CHAPTER 60: RETRIBUTION

"Everything looks fine," Yu Tian said, letting go of Xueling’s hand.

"Looks like the saint body also boosts your natural healing," he added.

"Does this mean we can go back tomorrow?" she asked.

"Yeah, tomorrow should be good. The longer we stay, the more deeply rooted the other forces will become in our region. At some point, it might become too far gone to get back," Yu Tian said.

She clenched her fist. "Then we’ll return tomorrow," she declared.

Although she was enjoying their current situation - just her and Yu Tian - they would always have another chance.

"Alright. Time for practice," he said, and the two clasped their hands together.

As they practiced, Yu Tian observed Xueling’s body carefully. He noted that she had changed quite a bit after fully awakening her saint body. He needed to readjust the methods he had given her before - at the moment, they didn’t completely fit her anymore.

As he thought of this, he realized that he himself had also changed, albeit just a little. Even so, he would have to adjust his methods slightly as well.

The two continued their practice throughout the night without any issues.

In the morning, Yu Tian slowly opened his eyes and Xueling did the same.

Yu Tian observed her - she was now at the fifth layer of Core Formation. Awakening her physique was mostly to thank for this breakthrough, as it had brought her much closer to advancing.

"What do you think of your current strength?" Yu Tian asked.

"It’s still too weak, but should be usable for now," she said.

Yu Tian nodded along.

"As I am right now, I’m confident I can win against a peak Core Formation master by myself. As for an ultimate peak master, I should be able to win with your help without resorting to the rune," she said, glancing at her sword.

Yu Tian nodded. Her estimate was quite accurate. Still, he wanted her to be able to fight an ultimate peak expert by herself. For this, he either needed to bring her to the sixth layer, or improve her battle instinct.

As for the rune, with proper planning, she should be able to face an early Golden Core cultivator. But Yu Tian didn’t want to rely on this as a measure of strength - it was just an external tool after all and wasn’t all that reliable.

People who had lived long enough to enter the Golden Core realm must be quite crafty, so it was better to be careful.

"What about you?" she asked.

"What?" he asked in confusion.

"You always ask about me, but I never get to hear about you," she said. "Knowing more about your partner is also good, right?" she asked with a smile.

"I guess that’s true," he said. "Fire, earth, metal, and wood elements are still in the second layer, and my water element has advanced to the sixth layer," Yu Tian said.

"Sixth already? It hasn’t even been two days since you broke through," she said in surprise.

"Well, it’s all thanks to you," he said, rising up. "Anyway, we should get going."

...

After packing their things, the two left for the Drifting Cloud Sect.

Xueling glanced at Yu Tian, who was flying on a flying sword beside her. "Isn’t it more efficient if we fly together? We can save energy that way," Xueling asked.

"It’s fine, I want to practice my qi emission," Yu Tian said.

After the sparring the day before, he had realized that he didn’t just need to level up his mind but also his body. If his body wasn’t used to performing certain actions, he was bound to end up in a bad situation sooner or later.

She looked at him with a pout. All that talk about efficiency and he doesn’t live by it. Hmph.

Seeing her expression, he spoke up. "Is something wrong?" he asked.

"No, nothing," she said quickly.

"Okay..."

The two flew for some time, taking a few stops to rest.

This was mostly for Yu Tian, who had yet to get used to flying, even by flying sword. This solidified even more that he should work on his body.

After another hour and a half, the two arrived at the mortal town near the sect. Xueling chose not to go directly to the sect but to enquire about the situation from her subordinate first.

Yu Tian looked at her with pride. He had expected her to charge straight in, but she was actually formulating a plan. "This kid has grown up," he thought, almost shedding a tear.

"Do you think so little of me?" Xueling asked in irritation.

"Whatever do you mean?" he asked, putting on a wronged expression.

"Master, follow me." At that moment, the owner of the inn came out.

Yu Tian observed her. He remembered her - it was the one Xueling had made her subordinate. She looked much better now. It seemed status really does change someone.

The two followed her into a secret room.

"What’s the situation?" Xueling asked once they settled.

She looked at Xueling carefully. She had changed quite a bit since their last meeting. Not only did she look much different now, but even her aura had changed. If it weren’t for ’that,’ she might not have even recognized her.

"It’s not good," she said with a sigh. "News of the sect master’s death has already spread, and the other sects are looking to have a piece of the Drifting Cloud Sect," she explained.

"Is it known who killed him?" Xueling asked. She wondered if these hungry wolves didn’t fear that the one who killed him also wanted the same thing they did.

"No, but there are some speculations," she said.

"Speculations?" Yu Tian asked.

"Yeah, it’s said that someone saw the Twin Tombs let out a bright light and then disappear from afar. It’s theorized that the sect master tried to take over the secret tomb by force and faced retribution. The secret tombs then disappeared because of his insolence, deciding not to pass on their inheritance anymore," she explained.

"That’s quite the theory," Yu Tian thought.

Well, he supposed this was better than the truth. If the truth was discovered, it would then be exposed that they got something good from the tombs and used it to defeat the sect master. If this was to spread, they would be targeted by the whole martial world for the treasures.

The girl looked at the two. From their expressions, she wondered if they had something to do with the death of the sect master, but she chose not to ask.