Volume 5 Chapter 22

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Volume 5 Chapter 22: Breakthrough (Part 2)

Watching as Ting’er’s door slowly closed, Xu Qingfan set up layers of defensive and isolating barriers outside to prevent any unexpected interruptions during Ting’er’s seclusion.

Turning around, he noticed Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu quietly watching him. As for Little Green, it had scurried to the spot closest to Ting’er’s room the moment the door closed, seemingly waiting for Ting’er to emerge again.

"Master, is it really okay to let Senior Sister Ting’er go into seclusion like this?" Although Zhang Ningmei felt warmth from the earlier scene between Xu Qingfan and Ting’er, she couldn’t help but ask worriedly.

Xu Qingfan smiled slightly, turning his gaze once again to the now tightly closed door of Ting’er’s room, as if his eyes could see through the barriers and walls to the musing and absent-minded Ting’er sitting at her bedside.

After a moment, Xu Qingfan finally looked away, his voice distant and calm as he spoke, "Ting’er grew up in a very strange environment, where her father and clan were busy with conflict, and she witnessed me killing her father. Coupled with being altered by the magical pearl, all of this formed her seemingly cold personality. But you only noticed her vulnerability and indifference from that night, not considering how strong the heart of a girl, not yet ten, must become after growing up through such events. For most people, such a conversation might not resolve their inner demons, but for Ting’er, it’s enough. Those words will allow her to understand it all."

After hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, Zhang Ningmei seemed deep in thought and eventually nodded slightly.

Only Bai Yu found the sudden conversation between Zhang Ningmei and Xu Qingfan somewhat baffling, but after a moment, he seemed to realize something, jumping up and shouting, "Master! You said you killed Ting’er’s father!"

Xu Qingfan and Zhang Ningmei exchanged a helpless glance at Bai Yu’s slowness, shaking their heads in amusement.

In the end, Xu Qingfan decided not to bother explaining his and Ting’er’s complicated past to Bai Yu, instead regaining a serious demeanor as he said, "We’ve lost enough time. Let’s begin the lesson now."

Saying this, Xu Qingfan slowly walked towards the place where the three disciples usually listened to teachings, while Zhang Ningmei followed with a smile.

Only Bai Yu stood there, scratching his head and talking to himself, "Did I hear it wrong? It seemed like Master said it more than once?"

※※※※

Thus, Xu Qingfan’s life returned to its usual routine—either sitting on the ground in the courtyard teaching Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu, or meditating in his room exploring the Heavenly Way, or reading books and discussing or playing chess with Zhang Ningmei. Of course, when playing chess with Zhang Ningmei, Xu Qingfan still suffered losses as usual, but the only consolation was that his chess skills were gradually improving, and Zhang Ningmei had gone from giving him a three-piece handicap to a two-piece one.

Reading, teaching, playing chess, drinking tea.

Xu Qingfan’s life was very leisurely, to say the least. Sometimes Xu Qingfan thought that perhaps this was the life a cultivator was supposed to have—calm and serene.

However, sometimes when Xu Qingfan did not see Ting’er around, he would worry about Ting’er’s internal demon. Would it really be completely eradicated as he previously thought? If during seclusion, the internal demon suddenly attacked, it would not be as simple as a Qi deviation.

Only at such times did Xu Qingfan realize that perhaps because he cared too much about Ting’er, his judgment had become somewhat hesitant.

Moreover, Xu Qingfan suddenly realized that in this courtyard, he was truly unaccustomed to the absence of Ting’er. Thinking back carefully, it seemed that every time he emerged from seclusion or returned from traveling down the mountain, Ting’er would be waiting quietly outside or in front of the door. It seemed as if whenever Xu Qingfan appeared in this courtyard, Ting’er would silently follow behind him, and there had never been a time when Xu Qingfan did not see Ting’er first after ending seclusion or returning from traveling.

Thinking of this, Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but wonder if, during his time in retreat or traveling down the mountain, Ting’er had been waiting quietly in this courtyard.

Just as Ting’er never seriously considered why Xu Qingfan took her as a disciple, Xu Qingfan also never thought about it. They both saw it as a natural thing.

Yet, when one day someone suddenly discovers the deeper meaning beneath this assumed normalcy, the emotion in their heart becomes even more profound.

Besides doing these things, during this period, Xu Qingfan often visited the front mountain, sometimes helping Li Yuhan with tasks that were originally his responsibility. This surprised those familiar with Xu Qingfan’s ways, wondering when this "Jiuhua’s most elusive and reclusive Deacon Elder" had become so diligent.

In fact, during this time Xu Qingfan often went to the front mountain just to meet Zhang Hualing, and then he would leave promptly.

Xu Qingfan did this partly because he was worried about Zhang Hualing, who was modifying secret techniques. He feared that Zhang Hualing might one day be controlled by the dark energy within them, so he would visit Zhang Hualing in the front mountain from time to time to check on him.

Zhang Hualing continued to cultivate these dark energy-filled secret techniques to extend his lifespan, waiting for the day when Xu Qingfan’s temperament and reputation were enough to replace him. Also, he sought ways within these techniques to suppress the lurking dark tendencies in his heart.

Later on, in places where help was needed, Xu Qingfan even assisted Zhang Hualing in completing some of the secret technique experiments. Unable to stop him, Xu Qingfan could only do his best to help Zhang Hualing avoid harm from the secret techniques.

Additionally, Xu Qingfan met with Zhang Hualing to analyze the various situations he encountered after descending the mountain and the state of the cultivation world. With Zhang Hualing’s insight, they aimed to better understand the future of the cultivation world and Jiuhua Mountain’s response.

Whether it was the Battle of Tian Sha or the Battle of Qingxu Gate, Zhang Hualing was full of amazement. First, he hadn’t expected Xu Qingfan to achieve such feats, and second, he was surprised at how chaotic the cultivation world had become.

After analyzing, they felt that the two biggest events in the cultivation world in recent years weren’t the changes at "Tian Sha" and "Qingxu Gate," but the increasing activity of "Ming" and the emergence of the Righteous Alliance.

These two events gave Xu Qingfan and Zhang Hualing a vague sense of unease. From various signs, it seemed that the past disasters in the cultivation world were all orchestrated by "Ming." The exact purpose of "Ming" can be set aside for now, but in previous disasters, "Ming" remained unseen, hiding in the shadows. Yet this time, "Ming" stepped forward, personally controlling the prelude to the catastrophe. Could there be a special significance to this disaster?

Moreover, the formation of the Righteous Alliance, such a big event, happened quietly. It united all the major sects and Grandmasters of the righteous path but left out numerous smaller sects. Why? Could it be that the Righteous Alliance knows something and lacks confidence in protecting those smaller sects, thus choosing to abandon them?

As their analysis continued, Xu Qingfan and Zhang Hualing grew increasingly alarmed.

Regarding whether Jiuhua Mountain would also be abandoned by the Righteous Alliance, they weren’t worried. After years of recovery, Jiuhua now had over forty Condensed Core Stage cultivators, most of whom were young disciples new to the stage. With such strength, the Righteous Alliance wouldn’t abandon them. Moreover, the formation of the Righteous Alliance was due to the letter Liu Huaxiang sent to Immortal Zizhen. Jiuhua hadn’t yet been invited, most likely because it was currently in seclusion.

Even so, thinking about the actions of the Righteous Alliance and "Ming," the two still felt a sense of uncertainty about the future and a feeling of danger.

Though Xu Qingfan often met with Zhang Hualing, most of the time he remained in his cave dwelling, quietly waiting for Ting’er to finish her seclusion.

This wait lasted a full three months.

On this day, Xu Qingfan was teaching Bai Yu and Zhang Ningmei when he suddenly paused and glanced towards Ting’er’s room. As Xu Qingfan turned his head, a powerful aura suddenly emanated from Ting’er’s room.