Chapter 189: Entering the Sect, Clues of a Name Revealed

Standing before the massive, familiar sect gate, Yu Xian’s eyes flickered with complexity and nostalgia, but he quickly regained his calm.

Casually, he pulled out a mask and covered his face, then donned a bamboo hat.

With the black gauze of the hat obscuring him and a mask layered underneath, no one could possibly recognize who he was.

After all, it had been years since he last returned. His height and build had drastically changed. Even if someone had a photographic memory, identifying him now would be difficult.

Seeing Yu Xian’s careful disguise, Qu’er showed a trace of surprise.

Then, after a moment’s thought, she pulled out a red silk scarf and draped it over her face as well, adopting a mysterious look.

But while Yu Xian was fully covered, her veil was only partial—concealing yet alluring, enhancing her beauty with an air of mystique.

He Butong didn’t bother with them and simply strode forward.

Though the Baiyun Sect had become the Blood River Sect, not much had changed structurally. Even the systems and rules were largely inherited.

Only the mountain-protecting formation had been replaced with the Blood River Formation.

The three of them arrived at the sect gate where disciples came and went constantly.

The moment He Butong appeared, he attracted the attention of several guards.

A mid-stage Golden Core expert—such individuals were rare and typically only seen among elders.

Among the dozen or so Golden Core elders within the sect, they were all well-known. So this unfamiliar face must be an independent cultivator seeking entry.

Several Foundation Establishment disciples hurried forward, bowed slightly, and asked respectfully, “Senior, do you have an invitation, or are you seeking someone within the Blood River Sect?”

He Butong didn’t respond. He simply raised a hand and revealed a blood-red token.

The disciples’ expressions changed immediately. They stepped back and bowed deeply, saying, “So it’s a Registered Elder! Please, Elder, enter!”

He Butong walked in with hands behind his back, with Yu Xian and Qu’er following on either side.

Back when Baiyun Sect had been overrun, the outer and inner sects had fallen into chaos. But after the Blood River Sect took full control, more than half of the disciples surrendered and were absorbed.

The mess and destruction were quickly repaired and restored.

Now, as Yu Xian walked through these once-familiar scenes, the memories hit him like a tide.

Three years of growth, his master’s teachings, the joy of refining pills, his happiest days—all of it resurfaced vividly.

Qu’er, however, remained calm and graceful, her eyes not wandering.

The outer disciples moved briskly through their duties—mining, refining pills, tending to spirit herbs—all continued as before.

The six outer peaks of Baiyun Sect still operated as usual.

In reality, very little had changed—only those in power had shifted.

But just that change had cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of cultivators.

The strong stirred the heavens; the weak could only drift with the tide.

He Butong advanced without obstruction and soon reached the inner sect.

Yu Xian had only been to the inner sect once—back when he went to Ascension Island. The inner sect lay halfway up the main mountain.

Though it was the same mountain, the spiritual energy between the foot, waist, and peak was vastly different.

The outer sect had only about one-third the spiritual energy of the inner sect.

And the peak had more than three times that of the inner sect.

That peak once belonged to two Supreme Elders of Baiyun Sect. Who occupied it now was unclear—most likely a Nascent Soul expert.

The inner sect was far quieter now.

During the invasion, half the hundred Foundation disciples were killed, and half fled. The rest surrendered.

Only a few years had passed, and only a handful of new Foundation disciples had joined. Now, there were barely thirty or forty.

Qu’er, veiled and elegant, had grown more striking. The red silk enhanced her features and gave her an air of mystery.

At one point, she caught Xǔ Haomíng glancing at her. She smiled playfully at him, her charm apparent.

Xu Haoming’s brow twitched. He quickly looked away and focused on leading them.

Each inner sect elder had their own cave dwelling or territory, ranging from a few hundred meters to entire peaks.

After a while, Xu Haoming led them to the cave dwelling of Elder Wang Tianba.

“Senior, Elder Wang might be in seclusion… I wouldn’t dare disturb him,” he said nervously.

“No worries,” He Butong replied calmly. He stepped forward and called, “Brother Wang, may I have a word?”

Though his voice was soft, it flowed like a breeze into the cave.

Three breaths later, a chuckle echoed out: “Oh? He Daoyou, what brings you here today? Planning to officially join the Blood River Sect?”

With a rumble, the stone door opened, and a smiling old man stepped out.

Yu Xian’s eyes narrowed—he recognized him.

This was the elder who had tested his aptitude when he first joined Baiyun Sect!

That terrifying facial scar was unforgettable, and even now, it sent chills down the spine.

Wang Tianba.

So that was his name.

Clearly, he was already old when he formed his foundation, but he had succeeded and even reached the mid-Golden Core stage.

That scarred, terrifying face—this man was far from ordinary!

“No, no,” He Butong chuckled. “I merely came to consult you on something.”

“Oh? You reached mid-Golden Core?”

Wang Tianba squinted slightly, sensing He Butong’s cultivation.

“Congratulations, Daoyou. At just 213 years old, that’s a great achievement!”

“I was lucky,” He Butong replied. “I’m 213 now, yes.”

“Hah, better than me. I’m already over 480,” Wang sighed.

“Come in, please.”

He Butong turned to Yu Xian and Qu’er and said, “Wang Daoyou prefers privacy. You two wait here. I’ll be back shortly.”

He followed Wang Tianba inside. The door shut with a boom.

Yu Xian stood quietly, eyes thoughtful.

Clearly, the elm wood fragment had come from Wang Tianba.

But how had he acquired it?

Given Wang’s current strength, Yu Xian had no way to find out. If He Butong didn’t ask, this clue would have to wait until Yu Xian was stronger.

“Fairy, I am Xu Haoming… May I ask your name?” a voice suddenly asked.

Yu Xian turned and saw Xu Haoming smiling at Qu’er, hands clasped.

Qu’er smiled faintly, replying, “Isn’t that a bit rude?”

Xu laughed, “I know it is, but you’re so beautiful… I couldn’t help myself. If I could learn your name, I could die without regrets!”

“Really?” Qu’er smiled slyly. “Then why don’t you die and prove it to me?”

Xu Haoming’s face froze.

“Hahaha!” Qu’er burst into laughter, her shoulders shaking. “Relax, just joking!”

Xu Haoming forced a laugh. “Fairy, you really know how to joke…”

“I won’t tease anymore,” Qu’er said seriously. “I’m called Niu Xiaoqü.”

“Niu Xiaoqü…”

Xu smiled again. “What a lovely name, just like you.”

“You flatter me,” Qu’er replied, blushing faintly. “Xu Haoming is a fine name too.”

“Not at all…”

The two began complimenting each other enthusiastically.

Yu Xian watched from the side, growing increasingly bored.

Xu Haoming was talkative, but Qu’er wasn’t falling behind either. The two were perfectly matched in wit.

“Fairy, if you ever return to the Blood River Sect, feel free to find me—I’ll give you the grandest welcome!”

Then, Xu naturally turned to Yu Xian. “May I ask for your name, Daoyou? Your master is a registered elder, so you’re half a sect member. We should at least be acquainted.”

Yu Xian’s tone was cold and raspy. “No need. I have no desire to exchange names or Dao with you.”

“Uh…”

Xu Haoming’s smile froze again.

His enthusiasm was met with ice.

“How can you be so rude?” Qu’er scolded, raising her eyebrows. “Are you hiding your name or what? Fine, I’ll tell him.”

Yu Xian gave her a cold look but said nothing.

She knew his name. She also knew he was hiding it for a reason.

If she spoke his name here—she would truly become his enemy.

“Oh? You’re staring again?” she snapped, then turned to Xu with a mischievous smile. “Xu Daoyou, his name is…”

Yu Xian’s eyes narrowed. Xu also looked surprised.

“His name is Yu Bighead! Hahaha!”

Qu’er burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. “His name is so ugly, he’s embarrassed! Yu Bighead! Ahaha!”