CH 23.2

The restaurant was packed, with mostly cultivators, and the topic at the tables revolved around the recent joyous event at the Sword Sect.

“When a Dao Master has enters the Mahayana realm, their success benefits the entire Sword Sect, it’s like reaching heaven in a single bound.”

“You can’t say that. The relationship between the Dao Master and the current Sect Master is not good. Although they are Master and Disciple, they are not close. After all, the Dao Master dotes on his young disciple Ning Runxin the most.”

“No, you should add a disciple, Ye Bingran.”

“That was in the past. Since Ning Runxin had a mishap, the Dao Master has been focused on helping his young disciple improve his cultivation.”

“Unfortunately, Ning Runxin and Ye Bingran, who were once known as the Twin Pillars of the Sword Sect, now have a huge gap in their cultivation levels.”

“Nobody could have predicted that after Ning Runxin went out to experience the world, he would be entangled in emotions and stop at the Foundation Establishment realm without advancing further. Fortunately, he has a good master, and now his status in the Sword Sect has risen instead of falling.”

“Speaking of that, I heard he was rejected by someone, and that’s how he developed inner demons.”

“What?! At that time, he was a heavenly prodigy. Which girl could resist him?”

“No, it’s said that it was a young man.”

“He must have an extraordinary appearance!”

“No, no, I heard he looks extremely ordinary.”

“???”

Shen Liuxiang and Ling Yue met with the others and changed into uniform clothing before heading to the Northern Harbor Sword Sect together.

Throughout the journey, Shen Liuxiang was constantly sticking to Zhou Xuanlan, so he attracted quite a bit of attention as he mingled among the disciples. Most people threw discreet glances at him, while Ling Jinye was the most direct, coming over with a curious look and scrutinizing, “Who is this? I’ve never seen him before.”

Zhou Xuanlan said, “He’s Liu Liu.”

Before leaving, Shen Liuxiang had kissed Zhou Xuanlan on the forehead to make him behave, so Zhou Xuanlan acted particularly normal at this moment.

“But you can only call him Shen Liu Liu,” Zhou Xuanlan paused and added, “You can call me Zhou… um?”

Shen Liuxiang covered his mouth and smiled at Ling Jinye. “I’m an outer disciple; you’ve never seen me before, and that’s normal.”

The young man had an average appearance, barely displaying a hint of elegance, but when he smiled, his crescent-shaped eyes filled with spirit, making his whole face more pleasing to the eye.

Ling Jinye found him agreeable. “We are all disciples of Qingling; there’s no need to differentiate between inner and outer disciples.”

He was about to casually put his arm around Shen Liuxiang’s shoulder, but halfway through, he was slapped with a “smack.” “Ling… Senior Ling Yue.”

Ling Yue said, “Be respectful.”

Was it that disrespectful, linking arms like that?

Ling Jinye looked bewildered and reluctantly withdrew his hand.

They arrived at the entrance of the Sword Sect, and the disciples waiting there saw a group of people dressed in plum-patterned white robes and hurriedly greeted them, “Greetings, fellow cultivators of Qingling. We have been waiting for you; please follow me into the sect.”

As one of the most powerful immortal sects, Qingling had always attracted attention. The moment they stepped into the Sword Sect, they drew gazes from all directions.

The disciples of Qing Ling were already used to such attention, and they walked with calm expressions, not glancing around, maintaining the demeanor of a major sect.

Amidst them, Shen Liuxiang stood out conspicuously. He was the only one looking around curiously, observing everything in his surroundings.

“Who is that disciple?”

“I don’t know, but it seems like he’s lowering the prestige of Qingling.”

“For such an occasion, shouldn’t all the disciples be outstanding? Why is Qing Ling bringing in a strange individual?”

“Don’t be disrespectful,” a Sword Sect elder appeared, reprimanding the group of whispering disciples.

After the elder left, the disciples dared not discuss the matter further, but they were puzzled, “Why did Elder Wu come? Wasn’t he in charge of taking care of Junior Martial Brother Ning?”

“Junior Martial Brother Ning came out of seclusion this morning.”

“What?! He hasn’t left his cave for years.”

“After all, Dao Master is his master, and he wholeheartedly cares for him. It would be too cold-hearted not to congratulate him.”

“Where is Junior Martial Brother now? I haven’t seen him in years.”

“He’s at the Cold Sword Platform, accompanied by Sword Master and others.”

Cold Sword Platform.

Ye Bingran bowed to the youth with his back to him. “Junior Martial Brother, Master said it’s cold here. You shouldn’t stand here for too long.”

The youth, who was called Junior Martial Brother, was of similar age to Ye Bingran. With his long hair casually gathered behind his back, his handsome face resembled jade, but his lips were pale, and his brows were slightly furrowed.

“I’m just stuck in my cultivation, not suffering from any illness. Brother, what are you thinking?” The elders flanking him all kept silent, sweating on their foreheads. Even in the Sword Sect, only Junior Martial Brother Ning could be so disrespectful to the Sect Master.

Ning Runxin glanced at the bustling square and said, “It’s been a while, and there are quite a few people from the sect.”

One of the elders replied, “Not all of them are from the Sword Sect. In recent days, there have been guests from all directions.”

Ning Runxin’s expression shifted slightly. “In that case, do you think he will come?”

The elders looked at each other and shook their heads helplessly.

Here they go again.

This “he” was considered Ning Runxin’s inner demon by the people of the Sword Sect. Some even doubted whether this person really existed because, no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t find him.

“How could it be so coincidental… Junior Martial Brother Ning, it’s been so long; you should let go of it.”

“I’ve never held onto it, so why should I let go?”

Ning Runxin crossed his hands behind his back and lazily swept his gaze around the square. “But you’re right. How could it be so coincidental? And… he must be avoiding me; otherwise, why can’t I find him?”

His eyes dimmed, and just as he was about to withdraw his gaze, a slender figure suddenly appeared in his sight.

Ning Runxin’s gaze condensed, and his face changed suddenly.

At the martial arts square, rows of Sword Sect disciples practiced their sword skills in an orderly manner. When they saw the people from Qingling passing by, they immediately became more spirited, showing a hint of competition and demonstration.

Shen Liuxiang noticed one of them and couldn’t help but laugh, “He’s holding the sword tip wrong; doesn’t it hurt?”

Zhou Xuanlan saw his reaction and stopped his steps, tugging at Shen Liuxiang’s sleeve.

Shen Liuxiang asked, “Hmm?”

Zhou Xuanlan looked at him with an expectant expression and pointed subtly at his own forehead.

Shen Liuxiang: “…”

With so many people watching!

Zhou Xuanlan stared at him with his pitch-black eyes and gestured more insistently, pointing at his own forehead.

“No way,” Shen Liuxiang firmly refused.

After saying that, he saw his disciple’s face change slightly, and the whole person instantly looked listless.

Shen Liuxiang rubbed his temples with a headache and thought for a moment before raising two fair, slender fingers.

“Okay I owe you, I’ll kiss you twice later.”

Zhou Xuanlan contemplated for a moment, then raised his hand and shook three slender fingers in front of Shen Liuxiang’s eyes.

This little guy is the definition of taking an inch and wanting a foot!

“Alright, alright,” said Shen Liuxiang as he held the young man’s hand and pressed it down from mid-air.

At this moment, a commotion came from the distance. In the blink of an eye, several members of the Sword Sect appeared, blocking the path of the Clear Sky disciples.

Shen Liuxiang recognized a familiar face, but at this point, Ye Bingran probably wouldn’t recognize him.

A tall and thin figure quickly broke through the Qingling disciples, with the elders anxiously shouting, “Junior Martial Brother, please don’t be hasty! Who is it? We will stop him for you!!”

The Sword Sect disciples around them changed their expressions.

“It’s Junior Martial Brother Ning, he’s actually come out of seclusion.”

“Could he be ill again? Otherwise, why would he barge into the Qingling disciples?”

“Wait… Junior Martial Brother seems very happy. Could it be that he has found that person he has been searching for!”

“What?! Who is it, who is it! Let me see who Junior Martial Brother has been thinking about for so long!”

“I heard that the Qingling disciples who came this time are all talented. They’re not bad. I guess it’s that smiling youth at the front.”

“I think it’s the handsome and imposing young man at the back… Hey, hey, hey, look, Junior Martial Brother is indeed walking toward him! He’s reaching out!! He, he, he, the person next to him?!?!”

Amidst the eager crowd, Ning Runxin singled out a disciple from the Qingling Sect whom nobody recognized.

Holding his hand, Ning Runxin’s eyes were full of affection as he said, “I finally found you.”

Everyone: “?!?!”

All eyes from the audience focused on them.

Shen Liuxiang blinked, staring at the unfamiliar young man in front of him, feeling a bit bewildered.

It wasn’t until a heavily suppressed voice sounded next to him, bringing him back to his senses, “Master, who is he?”

T/N: Uh oh… Immortal Shen has some explaining to do…