The sect's great hall.
Only after watching Ao Ding vanish a thousand miles away did Wang Weilong flick his finger, summoning Wang He with his true Gang.
Looking at Wang He's displeased face, Wang Weilong said softly, "He's gone."
Wang He looked somewhat gloomy. Gritting his teeth, he held back his anger. "Senior Brother, are you content with this? Just letting him leave?"
"What I seek is different from what you seek... any mishap would have an enormous impact on the Seven Spirits Sect."
"Things have come to this, and you're still worrying about the impact? Unless we stake everything on one attempt, we can only watch the Seven Spirits Sect have its name struck from the rolls!" Agitated, Wang He pointed at Wang Weilong's nose and cursed furiously. "Master entrusted the Seven Spirits Sect to you, and this is how you repay him?
"Do you know? That fellow sent his nephew to find me, hoping to lure me into acting so he could reap the fisherman's profits while others fought. And that nephew of his still hasn't formally joined the Seven Spirits Sect. Don't you know why?"
Wang Weilong remained calm. Only after Wang He had finished his outburst did he say softly, "Ao Ding's talent is exceptional. Uncle-Master Sun must have known, and presumably left him connections-connections that couldn't protect Uncle-Master Sun, but could shelter Ao Ding until he successfully found a master. Under these circumstances, you actually hoped to kill him and seize his treasures?"
He shook his head repeatedly, his face full of mockery.
Back when he learned that Wang He had given Ao Ding the Northern Yin Iron Writ and erased Ao Ding's traces, Wang Weilong had already discerned some of the truth.
On the surface, Wang He and Wang Daniangzi shared the same attitude, hoping Ao Ding could find an accomplished master...
But were the two of them really the same?
Wang Daniangzi was a younger female clanswoman whom Wang Weilong had placed in the kitchen gardens because she had little prospect of attaining the immortal Dao. She served as his eyes and ears, but he had also been finding her a peaceful place to spend her old age. She had met Ao Ding first, then discovered his outstanding talent, and only then reported him to Wang Weilong.
But Wang He? He was a "guardian" whom Wang Weilong had sent to the kitchen gardens with a specific purpose: to watch over Ao Ding.
In sincerity, how could Wang He compare with the inherently kind and honest Wang Daniangzi?
After only a few years together, this junior brother from his own faction was willing to give away the Seven Spirits Sect's hope?
He had clearly set his sights on Uncle-Master Sun's legacy. Since Wang Weilong refused to let the Seven Spirits Sect wade into those muddy waters, Wang He had taken a roundabout approach, intending to seize Uncle-Master Sun's legacy through Ao Ding.
"With those petty schemes of yours, you probably tampered with the iron writ, didn't you? Did you think Uncle-Master Sun wouldn't notice? Since Uncle-Master Sun dared let Ao Ding return alone, he wasn't worried about the Seven Spirits Sect harming him."
Wang Weilong said solemnly, "This matter ends here-you say nothing, I say nothing, and no one will know. To everyone else, you're still the 'kind senior' who gave him the iron writ and its secret text. The Seven Spirits Sect needs to preserve that favor."
Wang He snorted but offered little further response.
Ultimately, he too felt deeply conflicted and hesitant;
having spent several years with Ao Ding, his affection was indeed less profound than Wang Daniangzi's, but claiming he felt none at all would also have been a lie.
Giving Ao Ding the iron writ back then had been a contingency, and also a hope.
Because his senior brother refused to risk the Seven Spirits Sect for that opportunity, he had intended to let Ao Ding try.
Ao Ding might have died while helping protect his uncle-master's pursuit of the Dao. He might never have returned to the Seven Spirits Sect. More likely still, his uncle-master might have erased the imprint on the iron writ...
Among all those possibilities, the chance that Ao Ding would return to the Seven Spirits Sect alone and vulnerable enough for Wang He to kill was far too slim.
Back then, he had merely placed a piece on the board in passing. Success or failure depended entirely on heaven's will.
If it worked, he would win a True Person's legacy for the Seven Spirits Sect.
If it failed-well, the Seven Spirits Sect would lose nothing, would it?
Still, Wang Weilong had been right about one thing.
Wang He still remembered the meaningful look his uncle-master had given him when they met that day.
Uncle-Master Sun Chen had probably guessed his petty schemes long ago.
Knowing that Wang He had also acted for the revival of the Seven Spirits Sect, Wang Weilong softened his tone.
"I know you've been stuck at your current realm for a long time, Junior Brother. How about this? I have two thousand-year-old spirit medicines on hand. Take them for your cultivation. With an opportunity, perhaps the Light Joining realm will be right before your eyes."
Spiritual light flashed across the table, and two jade cases silently appeared.
Wang He gazed deeply at his senior brother. In the end, he did not refuse. He stepped forward, picked up the jade cases, and turned to leave.
Having soothed one junior brother, Wang Weilong once again concentrated on monitoring Deputy Sect Master Wu's party and Ao Ding's current movements.
Acting on his uncle's orders, Wu Linglong was about to pursue Ao Ding through the eastern gate.
But just as he stepped outside, before he could cast a spell to rise into the air, a cool voice sounded behind him.
"Fellow Daoist Wu-"
Delight stirred in Wu Linglong's heart, and he hurriedly turned to see a young woman standing there in a moon-white gown. Her beauty was pure and unworldly, her bearing ethereal, like an immortal maiden from the ninth heaven.
"Junior Sister, were you looking for me?"
"Mind your words, Fellow Daoist. You are not a formal disciple of the Seven Spirits Sect, and we do not share a teaching lineage."
Seeing the fairy's cold expression, Wu Linglong felt somewhat awkward. "It was my uncle's decision that I shouldn't join the Seven Spirits Sect..."
"I understand. The Seven Spirits Sect has no road ahead, and its allotted fortune is nearly exhausted. The deputy sect master doesn't want a rising talent of the Wu Household like you to sink with this wreck of a ship." Luo Qiushui's tone was calm, without the slightest ripple. "Your uncle did well. His decision came from love and concern, so you needn't feel guilty."
Unwilling to dwell on such an awkward subject, Wu Linglong hastily said, "Junior-Fairy Luo, did you need something?"
"To stop you from throwing your life away. Although your pestering lately has been very annoying, you aren't malicious, merely a little stupid, a little foolish... you don't deserve to be beaten to death by my friend over a grudge you know nothing about."
A friend?
Wu Linglong's expression darkened, his enthusiasm instantly cooling. "You mean Ao Ding? You came for him?"
Seeing his reaction, Luo Qiushui felt melancholy.
Beauty is a sin.
-She understood more and more how Ao Ding had felt when he said those words.
How many times have I rejected you openly and honestly, even disregarding appearances? Every time, I've spoken plainly and refused you in no uncertain terms. I've even repeatedly stated that there's no romantic affection between Ao Ding and me. Fine... even if I do have some feelings for him... nothing I've done has ever been for romantic attachment, or because I was worried you would hurt Ao Ding.
Why do you all act as though heaven ranks first, earth second, and you third, convinced you can defeat Ao Ding and then win my heart?
I am a person, an independent person, not a trophy for you to claim after defeating Ao Ding!
Utterly exasperated, Luo Qiushui's tone grew colder still. "I came not only of my own accord, but also at Master Wang's request. He said there's nothing so objectionable about your little private schemes. But since you've belonged to the same sect, he couldn't simply watch you and your uncle foolishly court death, so he asked me to stop you."
The young woman's voice was like a secluded spring, clear and pleasing to the ear, yet every word struck Wu Linglong's heart like a heavy hammer.
"That friend of mine has been exceptionally gifted since childhood, and now he's spent another three years cultivating outside. How could you possibly handle him? If he accidentally killed you, and your uncle refused to let it rest and found others to seek revenge... only for my friend to cut out the grass by its roots, your entire Wu Household might be wiped out. In the end, you'd also saddle Ao Ding with a reputation for brutality and bloodlust."
Throughout Ao Ding's six years in the Seven Spirits Sect, everyone in the kitchen gardens had always considered him well-behaved. It had always been the outer sect that picked fights.
But Luo Qiushui knew her childhood friend's nature well-if he was truly enraged and his killing intent rose, no number of people could stop him, and he would heed no personal ties.
Did they really think just anyone could cultivate the Northern Yin Hell Method?
As for those stories of beating the young only for their elders to come, and of romantic tribulations ruining one's immortal prospects, Ao Ding had told them to her throughout her childhood, and she was deeply on guard against them.
"Forgive me, but I cannot comply." Wu Linglong took a deep breath and said gravely, "My uncle already gave his orders. I must pursue him and demand restitution. Fairy, pardon my offense-"
Wu Linglong clenched his right hand, Origin Dragon True Gang surging as he punched forward. Worried about hurting Luo Qiushui, however, he used only seventy percent of his strength.
Luo Qiushui's expression grew somewhat strange, and she gently extended a slender, white finger.
The air rippled, and a vast expanse of immortal energy effortlessly neutralized the punch, erasing every trace of true Gang upon it.
Luo Qiushui knitted her delicate brows and said discontentedly, "I don't understand. Why have none of you who pursue me ever truly understood my strength? Why do you think you can beat me? And why would you even try to hold back while fighting me? If you don't use your full strength, I dare use even less of mine, for fear of accidentally killing you."
Most of the thousand-year-old spiritual treasures Wang Weilong had prepared for Ao Ding had now gone to Luo Qiushui and Wang Weilong's disciple Fang Cheng. Luo Qiushui's cultivation had advanced rapidly over these three years, and she was already approaching the Profound Gang Upper Realm. Moreover, she had awakened the Cloud-Su Immortal Physique. An immortal physique could be called a "True Person's body." Like Ao Ding's True Person's Eye, it was a kind of stepping stone into the True Person Realm.
Wu Linglong's face finally showed anger. Directing his sword with his fingertips, he sent its light stabbing straight toward Luo Qiushui like a flying rainbow.
Not even she could humiliate him and his uncle like this!
Watching the flying sword approach, Luo Qiushui gave a long sigh.
Is that all you have?
The methods we cultivate are both of the Jade Casket Spirit Compendium class, yet even so, the gap is this great.
If you can't even beat me, what makes you think you can contend with Ao Ding, who cultivates the Golden Slips and Jade Chapters?
Luo Qiushui gently swept her sleeve, employing thirty percent of her magical power.
As her true Gang circulated, white clouds drifted into motion, layer upon layer like an endless sea of clouds, easily enveloping the rainbow light.
However that sword light rode the wind and cleaved the waves, it was no more than a faint glimmer within the sea of clouds.
With this single move, Wu Linglong's magical power seemed to sink into a mire, unable to break free.
Only when his face had turned crimson from the strain did Luo Qiushui ease her strength and send him to the eastern gate on a clear breeze.
"Do you see? The gap between us is already this great, let alone the gap between you and Ao Ding. If he crushed you to death with one finger, would you still expect him to burn paper offerings and chant sutras for you afterward?"
Wu Linglong heard none of what she said after that.
One strike. With just one strike from the fairy he adored, he had lost.
With such an enormous gulf between them, could he still pursue her?
Dazed, Wu Linglong staggered back to find his uncle.
Luo Qiushui looked utterly helpless.
With so little strength of character, you have the nerve to cultivate immortality? Has your uncle sheltered you too well?
That friend of mine endured Master Wang's tempering for years, yet still retained his true nature.
Luo Qiushui shook her head repeatedly. She genuinely felt there was little hope for the Seven Spirits Sect as it stood.
Leaving aside whether this fellow Wu would sincerely join the Seven Spirits Sect, just look at how the outer sect has degenerated without Ao Ding to spur them on... in the future, perhaps only after Senior Brother Fang or I successfully enter the Guangfa Sect will we be able to keep the lineage from falling?
Just as she was about to head back, she suddenly noticed a familiar streak of immortal light leaving the sect. Her heart stirred, and she hurried after it.
"Master Wang, wait for me!"
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