It was unclear how long she had slept.
Lü Qi slowly regained consciousness and woke up from her dream, murmuring muddled words, “Mm… Master…”
She felt a strange sensation.
Opening her eyes, she discovered that what she was hugging tightly was actually a thick, long wooden log. Yu Yi, whom she had been wrapped around with her entire body, was nowhere to be seen.
Lü Qi tossed the log aside with lingering reluctance, stood up, and stretched. Looking out the window, she saw that the world was already shrouded in night, with lights flickering across the landscape.
She looked down and saw Fu Yi standing below the Qingfeng elegant pavilion, seemingly waiting for Lü Qi to wake.
Lü Qi left the Qingfeng elegant pavilion and met with Fu Yi.
“Lord Child of the Wind God,” Fu Yi said with a cupped-hand salute. “I thought I would have to wait another 18 hours. You should have rested a bit longer.”
“I’ve already slept for half a day; it’s enough.” Lü Qi shook her head and asked, “Why have you come to find me? Is there something the matter?”
“The Sect Master has returned, and he is waiting for you in the Dayi Hall,” Fu Yi answered. “Senior Yu and the others are there as well.”
“I understand,” Lü Qi nodded.
Because the Fengqing Sect had accomplished the great feat of exterminating the Mosha Sect, the Sect Master had been summoned to the capital by the Yan Emperor a few days ago to receive rewards.
Since the Sect Master had returned tonight, he would certainly want to ask Lü Qi for the latest intelligence regarding the investigation into the Demon Sect.
Lü Qi headed to the Dayi Hall and saw the Old Sect Master of the Fengqing Sect sitting in the main seat, with Yu Yi and her companions in the guest seats.
When she entered the Dayi Hall, the Old Sect Master was still chatting and laughing with Yu Yi.
“Senior Yu, you are truly too polite. Although I am the master of a sect, this main seat should rightly be yielded to you!”
“The host is the host, and the guest is the guest. There is no need for the Sect Master to act this way,” Yu Yi said with a smile, appearing quite satisfied with her position in the guest seat.
Although Yu Yi was a person of status and power, she was never one to be unnecessarily arrogant or rude.
“Master, Sect Master.” Lü Qi stepped forward and performed a salute.
“Oh? You’ve arrived so soon? I haven’t had enough time to chat with Senior Yu yet,” the Old Sect Master said with a laugh.
“Does that mean…”
“Even though my eyes cannot see, the wind tells me everything,” the Old Sect Master said seriously. “Senior Yu is worthy of trust.”
The Sect Master of the Fengqing Sect was a friendly and easygoing old gentleman. During the 9 years he had taken Lü Qi in, he had heard many stories about Yu Yi and Among the Colorful Clouds from her.
He felt that Lü Qi was a down-to-earth and hardworking child who was incapable of lying. Naturally, he believed that the title of the legendary “Demoness” was merely a name and not a confirmed identity.
The Old Sect Master was blind and had lived his entire life under the guidance of the wind. He could perceive a person’s aura — whether they were good or evil — from the flowing wind.
This first “meeting” with Yu Yi further convinced the Old Sect Master that Yu Yi and her Among the Colorful Clouds were not as wicked as the rumors suggested. They were trustworthy partners.
“We can save the small talk for later, Child of the Wind God. According to what Senior Yu just said, the entity you are currently investigating is very likely an evil sect power known as the Demon Sect.”
The Old Sect Master continued, “Those wicked scoundrels once stirred up a storm of blood in this world. Countless innocent civilians and practitioners of the Orthodox Faction died at their hands; their crimes are truly heinous! Senior Yu has come this time specifically to drag those fellows out from the shadows!”
‘Did Master say all that?’ Lü Qi could not help but look toward Yu Yi.
‘So… Master didn’t come to see me because she missed me…’ she thought silently, her mood sinking slightly.
“The task of dragging them out can only be accomplished by you,” Yu Yi said, looking at Lü Qi with an exceptionally serious expression.
“Neither Senior Sister nor Junior Sister could do it?”
Upon hearing this, Lü Qi’s dejected mood gradually became excited again.
‘She does care about me. Otherwise, why would I be the first person she thought of?’
At this thought, Lü Qi’s expression changed as she entered her “work mode.”
“A few days ago, two Demonic Cultivators entered a Desolate Temple and took the Buddha statue eyeballs. Later, I searched them and found a crudely drawn Map of Yuanzhou.”
“I discovered that in addition to the Desolate Temple, there were similar markings at Qingxu town and the Cangjin Cave. I suspect there are other things they want in those places as well.”
“What were the cultivation realms of those two Demonic Cultivators?”
“They both had the aura of a Wang, though their specific stages are unknown. They were too overconfident and were easily eliminated by me.”
Lü Qi’s tone was as calm as if she were describing a gust of wind blowing away two grains of sand.
Upon hearing this, Yun Qianxue’s heart was much calmer than she expected.
If it had been in the past, she likely would have been shocked for quite a while after hearing Lü Qi describe killing two Wangs so nonchalantly.
But since joining Among the Colorful Clouds, such things seemed to have become common occurrences, no longer enough to stir the emotions in Yun Qianxue’s heart.
“Who are the people stationed at Qingxu town and the Cangjin Cave?” the Old Sect Master asked with a frown. “The opponents are of the Wang rank; we must not be careless.”
“In response to the Sect Master, those guarding those two locations are our Elite disciples. Even a Wang cannot easily break through the defensive lines I have set,” Lü Qi answered.
“In addition, other powers in Yuanzhou have provided reinforcements. Even if the opponents are powerful Demonic Cultivators, they won’t find it easy to break through.”
“Mhm, the Child of the Wind God has always been thorough in her work; I am at ease.” The Old Sect Master nodded.
“In that case, give those Buddha statue eyeballs to me first. Let me ‘see’ exactly what intentions those Demonic Cultivators had for stealing these things.”
“Yes.” Lü Qi handed the two Buddha statue eyeballs to the Old Sect Master.
“Then I shall take my leave first to go check on Qingxu town and the Cangjin Cave.” Lü Qi performed a salute, preparing to depart.
“Oh, I only asked you to report the intelligence you gathered. I didn’t tell you to go back to work,” the Old Sect Master said helplessly.
“I have already sent Fu Yi to oversee Qingxu town and the Cangjin Cave. You should stay here and properly accompany your Master!”
“This… fine…”
Lü Qi looked toward Yu Yi and happened to meet her somewhat subtle gaze. Her face immediately flushed red, and she scratched her head. “Sorry, Master, I… I’m used to it.”
“It is getting late. I’ve just rushed back from the capital and am quite exhausted. Let us disperse.” The Old Sect Master stood up with a hunched back and left the Dayi Hall under the guidance of the flowing wind.
Only Yu Yi and her disciples remained.
“Ganxue, go back to your room and sleep,” Yu Yi said to the Yun Qianxue beside her.
“But I’m not sleepy yet. I want to spend more time with Big Sister,” Yun Qianxue said, somewhat unwillingly.
“Be good. Going to bed early and on time is good for your physical development and the growth of your cultivation.”
“Mm… alright then.”
Since Yu Yi had put it that way, Yun Qianxue was completely unable to resist. She stood up silently, bowed to Yu Yi, and exited the Dayi Hall.
Lü Qi had been secretly watching Yun Qianxue.
She had been bothered by this for a while.
This young girl had clearly waited 5 years for Master, yet even now, she only acted a bit spoiled toward her? She was far too conservative.
Lü Qi crossed her arms, her slender fingers lightly stroking her chin as she pondered deeply.
‘If she keeps failing to fight for herself like this, she’ll never be able to take that next step with Master… I should find a way to help her.’