"So, where did the two of you come from?" Xue Yang asked. There is nothing to be done while walking, so Xue Yang decided to chat for a bit.
"We are disciples of 'Pure Heart and Golden Enlightenment Association'. It is located at a place called Luhe Mountain," answered Bai Bo. "Have you ever heard about it?"
"I don't think I have," Xue Yang shrugged. "So, why are you traveling to a place like this?"
"My master told me to go out and enjoy the world first… I don't really understand what he means by that," said Bai Bo.
"Enjoy and understand the world, right?" Zhou Lan corrected.
"Yeah that, it is the same…"
Zhou Lan then added more detail, "Actually this is our five times traveling outside."
"Five times?!"
"Yes, our master said that we still didn't understand the world… And every time we come back to the sect, he declines us from entering. So, we go back journeying the world."
It didn't take long for the three of them to reach the sect compound. Xue Yang then led them to the sect master building. This is the only place in the whole sect that is appropriate for hosting guests.
There are a few guest rooms just right after entering the compound, but Xue Yang has not cleaned that place.
Xue Yang has worked hard cleaning the sect master room in case he wanted to move from the dormitory. But in the end, he is still sleeping in his old room.
"Wait a minute, I will grab some tea."
***
"Sorry, it took a bit longer," said Xue Yang. In his right hand is a wooden tray with three glasses filled with tea on top of it. Meanwhile, his left hand is holding a kettle full of hot spiritual water.
"That is okay, we are a guest here," said Bai Bo. "This place looks more normal than I thought."
Bai Bo imagined that a destroyed sect would have many ruined buildings. Maybe some buildings will have broken doors because of the forceful opening by the enemy.
But based on what he saw when entering the sect compound, almost all buildings are still standing. Little to no damage has been done to the building. Only the compound looks a little lonely, especially at a time near the sunset like right now.
"That is what I said right? There is nothing in this place," said Xue Yang.
Zhou Lan on the other hand just slowly sipping the hot tea. He also signaled Bai Bo to try the tea.
"This is good," said Zhou Lan.
"Why are you making a face like that, it is just a tea—"
As soon as Bai Bo pick the smell of the tea, his face changed. "This! Did you use spiritual water to make this tea!?"
"Yes," replied Xue Yang.
Indeed, Xue Yang is brewing the tea using spiritual water. But he didn't understand why Bai Bo is that shocked.
The tea brewed with the spiritual water will have a better taste, Xue Yang have known this. The three children also know about this, as they sometimes make tea.
But it should not make them get shocked like this. Especially as the tea is just a cheap tea that every cultivator can buy.
"Can I get more?" said Zhou Lan. In his hand is an empty glass.
"Sure, the hot water is in this kettle. While this is the tea leaves."
Zhou Lan picks a few pinches of leaves and then pours the hot water into the glass. He now needs to wait for the tea to be ready.
"Sorry for losing our composure. It has been a long time since we drink spiritual water again…" said Zhou Lan. "But to think that I will be able to drink some spiritual water in this place."
"Right, can I ask you something?" asked Xue Yang.
"Sure, what is it?"
"Where did you hear the story about Silk Sword Sect?"
Xue Yang has been curious about where they heard the story. He wanted to estimate how wide the news have spread. This is so that he can make sufficient preparation to defend the sect.
"We heard it at some restaurant in the city. It was a loose cultivator that talks about this."
Zhou Lan then shared his experience when he heard the news. From how the disciple of the Sword of the Verdant Shadow bragged to the loose cultivator.
"They also said that Sword of the Verdant Shadow is so ruthless that nothing is spared from their enemy. Is that true?"
This is the first time that Xue Yang knows the one behind that incident.
'Sword of the Verdant Shadow, huh? I will remember their name.'
Xue Yang suddenly recalled that there was a rumor. He didn't pay attention to that rumor at that time so his memory might be wrong.
"I remember that they seem to attack other sects quite often. If my memory serves me right, at least one place is attacked each year.
"I don't know about the other story. But they did not spare anyone in this place.
"It is a miracle that I am still alive.
"They also pick up all things from this place. No matter what the value of that thing was."
Bai Bo chimes in the discussion, "Do they not afraid of heaven's retribution?"
"I don't know… But one thing for sure is that they are not afraid of anyone in this area," said Xue Yang.
Xue Yang then added more detail on how they destroyed the sect. On how they use poison to make all disciples lose consciousness. Then he tells the killing method they used.
"Hearing about what you said makes me rage," said Bai Bo. "How can a cultivator do something like that!? And to say that it was performed by a lot of their member!? Should I destroy them?
"Okay! I have decided! I vow to the Eart—"
Xue Yang's hand moves swiftly to Bai Bo's mouth, stopping the vow.
"Sorry to stuff my hand inside your mouth, but don't make a vow for it… If you want, just make a small promise to me," said Xue Yang.
"I heard that their sect master is a stage 4 cultivator, and just a step away from finishing his first golden core and breaking to stage 5. Looking at your cultivation, you two should be in the same stage as me.
"So, they are not your enemy.
"Don't worry, they will get their karma sooner or later."
Zhou Lan said, "Are you sure? We can ask our master to help us."
"That is right, our master is a stage 6 cultivation master. Just an upper tier stage 4 is not a problem for him," added Bai Bo.
Xue Yang shuddered. This is the first time Xue Yang heard about a stage 6 cultivator, the Nascent Soul Realm.
But after thinking for a bit, he felt sympathy for that sect master.
'His two disciples are going out in the world. They do an Earth vow like eating candy… Sometimes their vow involves their master.'
Xue Yang silently prays for the mental health of the stage 6 master.