao comprehended the situation instantly, recalling Ye Tianyi’s earlier mention of the matter.

“Qin Xiao pays his respects to Master’s Wife.”

Qin Xiao rose and spoke deferentially.

“What? Master’s Wife?”

Ye Qiuyue was momentarily startled.

“Who told you to call me that? Qin Changqing and I have already separated. I’m not your Master’s Wife.” This story is hosted at novеlping.com.

Although she felt a little pleased, Ye Qiuyue quickly spoke with a serious air.

She shows no anger? It seems there is a chance.

Noticing that Ye Qiuyue merely spoke coldly without reprimanding him, Qin Xiao made a quick mental calculation.

“Master’s Wife, my master never had another Dao companion. I don’t know why you separated, but I think there must have been a misunderstanding. Whatever happened, you’re still my Master’s Wife.”

Unaware of the past grievances between them, Qin Xiao reasoned that her visit proved she still harbored feelings for his master.

“Slick-tongued. Is this all Qin Changqing taught you?”

Despite the warmth in her heart, Ye Qiuyue maintained a chilly tone.

“Ah, Master’s Wife, you don’t know what it’s been like. Master had only taken me in three days earlier. Before he could teach me anything, he died in battle for the sect. I’ve lived on my own since then, and all the disciples on the peak left for other peaks. I’ve suffered so much these past three years! If I hadn’t recently found what Master left behind, I’m afraid I’d have been driven out of the sect.”

Qin Xiao had to make himself sound a little more aggrieved to stir his master’s wife’s protective feelings. Then he would have someone to back him up. Soul Formation cultivators seemed to be everywhere, and his disciple would not reach that realm any time soon.

“What? Changqing gave his life for your Tianyuan Sect, and this is how you treat his only disciple?”

Angered by Qin Xiao’s words, Ye Qiuyue questioned Wen Yuanying.

“There’s a lot that’s hard to explain, but it’s much as he says. Sister, you know that strength always comes first in the cultivation world. After the Seventh Elder died in battle, Seven Stars Peak fell to Qin Xiao. But he couldn’t cultivate, so no one wanted to join it. Letting him remain peak master for three years was a form of compensation. Fortunately, he found the Seventh Elder’s belongings. Now many people want to join Seven Stars Peak but can’t get in.”

Wen Yuanying did not explain further. The sect looked united, but there was little warmth to it. Perhaps that was the price of cultivation: indifference to others.

“Hmph, Qin Xiao, this worthless Tianyuan Sect is not worth your stay. Since you acknowledge me as Master’s Wife, follow me to the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion. Though my pavilion cannot rival the Tianyuan Sect, if anyone dares to bully you there, your Master’s Wife will answer for it.”

Rather than calming her, Wen Yuanying’s explanation only fueled Ye Qiuyue’s indignation.

“Master’s Wife, there’s no need for that. Seven Stars Peak is what Master left me. How could I abandon it? Besides, I’m no longer someone everyone can push around. Just hearing you say that is enough for me.”

Qin Xiao did not want to leave Tianyuan Sect yet. Its protection let him develop in peace. If Yun Man reached Soul Formation one day, he might consider what to do next. Or perhaps becoming Sect Leader would be nice.

“Since you are resolute, I shall not force you. Should trouble arise, send word to the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion. No matter who opposes you, your Master’s Wife will come to your aid.”

Seeing his determination, Ye Qiuyue relented, instructing him to seek her out if he encountered adversity.

“Thank you, Master’s Wife. I’ll remember.”

Qin Xiao hurried to thank her.

“Now that I’ve seen you and there’s nothing wrong, come to the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion after the secret realm if you have time.”

With those words, Ye Qiuyue departed to manage her pavilion’s preparations ahead of the secret realm’s impending opening.