Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Return to the Sect

The beast tide had retreated three days ago. Outside Wangtianya was a scene of devastation. The earth was split and fissured, and for a hundred li around, the vegetation had been trampled into a ruinous mess.

Of course, this had caused no real harm to the Ancient Spirit Sect, nor had it stopped the sect’s disciples from venturing out for their training.

The sun sank in the west.

Numerous figures approached the sect walls. Most were disciples returning from their training.

The figures of Ye Wushuang and Dii Qingxue were also among them, following a group of disciples into Wangtianya.

They walked the entire way in silence, whether from awkwardness or simply not knowing what to say. This continued until they had passed through Wangtianya and returned to the Ancient Spirit Sect.

The two walked side-by-side along a small bluestone path.

Ye Wushuang was dressed simply, but his clothes were neat and clean. His eyes were clear and bright, yet as deep as the Star River, enough to make one lose themselves in their depths.

Dii Qingxue’s robes were whiter than snow, her hair ribbon fluttering gently. She was as ethereal as a Fairy, with a beauty that made heaven and earth themselves seem dull in comparison.

With just a glance, even Ye Wushuang couldn’t help but marvel at her beauty.

To the disciples of the Ancient Spirit Sect, Dii Qingxue was the sacred goddess of their dreams, an adored Fairy, inviolable!

And yet, who could have imagined that this inviolable goddess of their hearts had chosen to perform Dual Cultivation with Ye Wushuang? Aside from the final step, they had done everything. Even Ye Wushuang himself felt the world was a strange and wondrous place.

"We’re here." Upon reaching a fork in the road, Ye Wushuang stopped and turned to look at Dii Qingxue.

Dii Qingxue glanced at the paths ahead. One led to Fengtian Peak, the other to Broken Sword Peak.

After a moment’s hesitation, she turned to Ye Wushuang. "What happened between us... don’t tell anyone!"

"Are you afraid people will get the wrong idea?" Ye Wushuang asked.

"No," Dii Qingxue replied, her tone as cool as ever.

"Then why?" Ye Wushuang pressed.

"For no particular reason." Dii Qingxue seemed unwilling to answer, giving an ambiguous reply before turning her face away.

"Fine, I won’t ask. But I do have another question." Ye Wushuang didn’t press the matter and changed the subject.

Hearing this, Dii Qingxue’s elegant brows twitched slightly. She turned back, looking puzzled. "Go on."

"Why are you helping me?" Ye Wushuang asked. He had wanted to ask this question ever since Dii Qingxue gave him the Grand Emperor’s Bow of Destruction.

Dii Qingxue fell silent for a moment before looking up. "I am simply following the will of a voice from deep within my soul. From the very first day I saw you, that voice appeared. Whatever she tells me to do, I do."

Dii Qingxue’s words were rather baffling.

Ye Wushuang was left speechless. ’This woman’s lies are so transparent,’ he thought. ’"A voice deep within my soul?" She obviously just doesn’t want to tell me the real reason.’

Dii Qingxue didn’t offer any further explanation. Even if she had, Ye Wushuang wouldn’t have believed her, so she chose to say no more. She turned and set foot on the path leading to Fengtian Peak.

But then, as if remembering something, she turned back. "Right, the Ultimate Yang Technique I gave you—don’t pass it on to anyone. And... cultivate it diligently. It will be good for you."

’Cultivate it diligently? Good for me?’

At her words, Ye Wushuang paused, a peculiar expression on his face as he watched Dii Qingxue’s departing back.

’She’s telling me to cultivate the Ultimate Yang Technique... she doesn’t still want to Dual Cultivate with me, does she?’ Ye Wushuang rubbed his nose, muttering to himself with a touch of narcissism. A roguish smile crept onto his lips.

Unexpectedly hearing Ye Wushuang’s muttering, Dii Qingxue, who was already walking down the path, felt a blush instantly bloom across her cool, jade-like face.

She even faltered in her steps for a moment. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

But a moment later, she started walking again, her pace quickening slightly.

Ye Wushuang withdrew his gaze and headed toward Broken Sword Peak.

Before he even reached his cave dwelling, he saw several figures standing quietly at the entrance from a distance.

Ye Wushuang was very familiar with these figures—they were Qiu Mo, Jian Bufan, Yangg Qing’er, and Ye Rou.

They had been gazing toward Windless Cliff and saw Ye Wushuang approach. They immediately exchanged glances and broke into smiles of relief.

Ye Wushuang smiled back and quickened his pace toward them.

"Is this guy’s body forged from Divine Iron or something?" Qiu Mo muttered. They all stared at Ye Wushuang, sizing him up as if he were a Demon Fiend, completely astonished.

They had previously heard from Yangg Qing’er that Ye Wushuang had been trapped in the terrifying beast tide due to Anx Shijie’s scheming. They had been incredibly worried, but they never expected to see him return completely unscathed.

"What are you all doing here?" Ye Wushuang asked with a smile as he reached them.

"Waiting for you!" Qiu Mo said, grinning.

"Waiting for me?" Ye Wushuang was taken aback for a second, but he quickly guessed their intentions. His gaze swept over them as he suddenly asked, "You haven’t been waiting here this whole time, have you?"

"Not exactly," Qiu Mo said with a laugh. "I only got here yesterday."

Qiu Mo said it casually, but Ye Wushuang’s eyes narrowed. ’Only got here yesterday.’ The weight of that simple phrase was immense.

As he finished speaking, Qiu Mo turned to Jian Bufan. "This guy got here even earlier."

Yangg Qing’er added from the side, "Sister Ye arrived the earliest."

Hearing their words, a warmth spread through Ye Wushuang’s chest. He turned to look at Ye Rou, an indescribable emotion welling up inside him. ’In times of true crisis,’ he thought, ’the only ones who will think of you are your family and your closest friends.’

Still worried, Ye Rou stepped forward. "Xiaoshuang, are you hurt?"

"Thanks to Senior Sister Dii’s help, I’m not injured at all," Ye Wushuang replied with a smile, not telling Ye Rou the full truth. If she knew he had almost died, she would worry herself to death.

Nearby, Jian Bufan had been listening quietly while sizing up Ye Wushuang. His eyes suddenly narrowed. "Your Cultivation has advanced again!"

Hearing this, Ye Wushuang just smiled. "I had a bit of a fortunate encounter."

Cultivation?

Hearing their exchange, the others finally reacted. They immediately probed Ye Wushuang’s Cultivation and were instantly shocked.

After only a few days, Ye Wushuang’s Cultivation had advanced two entire layers!

"Demon Fiend!" Qiu Mo said with a wry smile, feeling utterly crushed by Ye Wushuang’s progress. He thought his own breakthrough to the Qi Vortex Ninth Layer was already fast, but he never imagined Ye Wushuang would advance two whole layers in just a few days. ’Comparisons are truly the death of us!’

"Even though I’ve gotten stronger, I’m still too weak to face someone like Anx Shijie."

Ye Wushuang wasn’t the least bit proud or complacent. If an expert like Anx Shijie decided to attack him shamelessly, he wouldn’t stand a chance with his current strength.

However, Ye Wushuang didn’t notice that at the mention of Anx Shijie’s name, the others all shared a smile.

Yangg Qing’er chuckled. "Brother Ye, you probably haven’t heard. Elder Anx was severely wounded by the Star Elder. He’s only got half a life left and is currently in closed-door seclusion."

"Half a life?"

Ye Wushuang was stunned for a moment, then a cold sneer appeared on his face, his eyes turning frigid. ’So the old dog got what was coming to him. Since Master didn’t finish the job, I’ll be the one to do it.’

Still, being only half-dead meant Anx Shijie would need time to recover.

Ye Wushuang had to seize that time to cultivate and prepare himself.

"Let’s go inside and talk," Ye Wushuang said, pushing those thoughts aside and motioning for them to enter his cave dwelling.

But.

A cold, domineering shout suddenly echoed from Windless Cliff. "Ye Wushuang! I know you’re back! Get the hell down here!"