Chapter 31 – Returning to the Sect

  A flash of intense white light engulfed Mei Lian and Lin Yue, and the world around them twisted with a lurch. The oppressive red sky vanished, and the cracked battlefield of the Inheritance Site gave way to a flat field of stone beneath a bright yellow sun and cheery blue sky.

  Thousands of figures were appearing across the landscape, most battered and bruised as they looked around in a daze.

  Mei Lian blinked in surprise as she clutched her sword instinctively as she looked around for danger, while Lin Yue had a talisman still clutched between her fingers, ready to throw. A month and a half in the Inheritance Site had made them both wary and cautious.

  That was until they saw Jun De standing at the edge of the crowd.

  He looked entirely untouched by the chaos of the Inheritance Site that they had endured. His robes were spotless, his hair was undisturbed by wind, dirt or blood, and his expression was calm.

  Jun De had a strange blood-red and black flag on a wooden staff slung casually over one shoulder that fluttered slightly in the breeze, and the pair could feel the strong spiritual energy emanating from the artifact.

  The sun lit his form from behind, and for a moment, he truly looked like an immortal descended from the heavens.

  “Senior Brother Jun!” The pair both cried out at the same time.

  The two young women ran toward him, their injuries momentarily forgotten. They had been worried about his safety since he had disappeared into the storm, and they feared the worst. Seeing him safe not only filled them with relief but also released a flood of other emotions.

  They reached him together and threw their arms around him, clinging to him with obvious relief and joy. Jun De’s eyes widened slightly in surprise at their actions, but he didn’t move away.

  ‘This is exactly what my new life should be about!’ Jun De thought happily as he lifted his hands and gently rested one on each of their backs.

  The two young women hugged him for a long moment before they realized that hundreds of cultivators, including their Sect Elders, were watching.

  Red-faced from embarrassment, Mei Lian and Lin Yue pulled away. Lin Yue looked anywhere but at Jun De while Mei Lian coughed into her sleeve and tried to regain her calm.

  “I’m glad you’re both safe.” Jun De said with a smile.

  “What happened, Senior Brother Jun?” Mei Lian asked quickly as she tried to distract herself from her embarrassment. She glanced at the flag over Jun De’s shoulder.

  “I don’t really know. I found this flag, and it opened a barrier around a pavilion. When I went inside and touched a jade slip, I appeared here.”

  Lin Yue’s eyes widened, and she looked up at Jun De in excitement.

  “You must have gotten the inheritance!” Lin Yue exclaimed, and her voice carried across the gap between them and some of the other cultivators.

  Word began to spread like wildfire, and even more eyes stared at the trio, most filled with jealousy and envy, and there was even a fair share of hostility.

  Jun De just shrugged and shook his head.

  “If I did, I haven’t figured it out yet. I found two pill boxes and the jade slip, but I couldn’t read it.” Jun De explained.

  “Maybe the Elders can help.” Lin Yue replied.

  “When we get back to the Sect, I don’t think you should show anyone until we get there, Senior Brother Jun.” Mei Lian advised as her eyes swept over the assembled crowd.

  The Cultivators around them began to stir again as the attention remained on Jun De and the mysterious flag he carried that seemed far too powerful for someone at the 3rd Stage of Qi Condensation.

  As the golden sunlight poured down on the newly returned cultivators, a ripple of authority passed through the crowd.

  Elder Shen, still stroking his long, grey beard and flanked by several other Elders, walked briskly toward Jun De. They all had expressions of relief, curiosity and excitement as they approached him. The loose cultivators parted from the Elders, with many leaving the Site now that it was clear that they had received all the opportunities they could and nothing remained for them here.

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  “Jun De, it seems fate favours you once again!” Elder Shen greeted, his eyes focusing on the black and crimson flag still slung over his shoulder before returning to assess Jun De’s health and new cultivation level.

  “I was just lucky, Elder Shen.” Jun De replied as he respectfully bowed to the Elders.

  “Even so, you’ve earned great merit today.” Elder Shen chuckled softly at his reply and thought that Jun De was being as humble as ever.

  Around them, the crowd was reforming as Sect Disciples were gathered, counted and sorted. There were many faces missing, with nearly two-thirds of the thousand Outer Sect Disciples having made it back.

  The Inner Sect Disciples had fared better, but they had lost about a quarter of the hundreds that entered, but there had also been significant gains.

  Several of the Inner Sect Disciples now boasted Foundation Establishment cultivations, elevating them beyond the Elders of the Outer Sect. Jun De wasn’t close to any of them, but the few that had succeeded in their breakthroughs were already riding on swords to head back toward the Sect.

  With a flick of his sleeve, Elder Shen pulled the small, wooden model boat from his storage ring and threw it into the air with a practised toss. The boat spun as it shimmered in the sunlight before growing rapidly, expanding in size until it became a massive vessel of reddish-brown wood and golden inlays.

  It hovered in the air while the sail unfurled to reveal the symbol of the Sect and the words ‘Tranquil Mountain Sect’ proudly to those assembled.

  Jun De stared at the floating ship with excitement and satisfaction. He could already picture the quiet peace of his courtyard, with his chair and a warm pot of tea beside him to keep him company while the days passed.

  ‘Maybe I should invite Lin Yue and Mei Lian to visit?’ Jun De thought.

  The Disciples leapt aboard the ship, and Jun De leaned against the railing as he watched the land quickly retreat.

  “Good riddance.” Jun De muttered softly. He wouldn’t miss this place at all. He was just about to find a place to rest when Elder Shen’s voice called out to him.

  “Jun De, come with us. The Sect must know what lay at the heart of the Inheritance, and we are interested in the items you are carrying.” Elder Shen said.

  Jun De closed his eyes for a brief moment and let out a sigh as the wind tugged at the edge of his robe. Straightening his shoulders, Jun De set a small smile on his face as he followed Elder Shen.

  ‘I’m never leaving the Sect again.’ Jun De promised himself.

  Page Break

  In the Sect Master’s pavilion of the Tranquil Mountain Sect, the air was heavy with the smell of burning incense and the distant echo of flowing water. The trees rustled in the gentle breeze, and the dense spiritual energy formed a faint mist that curled across the ground.

  The Sect Master himself sat on a jade cultivation mat, his eyes closed as he cultivated silently. His Nascent Soul level cultivation made it difficult for anyone to easily approach him, especially when he was actively cultivating.

  But a figure stepped into the pavilion, braving the spiritual pressure and bowed deeply.

  Elder Mu Yanyu was an Inner Sect Elder of high standing, with cultivation in the middle stage of Core Formation. She wore the standard blue robes trimmed in gold, with her hair in an elaborate bun held up with a jade hairpin.

  Mu Yanyu was stunningly beautiful, even amongst cultivators known for their heavenly appearances. Her eyes were an uncommon shade of deep blue, and her hair was an inky black that gleamed in the sunlight.

  She appeared to be in her early twenties, with flawless skin and graceful features, and her presence was refined and distant.

  “Reporting to the Sect Master. The disciples have exited the Inheritance Site and are currently returning aboard the Tranquil Sky Vessel. They report they will arrive tomorrow at dusk.” Elder Mu Yanyu said, her voice soft but cold.

  The Sect Master didn’t move, but the pressure from his cultivation eased a bit as his attention was diverted.

  “And the Inheritance?” He asked.

  “Claimed by Jun De of the Outer Sect.” Elder Mu replied.

  “Jun De once again.” The Sect Master mused, and there was a pleased tone to his voice.

  “Yes, the dark spiritual energy within the site has dispersed. We have confirmed the inheritance site originated from the Emerald Cloud Pavilion in the Central Continent. Their diviners must have foreseen a Disciple from our Sect claiming it in the hope of forming a connection.” Elder Mu explained.

  “With our Sect or with Jun De?” The Sect Master mused aloud.

  He opened his eyes, and Elder Mu’s body stiffened as she felt his Qi wash over her. He looked toward the distant peak of Tranquil Mountain, and Elder Mu observed silent communication between the Sect Master and someone on the peak.

  The conversation lasted for a long moment before the Sect Master turned his attention back to Elder Mu.

  “We will not pursue the matter of Emerald Cloud Pavilion. It will be left to fate. Tell me of our losses.” The Sect Master asked, turning the conversation to more practical matters.

  Elder Mu bowed her head slightly.

  “Severe, but not disastrous. We have lost one-third of the Outer Sect Disciples sent and a quarter of the Inner Sect Disciples who entered. However, those who survived have all made significant gains.”

  Elder Mu hesitated for a moment before adding.

  “The losses would likely have been greater had Jun De not only secured the inheritance quickly, but he also organized the formation of the Disciples into protective groups.”

  The hall fell silent, and the Sect Masters grew more distant as he once again fell into thought.

  “We have kept the Outer Sect too sheltered. A time of change is approaching, and they will be at the heart of it. Begin preparing trials for the Outer Sect, with appropriate rewards.” The Sect Master ordered before his attention was once again drawn to the distant peak of the mountain.

  Again, a silent conversation occurred, this one much shorter.

  Whatever its content, the Sect Master’s eyes slightly widened in surprise.

  “I will prepare the Tower of Tempered Will, and all Disciples will participate in a month’s time.” The Sect Master said, his tone implying that the decision was made by someone of a higher authority than himself.

  “Yes, Sect Master.” Elder Mu said. She bowed deeply before leaving the pavilion.