Upon learning that the Shu Mountain Sect was willing to help, the grandmother revealed everything—Zhao Ling'er's true lineage, the schemes of the Lunar Sect Cult Leader Shi Jieren, and the current state of Nanzhao Kingdom.
It was the first time Zhao Ling'er had heard about her own origins, and she was just as shocked as everyone else, to the point where she even stopped crying.
"Ling'er is... a princess of Nanzhao Kingdom?" Li Xiaoyao's expression darkened. Suddenly, he felt that as a mere penniless wanderer, he was unworthy of Zhao Ling'er.
"I see... If that's the case, then things have become quite complicated," Xu Changqing said, his face troubled as he slowly shook his head.
"Daxia, didn't you say you'd help Ling'er and the others?" Li Xiaoyao panicked, rushing up to Xu Changqing.
"Young man, this is not just a matter of right and wrong—it involves the affairs of Nanzhao Kingdom. According to Shu Mountain's rules, disciples are forbidden from interfering in political conflicts between dynasties," Xu Changqing said, clasping his hands in apology.
"When it comes to matters of the martial world and secular troubles, as long as the people are in danger, our Shu Mountain Sect will not stand idly by. But we absolutely cannot be entangled in the affairs of kingdoms."
Li Xiaoyao was unwilling to give up. He stubbornly argued, "But this isn't even a Han dynasty kingdom. Why are you sticking so rigidly to the rules?"
Chu Yang shook his head inwardly. Xu Changqing was even more rigid than the old elders of Shu Mountain.
If something even slightly violated Shu Mountain's rules, he wouldn't do it—not even if you dragged him with nine oxen.
Seeing his firm stance, the grandmother's newfound hope was quickly extinguished, and the light in her eyes faded.
Zhao Ling'er started crying again.
Chu Yang, feeling a headache coming on, sighed heavily. "Seriously, why do you cry all the time? Do you think your tears will drown the enemy?"
Zhao Ling'er immediately stifled her sobs, reducing them to muffled whimpers. She covered her mouth and looked at Chu Yang with red-rimmed eyes, like a frightened little deer.
A sudden pang of guilt struck Chu Yang.
Turning to Xu Changqing, he said, "I don't know about interfering in national affairs, but I do know that the Lunar Sect Cult Leader is a threat to all living beings. The longer he lives, the greater the danger to the world."
"We're only responsible for eliminating demons and evildoers. As for what happens after we destroy the Lunar Sect Cult—that has nothing to do with us, does it?"
Xu Changqing hesitated. "Junior brother, but the sect's rules..."
Chu Yang smirked. "The sect's rules tell us to save people. Are you going to save them or not?"
Xu Changqing's expression twisted in inner turmoil, like a malfunctioning automaton suffering from an overheating CPU.
Leaning in, Chu Yang whispered, "Li Xiaoyao has exceptional talent. If he joins our Qi Sect, he'll definitely rank among the top three in the upcoming Sword Qi Competition."
Xu Changqing's eyes widened. "How can you tell..."
Chu Yang gave him a mysterious smile. "A treasure given by the sect leader."
Huh?
The sect leader gave him another treasure?
Why didn't I get one?!
Xu Changqing was starting to feel resentful. His face darkened as he said, "But we're Daoists. Li Xiaoyao just got married—it wouldn't be appropriate."
Chu Yang dismissed his concern. "What's wrong with temporarily joining? Young people should experience more unusual things to grow!"
"Besides, he can just return to secular life after the Sword Qi Competition. It's not like we're some bandit lair—our sect allows free entry and exit."
"If it really bothers you, he can be a Daoist by day and a married man by night."
Xu Changqing was utterly dumbfounded by this ridiculous logic. His mind overloaded once again.
Are you an idiot?
How can your brain crash so easily?
Chu Yang, too lazy to argue, swiftly knocked Xu Changqing unconscious with a karate chop to the neck.
"Junior brother, you—!"
The others gasped in shock.
The grandmother anxiously asked, "Young Daoist, why did you do that?"
Chu Yang sighed dramatically. "My senior brother's mind isn't in the best shape. If he overthinks, he suffers an episode. I was preventing him from having a breakdown."
The grandmother sighed with pity. "Xu Daozhang looks so distinguished—how could he..."
A few young women who had admired Xu Changqing's elegance also lost the light in their eyes.
Chu Yang coughed lightly. "You all heard my senior brother's words. The Shu Mountain Sect really shouldn't get involved in this matter."
The grandmother sighed.
Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling'er's eyes dimmed.
"But…" Chu Yang suddenly changed his tone, smiling. "If Li Xiaoyao joins our Shu Mountain Sect, then this would no longer be a national affair but a family matter."
Li Xiaoyao's eyes lit up. He immediately said, "I, Li Xiaoyao, am willing to join the Shu Mountain Sect! Master, please accept me—"
As he prepared to kneel, Chu Yang caught him mid-motion. "I can't be your master. You'll have to come with me to Shu Mountain first."
Li Xiaoyao was about to agree when Grandma suddenly asked, "Isn't joining the Shu Mountain Sect the same as becoming a monk? Xiaoyao is already married. Does that mean he has to separate from Ling'er?"
Chu Yang shook his head. "Grandma, times have changed!"
To dispel their doubts, he quickly made up a detailed lie, claiming that Shu Mountain was struggling to recruit new disciples and had revised its rules, now even encouraging childbirth.
He elaborated on the difficulties of sect development, laid out a five-year plan, and even mentioned birth control policies after the population increased. Chu Yang spun a tale, pulling every bit of modern knowledge he could recall. Fooling a group of ancient people with little education? Child's play.
His interest in Li Xiaoyao wasn't just about the Sword Qi Conflict or the fate of the world. He was after the Five Spirit Orbs and other precious treasures.
The Five Spirit Orbs, left behind by the Goddess Nuwa, contained the divine power of the five elemental gods: wind, thunder, water, fire, and earth.
Among the treasures, the Demon-Eating Gu and the Golden Silkworm Gu could greatly enhance one's power—far surpassing the effects of the Blood Bodhi. Whether or not his Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique could reach perfection depended on these items.
By sticking with Li Xiaoyao, Chu Yang had the chance to acquire these supreme treasures. If he had to find them alone, it would take an unimaginable amount of time and effort.
Most importantly, it was about growth.
With Li Xiaoyao as a comparison, Chu Yang's "growth" wouldn't seem abrupt. When he displayed his real strength, Xu Changqing, Qingwei, and others would find it easier to accept.
After all, Li Xiaoyao had managed near god-slaying feats in just a few months.
In that context, no matter how monstrous Chu Yang's talent appeared, it wouldn't seem out of place. Otherwise, they might really mistake him for a soul-possessing demon from beyond the realm.
"Growth" was a process Chu Yang had to go through, or he'd have to give up his status as a Shu Mountain disciple.
After much persuasion, the group finally believed Chu Yang, and Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling'er decided to accompany him to Shu Mountain.
As for Immortal Spirit Island, it would be temporarily sealed off, with Grandma and the others relocating to avoid attention.
Baiyue wanted Zhao Ling'er. The forces of Nanzhao had the same goal. No one cared about Grandma's whereabouts.
Chu Yang carried Xu Changqing onto the boat, with Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling'er following closely behind.
Zhao Ling'er started crying again as she waved goodbye to Grandma.
Chu Yang closed his eyes, meditating to calm his mind. Out of sight, out of mind.
He was truly fed up with these crying scenes, even if the one crying was the adorable Ling'er.
That said, once she calmed down, Zhao Ling'er wasn't useless—at least she knew how to use magic to speed up the boat, helping them reach shore faster.
Back in Yuhang Town, as soon as Li Xiaoyao got off the boat, he was surrounded by excited villagers, all asking if he had seen the fairy of Immortal Spirit Island or the old witch.
Proudly, Li Xiaoyao introduced Zhao Ling'er. Seeing her celestial beauty, the villagers were left speechless in shock.
"You actually married a fairy?!"
At those words, the crowd erupted in cheers, making Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling'er blush furiously.
Amidst the commotion, Xu Changqing finally regained consciousness.
"Where am I? How did I suddenly pass out?"
Dazed, he looked at Chu Yang. "Junior Brother, I think I was just…"
Before he could finish, Chu Yang interrupted him with a serious expression. "Senior Brother, why didn't you tell me about the pressure you're under? Why keep it bottled up?"
Xu Changqing: "???"
Chu Yang sighed with deep concern. "You collapsed from stress and still won't admit it?"
"No! Junior Brother, I wasn't—"
"You're still denying it?! Ever since you knew you had to descend the mountain for training, haven't you been unable to sleep at night?"
"Well… I haven't been sleeping well, but I figured no one else has either…"
"I slept just fine! And I had excellent sleep quality! Still think it's not your problem?"
Hearing that, Xu Changqing fell into self-doubt.
Am I really that stressed?
Seeing the opportunity, Chu Yang pressed on. "Senior Brother, I know the burden of being Shu Mountain's top disciple. You never allow yourself to relax!"
"To set an example for the disciples, to make the sect leader and elders proud, to uphold your reputation—you've been pushing yourself too hard. You're exhausted, Senior Brother!"
Xu Changqing's body trembled. For some reason, Chu Yang's words struck a chord.
I… really do feel exhausted…
Chu Yang patted his shoulder. "Senior Brother, do you still not understand why the sect leader and Master sent you down the mountain with me?"
Xu Changqing scratched his head. "Master told me to take care of you."
Chu Yang waved his hand. "Wrong! They're testing you, not me! The sect leader wants you to grow—to learn to handle the pressure that comes with being the chief disciple and, one day, the sect leader."
"They have high hopes for you! Don't you see it, Senior Brother?"
Xu Changqing trembled again, his eyes welling up. "Junior Brother, I think… I understand now…"
Chu Yang nodded in satisfaction. "That's good, Senior Brother. Just don't let the pressure get to you again."
With newfound determination, Xu Changqing replied firmly, "Don't worry, Junior Brother! I won't let you or Master down."
Meanwhile, at the Shu Mountain Sect's Grand Hall…
Curious about Chu Yang and Xu Changqing's progress, Qingwei used a secret technique to track the magic tool left on Xu Changqing, revealing their current location.
A mirror-like projection appeared in the void, showing the two of them.
Qingwei and Cang Gu happened to overhear their conversation.
Silence.
After a long pause, Cang Gu finally spoke. "I never realized, Senior Brother, that you had such deep intentions. You've truly put a lot of thought into training Changqing."
Qingwei forced a smile. "Indeed."
Cang Gu sighed in admiration. "For Chu Yang to decipher your intentions, his comprehension must be extraordinary. It's a shame he wasted so many years in the Qi Sect."
Qingwei could no longer force a smile. Cang Gu's words were basically calling him out.
"Junior Brother, it's been a long time since we last sparred, hasn't it?"
"Ever since you became sect leader, we haven't…"
"Well then, why don't we spar today? I suddenly feel nostalgic for those days!"
Cang Gu: "…"
...…
Back in Yuhang Town.
The four of them finally managed to squeeze past the overly enthusiastic villagers and returned to the Yunlai Inn. As soon as they entered, they saw Aunt Li looking bored at the counter.
"Auntie!"
Li Xiaoyao, eyes brimming with tears, rushed into her embrace.
"You little rascal, what's gotten into you today?"
Aunt Li was surprised at first but soon softened, her eyes gentle.
She had already heard from the old doctor about Li Xiaoyao's trip to Immortal Spirit Island to find medicine for her. How could she not be moved?
"Such a good child, so filial. These years of relying on each other weren't in vain."
Tears welled up in Aunt Li's eyes.
Seeing them cry so bitterly, Zhao Ling'er started shedding tears again. She slowly inched toward them, pearl-like teardrops falling one by one.
Chu Yang had had enough. He bellowed.
"ALL OF YOU, HOLD IT IN!"
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