Chapter 470
470: A Subtle Atmosphere
Xuanqing Sect's Lightning Pool was divided into ninety-nine sections, with obvious adjustments in intensity to accommodate all disciples. The most numerous were pools suitable for Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment cultivators, with the number of pools decreasing as the level increased. The positions of different level pools were quite systematically distributed from outside to inside.
The Lightning Pool that Jiang Mo had soaked in previously was already the highest level among these pools, located in the innermost position of the mountain's interior. However, since she only had Fusion stage cultivation, she wasn't sure if that pool would be sufficient for a Great Achievement cultivator like Peak Master Qingyu.
The two entered the Lightning Pool area with some concern, following the familiar route to the purple Lightning Pool located at the innermost position.
Catching sight of that purple hue from afar, Yun Qingyue's footsteps faltered again, instinctively wanting to turn and say something to Jiang Mo. However, glimpsing the crowd of people soaking in nearby pools from the corner of her eye, she restrained herself—although the barrier sealed the pools, making it virtually impossible for those inside to hear outside sounds, with so many outsiders present, some things could wait to be discussed with her Master.
Having realized this, Yun Qingyue's steps became lighter, drawing a curious glance from Jiang Mo beside her. As they appeared before the purple Lightning Pool, they were immediately drawn to the subtle atmosphere within.
In the not-so-large purple Lightning Pool before them, three people were soaking. All were women, each beautiful in her own way, each occupying a corner of the pool, forming roughly an equilateral triangle.
Indeed, those currently soaking in the same Lightning Pool were representatives of three factions with clearly defined positions—Fei Yuan of Harmony Sect, Zhu Baiyi of Crimson Blood Sect, and Qingyu of Xuanqing Sect. They should have been at odds with one another, remaining wary even when sharing the same space. But the current situation wasn't due to this; at least Zhu Baiyi had wanted to move closer to Qingyu, only to be rebuffed by a cold glance.
Qingyu clearly didn't want any connection with Zhu Baiyi. Beyond their different positions, it was also because she was the latecomer.
She had heard that Zhu Baiyi and Fei Yuan had arrived at Xuanqing Sect a day earlier and had also come to soak in the Lightning Pool a day earlier. When she arrived, she had caught the sight of those two soaking in the pool together.
Qingyu's feelings had been quite complicated at that moment, and became even more so after she entered the pool herself, to the point where the other two present also began to feel uncomfortable. Especially Fei Yuan, who could sense the frigid, unapproachable aura emanating from Qingyu, yet had no idea what she might have done to offend her... In any case, no matter how well-informed Harmony Sect's intelligence was, it could never uncover Yun Qingyue's true parentage.
Of course, with Fei Yuan's experience and discernment, she could guess, but she didn't dare to.
In short, the atmosphere was extremely subtle—immediately apparent to those who knew the inside story, yet completely impenetrable to those who didn't, to the extent that even someone as resolute as Yun Qingyue hesitated at this moment.
It was Qingyu and the others who noticed them through the barrier.
Fei Yuan, nearly at a loss due to the subtle atmosphere, caught sight of Yun Qingyue and Jiang Mo's arrival with genuine delight, waving a greeting across the barrier as they approached.
Qingyu and Zhu Baiyi were a beat slower, but soon they too turned their gaze toward the outside of the barrier.
Seeing this, Yun Qingyue quickly bowed, her gaze particularly focused on Peak Master Qingyu, concern written in her eyes: "Disciple greets Master. It's been a long time; I hope Master has been well?"
This seemed like a pointless question—if all had been well, Qingyu wouldn't be soaking in the Lightning Pool. But it must be said that in a cultivation world fraught with turmoil, the fact that Qingyu could return intact to soak in the Lightning Pool after leading a rescue mission and facing pursuit, already indicated her good fortune and lack of serious injury.
Qingyu wasn't one for formalities. As Yun Qingyue assessed her, she was also examining Yun Qingyue. After a moment, she nodded: "I am well. Be careful in these times, and don't leave the sect recklessly."
Yun Qingyue nodded in agreement. The brief exchange between master and disciple was simple, with few words.
Jiang Mo stood to the side pretending to be inconspicuous, inexplicably nervous and hesitant to speak up when seeing her Master again. Watching the conversation between master and disciple, she suddenly realized belatedly—she had received reciprocated feelings from her senior sister and had essentially taken away someone's carefully raised disciple and daughter. Naturally, she felt guilty facing her Master now.
Peak Master Qingyu saw through this at a glance, but considering Fei Yuan's presence, she ultimately said nothing and asked nothing.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
With Fei Yuan present, neither personal nor public matters could be discussed.
Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue stayed at the Lightning Pool for only a short time, inquiring about their Master's health and Sect Leader Zhu's recovery. With nothing more to say, they were soon dismissed.
As the two left the Lightning Pool, Jiang Mo couldn't help but sigh in relief, then asked: "Ah Yue, were you planning to tell Master about us earlier?"
Yun Qingyue had hesitated earlier, but now answered straightforwardly: "Yes. Master raised me herself; she's my closest person in this world. Since we've decided to be together, we should get her approval first."
This was Jiang Mo's first time falling in love, and also her first time facing the prospect of meeting the parents, making her inevitably nervous. Fortunately, although she and her senior sister were thoroughly "bent," her Master wasn't particularly "straight," so she wouldn't oppose their relationship just because Jiang Mo was female. Her heart secretly relaxed again, then belatedly realized the key point in Yun Qingyue's words: "Get approval first..."
She murmured this phrase repeatedly while openly "stealing glances" at Yun Qingyue.
Yun Qingyue was naturally perceptive and usually acted forthrightly, but this time she didn't readily speak up. Instead, under Jiang Mo's gaze, her ears silently reddened. Even without verbal confirmation, this was tantamount to tacit acknowledgment.
Jiang Mo understood, feeling sweetness in her heart as her eyes curved with a smile.
The two were still outside, and Xuanqing Sect had now accepted many outsiders, so it wasn't appropriate to discuss private topics at length. Jiang Mo knew when to stop and didn't press further, instead changing the subject: "Where should we go now?"
Yun Qingyue hadn't seen her Master for a long time and had originally planned to have a good conversation with Peak Master Qingyu, but upon arrival discovered Fei Yuan's presence as an outsider. Not only were the three people soaking in the Lightning Pool awkward, but she as a visitor also had reservations. Many things remained unsaid, and she didn't linger in that subtle atmosphere, quickly bidding farewell and leaving.
They had departed hastily, so the questions she had prepared for her Master remained unanswered. Yun Qingyue stood on the back mountain of Mount Tianyang, glanced at Lingyun Hall in the distance, and said: "Let's go ask Master-Uncle Sect Leader about the situation."
Jiang Mo naturally agreed, and the two headed toward Lingyun Hall together.
……
Sect Leader Qingxiao, who had been stationed at the Enforcement Hall for some time, had finally returned to Lingyun Hall after sending all the disciples to the Lightning Pool. When Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue arrived at Lingyun Hall again, they found the hall far from quiet—it was extremely lively.
Jiang Mo peered into the hall, then caught a small disciple wearing Xuanqing Sect attire and asked: "What's happening? Is there some major event today? Why are there so many people in the hall?" She knew that Peak Master Qingyu had rescued Buddha Sect's people and brought them back today, but not everyone in Lingyun Hall was bald—clearly not all were from Buddha Sect.
The young disciple was carrying a tray with spiritual tea and cups, evidently going to serve tea to the guests. His status wasn't high, but his discernment was decent, recognizing Jiang Mo's identity at a glance: "Jianbing, those are all sect leaders from various sects."
Hearing this, Jiang Mo immediately understood—so the leaders of the small sects that had sought refuge had come forward. As for the purpose of their gathering, it was crystal clear—although Xuanqing Sect generously sheltered everyone, this was still Xuanqing Sect's territory. The other small sects couldn't remain here indefinitely, relying on others' goodwill to survive. They were probably more eager than Xuanqing Sect to resolve the demon race issue outside, hoping everything would return to normal. But lacking sufficient strength themselves, they wanted Xuanqing Sect to take the lead and do the heavy lifting.
This approach wasn't necessarily wrong—Xuanqing Sect couldn't remain uninvolved either. But being pressured like this left a bad taste in one's mouth, making those people seem even more disagreeable.
Jiang Mo released the small disciple, letting him continue delivering tea inside.
She looked toward her senior sister, who frankly said to her: "Come on, let's go see what they're discussing."
Lingyun Hall's doors and windows had a barrier that didn't block people or attacks, only sound. Thus, during discussions in Lingyun Hall, if the Sect Leader wished, he could isolate all sounds within the hall without anyone noticing.
When Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue secretly entered the great hall, passing through the barrier felt like passing through a gentle breeze—beyond the slight coolness brushing their faces, they could hardly detect the barrier's presence. But once they crossed it, the various clamorous sounds that had been confined within the great hall suddenly filled their ears, almost giving the impression of being in a marketplace.
The little tiger instinctively twitched her ears, just in time to hear a righteous declaration: "The cultivation world is now plagued by demonic incidents; it is time for us to uphold the righteous path. However, we have little influence; Buddha Sect has suffered greatly, not to mention Tiandao Sect. Now only Xuanqing Sect remains to take charge. I implore the Sect Leader to give the order to exterminate these evil demons, and we shall follow behind the Sect Leader!"
These words were spoken with extreme righteousness, even the tone and inflection full of indignation. Jiang Mo looked toward the voice and saw a fat man in crimson-purple formal attire standing in the hall, his face full of excitement and indignation, with something of an air of directing the affairs of the world.
Once he spoke, at least half of the small sect leaders present chimed in with agreement, as if they couldn't wait to push Xuanqing Sect's people out the door to eliminate demons and defend the righteous path.
Unfortunately, Sect Leader Qingxiao wasn't buying it. He sat in the seat of honor, taking a sip of the spiritual tea just delivered by the small disciple, with a carefree demeanor of one completely uninvolved. His behavior caused the clamor in the hall to grow increasingly quiet, until finally, as he set his teacup down on the table with a light "thud," the entire gathering fell silent.