Lian Xing could never have imagined that one day he would lay eyes on the legendary Tianyuan Fruit... or rather, its seed!
"Is it... really true?"
"Yes, truly."
Without hesitation, Lian Xing rushed forward and gently cradled the seed of the Tianyuan Fruit. Despite its shriveled, lifeless appearance, it evoked an almost mournful reaction from him. He cried out in distress, "Tianyuan Fruit! What happened to you? Wushuang, come quickly, tell me, what's wrong with it?"
Ji Wushuang: "..."
She had never noticed before, but it seemed that the sect master had a flair for drama?
"Thus, we must find the most spiritually abundant place to nurture it properly."
"I'll take care of it!" Lian Xing declared without a second thought, swiftly snatching up the Tianyuan Fruit and the spiritual soil, before darting off to negotiate with the people of Zilin Peak.
As the sect master of Yunlan Sect, Lian Xing was usually carefree and rarely involved in disputes. However, his negotiation with Zilin Peak did not go smoothly. After all, he was asking for the most coveted location, the best resources. Even someone as amicable as Yue Qing could not simply agree.
Lian Xing quietly pulled Yue Qing aside. After a long, somewhat awkward discussion, Yue Qing finally relented.
Ji Wushuang personally went to Zilin Peak to choose the site, and of course, she brought along Xiao Bai Ye.
Seated atop a white crane, Ji Wushuang cradled the little black cat. It had been lethargic and indifferent throughout the flight, but as they approached a lush, verdant area deep within the mountains, the cat's eyes narrowed, its gaze sharp as it fixed on the location.
"Meow!"
Go there!
Ji Wushuang patted the white crane's head, and with a sharp cry, it immediately altered course, heading for the valley.
"Wait, Wushuang!"
Lian Xing noticed the deviation from their path and hurriedly called out, "The air there is rather average, just the outskirts of Zilin Peak."
"It's fine, I just want to take a look."
The white crane was fast, and with a swift motion, it descended to the open space. Lian Xing had no choice but to follow on his own Qingluan bird.
As Ji Wushuang's feet touched the ground, she immediately felt a strange sense of familiarity, a sensation that sent a shiver through her spirit.
"Sect Master, do you feel it?" she asked, turning to Lian Xing, who had just landed behind her, his expression one of confusion.
"Huh? Feel what?"
"It's the life force."
"Life force?" Lian Xing was utterly puzzled.
Ji Wushuang raised an eyebrow and bent down to touch the grass. The sensation grew more distinct, stronger by the second.
Lian Xing, trying to follow her lead, crouched down as well, but he felt nothing.
"Is there something wrong here?" he asked, concerned.
If it had been any other disciple, he would have dragged them away by now, but this was Ji Wushuang. Even if she wanted to play with mud, he'd be there clapping and cheering for her.
Ji Wushuang glanced at the little black cat, which was frantically clawing at the earth, as if searching for something but unable to find it. Its restlessness was palpable. Clearly, no one else sensed what was special about this place.
The fleeting intuition she had felt earlier was likely a remnant of Bai Ze's abilities.
Strange...
Why could no one else feel it, except for herself?
Suddenly, Ji Wushuang recalled her absorption of the God Tomb's original power. Could that be the reason?
Trusting her instincts, she spoke decisively, "Let's plant it here."
"Here?" Lian Xing asked, still not entirely convinced.
"Yes."
"But this place isn't the most spiritually abundant," he pointed out. There were many better places in Zilin Peak. This land was still unclaimed, indicating that even ordinary disciples overlooked it.
"It's fine. Just inform the Sect Master of Zilin Peak," Ji Wushuang replied nonchalantly.
Lian Xing gritted his teeth. "Fine, this place it is."
If necessary, they could always set up more Spirit Gathering arrays! Or even bury a spiritual vein beneath it!
No matter what, he couldn't let his little ancestor be disappointed!
Lian Xing sent a message to Yue Qing, just as Yue Qing was with his new disciple, Mo Lanyi.
When it came to Mo Lanyi, Yue Qing cherished her deeply.
This young girl was incredibly diligent in her training, spending every day in intense cultivation. After just a few months, she had made significant progress, advancing three stages and reaching the eighth level of Qi Refining!
When she first joined the sect, she was only at the second level.
The most remarkable part was that she never became arrogant. She remained grounded and even requested that her progress not be publicly announced, demonstrating a remarkable maturity of character.
Normally, disciples were only allowed to choose their own independent cave dwelling once they reached the Foundation Establishment stage.
But seeing how earnest Mo Lanyi was, Yue Qing decided to reward her by allowing her to pick a cave earlier.
"Master, may I really choose my own cave?" she asked excitedly.
"Yes, choose one. I'll set it aside for you," Yue Qing smiled fondly.
"Master! You're so kind!" Mo Lanyi beamed, her smile as sweet and endearing as a cherished younger family member, filling Yue Qing's heart with warmth.
"Do you have any places in mind?"
"Yes, I've already found the perfect spot. It's in the valley beneath Canglang Peak."
Beneath Canglang Peak? Yue Qing frowned as he examined the map of Zilin Peak. "Is that place suitable? It doesn't seem to have a strong spiritual presence. Perhaps you should choose somewhere with more abundant energy. Don't worry, I'll handle everything."
Yue Qing was truly a good master, caring deeply for Mo Lanyi's well-being.
However, the location Mo Lanyi had chosen was far from ordinary.
This particular valley was considered the "birth spot" of the entire Yunlan Sect, an area imbued with rare vitality and spiritual energy. It was not the most spiritually concentrated place, but it was certainly the most flourishing in terms of life force.
Living here would gradually heal even the sickliest body and bring life to withered trees.
Mo Lanyi's rare light spiritual root needed careful nurturing for her cultivation to progress further, and this place was the ideal spot to help her connect with her roots.
One day, on her way to the medicinal garden, Mo Lanyi happened to pass through the valley. The moment she stepped into it, her heart began to race, her blood surged with energy.
The sensation was identical to when she first obtained her spiritual root or when she found the jade pendant that changed her fate.
She knew she had to make this place her own!
Mo Lanyi pulled at Yue Qing's sleeve. "Master, I want that place. That's where I want my cave!"
Yue Qing was about to give his consent when suddenly, a communication talisman glowed. It was Lian Xing.
The advanced communication talisman sent Lian Xing's voice directly into Yue Qing's mind, preventing anyone from eavesdropping.
Lian Xing got straight to the point. "Old Yue, regarding the matter we discussed earlier, the ancestor has selected the site. It's the valley beneath Canglang Peak. Since it's an unclaimed area, we've already settled on it. No need to worry about it. Thanks!"
Lian Xing rattled off his message like firecrackers, not even waiting for a response before cutting off the communication.
Yue Qing was left stunned. Why had a seemingly useless piece of land suddenly become so coveted?
He looked up at Mo Lanyi, and she suddenly had a sinking feeling.
As expected, Yue Qing spoke with an apologetic smile, "Well, my dear disciple, perhaps you should consider another location. The site you liked has already been claimed by the sect."