Chapter 77: Celestial Root Base
One week slowly turned into one month, then two. The leaves in the forest began changing colours as the number of fallen yellowed leaves increased in the courtyard. Yet, their pride and joy did not return. The gloom over the Celestial Dragon Sect simmered into an unspoken yearning as the number of incense sticks increased at the shrine’s altar. Even the outer disciples of the sect heard about the legendary youngest daughter and prayed for her success. A day without Anji was like a day without joy. It was now evident how loved the little girl was in recent years.
One of the most affected people by Anji’s departure for secluded training was the patriarch of the sect. Zhao Mingfeng’s listless mood and pensive thoughts whenever he was not attending to official sect matters spoke volumes. As a doting dad, he thought he was prepared to let Anji go to the Mystical Qilin Sect. However, in the short time they were apart, the father of four felt like his entire world had lost its colours. No amount of consoling from his wife or children would get him out of the mood. Anji was not even allowed to write to him, and the times he secretly sneaked into the cultivation chamber, he could only see her working hard or sleeping. The distance between him and his youngest daughter was not as far as the distance between the two sects. Yet, Mingfeng felt like Anji was in a place way out of his grasp. The only thing preventing him from barging in and demanding a reason for the extended training time was the vision of a future where Anji would still be in it. With that hope in his heart, he was prepared to suffer even up to fifty years of heartache if it meant Anji would live.
After two long months of no contact from the blind prophet, Gu Ying returned earlier than usual one afternoon with a panicked look on her face. Anji’s personal bodyguard barged into the sect master’s meeting room, where the elders were seriously discussing the latest business expansion and information gathering in the capital.
"What’s the matter?" Zhao Mingfeng had to hold himself back from jumping to conclusions. Lizi and Gu Ying were not given many duties apart from attending to Yan Ping and Anji’s needs after the first month of isolation. Her appearance must mean that something important or bad had occurred.
Seeing the sect elders gathered in the room, Gu Ying paused. Although the Mystical Qilin Sect leader had told her to inform the patriarch beforehand so that he could make the necessary arrangements before Anji returned home, she hesitated to say it in front of everyone. After all, this was world-shocking news that could put her young mistress in danger if anyone had ill intentions.
"Sect Leader Yan told me to convey important information about the young mistress’ progress and condition. She said to tell the patriarch immediately before Anji can return."
Although Gu Ying was normally a serious person who did not smile, her expression was grave as she delivered the message. Zhao Mingfeng could not contain his anxiety as the pressure in the room increased with his aura leaking. Taking the hint quickly, the elders gave each other hushed glances and agreed to help their leader make the decision he wanted.
"We will reconfirm details of the follower numbers in Chang’an. It will take a few days, sect leader. Please call us for another meeting when you are ready," the oldest elder of the Celestial Dragon Sect bowed and took the lead, walking out of the study hall.
One by one, the sect elders left and wished the father of four good luck while also nodding to Gu Ying as a sign of respect. Over the past two months, Gu Ying and Lizi’s position in the sect had elevated significantly because they were the only two people with news about Anji, keeping their overly worried patriarch in check. Lizi and Gu Ying had the most influence on Mingfeng’s mental health while Wanting and Ruiting managed the mundane sect affairs to keep things running smoothly.