Chapter 274 : A Small Beast Guarding Its Food
Though only two days had passed since arriving on Merperson Island, Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue had already encountered numerous incidents. In stark contrast, Qingyu and Zhu Baiyi, despite being stranded on the same island, were living a completely different life.
After two days of recovery, Qingyu's wounds had improved considerably, and she had formally begun her search for disciples.
Zhu Baiyi continued to follow behind her. Initially concerned that the island's spirit beasts might harm Qingyu, she later discovered that such creatures were pitifully scarce in the vicinity and relaxed her vigilance. Since Qingyu hadn't driven her away, she naturally wouldn't leave. Not only did she stay, but each day she would prepare medicinal herbs for healing and whatever food she could find, placing them within Qingyu's reach.
Today was no different. Qingyu awoke in the morning light, jumped down from the large tree where she had spent the night, and immediately noticed several fresh spirit herbs and two egg-sized objects beneath the tree.
She paused, then bent down to pick up the items from the ground. The eggs were still slightly warm to the touch—it was unclear which spirit beast they belonged to, having been carelessly discovered in their nest. But the species no longer mattered, as they had clearly been cooked or boiled and were now ready to eat after peeling.
Qingyu didn't need to guess who had left these herbs and eggs.
She sighed inwardly. The anger and irritation she had felt earlier seemed to have diminished considerably over these two days. At least she could calmly face reality and acknowledged the island's dangers, not refusing Zhu Baiyi's kindness out of spite.
She first ate the washed herbs, but the minute spiritual energy barely entered her meridians before disappearing again.
Qingyu was accustomed to this. She no longer expected the herbs' spiritual energy to accomplish much—as long as they benefited her injuries, that was sufficient. Then she ate one egg, leaving the other where it lay, and departed without looking back—now wasn't the time to dwell on past entanglements with Zhu Baiyi. The island wasn't safe; the spirit beasts two nights ago and the disturbance last night both proved this point.
The morning breeze swept through the forest, and the egg left on the ground disappeared.
Likely because Qingyu's rejection was so obvious, Zhu Baiyi knew she didn't want to see her, and hadn't appeared before Qingyu these past days. However, even without seeing her, Qingyu was well aware of her presence, maintaining a wordless understanding between them.
As a Peak Master of Xuanqing Sect who had led disciples onto the ghost ship before being stranded here, Qingyu naturally needed to ensure her disciples' safety. Thus, since leaving the mountain where they had initially landed, she had left numerous markers along the way, both searching for scattered disciples and hoping they would actively come to regroup with her.
Zhu Baiyi was completely different. Though a Sect Leader, she maintained a hands-off approach toward the Crimson Blood Sect. She wasn't particularly familiar with or concerned about her disciples, even when personally leading them.
However, observing Qingyu's actions, Zhu Baiyi thoughtfully left her own markers, though she was indifferent to whether anyone found them.
The two searched for disciples while exploring the island, occasionally encountering spirit beasts, but these creatures proved remarkably perceptive—previously, beasts had chased disciples across the island, but now when encountering Qingyu and Zhu Baiyi, even though both had lost their spiritual energy, these instinctively opportunistic beasts recognized they were not to be trifled with and would slink away with their tails tucked, keeping a considerable distance.
The beasts' instincts proved correct. At midday, a particularly slow-witted beast blundered into Qingyu's path. With her spiritual sword stored within her body, she simply broke off a tree branch and, with a single move, subdued the fifth-grade peak spirit beast.
Afterward, she lit a fire to roast the meat, ate half herself, left the other half, and departed.
Like the morning egg, the half-portion of roasted meat quickly found its way into Zhu Baiyi's hands—truthfully, meat roasted without seasonings wasn't particularly tasty, but receiving this reciprocal gift still brought Zhu Baiyi joy. Her desires were modest; simply following quietly behind Qingyu like this, with their tacit understanding, just the two of them, was enough.
Unfortunately, even this proved an extravagant hope.
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Jiang Mo and her group made their way through the forest, searching for the markers left by Peak Master Qingyu. They occasionally encountered spirit beasts blocking their path, but significantly fewer than when the disciples of the two sects had traveled alone.
Fortunately, no matter how large, the island was still just an island. Following the markers made finding people less difficult than anticipated.
By mid-afternoon, the Xuanqing Sect group had located Peak Master Qingyu. Despite their high cultivation and extensive experience, seeing a sect elder in these circumstances brought both joy and reassurance to these disciples.
The Xuanqing Sect disciples rushed forward in a group, respectfully bowing: "Disciples pay respects to Peak Master."
Peak Master Qingyu nodded slightly, her gaze inevitably falling on Yun Qingyue—her own disciple, whom she had recognized instantly aboard the ghost ship, though concern over conflicting loyalties had prevented acknowledgment. Seeing her again now, the conflict in Qingyu's heart only intensified, yet her gaze was still drawn to Yun Qingyue, growing increasingly complex as she looked.
This was her daughter, though not by birth—Qingyu had only contributed a drop of blood essence, but the blood connection between them couldn't be ignored...
Yun Qingyue naturally noticed her master's gaze. Just as her master could recognize her at a glance, she understood her master equally well. Though Qingyu's expression remained unchanged, Yun Qingyue clearly perceived the complicated emotions in her eyes.
What was wrong? Their last meeting hadn't elicited such a reaction from her master.
Yun Qingyue was puzzled, her feet hesitating. On the ghost ship, she had known her master recognized her, but neither had chosen to acknowledge it, both pretending ignorance. Now, with her master looking at her this way, should she step forward, bow, and reveal her identity?
With this thought, she glanced around, then abandoned the idea—besides Jiang Mo at her side, Tan Xin was from the Buddha Sect, and Crimson Blood Sect disciples stood behind them. Even the Xuanqing Sect disciples surrounding her master might harbor uncertain attitudes toward her. Having become entangled with the demonic path, she shouldn't maintain connections with her master. Why should her master, with such an esteemed position, be implicated by her?
Yun Qingyue lowered her eyes, concealing the faint dejection in them. Jiang Mo, sensing something, glanced over, wanting to comfort her but finding no words.
Of course, these undercurrents existed only between the involved parties; others remained oblivious. After paying respects, the Xuanqing Sect disciples began chattering to Peak Master Qingyu about their recent experiences, but were interrupted before finishing.
The interruption came from the Crimson Blood Sect disciples, who were brash enough to approach a righteous path Peak Master without fear, even taking the initiative.
Perhaps due to the relatively harmonious coexistence on the ghost ship, or perhaps influenced by Jiang Mo's earlier words about mutual support, the Crimson Blood Sect disciples considered their approach, then respectfully clasped their hands in greeting to Peak Master Qingyu, speaking with reasonable courtesy: "Elder Qingyu, we followed our sect's markers here. Has Elder seen our sect's elder?"
Almost before he finished speaking, before Qingyu could respond, a figure appeared before everyone—black-robed and masked, who else but Zhu Baiyi, once again concealing her identity?
The Crimson Blood Sect disciples' expressions froze slightly upon seeing her, showing neither fear nor relief. They immediately abandoned their inquiry to Peak Master Qingyu, hurrying forward to bow: "Disciples pay respects to Elder Qi."
Zhu Baiyi nodded slightly, maintaining an aloof silence, though her gaze lingered briefly on Yun Qingyue.
In terms of familiarity, Zhu Baiyi naturally couldn't compare to Qingyu's knowledge of Yun Qingyue; in fact, this mother and daughter hadn't spent much time together. Years ago, after rescuing Yun Qingyue from the Nine Abyss Sect Leader, Zhu Baiyi had brought her back to the Crimson Blood Sect. Yun Qingyue had merely recovered her injuries and consolidated her cultivation there before leaving with the excuse of being unable to adapt, never returning since.
Yun Qingyue had never asked who her father was, and Zhu Baiyi never volunteered the information. She had asked why Zhu Baiyi had abandoned her at Xuanqing Sect's entrance, to which Zhu Baiyi had simply replied that she possessed an Ice Spiritual Root, making her suitable for training under Peak Master Qingyu.
Yun Qingyue hadn't believed this. Recalling the meeting note she had received at Mingzong Mountain years ago, she still harbored resentment, feeling she was probably like Chu Yang—a spy placed by the demonic path within the righteous path. The difference was that Chu Yang had been aware of his role, while she had remained ignorant throughout, exposed before she could be utilized...
For these reasons, Yun Qingyue and Zhu Baiyi's mother-daughter relationship lacked closeness, and she hadn't recognized Zhu Baiyi during this encounter.
Zhu Baiyi, however, had recognized her daughter, requiring no proof beyond their blood connection.
Seeing Yun Qingyue again now, Zhu Baiyi felt equally conflicted, which explained her lingering gaze. But before this complexity could persist, another figure blocked her view.
Jiang Mo had positioned herself in front of Yun Qingyue, like a small beast guarding its food, watching Zhu Baiyi vigilantly.
Zhu Baiyi was momentarily startled. Her gaze swept over Jiang Mo, then moved to the protected Yun Qingyue behind her, seemingly understanding something. However, she made no comment, merely withdrawing her gaze indifferently before inquiring about her disciples' previous experiences.
Now that everyone had gathered, there was no need to differentiate between Xuanqing Sect and Crimson Blood Sect. The disciples chattered about their encounters, incidentally explaining the natives' situation to Jiang Mo's group. Finally, they concluded: "Based on what the disciples have observed, those natives definitely have ulterior motives. Our captured fellow cultivators need to be rescued as soon as possible."
After hearing the disciples' account, Peak Master Qingyu and Zhu Baiyi finally redirected their thoughts from other distractions. They instinctively exchanged glances before quickly looking away.
Qingyu spoke: "You're right. If that's the case, we'll investigate further tonight."
Hearing this, Jiang Mo couldn't hide her surprise: "So quickly? Without any preparation?"
Zhu Baiyi interjected with complete confidence: "She and I will go together. The rest of you stay behind."
Jiang Mo didn't know her and couldn't fathom the source of such confidence, but seeing the Crimson Blood Sect disciples' expressions of complete trust, she didn't refuse. She glanced surreptitiously at her Senior Sister and, noting no reaction, nodded: "Then we'll trouble the two of you." She added: "We were just there last night. They'll likely have strengthened their defenses tonight, so please be careful."