His spiritual sensitivity was praised as the best among students his age, as the person who shared the same blood as his elder brother who was a Patriarch. Their anticipations of his growth were met and he had surpassed even those expectations. His master was known as the youngest Nascent soul cultivator to have appeared in centuries. Ling Da Chuanli was undoubtedly a talent who would not and should not be underestimated. "Senior brother." Gao Chang murmured to the older teen who stood quietly staring up at something far away he was unable to perceive or understand. Da Chuanli wore a rare solemn expression, his considerate smiles since the day they had retrieved that person's hand and sword had never returned.
In a way, the observant Gao Chang couldn't help but find similarities between the deceased and his senior brother's current aura. Da Chuanli heard him and his eyes flickered darkly for a second before he continued following their master silently as if nothing had happened. Gao Chang is sure everyone noticed the shadows carried on the shoulders of the master and disciple who were the closest to her. Chun Hua couldn't even compare and didn't dare to express an opinion or try to understand. Only occasionally would she hide her face from their sights and secretly wipe tears as if afraid to remind them of the loss. Qing Mianyang didn't take this opportunity to poke at her ugly and puffy face as hers wasn't much better.
Who knows if the current situation and being in a dangerous realm had finally caught up to her? Facing and witnessing death, being the only one to see what happened to sister Wang in her last moments before dying most definitely hit her the hardest. One day, one day she would be questioned by their master on what exactly she had seen. And Gao Chang at this moment in time truly pitied her for once. Each time she stumbled even if she would usually upturn her nose to other males besides Fuqing in a way to display her loyalty and sincerity. Now, she took Gu Ping's awkward help without any complaint as he was the only one who was willing to offer it to her.
When she tripped for the tenth or so time today Gu Ping couldn't turn a blind eye anymore and crouched in front of her stopping the girl in her tracks. "Get on." Qing Mianyang the person with the worst cultivator in their group froze for a millisecond and Gu Ping could see the familiar spark in her arrogant eyes return which he destroyed without consideration. Since she was only holding them back by being stubborn, and he didn't like seeing people being bullied. No matter how nasty their personality was before, they were still disciples under the same master. "With how slowly you're moving you will only continue slowing us down again." Qing Mianyang hesitated for a few more seconds before he urged her once more.
The girl reluctantly but lightly wrapped her arms around his surprisingly sturdy shoulders and bit her lip a bit nervously as this was the first time she had contact with a male outside of her sweetheart. Gu Ping was surprisingly more attentive to her than she expected, even walking more carefully so she wouldn't be uncomfortable. His hands never moved from supporting her knees at his sides and he avoided jostling her like baggage. Qing Mianyang wasn't used to receiving kindness from the people who were usually by Rui Shi's side as most of them disliked her so much they would laugh at anything she did and say she was receiving karma. Uncomfortable with his unattached kindness Qing Mianyang didn't feel at ease unless she opened her mouth. Muttering to herself "If you dare tell others when we get back about this humiliation or let Fuqing know I will never forgive you."
Gu Ping rolled his eyes at the girl catching a free ride and taking advantage of his kindness like a thankless leech. "Your threats would be more convincing if you weren't holding on to me so tightly, as if afraid I'll regret it and toss you aside." He could feel the soft girl stiffen up and heard her huff angrily while deliberately loosening her hold as if to prove a point. But he wouldn't do it. He just wanted to teach her a lesson that even if he was lending her a hand it was due to his moral code, not anything special to brag about. He couldn't care less if she hated him or liked him. He was just doing what he thought was right.
Having this kind of mindset allowed him to be at peace while being friends with individuals like Gao Chang and Rui Shi without feeling a sense of inferiority or jealousy. If it was anyone else he would have offered the same help as long as they studied under the same master. Qing Mianyang carefully peered at the back of his head discreetly, realizing that she never really took notice of this person by Gao Chang's side. In the world of cultivation, people tend to look at the stars rather than the fading clouds that occasionally drift by. In a sense, he was like her but decided to take the opposite path she did and did his best no matter the difficulty to catch up to the shadow of the colossus in front of them. Thinking like this Mianyang eases up and considerately leans in to make it easier for him to carry her.
It wasn't that she was feeling bad for him or thankful, she just didn't want to be uncomfortable later. Gu Ping was surprised Mianyang had given up so quickly but refrained from looking back, instead, he walked with more conscience. It was hard for a girl with this much pride and an ugly personality to soften up so he wouldn't hold what she said against her earlier. He guessed that it was because she didn't have any friends or Fuqing to cling onto so she had submitted more easily even if her mouth was just as vicious as before. Besides...This was also something sister Wang would also do even if she was reluctant to. While this was happening in the back Da Chuanli had subtly slinked up to his master's side and whispered.
"Master." Minglan too glanced in the same direction Da Chuanli was staring at earlier and hummed gloomily. "Mmn." It was very brief, but for a second he too felt the abnormal surge of energy that left as quickly as it came. It was too abrupt so he couldn't tell whether it was malicious or not. But considering they were in An Xing it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to consider it a hostile force for now. It was hard to prepare for an enemy they didn't know anything about. Da Chuanli didn't hide anything from Minglan and quietly described what he saw.
"Although I didn't see what it was, I did catch a glimpse of the person who emitted it. They were dressed in vibrant red and wore a veil so I could not see their face." Minglan's eyes fill with hostility "Whoever it is won't attack right away after they reveal themselves to us so readily. They most likely wanted to unnerve us or test our capabilities first." Da Chuanli nods in agreement with his master's analysis while glancing behind them at their fellow sect members who seemed out of it and none the wiser. From the haggard Shao Lin to the piggyback-riding Qing Mianyang at the back of the group. When he was about to move his gaze beyond the duo to subconsciously find the missing face among the crowd he had to manually stop himself.
Casually covering up his mistake by taking his gaze back he asked his master softly "This place we are going to, is it heavily guarded by spiritual beasts?" Minglan ponders this question meticulously before giving him an answer. "It's a relic of the past built by cultivators in this realm that had long been overrun by beasts. Considering the rich spiritual energy being collected and stored abundantly within, the beasts of this realm should have taken notice. But in reality, the refined energy within can be considered useless to them who would rather consume raw wild qi from life sources than use the things humans left behind." His student seemed to understand.
So it was a matter of pride and preference. "Then the chances of it being coveted by other cultivators is stronger." "Hmm." Was all his master answered him with, seemingly done with the topic. Even if they were to target rare materials or herbs, no doubt they would lose out on numbers and grab nothing instead. Perhaps if it were just his master and himself they would contest for it out of mild interest. But since their group consisted of mostly inexperienced children it would be too disadvantageous. So the safest choice was the relic his master mentioned. Although riddled with traps at least the traps had no eyes and didn't differentiate between people.
Certainly, the first thing they saw was the intimidating ruined building made of mossy grey stone. All sorts of vegetation grew upon one of the last marks of humanity left behind in the abandoned realm. The entrance was by far the most impressive, resting upon stone slabs larger than a man. A pair of phoenixes with their majestic wings half tucked into their sides side eyeing the awaiting humans seemingly ready to attack at any time should they misstep. Their glowing eyes enhanced the feeling of being watched and scrutinized after approaching. Da Chuanli moved his gaze from the statues to the group of people waiting in front of the closed gates who spotted them the second they stepped out of the shadows.
Some smiled in welcome after recognizing the blue sashes as well as Minglan and Da Chuanli's attention-grabbing features. Others either ignored them or wore gloomy faces but still stubbornly waited with the rest at the entrance. Some looked as haggard or worse than Mianyang making the girl feel a bit more comfortable. There were also quite a few golden-robed cultivators souring the expression of Minglan who covered the bottom of his face with his fan arrogantly so he could sneer handsomely from behind it. With this alienating action, no one made any moves to approach the small and indifferent group. The Azure sect wasn't exactly overly friendly with anyone else anyway. Approaching them when they didn't have any intentions of getting close to other sects would be seen as unsightly.
At least, that's how it should have been. A familiar man followed by a tiny parade of his own and a pretty woman strolls towards the isolated Azure sect. His friendly face was just as casual as the first time he had introduced himself to Minglan. Feng Shuchang and his sister saluted Minglan first, expressing good intentions in their approach. "Sir Wang." Minglan not in the mood to converse with others only offered him a small nod in response. Feng Shuchang noticed the atmosphere around the Azure sect wasn't right, and up close it was even more obvious something was wrong. His eyes briefly scanned them all before he politely stood beside them without questioning why they seemed so gloomy.
In fact, gloom couldn't even describe the subtle aura surrounding them. It was more, like mourning... His brows furrow and he purses his lips even more determined not to pry as the smile falls from his face slightly. As ignorant as he pretends to be, how could he not notice an especially beautiful face missing from the Azure sect master's side? If it was a simple case of his daughter just going missing, he would not leisurely have time to come here and would still be out searching for her. So the most considerate thing a stranger like him can do is play ignorant. "If sir Wang doesn't mind, how about our group merges into one once the doors open?"
He was prepared for the sharp look he was sent by the powerful individual so he wasn't pretentious. "It'll be easier to look after each other if there's more experienced people. Although it may not look like it, my elder sisters' disciples have a little bit of experience in other realms as well so they know how to react to unexpected situations." Minglan unlike outside of An Xing coldly eyed the man and his disciples silently expressing his unconvinced and untrusting attitude on the matter. Feng Mei Xing worriedly pulled her young rash brother's sleeve, a bit afraid he would accidentally anger the other person. But she worried for nothing as Feng Shuchang had more than one reason for approaching the Azure sect.
Lowering his head to murmur so only Minglan could hear him. "Almost everyone intends to go their own way once the gates open. If something happens then I am afraid of having no allies once inside especially since our Zenith Star sect is smaller than the rest." I do not trust the Golden Cloud sect to maintain order fairly. This successfully elicits a neutral reaction from Minglan who goes from treating him as an enemy to a strange anomaly from the rest who had no doubts about the Golden Cloud's way of ruling. Though the words sounded normal and even natural in a strange plane like An Xing. Minglan who was sensitive due to that day felt his heart shake. He recalls the strange person following them and subconsciously glances over at the rest of his inexperienced disciples.
His heart squeezes painfully. Biyu. Sensing his master's strange mood Da Chuanli unexpectedly stepped in front of his master who had to take a deep breath and close his eyes to hide the pain in them from outsiders. "King Feng is generous and thoughtful, this disciple will answer in place of master. Although your offer is tempting, our sects are still not familiar with one another and the future is still uncertain so master will respectfully decline for now." Feng Shuchang pretends to not see the agony that crosses the Nascent soul cultivator and good-naturedly accepts the rejection. He didn't have much expectations, he just wanted to show his attitude anyway.
"Of course, I won't take it to heart. Sir Wang is blessed to have such a mature and loyal student. If you ever decide to change your mind then please do tell either me or my disciple directly." They separated without incident, standing not too far away but also not too close. Feng Mei Xing questions him worriedly as they walked away "Aren't you speaking too bluntly? What if they tell the Golden Cloud sect patriarch?" Feng Shuchang didn't sugarcoat the truth responding assured her appearing unbothered by the other's indifference. "They won't, didn't you notice someone missing from their already small group?" Feng Mei Xing's face froze and she took a peek at Wang Minglan who still had his eyes closed as if in meditation with his disciple equally somber.
Her knees weakened and she took her brother's elbow for support while paling. "I-Impossible...We clearly stopped them this time, didn't we? We-" Feng Shuchang squeezed her hand in warning shutting the pale woman up. His silence spoke volumes. Feng Mei Xing's eyes reddened and she felt guilt swallow her heart like a ravenous beast. He helped settle her upon a chair her disciple pulled out, their faces filled with concern for the woman. "Madam Feng take a seat, don't overwork yourself." Resting a hand on her chest Feng Mei Xing tried to swallow away the guilt that gnawed her entirety.
Such a young child with so much potential, gone. Gone just like that. Just like... Feng Shuchang quietly stared at the Golden Cloud members with an unnatural calm. Although an accident may have taken her life. What was unnatural was how it wasn't just anyone but the Azure sect master's daughter who was the victim. A girl who not only had talent but seemingly as bright a future as the Azure patriarch's younger sibling. Just like his elder brother who had once been the shining star of hope to their Zenith Star sect.
"So gloomy? What's the matter with Xiao Mei?" Feng Shuchang turned and was surprised to see a familiar face so suddenly blurting a bit baffled. "Lady Yin?" The so-called lady Yin grins at him gorgeously like an enchantress. Around her shoulders was a large black fur shawl that seemed more of a hassle than anything to carry around. Bringing luxurious clothing into a place like this as if she were taking a stroll in the lively streets of the capital instead of a dangerous realm. Feng Shuchang didn't know whether to be applauded by her outfit choice or her random appearance. Her teasing green gaze was the same as when he last saw her in the capital with her dark black hair pinned up into an elegant bun.
"How-" Before he could question her, Lady Yin leaned over the emotional Feng Mei Xing affectionately. "There is nowhere I can't go as long as a contractor is present." Feng Shuchang warily sent her a disbelieving look while also peeking over at the golden cloud sect who weren't paying them any attention. He relaxed a bit after noticing this and sighed softly while the enchantress coddled his elder sister familiarly with a bit of teasing. Although he didn't know who she was as she kept her past a mystery. Lady Yin was an expert cultivator so sneaking into the An Xing realm would most definitely be a breeze for her.
Not only that but she had been the one who gave his people information on the Golden Cloud sect movements for these past few years. She was a lofty person with no alliances and who traded information for money depending on her mood. She gave off the impression of a bystander who wanted to watch their schemes for the sake of entertainment. So, to avoid angering or displeasing their benefactor he politely gestures to a disciple to bring over another chair for the woman. "To what do we owe the pleasure?" Lady Yin plays with a familiar charm around her neck Feng Shuchang recognized at a glance. A relic she used regularly when meeting him in public places, to others she probably just looked like another member of his sect.
He relaxes further and feigns casualness towards the woman as if she really were just another member of his sect returning after going somewhere. Her lips curled up humorously and her eyes twinkled lightly when she looked up at him. "See, this queen saw something interesting not too long ago when entering An Xing. The amount of fertilizer was larger than usual, especially those in the gold variety. Call it a sense of curiosity or justice but as a person deeply involved in the Golden City I just couldn't bear to turn a blind eye to it." Feng Mei Xing stiffens, however, Feng Shuchang wasn't afraid of her knowing. If the woman wanted to betray their plans she would have never contacted them in the first place allowing them to get this far.
He sent her a side glance appearing calm much to her amusement. "And so what if there was more fertilizer than normal? Will you stand in our way? Lady Yin isn't a person who would waste her time unless it was for a reason, what is it you actually want?" She pouts at the man appearing playfully upset he wasn't entertaining her wordplay anymore. Leaning into her chair she got comfortable while leisurely getting to the real reason of her visit. "This mirage of mine will fade eventually as my real body is busy elsewhere so I cannot stay with you for long. Not only that but this queen will be busy with something for quite a long time even afterward, so-"
Lifting her gold fingers to Feng Shuchang the woman with a hint of mischief hands him a pretty silver bracelet with a diamond-shaped scale embedded into it instead of a gem. Even though it was pretty and seemingly simple the scale did not make it look cheap but elegant instead. Something he never expected the luxurious Lady Yin would ever wear or even carry. "-I want you to look after my niece for me once you leave An Xing. Whatever it is she desires or asks of you, you must fulfill it for her under my name." Seeing him frown and intend to reject she raises a hand to hide her giggling red lips.
"Don't worry, I promise you she won't ask for anything too ridiculous. You can think of it as me hiring you as bodyguards for her." Bodyguards? Hearing this made him hesitate and fully look at Lady Yin who was still smiling like before. Trying to glean even a little bit more information about why she looked for them specifically. After all, their sect wasn't exactly the strongest or best equipped to protect a person. She watched as his brown eyes flickered with seriousness. His voice lowered considerably, despite the bubble surrounding him muting their conversation to the outside world. Even more against doing this favor for the woman. No matter how much she helped them, they had always paid in full and didn't owe her so much that they would take in a stranger to learn their sect ways. "You want us to hide her."
Lady Yin casually inspects her nails in the light, humming softly seemingly in a good mood despite his harsh accusation "Despite having traveled so far for so long, I have yet to find a sect more elusive than yours. It's a rather impressive feat to be able to hide for so long right under the noses of the great sects without being accosted and apprehended." Feng Shuchang dryly rejects her request, this time with a tone of finality. Raising his chin to look down at the woman coolly "We do not accept people from the outside." She grins up at him coyly.
"So you say, but I would hold onto that thought until you meet her in person first. Then, you can decide if she is worthy of your sect's secret arts or not afterward. For now, just know that I will be leaving her under your care until further notice." Before he could speak he was tossed the bracelet and left with a mysterious chuckle and smoky visage holding a finger to her lips with squinted shimmering eyes. "Think of it as me owing you a favor. Who knows? You might just fall in love with her at first sight~"
Fall in love at first sight? What is he an adolescent boy?! Biting his tongue to keep from cursing out loud Feng Shuchang sighed and rubbed the bracelet thrown at him between his thumb and index finger. Regarding its smooth spiraling surface with a complex gaze. He had bigger troubles to worry about at the moment than a spoiled little brat being tossed at him wantonly by that person. When his gaze raised back up he met the stare of Da Chuanli who had been staring at them since who knows when. A bit startled to have been watched so intently he too finally took a good look at this disciple of Minglan.
After a few seconds of staring at one another, the boy respectfully sent him a little head bob which Feng Shuchang returned. Not afraid in the least that he and Lady Yin had been caught talking. Rather, he was surprised that Wang Minglan hadn't been the one to confront him as the other man should have been the one most suspicious of the additional person. "Didi what to do?" Sleeve being pulled, Feng Shuchang turns to his elder sister seeing the questions in her eyes about what Lady Yin meant by trusting the protection of her niece to them of all people.
He too ponders her purposes, not knowing if she has deeper intentions than the ones she claimed or if she was just messing with him. Since they had worked with each other more than once, by now he knew she loved being cryptic and mysterious to see him make a fool of himself. And worst of all, he was even more bothered by her claim he would fall in love with her niece. Did that mean her niece was a walking calamity like her aunt? Or did it mean her niece was so talented it would change his mind? Whichever one it was, he didn't like the sound of either option as it would be like falling right into a trap she purposely set right in front of his eyes knowing he would step into it no matter what.
"We can deal with it when we leave An Xing, for now just focus on the dungeon." Da Chuanli had been openly observing the interaction between the Zenith sect master and his people for awhile now. The woman carried an odd aura about her, it was eerie and sent alarm bells ringing in his ears. He also did not recall ever seeing her face before when the man called Feng Shuchang greeted his master earlier. "They hold no hostility towards us." Came his master's quiet but confident voice from above his head. Da Chuanli then removed his eyes from the strange sect towards the ruin entrance trusting his master's words.
"Master, is it easy for a person to sneak past the Golden Cloud sect patrol and enter the An Xing realm without them knowing?" Minglan sent the Zenith Star people a subtle look "Being overconfident leaves many openings, and there are still many sects who remain unknown throughout the land." He quiets down seemingly recalling something which added an additional layer of sorrow to his eyes. He sealed his lips from then on and silently meditated to himself as if to isolate the emotions in his heart from his person. In a way, it was like telling Da Chuanli to handle the outside matters from now on and Minglan would no longer interfere.
There were many ways to grieve, this was his way. Gao Chang stood by Da Chuanli's side who had taken post by their master's silent phantom. Murmuring lightly with his senior brother who merely glanced at him coldly without a smile. His eyes like a black comet crashing into a moonlit ocean without any emotion. Much like the girl who silently yet brilliantly shone by their master's side. However, Da Chuanli was more frightening, as Gao Chang couldn't even see a reflection of the outside world within those eyes. His steps falter, regardless, Gao Chang steadily moved beside his senior brother anyways under the pressure of his heavy gaze.
"...Senior brother I recommend that Qing Mianyang and Chun Hua be placed as a pair when entering the ruins. It will be easier to protect them if they are together rather than apart, elder Shao isn't in his best condition too so leaving him with his disciple will ease his mind. I will have Gu Ping follow and assist Master while I assist you throughout the ruins." Da Chuanli glanced over at the teen overbearingly who remained calm and collected when facing his eeriness. "Are these acceptable arrangements?"
The young man's eyes lower to that of Gao Chang's sleeve, the sleeve of where he carefully placed that hand. Lingering for only a second before moving away "Master is tired and although he will prevent you from dying he won't stop you from suffering a bit. Do not bite off more than you can chew." Like someone else had done. Lightly saluting Gao Chang moved aside knowing that was his way of telling him that his arrangement was accepted. Murmuring to the rest of their expectations. Although Chun Hua and Mianyang's faces hardened and showed their reluctance to be paired with one another.
After a few minutes of trying to think of reasons to reject, they could only accept their fate unwillingly after being sent sharp looks from Gao Chang. Gu Ping quietly looks at his friend before peacefully going back to what he had been doing since they stopped to wait for the gate to open. In his hands Mianyang's slippers he had wrestled from her, she sat on a stool unhappily covering her feet as best as she could whilst he fiddled with her shoes. In his other, surprisingly he welded a sewing needle rather adeptly. Weaving in between the hard bottom and satin as if they were the same thickness. He added a layer of silk to the bottom of her slippers.
Mianyang learned another new thing about this person, leaning on her knee she pouted while watching him from the sidelines. Who knew a boy would know how to sew so well? She didn't sew much herself and even disliked the task despite doing it a few times to send scented pouches to Fuqing who rejected every single one. Feeling exasperated with her aggravated staring. Gu Ping reached into his pouch and stuffed medicine into the girl's hands. Impatiently waving her away "Apply this to your injuries." What is she a child? Who doesn't know how to apply medicine to themselves when they're hurt?
Doesn't she care if her skin became rough due to poor treatment? It had been bothering him for awhile now that she suffered silently as if wanting someone to pity her and bend their knees to put on medicine for her. But he wasn't Fuqing, so he wouldn't waste his time being kind about it. Mianyang paused, then slowly and messily applied medicine to her feet and knees. Hiding behind Gu Ping to do so who didn't seem to care about her anymore as he was too busy with his current task. It was obvious she wasn't practiced in applying medicine on her own making Chun Hua who had been watching on the side wrinkle her brows further.
In her opinion, Gu Ping was better off leaving a spoiled girl like her to suffer so she would finally learn something. When he was done he carelessly tossed the newly modified slippers to Mianyang who didn't get the chance to feel grateful or reluctantly thank him before he stood up to leave her behind. Dutifully sidling up to Gao Chang, appearing proper so as not to make their sect look leisurely or undisciplined. Mianyang with a new pair of slippers in her hands felt annoyed in her heart that he didn't even let her thank him.
But considering the circumstances she shouldn't be petty. Instead, she caressed the worn shoes with a new silk interior in rare silence. Seemingly deep in thought as she did so. "Uselessly spoiled and selfish." This whisper was malicious and cut Mianyang deeper than most would think. As she could only recall that moment of Wang Lan Biyu pushing her aside to save her as well as the snake tearing the only person who, although disdained her, treated her unbiasedly. Fire reentered her eyes, Mianyang wanted to scream at her but bit her bottom lip to refrain from doing so.
Lowering her head instead so no one could see the anger and suffocation in her heart making it's way onto the surface. This made Chun Hua seem to be an unreasonable person for bullying a weak little girl. Mianyang stiffly put on the slippers feeling greatly more at ease as the cool fabric didn't agitate her blisters whilst trying to keep herself from viciously mouthing off. Chun Hua sneered at her until Gao Chang who had been watching them from start to finish sent her another dagger-like glower of warning. Feeling stifled that someone like this was alive but someone like Lan Biyu wasn't. Chun Hua moved her line of sight to glare at the gates instead.
To think that Gu Ping and even Gao Chang would defend this malicious and troublesome person. If it wasn't for her, wouldn't sister Wang still be alive now? Chun Hua felt her heart cool for the two people she had thought would be on the same wavelength as herself. With no mediator, the silent asura field could only brew stronger and more violently below the surface. It wasn't long before the phoenix-guarded stone doors creaked for the first time in what was perhaps decades exciting the ones waiting before it.