Ran Ran stood behind her Shifu, squinting her eyes due to the dazzling light. As the light dissipated, she focused her gaze and thought, "What a stunning girl!"
The spirit child, now fully ripened and fallen from the tree, took the form of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl. Her features were as delicately outlined as if painted with a fine brush, and even without makeup, she was incomparably beautiful.
Qiu Xier couldn't help but sigh, "There really is such a gorgeous lady in the world…"
Ran Ran nodded in agreement, but she also noticed that this spirit fruit girl bore a fifty percent resemblance to the portrait of their Grandmaster hanging in the main hall of Xi Shan. She thought it was about fifty percent because, although this girl was beautiful, she lacked the unrestrained and carefree demeanor depicted in the painting.
However, since her Shifu had criticized her taste as being too rustic, she felt she wasn't in a position to judge such a beautiful girl too harshly.
And moreover, portraits don't usually depict people accurately, so it seems that the person before her is indeed the reincarnation of her Grandmaster, Mu Qingge!
As for the young girl, after wrapping herself in the cloak, she looked around and, upon seeing the people around her, greeting slowly and said, "Long time no see, everyone."
Seeing this, Teacher Wen spoke coldly, "You were shattered to pieces, yet you still carry memories from your previous life in this reincarnation. You're truly extraordinary."
The newly born girl gave a bitter smile and said, "Back then, I went astray and practiced the forbidden soul-transferring technique of the demonic path, which led me to commit many mistakes. It's only right for the esteemed teachers to have taught me a lesson. I've been repenting for my sins while residing in this tree for twenty years, and I'm grateful to Yi Shui for giving me the opportunity to be reborn. This time, I will definitely correct my past wrongs and make amends for my mistakes."
Her words seemed reasonable. At least the arrogant Mu Qingge of the past would never have spoken such humble words. It seems like being trapped under the Five-Finger Mountain like Sun Wukong for years has finally led to some repentance and education!
However, if one were to think about it, before practicing the soul-transferring technique, Mu Qingge of Xi Shan sect, despite being unrestrained, carefree and committed some minor transgressions, was not an evil doer.
Moreover, she once helped the then young prince, now the esteemed Emperor Su Yu of the Great Qi, ascend to the throne.
When Mu Qingge suddenly assisted Su Yu, who is also the uncle of Su Yi Shui, in winning the Great Battle of Fan Yao, she completely overthrew the then-powerful Prince Ping, laying the foundation for the current emperor to ascend to the throne.
Therefore, while the cultivation world shudders at the mention of Mu Qingge, in the secular world, her golden statue is still worshiped as the "War Goddess," receiving offerings from the people.
Since Mu Qingge was always indulgent in worldly pleasures, whenever she was short of gold and silver, she would flatter the powerful and willingly get involved in worldly disputes, which is quite consistent with her character.
Such actions of clinging to the rich and powerful are also taboo in the cultivation world and are despised!
The once-ascended great cultivator, Yao Laoxian, once lamented that if Mu Qingge had been less infatuated with the secular world and more focused on her cultivation, she could have formed her Nascent Soul and ascended to immortality long ago.
And the drastic change in Mu Qingge's personality, leading her down the path of destruction, indeed started after her return from the Netherworld Spring and her practice of the soul-transferring technique.
However, the people who had been guarding here for days and nights didn't come to watch the drama of Mu Qingge's repentance and reform.
Teacher Wen's adopted daughter and chief disciple, Wen Hongshan, asked coldly, "You say you have repented, but you need to give everyone a convincing reason. Otherwise, you won't be leaving Jue Mountain today."
When Mu Qingge looked towards Wen Hongshan's face, she showed a remorseful expression and said softly, "I am willing to sacrifice my spiritual power to heal the scar on Miss Wen's face. I really shouldn't have let jealousy get the better of me and scarred your face…"
Hearing her words, Wen Hongshan's face suddenly changed and she stared at Mu Qingge without saying anything.
Among these people, Kai Yuan Zhenren was one of the kinder ones. He smiled slightly and said, "If Miss Mu is sincere in her repentance, that would be wonderful. We, the righteous cultivators, are indeed focused on saving others. However, to reassure everyone and to continue cultivating with peace of mind, it's best for you to choose someone as your new Master and rejoin a sect. This would also be convenient for the righteous path to monitor and test your character, to see your sincerity!"
His words are exactly the intentions of the other sects.
Hearing Kai Yuan Zhenren's suggestion, the others echoed in agreement.
Mu Qingge nodded and said slowly, "Since it's Kai Yuan Zhenren's proposal, I shall comply…"
She looked all around and finally set her gaze on the tall man wearing a black mask.
Although he was partially masked, his figure and aura were extraordinary. If he had once held a place in her heart, it's likely that even reincarnation couldn't make her forget.
Mu Qingge seemed to be filled with mixed emotions as she looked at Su Yi Shui and said softly, "Yi'er, it's my fault. I had sealed your appearance. Now that I've decided to let go of the past and grievances, shall I release the seal for you?"
As she spoke, she raised her hand gently in a gesture to lift the curse. When she completed the gesture, there was no change in Su Yi Shui.
Just as Mu Qingge showed a hint of unease, his black mask suddenly cracked and fell apart in two pieces.
The face revealed was as if drawn with ink, with eyes as deep as the starry sky, and a high nose that gave his cheeks a clear outline. Looking at him, one truly understood what it meant to have unforgettable love at first sight...
Although many people present had seen Su Yi Shui before, twenty years had passed, and unless one's cultivation had reached an extraordinary level, everyone had aged somewhat.
For example, Wen Hongshan, who was around the same age as Su Yi Shui, now had fine lines around her eyes.
But the man in front of them, wearing a somewhat old long robe, had an unmistakably youthful face.
This couldn't help but make people envious, and some even thought that the curse might have the effect of preserving youth and beauty!
Ran Ran stood quietly behind, feeling like she was watching a bizarre drama.
Others might not know, but she was well aware that her Shifu, Su Yi Shui, had long since recovered his appearance. However, he didn't reveal it and instead cooperated with the reincarnated Mu Qingge to perform a touching drama of past grievances resolved.
What undisclosed mystery lies within?
Ran Ran kept her mouth shut, choosing not to spoil the moment of reunion between her Shifu and his former master.
However, as an observer, she couldn't help but notice that Mu Qingge seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and relax a lot after seeing Su Yi Shui regain his appearance, regaining some confidence.
It seems that even a once-glorious demoness, after reincarnation, still has some insecurities, fearing that she might have lost her spiritual roots and no longer possess the spiritual power from her past life.
The other great cultivators present were delighted to see this. The centennial heavenly tribulation was approaching and several sect leaders about to undergo their Nascent Soul tribulations.
Therefore, whether Mu Qingge was truly repentant didn't matter. What mattered was whether this demoness, with her cultivation physique, could sincerely protect them and shield them from the fatal blow of the heavenly tribulation during their tribulation.
Now that Mu Qingge had lifted the curse she had placed on Su Yi Shui before her death, it indicated that her spiritual power had recovered well during her twenty years on the tree. She was a talent worth utilizing, and so one after another, they scambled to get custody of this demoness.
Mu Qingge listened to their oblivious discussions, as if she was merely a dog or cat, without any resentment. She spoke softly, "I have been reborn and all past grievances are settled. If you still doubt me and fear that I might stray into the demonic path again, I'm willing to voluntarily become a disciple of Su Yishui. You can trust his character and abilities and everyone can rest assured."
It seemed that Mu Qingge was very grateful to Su Yishui for sparing her life in the past and guiding her remnant soul to the reincarnation tree. In this lifetime, she would become his disciple and serve under him.
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the crowd changed suddenly. After waiting so long for this ginseng fruit and suffering the losses of so many disciples, was it all to benefit Su Yishui?
At this moment, Su Yishui spoke slowly, "Xishan is just a small sect and I have recently taken in several new disciples. I simply cannot spare the energy to teach others. Moreover, you were once my Master. Re-entering my sect would disrupt the cardinal rules and fundamentals."
With these words, the crowd relaxed. This young man Su had been lurking in the West Mountain for many years, but now he seemed more insightful than before, at least knowing not to meddle in this messy business.
However, Mu Qingge seemed surprised that Su Yishui would flatly refuse her request, her expression changing slightly.
She couldn't help but look at the reincarnation tree—its spiritual power had been completely absorbed by the fruit in its final days, turning from half-dead to completely withered, showing no signs of the number of fruit it has borne…
When she gathered her thoughts again, she turned to look at the new disciples Su Yishui had mentioned—there were just four of them, none of them emanating spiritual energy.
Two male disciples were somewhat presentable, but the two female disciples lacked solid spiritual roots, especially the slightly chubby girl with purple lips, indicating some heart ailment.
As for the other girl, she was slender, a little fragile-looking, but with rosy cheeks and tender lips, exuding a cute innocence…
Before she could speak again, Su Yishui turned to his disciples behind him and asked, "Are you hungry?"
Ranran nodded vigorously; she had been hungry for a long while, anticipating a reunion banquet after the reunion.
Su Yishui turned back to the leaders and politely said, "My disciples are still at the foundational stage and young. They cannot endure hunger. So, I bid you farewell for now and take my leave."
With that, he led his bunch of bewildered disciples away, gracefully departing down the mountain.
Mu Qingge's eyes widened slowly, and in a desolate tone, she called out, "Yi'er!"
Unfortunately, the rebellious disciple is still rebellious, so Yi'er acted as if he hadn't heard, continuing down the mountain without looking back.
Mu Qingge clenched her fists tightly, took a long while to take in a deep breath to calm her emotions. She then smiled at the leaders, "Since Yongcheng Xishan refused to take me in again, Qingge can only trouble you to give me another chance to cultivate the immortal path by the righteous way…"
At this point, Mu Qingge glanced at the folding fan slowly opening in the hands of Kaiyuan Zhenren…
After a moment's thought, she said, "Kaiyuan Zhenren is the most trusted person among you. I am willing to become a disciple under Kaiyuan Zhenren's guidance, reform myself, and return to the righteous path."
These words made the leaders of the other two sects somewhat displeased.
Among the three major sects, the JiuHua Sect had numerous disciples and a formidable presence. If Mu Qingge joined the JiuHua Sect, it would further diminish the standing of the other two sects.
Although the ultimate goal of the righteous path was to transcend the mundane world, they still had to make a living in the secular world for the next hundred years before ascension. Seeing the increasing strength of the JiuHua Sect, the leaders of the other two sects were resentful and once again engaged in a theoretical dispute.
Mu Qingge understood that Kaiyuan Zhenren had ways to deal with the leaders of the other two sects, whether through persuasion or coercion.
So, she didn't need to worry about how Kaiyuan Zhenren would convince them. She shifted her gaze to the mountainside, where she could see Su Yishui calmly leading his attendants and disciples down the mountain.
He… didn't even turn his head.
Mu Qingge bit her lip hard—where had things gone wrong? Why was everything different from what she had expected?