Although Xiao Lingyu appeared gravely injured, internally his body had suffered no major harm. Still, Wu Yunzi insisted that everyone rest for three more days to ensure Xiao Lingyu was fully recovered before returning to the sect.
Neither Xiao Lingyu nor Wu Yunzi said anything about Xu Xuan being brought back to the inn by Wu Anguo again. Xiao Lingyu treated Xu Xuan as a complete stranger, naturally paying him no attention. Wu Yunzi, on the other hand, recognized that while Xu Xuan had a bit of ambition, having lived so long, he wouldn’t bother a young child. As long as Xu Xuan didn’t act on any intentions toward his treasured disciple, it was none of his concern.
Wu Anguo seemed genuinely fond of the obedient Xu Xuan, wishing to take him on as a disciple. However, as a pure Metal Spirit Root cultivator, Wu Anguo specialized in raw combat techniques, while Xu Xuan’s talent was average and he had a mixed three-element root with no Metal affinity. Wu Anguo approached Wu Yunzi to see if he could accept Xu Xuan as a disciple, but Wu Yunzi politely declined. In the end, another alchemist elder, moved by Xu Xuan’s gentle demeanor, accepted him—not as a personal disciple but as a recorded disciple.
Xiao Lingyu heard the news of Xu Xuan being accepted as a recorded disciple and merely smiled, giving it no further thought. He was now entirely preoccupied with mastering “Tianshui Wuhen” and cultivating the bond with his master, leaving no time to worry about irrelevant people. Meanwhile, Xu Xuan occasionally glimpsed the little white pig from afar with longing, but the pig, though seemingly foolish, was sharp enough to cling tightly to Xiao Lingyu’s leg, ignoring any outside attention.
After three days, once Wu Yunzi carefully confirmed that Xiao Lingyu’s body could endure long-distance flight, the group embarked on their journey back to the sect.
Wu City lay far from Tianyun Sect, requiring roughly five hours of full-speed flight. Along the way, they only stopped briefly so Xiao Lingyu and Xu Xuan could eat, without any other delays. After the long journey, the massive mountain gate of Tianyun Sect appeared in the distance. Xiao Lingyu looked ahead, emotions tangled and hard to discern.
In his previous life, he had fought his way up to this very place, only to foolishly ask that person a single question. Now, standing here again, Xiao Lingyu resolved that it was not too late to make a change. The naive Xiao Lingyu of that past life was dead. This time, his heart was cold and detached; he would no longer trust in any laughable notion of love.
Upon arriving, the group was quickly escorted into the Haotian Hall where the sect leader resided. To Xiao Lingyu’s surprise, all the peak elders who had stayed behind were present alongside the sect leader Ling Xiaozhi and the disciples.
As they entered Haotian Hall, every gaze fell upon them. Ling Xiaozhi was the first to smile warmly, speaking, “Thank you all, my fellow juniors, for your hard work.”
Wu Yunzi and the others responded promptly, “It’s nothing; it’s our duty to the sect.”
Listening to his master recount the events in Wu City, Xiao Lingyu’s eyes flickered. In his previous life, his master’s fortunes had quickly declined, followed shortly by Ling Xiaozhi’s misfortune. This time, he was determined to change his master’s fate—he wondered if Ling Xiaozhi’s destiny would shift as well.
Having concluded the account of Wu City, Ling Xiaozhi’s tone softened. “I heard that junior Wu Yunzi recently took on a new disciple—a young child who has already reached the Refining stage. This is truly a pride for our Tianyun Sect.”
Until now, Xiao Lingyu had kept his head low, following behind Wu Yunzi, appearing dependent. Hearing Ling Xiaozhi’s words, he immediately stepped forward, standing respectfully and speaking obediently, “Disciple Xiao Lingyu pays respects to the Sect Leader.”
Ling Xiaozhi, seeing the child’s obvious delight, mentally confirmed Xiao Lingyu’s one-layer Refining stage, feeling immense satisfaction. He spoke kindly, “Little one, no need for such formalities. Now that you’ve joined Tianyun Sect, you must uphold sect rules, support justice, respect your master, and maintain friendship with fellow disciples. Do you understand?”
Xiao Lingyu solemnly nodded, his voice clear and bright, “Disciple will remember the Sect Leader’s teachings.”
Ling Xiaozhi nodded approvingly, drawing a golden bell from his sleeve. “This bell is called ‘Huantian.’ It’s a defensive artifact. You’re still young, so you won’t need an offensive tool yet. I used this in my youth and am gifting it to you as protection. I’ve erased its consciousness. Once you drip a drop of your blood on it and imprint your spiritual mark, it will belong to you.”
Xiao Lingyu’s eyes gleamed with excitement as he stared at Huantian. In his past life, as a gifted ordinary disciple, he had never received such recognition. He had only heard of Huantian as a potent defensive artifact, later given as a top prize in the sect’s upcoming competition. Now, it was his. Though at his current level, he barely needed it, any extra protection was welcome.
Following Ling Xiaozhi’s instructions, Xiao Lingyu dripped a drop of blood onto Huantian and imprinted his spiritual mark. Soon, he sensed the artifact’s presence in his mind, a look of astonishment spreading across his face.
Old Ghost muttered in his mind, “Well played. You portrayed the joy of receiving a surprise perfectly—almost fooled even me.”
Xiao Lingyu snorted softly, continuing to toy with Huantian.
While Ling Xiaozhi maintained a warm atmosphere with Xiao Lingyu, a young man in white watched him with gentle fondness from afar. Xiao Lingyu, perceptive as ever, noticed the lingering gaze immediately.
Old Ghost commented, “Hey, that person watching you—could he be your previous life’s love? Such tender eyes… one would think you’ve been close for years.”
Xiao Lingyu smirked, “That’s his specialty: making people believe they’re close to him.”
Old Ghost chuckled. “Looks like he’s set his sights on you again. Considering his ambition last life, a naive yet talented youngster like you is the perfect target. Just a few words, and you’d be under his influence. And now, carrying the title of youngest Refining-stage prodigy, he certainly won’t let you slip away. Want to revisit an old memory?”
Xiao Lingyu ignored Old Ghost’s commentary.
Ling Xiaozhi finished his words, then turned to his favored eldest disciple. “Mingwei, lead the junior disciples to rest. The elders and I have matters to discuss.”
At the call of “Mingwei,” Xiao Lingyu was momentarily shocked, instinctively wanting to look up. Realizing the implication, he quickly redirected his gaze toward Wu Yunzi, maintaining the image of a dependent apprentice. He now recognized the young man in green: Chu Mingwei, the sect leader’s eldest disciple, hailed as the unchallenged leader among Tianyun Sect’s young talents. A rare pure Lightning Spirit Root prodigy, he had reached Alchemist stage before twenty-five and was widely respected.
But wait, Xiao Lingyu thought. In the last life, he had never met Chu Mingwei upon returning from Wu City because Mingwei had been on a mission. He was now an appendage of that other person and paid no attention to Mingwei’s news. Later, Mingwei went out again and was attacked by disciples from three demonic sects, suffering mortal wounds. When the news reached the sect leader, he aged drastically, and Wu Yunzi’s mood sank. This time, Mingwei had not left on a mission, which is why Xiao Lingyu saw him on this very day.
Understanding the sequence, Xiao Lingyu’s eyes brightened. If Chu Mingwei survived, perhaps everything this life would be entirely different.