The Shenxiao Sect’s main peak—Lingxiao Peak—stood among the cluster of surrounding peaks.
Amidst the mist and clouds, a sliver of daylight broke through.
It illuminated a magnificent waterfall cascading down the mountainside like a silver dragon, its roar faintly audible.
The spray from the waterfall added an ethereal, almost celestial aura to the scene.
Inside the Zichen Hall, on the balcony.
The Shenxiao Sect Master, Yun Yan, stood there.
Though over four or five hundred years old, he showed no signs of aging.
His face was full and vigorous, and though the white beard beneath his chin had grown long enough to cover his chest, the skin, steeped in spiritual energy for years, showed none of the usual looseness of an elder.
Only the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes betrayed the burdens he carried for the sect.
On the balcony of Zichen Hall, the old man Yun Yan gazed at the night sky and let out a long sigh.
A trace of weariness marked the wrinkles at his eyes.
Nearby, a young woman quietly watched this scene, growing anxious.
She wore a white Dao robe trimmed with silver, light and cool in style.
Her exposed slender waist was alluring.
Her jet-black hair was neatly tied up, revealing a smooth neck, showing the sharpness of a young disciple.
Her face had distinct features, yet was as pale as the snow on Mount Kunlun, often wearing a serious expression that gave off a “strangers keep away” aura.
This was Jiang Yan, the Shenxiao Sect Master’s Main Disciple.
“Master, why are you sighing like this?”
“Sigh~”
Yun Yan didn’t answer immediately but sighed heavily once more.
His voice was mature and magnetic; if he spoke properly, it would surely be comforting.
Seeing his Master sighing and silent again—this had been the case ever since Jiang Yan became his disciple nearly twenty years ago.
Jiang Yan clenched her fists in frustration.
Back when she was cultivating, every time he came near, he’d sigh but say nothing before walking away!
She always wanted to punch this guy.
“Yan’er, what’s with the fists?”
“You—say something.”
Each word was heavily emphasized, her eyes full of “I really want to beat you up.”
Yun Yan’s lips twitched into a faint smile.
“Good disciple, I’m about to explain.
Sigh~”
Suddenly, he sensed a sharp gaze behind him and quickly continued.
“I foresee that the sect’s finances may face a minor crisis soon.”
“Ah?! I want to bite you to death! Can’t you, Taishu Zunzhe, predict something useful for once?!”
Jiang Yan’s anger boiled over.
Yun Yan hurried to clarify, afraid his old bones might take a beating.
“This… this is useful! Disciple, you will be the sect master one day, and you must learn to manage finances.
Besides, the sect’s expenses have been huge recently; the peak heads want expansions and are constantly asking me for spirit stones.
You’ve been taught before: ‘One who doesn’t manage the household doesn’t know the cost of firewood and rice.’”
This set of words immediately silenced Jiang Yan.
She clenched her teeth and swallowed her anger, her exposed navel twitching.
At that moment, an elderly woman slowly approached from downstairs.
Bent over, she walked deliberately.
“Jiang Yan, what’s wrong? Did the Sect Master upset you again?”
It was Wen Ping, First Seat of Shenfu Peak.
Her voice was aged but gentle, teasing yet filled with concern.
Seeing her, Jiang Yan quickly cupped her hands in salute.
“Uncle Wen.”
Wen Ping was the Sect Master Yun Yan’s Shimei, thus Jiang Yan’s Master Uncle.
Wen Ping smiled warmly and said no need to be so formal, then turned to Yun Yan.
“Senior Brother, I came because I have something to tell you.”
Hearing this, Yun Yan instinctively stroked his long beard and his expression grew more serious.
“Oh? Shimei, what’s on your mind? It can’t be about your disciples, right?
I remember you sent disciples down the mountain on missions. Did they cause trouble or damage any buildings? We might need compensation.”
Yun Yan raised an eyebrow; he never trusted these young disciples one bit.
Jiang Yan beside him felt embarrassed by her Master, whose mind was always stuck on money!
“Ha ha, Senior Brother, don’t joke. These disciples are young; it’s natural for them to encounter difficulties. As elders, we have to bear some responsibility.
Also, Xu Yan is quite steady and talented.
Oh! That’s not why I’m here.”
Wen Ping’s kind and proud face showed her satisfaction with Xu Yan.
But she then got to the point.
“I sent disciples out, and one returned with news, but since it’s not appropriate to report directly to the Sect Master, it was first told to me.”
She paused, then continued, “It’s Lin Yin who has come back.
Sigh, that girl is a First Seat, but she still shows no sense of responsibility. The other peak heads are a bit displeased with her.”
Upon hearing Lin Yin’s name, Yun Yan’s expression lit up with delight.
“Lin Yin has returned?”
“Yes, I met her in Shenxiao Town. She should be arriving soon.”
“Oh~ then I’ll do a proper divination.”
Yun Yan reached to count on his fingers but immediately noticed his disciple’s angry glare.
“Haha, I’ll just sense it with my spiritual sense. No need for divination!”
Hearing this, Jiang Yan lowered her gaze, thinking, “He’s so old; still fussing over this.”
With that, Yun Yan opened his spiritual sense. As a sect master, he could cast his divine perception nearly a thousand meters down to Shenxiao Town for a simple observation.
“Looks like she’s almost back. As her Senior Uncle, I should go welcome her. Wen Shimei, will you come?”
“No, I still have matters to attend to on my peak. I’ll leave first.”
With that, Wen Ping waved and left.
Seeing this, Yun Yan said nothing more and led Jiang Yan toward the sect’s mountain gate.
The Shenxiao Sect had six peaks: one main peak and five others—Lingjian Peak, Xuandan Peak, Yushou Peak, Shenfu Peak, and Wanzhen Peak.
Legend had it that the sect’s founding ancestor had mastered the five great fields—Sword, Pill, Beast, Symbol, and Array—and comprehended the corresponding Dao, thus establishing the sect.
He had ultimately ascended.
“Sigh, Lin Yin has been away from the sect for nearly two years, and it seems she still hasn’t broken through.
It’s really a matter of temperament. Youth breeds so many troubles.”
“Master, was Lin the First Seat truly at Nascent Soul Pinnacle more than ten years ago?”
Jiang Yan had entered the sect decades after Lin Yin, yet she had heard of the reclusive senior sister from the moment she joined.
After the previous Head of Lingjian Peak had an accident, Lingjian Peak was handed over to Lin Yin.
At that time, Lin Yin had already grasped the true meaning of the Sword Dao, her strength far exceeding many elders of Lingjian Peak.
“That I can’t say for sure. The girl’s talent is extremely high, but her temperament hasn’t been tempered…
Forget it. Anyway, since I am personally coming to welcome her, she’ll surely be very happy!”
Just as they arrived near the mountain gate, a shadow streaked across the night sky.
They looked up and saw someone flying away hurriedly on a sword, holding a boy in her arms.
“Sigh, disciples these days are so rash and rude.”
“Master, if I’m not mistaken, that should be the First Seat Lin Yin.”
A heavy silence fell.
At this moment, Lin Yin was rushing anxiously to the residence of Xu Qiannan, First Seat of Xuandan Peak.
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