"Whatever you tell us to do, we will follow." Yun Yun closed her eyes in resignation. She kept telling herself that as long as Xiao Ting frequently wrote about her in his daily Journal, she was the true winner.
"Good, then it's settled." Seeing Yun Yun's expression, Xiao Ting found it amusing and teased, "Little Yun Er, from now on, please guide me!"
Yun Yun suddenly opened her eyes, blushed, and retorted, "We haven't even arrived at Jia Nan Academy yet, so there's no need for me to pretend to be your exclusive maid!"
"Let's get used to it first." Xiao Ting replied calmly. "What if you don't react when called at Jia Nan Academy and feel embarrassed?"
"I see, I see." Yun Shan nodded, supporting one hand with the other while resting his chin on the latter.
"Master, whose side are you on?" Yun Yun turned and shouted.
"I stand on the side of reason," Yun Shan said with a righteous and indignant expression.
Xiao Ting found his reaction amusing.
Yun Shan, I never expected you to be like this.
But jokes aside, they still had important matters to handle. Xiao Ting and Xiao Yan used their flight battle skills to follow Yun Shan and Yun Yun toward Misty Cloud Sect.
The Northeast Province was not far from Cloud Mist Mountain at the northernmost edge of the Northern Province, but the group only arrived at their destination the next morning.
When Cloud Mist Mountain appeared in the distance, Xiao Ting made sure to note something in his Journal.
As the proverb says, plans cannot keep up with changes. He had thought his first visit to Misty Cloud Sect would be to fulfill the three-year promise, but he never imagined it would turn into a simple visit.
[It seems Misty Cloud Sect was not destined to be destroyed.]
Even more surprisingly, Cai Lin easily eliminated several Hall of Souls envoys and helped Misty Cloud Sect uncover the true inheritance of the Life and Death Gate. Within the Life and Death Gate, offering sacrifices granted cultivation rewards.
...
Yun Shan and his four companions arrived at the Life and Death Gate and advanced to the end of the fifth floor. The moment they reached the altar, a message appeared in Xiao Ting's mind.
Plane Blessing: [Stand on the altar, manifest your soul domain and Purple Beast Flame. You will be recognized by Yun Potian's sword intent and can directly proceed to the eighth layer of the Life and Death Gate to cultivate.]
Xiao Ting: ? ? ?
The usually dignified Yun Yun's expression changed slightly. Xiao Ting coughed lightly and asked Yun Shan, "Sect Leader Yun Shan, if I obtain the approval of your Misty Cloud Sect's founder, Senior Yun Potian, would you mind?"
"Of course not." Yun Shan thought Xiao Ting was joking and answered without thinking. "Being recognized by the ancestor is your own ability, young friend. As a disciple, I will not object to the ancestor's decision."
He answered so quickly that Yun Yun had no chance to interrupt. A flash of helplessness crossed her eyes.
Master, I hope you remain as generous as always.
"I'm glad Senior feels that way. Then I won't stand on ceremony."
Xiao Ting used his movement technique and instantly appeared on the altar a few feet away. Before Yun Shan could react, he sat cross-legged, summoned the Purple Beast Flame to envelop his body, and released his soul power without obstruction.
The altar beneath his feet seemed to activate via some mechanism, emitting cyan energy that enveloped him.
Boom!
A massive explosion sounded from the fifth layer of the Life and Death Gate, as if some power had awakened. Immediately after, Yun Shan sensed spatial fluctuations ahead. Xiao Ting, wrapped in cyan energy, vanished.
"What is happening?!" Xiao Yan's expression changed drastically. He looked at Yun Shan and Yun Yun warily.
"No need to worry." Yao Lao left the Bone Flame Ring, manifested his physical body, and exclaimed in admiration. "The founder of Misty Cloud Sect was truly extraordinary. Reaching Dou Venerate realm in life—his soul realm was probably not inferior to mine."
"Xiao Ting has obtained Yun Potian's approval and has every chance to inherit his legacy," Yao Lao said with a smile.
"Inheriting the peak of Dou Venerate?" Xiao Yan's eyes sparkled as he smiled relaxedly. "That's wonderful."
Yun Shan: "…"
"Master, why aren't you smiling?" Yun Yun smiled while looking at Yun Shan, joy surging in her heart. "Is it because you're old and no longer like to smile?"
Yun Shan gritted his teeth, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly as he said, "Yun Er, this is the legacy left by our sect's founder. Who could smile when an outsider obtains it?"
Yun Yun was his disciple and practically his adopted daughter, yet she could still smile.
"You yourself said earlier that Xiao Ting inheriting the legacy is due to his own ability, and that he respects the ancestor's choice."
Having seen through Yun Shan's thoughts, Yun Yun—already transformed into a cunning and ruthless woman—broke into a full smile. "Our ancestors couldn't have been wrong, right?"
Yun Shan was speechless for a long time and could only sigh. "I can do nothing about this matter. But even if the ancestral legacy is taken by an outsider, it's fine. Fortunately, I've thought of a perfect solution."
"I will arrange a marriage between you and my young friend Xiao Ting and welcome you as his Dao companion." Yun Shan revealed a mischievous smile. "That way, my young friend Xiao Ting will become one of Misty Cloud Sect's own."
"If you are more ambitious and have a few children with Xiao Ting in the future, bringing the legacy back to the sect and inheriting the position of sect leader would be even better."
The three: ???
…
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