The distance between Yunhua Sect and Liuguang Sect wasn’t close. Based on Yunhua Sect’s previous habit of walking leisurely, stopping frequently, and eating and drinking along the way, the people of Liuguang Sect thought Yunhua Sect would probably only arrive two days before the exchange conference officially began.

Who would have known that now a disciple came to report that Yunhua Sect and Yuanji Sect had arrived.

Jin Yue knew his disciple was together with those from Yunhua Sect, and a smile appeared on his face: “Quickly invite them in.”

Song He couldn’t help thinking—Yunhua Sect’s people were so proactive this time, could it be because Nephew Zhong Xi was with them, so they felt embarrassed to delay too much?

In the eyes of others, this scene took on a different meaning. Jin Yue’s cultivation had advanced significantly, and his whole person had become much more gentle. But even so, he wouldn’t often keep a smile on his face. It seemed the rumors were true—Yunhua Sect and Liuguang Sect had suddenly become close over the past two years.

This was like the most diligent and hardworking student in school becoming good friends with the lazy and dissolute one, making it somewhat difficult for them to adapt for a time.

Coming to Liuguang Sect for the first time, she sat on the back of an immortal crane, looking at the crystal-clear buildings below that flickered with brilliant light. She finally understood why this sect was named Liuguang. The construction here was truly too beautiful, too dreamlike—just like the celestial palaces and immortal residences she had imagined.

On the Immortal-Welcoming Platform outside the main hall, Liuguang Sect disciples had already lined up waiting. When the group landed, these disciples all cupped their hands in salute: “We respectfully welcome the Daoist friends from Yunhua Sect, we respectfully welcome the Daoist friends from Yuanji Sect.”

In reception etiquette, Liuguang Sect was impeccable. Although Yuanji Sect’s status was not as high as Yunhua Sect’s, they didn’t feel treated differently at all. This atmosphere put Shuang Qing in a very good mood. When out and about, who doesn’t care about face?

“Everyone, please walk this way.” Huan Zong led the way in front. The other Liuguang Sect disciples, seeing Huan Zong appear, all showed expressions of pleasant surprise. Unable to appear too excited in front of outside guests, they could only cup their hands in salute to him one after another.

Before reaching the main hall, Huan Zong stopped in his tracks.

Kong Hou followed his gaze and saw standing at the hall entrance a Daoist in white robes embroidered with golden patterns. He had white beard and white hair, and even his eyebrows were white. His silver hair was bound by a Nine-Lotus Golden Crown. He looked like a lofty immortal, inspiring feelings of reverence with just one glance.

“This disciple pays respects to Master.” Huan Zong bowed deeply. Just as he was about to lift his robe and kneel, the white-robed Daoist waved his hand to stop him: “No need for such formalities. It’s good that you’ve returned safely.”

Jin Yue saw that his disciple’s complexion was much better than when he had left the sect, and even the spiritual energy around his body had become more solid. He knew his disciple had gained much from this trip. Looking again at the small girl standing behind him whose smile was quite charming, Jin Yue didn’t need to ask to guess this was Yunhua Sect’s beloved youngest disciple Kong Hou. The seven parts of fondness in his heart became ten parts complete.

What a spiritually elegant little girl, with clear bright eyes and a blessed countenance. That spirited and vivacious energy made his wooden disciple look like a wooden stake by comparison. Jin Yue smiled before speaking, saluting Qiu Shuang: “Senior Qiu Shuang has come from afar. You’ve worked hard.”

“Daoist Jin Yue is too kind. Some days ago, hearing that your cultivation had advanced significantly, everyone in our humble sect was very happy. Here, I’ll say congratulations on behalf of everyone in the sect.” Qiu Shuang’s seniority was higher than Jin Yue’s. Almost everyone in the great hall who saw her had to respectfully call her Senior.

“Fortunately blessed by the Heavenly Dao.” Jin Yue personally welcomed Qiu Shuang inside. Other peak masters of Liuguang Sect greeted Shuang Qing, and everyone entered the great hall in harmony.

The others waiting inside the hall, seeing Jin Yue personally come to the hall entrance to receive guests, almost thought Liuguang Sect owed Yunhua Sect a mountain of debt to be so diligent and careful. But when they saw who was walking beside Jin Yue, they all rose to salute.

Liuguang Sect truly had great prestige—when hosting an exchange conference, they could actually have Zhenren Qiu Shuang personally lead the delegation. Zhenren Qiu Shuang’s honored name was known throughout the entire cultivation world. Many juniors didn’t even know what she looked like, only knowing that this person was an extremely formidable artifact refinement master with unfathomable cultivation, one of Yunhua Sect’s pillars.

Though the juniors didn’t recognize Qiu Shuang, cultivators of advanced age had seen Qiu Shuang’s glory in her younger days and recognized her identity with just one glance.

“Everyone, no need for excessive courtesy. I came this time to escort the juniors to participate in the exchange conference. These children have lively personalities and aren’t steady enough in their actions—truly difficult to put one’s mind at ease about.” After exchanging pleasantries with these cultivators for a few sentences, Qiu Shuang sat in a chair and said no more. She was someone who didn’t like meddling in affairs. Having arrived at Liuguang Sect, she would even less steal the host’s limelight.

Hearing Qiu Shuang mention the juniors, everyone understood—Yunhua Sect was worried about the younger generation encountering trouble on the road, so they had specially arranged for Zhenren Qiu Shuang to escort them. Fortunately, the matter of evil cultivators impersonating sect disciples had been discovered in time by Yunhua Sect, and the news had been transmitted to all the major sects, allowing them to make early preparations when leaving this time. Otherwise, this time different sects really would have been successfully ambushed by evil cultivators.

Those with heavier curiosity had already cast their gazes toward the Yunhua Sect group. According to rumors, Yunhua Sect had brought along that five spiritual roots genius female disciple they had taken in. Which young lady was she?

The disciples Yunhua Sect had taken in over the past hundred years all had rather poor aptitudes. Privately, there were even people spreading rumors that Yunhua Sect’s good fortune of being favored by the Heavenly Dao for so many years was finally coming to an end. Not only could they not recruit good disciples, even Wang Tong Peak Master, once famous throughout the cultivation world, was approaching his demise because he couldn’t break through his inner demon tribulation no matter what.

Though there were those who gloated, most people still secretly felt it was a pity. Apart from the fault of being lazy, Yunhua Sect truly had no other flaws to pick at. Such a sect gradually declining was always cause for sympathy.

Who would have known that just as their sympathy was beginning to sprout, Yunhua Sect prospered again. Not only did Wang Tong advance in cultivation by skipping stages, he also brought back a five spiritual roots genius disciple. Foundation Establishment in four years, Heartbeat Stage in two years—at this rate, she would probably advance to Core Formation cultivation next year.

It seemed the Heavenly Dao was still willing to be Yunhua Sect’s doting father, so it continued to favor them.

After an exchange of pleasantries, personal disciples led the Yunhua Sect and Yuanji Sect disciples to courtyards to rest. As everyone in the hall dispersed, Kong Hou and Huan Zong secretly hid in a corner holding hands.

“I’ll go pay respects to Master and the various elders first. Later at dinner time, I’ll come find you.” Huan Zong helped Kong Hou adjust the dangling tasseled hairpin by her temple. “Don’t be restrained here—just treat it as your own home.”

“Mm-hmm.” Kong Hou nodded and said softly, “Then come over a bit earlier later.”

“Alright.” After reluctantly walking two steps, Huan Zong walked back again. “I’d better escort you back to the courtyard first.”

“Zhong…” Jin Yue saw that the guests had mostly dispersed and was about to call out to his disciple. Who would have known that when he turned his head, he’d see him hiding in a corner whispering secrets with that young lady Kong Hou. Immediately he wasn’t in a hurry anymore. He turned his head, stroking his beard and pretending he hadn’t seen anything.

“You’d better not. I’ll just go with my senior brothers and sisters.” Kong Hou, taking advantage of the fact that the people around weren’t paying attention, quickly reached out and hooked Huan Zong’s waist sash. “You haven’t seen your fellow sect members for many days—you surely have much to say. I won’t disturb you.” After speaking, she jogged to catch up with the sect members who had already walked out of the great hall, her retreating figure appearing very cheerful.

Huan Zong touched his waist that felt faintly tingly and numb, and couldn’t help revealing a smile.

“Zhong Xi.” Seeing the little girl run off while his own disciple still stood there dazed, Jin Yue couldn’t keep up the pretense of being oblivious anymore. He shook his head. This really was like an old house catching fire—fierce and unstoppable.

“Master.” Huan Zong turned to face Jin Yue, composed and upright, still looking as he had in years past.

“It seems your master’s old face ultimately isn’t as interesting as the young lady.” Jin Yue touched his face and joked with Huan Zong in good humor. “Don’t you think so?”

Huan Zong: “…”

It seemed Master’s great advancement in cultivation had also made his mentality younger.

Seeing his disciple blush without refuting, Jin Yue guessed his disciple and Yunhua Sect’s youngest disciple had something going on. He rose and walked to Huan Zong’s side, patting his shoulder: “This master is very happy that you finally have something you urgently want to possess.”

This child was good in every way, except his life was too bland and dull. Just now, secretly holding hands with young lady Kong Hou, he actually had a somewhat happy appearance.

“Master…” Huan Zong bowed to Jin Yue. “This disciple has disappointed you.”

“No, Master is very happy.” Jin Yue shook his head. “I won’t be unhappy because you’ve developed feelings for a young lady. Unless you deceive and swindle her, or force and coerce her—then even if you have heaven-defying talent, this master can only expel you from the sect.”

“Can’t bear to…” Huan Zong murmured softly. “Such a good girl—how could I bear to let her suffer even the slightest grievance.”

“What?” Jin Yue pretended not to hear clearly, to spare his disciple’s thin face when he came to his senses and felt embarrassed.

“Nothing.” Huan Zong realized this wasn’t appropriate to say in front of Jin Yue. “Master, I’ve learned the ninth sword intent.”

Hearing these words, Jin Yue remained silent for a very long time. He turned his head to look at the rolling clouds outside the hall entrance and let out a long sigh: “This master both hoped you would understand early and didn’t want you to understand too early.”

When the heart has something to protect, one becomes strong. Becoming strong comes at a price.

As master and as father figure, one both hopes the child will stand high and see far, yet fears the child will suffer hardships and exhaustion during the climb.

“But, this master is ultimately gratified.” Jin Yue showed Huan Zong a smile.

“Elder Qiu Shuang, Daoist friends of Yunhua Sect, please walk this way.” The guiding disciple wore white robes and was very respectful to everyone from Yunhua Sect. He led the Yunhua Sect group to a mountain peak overflowing with spiritual energy and ethereal with drifting clouds and mist. The mountain peak was very tall, and the buildings at the peak appeared and disappeared within the clouds and mist. The glazed tiles reflected the golden sunlight.

“The peak master of this mountain peak is Uncle-Master Zhong Xi. Because he has no disciples under his name, the internal affairs of the mountain peak are managed by this junior and several stewards. If honored guests need anything, you need only tell the servants within the hall.” The guiding disciple was introducing the buildings on the peak when he saw someone approaching halfway and quickly stopped to salute.

“Senior Lin.” Kong Hou saw who had come and smiled on her face as she saluted. “Long time no see.”

“Young Lady Kong Hou.” Lin Hu returned the salute and exchanged pleasantries with everyone from Yunhua Sect. Together with the guiding disciple, he escorted them to the arranged palace. “There aren’t many disciples on our peak. Zhenren and fellow Daoists need not be restrained here—just treat it as your own home.”

After saying this, the palace’s central door opened. Behind the hall stood a neat row of male and female servants, heads bowed in salute: “We greet the immortal lords and fairies.”

Within the hall, immortal music drifted and霞光 shimmered. Red brocade carpeted the floor, giving Yunhua Sect full pomp and prestige.

Qiu Shuang looked back and saw Kong Hou was still unknowingly examining the glazed lanterns hanging from the palace eaves.

She too had been a guest at Liuguang Sect several times but had never experienced such enthusiasm. Could it be that she hadn’t counted as an honored guest of Liuguang Sect before?

—

**Author’s Note:** Lin Hu: There are no elders who can’t be pleased, only young people who aren’t working hard enough.