Ancestral Master Emerges from Seclusion, Three Millennia Her Senior
Chu Tianlu coughed dryly twice. “Elder Wu, you can’t just spout nonsense like that. But speaking of which, Ancestral Master has been in seclusion for quite some time now. As loyal disciples of the sect, wouldn’t it be perfectly reasonable for us to check on her well-being and pay a visit?”
The elders’ eyes lit up in an instant, grasping Chu Tianlu’s implication right away. They nodded vigorously in agreement.
“Senior Brother’s absolutely right. We’re only disturbing her out of concern.”
“And while we’re there paying respects, we could incidentally report on the sect’s recent affairs, couldn’t we?”
“Spot on!”
“Junior Brother makes a fine point!”
The group exchanged sly grins.
They were merely “concerned” about Ancestral Master and “incidentally” reporting in. Qin Changqing’s situation was far too critical not to highlight—but whatever she made of it was her call.
Chu Tianlu glanced at the elders’ reactions, rolling his eyes inwardly.
Old and undeathly is as thiefly does. The saying rang truer than ever.
Before long, the group piloted their treasures to Supreme Elder Xin Chaosu’s secluded abode.
Chu Tianlu produced a spirit talisman folded into a paper crane and sent it drifting into the formation. They waited quietly.
Moments later, a clear, bright female voice rang in their ears. “What is it?”
Chu Tianlu hurriedly cupped his hands. “Ancestral Master, this disciple seeks an audience on a matter.”
Ripples spread across the formation as a passage opened. “Come in.”
Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief and filed inside.
Soon enough, they found themselves in the cave mansion, face-to-face with a charming young girl in a flowing crimson gown. She looked no older than seventeen or eighteen, seated cross-legged atop a dais carved from spirit jade.
“This disciple pays respects to Ancestral Master.” They bowed in unison.
Xin Chaosu waved them off lightly. “No need for formalities. Out with it.”
Ancestral Master’s temperament was as refreshingly blunt as ever…
Chu Tianlu cupped his hands again. “Ancestral Master, some years back during the Ten Sects Grand Tournament, the demonic path seized the chance to infiltrate the secret realm. They slaughtered our disciples and severed our roots—arrogant beyond measure, utterly detestable…”
The elders frowned deeply, panic rising as they shot frantic glances his way.
Get to the point already!
Chu Tianlu caught their looks, cursing under his breath. You’re scared? Think I’m not?
Xin Chaosu’s delicate brows shot up. “You roused me from seclusion for this? Chu Tianlu, as lord of Taixuan Sect, you can’t even handle something so trivial? If the seat doesn’t suit you, step down. I’ll have a word with your father and find someone who can!”
Sweat beaded on Chu Tianlu’s forehead. He knew dragging this out might cost him his position. “Ancestral Master, there’s another matter. We’ve discovered a most extraordinary man by the name of Qin Changqing. He stores spiritual energy within his kidneys, using it to nurture spiritual roots… The Ten Sects have now forged an alliance. Bihai Sect and Ice Snow Palace have already sent their heavenly spiritual root female cultivators to pair with him. It won’t be long before immortal spiritual root descendants are born!”
He blurted it all out in one breath, then watched her anxiously.
No fury crossed Xin Chaosu’s pretty features. Instead, curiosity flickered there. “A man like that exists in this world? You’re not trying to pull one over on me, are you?”
“This disciple wouldn’t dare!”
Chu Tianlu pressed on. “Qin Changqing has already sired several heavenly spiritual root heirs for our Taixuan Sect. It’s all verified—impossible to fake.”
A playful smile crept across Xin Chaosu’s face, her cheeks tinting faintly pink.
So that’s why these fools woke her—to bear a child?
No wonder they’d all been so timid. She was over three thousand years old, for heaven’s sake. The very idea was absurd!
But… an immortal spiritual root. How could she not be tempted? She knew better than anyone the weight of talent.
A heavenly spiritual root herself, and after three millennia of cultivation, she’d barely set half a foot into the Fusion Void Realm. Further progress was a grueling near-impossibility—the end of her path.
Yet the fabled immortal spiritual root could ascend to immortality with effortless grace. The gap was night and day!
If she could birth such a child, the benefits to her and the sect would be immeasurable.
With that in mind, Xin Chaosu swept a cold gaze over them. “This seat herself bears a heavenly spiritual root. So you’re suggesting I go to this Qin Changqing?”
Terror flashed across their faces. “We wouldn’t dare! We merely thought such a monumental event warranted Ancestral Master’s awareness!”
Xin Chaosu eased her feet down from the dais, letting out a cold chuckle. “Enough. You’re all green when it comes to scheming in front of me. For the sect’s sake, I’ll overlook it this once. Truth be told, I’ve been cooped up too long and fancy a stroll. I’ll pay Taiqing Sect a visit!”
Joy exploded across their faces.
She’d agreed!
Before they could even react, Xin Chaosu dissolved into a streak of light and shot from the cave.
Ancestral Master was certainly… eager. Er, Ancestral Master’s righteousness shone through!
——
Xin Chaosu’s arrival left Liu Qinghui flustered and stunned. Even Wind Monarch and the others were roused, hurrying over.
With her ancient cultivation tenure, Xin Chaosu counted as a senior even among Wind Monarch’s cohort.
“Senior Sister, it’s been centuries since we last met!” Wind Monarch chuckled, cupping his hands.
Xin Chaosu waved it off. “Spare me the pleasantries. Tell me—is this Qin Changqing business legitimate?”
Right on the money. And at over three thousand years old, she still brimmed with that unquenchable… youthful spirit!
Wind Monarch nodded. “Quite real, yes!”
Shock gleamed in Xin Chaosu’s eyes. She inclined her head. “Excellent. This seat wants a child as well. Your thoughts?”
Why ask us?
The group fell awkwardly silent.
But they got the drift: she expected Taiqing Sect to make arrangements.
The Wind Spirit Sword Sect’s Supreme Elder couldn’t hold back. “Senior Sister Xin, my Junior Sister Jiang has already scheduled with Qin Changqing…”
Xin Chaosu shot him a sidelong glance. “Jiang Xue? What, this seat deigns to come in person, and you won’t yield the line?”
“Of course, of course!” Wind Spirit Sword Sect fell quiet.
Wind Monarch stifled a laugh. Senior Sister’s aura was as overpowering as ever!
“Very well, then. You’re next, Senior Sister Xin. Though you’ll need to wait a spell—Changqing must absorb some spirit stones first.”
“I understand!” Xin Chaosu waved dismissively.
The spirit stones arrived in Qin Changqing’s hands soon enough. He could guess which sect had sent another heavenly spiritual root beauty his way.
“Changqing, the Elder bade me ask—how long to absorb these stones?” Huang Miaoying inquired.
Qin Changqing paused briefly. This one’s in a hurry. He pondered. “Around half a year.”
Huang Miaoying nodded, casting a complicated glance his way.
That scrawny little son-in-law of yesteryear had risen to such heights. Even the Ten Sects’ leaders treated him with deference now—surface-level or not, the respect was there.
Qingyun Mansion brimmed with ever more womenfolk these days, high-ranking sect members among them. With her own middling talent, she couldn’t help feeling… inadequate. Qin Changqing probably had no eyes for her anymore.
Qin Changqing read her thoughts and pulled her into his arms with a grin. “What’s on your mind?”
Huang Miaoying’s cheeks burned. “N-nothing. I need to report back to the sect…”
Qin Changqing chuckled. “What’s the rush? We can handle business first, then you go.”
“But… mmph…”
The soundproofing array activated. Spring’s boundless splendor unfolded…