Chapter 197: Even If My Master Won't Miss Me, I Will Miss Her
Divine Sword Pavilion.
When Shen Mo arrived, Murong Yue stood with her back to him, gazing at the vast sky and desolate land.
"Mo'er, the wind here is so strong," Murong Yue said, turning with a soft smile.
But Shen Mo noticed her eyes were slightly red.
"Sit down, don't just stand there."
Murong Yue gestured to the table and chairs nearby.
The two sat across from each other.
"That night, you met with Elder Lu Dongxuan from the Jade Cauldron Sect here, didn't you?" Murong Yue asked suddenly.
Shen Mo nodded.
"And what did you two discuss?" she continued.
Just as Shen Mo was about to reply, Murong Yue added, "He invited you to join Jade Cauldron Sect, didn't he?"
Shen Mo nodded again.
Murong Yue smiled, "That's wonderful. My disciple has reached the Nascent Soul stage and is being offered a position as an elder in Jade Cauldron Sect. I couldn't be prouder."
"Unfortunately, I had hoped to pass the position of sect master on to you, so I could enter closed-door cultivation. But it seems that won't be possible now."
Shen Mo chuckled softly.
Since the death of Liu Yuanfeng, Murong Yue's "untimely death" fate had been averted.
Even by the original fate's design, Murong Yue was now destined to reach at least the Nascent Soul stage.
This was no longer a concern for him.
"I've already handled the sect's affairs; there's nothing for you to worry about."
"Jade Cauldron Sect has always been resolute, never yielding to the imperial court. Xuanyang Prefecture should not meet the same fate as Jiande Prefecture."
"You can leave with peace of mind, without any attachments."
Murong Yue's smile was warm.
But beneath that warmth, Shen Mo could see a deep, unbreakable sadness.
"Master, if I leave, will you miss me?" Shen Mo asked.
Murong Yue shook her head, "Once you're with Jade Cauldron Sect as an elder, you'll no longer have any ties to Qingxuan Sect."
"Why would I miss you?"
"But I will still miss you, Master," Shen Mo replied.
Murong Yue was taken aback.
A glimmer of joy flashed in her eyes, but she maintained a detached tone, "Why would you think of your Master?"
Shen Mo smiled gently, "When I was in Qingxuan Cave, you stayed at the entrance for months, never leaving."
"When I faced a life-and-death duel with Zhang Mo, you would rather I flee than see me die in that battle."
"And during the Nascent Soul ceremony a few days ago, you entrusted me with the sect's treasured items, hoping only for my survival."
"And…"
Shen Mo recounted every significant moment over the years.
With each word, Murong Yue's gaze softened.
When he finished, Murong Yue replied calmly, "Is that all? I merely fulfilled my duty as your Master."
"Master, I'm leaving," Shen Mo said quietly.
Murong Yue's body trembled as she instinctively reached out.
Shen Mo also reached out.
Their fingers intertwined.
"What... what are you doing?" Murong Yue's pale cheeks flushed bright red as she stammered.
She tried to pull her hand back.
But Shen Mo's grip was like iron.
Unyielding, powerful, impossible to break free from.
Murong Yue lifted her head, meeting Shen Mo's gaze.
Time ticked by.
Their eyes remained locked, unable to part.
Murong Yue's heart pounded like a startled fawn.
She couldn't understand why, as a woman no longer in her youth, she still felt like a girl in her first romance.
"Master, once I reach the Divine Transformation stage, I'll return for you."
With that, Shen Mo leaned down and kissed her.
Murong Yue's lips were soft as petals, cool as ice.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
But in the next instant, they softened with a tender warmth.
The night passed in silence.
The next day.
Shen Mo gathered his belongings and made his way to the gates of Divine Sword City.
After the elders' council, Qingxuan Sect had decided to establish their new sect headquarters in Divine Sword City.
This place had even denser spiritual energy than their original mountain gate in Qingxuan, and its proximity to Xuanjing Prefecture with excellent transport links made it an ideal choice.
A large group of cultivators, including Murong Yue and Wei Xiongtie, came to see Shen Mo off.
Before long, the entrance to Divine Sword City was filled with people.
"Young Master, I wish you could stay with us in Qingxuan Sect forever," Wei Xiongtie said, his eyes misting over.
Though a rough and hearty man, he couldn't hold back his emotions.
As for Elder Li and the others, they laughed and cried, both happy and sad for Shen Mo.
The thought of rarely seeing their young master again filled them with a bittersweet sorrow.
At that moment, the crowd parted, and two figures appeared, supporting each other.
It was Song Chaofeng and his son, Song Junjie.
Back in the life-and-death battle, Song Chaofeng had killed Long Tao, an elder of the Heavenly Water Sect, but his golden core had been irreparably damaged, leaving him as a mortal.
However, Qingxuan Sect had not abandoned him and had continued to care for him as an elder.
Now, Song Chaofeng appeared frail, with white hair and a stooped figure.
He patted the young man beside him and said, "Junjie, bow to your Uncle Shen."
Without hesitation, Song Junjie knelt down, his forehead touching the ground.
"Uncle Shen, in my youth, I was brash and opposed you many times. I now see the error of my ways. I will be forever loyal to Qingxuan Sect, as my father demonstrated in the life-and-death battle."
His tone was sincere.
Shen Mo glanced at his life panel.
Indeed, his fate aligned with the resolve he spoke of.
"A reformed man is more valuable than gold. I'm pleased to see you've reached this understanding," Shen Mo said with a smile. "Serve Qingxuan Sect well and honor your father's legacy."
"Yes!" Song Junjie stood up, nodding solemnly, his gaze toward Shen Mo filled with open admiration and respect.
Luo Shengnan, Zhao Ting, Zhao Rou, and Mo Yuheng each approached Shen Mo, offering small gifts they had prepared.
Though not extravagant, each item was crafted by hand.
Finally, Murong Yue stepped in front of Shen Mo.
Her autumn-like gaze was filled with deep affection.
She adjusted his collar and whispered, "When I reach the Nascent Soul stage, I'll come to find you at Jade Cauldron Sect."
"Good. I'll wait for that day," Shen Mo nodded, then extended his arms and embraced her tightly.
To everyone watching, this scene was like a wave crashing down.
Countless cultivators' eyes widened in shock.
"This… this is improper…" Elder Li stammered, stunned.
"I didn't see anything. Did you?" Wei Xiongtie coughed, looking at the others.
"Neither did I. Ah, I must be blind," Mo Hanshan chuckled.
"Why pretend you didn't see? The young master and the sect master make a fine pair!" Song Chaofeng laughed heartily.
Mo Yuheng and Zhao Rou first looked on in surprise, then a trace of disappointment appeared in their eyes.
They hadn't expected Shen Mo's relationship with Murong Yue to change so dramatically…
"Let… let go!" Murong Yue muttered softly, blushing.
Only then did Shen Mo release her, gazing deeply at her flushed face before waving to everyone.
"May your paths be prosperous, and your fortunes abundant. Until we meet again!"
In the next instant, he rose into the air, riding the wind.
In a flash, he disappeared into the horizon.
From that day forward, Xuanjing Prefecture had one less young master of Qingxuan Sect.
But in the greater stage of Yuzhou, there was now a young Nascent Soul cultivator to be reckoned with.
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