Qingyi sat nervously in the large, luxurious carriage. Normally, this carriage was reserved for all the elders, but the sect leader had taken it so that they could have some privacy.
The leader ignored the handsome young manâs nervousness, his serene eyes focused on the passing landscape as the carriage began to move and the capital fell behind.
"Are you sure killing the crown prince was necessary?" The words broke the silence, sending a shiver down Qingyiâs spine.
"The sect leader must be mistaken, I was in my-"
"I donât judge you," Jinhai shook his head, smiling. "Iâve killed for a woman before, I would have done the same in your place. Thatâs not what I want to talk about."
"Madame Xue told me about your encounters in the Heavenly Thunder Realm. Did you ever fight directly against cultivators who used this demonic pill?"
After hesitating for a moment, Qingyi nodded. "I fought one of them. The pill seems to increase power by two or three stages of cultivation in exchange for terrible damage to the body and meridians."
"Yes, this plague used to exist only in the nine peaks basin, but the demon cult is extending its tentacles to us. First only in criminal groups, but now weâve already arrested dozens of disciples with these cursed drugs."
"I understand the sect leaderâs concerns, but Iâm just a humble disciple. May I ask why you tell me these things?"
"A disciple capable of reaching the Golden Core realm before the age of twenty can hardly be called humble." A soft laugh escaped Jinhaiâs lips before his expression turned serious again.
"As soon as you arrive at the sect, go to the recruitment hall. Elder Tian will take care of elevating you to the position of inner disciple and will reward you for what youâve brought from the Heavenly Thunder Realm. After that, I have a mission for you."
"A mission? What does the sect leader need?" Qingyi asked, confused.
"I believe you already know about elder Xu Qingxue, right?"
"Yes, they say sheâs the best sword master in the entire outer region of the Blue Moon Continent. Well, the second best in fact, behind only the sect leader," Qingyi nodded.
"Iâm the strongest, but sheâs the best." Jinhai shook his head.
"Sheâs the only elder in the sect without a direct disciple and in about a year, the Scarlet Dragon Competition will take place between the three great sects.
This competition is only for direct disciples and their masters, but Elder Qingxue should start looking for a disciple soon as one of the possible rewards for the competition is essential cultivation material for her to advance to the Burning Blood Realm.
You must become her disciple and take part in this competition."
"Sect leader, thatâs..." Qingyi hesitated.
Of all the elders, did it have to be Xu Tianmingâs sister?
He had been the main cause of her brotherâs death, even if he hadnât carried out the act himself.
He knew that she had no attachment to the Xu family, to the point of gouging out her own brotherâs eye, but he also knew that family ties were much more complex than that.
Who knew what that woman could carry in her heart?
"Iâm well aware of your problems with her brother. Donât worry, sheâs not that kind of woman, especially after the crimes he committed." The sect leader said, sensing Qingyiâs thoughts.
"I wonât let the leader down!" Qingyi clenched his fists, bowing respectfully.
"I know you wonât, hahaha!" The leaderâs laughter echoed through the carriage before he waved his hand.
"You may return to the embrace of your beloved. This old man will no longer disturb you with his affairs."
"Thank you, sect leader." Qingyi bowed one last time before getting out of the carriage and sighing with relief.
It wasnât hot, but he was drenched in sweat.
Even with the leader suppressing his Qi to the maximum, the presence of a cultivator of that level was still hard to bear.
Qingyi returned to the carriage where Feiyan was sitting next to her master.
"Husband? What did the leader want?" The tanned beautyâs eyes sparkled as Qingyi entered and sat down next to her.
"Nothing much. He wants me to take part in the Scarlet Dragon Competition between the three great sects in a yearâs time."
"Scarlet dragon competition? But thatâs only for core disciples of the peak of the golden core! Even I wonât take part!" Feiyan shuddered, grabbing Qingyiâs hand and pulling it against her voluptuous chest.
"Husband... do you really have to do that? Youâve already put yourself in too much danger, I donât want to lose you again."
"Donât worry. The competition takes place in a secret realm where masters and disciples participate together, right?
Iâll be with Elder Qingxue, I doubt weâll encounter any danger she canât handle."
"Elder Qingxue? Do you want to become her disciple?"
"Yes, the leader instructed me to try to be accepted by her," Qingyi nodded. "Why? Do you know her?"
"No, Iâve only heard rumors about her beauty. The husband is certainly a greedy man." She looked away, visibly annoyed.
"What do you mean, a greedy man? These are instructions from the sect leader, Iâm not going after her-"
"Ahem," Madame Xue cleared her throat, reminding the young couple of her presence.
The two soon calmed down and the journey continued peacefully.
During this time, Qingyi took the opportunity to ask about the icy flower he had found in the tunnels, but neither of them knew exactly what it was.
Madame Xue only knew that it was a flower imbued with deep ice Qi, a very special type whose existence was rare, even in the immortal heaven.
She offered a great fortune to buy it, but Qingyi followed the systemâs advice and preferred to keep it with him.
After a few weeks of traveling, they finally arrived at the sect.
Qingyi immediately accompanied Feiyan to her residence.
He had collected many treasures that would be useless to him, but which would certainly help with her alchemy training.
It was time to spoil her with some gifts before taking her to meet the priestesses.