“So this is the Sword Emperor’s handwritten letter…”
Blue Ling’er murmured.
She seemed to understand why Liu Mingyan had been so stubborn about meeting Yu Yi in person instead of handing the item over to the disciples.
It was because Liu Mingyan believed that only Yu Yi herself was qualified to receive a letter from her Master, the Sword Emperor.
No one else was worthy of laying eyes on it.
This was also a reflection of the respect Liu Mingyan held for her Master.
“The ‘Wooden Sword’ the Sword Emperor once lent Master… could it be the magic treasure Third Senior Sister uses?”
Blue Ling’er asked as a thought occurred to her.
“Oh, I remember now,” Huang Doudou said after thinking for a moment.
“Third Senior Sister always has a few wooden flying swords floating around her. Whether she is building a house or pruning plants, she uses those wooden flying swords to get it done.”
Huang Doudou pondered further and added, “I haven’t seen Third Senior Sister in a long time. If her cultivation has improved, the wooden flying swords floating around her should be even more numerous than before, right?”
Hearing this, Yu Yi gained a general understanding of the situation.
‘The original host obtained a “Wooden Sword” from the Sword Emperor many years ago, but it wasn’t exactly a sword. It was classified as a magic treasure, and its quantity increases as the owner’s cultivation level rises.’
‘Since the original host already gave it to the third disciple, did she never intend to return it to the Sword Emperor?’
‘Tsk, she really stopped at nothing to get what she wanted. If she could solve it with force, she did. If she couldn’t beat the Sword Emperor with force, she used her wits instead?’
“Master, do you really intend to return that ‘Wooden Sword’ to the Sword Emperor?”
Blue Ling’er asked, concerned by Yu Yi’s prolonged silence.
“Whether I return it or not isn’t important right now,” Yu Yi said calmly.
“Even if I wanted to, I would have to find the person first.”
The disciples fell silent at her words.
For many years, no one knew the whereabouts of the third disciple.
Compared to the fourth disciple, who had made a name for herself on the Right Path as the “Child of the Wind God,” the third was far too low-key.
Regardless, Yu Yi needed to find this low-profile third disciple.
The ten-year winter in Cangzhou required her “Azure Wood Jade” to come to an end.
The mission to find her location naturally fell to Su Cheng and Huang Doudou.
After Yu Yi finished giving her instructions, she prepared to handle another important matter.
“Qianxue, stop hiding. Come out and meet your seniors,” Yu Yi said to Yun Qianxue, who was hiding behind her and looking rather shy.
“I… I understand,” Yun Qianxue replied softly.
She stepped out from behind Yu Yi and stood before the disciples.
Yu Yi then explained Yun Qianxue’s situation to them.
Aside from Su Cheng, who already knew the facts, the other disciples had various expressions upon learning that Yun Qianxue had waited for Yu Yi for five years.
“Waiting for five years… wouldn’t that be boring? If you really did that, you’re amazing!”
Huang Doudou imagined herself waiting in one place for five years and shuddered.
“Master should know me. If it were me, I could do it too,” Blue Ling’er said, unable to resist vying for favor.
“In those five years, did you pass the time by practicing? Why don’t you join me later?”
Chi Ming invited her, admiring Yun Qianxue’s perseverance.
After all, she was the only one in the Sect who practiced so diligently they forgot to eat or sleep.
The three of them still had many questions for Yun Qianxue and quickly surrounded her.
Yun Qianxue was naturally overwhelmed.
She felt like a new kitten being showered with attention by the big cats of the house.
‘In any case… these three seem much easier to get along with than Su Cheng,’ Yun Qianxue thought, the stone in her heart finally lifting a little.
She opened her bundle and took out several beautifully packaged boxes.
Inside were enticing pastries.
“Have you all eaten? If not, why not try some of my family’s sweet crisps? They are a specialty of Cangzhou,” she said with a smile.
“Wow! These look delicious! Don’t mind if I do~”
“Doudou, don’t take too many. You can’t have snacks for dinner!”
“Thanks, I need to replenish my sugar levels.”
Seeing them accept her gifts, Yun Qianxue felt relieved.
‘Phew, I’m glad I listened to Big Sister’s advice.’
Before arriving at Among the Colorful Clouds, Yun Qianxue had asked Yu Yi about her disciples’ preferences, intending to give each of them a gift.
Yu Yi had shaken her head.
“Doing that would seem too intentional. My disciples likely won’t accept an outsider who seeks to flatter them. If you truly wish to befriend them, just give them something simple to show your sincerity.”
So, Yun Qianxue chose her family’s specialty.
Her father, Yun Yi, was a merchant in that business.
The Cloud Family had a secret recipe for pastries that were sweet but didn’t cause weight gain, making them popular with young misses from wealthy families.
Yun Qianxue had originally been afraid to face Su Cheng, but since she was already at Among the Colorful Clouds, there was no point in avoiding her.
After some thought, she decided to take a box of pastries to Su Cheng as well.
This wasn’t to flatter her, but to show through her actions that she wouldn’t give up.
However, Yun Qianxue looked around but could not see Su Cheng anywhere.
“Eh? That’s strange. She was just here a moment ago,” Yun Qianxue said, puzzled.
“If you’re looking for Su Cheng, she has already left to carry out her orders,” Yu Yi said.
“There will be plenty of time in the future. No need to rush.”
“Yes,” Yun Qianxue nodded.
“Doudou,” Yu Yi called.
“Your Sixth Junior Sister has already departed. You should prepare to leave as well.”
“Master, I successfully reached a Breakthrough to the Wang rank!”
“Mhm, well done.”
“Uh, doesn’t Master plan to give me a reward?”
“It has been a long time since I cleared your meridians. You only just achieved your Breakthrough now, and you have the nerve to ask for a reward?”
Yu Yi’s expression suddenly darkened.
“I’m going to find Third Senior Sister right now!”
Doudou realized something was wrong and fled immediately.
“Big Sister, Senior Five just wanted a little reward. It should be fine, right?”
Yun Qianxue asked carefully.
She felt Yu Yi was being too strict, but she didn’t know the truth.
“Qianxue, you just arrived. You don’t understand,” Blue Ling’er explained helplessly.
“The reward Doudou wants… isn’t a normal one. While rewarding her once in a while provides motivation, it’s not good to spoil her and let her become dependent on it.”
“What kind of reward is it?”
Yun Qianxue asked curiously.
“You’re better off not knowing,” Blue Ling’er replied.
She coughed twice before asking, “Also, if I heard correctly, did you just call my Master ‘Big Sister’?”
“Is there something wrong with that?”
“It’s intimate yet polite, so there’s nothing wrong with it, but —” Blue Ling’er looked at Yu Yi.
Her face was flushed, and her eyes shimmered as if she wanted to say something but had to restrain herself because of others.
Yu Yi could guess what Blue Ling’er wanted to say —
‘Master, I want to call you that too…’