Chapter 33: Twelve Years Ago
In front of the Lingxiao Sect, Ying Xuechen, dressed in a blue brocade robe, said, “This should be the first time the Venerable Yunhuang came to Lingxiao Sect.”
“The second time,” Ying Tong replied, her expression indifferent as she wore a light blue long dress.
Upon hearing this answer, Ying Xuechen was clearly surprised. “The second time? When was the first?”
“Twelve years ago, when I first went out to experience the world. The sect master of Lingxiao Sect recognized my talent and vitality, forcibly bringing me here.”
Ying Xuechen looked at Ying Tong in shock. “Such a thing actually happened? But why have I never heard of it?”
Twelve years ago, he was sixteen years old, which meant this event occurred when he was just four.
Venerable Yunhuang was nineteen years old this year and had only been seven at the time of that event.
Wait, Venerable Yunhuang had already started going out to gain experience at the age of seven?
“Because I never spoke of it, you naturally wouldn’t know,” Ying Tong replied matter-of-factly.
“Why not mention it?” Ying Xuechen asked with a frown.
Although Venerable Yunhuang’s cultivation level back then wasn’t as high as it was now, how could the Lingxiao Sect dare to abduct a member of the Ying family? If the news got back, the Ying family surely wouldn’t let it go easily.
It was likely that Lingxiao Sect had already been incorporated by the Ying family now.
“Because it wasn’t necessary,” Ying Tong said calmly. “I was brought to Lingxiao Sect and left the very same day.”
“Left… the very same day?” Ying Xuechen’s eyes widened.
“Yes, left the very same day.”
As she spoke, Ying Tong pointed to a mountain peak not far from Lingxiao Sect.
Unlike other peaks, the top of this mountain appeared to be sheared off.
“What happened over there? I remember that place was the training ground of Lingxiao Sect, specifically for disciples to engage in battles.”
“Twelve years ago, Lingxiao Sect was built on that mountain peak.”
Ying Xuechen: …
If Lingxiao Peak was built on that mountain peak twelve years ago, then why did it end up like this?
It’s important to note that rebuilding a sect is very expensive, especially for a sect like Lingxiao. Moreover, once a sect is established, it wouldn’t easily change locations.
So, what exactly did you, Venerable Yunhuang, do back then?
Just as Ying Xuechen was about to ask for details, the sect master of Lingxiao Sect appeared with several peak masters and elders.
“Venerable Yunhuang, and the young master visiting my Lingxiao Sect, I sincerely apologize for not greeting you properly,” said the sect master, dressed in a deep purple robe, with a friendly expression as he clasped his hands in greeting to Ying Tong and Ying Xuechen.
Due to Ying Tong’s earlier remarks, Ying Xuechen had a very poor impression of this Lingxiao Sect Master. Even knowing that they had come with a request, he still maintained a cold demeanor and merely nodded in acknowledgment.
However, in reality, the sect master Ying Tong referred to was not the man before them but the previous sect master, who was also the master of the current sect master.
At this moment, the Lingxiao Sect Master displayed a complex expression upon seeing Ying Tong, as he was an eyewitness to that incident from years ago.
Who would have thought that a young girl, only a few years old, would have already reached such an astonishing level of cultivation and contained such terrifying power within her?
Behind him, in addition to the peak masters and elders, several disciples also arrived one after another.
Among these disciples were both males and females, all dressed in gray robes, their eyes shining with a naive innocence that spoke of their inexperience in the world.
Lingxiao Sect had a rule: disciples were only permitted to go out for training after reaching a certain level of cultivation.
According to them, refining pills required a mind free from distractions. If one were to encounter the dangers of the cultivation world too early, it would only affect their state of mind.
At that moment, the disciples were curiously observing Ying Tong and Ying Xuechen.
After all, either of these two could cause a stir in the Cangqiong Realm just by stamping their feet.
With both of them appearing together, their intimidating presence was far more than just a simple addition.
“Venerable Yunhuang, Young Master Xuechen, please come in and discuss matters with us,” the Lingxiao Sect Master said while gesturing for them to enter.
Ying Tong smiled slightly and entered Lingxiao Sect under the guidance of the sect master.
Inside a magnificent palace, the air was filled with a faint fragrance of medicinal herbs. As esteemed guests, Ying Tong and Ying Xuechen were naturally treated with the highest level of hospitality.
“May I ask why the Venerable Yunhuang and Young Master Xuechen have suddenly visited my Lingxiao Sect today?”
Once everyone was seated, the Lingxiao Sect Master appeared calm on the surface, though his heart was anything but tranquil. He was frantically recalling whether any major events had recently occurred in Lingxiao Sect that could have drawn these two revered figures here.
The relationships between Lingxiao Sect and other forces were complex, as medicinal pills were indispensable to cultivators. Therefore, when facing Lingxiao Sect, most would choose to befriend them.
Even when the previous sect master had forcibly brought Ying Tong to their sect, the other party had not held it against them and hadn’t spread the word about it.
Ying Tong thought, ‘You all misunderstand. I didn’t mention it because I felt it wasn’t necessary; it’s not as complicated as you think.’
At this moment, Ying Tong wore a faint smile as she spoke. “I naturally have something to ask of you today.”
With a wave of her hand, ten spirit herbs, each emitting different hues and auras, appeared in the air, releasing a unique fragrance characteristic of these herbs.
The Lingxiao Sect Master and others instantly widened their eyes upon seeing the ten spirit herbs.
“What does this mean, Venerable Yunhuang?” the Lingxiao Sect Master swallowed hard.
All ten of these spirit herbs had been extinct in the Cangqiong Realm, and he had only read about them in books. At the same time, he realized that the matter Ying Tong referred to was definitely not simple.
“Perhaps you could tell us what you seek, Venerable Yunhuang?”
Though he was very tempted by these spiritual herbs, the sect master felt it was better to clarify some matters; otherwise, this treasure would be too hot to handle.
“I heard that two years ago, Lingxiao Sect acquired a string of ancient Buddha beads. May I ask where they are now?”
Upon hearing this, the Lingxiao Sect Master let out a sigh of relief. So it was regarding the sarira.
“That is indeed the case. However, during the process of competing for them, one bead was accidentally damaged, causing it to completely lose its Buddha nature.”
“That’s fine. Just give me the Buddha beads, and these ten spiritual herbs will be yours,” Ying Tong replied.
The Lingxiao Sect Master was naturally very tempted by the ten spiritual herbs, but he still held back and asked, “May I inquire about the purpose of the Buddha beads that you seek, Venerable Yunhuang?”
Since the beads had been damaged, they had attempted various methods of repair, all ending in failure. Now, the string of beads was hardly different from an ordinary string of beads.
Now that Venerable Yunhuang had suddenly come, could it be that she had a method to restore the Buddha beads?
