Volume 5 Chapter 94

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/

Volume 5 Chapter 94: Master and Apprentice as Before, the Truth Remains

"Uncle…"

"Master."

"Teacher."

When Xu Qingfan stepped into the healing place of the Righteous Alliance, three surprised voices rang out; they were Ting’er, Zhang Ningmei, and Bai Yu.

Among them, Ting’er was sitting quietly on a bamboo bed, calmly talking to Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu. When she saw Xu Qingfan, her expression was still cool, but beneath that coolness was a hidden joy. That mission had a big impact on Xu Qingfan, changing his character in many ways, and it affected Ting’er too. For the past seven years, Ting’er had been healing here, but she still remembered the day when they were attacked by the Beast Madness cultivators. So each time Xu Qingfan led a mission, Ting’er worried a lot, but whenever he returned to see her, she was incredibly happy, as if they had reunited after a disaster. But happiness only lasted a moment before she began to worry again about the risks Xu Qingfan would face on his next mission.

Just because of Xu Qingfan, the normally indifferent Ting’er became unusually sensitive, causing Xu Qingfan to feel a bit guilty. He always insisted he would take good care of her, but in reality, Ting’er was often in pain, and after easing her worries, Xu Qingfan brought her endless concern instead.

On the other hand, Zhang Ningmei remained as calm as ever, and Bai Yu was still full of energy. Over the past seven years, Ting’er and Little Black had been cared for by Zhang Ningmei. During these years, they learned many healing techniques from the skilled healers of different factions. Meanwhile, Bai Yu, free from restrictions, wandered around ‘Ronghua Mountain’ and became familiar with the rogue cultivators who often tangled with Xu Qingfan. He often pleaded with Xu Qingfan to take in those twin cultivators as his disciples, dreaming of the day he would lead a group of brothers to act heroically.

When Xu Qingfan returned to Jiuhua with news of the alliance with the Righteous Alliance, Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu officially entered Jiuhua. Soon after, Jiuhua decided to move closer to ‘Ronghua Mountain’ and temporarily abandoned Jiuhua Mountain, as being isolated from the Righteous Alliance’s main base was too dangerous amidst the chaos.

However, because Jiuhua emerged as the "Eight Wilderness Hall" began to decline, and the special nature of the "Beast Madness cultivators" made it very difficult for cultivators below the Condensed Core Stage to deal with them, Xu Qingfan’s earlier worries about Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu having to fight in the harsh chaos after Jiuhua’s emergence did not happen. These two had remained safe under heavy protection at ‘Ronghua Mountain’ all these years, so while Xu Qingfan had become somewhat numb and cold from witnessing death and destruction, Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu continued to be as calm and optimistic as ever.

Whether it was from getting used to the noise and harshness of the world outside the mountains, or longing for the things that reminded him of the past after losing them, or feeling tired after battles, when Xu Qingfan heard the calls of the three disciples, he first nodded at them, then smiled gently, revealing a surprisingly kind demeanor.

"Ting’er, are you feeling better?"

Xu Qingfan walked to Ting’er’s bedside and asked in a soft voice.

"I’m completely healed," Ting’er replied softly.

Xu Qingfan nodded slightly but then shook his head and said, "You should rest a bit longer. After all, your injuries were very serious and affected your core strength. Although you have healed, your core might not be fully functional yet. It’s best to take more time to rest, as this is important for your future."

Hearing Xu Qingfan say this, Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu looked at each other with strange expressions, their lips curving into half-smiles. When Ting’er heard Xu Qingfan’s words, she suddenly looked up at him, as if wanting to say something, but eventually, a hint of disappointment crossed her eyes, and she lowered her head again, expressing her reluctance as she softly said, "Okay."

In fact, Ting’er had completely recovered two years ago, but Xu Qingfan continued to insist she stay here and rest. This conversation had already happened four times between Xu Qingfan and Ting’er, word for word, with Ting’er saying she was healed and wanting to join Xu Qingfan on missions. Even though she knew her current strength was not enough to protect him, she felt comforted just standing quietly behind him. However, Xu Qingfan did not want Ting’er to face any danger and, ignoring the fact that she had already healed, insisted she stay at "Ronghua Mountain" to recuperate.

In the end, though unwilling, Ting’er instinctively could not oppose anything Xu Qingfan said and compromised for the fourth time.

For two years, the same conversation had happened four times, almost word for word. No wonder Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu’s expressions were so strange earlier. It was a challenge for Xu Qingfan and Ting’er to say the same thing so many times, and judging by the current situation, it seemed like they would have to continue this way in the future.

They are truly a stubborn, strange, and strict pair of uncle and nephew.

After talking with Ting’er for a bit, Xu Qingfan turned to look at Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu. When he saw Zhang Ningmei, a hint of relief flashed in his eyes, but when he saw Bai Yu, his eyes grew serious.

Not only has Little Black and Ting’er been well cared for over the years, but they have also diligently practiced as Xu Qingfan advised. Now, they have reached the middle stage of the Lingji Stage and are close to the late stage of Spirit Qi. Because of her special qualities, her Divine Sense strength is comparable to a Condensed Core Stage cultivator. Achieving so much in just seven years is largely due to her hard work, alongside the elixirs given by Xu Qingfan, which makes him very pleased.

On the other hand, Bai Yu has become a headache for Xu Qingfan. Back when Xu Qingfan wouldn’t let Bai Yu leave the cave, he trained diligently under Xu Qingfan’s watchful eye. However, with Xu Qingfan often away and many cultivators on ‘Ronghua Mountain,’ Bai Yu lost his discipline, becoming a social butterfly, spending his days idly with friends. While he still practiced martial arts somewhat, he spent less time on meditation.

In the past, Xu Qingfan could scare Bai Yu by saying that Zhang Ningmei would protect him in the future, but that tactic is not effective anymore.

Seeing Xu Qingfan frown when he looked at him, Bai Yu instinctively shrank back, his expression carrying a hint of grievance or guilt, knowing Xu Qingfan was about to scold him. Yet despite the change in his face, his eyes remained defiant, clearly not taking Xu Qingfan’s reprimands seriously. This scolding had become a routine every time Xu Qingfan returned home; while others trembled with fear due to Xu Qingfan’s fierce reputation, Bai Yu had become accustomed to it.

"Master, I have really been working harder than usual since you came down the mountain. You can ask my martial sister, Ningmeielder!"

Even before Xu Qingfan could scold him, Bai Yu started to defend himself, which left Xu Qingfan feeling both amused and exasperated. But seeing how the outside world was filled with chaos and how the people of the Righteous Alliance respected him, Xu Qingfan felt an inexplicable warmth seeing Bai Yu’s shamelessness in front of him.

After hearing Bai Yu’s words, Zhang Ningmei straightforwardly agreed, saying to Xu Qingfan, "Master, it’s true. During the three months you were away, Junior Martial Brother Bai Yu meditated a lot more, almost an incense’s length more than last time. He really has put in more effort."

Hearing Zhang Ningmei speak so rudely, Bai Yu couldn’t help but give her a secretly annoyed glance, but Zhang Ningmei rarely blinked at Bai Yu, making it impossible for him to feel angry. In the end, he could only lower his head even more, waiting for Xu Qingfan’s scolding.

Fortunately, Bai Yu was already used to Xu Qingfan’s scoldings, and he didn’t know why, but each time they returned from being out, even if Xu Qingfan was angry and his words were very harsh, the time of scolding seemed to be getting shorter. Based on Bai Yu’s experience, Xu Qingfan would probably scold him for just a short while this time, and in his heart, he hoped that this moment would pass quickly.

But after looking down for a long time, he strangely did not hear Xu Qingfan’s scolding. When he raised his head in confusion, he found Xu Qingfan quietly staring at him, with a hint of disappointment and contemplation in his eyes. The tiredness that had been hidden before slightly surfaced.

For some reason, Bai Yu, who had long stopped caring about Xu Qingfan’s scoldings, suddenly felt a bit ashamed when he saw Xu Qingfan at that moment.