Chapter 82 - Homecoming

  The sun was beginning to set in the Tranquil Mountain Sect when Mei Lian finally passed through the outer gates. Dust clung to her robes, and the storage bag on her waist was packed with spiritual herbs, materials and spirit stones earned from months of Sect tasks she had undertaken outside.

  Her demeanour was calm, and her Qi was showing signs of nearing a breakthrough. She had reached the peak of the 3rd Level of Qi Condensation and had returned to enter secluded meditation in safety.

  The very moment she set foot inside the Outer Sect, she made her way toward Jun De’s courtyard.

  It had been months since she had last seen him, when she had kissed him softly and informed him that she would be absent from the Sect for a long time. He had been on her thoughts often, and she had almost cut her travels short in order to see him sooner, but she had resisted.

  And now, after all this time, she was about to speak with him again. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and she had to struggle not to rush.

  When she arrived at Jun De’s home, however, the courtyard was quiet and the gate was open. Weeds curled along the path leading to the entrance, and the pond in the center had begun to gather fallen leaves.

  A grey-robed servant swept the path near Jun De’s residence, and he looked up from his work as she approached.

  “Senior Sister Mei. Welcome back.” The servant said, bowing to her respectfully. The Outer Sect may have contained thousands of people, but only a few were as talented and beautiful as Mei Lian.

  “I am looking for Jun De.” She said, and the servant shook his head.

  “Senior Brother Jun De has been absent from the Sect for months, travelling with Elder Shen and Vice Sect Master Mu. They have returned recently, but Senior Brother Jun was missing from their company. We have heard that he is undergoing intense training within the Ninefold Refinement Array and won’t be coming out for half a year.”

  Mei Lian’s heart sank as she heard that Jun De wasn’t home, but she didn’t let it show. She nodded her thanks, then turned and walked away.

  Descending the Outer Ridge once more, she found Lin Yue tending to her spiritual herbs in a small garden that was attached to her residence near the center of the Outer Sect’s dormitory area. The young woman’s Qi was also much stronger than before, and she was showing similar signs of a breakthrough.

  Lin Yue looked up from her plants as Mei Lian approached, and her expression was unreadable for a moment before a small smile appeared on her face.

  “Welcome back, Sister Mei.” Lin Yue said, and she brushed her hands to clear them of the dirt as she carefully stepped around her garden to reach Mei Lian.

  “I see you have been training diligently.” Mei Lian replied.

  “You as well!”

  There was an awkward pause between them, and Mei Lian wasn’t sure of the cause, but there was something off about their interaction. It was as if Lin Yue had something to tell her, but was waiting for the right moment.

  “Do you know what happened to Jun De?” Mei Lian asked, and Lin Yue’s expression turned guilty as a blush appeared on her cheeks at the mention of Jun De.

  “He has been travelling with many of the Inner Sect Elders in search of Demonic Cultivators. They returned a few days ago, but Elder Mu forced Jun De to enter the Ninefold Refinement Array as punishment.” Lin Yue explained.

  “Punishment, what has Jun De done wrong?” Mei Lian asked in concern and shock.

  Jun De was the model Disciple, and everyone knew the future of the Sect would eventually rest on his shoulders. He was destined for greatness, and Mei Lina doubted there was anything he would knowingly do that would warrant punishment.

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  “Jun De’s Sect uniform was destroyed during a battle, and he was forced to wear a different robe. Elder Mu Yanyu took offence, and he will have to spend six months within the array.” Lin Yue finished.

  “I see. It sounds as if he was rewarded, rather than punished. We both know how much Jun De enjoys cultivating. He is a fanatic, and his life is committed to the Dao.” Mei Lian said, her voice steady.

  There was another pause, this one longer, as Lin Yue fiddled with her sleeve. Mei Lian watched as her friend let out a sigh, shook her head, and visibly steadied herself.

  “I was with him. Jun De. Intimately. He accompanied me to visit my grandparents, to ensure their safety.” Lin Yue said quickly, and Mei Lian sucked in a deep breath as shock nearly overwhelmed her.

  “I don’t regret it, Sister Mei.” Lin Yue said quietly, and her eyes drifted to the Upper Ridge where Jun De’s residence was located.

  “I know it won’t last. Jun De will be entering the Inner Sect soon, and I won’t be able to follow him.” Lin Yue paused again, while smiling faintly.

  “My grandmother once told me that the lives of cultivators are long, but the moments we treasure are short. We have to seize what happiness we can, when we can. I saw a chance, and I took it. Even if it was only for that one night, I’m glad that I did.”

  The silence stretched between them, only broken by the sound of the wind rustling through the trees of Lin Yue’s courtyard.

  Lin Yue thought that Mei Lian would be mad or upset. She had made it clear that she was interested in Jun De, and even as her friend, Lin Yue would understand that what she did was a betrayal.

  But, to her surprise, Mei Lian let out a sad sigh and shook her head.

  “I’m jealous, but I understand your feelings. Jun De is chasing the Dao, and it wouldn’t be right for either of us to force him to choose between his destiny and us.” Mei Lian admitted.

  “Sister Mei is more understanding and forgiving than I would have been if our positions were reversed.” Lin Yue said softly.

  “I didn’t say I liked it, or that I forgive you. Only that I understand.” Mei Lian replied dryly.

  Mei Lian turned away and began to walk to the gate to leave the courtyard.

  “I will be entering seclusion soon. I want to break through to the 4th Level of Qi Condensation as soon as possible.” Mei Lian said, and Lin Yue nodded.

  “And when Jun De leaves the array, I will be the one to seize the next opportunity.” Mei Lian said firmly, and her tone implied that the violence Lin Yue worried about would occur if the other woman interfered.

  “Good luck, Sister Mei!”

  Page Break

  The Tranquil Mountain Sect stretched in front of Shen Ruolan like a dream, with white clouds drifting overhead, distant waterfalls singing in the quiet air, and spiritual energy that was so strong that it could be seen as mist curling across the ground.

  Shen Ruolan stood in front of the grand, arched gates of the Sect in her new blue Outer Sect Disciple robes, as the sunlight caught in her dark hair. She took in the majesty of the Sect that was now her home, one that she had heard so much about from Jun De.

  Waiting to greet her was a tall, elderly man in blue robes trimmed in white. The symbol of the Sect was embroidered on the shoulder, a single mountain wreathed in mist.

  Elder Shen, whose full name was Shen Weifeng, gave her a calm, measured look as she approached him. Although his face was calm and austere, there was warmth in his eyes.

  “Niece Ruolan, I am glad you have arrived safely.” Elder Shen greeted her, and his niece bowed deeply.

  “Uncle.”

  Elder Shen was from her father’s clan, and while he wasn’t a direct member of her family, her parents had told her that she should treat Shen Weifeng with the utmost respect while she was in the Sect.

  Although Elder Shen was only at the 10th Level of Qi Condensation and had little chance of progressing further, he had a lifetime of experience and a high status in the Tranquil Mountain Sect.

  More importantly for Shen Ruolan, he was very close to Jun De.

  “There are formal procedures for entering the Sect.” Elder Shen said as he gestured for her to walk with him along the stone path that led toward the Outer Sect.

  “An exception has been made for you in consideration of your talent and status. Your cultivation has already reached the 4th level of Qi Condensation, and it would not be appropriate to force you to participate in the trials with the other hopefuls.”

  “However, exceptions have limits. No matter your status, you will begin in the Outer Sect. You will be treated the same as any other Disciple, and you will remain here until your cultivation reaches the 7th Level. Do not expect any special treatment.” Elder Shen explained, and Ruolan bit her lip but didn’t argue with him.

  “I understand, Uncle.”

  They arrived at a quiet residence near the center of the Outer Sect, with a clear view of the Nine-Treasure Pagoda. It was surrounded by flowering trees and had a large Koi pond in its courtyard, teeming with fish.

  The space was modest, but more refined than what she had expected from the Outer Sect.

  “Disciple Lin Yue resides next door, and she has agreed to help you adjust to the Sect. I will leave you in her care for now.”

  With a final nod, Elder Shen departed. A moment later, a young woman entered the courtyard.

  Shen Ruolan studied her carefully and noticed that her cultivation was at the peak of the 3rd Level of Qi Condensation. She was pretty, with large eyes, slightly plump cheeks and her hair was in a bun with a crescent moon hairpin keeping it in place.

  “Hello, Sister Shen. My name is Lin Yue, and I’m here to show you around the Outer Sect and answer any questions you may have.” Lin Yue said politely, bowing her head slightly and clasping her hands.

  “Where is Jun De?” Shen Ruolan asked the only question that mattered.