CHAPTER 427: CHAPTER 264: BAI LUQIU, LIU QINGDAI, AND TWO OTHERS LEAVE THE PASS. _2

"Elder Xiang, if you had more courage, Purple Bamboo Peak wouldn’t always be among the Lower Three Veins." Yun Xinyue observed the situation and decided not to bother with Xiang Yanwen any longer. She turned around decisively and left, adding, "The others have also taken Supreme Elders as their masters. Elder Xiang should consider his options."

At her words, Xiang Yanwen’s heart trembled again. This means all the promising disciples I worked so hard to find have been snatched away by others. And I can’t even compete for them. If those remaining, like Liu Qingdai, still cherish their old ties, they might retain their identity as disciples of Purple Bamboo Peak. If they don’t hold onto the past, then all my efforts will have been in vain.

In the next moment, Yun Xinyue drifted away. She definitely wouldn’t let the matter of Si Nanyan and Feng Ruoli being tied up go so easily. She actually knew she wouldn’t get any real answers from Purple Bamboo Peak, but she couldn’t leave without trying; her pride wouldn’t allow it.

Hmph, so what if it’s the Qin Family? With the Fortune Divine Devil Skill, I can go anywhere in the world. Besides, it’s not like I don’t have anyone to protect me. Yun Xinyue felt no fear.

Watching Yun Xinyue leave, Xiang Yanwen felt utterly helpless. But he truly didn’t wish to confront the Qin Family directly.

Liu Qingdai and Bai Luqiu will probably show me some consideration... He could now only pin his hopes on Liu Qingdai and the others, especially since he considered himself on good terms with Liu Qingxuan. These individuals hadn’t suffered any unfair treatment, so it should be fine.

"PHEW." Thinking of this, his heart eased slightly.

Wait, I’ve also lost Zhang Tiancheng!

Xiang Yanwen suddenly remembered this matter. Zhang Tiancheng’s days hadn’t been easy lately either. Because his was a Puppet Body, many were eager to collaborate with him to study the Puppet Skill. Naturally, Zhang Tiancheng refused. How could he let others study his body? But he was no match for those in power; it wasn’t up to him to decide. Eventually, Zhang Tiancheng had no choice but to seek help from Xiang Yanwen. However, Xiang Yanwen buckled under the pressure and instead urged Zhang Tiancheng to cooperate.

As a result, Zhang Tiancheng disappeared not long after. That’s right—he vanished completely. And Xiang Yanwen didn’t even know whether Zhang Tiancheng had run away because he couldn’t bear it anymore, or if something had happened to him during the research, or perhaps if he had been directly imprisoned by someone. In other words, Zhang Tiancheng’s current condition—whether he was alive or dead—was unknown.

Yun Xinyue was right—Xiang Yanwen was too incompetent, utterly unreliable.

It should be fine... Zhang Tiancheng isn’t that important... And this isn’t my fault... I didn’t want things to turn out this way either. Xiang Yanwen silently mused.

「At the same time.」

Inside a Cave of Fortune within the Purple Cloud Divine Sect, several individuals emerged from their closed-door cultivation. It was Liu Qingdai, Bai Luqiu, and Wen Miner. As Yun Xinyue had mentioned, these three had also taken other Supreme Elders as their masters. Liu Qingdai, in particular, had been eagerly sought after by the Elders. Even though she didn’t have a special constitution, and her cultivation aptitude wasn’t considered top-tier in the Purple Cloud Divine Sect, these shortcomings could be compensated for by integrating a powerful Genius Spirit Seed.

Liu Qingdai possessed the divine soul of the Undying Phoenix—a nearly immortal presence. After death, she could undergo nirvana, be reborn from the ashes, and even become stronger. Once Liu Qingdai reached the Primordial Fetus Realm, her primordial fetus would surely possess the characteristics of the Undying Phoenix. In other words, it would be almost impossible for Liu Qingdai to die in the future. Her divine soul was too heaven-defying.

As for the others, although not as outstanding as Liu Qingdai, they were also quite promising, so they too were accepted by various Supreme Elders.

Now, the three stepped out together. Having been in closed-door cultivation for so long, they all seemed a bit dazed upon emerging. In fact, they had entered a special Cave of Fortune where the flow of time was different from the outside world. Although not much time had passed outside, they had been in closed-door cultivation for a full three years.

Three years brought immense changes. Just like Yun Xinyue, Liu Qingdai, Bai Luqiu, and Wen Miner had all stepped into the Genius Spirit Realm.

Bai Luqiu had also experienced significant changes. Previously, she could be described as stunningly beautiful, and her daily attire was often bold; now, however, she had become much more restrained.

"We’re finally out of seclusion." Bai Luqiu’s face lit up with a smile as she slightly squinted, welcoming the passing breeze. She had set aside her beloved bright red long dress and was now simply dressed in plain white robes. Her originally enchanting figure was concealed, making her look very dignified and elegant. Only her slightly upturned eyes revealed a hint of allure, as if a single glance might be enough to make one fall completely under her spell.

As for Liu Qingdai and Wen Miner, they too had undergone significant changes. As the saying goes, a girl changes eighteen times between childhood and womanhood. Their features had clearly become more refined. They lost a bit of their youthful inexperience and gained a touch of mature charm. Liu Qingdai and Wen Miner were always a bit younger than Bai Luqiu, but by now they could truly be considered to have come into their own.

"I was almost suffocated in there! If I had known, I wouldn’t have joined the Purple Cloud Divine Sect," Liu Qingdai grumbled, though her complaint wasn’t truly heartfelt. At that moment, she was clad in a light-yellow dress, embroidered with a few delicate flower buds at the hem. A jade-green hairpin was slanted in her hair, making her snowy skin and rosy lips stand out. Her large, watery eyes held traces of laughter, and as she looked into the distance, her gaze reflected an infinite vista of beautiful scenery. Three years hadn’t diminished her lively and innocent nature, but she truly felt like she had been about to suffocate. She had never cultivated so earnestly before.

Wen Miner, however, remained as quiet as ever. She didn’t speak, merely closing her eyes to feel the outside air. Her green dress fluttered in the wind, making her resemble a proud and solitary plum blossom.

"Senior Sister, it’s been so long. I wonder how Junior Brother Wen is doing," Liu Qingdai said, withdrawing her gaze, the thought slipping out unintentionally.

"Don’t worry," Bai Luqiu raised her hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Smiling like a blooming flower, she said, "You know what kind of person your Junior Brother Wen is; there’s no need to be concerned about him. Once the God Child’s Position is officially confirmed, we’ll go find him then."

"Hmph, I’m not going to look for him. That philandering junior brother is probably off flirting with someone somewhere right now," Liu Qingdai pursed her lips, her tone somewhat sour.

"Junior Sister, what are you thinking? Our junior brother isn’t like that," Bai Luqiu’s face flushed slightly upon hearing this. Those words brought back memories of her past with Wen Zhixing. The sparring sessions they had shared during those nights were unforgettable. The memory alone made her body feel slightly warm. Yes, the main reason was that after three years, the Yin and Yang within her were once again out of balance. Indeed, I need to find Wen Zhixing to regulate this internal imbalance. It’s definitely not because I... desire it...

"It’d be strange if he could restrain himself," Liu Qingdai grumbled again.

"Why do you two keep talking about Wen Zhixing? Why don’t you think about how our Master is doing right now..." Suddenly, Wen Miner, who had been quiet all along, spoke up.

Liu Qingdai and Bai Luqiu fell silent. Wen Miner’s words had completely shut them down. Indeed, neither of them had thought of Liu Qingxuan at all. Both their faces turned red in an instant. Even Bai Luqiu didn’t know how to respond; their oversight had been too obvious. Any attempt at an explanation would have sounded feeble and unconvincing.

Wen Miner glanced at them both, shaking her head slightly. Lovestruck women are truly fearsome. Look at them, this is what happens when women fall in love. They’ve forgotten Liu Qingdai’s doting father and the Master who cares for them so much. All they can think about is men.

Bai Luqiu turned her head, coughed lightly to change the subject, and said, "Cough, alright, let’s not talk about this for now. By the way, let’s go check on Junior Brother Zhang first. He’s close with Junior Brother Wen, and I wonder how he’s doing."

"Alright," Liu Qingdai nodded in agreement. I hope everything is fine with Zhang Tiancheng. If something happened to him, I don’t know how we’d explain it to Wen Zhixing.

"You see, in the end, it’s still about Wen Zhixing. Shouldn’t we be preparing for the Selection of God’s Children first?" Wen Miner added.

Bai Luqiu and Liu Qingdai were rendered speechless again. Alright, alright, can you please stop talking? Honestly...

「Meanwhile.」

Unknown to the three women, Wen Zhixing had already assumed Qin Tian’s appearance and, together with Qin Hao and Qin Yang, returned to the Purple Cloud Divine Sect.