Chapter 22
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Chapter 22: Title
The food was plain and tasteless.
That was Ye Qingshang’s strongest feeling after three days at the Yunshan Sect.
The Yunshan Sect sat on Xingzhou’s highest peak, and like the local customs, its meals were naturally plain.
Ye Qingshang had loved spicy food since childhood. Though she looked calm and detached, she couldn’t do without heat.
Forced to change her eating habits for three days, she couldn’t stand it. She dipped her chopsticks into the clear soup, which had no oil sheen, and complained, "This soup has no flavor, it’s like plain water, and these vegetables—is the kitchen counting salt grains to add?"
Mu Huaiyun replied, "The Yunshan Sect’s food has always been this way. For cultivators, food pleasures aren’t the main thing; it’s fine as long as you can eat it."
"I forgot you’ve eaten this since childhood; you must be used to it. But it’s a pity you’ve missed the world’s flavors. If you ever ascend to godhood and live without eating, wouldn’t you have even less chance?"
"That’s not true."
Ye Qingshang took a serious bite of her meal and asked, "What’s not true?"
"I don’t like plain food either."
"That’s strange! Growing up in the Yunshan Sect, your eating habits didn’t change?"
"My mother was from Sichuan. When I was young, she often gave me Sichuan food. Over time, my tastes shifted."
"So, your mother had foresight." Otherwise, eating tasteless food for years would be hard.
"Mm," Mu Huaiyun agreed but stopped his chopsticks. "She passed away a few years back and isn’t here anymore."
"Uh… I’m sorry."
Ye Qingshang changed the subject wisely, "Since you don’t like plain food, why not ask Sect Leader Mu to cook something special for you?" After all, as the young master, that wasn’t too much to ask.
"There’s a chef from Sichuan in the sect. He went home to visit family recently, but you’ll see him tomorrow."
Ye Qingshang’s eyes brightened, and she felt the food tasted better. "Great."
"Sister Ye," Qiao Zhu peeked in and finally found her in a corner.
"Master Ning has arrived."
Ye Qingshang reached the meeting hall just as Ning Jiwei had taken his seat.
"Jiwei," Mu Shezhi greeted warmly, "Your disciple is remarkable—she even managed to claim Qianyu."
"You flatter her, Sect Leader Mu. My disciple lacks discretion. If she caused offense, I beg your forgiveness."
"Ah, she’s just a child! I wouldn’t hold it against her… Speak of the devil! Qingshang, stand with your master."
Ning Jiwei’s renowned reputation seemed to elevate Ye Qingshang’s status, making Mu Shezhi’s sudden familiarity feel unnatural.
"Thank you for watching over my disciple during her stay at your sect."
Mu Shezhi waved politely. "Think nothing of it. Now that Qingshang’s here, we needn’t linger. You may take your leave."
He recalled Ning Jiwei’s true purpose for visiting: Ye Qingshang.
"Many thanks, Sect Leader Mu."
Once they’d walked some distance from the hall, Ye Qingshang asked, "Master, why did you come to Yunshan Sect?"
"To retrieve you. You seized Sect Leader Mu’s most treasured possession. Had I not intervened, his anger might have harmed others."
"That treasure was displayed in Divine Hall—top three from Ten Sects Discussions could claim any spiritual weapon willing to bond. Even without me, others would’ve taken it. Why the fury? Besides, a sect leader wouldn’t quarrel with a junior."
"Good that you understand. Tell me—does Qianyu respond well?"
"Perfectly, Master."
Ning Jiwei halted in a clearing. "Attack me with Qianyu now. I won’t counter for ten moves."
Ye Qingshang knew he wanted to test her synchronization with the sword. But against a master of his stature? Twenty moves wouldn’t suffice to graze his sleeve.
Though resigned, she summoned Qianyu. Spiritual power hummed along the blade as its tip halted three inches from him.
Her first strike deflected off a barrier.
Gritting her teeth, she channeled all her power toward his neck—his sole weak point. Yet three strikes later, her limited spiritual power proved futile.
Qianyu trembled in response to her frustration. The sword dipped from her grasp, its tip scraping ground.
The contact sparked an idea: if frontal assaults failed… why not strike from below?
A sly smile formed. "Careful, Master."
Before she finished speaking, Qianyu shot underground as a streak of light. Fissures erupted beneath Ning Jiwei’s feet, forcing him back—only to meet the sword materializing behind him. His barrier cracked upon impact.
The faintest smile touched his lips.
"Clever adaptation when direct attacks fail. But you’re draining Qianyu’s power recklessly. How fares your inner core?"
"No discomf—" A cough choked her words. Turbid energy clogged her lungs, making breathing labored.
Ning Jiwei shook his head.
"Never exhaust spiritual power during early weapon fusion. We end here. After I depart, cultivate properly—don’t repeat this recklessness."
Warm spiritual power descended, wrapped around her inner core, and soothed her ragged breaths. She closed her eyes as the energy flowed endlessly, dissolving the obstruction completely before vanishing.
"Master?" The word caught in her throat. He’d disappeared without a trace.
A familiar face beamed at her. "Sister Ye! Your master dotes on you—visiting just to train you! Many in the cultivation world would give anything to learn from Master Ning. Even his other disciples lack such honor!"
"Sister Ye… Master Ning treats you uniquely. Are you truly just master and disciple?"
“Was it anything other than a master-disciple relationship?” Brother and sister? The moment that thought crossed her mind, Ye Qingshang felt a chill run down her spine. Being siblings with her master? No, she didn’t dare think that way.
Besides, her master had always treated her with such kindness; there was no reason to doubt it.
Qiao Zhu’s smile widened as she said, “Sister Ye, has anyone ever told you that you are very charming?”
Ye Qingshang responded, “Hmm?”
She turned her head in confusion, not realizing that a corner of a blue robe fluttered in the distance. A gust of wind stirred, and its owner turned away angrily, leaving with a hint of fury in his steps.
