187 - Divine Mastering Dragon System

Chapter 857: Witnessed The current Tian Ji, over eight hundred years old, is the longest-lived person in the current cultivation world, and her seniority is quite high. Many people have lived and died during her time—ordinary disciples and even the elders couldn't have anticipated this sudden news. When the news from Tian Ji Sect arrived, an elder whispered incredulously, "Is this... a move by Tian Ji Sect out of desperation because they can't handle the Tai Xu Sect?" Someone nearby gently nudged her, making her realize her slip, and she quickly shut her mouth. Tian Ji Sect would never use such an incident as a cover-up. As long as Tian Ji is alive, the sects might show some caution out of respect for her presence. But once a new Tian Ji takes the stage, the surrounding wolves would have no such qualms. Huai Ye, so young yet already assuming the position of sect leader, faces significant challenges to her authority both inside and outside the sect. In part, it is due to her master Li Hui, her martial uncle Yu Ming, and the intimidating presence of Lian Long Dao Jun sitting in the mountains, that she has managed to secure her position. Considering the succession system of Tian Ji Sect, things might soon become unstable again. This event momentarily interrupted the aggressive momentum of the Tai Xu Sect, but anyone with discerning eyes could see that the situation was not favorable for either sect. Cultivators often disregard life and death, unlike mortals who care about burials. With Tian Ji's passing, her body will be preserved in the Tian Ji Sect's undercroft according to ancient customs, her jade-like bones and golden body remaining untouched for a thousand years, to be revered and worshipped by future generations. For the deceased, death is the end; for the living, the real intrigue is just beginning. Tian Ji's five disciples each command certain powers, having developed them for years, and they all vie determinedly for the position of Tian Ji. Especially the Grand Elder and the Second Elder of Tian Ji Sect, both similar in age and talent, neither conceding an inch to the other. After the funeral, Tian Ji's last wishes will be announced, designating her chosen successor as the next Tian Ji. Her fellow sisters will immediately lose their elder positions and control over sect affairs to the disciples of the next Tian Ji. Tian Ji does not necessarily choose the one with the highest cultivation level or the closest relationship with her, but rather the one most prominent in understanding the heavenly path. Standing behind the sect leader, He He followed along, lighting incense. She felt that in a mere blink, Huai Ye had become an adult capable of exchanging pleasantries with others, which seemed rather dull. Presiding over the funeral was the Grand Elder of Tian Ji Sect, a woman appearing no more than thirty, silent and steady like Huai Ye, with gray hair tied with a white ribbon. She knelt in the mourning hall, offering only a straight-backed silhouette to those coming to pay their respects. The hall contained only memorial tablets and an incense burner, the guests being souls with sharp senses. Tian Ji's body was not nearby, but stored in a dark chamber behind the mourning hall wall, shielded by formations, unseen. Unlike the elder sister lost in thought before their master's memorial and the corpse separated by a wall, the Second Elder of Tian Ji Sect was far more sociable, engaging in all the exchanges that her senior ignored. Guests whispered and speculated about the relationship between these martial sisters, half bemused at the imagined storm the announcement of Tian Ji's last wishes might unleash within the sect. Each of Tian Ji's five disciples had their unique traits, which intrigued He He as she keenly observed them, her gaze falling on the dazed Fu Zhi standing by a pillar within the hall. He He approached quietly, standing beside the woman in green, and gently placed an arm around her shoulder. The ominous star whispered teasingly, "Should I congratulate you in advance for ascending to the great position?" Fu Zhi visibly trembled, though the two sects had been close, they hadn't seen each other for sixty years. Yet she immediately recognized He He's voice, trembling as she replied, "I don't know my master's last wishes, nor should I guess recklessly." Her companion chuckled lightly, her voice less soft than in youth, now crisp with an undertone of mischief, making her seem particularly wicked: "What are you afraid of? Still feeling guilty?" How could Fu Zhi not feel guilty? She had realized long ago that Xiang Shi Yan was captured by He He and had gone to Yu Cang Mountain under a pretense, even though Xiang Shi Yan found her before she could locate her. How Xiang Shi Yan, held captive, knew of her presence at Yu Cang Mountain was a mystery. Yet seeing her, the woman understood her intent and guessed that Fu Zhi had long known He He's identity but kept it hidden, fabricating a mess of lies to fool herself. To Fu Zhi, it seemed as though a fire burned in Xiang Shi Yan's eyes, and she felt that, if not for Shi Yan needing her, the woman would have turned away immediately, never to engage with Fu Zhi again. Fu Zhi couldn't fathom where she'd found the courage to smuggle the captive out right under He He's nose, which left her anxious for a long time, fearing retribution. Even now, she remains clueless as to how Xiang Shi Yan escaped He He's clutches, or why Shi Yan, after rejecting Tian Ji Sect's shelter, wandered alone, disappearing to who knows where. She just hoped it wasn't her concealment that led to Xiang Shi Yan's distrust of Tian Ji Sect... "It's been a full cycle of sixty years, why hold on to the past?" whispered the blind woman, enveloped in darkness and embraced by a terrifying presence, unable to see, she felt as if she were in the maw of a beast, the air damp and warm around her. He He smiled softly, patting Fu Zhi's face, about to speak, when she saw two people enter together. The murmurs and secretive whispers in the mourning hall suddenly halted. The black dragon, with her sharp senses, enveloped the entire hall with her spiritual consciousness, detecting every sound transmitted through compressed spiritual power. She heard the silence last but a moment, then another wave of whispers erupted. Unable to see, Fu Zhi noticed a change in the atmosphere her ears couldn't catch. She looked confusedly toward He He, a habit left from that brief traumatic period. "That's from the Zhu family... I knew the head of the Zhu family wouldn't dare leave Huaihai City at such a critical time." "And speaking of the second Miss of the Zhu family, she once belonged to the Ink Bamboo Peak..." "Sigh, how things scatter once the tree falls. Since Dao Jun Yue Hua went missing, her disciples scattered, leaving Ruo Shui Jun holding the peak alone... Now that she's formed her Nascent Soul, she can finally take charge of Ink Bamboo Peak, it seems." He He had never revealed herself to human cultivators in her past life, thus remained unknown. This life, dubbed "Ruo Shui," added a curious sense of novelty. Initially noticed solely for being Xiang Shi Yan's disciple, she had now become a prodigy of keen interest in the cultivation realm. Though she and Xiang Shi Yan had parted ways for a long time, it was still a matter that evokes emotional sighs. "Who are they talking about?" someone asked, prompting a discreet gesture pointing out several women in the corner to a companion. "By the pillar is Tian Ji Sect's junior elder, reportedly the best in the sect's history at divining immortal paths. Perhaps the last will names her over the Grand Elder or Second Elder." "The one holding her is the new Yu Cang Mountain elder, Ruo Shui Jun of Ink Bamboo Peak, the second disciple of the missing Yue Hua Jun, Xiang Shi Yan. The one across is one of her junior sisters, the second Miss of the Zhu family, who recently won the culinary meet." "It's undeniable that Ink Bamboo Peak is a place of great fortune, besides these two, look, it's said that even the sect leader almost became Xiang Shi Yan's disciple at one point. Count the head of the Zhu family as well... look, there's the young master of the Xu family! These should be among the most outstanding of the younger generation," Someone whispered thoughtfully, "Yue Hua Jun was truly blessed, encountering four such rare geniuses in a lifetime, yet her whereabouts remain unknown, nearly causing the dissolution of the peak she so painstakingly built..." Nearby, a younger companion, unfamiliar with Xiang Shi Yan except for hearing the name sporadically, eagerly inquired, "Who exactly is this Yue Hua Jun? How did she vanish without a trace?" The initial speaker, unmoved, continued with greater enthusiasm, "The tales are many, some say both of her disciples were present when she vanished, one dying while the other was injured. Beyond that, who knows—" The words abruptly stopped, realizing just then they were now face-to-face with a smiling He He. Despite the privacy of their exchange, there was a palpable sense that she had heard everything, leading to a sharp swell of shame. Hastily, they withdrew, nodding quickly at the sight of her calm smile. Having paid their respects, Zhu Yu and Xu You Qing were led away by He He to a quieter corner. Among the masses, they attracted too much attention—eyes laden with hidden emotions and schemes were irritating, making a secluded spot preferable for catching up. "It's been a while; how is your sister and Martial Uncle Yu Ming?" He He asked, holding Zhu Yu's hand. In reality, it hadn't been that long since He He, with formidable force, destroyed a minor clan plotting to assassinate Zhu Yun only half a month ago. Dirty work like this had been He He's routine for them over the years. If not for Yu Ming sitting in Huaihai City upon Xiang Shi Yan's request, her actions could have been more convenient. As the second-in-command of the Zhu family, Zhu Yu was the one handling the detailed investigation, so how could she not be aware of He He's actions? Sometimes, simple violence proves to be more effective in resolving issues than complex negotiations. Zhu Yu had grown accustomed to serving as Zhu Yun's right hand, and for dealing with someone as dangerous as He He, Zhu Yun could only entrust the matter to the one person she fully trusted. Familiar with wielding the blade, she naturally grew closer to sharp edges. After countless dealings, Zhu Yu found herself growing closer to this dangerous entity. They shared a common secret, and beneath the layers of their facades, He He had become the elder Zhu Yu relied on most in her growth. He He taught both of them a lot. She taught Zhu Yun how to exude authority without anger and instructed Zhu Yu on how to coldly execute orders to eliminate enemies. When blood pooled at the young girl's feet, He He would kindly soothe Zhu Yu's nausea. He He was the only one who knew... that Zhu Yu gradually found comfort and joy in the violent removal of threats. Throughout the years, He He took over the role of a reliable elder for someone who had vanished. "My sister wanted to offer condolences herself, but after the recent events and the traitor who leaked her whereabouts still unapprehended, she can't move around easily," Zhu Yu explained to Fu Zhi while chatting with He He, subtly explaining why the head of the family couldn't visit personally. Fu Zhi politely acknowledged, "The sentiment is what counts; my master never cared much for these formalities." "By the way... will Tian Ji's last will be announced this afternoon? Should the junior elder prepare?" He He asked abruptly. "Since the junior elder can't see, why not have You Qing accompany you for a while? I have a few words to exchange with Xiao Yu." "..." Just as Fu Zhi was about to express that there was no rush, she heard He He's latter suggestion, and after a moment of silence, she agreed, "Then, take your time. I can manage... no, please, thank you for the trouble, young friend." She initially wanted to say she could manage alone, but since He He clearly intended to have a private moment with Zhu Yu, it would be best to have Xu You Qing leave, ensuring she didn't overhear anything sensitive and accidentally cause trouble. A sigh escaped her as she realized You Qing was shrewd on the surface but obstinately naive; hearing snippets of conversation could invite unnecessary complications. Xu You Qing looked bewildered; as the young master of a noble family, she didn't expect to be commandeered by a childhood bully. She wanted to protest but, upon seeing the blind woman helplessly facing forward, relented a bit, though still threw an irritated glance at He He before leading the green-robed woman away by the hem of her clothing. "What do you want to discuss?" Zhu Yu asked. "I need you to investigate whether any of the yao clan were involved in the recent collapse of the cyan-scaled forest mine," He He replied. Zhu Yu was puzzled, crossing her arms as she asked, "Don’t you have spies in the yao clan? Why not ask them?" He He narrowed her eyes, "In recent years, the Xiao clan's been heavily suppressed by the Yao Emperor, making it a tense time. Xiao Luan can't move freely." "... I understand. I'll send people to investigate once I return." "The gathering of the Thirteen Immortal Sects—any decisions?" He He inquired. "Nothing new, Tai Xu Sect is still causing trouble everywhere," Zhu Yu rolled her eyes. They continued to chat until Huai Ye, pulled away by the Second Elder of Tian Ji Sect to discuss matters, finally freed herself. Seeing Zhu Yu, her eyes lit up, but before she could greet her, she noticed Xu You Qing returning with a dazed expression. Xu You Qing's brow furrowed as if she'd encountered incomprehensible events in a short span and spoke in confusion, "I think I just saw Xiang Shi Shu." Author's Note: I really dislike mpreg stories, not because of the impossibility inherent in them, but because so many focus on child-rearing, which to me feels rather dull. Pregnancy play is the only worthwhile part of mpreg stories, and what’s so interesting about raising kids? I thought about it carefully yesterday; if the plot ever demands, there might be a scene in my story where the main characters adopt a girl with nowhere to go. But beyond that, there won't be a plot where they have their own child (except perhaps faceless pregnancy extras). Honestly, I think one of the protagonists in my story would most likely be a pitiful adopted girl with nowhere to go. It must be said, cultivation stories really exploit loopholes in taboo morals—when even adoption and appellations are restricted, master-disciple relationships seem quite... intense, don’t they? A young girl being taken in by an older figure, isolated from the world—a master is the only guardian she knows. Cultivation children are still children; masters must not only teach them proper path cultivation but also how to handle a girl’s bodily changes, instructing female disciples about menstruation—if that's not training them strictly, what is? The master might demonstrate more maternal instincts than the biological mother. If that’s not a mother-daughter relationship, what is? A dark girl's desire to fit into her master's childless womb when grown seems natural enough... Our site is banner ad-free, permanent domain (xbanxia.com)