Chapter 33: Yunzhao Shall Be Your Dao Companion

Several gazes turned toward him simultaneously, and he awkwardly fell silent. "Well, there are matters to attend to back at the sect, I must be going!"

He cursed his loose lips—why on earth had he brought up those things?

Luo Qingxu sighed. "Old Hu, do it as a way to repay past favors. After all, the former Sect Leader saved our lives."

"Zhaozhao is the former Sect Leader's only kin; it is no harm to indulge her a little."

Hu Guichen said helplessly, "I was only anxious about the progression of Lingxiao's sword spirit, but come to think of it, there is no real rush. Let them be."

Lu Mingdao chuckled. "Sect Leader Hu, rest assured. In a few days, I will personally see Young Friend Bai back."

As the sect tournament concluded, one spirit ship after another ascended, and the area soon returned to its former tranquility.

On the Qingyun Sect's spirit ship, Master Guiyuan came out for a stroll while taking a break from his cultivation. He saw a group of disciples outside discussing their practice; everyone was there except for Song Zhiyuan and Xue Hairui.

Thinking for a moment, he headed toward Song Zhiyuan's room, and sure enough, he found them both inside.

Master Guiyuan entered and asked, "Zhiyuan, your junior brothers and sisters are all outside discussing cultivation. Why haven't you taken Xiao Rui to join them?"

Song Zhiyuan lowered his gaze. "Master, Xiao Rui and I are fine on our own. Junior Sister Yun and the others... perhaps they aren't very welcoming toward us."

Master Guiyuan frowned. He wanted to say something to Song Zhiyuan, but with Xue Hairui present, he found it difficult to speak.

Seeing this, Xue Hairui’s expression flickered. "Master, Senior Brother, it is time for the midday meal. I shall go and bring it for you."

Song Zhiyuan nodded. "Xiao Rui, thank you for the trouble."

After Xue Hairui left, Master Guiyuan set up a barrier and asked, "Zhiyuan, what exactly happened in the secret realm? Why have you been avoiding Yun Zhao ever since we emerged?"

Song Zhiyuan shook his head. "Master, nothing happened. We just had a small disagreement, that is all. It is nothing of consequence."

Though he spoke this way, a teacher is like a father for life. While Master Guiyuan was not his biological father, after spending so much time together, he believed he understood Song Zhiyuan’s temperament quite well.

His tone grew slightly sterner. "Zhiyuan, tell me the truth."

Song Zhiyuan lowered his head. "Master, I... I may have done something wrong..."

He dared not hide the truth from Master Guiyuan and recounted what he had done in the secret realm. However, he still obscured the true identity of Qi Yan. After all, the history between him and Qi Yan was known only to him and his group of followers—followers who hailed from the same family as him.

To prevent others from discovering Qi Yan’s identity as a member of the demon race, he had even silenced those followers after the incident at the Sword Pool.

Song Zhiyuan claimed only that he was jealous of Qi Yan winning Yun Zhao’s heart and had wanted to teach him a lesson.

After hearing this, Master Guiyuan sighed. "Zhiyuan, you are confused. Yun Zhao was merely bewitched by another for a moment; she will ultimately become your cultivation partner."

Song Zhiyuan was shocked. "Master, what do you mean by that?"

Seeing that Song Zhiyuan was on the verge of developing a demonic heart due to Yun Zhao and Qi Yan, Master Guiyuan said, "Things have reached this point, so I will no longer hide it from you."

"Zhiyuan, do you know why, for so many years, everyone in the Qingyun Sect has been so compliant and doting toward Yun Zhao?"

Song Zhiyuan replied, "It is because Yun Zhao’s grandfather and parents rendered great service to the sect, and you and the various Peak Masters pity her for having lost her closest kin, so you shower her with affection."

"But do you know what kind of service the former Sect Leader and Yun Zhao’s parents actually performed?" Master Guiyuan asked.

Song Zhiyuan said blankly, "This disciple does not know."

In truth, most disciples of the Qingyun Sect did not know; they only knew the general idea, and no one really understood the specifics.

Master Guiyuan took a deep breath. "Then I will tell you today: the former Sect Leader, by his own strength, halted the spread of the Extinction Aura, and Yun Zhao’s parents sacrificed their very bodies as a seal to eradicate the Extinction Aura entirely!"

Song Zhiyuan gasped. "Master, is what you say true?!"

The Extinction Aura was a sinister form of spiritual energy that could not be absorbed by cultivators or demons; even the slightest touch would cause one to crumble into ash and vanish from the world!

If this were true, it would be no exaggeration to say that the three of them had saved the entire cultivation world! And the only remaining bloodline they left behind, Yun Zhao, was the benefactor of the entire cultivation world!

However...

Song Zhiyuan asked, puzzled, "Master, such a monumental event—why have I never seen any records of it?"

Master Guiyuan shook his head. "It was the former Sect Leader's request. He did not wish to make a scene, and he feared that if the Extinction Aura were to return, it might seek revenge upon Yun Zhao. Only the leaders of the four major sects are aware of this."

"Of course, there are also Hanyue and Mingdao; they were the former Sect Leader's disciples and had the right to know."

"However, Yun Zhao herself does not know. The reasons why, you do not need to understand."

Speaking to this point, Master Guiyuan cautioned, "Zhiyuan, you must keep what I have said a secret. Do not speak of it to outsiders, and do not mention it to Yun Zhao. Do you understand?"

Master Guiyuan’s expression was grave, and Song Zhiyuan quickly agreed.

Still uneasy, Master Guiyuan made Song Zhiyuan swear an oath. Song Zhiyuan complied readily; he had no intention of telling anyone anyway, so swearing an oath meant little to him.

He had one more question: "Master, why do you say Yun Zhao will eventually become my cultivation partner? You have seen it yourself—she is, toward Qi Yan, even more than she ever was toward me..."

Song Zhiyuan thought for a moment and chose a word: "Obsessed."

"That cannot be blamed on Yun Zhao," Master Guiyuan said, sounding a bit angry. "She was so good to you before, and you—not only did you reject her, but you also acted intimately with Xiao Rui in public."

"You broke Yun Zhao’s heart. It is only human nature that she is throwing a tantrum now."

"However," Master Guiyuan’s tone shifted, "you and Yun Zhao were betrothed by the former Sect Leader himself. He said that once you both reached the Golden Core stage, you should become cultivation partners."

"I have simply been too busy with sect affairs to look after the two of you."

Master Guiyuan asked, "I remember that before Qi Yan appeared, the relationship between you and Yun Zhao was very good, was it not?"

Song Zhiyuan recalled the past and replied with a straight face, "Master, our relationship was very good."

He deliberately concealed certain things. For instance, in their childhood, Yun Zhao had not been close to him; compared to him, she had preferred the company of Mu Qianqian.

He remembered that Yun Zhao only started clinging to him a few years ago. He assumed it was because she had been too young to understand her feelings, and only as a young woman had she come to understand romantic love.

Master Guiyuan was reassured. "That is good. By the way, what about your feelings for Xiao Rui..."

Song Zhiyuan said solemnly, "Master, I only view Xiao Rui as a junior sister. I have no other intentions."

Master Guiyuan glanced at him. "Remember your words. Zhaozhao’s cultivation has improved significantly of late. Once she reaches the Golden Core stage, I will hold the wedding ceremony for you both."

Song Zhiyuan was overjoyed. "Thank you, Master! I will certainly treat Zhaozhao well!"

"Achoo!"

On the spirit ship, Yun Zhao suddenly let out a massive sneeze.