82 - Confession (Ying Cheng)

**Chapter 82: Friends (Deep Water Bonus)** Bai Chuli let out a sharp scream, grabbing Yun Rang's shoulders and shaking him vigorously. Everything was gone!!! All of it, gone!!! As Yan Jue came crashing into Yun Zhen's arms, she was immediately enveloped by a rich, fragrant floral scent and the overwhelming aura of a cultivator at the eighth realm. A shiver ran down Yan Jue's spine, and with a "pfft," she spat out a mist of blood, staining Yun Zhen's clothes. The crowd: "..." The exquisite embroidery on Yun Zhen's garment was instantly marred by a crimson splatter. Someone, seemingly unable to bear the sight, closed their eyes. Everyone knew how much Yun Zhen cherished cleanliness; even slightly untidy disciples couldn't step into her Autumn Xuan Pavilion. Of all places for Yan Jue to land, it had to be on Yun Zhen. Such bad luck. Qi Xian Qing's pupils contracted as she quickly took a couple of steps forward. Yan Jue, dizzy from the impact, soon realized she was nestled within an incredibly soft embrace. Before she knew it, Yun Zhen had wrapped her arms around her, affectionately stroking her face, "Well done, excellently done, wonderfully executed." Yan Jue's eyes widened in horror, instinctively pulling back, her fair face being kneaded like dough. Yun Zhen continued, "A promising child! I watched your swordplay, Xiao Yan. It was truly outstanding, far surpassing what Xian Qing could manage back then." The crowd: "..." Qi Xian Qing's gaze swept across the martial stage, settling directly on Yan Jue. Her hands, hanging by her sides, unconsciously tightened. Yun Zhen then furrowed her brow as she looked at Qi Xian Qing on the martial stage, "Such a cute girl, and you had the heart to be so aggressive?" Before she finished speaking, a murmur swept through the crowd. They whispered about how Yun Zhen cherished her apprentices like her life depended on them, never expecting she would openly scold Qi Xian Qing in front of everyone. Yet, the reprimand felt... peculiar somehow. Despite having Yan Jue's blood all over her clothes, Yun Zhen showed no disdain. Instead, she easily lifted Yan Jue with one hand and began to walk out of the plaza. "Lost your sword? No worries, I'll craft one for you." Qi Xian Qing's eyebrows raised, her lips parting as a word got stuck in her throat, "Master—" Yan Jue was left in shock. She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, managing a strained smile as she clung to Yun Zhen's shoulder, "Immortal! N—" She hadn't even finished her plea when she noticed a cloud of violet mist appearing beneath Yun Zhen's feet. Grasping a spell with one hand, Yun Zhen soared like a celestial being, flying through the clouds with Yan Jue in tow. Meanwhile, Qi Xian Qing leapt from the martial stage, swiftly departing on her celestial sword, Zhu Ying. The crowd: "..." This was unprecedented—both the victor and the vanquished fled right after the competition ended. --- Carried by Yun Zhen, Yan Jue felt the clouds swirling before her, making it impossible to open her eyes. When she finally managed to open them, she found herself standing within Yun Zhen's courtyard. The courtyard was engulfed in mists, a serene depth surrounding it. Above the deep red gate hung a plaque inscribed with the elegant characters "Autumn Xuan Pavilion." Yun Zhen led Yan Jue deeper into the courtyard. A vast lake unfolded before them, its waters clear enough to see the bottom. A small boat drifted in the center, and through the mists, verdant grasses were visible in the distance. A white deer grazed leisurely on the grass. Yun Zhen placed Yan Jue on a long bench in the pavilion, gently placing two fingers on her forehead. Yan Jue felt a mild, refreshing energy spread from her crown, clearing her congested chest instantly. Yun Zhen was healing her wounds. After treating Yan Jue, Yun Zhen sat opposite her with a serious tone, "Xian Qing has always been like this. If you feel wronged, I shall give her a stern lesson." Yet Yan Jue felt no such grievance. She knew Qi Xian Qing could be ruthless in matters of cultivation, as she'd witnessed herself. Although losing a sword she'd grown attached to over ten days was upsetting. Yan Jue shook her head, smiling at Yun Zhen, "It's nothing." Yun Zhen gazed at Yan Jue, finding her immensely intriguing. Everyone knew how much Qi Xian Qing valued her reputation, often showing no mercy at the Five Dragons Summit to secure a victory. This was the first time she had shown restraint against someone. The two sat in silence for a moment. As Yan Jue's gaze repeatedly drifted toward the nine-colored deer leisurely grazing on the lawn, Yun Zhen suddenly spoke up. "Xiao Yan, there's something I want to discuss with you." Yan Jue immediately listened intently, "Please, Immortal, speak." Yan Jue held Yun Zhen, Qi Xian Qing's mentor, in high regard. After all, only a few were great cultivators of the eighth realm within the Five Dragons Mountain, and Yun Zhen had always treated her well. Yun Zhen said, "I believe you have considerable talent in cultivation. Are you interested in becoming one of my personal disciples?" Yan Jue was taken aback, her heart racing as she met Yun Zhen's gaze, an inexplicable chill running down her spine, "Immortal, I specialize in ice magic, which doesn't align with the Fire Sect." Yun Zhen replied, "A master only leads you to the door; personal growth is up to the individual. I'll only help you unlock your potential and provide books and resources. Everything else is up to you. Our Five Dragons Sect doesn't strictly differentiate based on magical abilities." Yan Jue found herself at a loss. Yun Zhen's enthusiasm was overwhelming, making a refusal feel disrespectful. Moreover, the offer tempted her. Yet she felt conflicted, knowing she planned to pack up and run away eventually. If she became Yun Zhen's disciple, could she ever escape? Caught amidst this inner turmoil left Yan Jue feeling restless. Yun Zhen added, "Your silence I take as acceptance." Yan Jue: "..." Unexpectedly, after a duel with Qi Xian Qing, she'd ended up acquiring a master. ... Yun Zhen genuinely appreciated Yan Jue's potential. What she thought was a common disciple turned out to be remarkably gifted. As an outer sect disciple of the Water Cloud Sect, it's unlikely Yan Yue, the Water Cloud Sect leader, would invest much in teaching an outer disciple. Yan Jue relied heavily on her own resolve, managing to grasp the basics of sword techniques herself, though still far from Qi Xian Qing's prowess due to different tutelage. Having mentored countless disciples over millennia, Yun Zhen could recognize talent at first glance. With proper guidance, if Yan Jue joined her sect and received nurturing, the next Five Dragons Summit might see both the top and runner-up titles claimed by their sect. Recently, her sect had faced a significant decline, with many disciples, aside from Qi Xian Qing, being eliminated by the fourth round, much to Yun Zhen's frustration. Allowing the elder of Qi Dung Sect to surpass them was unacceptable. As the skies began to darken, Yun Zhen eagerly discussed the mysteries of the universe with Yan Jue. On another day, Yan Jue might have enjoyed absorbing such wisdom from Yun Zhen. However, having overexerted herself and sustained injuries during the recent duel... She was already quite exhausted. Yun Zhen quickly noticed this, gesturing for Yan Jue to follow her. Yan Jue hesitated, then fell in step behind Yun Zhen. Yun Zhen led her to a small attic hidden within the mists of the Autumn Xuan Pavilion, where she flicked her right hand, causing the attic's doors to swing open. Yan Jue paused. The attic was spacious, housing numerous small chests. Clearly untouched for ages, each chest bore a thick layer of dust. Yun Zhen said, "Xiao Yan, since this is our first official meeting, I don't have much to give you. These chests contain various cultivation resources and magical tools. Take whatever you find useful." Accustomed to Yun Zhen's warmth, Yan Jue offered a wry smile, "Thank you... Immortal." Yun Zhen's brow furrowed, "You're now my personal disciple. I'll send a message right away to Yan Yue, having her transfer you to me. If you call me 'Immortal' again, I might just lose my patience." Startled, Yan Jue quickly imitated Qi Xian Qing, smiling nervously, "Master." Left alone, Yan Jue began rummaging through the wooden chests. The esteemed figure of the Five Dragons Sect indeed had numerous dazzling resources, leaving Yan Jue unsure of what to choose. Her mind heavy with weariness, she opened a particularly dusty chest, fanning away the particles to reveal its contents, and her eyes widened slightly in surprise. Inside the chest lay a collection of swords. Golden swords, sharp silver swords, even purplish-red and azure swords. The array of shimmering swords left Yan Jue bedazzled, unsure of which to take. Taking something too valuable seemed inappropriate—she wasn't sure yet if Yun Zhen's acceptance was on a whim or genuinely serious... Yet leaving empty-handed seemed even more inappropriate. Staring at the gleaming contents of the chest, Yan Jue felt her mind growing sluggish. She wondered what it was like for Qi Xian Qing whenever she interacted with Yun Zhen. So tired. If the conditions allowed, Yan Jue would have loved to lie down by the chests and nap, her fatigue lowering her mood quite a bit, her mind drifting back to her earlier clash at the Five Dragons Summit, when Qi Xian Qing had knocked her out of the arena. That iron sword had grown so familiar to her, and yet Qi Xian Qing shattered it with a casual swing... It left her feeling a bit down. After a lengthy search, Yan Jue finally found a sword on the wall that bore some resemblance to her previous one. The patterns on this iron sword, however, were far more intricate than the standardized swords distributed to outer disciples of the Water Cloud Sect. Yan Jue glanced at it for a while, pondering whether the pattern was a chrysanthemum or an orchid. ... Carrying the sword, Yan Jue slowly walked out of Yun Zhen's Autumn Xuan Pavilion. The scenery of Zhenhuo Sect was indeed beautiful. Compared to the gentle elegance of the Water Cloud Sect, it presented a strikingly different style. Holding the sword as she walked, Yan Jue felt both tired and hot. Halfway there, she suddenly felt a strange unfamiliarity with this new iron sword. Considering the long journey of cultivation ahead, the need to familiarize herself with a new magical tool felt exhausting, and she couldn’t help but feel a slight ache in her nose. Deep in her thoughts, Yan Jue accidentally bumped into someone. She instinctively stepped back, only to be met with a familiar cool fragrance. Qi Xian Qing approached, looking down at her, "Let me have a look." Qi Xian Qing wore her usual white robes, her cool fingertips emerging from her sleeves to gently grasp Yan Jue's wrist. The sight of her instantly sparked irritation within Yan Jue, and she shook off the hand, gritting her teeth with a mix of grievance and complaint, "Why did you break my sword on the martial stage today?" Hearing this, for some reason, Qi Xian Qing felt a pang in her heart and unconsciously pressed her lips together. In the arena, facing other opponents, she might have struck even harder. However, for the first time ever, after the match ended and Yan Jue was whisked away by her master, Qi Xian Qing felt a twinge of guilt within her. Under the dim moonlight, Yan Jue's fair face was tinged with a blush, her slender phoenix eyes narrowing slightly, "You cheated. Your sword is so great, but I don't have one..." Qi Xian Qing lowered her gaze, checking Yan Jue’s wrist for injuries. Finding none, it seemed her master had already helped purge the internal bruising from Yan Jue's body. Qi Xian Qing's gaze flickered, her tongue pressing against her teeth, "How about this." Yan Jue was taken aback. Looking at her, Qi Xian Qing spoke gently, "Hit me back." Yan Jue: "..." Taking her up on the offer, Yan Jue didn't hold back, swinging a fist at Qi Xian Qing's shoulder. Despite the lack of pain, Qi Xian Qing's heart softened completely in that instant. Dizzy and lightheaded, Yan Jue had already been injured earlier during the competition. With Yun Zhen’s treatment purging the internal fire and bruises, her energy was depleted, leaving her utterly exhausted. Qi Xian Qing noticed the sword in her arms, "Did my master give this to you?" Yan Jue rolled her eyes at her, "Yes, who else?" Qi Xian Qing: "..." Frustrated, Yan Jue couldn't help but vent, "I took a long time to get familiar with my old iron sword, and only just learned its patterns. Now I'm really tired." "And now I have to get used to this new sword. I'm truly—so—tired!" Yan Jue thought, Qi Xian Qing was probably her best friend in this world. With Qi Xian Qing, she could share some genuine feelings, just as one does with a true friend. Qi Xian Qing stared at the iron sword in Yan Jue's arms for a long moment, then suddenly extended her hand. Slowly, she pulled the new sword out from Yan Jue's embrace. Qi Xian Qing said, "Then let's not bother getting familiar with it." Yan Jue blinked in surprise. Qi Xian Qing raised her hand, gently tousling Yan Jue’s hair, looking deep into her eyes with seriousness, "I'll get you a better one."