Time passed by.
Chu Yuku stood respectfully there, motionless, displaying great patience.
After a full half-hour, a chilling and bone-piercing sword chant suddenly sounded from within the cave.
Chu Yuku's body stiffened, and just the sound of the sword chant caused his spirit to ache, his body to turn cold, and his face to slightly change.
The gate of the cave silently opened, and a figure as straight as a spear walked out.
Dressed in grey, with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, long hair tied behind the head, he looked youthful, but it was only when his brown pupils moved that a breath of time and vicissitudes emerged.
In his left hand, he held a bamboo scroll, while his right hand was held behind his back.
What was particularly eye-catching was the slanting flying sword inserted between his hair bun, a green-gold color that shone like a jade hairpin.
"Elder Martial Uncle!"
Chu Yuku saluted solemnly.
This grey-clothed young man was none other than Qiu Hengkong, the Supreme Elder of Moon Wheel Sect! A figure that could be called a legendary swordsman throughout Da Wei!
He began cultivating the sword at the age of nine, entered the Innate Martial Master realm at thirteen, and stepped into the realm of Land Immortal at nineteen. Since then, his mastery of the sword overshadowed all within Moon Wheel Sect.
At that time, even the senior figures with higher cultivation levels than him were eclipsed by his sword brilliance, appearing dim and powerless.
Qiu Hengkong, back then, was hailed as the sword master of Da Wei, renowned far and wide, becoming the youngest Land Immortal in all of Da Wei!
But it was precisely this extraordinary figure who, at the age of twenty-four, entered seclusion in the cave of Xiao Chi Ridge and disappeared from the world ever since.
Fifty years had passed in the blink of an eye!
"The young man named Su Yi that you mentioned a few days ago, has he arrived?"
Qiu Hengkong asked with a gentle expression.
However, the invisible pressure emanating from his body oppressed Chu Yuku, a late-stage Qi Deviation realm expert, making it difficult to breathe and causing his body to stiffen.
Taking a deep breath, Chu Yuku respectfully replied, "Reporting to Elder Martial Uncle, Su Yi will arrive at the Moon Wheel Sect's gate within an hour."
Qiu Hengkong nodded and pondered, "I have carefully considered his past achievements and come to a conclusion. His strength far surpasses ordinary cultivators in this world. No matter how highly one regards him, it is not an exaggeration. Even if I were to face him, I would not have an absolute assurance of victory."
Chu Yuku was taken aback, then respectfully said, "Elder Martial Uncle, you entered the Qi Deviation realm fifty years ago and even ventured into the Golden Rainbow Demon Mountain, obtaining an ancient sword art inheritance that can be considered unprecedented. Under such circumstances, how could Su Yi possibly be your match?"
The Golden Rainbow Demon Mountain was hailed as the number one secret treasure of Da Wei.
Fifty years ago, Qiu Hengkong ventured into it alone and fortuitously obtained an extraordinary inheritance, which led to his decision to enter seclusion for cultivation.
In Chu Yuku's view, with Qiu Hengkong's talent and aptitude, his cultivation during these fifty years of seclusion and enlightenment had probably reached an unimaginable level!
Those hidden dragons under Su Yi's command were destined to be incomparable to Qiu Hengkong.
"Do not underestimate him."
Qiu Hengkong spoke gently but seriously, "As cultivators, we should never underestimate any opponent, especially someone like Su Yi. There is something peculiar about him that cannot be measured by common sense. If it weren't for Su Yi killing Junior Brother Yun Zhongqi, I wouldn't even want to confront such a person."
Chu Yuku felt surprised.
Fifty years ago, Elder Martial Uncle was like a sharp sword, exuding a fierce and domineering aura. He dared to ridicule all the sword cultivators in Da Wei, considering them a mediocre bunch.
But today, fifty years later, Elder Martial Uncle seemed like a completely different person. Gentle as water, without a trace of sharpness, he appeared restrained and plain.
In the past, if he had heard of Su Yi's actions, Elder Martial Uncle would have probably taken up his sword and rushed to confront him!
"Since Su Yi has come to our door, I will go and meet him."
Qiu Hengkong said softly, "Go and inform the others in the sect that when Su Yi arrives, they should not intervene. I will handle him alone."
Chu Yuku respectfully accepted the order and said, "Yes!"
"Go then."
Qiu Hengkong waved his hand.
He then walked straight to the pool of the Cleansing Heart, where he sat cross-legged.
His gaze focused on the lotus flowers in the pool, unmoving.
Seeing this, Chu Yuku quietly turned and left.
...
"Young master, ahead is Mount Luomo."
Chajin pointed in the distance, where a majestic mountain lay, its colors dim, and its presence imposing.
The number one sacred place for cultivation in Da Wei stood there.
"This mountain is quite impressive, connecting heaven and earth, with a momentum like a raging bull. It can be considered a rare place of cultivation fortune in this secular world," Su Yi commented.
"Charge! Charge! Charge!"
From behind, a group of young men and women galloped on horseback.
When they caught up with Su Yi and Chajin, the leading silver-robed youth suddenly pulled the reins and stopped, looking at Chajin in surprise.
"Chajin junior sister, so it really is you."
As the silver-robed youth stopped, the others also halted, sitting on their horses and looking at Su Yi and Chajin.
Especially when they saw Chajin, the eyes of some of the young men brightened, expressing astonishment at her beauty.
Su Yi glanced at these young men and women but ignored them.
Just by their attire and appearance, it was clear that these young men and women were from affluent backgrounds. The horses they rode were high-quality steeds worth a fortune in the secular world.
As for their cultivation...
There were indeed some Innate Grandmaster realm figures among them. For example, the silver-robed youth leading them was a genuine Innate Martial Master.
But there were more figures at the Grandmaster realm, and even some who had not yet reached that level.
"Hong Yang, Senior Brother?"
Chajin was taken aback, recognizing the silver-robed youth as a direct descendant of the Hong family, the first prestigious family in Da Wei.
This person's name was Hong Yang, and many years ago, he had practiced at the Moon Wheel Sect and had risen to become one of the "Seven Sons of the Moon Wheel." He was recognized as a promising cultivator in Da Wei and held a high position among the younger generation of the Moon Wheel Sect, garnering great respect from the senior members of the sect.
When Chajin first met Su Yi in Da Zhou, she had compared him to the "Seven Sons of the Moon Wheel." However, times had changed, and Chajin was no longer foolish enough to equate Su Yi with the "Seven Sons of the Moon Wheel."
The silver-robed youth, Hong Yang, looked at her with a strange expression and asked, "Chajin junior sister, forgive my impertinence, but does that mean the Shen family truly intends to send you to the Moon Wheel Sect for punishment?"
The other young men and women around him showed surprise as well.
Who didn't know that Chajin was considered a traitor to the sect?
Furthermore, the Sect Master had been furious about it, threatening to annihilate the entire Shen family if they didn't hand over Chajin. This matter had caused quite a stir within the Moon Wheel Sect.
"Punishment?"
Chajin frowned slightly, not bothering to explain, and said, "These matters have nothing to do with Senior Brother Hong Yang. There's no need to ask any further."
"Chajin, you're just a traitor to the sect. How dare you speak to Senior Brother Hong Yang?" scolded a woman in colorful clothes who sat atop her horse, looking down on them.
Her name was She Ziying, an inner disciple of the Moon Wheel Sect who had always admired Hong Yang.
Others shook their heads, and many men couldn't help but show pity in their eyes. Didn't Chajin understand how dire her situation was?
The sect's treatment of traitors was extremely severe!
"Fellow junior brothers and sisters, let's not dwell on these matters. Chajin junior sister has already suffered enough. Even if she has made grave mistakes, it should be the sect's responsibility to deal with her, and we should not pass judgment recklessly," Hong Yang said, then turned to Chajin and added, "Chajin junior sister, if you truly repent, I don't mind interceding with the senior members of the sect on your behalf. Perhaps I can't prevent you from being punished, but at least I can try to lessen the severity of the punishment you receive."
Everyone was astonished.
Some women even felt jealous, realizing that Hong Yang must have ulterior motives for doing this favor for Chajin.
Otherwise, with his status, he wouldn't need to plead on behalf of a traitor.
However, Chajin hesitated for a moment and then coldly replied, "There's no need. Just take care of your own affairs."
Hong Yang's expression froze, a hint of gloom appearing between his brows.
He hadn't expected that he would be willing to offer assistance, yet Chajin not only refused his goodwill but also treated him so unkindly.
This made him feel a bit embarrassed.
The other men and women were also surprised. No one could have anticipated that Chajin, as a traitor in such a desperate situation, would so impolitely reject the kindness extended by Hong Yang.
"Hong Yang, Senior Brother, this Chajin is ignorant of her own good. Let this traitor face the consequences on her own!"
She Ziying, the woman in colorful clothes, exclaimed indignantly, standing up for Chajin.
"That's right! Let's see how defiant she remains when the Sect Master deals with her," others chimed in.
Seeing this, Hong Yang sneered and waved his hand, saying, "Forget it. I thought we were fellow disciples, and I couldn't bear to see her suffer. But it seems I was being overly sentimental. Let's go."
With that, he rode away.
The others followed, casting disdainful, pitying, and schadenfreude-filled glances at Chajin as they left.
Especially She Ziying, who smiled and declared, "Chajin, when you face punishment, I will personally come and witness it!"
Chajin didn't get angry; she simply shook her head helplessly and said to Su Yi, "I'm sorry you had to witness this, Young Master."
Su Yi had remained silent all this time and only spoke now, saying, "There is no shortage of people who kick someone when they're down in this world. Such is human nature and the ways of the world. However, they have misjudged this time."
Chajin understood the meaning behind Su Yi's words.
Their visit to the Moon Wheel Sect was not to receive punishment!
"Let's go. Before it gets dark, let's settle the matters with the Moon Wheel Sect," Su Yi said, heading towards the distance.
Although he and Chajin were traveling on foot, each step they took covered a distance of over ten zhang. Their speed wasn't fast, but it was the most energy-efficient method.
Just a quarter of an hour later, the two figures appeared at the foot of Mount Luomo.
This place was a crucial area at the entrance of the Moon Wheel Sect, featuring a large square paved with smooth, reflective blue stones. On both sides stood imposing law altars, giving off an aura of solemnity and grandeur.
It was nearing dusk, with colorful clouds resembling a blazing fire. The entire Mount Luomo was enveloped in the golden light, while in the distance, groups of white cranes circled and danced, filling the air with a series of melodious cries.
It was a scene reminiscent of a heavenly paradise.
"Look, Chajin junior sister has returned!"
"It really is her..."
"It seems that the Shen family couldn't withstand the pressure from our sect and had to let Chajin, this traitor, voluntarily come to bear her guilt."
When Su Yi and Chajin arrived, a buzz of discussions erupted near the Moon Wheel Sect's entrance.
Many young men and women had gathered there, including Hong Yang and others.
Clearly, after Hong Yang and the others arrived at the sect early, they spread the news of Chajin's return to the sect, attracting many Moon Wheel Sect members who came upon hearing the news.
In short, they had come to watch the spectacle.