Master and Disciple Reunited
"This... in just a few years, the sect has changed so much?"
Looking at the scene below, Mu Anqing was also filled with disbelief.
It's important to know that she lived in the Azure Cloud Sect for over twenty years, and the changes during that time were few and far between.
In just a few years since she left, the sect has changed so much that she no longer recognizes it.
There must be a reason for this.
Mu Anqing then thought of Yi Xuan's sudden increase in strength, and looked at him with a puzzled expression, saying, "Senior brother! These changes aren't because of you, are they?"
At this point, Mu Anqing also noticed Yi Xuan's previous courtyard.
Looking at the protected courtyard, Mu Anqing didn't even need Yi Xuan to explain; she immediately understood the answer herself.
The changes at the Azure Cloud Sect must be due to Yi Xuan!
Yi Xuan didn't explain much and directly led Mu Anqing to the sky above the sect square.
By this time, many people had already noticed the Firmament above.
Although several years had passed since the Mystic Snow Pavilion's invasion, many of the disciples below still recognized it at a glance as the mount of Sect Protector.
Many disciples spontaneously made room for the Firmament to land.
Some disciples rushed to the sect's main hall to report to the sect leader about the protector's return.
Many of the newly joined disciples were also confused.
"Senior brother, who is this person? What a grand gesture! Landing their flying Law Artifact right on the sect square! They really don't take our Azure Cloud Sect seriously!"
"Get out of here! What are you saying? Do you even know who that person is? Don't talk nonsense! Let me put it this way, even if the sect leader were standing right there, he'd have to give way to that person!"
"What? The other party is that powerful? With the current status of my Azure Cloud Sect in the Southern Frontier, why would we need to curry favor with them? Could they be a prestigious sect from the Central Continent?"
"Pshaw! What's so special about the Central Continent!"
Faced with his junior brother's question, the Azure Cloud Sect disciple patiently explained, "Do you know who lives in the courtyard in the very center of the city at the foot of the mountain? It's this person right here!"
"You mean! The Sect Protector?"
"Yes, now you understand!"
With this explanation, the new disciple immediately understood.
At the same time, he understood that what his senior brother said was not an exaggeration.
With Yi Xuan's current status in the Azure Cloud Sect, even the sect leader Cui Yan cannot compare.
As they stepped out of the Firmament with Mu Anqing, the two immediately faced a densely packed group of the Azure Cloud Sect disciples.
In the eyes of those disciples, the two saw curiosity, respect, fear, and longing.
Without much thought, Mu Anqing understood that these gazes were not directed at her, but at her senior brother Yi Xuan beside her.
Knowing who had started it, the disciples suddenly greeted Yi Xuan in unison.
"Welcome, Sect Protector!"
This put Yi Xuan in an awkward position.
However, facing so many disciples from various sects, Yi Xuan had no choice but to feign composure.
Recalling the behavior of some leaders in his previous life, Yi Xuan his best to make his expression more amiable.
He raised his right hand and waved to the numerous disciples, calling out, "Disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect, greetings! Disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect, you have worked hard..."
Just as Yi Xuan was about to finish speaking, Cui Yan arrived in a hurry with several sect elders, thus rescuing Yi Xuan.
Before Cui Yan could speak, Yi Xuan grabbed Mu Anqing and headed straight for Cui Yan.
They also passed by many disciples from various sects.
Cui Yan hadn't expected that after not seeing Junior Brother Yi would be so affectionate towards him. So he stretched out his hands, ready to give Yi Xuan a big hug.
Unexpectedly, Yi Xuan, who was holding Mu Anqing's hand, swept past him and headed straight for the sect's main hall.
Only one sentence lingered in his ears.
"Long time no see, Senior Brother! Let's talk inside the hall!"
After glancing at the disciples around him, Cui Yan understood Yi Xuan's meaning.
Thus, under the sect leader's order, the disciples could only leave the square with high spirits and regret.
Upon entering the main hall, the Azure Cloud Sect's high-ranking members discovered that Yi Xuan had not only returned alone, but had also brought a woman with him.
"Anqing?"
While others were still gossiping about the relationship between Yi Xuan and the woman, a gasp from the crowd instantly drew everyone's attention.
A figure dressed in an elder's robe broke through the crowd and came directly in front of Mu Anqing, reaching out to grope him indiscriminately.
The other elders were about to speak up and criticize when they realized that the person who rushed out was also a woman.
It was none other than Elder Huang, Mu Anqing's master!
Mu Anqing had been missing for many years, and at first, Elder Huang, her master, was very worried about this disciple.
She didn't know how many times she had begged the sect leader Cui Yan and the former sect leader Xiao Anhe, hoping that the sect would mobilize all its disciples to help search for him.
Although the sect did not grant all of her requests, it never gave up searching for Mu Anqing.
However, as time went by, the chances of Mu Anqing being found became increasingly slim.
Although unwilling to admit it, Elder Huang understood that his disciple Mu Anqing was likely in grave danger.
Until recently, even Elder Huang, their master, gave up the search.
It wasn't that Elder Huang was heartless; she had never forgotten Mu Anqing. But at the same time, she also knew in her heart that there was no point in continuing the search.
Countless times, during her cultivation, she vaguely saw Mu Anqing covered in blood.
Although they were nominally master and apprentice, their relationship was more like that of a mother and daughter.
How well can a mother who has lost her daughter live in the days that follow?
Therefore, after Mu Anqing disappeared, Elder Huang's cultivation level actually regressed instead of improving.
The other high-ranking members of the sect were deeply worried about this situation, but there was nothing they could do.
Mental illness requires mental medicine; ultimately, one must rely on oneself to cure such problems.
Elder Huang originally thought he would never see Mu Anqing again in his life, but unexpectedly, Yi Xuan's sudden appearance brought Mu Anqing back.
At this moment, seeing the tears streaming down her master's face, Mu Anqing also understood her master's concern for her. The two hugged each other and cried their hearts out.
Even others who saw it felt sorry for her.
In the end, Sect Leader Cui Yan, unwilling to disturb the two, led Yi Xuan and many elders to a side hall, giving the master and disciple ample space.
Upon entering the side hall, Yi Xuan finally had a chance to take a look at Cui Yan.
More than a year had passed since we last met, and the aura emanating from this senior brother who was the sect leader had become even more refined.
Since the last time they faced the Mystic Snow Pavilion, Cui Yan, as the sect leader, took the lead and remained neither humble nor arrogant in the face of the absolute martial power of the Mystic Snow Pavilion's elder.
Only then did the three elders realize that Cui Yan was the true leader of the Azure Cloud Sect.
Looking back, although Cui Yan was elected as the sect leader, the actual decision-making power of the sect was still in the hands of the three elders.
Cui Yan's position as sect leader is merely nominal.
However, after the Mystic Snow Pavilion incident, Cui Yan demonstrated his abilities as a sect leader to the three elders, who were happy to take a break and completely delegated authority to Cui Yan, each focusing on their own cultivation.
This also caused Cui Yan, who had only been in power for a little over a year, to display the aura of a superior.