Chapter 285: Fear

‘Earth Deities, True Dragons… The Tai Xu Sect is so massive… there should still be so much for me to uncover.’

…

It was noon. The sky above the Four Golden Peaks was clear, and the day was scorching hot. The flowers and plants were lush and green.

‘It’s almost the fourth month, and I’m only just visiting now. Yun Ci must have been getting anxious waiting.’

He stood at the base of the tall building and met with Qingfeng. Chen Qingyang then waited under the sun as Qingfeng went upstairs to announce his arrival.

‘It’s been quite a while, at least half an hour. It never took this long in the past. Could it be that Yun Ci is in the middle of closed-door cultivation?’

Finally, Qingfeng came back down. Seeing Chen Qingyang, he had a hesitant look on his face, as if he wanted to say something but held back. Curious, Chen Qingyang asked, “Junior Brother, what happened?”

Qingfeng looked at him, seemingly unable to speak plainly. “Senior Brother Chen, when you go up, don’t say anything you shouldn’t. Be cautious with everything. Master… seems to be in a bad mood!”

Chen Qingyang prayed internally, ‘I hope her mood has nothing to do with me.’ “Thank you for the advice, Junior Brother.”

When he reached the fourth floor, it was different from usual. The windows were pushed open today, allowing a cool breeze to pass through the room and letting in more light.

In the center of the room were seven candles, their golden flames still dazzling. A wave of warmth enveloped Yun Ci, making it seem as if she couldn’t be separated from the fire.

‘Her Yin and Yang are imbalanced. The extreme cold energy in her body must be rampant, which is why she does this. It also goes to show that while the Ice Purity Jade Bone Technique is powerful, it’s also extremely difficult to master.’

‘Besides my Sword Formulas, I specialize in Fire Attribute Techniques, the complete opposite of her.’

“Disciple pays his respects to Master.”

Yun Ci’s figure was concealed by a wide Daoist Robe. She sat perfectly straight with her long hair unbound, her hands likely clasped before her lower abdomen.

He waited for a moment, but she didn’t speak. Chen Qingyang had no choice but to say again, “Master?”

This time, the figure seen from behind stirred slightly. She stretched out her legs, and as the Daoist Robe slipped, it revealed a pair of jade-like feet and the lower half of her calves. She slowly walked over.

Her expression was cold and aloof, her face delicate, her skin like jade, and her red lips like a single cherry—utterly beautiful. She looked to be in better health than before.

Her gaze was piercing as she stared at Chen Qingyang, sizing him up from head to toe. Then she turned away again, her back to him. “Forget it. I am the one who has received your favor twice without being able to repay you. How could I complain that you didn’t keep your promise!”

Her voice came, clear and cold. Chen Qingyang immediately understood she was upset that he was late. ‘But she’s quite beautiful when she complains,’ he thought.

He immediately said, “Master, you misunderstand. I’ve been engrossed in researching an elixir these past few days, which is why I lost track of time. I’ve now managed to improve the elixir by another tier. Would you care to see, Master?”

What he held out in his hand was precisely that Tier Six Soul Return Pill.

Yun Ci turned her head, her dark hair drifting with the movement. As she reached out and took the pill from Chen Qingyang’s palm, the pad of her finger brushed against his skin—it was incredibly cold!

When she looked at Chen Qingyang again, a complex light flickered in her eyes. She actually gave a slight nod. “Thank you. It seems I’ve misjudged you again!”

‘He could see her apology, but it wasn’t much. Perhaps because she was so used to being cold, this was as much joy or sorrow as she ever showed.’

“Master, swallow this pill and see how effective it is.”

Before him, Yun Ci gave another slight nod—a truly rare display of gentleness.

As the pill went down, a look of slight surprise first crossed her face. Then, she sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, closed her eyes, and let her hands hang naturally at her sides. A faint divine light emanated from her face, and waves of cold air began to ripple through the room.

This was enough to show how strongly the pill’s effects benefited her. It lasted for about a quarter of an hour before she finally opened her eyes, revealing immense joy. “A fine pill. It’s truly more than just a little stronger than the last one.”

She looked at Chen Qingyang again, her expression exceptionally serious. “Mm. Thank you!”

Chen Qingyang returned the gesture of respect. “I am glad as long as you are satisfied, Master.”

Yun Ci let out a light laugh, like thawing ice, like winter turning to spring, like pear blossoms bursting into bloom. The most stunning sights in the world were merely this.

“Satisfied. Extremely satisfied. You saved my life this time, and you are the one helping me recover from my injuries. This kindness is no less than the grace of being given a new life. I will always remember it.”

‘In his memory, she was always cold on the outside. Even after he saved her last time, she had never said anything so heartfelt. Her opinion of him had truly changed a great deal today.’

Chen Qingyang took the opportunity to say, “I have a small matter I’d like to ask you about, Master. I hope you won’t hesitate to enlighten me.”

Of course, Yun Ci was no longer angry with Chen Qingyang. She asked, “Haha, what is it you want to ask now?”

“I would like to know if Jade Gold True Monarch of the Separation Dragon Pill Institute used the Bridge of Longevity to reincarnate.”

Yun Ci sat down cross-legged, facing him directly. Her gaze once again swept over Chen Qingyang, examining him so carefully that he couldn’t help but lower his head.

“Why are you asking about this?”

Knowing she would definitely be curious, Chen Qingyang told her about his encounter with Lu Junlin.

After hearing his story, Yun Ci said, “That’s not possible. I just saw that True Monarch a few months ago. Besides, reincarnation via the Bridge of Longevity isn’t without limits. Generally, it can only be used once every three hundred years, and only for a single True Monarch at a time. Moreover, each attempt carries certain dangers, so not every True Monarch is fond of doing it.”

“Then doesn’t Master also find his cultivation speed to be too fast? Astonishingly so?”

Yun Ci laughed again. She didn’t seem to care much about other people’s business. “Why are you always so concerned with these things? Don’t tell me he’s going to become your enemy?”

Chen Qingyang just smiled. “Curiosity. It’s purely out of curiosity.”

Yun Ci then said, “You speak of curiosity… well, there are some things I’m very curious about, too. It will take up some of your time. You don’t have anything urgent to do today, do you?”

‘What does she want to talk to me about?’ “No, I don’t.”