Chapter 261: Fang Mu – "Senior Sister, Something Feels Off Here"
"After all these years… returning now, everything feels so different."
On Miaomiao Mountain within Wendao Academy, Cao Youqian and the recently returned Xiao Chen sat atop the rear peak after a bout of sparring. Cao Youqian couldn't help but sigh.
This time they came back, not only did they not see their master, but even the patriarch didn't appear.
Xiao Chen smiled. "Da Qian, since when did you get so sentimental?"
Cao Youqian rubbed his shoulder and said, "Isn't it because of that ruthless strike of yours just now? Made me realize the three years I spent training in the Gale Gorge were for nothing. I really thought I could at least fight you to a draw after all that hardship—never expected to still lose."
"Hahaha…"
Xiao Chen burst into laughter. "Junior brother, you're already strong. I used to need only seventy percent of my strength to beat you—now I have to go all out just to win. Keep at it, and next time you might barely manage a draw."
"…"
Cao Youqian was covered in black lines. "I thought you were going to say 'the future belongs to me.'"
Xiao Chen chuckled. "Nope. The future is still mine."
"You're unbelievable. I really don't know how Sister Liu ended up falling for you."
Cao Youqian pouted, muttering inwardly: Once I step into the Path Union Realm, I'll enter the Yellow Spring Abyss to temper my body again. By then, I will be able to fight you to a draw!
He had now given up on the idea of crushing Xiao Chen—he simply couldn't win. That much, he had to admit.
Xiao Chen then changed the subject. "Junior Brother Cao, where are you headed next?"
Cao Youqian replied, "I'll accompany my junior sister back to the Yunlan Sect for a visit. After all, we've been away for quite a few years."
Xiao Chen nodded slightly. "Then go ahead. I'll be staying at Miaomiao Mountain for a while to guide our junior brothers and sisters in their cultivation."
Cao Youqian said, "Then I'll leave the Miscellaneous Dao Institute in your hands."
After a few more words, Cao Youqian changed into a fresh set of robes and left the rear peak with Xiao Chen, laughing and chatting along the way.
Their match hadn't been seen by outsiders—everyone only knew that Senior Brother and Second Brother had just exchanged blows.
…
A few days later.
Cao Youqian rode his tiger mount, heading south with Song Zhaoyi toward Yunlan Sect.
At the same time, the Yunlan Sect's outer sect competition was underway in full swing.
Fang Mu had stood out in this year's competition, placing among the top three.
However, he wasn't satisfied with the result. After all, he had once received guidance from a powerful senior, yet failed to claim first place in the outer sect contest.
What frustrated him more was that even after three years of cultivating the technique taught by that mysterious master, he had yet to comprehend it.
Could it be that he was destined to remain unworthy of that senior's legacy?
"Senior Brother Fang, Senior Sister Qinghe is waiting for you outside."
A companion's voice interrupted Fang Mu's thoughts.
After placing in the top three of the outer sect competition, Fang Mu's treatment had changed dramatically.
He had become an inner sect disciple, received a private residence, and was even assigned a servant disciple.
Upon hearing that Princess Qinghe had come to visit, Fang Mu immediately stood up and walked toward the outer courtyard.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw Princess Qinghe standing in the courtyard, dressed in a flowing sky-blue robe.
"Fang Mu greets Senior Sister Qinghe."
Fang Linglong smiled sweetly. "Congratulations, Junior Brother Fang, on becoming an inner sect disciple."
"Thanks to Senior Sister Qinghe's support, Fang Mu has come this far. May I ask why you've come to see me today?" Fang Mu asked respectfully.
Fang Linglong said, "I came to invite you to join me on a training expedition to a ruin."
Fang Mu replied, "Senior Sister, I'm only at the third layer of the Dao Foundation Realm. Wouldn't I slow you down?"
Fang Linglong's lips curled into a faint smile. "You don't need to worry. This ruin isn't particularly dangerous. I asked you along because I need your spirit flame."
"I see."
Fang Mu paused briefly, then nodded in agreement.
"When do we leave, Senior Sister? I'll come meet up when the time comes."
Fang Linglong replied, "Three days from now. Let's gather at the sect gates."
Fang Mu: "Then I'll see you in three days."
…
Three days later.
Fang Mu arrived alone at the gates of Yunlan Sect. From a distance, he could already see Princess Qinghe waiting there with a group of junior brothers and sisters.
He immediately quickened his pace and stepped forward, cupping his hands. "Fang Mu greets Senior Brothers and Sisters."
Fang Linglong nodded. "No need for formality, Junior Brother Mu. Since everyone's here, let's set out."
"Yes."
Everyone responded at once, though their eyes lingered on Fang Mu with a trace of doubt.
They couldn't understand why Princess Qinghe would bring someone like Fang Mu along.
Even if he had placed in the top three of the outer sect competition, he was still noticeably weaker than the rest present.
Fang Linglong seemed to have read their thoughts and explained, "Junior Brother Mu possesses a spirit flame. The ruin we're headed to contains a five-element formation. With his flame, we'll have all five elemental forces—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—allowing us to use the cycle of mutual generation and restraint to break through the formation."
At her words, the doubt on everyone's faces vanished instantly, and their attitude toward Fang Mu shifted.
No wonder he could rise so quickly to the top three of the outer sect. Though his background was humble, his fortunes were exceptional.
After all, a spirit flame was something even many True Fate cultivators struggled to obtain.
…
Several days later.
The group arrived at a barren mountain.
Looking around, Fang Mu was struck with an ominous feeling.
It was this very instinct that had helped him evade danger many times before. So he said, "Senior Sister Qinghe, something feels off about this place."
A male cultivator in the group stepped forward and said, "Junior Brother Fang, this must be your first time out training. Ruins like these always come with danger—but the rewards are just as great. If you're scared, why don't you hand over your spirit flame? We'll take it in for temporary use and return it once we come out."
Fang Mu shook his head. "No need. Since I'm here, I won't back down. I only meant to remind Senior Sister to be cautious."
Seeing the brief tension, Fang Linglong stepped forward and said, "Enough, both of you. We're about to enter the ruin. If we want to get what we came for, we must work together. Let's move out."
With that, she took the lead and began ascending the mountain.
Fang Mu stayed on full alert as they made their way upward. The closer they drew to their destination, the more intense his sense of foreboding became.
Yet all around them was nothing but desolation—not a trace of life, let alone an ambush.
So what exactly was wrong?
At that moment, Fang Linglong reached a massive stone figure over nine zhang tall. With a casual wave of her hand, she shifted the boulder aside—revealing a cave hidden behind it…
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