Volume 1 Volume 7 Chapter 103

Volume 7 Chapter 103: Return

Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands, by the sea.

More than ten figures stood at the edge of the coast, quietly gazing into the distance without moving. This same scene had lasted for ten days.

These figures were Dongfang Qingling, Xu Qingfan’s three disciples: Zhang Ningmei, Bai Yu, Tian Zhenxian, and some high-level cultivators from Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands.

"The ‘Azure Crystal Treasure House’ has been closed for almost a month; why hasn’t our master returned yet?"

In the silence, Tian Zhenxian could no longer hold back and turned to ask Zhang Ningmei.

Although this was not the first time Tian Zhenxian had asked this question, and he did not expect an answer from Zhang Ningmei, everyone else couldn’t help but look at Zhang Ningmei.

Zhang Ningmei slightly frowned, trying not to be noticed. This was the eighteenth time Tian Zhenxian had asked the question today, and if counted with the previous days, it was too many to keep track. Even with Zhang Ningmei’s good temper, she couldn’t help but feel a bit disturbed at this moment.

At the same time, she was also asking the same question in her heart—why hadn’t Master returned yet?

However, seeing Tian Zhenxian’s anxious expression like that of a child, Zhang Ningmei couldn’t bear to scold him and could only comfort him softly. She knew how anxious and painful Tian Zhenxian felt these days. He was worried about Xu Qingfan, and also because his brother Tian Zhenling had been in a deep coma despite Scholar Beihai’s efforts to keep his condition stable and needed Xu Qingfan’s help.

However, Xu Qingfan had not come back, which made everyone worried.

"You don’t need to worry. Senior Brother Xu is already one of the best experts in the world, and he has prepared very well for the ‘Azure Crystal Treasure House’ matter; nothing will go wrong."

Just then, a cold voice came from behind everyone.

Everyone was taken aback and hurriedly turned to look behind them, where they saw Bai Qingfu and Jin Qinghan coming together; it was Jin Qinghan who had spoken.

After the operation against the Zhong family, Jin Qinghan had been staying at the Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands, both to recover and to wait for Xu Qingfan’s return. Jin Qinghan felt a bit anxious about Xu Qingfan’s prolonged absence, but he tried to stay calm for the younger ones.

"Martial Uncle Jin."

"Senior Jin."

Everyone respected Jin Qinghan. The bond he shared with Xu Qingfan over the years, despite a century of no contact, was deep enough that they would go through fire for each other. This kind of friendship was something many admired.

Jin Qinghan nodded at the crowd, but then he unknowingly looked toward the Shenzhou Continent, a flicker of worry passing through his eyes.

Without a doubt, he understood the dangers of the "Azure Crystal Treasure House" better than anyone else.

Noticing that everyone was watching him, Jin Qinghan quickly smiled, signaling them to relax. However, since he was not the type to act lightheartedly, the sudden smile on his usually serious face felt strange to the crowd.

He sighed silently to himself, thinking he really wasn’t suited to be a leader. Just as he was about to say something to ease the awkwardness, his body shook, and he turned to look toward the Shenzhou Continent.

After a moment, two figures began to fade into view before the crowd.

After a moment, Liu Ziqing and Wang Zegang’s faces became faintly visible.

But what about Xu Qingfan?

In that instant, everyone had a feeling of unease in their hearts.

…

On Yuheng Island, where Xu Qingfan had lived for many years, Ting’er stood silently by the sea, just like Zhang Ningmei and the others, gazing towards the direction of Shenzhou Continent.

Recently, Dongfang Qingling felt uneasy because Xu Qingfan had not returned for a long time, so she went to Tianshu Island to discuss things with others. With Dongfang Qingling gone, Ting’er no longer pretended to be clueless, letting her anxious feelings show as she waited for Xu Qingfan’s return.

Among Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands, Ting’er undoubtedly cared the most about Xu Qingfan, so her emotions were naturally the most anxious at this moment.

Suddenly, Ting’er’s body trembled slightly, and she turned around quickly, only to find a figure had silently appeared behind her.

With Ting’er’s much greater Spiritual Sense, on Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands, the only two people who could silently approach her without being noticed were Xu Qingfan and the most mysterious and strange Chou.

And at this moment behind Ting’er stood Chou!

In the darkness under the hood, two points of blood-red light flickered faintly, seeming both cold and indifferent, yet perhaps hiding some deeply complex emotions.

The two people, as silent as icebergs, stared at each other for a long time. Suddenly, Chou turned silently to leave.

"Stop!"

Ting’er suddenly yelled coldly. Since Chou had seen her just now, it was clear he had also seen through all the years she pretended to be foolish. Although Ting’er didn’t know what to do for a moment, she couldn’t let Chou leave like this.

Surprisingly, Chou stood quietly in front of Ting’er, turning to face her again, continuing to meet her gaze.

"What are you doing on Yuheng Island? No one can come here without Uncle’s orders."

Despite Chou’s fearsome reputation, Ting’er showed no fear, her voice as calm and cold as ever.

"To watch you."

Chou replied in an even colder voice.

Quietly, a surge of magical fire suddenly rose from Ting’er, seeming ready to strike at any moment. The temperature on Yuheng Island became even colder.

Wherever Ting’er or Chou was, it seemed to always send a chill down people’s spines.

"My master asked me to watch you."

When these words were spoken, even Chou was taken aback. He was not used to explaining his actions, not even in front of Xu Qingfan. But when he saw the endless rage suddenly rise in Ting’er’s cold eyes, he didn’t know why; the explanation slipped out. Deep down, he feared making Ting’er angry, even though this was his first conversation with her.

Perhaps it was because of the stunning impression and distance he felt when he first saw Ting’er as a mortal? Or maybe, over these days, he had been secretly keeping an eye on Ting’er, unknowingly leaving a mark in her heart? Or was it because he and Ting’er were essentially the same kind of person, both persistent and obsessive?

Chou didn’t know; he wasn’t used to pondering such questions.

Chou only knew that while Xu Qingfan was wary of him, Ting’er had never hidden her hostility and intent to kill toward him. From the start, he had never felt repelled by this danger.

On the other side, Ting’er was also stunned by Chou’s words, and the magical fire around her unknowingly returned to her body.

"I am the only person who can get close to you, besides the master. Before taking action, the master specifically told me to pay attention to any unusual things about you during these days. He seems to have seen through your disguises. I don’t know what your disguises are for, but… the master has already figured it out. If there’s something, you should talk to the master honestly."

Chou’s voice was still cold, but these words had something different from before.

For the first time, Chou realized that his mouth did not follow his brain; it instinctively spoke many words that usually wouldn’t come out.

Shaking his head slightly, Chou turned to leave. Next to Ting’er, he felt like he was not himself anymore.

Suddenly, both Chou and Ting’er paused and looked toward the direction of the Shenzhou Continent.

Liu Ziqing and Wang Zegang’s presence appeared, but he could not sense Xu Qingfan’s familiar presence.

Ting’er was slightly taken aback, as if remembering something. Her body shook, and she soared towards Tianshu Island.

Chou silently followed behind Ting’er.

Looking at Ting’er’s figure, he was momentarily lost in thought.

At the same time, he finally understood why he had such an unusual interest in Ting’er.

On the outside, Ting’er and Chou looked very similar, both considered outcasts by others, both using indifference to protect themselves, both feeling lonely, both extreme and persistent.

But in essence, Ting’er and Chou were completely opposite; Chou’s heart was filled only with hatred, while Ting’er’s heart was filled only with Xu Qingfan.

Chou’s exterior was very cold, but his heart was even colder; Ting’er’s exterior might be cold, but her heart was incredibly warm.

And this warmth, this passion for feelings, was what Chou lacked the most…

…

In just a short period of time, the cultivators of Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands received an overwhelming amount of news and were left in a bit of shock.

Among the cultivators of Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands, the seemingly divine Xu Qingfan had his physical body destroyed, leaving only a Nascent Soul, a complete soul, and a bit of Original Life Essence Blood, needing to reconstruct a body…

Xu Qingfan saved the entire Human Alliance…

Liu Ziqing and Wang Zegang brought countless treasures.

In Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands, Xu Qingfan’s disciple, the most mysterious Ting’er, unexpectedly regained her mind.

Upon seeing Xu Qingfan’s body destroyed, Ting’er was deeply impacted. The usually indifferent Chou surprisingly approached to comfort her, saying that he could help rebuild Xu Qingfan’s body and that there was no need to worry.

There were many changes, too many and too mixed, that everyone didn’t know how to react.

Especially Dongfang Qingling, after learning that Xu Qingfan’s body was destroyed, turned pale. She didn’t pay any attention to whether the livestock saved the Human Alliance or how many treasures they brought back from the "Azure Crystal Treasure House."

Then, Ting’er hurried over. Seeing Ting’er restored to her normal state, Dongfang Qingling seemed to think of something, her expression grew more complicated.

…

Once everyone finally reacted to the confusing news, the whole Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands began to get busy.

They were busy working to recreate Xu Qingfan’s body.

Reshaping the body for a cultivator is a very troublesome task. First, it requires a lot of precious materials from nature, and second, it needs a special and complex array. Finally, five masters must oversee the array.

Someone like Zhang Xusheng, who relies only on himself to reshape his body, is indeed one of a kind.

With Mr. Liu’s support before and the abilities of Old Beggar and others, they could barely manage it.

However, at this moment, the most troublesome thing for Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands is that they need five Mahayana Stage masters to oversee the array.

Wang Zegang, Liu Ziqing, Jin Qinghan, Chou…

But right now, the Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands only has four masters.

It was agreed that Mr. Liu would settle things after returning to the Human Alliance and then hurry to Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands.

Unfortunately, not long after Mr. Liu and others returned to Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands, the Shura Clan launched a massive attack, and a fierce battle began, which was so powerful that even from far away in the East Sea, the Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands could feel it clearly.

If it weren’t for Xu Qingfan’s situation, Jin Qinghan would have rushed back to the Human Alliance for support.

However, if Xu Qingfan’s body is not rebuilt soon, Xu Qingfan’s Nascent Soul and Original Soul will begin to fade. Even if Xu Qingfan’s body can be rebuilt in the future, Xu Qingfan’s ability and mind will suffer greatly.

Just when everyone was anxiously searching for the fifth master, Ting’er, who was originally the most anxious, suddenly calmed down and announced that she was going into seclusion.