Chapter 45: The Desolate Peak

‘Forget it, I won’t bother.’

‘Since the Sect Master of Free Sword Sect is the same age as my grandmother, he’s probably just senile.’

Hua Yan pondered for a long time but couldn’t make sense of it. She simply shook her head, giving up on trying to decipher Ye Qingyuan’s thoughts.

Beside her, Yun Xueshang knelt down, looking at the pink-haired girl with a tentative, soft voice.

“Rongrong, it’s time for us to explore the sect. This time… are you still willing to let Mama take you flying?”

“I… I’ll fly slower and lower, alright?”

Hua Xiangrong looked up at the white-haired immortal, who was carefully extending her kindness. She then recalled that ‘flying experience’ from not long ago, which had been several times more terrifying than any rollercoaster in her previous life.

“Mhm, okay. I want Mama to hold me while we fly.”

Without hesitation, the pink-haired girl obediently opened her arms, actively embracing the still somewhat dazed Yun Xueshang.

The small body in her arms was warm and soft. A gentle tenderness bloomed in Yun Xueshang’s eyes as she softly tightened her arms, holding the little one securely.

“Yes, this time… I won’t let you be afraid.”

***

“Our Free Sword Sect, like most cultivation sects, is divided into inner and outer gates.”

In mid-air, Lin Qianqian, treading upon a sword of green light, introduced the sect to Hua Yan, who was also flying on a sword beside her, and Hua Xiangrong, who was nestled in Yun Xueshang’s embrace.

“Disciples in the Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment stages are considered outer sect disciples.

They typically cultivate in the peaks at the foot of the Seven Peaks, and usually need to accept sect missions and handle various chores.

Those sweeping disciples we saw earlier in the plaza before the Free Hall were performing their daily tasks.”

As she spoke, she gestured towards the lower mountain ranges that encircled the seven towering main peaks.

“Once outer sect disciples break through to the Golden Core stage, they can formally apprentice themselves to an elder of the Soul Transformation stage or higher during the disciple recruitment ceremony held every twenty years, thus entering one of the Seven Peaks to cultivate.”

“After becoming an inner sect disciple within the Seven Peaks, besides focusing on cultivation, they also need to undertake external missions issued by the sect, whether it’s slaying evil, eliminating harm, or exploring secret realms for other sects. The rewards from these missions are the primary source of spirit stones for our Free Sword Sect.”

“The Seven Peaks include Free Peak, where the Sect Master resides, as well as Danxia, Sleeping Cloud, Seeking Dao, Juque, Myriad Swords, and Azure String Peaks. Senior Sister Xueshang lives on Sleeping Cloud Peak—and incidentally, I reside on Myriad Swords Peak.”

Lin Qianqian pointed to the distant peaks, some steep, some graceful, some majestic, as she spoke. Among them, Sleeping Cloud Peak was the one closest to the great marsh.

“The Qi Condensation disciple academy that the Sect Master mentioned earlier is located in the outer sect area. It’s already quite late today, so if Rongrong wishes to go, it would be best to visit tomorrow.

However, I can take you there now to familiarize yourselves with the route.”

With that, she led the group towards a specific area in the outer sect.

***

‘Hm, the scenery of this Free Sword Sect is quite good, but the buildings everywhere are rather plain, almost identical to Yun Xueshang’s cold face, utterly devoid of decoration.’

Hua Yan had spent the entire day touring the Free Sword Sect. Now, she was slowly flying towards Sleeping Cloud Peak, following Yun Xueshang, who carried the child, all the while secretly critiquing the sect in her mind.

‘Furthermore, everywhere we went today, disciples would stare at the three of us.

They would occasionally exchange knowing glances and whisper excitedly, making Hua Yan feel completely uncomfortable, as if she were a monkey on display in a mortal street.’

‘Honestly, if this were the Hundred Flowers Valley, I’d like to see who would dare to gawk at me like this.’

Hua Yan seethed inwardly. However, this was someone else’s territory after all, so she could only let out a cold snort, releasing a hint of her suppressive aura.

Yet, some disciples, upon seeing this, became even more excited, whispering things like, ‘Senior Sister Yun’s Dao Companion also has a cold face; they’re such a good match.’

‘Nonsense! I’m nothing like that dullard. I was clearly just impatient with them. How did that turn into me having a cold face like hers?’

‘Also, judging by their words, this sword dullard is quite popular in the sect? What’s so good about someone with such a bland expression and a dim-witted personality?’

She stared at the ethereal white-robed figure ahead, then turned her head and snorted.

‘However, it seems everyone thinks I’m Yun Xueshang’s Dao Companion…’

‘Speaking of which, what exactly is my relationship with Yun Xueshang now?’

Her gaze returned to Yun Xueshang, who was carrying the child ahead.

‘Between us, there’s neither lovers nor Dao Companions, much less husband and wife… It’s only because of the child, because of Rongrong, that we’ve been tied together.’

‘If not for Rongrong, we would probably be nothing to each other.’

For some unknown reason, a faint trace of loss flickered in Hua Yan’s heart.

“We’ve arrived. This is Sleeping Cloud Peak.”

Yun Xueshang was the first to descend onto the stone steps of the mountain peak, gently setting down Hua Xiangrong, whom she had carried the entire way.

“Wow! This is so—uh, so ordinary!”

Released from her embrace, Hua Xiangrong scampered towards the mountaintop. After only a few steps, she caught sight of the buildings at the summit.

Her cheer, which had been on the tip of her tongue, abruptly halted. She blinked her large pink eyes, finally managing to squeeze out that comment.

Indeed, as she said, the place was simply too ordinary: just a small courtyard, an old locust tree, and a few simple rooms.

“Mama, do you usually live in a place like this when you’re in the sect?”

She turned to look at Yun Xueshang behind her, asking curiously.

“Yes.”

Yun Xueshang looked at her, speaking softly. “Did I… never bring you here before?”

“No, you didn’t. Mama, could it be you forgot? You always made me live in the village since I was little, only occasionally taking me to town. This is my first time visiting Mama’s sect.”

Hua Xiangrong shook her head, seemingly oblivious to the unusual tone in her mother’s voice.

‘It seems the ‘me’ from that world secretly raised Rongrong outside the sect, perhaps not even spending much time with her.’

Yun Xueshang lowered her eyes, a slight bitterness in her heart. She bent down and embraced the innocent, well-behaved pink-haired girl before her.

“I’m sorry, Rongrong… I won’t leave you alone again.”

“…Mhm.”

Hua Xiangrong rested her small head on Yun Xueshang’s shoulder, her tiny hands gently returning the hug. She closed her eyes, lost in thought.

Hua Yan stood to the side with crossed arms, quietly observing the mother and daughter embracing for a long time. When they finally stood up, she spoke.

“I say, isn’t your Sleeping Cloud Peak a bit too deserted?”

“Why is it just the three of us? Where are the others? Your master, and your senior and junior siblings—I haven’t seen a single one.”

Hua Yan frowned, filled with doubts.

During the day, when Lin Qianqian had taken them to tour the other peaks, besides Danxia Peak, which was deemed “not convenient to visit,” there were more or less disciples moving about and cultivating on the other peaks. Yet, Sleeping Cloud Peak, in particular, seemed to have no signs of life, utterly desolate.

Upon hearing her words, Yun Xueshang, who was leading Hua Xiangrong into the room, paused slightly.

“They’re all gone.”

She spoke softly, her tone betraying little emotion.

“They are all gone. Now, Sleeping Cloud Peak… only has me left.”