LABMY CH110.2

Mu Jingzhuo, lost in thought, pondered two crucial questions:

First, was this truly a life-or-death grudge?

Second, was there any chance of reconciliation?

If possible, he didn’t want either side to be harmed.

One was his revered master, and the other was…

Suddenly, the spiritual energy fluctuated, and the crowd stirred. The Qingyun Fudi was about to open.

A crack appeared in the vast space, gradually widening.

Jian Yuanbai, being at the Great Ascension stage, couldn’t enter the Fudi without collapsing the dimension. He patted Mu Jingzhuo’s shoulder and gently said:

“Go on. I’ll be waiting outside.”

Mu Jingzhuo nodded and stepped into the Qingyun Fudi.

After the disciples from each sect entered, the area outside Qingyun Fudi quieted down. Within Qingyun Fudi were countless spiritual plants, magical artifacts, and even a high-grade cultivation technique that someone once brought out.

Although everyone entered through the same crack, they would be teleported to different locations and face different situations.

The elders leading the teams from each sect couldn’t see what was happening inside and could only wait outside for their disciples to come out.

Fortunately, they were all cultivators who could pass the time by meditating. Moreover, only a few elders would stay here to wait. Normally, after their disciples entered, the elders would leave and return a month later when Qingyun Fudi reopened to retrieve their disciples.

However, this time, seeing that the Sect Master of the Wangyun Sect and the Sect Master of the Wenxian Sect remained outside, none of the other sect elders dared to leave.

Saying they “didn’t dare” wasn’t exactly accurate. Even though both sect masters were here, the other elders didn’t belong to these two great sects and weren’t under the jurisdiction of Jian Yuanbai and Shiyun. Leaving wouldn’t have been an issue.

But everyone knew about the conflict between these two sects. Staying here was more about watching the drama unfold.

The story of the Wenxian Sect’s chief disciple, Shen Zilan, breaking off her engagement with Mu Jingzhu when his cultivation regressed was already well-known. But the Wangyun Sect’s Sect Master retaliated by personally delivering a divorce letter with his disciple. Back then, they could only hear about it. Now, they could watch the drama live.

Although Shiyun sought reconciliation, Jian Yuanbai’s attitude was clear for all to see.

Mu Jingzhu had reached the Foundation Establishment stage within months after being taken in as Jian Yuanbai’s disciple. Everyone knew Mu Jingzhu had traveled alone from the Mu family and cultivated by himself during this period, proving his extraordinary talent.

This time, the high and mighty Wenxian Sect had misjudged. If Mu Jingzhu ended up gaining the most from Qingyun Fudi, the Wenxian Sect would lose face in front of all the sects.

Watching the drama was human nature, whether mortal or cultivator. Therefore, this was the first time in decades that all the sect elders stayed outside Qingyun Fudi to wait.

While the others meditated, an elder from the Wangyun Sect eagerly took out a purple sandalwood chair from his storage ring and placed it before Jian Yuanbai. He then asked, “Sect Master, would you like some fruits and snacks?”

Seeing Jian Yuanbai nod, the elder took out a long table from his ring. Soon, high-quality spiritual fruits with water droplets still on them and various pastries were laid out, one plate after another.

The other sect elders were dumbfounded.

While they meditated, the Wangyun Sect’s sect master was enjoying a spring picnic. Suddenly, sitting in meditation didn’t seem so pleasant anymore.

Then, the Wangyun Sect elder asked, “Sect Master, when do you plan to return to the sect?”

“The entire sect is waiting for you to take charge.”

Jian Yuanbai asked curiously, “Is there something important happening in the sect?”

The Wangyun Sect resided in a remote area, not because they were hiding, but because no one dared to disturb them. This allowed Jian Yuanbai to roam freely.

The elder quickly explained, “Mainly because you’ve taken in a disciple. We need you to preside over the disciple induction ceremony and decide on the ceremonial procedures.”

Jian Yuanbai thought for a moment and said, “After Qingyun Fudi closes, I’ll return to the sect with Little Spoon.”

The elder was overjoyed, “That’s wonderful!”

The sect master, who wandered like a dragon with no trace, was finally returning. The Wangyun Sect elders could hardly hold back their joy. Seeing that the sect master had no more to say, the elder quietly sat behind him, grinning to himself.

Though unspoken, everyone in the Wangyun Sect idolized their sect master.

When news spread that their sect master had stormed the Wenxian Sect to deliver a divorce letter, the entire sect wished they could join him to cheer him on.

Though they were no match for the Wenxian Sect’s master, their passion wasn’t swayed by their lack of strength.

At this moment, while Jian Yuanbai appeared to be meditating, he had already sent a clone thousands of miles away to the door of the Baixiaosheng.

He wore a hood that concealed his face and stepped into the courtyard of the Baixiaosheng.

The Baixiaosheng wasn’t a single person but a group of people who gathered information. Their base was usually hidden in brothels and gambling dens. Here, as long as you had money, there was no information you couldn’t buy.

The masked man who greeted him spoke in a hoarse voice, “What information does the guest wish to buy?”

Jian Yuanbai said directly, “Investigate the life of Shen Zilan’s cousin, as well as those who are close to him. Most importantly, find out what his relationship with Shen Zilan is like.”

The man replied, “Simple. I can get you an answer within a day.”

One day was nothing. Little Spoon wouldn’t come out of Qingyun Fudi for another month. Jian Yuanbai said, “Alright, I’ll wait here.”

Two bodies, two Jian Yuanbais, waiting in two different places.

To him, there was no difference between the two bodies. Whichever body his divine sense inhabited was the main body, while the other was the clone. The two bodies shared sensations, so if one was injured, the other would feel the pain as well.

In less than a day, Jian Yuanbai received the information from Baixiaosheng.

Shen Zilan’s cousin was the son of her mother’s brother. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by his grandmother. After her death, he squandered the family’s wealth, living a life of debauchery and surrounding himself with useless friends.

His relationship with Shen Zilan was rather ordinary, with little interaction.

Most importantly, the paper stated that Shen Zilan’s cousin was already twenty-four but had mediocre cultivation, only at the mid-stage Qi Refining. He was a complete failure.

At this moment, Jian Yuanbai’s thoughts aligned with Mu Jingzhu’s previous mindset — it would be best to never see Shen Zilan again in this lifetime.

The waiting period wasn’t as easy as expected. When the month was up, all eyes turned to the crack in Qingyun Fudi.

The elders who initially didn’t leave eventually gave up and stayed. Fortunately, all of them had reached the fasting stage and didn’t need to eat, allowing them to endure the long wait.

The one who lived the most comfortably was Jian Yuanbai, but the one who felt the wait was longest was also Jian Yuanbai. When the month was up, he eagerly waited for his Little Spoon to come out.

He waited from day to night.

Not to mention a crack, even the spiritual energy fluctuation brought by the opening of the Qingyun Fudi has never appeared.

Jian Yuanbai’s face was as cold as water: “The month’s time is up, why hasn’t the Qingyun Fudi reopened?”

The Elder of Wangyun Sect hurriedly said: “The Qingyun Fudi opens once a year for a month, but the closing time is not always exactly one month. It could end two or three days earlier or be delayed by three or four days. That’s also possible.”

Upon hearing this, although Jian Yuanbai’s expression remained grim, he did not ask further. However, Shi Yun beside him said: “To think that Sect Master Jian is the dignified master of a sect, yet he doesn’t even know the situation of his disciples’ annual training in the Qingyun Fudi.”

Before Jian Yuanbai could speak, the Elder of Wangyun Sect interjected: “Everyone in our Wangyun Sect is willing to share the burden for our Sect Master. Unlike Wenxian Sect, where even the training for Foundation Establishment disciples in the Qingyun Fudi requires Sect Master Shi to worry about everything.”

“If the sect’s talent pool is truly so barren that no one can share the burden with Sect Master Shi, then Wenxian Sect might as well stop struggling and merge with our Wangyun Sect. Since we are all fellow Daoists, we wouldn’t refuse.”

Shi Yun immediately snorted coldly: “Weak in strength but sharp-tongued.”

Jian Yuanbai, who had been waiting for a day without seeing anyone, was already frustrated. He directly turned to look at her with a low pressure and sharp gaze. “What? Does Sect Master Shi want to compete with our Wangyun Sect in strength?”

Shi Yun took a deep breath and fell silent.

The atmosphere quieted down. The crowd, who had waited a month to witness the clash between the two, was satisfied and withdrew their gazes. It was rare to see the arrogant Wenxian Sect suffer a setback. How satisfying!

Five days later, everyone knew something was wrong.

The Qingyun Fudi still showed no signs of opening. The people outside were anxious, but they had no idea what was happening inside.

While the various sects argued and debated, Jian Yuanbai stood up. He closed his eyes, and a terrifying pressure erupted from him. Everyone turned to look at him with a drastic change in expression.

“Sect Master Jian, what are you doing?”

“Sect Master Jian!?”

Jian Yuanbai suddenly opened his eyes and swung his hand, unleashing a hundred-meter-long, earth-shattering blade. The space twisted rapidly, and a faint crack appeared before everyone’s eyes.

“I’m going to break into the Qingyun Fudi and bring my disciple out.”

As Jian Yuanbai moved to touch the crack, everyone panicked.

“You mustn’t, Sect Master!”

“Stop him!”

The Elder of Wangyun Sect gritted his teeth and stepped forward under the immense pressure. “The Qingyun Fudi is not like other places. If you forcibly open it, the space inside may collapse.”

“Right now, they haven’t come out, and the situation is unclear. But if you break through by force, it will be certain death!”

Jian Yuanbai’s hand clenched tightly, the veins on the back of his hand bulging. He was so close to the crack, just a slight reach forward, and he could touch it. Yet, the words ‘certain death’ made his hand stop in front of the crack, unable to move forward.

The man gritted his teeth and stared at the entrance within reach. Without saying a word, he withdrew his hand.

The system then comforted him: “Such issues with cave heavens and Fudis are common for protagonists like Long Aotian. You don’t need to worry too much. I can detect Mu Jingzhe’s condition. If something truly happens, I will know immediately.”

In Long Aotian’s growth, every time he entered some ruin or Fudi, there would always be trouble. But at the same time, he would also gain great fortune. So, the system wasn’t concerned.

…

In the vast Asriga Empire, in taverns and tea houses, people began talking about others’ stories again. Whose son emitted a sky-piercing light during a spirit root test, or who shone brightly in a martial arts competition. Yet, within just one year, the name that was once repeatedly mentioned could no longer be heard in taverns and tea houses.

Only occasionally, when the topic of the still-sealed Qingyun Fudi was brought up, would there be a sigh of regret.

Spring came and went. On the vast grassland where the Qingyun Fudi resided, a man in a pale moon-white robe stepped in once again.

During the year-long closure of the Qingyun Fudi, he came here every day and waited. The elders of various sects who once waited gradually left one by one, leaving him the only one who never missed a single day.

Upon arriving, he would sit for an entire day. When the stars dotted the night sky, he would leave, only to return the next day.

This cycle repeated for an entire year.

Jian Yuanbai never expected that the memory crystal he left behind in the Yunding Mountain Range would become the only way for him to see Little Spoon during this year.

If it was just separation due to circumstances, he wouldn’t be like this. But with the Qingyun Fudi sealed and no knowledge of the situation inside, the unknown tormented him more.

Aside from knowing that Little Spoon was still alive, he knew nothing else.

On the grass, dozens of memory crystals projected images, filling half the sky.

In these scenes, there was only one person—a girl in a flowing blue dress, resting with her eyes closed.

Little Spoon’s image in the blue dress was the most abundant, but Jian Yuanbai also kept memories of him in other outfits. Whether it was the gallant youth in bright clothes or the beautiful mermaid leaning against a cave wall, longing for warmth, they were all his Little Spoon.

In over a year of waiting and silent watching, he had carved every aspect of Little Spoon’s appearance into his heart, unable to forget.

Everyone in Wangyun Sect knew that their Sect Master visited the Qingyun Fudi every day.

It wasn’t impossible to wait for a year, but they heard that the Sect Master once said: “I go every day, hoping that one day, when I arrive, I will see Mu Jingzhe smiling and stepping out.”

Jian Yuanbai became more silent with each passing day. The sect members saw it but dared not disturb him. At some point, the Qingyun Fudi became Jian Yuanbai’s place of solitude.

Under the warm spring sun, Jian Yuanbai sat on the grass. The sunlight warmed his body, but not his heart. A whole year had passed.

He spent less than a year with Mu Jingzhe, yet spent an entire year recalling their time together. Only now did he realize he had fallen for Little Spoon.

Only when parting quietly arrives can one recognize true feelings.

After another day of fruitless waiting, Jian Yuanbai carefully put away his treasured memory crystals. Suddenly, he sensed the surrounding spiritual energy fluctuating.

A crack slowly appeared. Before it fully opened, a person agilely dashed out.

The person saw him and immediately beamed, “Master!”

Like a reckless fawn, the person crashed into his arms, grinning, “Master, I finally made it out.”

He pointed to the group following behind him. “They tried to rob me!”

The people from other sects awkwardly laughed and quickly fled, not daring to linger for a moment.

The reopening of the Qingyun Fudi sparked heated discussions, but none of it concerned Jian Yuanbai.

Mu Jingzhe, who had just rested for a day in Wangyun Sect, earnestly found Jian Yuanbai and said:

“Master, I’ve already reached the peak of Foundation Establishment. The restriction you placed on me can no longer suppress my spiritual energy. Can I start practicing the Body Refining Art now?”

The moment the image of the muscular, burly man from the Body Refining Art flashed in Jian Yuanbai’s mind, he stiffened.

Looking at the fair, delicate Little Spoon with bright eyes, Jian Yuanbai, who had always been calm and composed, felt panic for the first time.

Though he had nothing against firm muscles… he still preferred a softer wife.