Chà Chà Novel

After leaving their carriage with the young attendant guarding the mountain gate, master and disciples made their way up to the Xianyue Sect.

Everywhere they looked, there were female cultivators of all ages.

The Xianyue Sect had many rules. Being blind, Lin Huaiqing had little to worry about himself, but he warned his two disciples not to let their eyes wander in a place like this.

He told them both to keep their heads lowered as they walked.

Naturally, Mu Yunting was the obedient disciple who followed the rules. He stayed behind Lin Huaiqing the whole way, head bowed, without saying a word.

Qin Du, on the other hand, showed no restraint at all. He sauntered along, looking around as freely as though no one else were there.

The female cultivators passing by were thrilled to discover such handsome men in their sect—and three of them at once. They eagerly leaned toward their companions to whisper.

Some even beamed with delight when they caught Qin Du looking their way.

Others slipped him secret notes.

Hearing the commotion, Mu Yunting turned and shot Qin Du a fierce glare.

Far from reining himself in, the fellow smugly showed off the note in his hand.

Mu Yunting was so angry that he wanted to kick Qin Du straight down the mountain for disgracing their master.

At last, they reached the Xianyue Sect’s main hall and met Immortal Venerable Shuangyue, renowned as the foremost female cultivator in the world.

Sensing the fluctuations of spiritual energy around him, Lin Huaiqing judged that the approaching person was at least at the Nascent Soul stage. He knew it must be his old friend, Yin Shuangyue.

“It’s been years, Immortal Venerable Shuangyue. Have you been well?”

A woman in pristine white robes hurried toward him, her bearing ethereal. Disregarding formalities, she took Lin Huaiqing’s hand and drew him over to sit.

“When my disciple told me you were here, I could hardly believe it. But it really is you.”

Seeing the silk ribbon covering his eyes, just as the rumors had described, Yin Shuangyue frowned in distress.

“How are your eyes? Is there any hope of restoring your sight?”

“I’ve been blind for over five years. They can’t be healed.”

“Why don’t I ask my junior sister from the medicinal cultivation division to examine you? Is the poison in that abyss truly so potent?”

Back then, Lin Huaiqing had resolutely set out to retrieve the Spirit-Suppressing Stone to protect the entire cultivation world from the demon race.

Who could have known that an unexpected disaster would cost him his sight?

At the thought, Yin Shuangyue’s affection and respect for him deepened.

The foremost Sword Venerable, once renowned throughout the cultivation world, was now blind. His position in the combat rankings had plummeted as well. She couldn’t help aching for him.

“Let’s leave that aside, Immortal Venerable Shuangyue. I hear the trial realm in your rear mountains will open in three days. I’ve come to ask permission for my two disciples to train there.”

At last, Lin Huaiqing explained the purpose of his visit.

Not every immortal sect possessed a secret realm rich in spiritual energy. Only four sects had such realms.

The Xuantian Sect had one, the Xianyue Sect had another, and the remaining two belonged to other sects.

But the Xuantian Sect’s realm would not open for another three full years.

It was therefore quite common for sects to send their disciples to train in one another’s secret realms.

Yin Shuangyue had thought Lin Huaiqing had finally had a change of heart and come to see her of his own accord. Instead, he was here to call in a favor for his disciples.

She felt a little disappointed, though she did not show it.

“I hadn’t noticed until you mentioned them, Immortal Venerable Huaiqing. Didn’t you used to refuse to take disciples? It’s only been a few years, yet yours are already so grown?”

Yin Shuangyue’s appraising gaze swept over Mu Yunting and Qin Du in their seats, as though she meant to see right through them.

Only after a long moment did she speak.

“Immortal Venerable Huaiqing’s disciples are indeed exceptional. If I remember correctly, the previous person to possess a mutated lightning spiritual root was your sect’s former leader.”

Lin Huaiqing nodded.

“That’s right.”

Mu Yunting had not expected Yin Shuangyue to identify his spiritual root at a glance. Her cultivation was clearly unfathomable.

“Yu’er!”

Yin Shuangyue beckoned, and a beautiful young female cultivator entered from outside.

“What are your instructions, Master?”

Her voice was clear and sweet as an oriole’s song.

“Check whether there are any places left for entry into the secret realm.”

“Master, all the places were filled long ago. We even had to remove several of our own junior sisters to accommodate everyone. There are too many applicants this year!”

“I see…”

Yin Shuangyue put on a troubled expression.

“In that case, remove a few more disciples below late Foundation Establishment and make room for two additional entrants.”

Yu’er started to speak, but with outsiders present, she swallowed her words.

“Yes, Master…”

Lin Huaiqing might not have been able to see Yin Shuangyue’s expression, but he was no fool.

“You two, thank Immortal Venerable Shuangyue.”

Qin Du and Mu Yunting rose together and bowed to her.

“Thank you, Immortal Venerable Shuangyue.”

“There’s no need for such formality. Your master is an old friend of mine. Huaiqing’s concerns are my concerns.”

The latter part was clearly meant for Lin Huaiqing.

Naturally, he could sense the affection behind it.

The system had told him that the body’s original owner was acquainted with Immortal Venerable Shuangyue.

But it had never explained the precise nature of their relationship.

Now, it seemed there was more to it. Puzzled, Lin Huaiqing decided to drag the system out for a proper questioning before bed. They would be staying at the Xianyue Sect for several days; he couldn’t afford to give himself away.

“Yu’er, take Immortal Venerable Huaiqing and his two disciples to rest at Yuqing Shrine.”

Since the trial would not begin for another three days, the three of them would naturally be staying on the mountain.

But the Xianyue Sect consisted entirely of female cultivators. To avoid inconveniencing them, Yin Shuangyue had deliberately arranged accommodation away from the female disciples’ quarters.

“Thank you for showing us the way, Miss Yu’er…”

“This way, Immortal Venerable.”

Ever since Yu’er appeared, Qin Du had noticed something odd about Mu Yunting.

He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. He had simply caught Mu Yunting stealing glances at her several times.

Looking was harmless enough. Everyone appreciated beauty.

But there was something wrong with Mu Yunting’s gaze. It seemed tinged with sorrow and some carefully restrained emotion.

Could there be something between these two?

Qin Du’s interest immediately perked up. Using a private voice transmission, he began needling Mu Yunting.

“What’s this? Taken a liking to Miss Yu’er?”

“Get lost…”

Qin Du was delighted. There was definitely something going on! Nothing pleased him more than hitting a sore spot with Mu Yunting.

But questions alone wouldn’t get him anywhere, especially since Mu Yunting would never reveal anything important. Better to change targets.

Qin Du quickened his pace and approached Yu’er, offering a simple greeting between fellow cultivators of equal standing so as not to seem presumptuous.

“Miss Yu’er, may I ask how many days the secret realm will remain open? And how many people will be taking part?”

“Fellow Daoist, the realm will remain open for five days. Counting participants from all the sects, there should be nearly a thousand people. Make sure you prepare well over the next few days.”

“Will you be taking part too, Miss Yu’er?” Qin Du asked tentatively.

“Of course. The realm only opens once every five years. Miss it, and you have another five years to wait.”

With her confirmation, Qin Du was satisfied. If she was participating too, then once they met inside the realm, he was sure he could uncover Mu Yunting’s secret.

Listening to Qin Du chatting with Yu’er along the way, Lin Huaiqing had thoughts of his own.

His little villain had grown up and was beginning to take the initiative with female cultivators. That wasn’t a bad thing.

If Qin Du could become cultivation partners with a woman from a reputable orthodox sect, perhaps he would no longer turn against the cultivation world.

Then he wouldn’t become a villain at all.