Chapter 15

Master Yu’s expression had already changed. He immediately produced a token from his clothes. The bronze token shimmered with swirling light and ethereal mist, yet apart from that, it remained calm and undisturbed.

After a moment, he retracted the token and respectfully said to Ao Qing, “The restriction token did not trigger any alarm. The seals outside the spiritual vein remain intact, the vein itself is unharmed, and there’s no sign of infiltration. Seeing is believing. Shall we, along with Uncle, go take another look?”

The so-called ancestral spiritual vein was no trivial matter. The entire sect’s foundation rested upon it, and the spiritual energy cultivated by the disciples largely derived from it—it was the lifeblood of the Ancient Sect.

Because it was so crucial, countless seals and formations surrounded the vein. Even a few Immortal-grade experts working together might not infiltrate it unnoticed.

This token was a warning device to monitor the entire spiritual vein, known as the Restriction Token.

Yet the token remained completely still, while the spiritual vein seemed to have caused the mountain gate to tremble. What kind of formidable power could enter the area beneath their watchful eyes without triggering the seals or the deadly formations?

Although the tremor ceased after a brief moment, the matter was grave. Master Yu could not simply let it go. That was why he invited Ao Qing—his own cultivation was too weak, and he feared overlooking the intruder.

Ao Qing was a powerful Immortal-grade cultivator from the Azure Dragon Clan. Even if the one who disturbed the vein was Immortal-grade, Ao Qing would not be their match.

Ao Qing nodded slightly. “Agreed.”

“Or… could it be… the vein shifting?” Seeing Ao Qing’s thoughtful gaze directed downward, Master Yu asked anxiously once more.

Ao Qing closed his eyes for a long moment and shook his head coldly.

“It’s not the vein.”

Master Yu immediately exhaled in relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

A spiritual vein being disturbed was no small matter.

Moreover, anyone daring to tamper with it under the watchful eyes of so many strong cultivators was effectively slapping the Ancient Sect’s face.

Master Yu and Ao Qing set off together toward the spiritual vein’s location—this was the responsibility of the sect elders.

In the Hall of the Sect Leader, Chu Xingyun cradled the soundly sleeping child in his arms, faint spiritual light flickering around him as if on guard.

Zhu Changshu produced a long sword from her palm and stood protectively by his side. The senior siblings vigilantly scanned the surroundings, swiftly escorting Yu Youyou from the hall to stand together in the open courtyard.

They looked up to see the spiritual lights of many elders converging in the sky, steadying the anxious disciples’ hearts and preparing for any sudden attacks from unknown foes.

Hours passed. The child slept soundly, undisturbed. From somewhere underground came a low, rumbling dragon’s roar, and a beam of azure light descended upon the tallest peak of the sect’s mountain.

Seeing the azure light fall, the elders in the sky pursued it. After a long while, the elders sent their disciples away, signaling that there was no longer cause for vigilance.

Chu Xingyun held the child thoughtfully. Zhu Changshu, expressionless, sheathed her sword. As dusk fell and the night breeze grew cooler, Yu Youyou remained fast asleep. Zhu Changshu took a small blanket to cover the child’s belly.

“No cause for worry,” they observed, waiting a little longer. Just as Chu Xingyun was about to speak, Master Yu appeared, descending on a beam of light from the peak.

The tall man’s face still bore seriousness.

When he saw the disciples, his expression softened considerably. He led them back to the Hall of the Sect Leader and instructed the inner disciples waiting outside to continue their duties. Gravely, he said, “The Great Elder and I have thoroughly inspected the entire spiritual vein. Nothing is amiss. The Great Elder suspects it was merely a fluctuation.”

Though the spiritual vein had remained undisturbed for millions of years, perhaps this was simply an unusual movement at this moment.

Moreover, the spiritual energy inside the vein was intact, with no sign of intrusion or malicious formations. It was likely a false alarm.

Otherwise, neither Ao Qing nor Master Yu could understand why such a powerful intruder would risk penetrating the vein only to do nothing and leave—such behavior would be nonsensical.

Master Yu considered the various perilous measures Ao Qing had laid to guard the vein and waved dismissively. “The Great Elder has also reinforced the defenses. Even if a villain dares to disturb the Ancient Sect or covet our spiritual vein, they will not leave alive.”

Master Yu’s killing intent was palpable.

Chu Xingyun lowered his gaze slightly, seeing that Ao Qing, an Immortal-grade cultivator, had taken charge. Naturally, there was no need to worry.

“Did Youyou get frightened?” Master Yu hurriedly asked.

“The little junior sister sleeps soundly and steadily, unshaken,” Chu Xingyun joked upon seeing Master Yu’s improved demeanor.

This was true.

Since the little one had fallen asleep in her small bed until now, there had been no additional disturbances.

Both Chu Xingyun and Zhu Changshu were keenly alert, listening carefully, yet saw no sign that the child had been disturbed.

The carefree, peaceful sleep of the little one made Master Yu smile.

“Thankfully the two of you are here to watch over her.”

Whether there truly was a villain coveting the Ancient Sect’s spiritual vein was unclear.

If such a cunning enemy existed and none in the sect had detected them, then Yu Youyou—the sect leader’s daughter and an excellent hostage—would be in danger.

Master Yu could not help but worry.

“Master need not worry. I will stay in the Hall of the Sect Leader to care for the little junior sister during this time,” Chu Xingyun said.

Even if the outer disciple Ruan Ling arrived, she could only help with daily needs. Her cultivation would be insufficient when strange events caused unease.

Chu Xingyun was already a half-step to the Grand Ascension stage, one of the top cultivators in the Ancient Sect. He had opened his own dojo and no longer lived in the Hall of the Sect Leader with Master Yu.

Still, cradling the small bundle in his arms, he decided to remain for a while longer.

Master Yu nodded slightly.

Chu Xingyun hesitated and said, “Today, Uncle let out a dragon’s roar underground. Though the dragon’s presence was mighty, my spiritual perception sensed subtle pain. I wonder if all is well.”

At this, Master Yu’s expression became complicated. He instinctively looked downward and coughed lightly.

“You are thoughtful of the Great Elder—that is good. The Great Elder is fine.”

Zhu Changshu then asked, “So, will Uncle leave the sect?”

If someone coveted the spiritual vein, that person would be a great threat.

If Ao Qing left the sect now to seek the former sect leader, the Ancient Sect would lose an Immortal-grade fighter.

“It’s not a big issue,” Master Yu seemed unwilling to dwell on the dragon’s roar, shaking his head. “Uncle has already sent word to the Azure Dragon Clan. If anything happens to the sect, the Azure Dragon Clan will come immediately.”

The Azure Dragon Clan’s home was not far from the Ancient Sect, and they always watched over and helped each other.

If not for this close relationship, Ao Qing—born of the Azure Dragon Clan—would not have joined the Ancient Sect nor become the Great Elder.

Hearing this, Zhu Changshu said no more.

After their talk, seeing Yu Youyou still asleep, they each went about their tasks.

When the little one awoke the next day, the previous day’s turmoil had long since settled.

She had no idea what had disturbed the sect yesterday. Rubbing her eyes awake, she saw Master Yu sitting by her small bed, one hand propping his forehead as he rested.

“Father!” the child called happily, spreading her small arms to be held.

Master Yu’s stern face broke into a broad smile. He quickly scooped up his beloved treasure, lifted her, and grabbed a small pot nearby. “Youyou, want some water?”

Having a daughter made everything worthwhile.

The child, with her father present, was perfectly content. She eagerly nodded, clutching the small pot. Before drinking, she hurriedly offered it to her father.

As a dutiful child, she worried that her father might be thirsty.

Master Yu, a Grand Ascension cultivator, was not thirsty. He smiled and shook his head, letting her drink alone.

Seeing him truly unthirsty, Yu Youyou gurgled as she drank.

She sat obediently wrapped in her little blanket, drinking water while Master Yu looked on with boundless affection, unable to look away.

Chu Xingyun entered the back hall just in time to see this scene and smiled.

After finishing the water, the little one reached into her pocket and pulled out some tasty spirit pills given by Second Senior Sister the day before, stored in her small belt.

Seeing the unusually handsome and dignified eldest senior brother today, her eyes brightened. While looking outside, she held up the pill and offered it to the eldest senior brother standing before her.

Willing to share food with the eldest senior brother, her heartfelt affection was as clear as day.

Chu Xingyun would never snatch the child’s things and smiled, shaking his head.

Though she shared with him so generously without guarding her food, she kept glancing behind him as if many others were hidden in her heart. Even though no words escaped her lips, their hearts understood each other. Raising an eyebrow, he said, “Your senior sister is in seclusion refining pills. She will come find you later.”

… The little junior sister truly had quite an appetite.

A whole furnace full of spirit pills—even if only low-grade and not so rare—were no candy beans.

This child finished them all.

Though Second Senior Sister’s pill refining talent was extraordinary, she sincerely felt the urgency of pill making.

To fill the little junior sister’s seemingly bottomless little belly, Zhu Changshu had spent last night refining spirit pills, and the furnace was still alight.

“Enough,” Yu Youyou said shyly, embarrassed, then hastened to add, “Senior sister is more important than the pills. You don’t want her to be too tired, right?”

Chu Xingyun calculated whether sharing the pills or not wanting her senior sister to be tired mattered more to the little junior sister. His slender, jade-like hand reached out gently to grasp her soft little paw still scented with pills.

The child gave a delighted “Ah!” and, beaming, nestled into his arm.

Master Yu chuckled beside them, watching the siblings play for a while. Chu Xingyun then brought several milk cakes covered in abundant spirit honey from the small kitchen and teased his junior sister.

Seeing the time, he said to Chu Xingyun, “The Great Elder leaves the sect today. Take Youyou with you. Tell Changshu not to rush with pill refining. We will all go to see the Great Elder off.”

This was an important matter. Chu Xingyun handed the milk cakes to Yu Youyou and signaled Zhu Changshu.

The fragrant, soft milk cake melted on the child’s tongue. The sweet spirit honey dissolved.

Having never tasted such good things before, the little one’s eyes shone brightly.

This was the best snack she had ever eaten!

So delicious that even though her belly still rumbled with hunger, she didn’t dare eat it all at once.

When everyone gathered at Ao Qing’s dojo to bid him farewell, Yu Youyou hurriedly had eldest senior brother set her down.

Wobbling forward to the handsome young man in azure robes whose expression was dark and thoughtful, she mustered her courage and offered this kind and generous senior uncle her favorite snack and deepest blessings.