Chen Wentian finished his cultivation upgrades without any issues. The battle was tough but the rewards were worth it. He managed to surpass Jasmine once again, giving himself some breathing room before her rapid progress. He also obtained two breakthroughs of mortal souls to immortal ones. They gave him equally good benefits and were sure to be useful in future battles.
With nothing else to do, he cleaned up the battlefield and left the Northern Wasteland. He returned to the provinces of the Eastern Sanmu Subcontinent in disguise and eventually returned to Dragon Flower Province and Ten Thousand Flower Valley.
"Lord Blue Dragon!"
"Welcome back, Lord Blue Dragon!"
Chen Wentian stepped out of the teleportation array to a chorus of strong voices. He looked around to see well-equipped, well-trained guards of the Zhou Clan bowing to him. They seemed to have improved a lot from the last time he remembered. All of them were at the lower levels of the Spirit Initiate Realm, men and women in the youthful side of their adulthood.
Their talents were rather impressive and could have passed for average disciples of an immortal sect. He didn't recall the Zhou Clan having such people in the past so it was probably Zhou Ziyun recruiting people into her clan and her faction. He thought about it for a brief moment before deciding that he didn't care. She was his second disciple so such minor matters were fully within her right and responsibility.
"Master! Master!"
"Welcome back, master!"
Two familiar cries parted the guards. Lin Qingcheng and Zhou Ziyun had been waiting for him.
Lin Qingcheng dashed up and launched herself directly into his arms.
"Oof… Chengcheng!"
"Master! Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?" She blurted.
He chuckled as she fretting over him, making sure all of his limbs were intact. She was eventually pacified but still clutched his arm tightly as if afraid he would disappear.
"I was so worried. The sisters were all so worried. But I was the most worried." She said.
"I'm sorry for that. But I'm back and in one piece so everything is okay."
"I am glad." Zhou Ziyun said softly with a wide smile.
He found her for a one-armed hug. She returned it eagerly. He then lifted them both into the air and flew back to the sect.
"Master has returned!"
"Hurry!"
"Wait for me!"
The ice sisters gathered in the great hall just in time for his arrival. He gave each of them a hug. When Bei Yingluo rushed in last, he gave her a reassuring hug as well.
"Where's Jasmine?" He asked.
His disciples looked at each other, some with worried looks, others with sly smirks. He frowned, not knowing what to think or expect. He didn't know what he could have done to annoy the nine-tailed fox.
Li Yuechan was the one who spoke up when nobody else wanted to say anything. "Master, Jasmine seemed happy when you sent news back of your victory. However, soon after, she developed a melancholy, and since that time, she has been hiding out in the Moonlit Sanctum."
Chen Wentian shook his head, "Fine, I'll go find her afterward. Now…"
He took a seat at the head of the great hall and recounted the events of the past few days including his battle with Abbotess Liang. He left out some details about the Anatta Soul Nirvana Art but otherwise told them everything.
"… and with her dead, her sect won't come back to bother us. I'm sorry I had to sacrifice all your immortal items to do it."
"Master," Zhou Ziyun said, "Your gifts to us are still yours to use and do as you please. Just like us, we are all at your command. What are a few immortal items in exchange for your safety and return?"
"Thanks. But, don't fret. The souls within those weapons will recover quickly and I can reforge the items that were destroyed." He said.
"Really? that's great!" Lin Qingcheng exclaimed.
The others also showed their relief and happiness.
"Alright, back to the main issue." Chen Wentian said, "Wu Qianyu should be coming out of her dream in a few days so I will head back soon. I'll pick her up and settle the matters with Long Yifei and the Virtuous Order. Things are still uncertain at the capital so you all will have to stay home."
"Yes, master." They all answered.
"Yuechan, I know this situation is unfair to you and your sisters. But without your immortal items, continuing with the Golden Feather Hunt is too risky. There's too many eyes on our sect at the moment so it's better to stay away."
Li Yuechan bowed, "We obey your decisions."
"Good. Meeting adjourned. I am going to find Jasmine."
"Yes, master!"
Chen Wentian left the main sect building and flew directly to the Moonlit Sanctum. He sensed she was inside the main chamber. He didn't expect her to come out and greet him but she didn't even acknowledge his arrival.
Already annoyed, he went in through the only entrance that would fit a normal human. He didn't get very far before he found a fox blocking his way. It was Huoling, the female cinnabar fox that Jasmine kept as a pet. Her ears were pressed back and her body was tense.
"Shoo." He said, waving her off.
Huoling opened her mouth and snapped at him. She yelped a few times as if telling him to go away.
Chen Wentian frowned, now even more annoyed. He tried a few more times but the stubborn fox refused to move. He finally shoved the disobedient beast aside with his spiritual energy and continued.
He didn't make it very far before two more foxes blocked his way. This time it was Fengsha, the desert wind fox, and Snowy, the blizzard fox. Both were less aggressive than the first one but they also refused to let him pass.
"Seriously?" He muttered, mostly to himself.
The two foxes also admonished him in their language. He could not understand their yelps and barks but the gist was pretty obvious. He was not welcome for some reason or another. Jasmine was once again being stubborn and he didn't know why.
"Move!" He said and bluntly forced them aside.
He continued forward, with the three foxes following behind him. He ignored them and entered the main chamber. The foxes stopped at the entrance as if a silent command had told them they could not come in.
Jasmine was lying in bed in the middle. She had her head buried under the covers and was ignoring him. He sat down on the bed and shook her.
"Hey…"
"Go away!"
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