Chapter 212: Searching the Sea for a Needle, Stillness Over Action

Zhou Qingyuan froze for a moment before suddenly coming to his senses, quickly stepping forward, flames igniting underfoot as he rushed after her.

“Fairy! Fairy, you misunderstood!”

He sped forward, flames roaring around his body. Though his face was full of apology, the aura he exuded was shockingly intense!

Was he coming to fight!?

Hongshao stopped abruptly, her expression icy. Crimson flowers bloomed around her, and the flower basket beneath her delicate feet began to rotate slowly, ready to unleash its power at any moment.

“Senior Brother Zhou, are you trying to stop me?”

Turning to face the rapidly approaching Zhou Qingyuan, Hongshao’s voice was cold.

“No—Fairy, you’ve really misunderstood me.”

Zhou Qingyuan halted ten meters in front of her, not daring to get any closer. He could sense that if he took even one more step, she would strike with deadly force.

He gave a bitter smile and said, “Fairy, won’t you let me explain? I truly care about you—there’s no ill intent.”

“Whether it’s care or malice, both of us know the truth.”

Hongshao’s voice was flat. “I saved your life, and in return, you hid me for years. We’re even now. There’s nothing left between us.”

Zhou Qingyuan’s expression shifted. “Fairy, I will never forget your life-saving grace. As for helping you hide, it was nothing, just a minor effort on my part. But you’ve really misunderstood me!”

Hongshao was unwilling to waste more time. She knew Zhou Qingyuan was trying to delay her while recovering.

Coldly, she said, “Misunderstood or not, it doesn’t matter. I’m leaving now. If you try to stop me, then it’ll be a battle to the death.”

With that, she turned away and flew straight toward the formation.

Zhou Qingyuan’s gaze flashed coldly. His aura turned sinister, yet in the end, he didn’t attack or activate the formation. He simply watched as Hongshao smashed through the fire wall and disappeared into the sky.

“Damn woman… If I’d known, I would’ve just taken her by force from the beginning. Wasted five years on her… slut…”

He stared at the horizon for a long time before muttering bitterly to himself, eyes turning cold and emotionless.

If he’d forced her, the risk would’ve been too great. She might’ve even turned around and killed him.

And that damn Yu Xian—he wasted at least five precious seconds! He should’ve just killed him outright and crippled the woman’s core while he had the chance!

If he’d done that, her cultivation would’ve been ruined, and she’d be his to use however he pleased.

Damn it!

…

High in the sky, the flower basket glided forward. Hongshao stood upon it, hands behind her back, gazing ahead.

Yu Xian looked calm, but his eyes revealed a trace of relief.

In a clash between two powerful cultivators, someone like him—merely at the mid-stage Foundation Establishment realm—was just an ant. His life or death depended on luck.

Thankfully, Zhou Qingyuan didn’t dare attack directly, and Hongshao also refrained from striking back. In the end, they each walked away peacefully.

If a fight had broken out, how could Hongshao have protected him and Su Xiaoduo? He would’ve likely been swatted dead like a fly.

Such is the fate of mortals caught in a battle between immortals.

So Yu Xian was deeply relieved.

Su Xiaoduo’s fear gradually subsided. She gulped and whispered, “Master, that Zhou Qingyuan—he really wanted to hurt you. Yet he still dared to explain. What a scoundrel. You even saved his life…”

“He did save me once. Regardless of his motive, a life saved is a life saved.”

Hongshao replied coolly, “So I owed him once. Saving him from that illusion earlier repays that debt. As for his intentions to harm me—I’ll remember it. But I’m still recovering. A fight now would be too risky.”

Su Xiaoduo nodded silently.

Master understood far more than she did. There was no need to speak further.

Hongshao then looked at Yu Xian and said, “Even though I didn’t truly need those five seconds you bought me, I still acknowledge your sentiment.”

Yu Xian had already figured it out.

How could she have just happened to wake up at that exact moment?

She must’ve been ready all along.

So his risking his life for those five seconds—wasn’t it a bit foolish?

He responded calmly, bowing slightly. “I didn’t act for Master-Honored Aunt. I acted for myself, that is all.”

Indeed, he did it for himself.

If Hongshao had died, he wouldn’t have survived either.

Even a single second of delay could have been the difference between life and death.

Hongshao raised an eyebrow, smiling slightly. Her beautiful face lit up the sky, even outshining the flowers in the basket.

“You’re honest.”

Turning again to face forward, she added, “Still, even if your motives were selfish, I remember your kindness. You’re at the mid-Foundation stage and still dared to block Zhou Qingyuan—your courage is commendable.”

Yu Xian remained silent.

Su Xiaoduo blushed.

She had been frozen in fear. How could she have stopped Zhou Qingyuan?

It wasn’t a lack of courage—she’d simply panicked.

Hongshao didn’t blame her. There was nothing Su Xiaoduo could’ve done against Zhou Qingyuan anyway.

But Yu Xian’s actions had surprised her.

He, a mere Foundation Establishment mid-stage, had dared to stand between her and a powerful enemy. Zhou Qingyuan could have crushed him with a single slap.

What a stubborn idiot…

Five seconds—so laughable, yet… somehow admirable.

“Master… I’m sorry…”

Su Xiaoduo, overwhelmed by guilt, began to cry. “I was scared… I failed to protect you…”

“Silly girl.”

Hongshao smiled gently. “I never blamed you.”

Su Xiaoduo began to sob. “I was useless… I let Master down…”

“Ah.”

Hongshao sighed and glanced at Yu Xian. “You two… You’re alike in temperament. Stubborn to the bone.”

Yu Xian’s expression shifted subtly before returning to calm.

“Enough crying. If you truly feel guilty, then train harder. Reach mid-Foundation, late Foundation, then Golden Core. When that day comes, we can fight side by side.”

Seeing her tears, Hongshao chuckled and stopped paying attention, guiding the flower basket forward.

“Senior.”

Yu Xian spoke after they’d flown for over an incense stick of time, covering hundreds of miles. “Where are we going? Could you set me down somewhere?”

The situation had changed. He no longer needed to act as Hongshao’s junior.

His goal remained—to search for his master. But now, with greater caution.

His change in address didn’t escape Hongshao’s notice.

Her brow furrowed slightly. “What? Am I unworthy of being called ‘Master-Honored Aunt’? Even your master is nothing more than a child before me.”

She wasn’t referring to Gu Hanfeng, but to Xiao Wusheng.

Though Xiao Wusheng was over 130 years old and already in the Golden Core realm, compared to Hongshao—who was over five centuries old—he was indeed just a child.

“You are worthy, senior.”

Yu Xian bowed. “But I do have pressing matters. As you once said, if I can go, I should go. Now is that time.”

“You want to find your master, don’t you?”

Hongshao replied coldly, “But with your measly cultivation, you can barely travel three or five thousand li a day. How long will it take to search millions of li of the Eastern Continent?”

“I don’t care how vast it is, or how long it takes,” Yu Xian said solemnly. “As long as I’m alive, I will find my master.”

“Foolish.”

Hongshao’s tone turned cold. “Utterly foolish.”

Yu Xian’s gaze remained steady. He was unmoved.

She scoffed. “Your master is Xiao Wusheng, yes? I’ve heard of him—decent in alchemy, reached Golden Core. But did it occur to you that he might also be looking for you?”

Yu Xian blinked, surprised.

She continued, “You’re heading in opposite directions, searching for each other—what a waste of time.”

He frowned. It was something he had considered, but had no solution for.

Unless they ran into each other, they’d just pass like ships in the night.

Hongshao said, “Come with me. I’m heading to join Haotian Zhengzong. If you’re lucky, your master might already be there. If not, then you can earn fame in the sect. Once your name spreads, won’t he hear of it and come find you?”

Haotian Zhengzong…

Indeed, better than blindly searching. Gaining recognition in such a grand sect might be the key.

It was the union of the former Xuantian Sect, Yu Hua Sect, Yuanjian Sect, and Kui Ling Sect, forming a massive force.

Though the Blood River Sect held a terrifying Nascent Soul Patriarch, it was still a one-man force. Haotian Zhengzong’s defensive array kept them at bay—for now.

But it was a war of attrition.

If Hongshao joined Haotian Zhengzong, as a peak Golden Core expert, they’d certainly value her highly.

And if Yu Xian followed her there… the benefits were undeniable.

Still, was it appropriate?

“Enough thinking. I’ve decided.”

Hongshao interrupted, her tone brooking no argument.

With that, she continued guiding the flower basket forward.

Yu Xian hesitated, but after a deep breath, he closed his eyes—and opened them with newfound determination.

Very well.

He would go to Haotian Zhengzong.

From now on, he would train harder than ever, make a name for himself, and let his master know—your disciple is alive.

Unseen by him, Hongshao smiled faintly, watching the distant sky.

This boy… not entirely a fool. Just young.

The basket flew two more hours before descending into a misty, river-filled landscape.

“We’re here to meet my junior sister,” Hongshao said. “We’ll rest here before continuing to the former Xuantian Sect—the current Haotian Zhengzong.”

A picturesque residence appeared amid the mountains and rivers.

Two graceful female cultivators flew out.

Yu Xian’s expression stiffened.

Chen Manman, the Golden Core alchemist from Medicine King Valley—and her disciple, You Xiaohua.

So fate had brought them together again…