Chapter 153 : Blue Star? What Was That?
Chapter 153: Blue Star? What Was That?
Looking at the relaxed smile on Yaxi’s face, Long Tao’s heart once again waged a fierce inner battle between heaven and man.
At this moment, he was already eighty percent certain that the bastard who had stolen Yaxi’s Destiny Luck was Ye Jingchen. Charm Technique, being in the Nine-Xia Realm, the special ability to steal Destiny Luck… these clues intertwined together, and it was almost impossible for it to be a second person.
But… should he tell her? Ye Jingchen’s matter had already been listed as a sect secret by True Lord Luohong, and he had even sworn a Dao Heart Oath.
Saying it outright was definitely impossible, but… if he only wanted to reveal a hint or two, there should still be loopholes to exploit. It was just… was this a risk worth taking?
While Long Tao frowned in contemplation, Yaxi rose gracefully to her feet. She probably had not expected a Qi-Refining minor cultivator like him to truly provide any crucial clues.
“Let’s stop here for today.” She tidied her slightly disheveled pink hair. Such an ordinary gesture, yet when she did it, it made one’s heart race. “For me to be alone with a man I just met for this long is already an exception. The people outside… are probably already making guesses.”
“Oh, alright.” Long Tao also felt there was little left to say for now. Though they were so-called fellow townsmen, they had only just met. Continuing the conversation would only turn into awkward small talk, so he stood and replied,
“With this mirror, it’ll be convenient to stay in touch if anything comes up. I’ll head off first, then.”
“Mm!” She nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with longing. “You have to work hard in your cultivation too! We will definitely… definitely return to Blue Star!”
Long Tao was about to respond instinctively to the encouragement when he suddenly froze.
Blue Star? What was that?
Wasn’t it Earth?
But then he reconsidered. Earth was indeed often called the Blue Planet.
Perhaps Yaxi had simply grown accustomed to this world and chosen a more poetic, romantic way of saying it. As fellow transmigrators, as long as he understood, that was enough.
So Long Tao did not think too deeply
about it. He merely smiled and nodded.
After carefully storing the pink little mirror into his Storage Pouch, he habitually intended to perform a formal salute before taking his leave. Then he suddenly remembered her status and instead waved casually, smiling as he said,
“Bye.”
This farewell, so familiar from his previous life, made Yaxi’s eyes light up. She smiled as well and waved back.
With a complicated yet excited mood, Long Tao walked out of the courtyard gate and saw that the Golden Core Dao Protector was still standing guard.
When she saw him emerge, a trace of undisguised surprise flickered across her eyes.
“What did you and the Saintess talk about?” Her tone was calm, but her gaze carried scrutiny and inquiry, clearly filled with questions.
“Uh… the Saintess gave me a sheet of paper, then briefly asked about my background. There was nothing written on it, and she took it back. After that, we chatted about some interesting anecdotes from commentary work. The Saintess seemed somewhat interested in that, so we talked a bit longer,” Long Tao said after careful consideration, giving what he believed to be a safe answer.
Upon hearing the word “commentary,” the Dao Protector’s expression eased slightly. “I see. Forgive my suspicion. You are the first man who could converse at such length with the Saintess upon first meeting her.” She paused, then added, “Ordinary men—even prodigies of various sects—are usually dismissed after she hands them a sheet of paper and exchanges a few polite words.”
“So I was quite flattered as well. But rest assured, Senior,” Long Tao said frankly, “the Saintess only found me somewhat interesting. As for anything else… I am well aware of my own limits.”
“Knowing your boundaries is a good thing.” A faint smile curved at the corner of the Dao Protector’s lips. “The Saintess occasionally makes willful requests. You’ve been troubled today. Would you like me to escort you?”
“Thank you, Senior, but I was just about to head to the Main Hall, so there’s no need to trouble you.” Long Tao cupped his fists, then asked in passing, “May I ask Senior’s honored name?”
“I am merely a cultivator of the Hehuan Sect, one who indulges in the myriad mortal phenomena. What honored name is there to speak of?” She smiled faintly, as if clouds and smoke drifted across her eyes. “Shen Qinghuan. You may call me by my name.”
“Yes… Senior Shen.” Of course, Long Tao did not dare truly address her directly by name. After saluting again, he turned and walked toward the sect’s main hall.
…
As soon as he stepped through the side entrance of the Main Hall, Long Tao headed straight for Shi Manyu’s room.
At this moment, the Vice Sect Master was speaking with several merchants and cultivators.
Judging by their humble posture, they were likely leaders of certain merchant associations or cultivators from minor sects, seeking the sect’s assistance for some matter.
Long Tao tactfully waited outside. In any case, such meetings would not be scheduled for long.
Sure enough… about half the time of one incense stick later, the group came out—some wearing expressions of satisfaction, others frowning.
“Come in. You’ve been waiting outside for quite a while, haven’t you?” Shi Manyu’s voice soon came from within.
Hearing this, Long Tao quickly entered the room. He had been about to muster the courage to question her about today’s events, but she spoke first instead.
“So you came back just like that? The pink-haired Saintess didn’t take a fancy to you?”
“Uh… do you really think someone like me would catch her eye?”
Shi Manyu curled her lips, amusement flickering in her eyes.
“That’s not necessarily true. Some people’s tastes are hard to predict. Maybe she just likes someone with rather useless talent like yours. Who knows, you might even attract certain female cultivators overflowing with maternal instincts. There’s even a faction within the Hehuan Sect that follows that route.”
“Please don’t make fun of me,” Long Tao said with a wry smile. “If there’s something like this next time, at least give me a heads-up.”
“What’s there to complain about? You entered the sect before you even turned thirteen. This should count as your first blind date, shouldn’t it? See how considerate I am? Even though you’re only a Registered Disciple, I arranged it for you. And your very first blind date in life was with the Saintess of the Hehuan Sect. Just think how impressive that sounds when you say it in the future.”
“This! You’re taking this a bit too—”
Before he could finish, Shi Manyu picked up a booklet from the table and tossed it to him. Long Tao caught it and glanced at it. It was actually a cultivation method.
Weaving Soul Returning-to-Origin Art
“This is?”
“You’ve performed well recently—especially these past two days with your commentary. Honestly… it exceeded my expectations. It was actually quite interesting. But I also know that once you get busy, your cultivation will inevitably lag behind. Since you are my Registered Disciple, I still have to take responsibility for your cultivation progress.”
As she spoke, she leaned a little closer.
“Your most special trait is that Divine Soul strength comparable to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage. So rather than continuing step by step as usual, it would be better to start exploring Divine Soul–type techniques earlier. This Returning-to-Origin Art is one of the most basic Divine Soul methods in the sect—safe and steady, and it has no conflict whatsoever with the Nine-Xia Qi-Guiding Art. Go back and try cultivating it first. If the effects are good, it might even accelerate your cultivation progress again.”
Long Tao had not expected that she truly kept his cultivation in mind.
Indeed, even the hardest-working ox-horse had to be fed some fine fodder and given proper rest. One could not squeeze endlessly without compensation.
“Th-Thank you, True Person. This disciple will certainly do his utmost.”
“Mm. Work harder. If within five years you can achieve Foundation Establishment at mid-to-high grade, I can formally accept you as a Personal Disciple. Or, if you don’t wish to enter my lineage, I can also introduce you to a few excellent Peak Masters.”
Then she leaned closer again and smiled at Long Tao.
“If you’re lucky, and True Person Mingzhu happens to be in a good mood, you might even enter Moon-Washing Peak. What do you say?”