Three days later.
Fang Cheng Lang, Lan Zi Yu, and Ye Cong Xin arrived at the sect’s square early in the morning.
By the time they arrived, other disciples set to accompany them had already gathered. Seeing the three approach, their eyes lit up.
Fang Cheng Lang stood tall and poised, a gentle smile on his face, exuding a refreshing warmth. Lan Zi Yu, with his strikingly handsome features and an air of rebellion revealed by his slightly upturned eyes, seemed both aloof and carefree.
Walking between them was Ye Cong Xin, her fair skin so radiant it made her pink lips look soft and tender. Her white dress fluttered gracefully with her every step, as if blooming flowers trailed her path.
Both Fang Cheng Lang and Lan Zi Yu were outstanding among their peers. Their every movement carried a natural confidence and subtle intimidation. Ye Cong Xin’s presence, however, softened their sharp edges, creating a harmonious and captivating scene.
“Greetings, Senior Brother Fang, Senior Brother Lan!”
“Junior Sister Ye, long time no see.”
“…”
The two groups exchanged courtesies and soon began chatting warmly.
Unexpectedly, the conversation shifted to Yu Zhao.
Someone asked curiously, “I heard Junior Sister Yu ended her seclusion three days ago. Has she fully recovered?”
Fang Cheng Lang’s expression froze momentarily before he quickly masked it with a smile. “Thank you for asking, Junior Brother Zhang. Our Sixth Junior Sister is doing well now.”
Zhang Jun nodded in understanding but then asked with some confusion, “Then why didn’t Junior Sister Yu join you? Isn’t she participating in the Dragon Roar Valley training?”
At this, the expressions of Fang Cheng Lang, Lan Zi Yu, and Ye Cong Xin all changed.
Fang Cheng Lang asked, “Where did you hear this?”
Lan Zi Yu and Ye Cong Xin’s gazes also landed on Zhang Jun.
Zhang Jun, more surprised than they were, replied, “You didn’t know? Senior Sister Zhou personally petitioned the Sect Master, and he agreed. It happened three nights ago, the very day Junior Sister Yu came out of seclusion.”
As the second disciple of the Sect Master of the Five Elements Dao Sect and Zhou Jin Yue’s fellow disciple, Zhang Jun’s words carried significant credibility.
The trio fell silent.
In truth, Fang Cheng Lang and Lan Zi Yu hadn’t even seen Yu Zhao since her return, let alone heard any news about her. Only Ye Cong Xin had briefly encountered her at Master Qing Yan’s cave.
Fang Cheng Lang felt a pang of discomfort. Little Six had clearly distanced herself from him; she hadn’t even discussed something as important as this training with him.
Lan Zi Yu, on the other hand, thought Yu Zhao hadn’t changed her ways. Upon learning about their Little Junior Sister’s participation, she had undoubtedly caused a fuss to join, even going as far as petitioning the Main Peak. Such behavior, in his eyes, was disgraceful to Lone Moon Peak.
Ye Cong Xin gripped her palms tightly to maintain her composure. She had underestimated Yu Zhao. Realizing the path through Master Qing Yan was closed, Yu Zhao had turned to the Sect Master and successfully got her way.
The potential complications Yu Zhao might cause during the journey filled Ye Cong Xin with unprecedented hatred.
Zhang Jun and the others quickly noticed the tension among the Lone Moon Peak disciples. As fellow sect members, they tactfully changed the subject to avoid further awkwardness.
Fang Cheng Lang played along, engaging in the new conversation and easing the awkwardness, though the atmosphere remained less harmonious than before.
As they talked, time passed quietly. Near the hour of Chen, Yu Zhao and Zhou Jin Yue finally arrived at the square.
“Senior Sister Zhou is here!”
With a shout, all eyes turned toward the square’s entrance.
Two figures walked side by side into view, drawing gasps from the crowd.
“Is that… Yu Zhao?!”
“Has Junior Sister Yu grown up, or is it just me? She looks like a completely different person!”
“Did you notice? Standing next to Senior Sister Zhou, Yu Zhao’s presence isn’t overshadowed at all. Three years of seclusion, and she’s changed so much!”
Everyone was astonished by the transformation in Yu Zhao.
Strictly speaking, Yu Zhao was as well-known in the Five Elements Dao Sect as Zhou Jin Yue, albeit for entirely different reasons—one was infamous, the other renowned. But today’s sight overturned their impressions. Yu Zhao seemed reborn, exuding an aura of untouchable elegance.
Extraordinary! Truly extraordinary!
Fang Cheng Lang stared blankly at the girl so different from his memories, an inexplicable fear rising in his heart. She felt both familiar and foreign, making him question whether his memories of Little Six were illusions. Had they ever been close?
“You’re here too? Must you oppose our Little Junior Sister to feel satisfied? Let me make this clear—I won’t protect you, and neither will Senior Brother Fang. If you get hurt, you’ll have only yourself to blame.”
The sight of Yu Zhao ignited a smoldering anger in Lan Zi Yu, and he wasted no time unleashing a string of sarcastic remarks.
Ye Cong Xin pressed her lips together, ready to fan the flames further, but Yu Zhao’s cold voice cut through the tension.
“Don’t worry, Second Senior Brother. I won’t trouble you this time. Just focus on protecting Little Junior Sister. Her safety is far more important than mine.”
Lan Zi Yu froze, unprepared for such a response. After a moment, he grudgingly replied, “Hmph, at least you’re sensible.”
“You…” Zhou Jin Yue nearly exploded with rage.
What kind of nonsense was this? Little Junior Sister was a treasure while Yu Zhao was grass?
What garbage logic!
Yu Zhao gently held Zhou Jin Yue back, shaking her head to calm her down. After Zhou Jin Yue composed herself, Yu Zhao greeted Fang Cheng Lang and Ye Cong Xin politely.
“Senior Brother, Little Junior Sister.”
Her courtesy was flawless, yet distant.
Fang Cheng Lang wanted to speak but hesitated in front of the crowd, forcing a stiff smile instead.
Zhou Jin Yue soon counted the attendees and, seeing that everyone had arrived, spoke in a loud, clear voice:
“Fellow disciples, I will lead this journey to Dragon Roar Valley, with Senior Brother Fang Cheng Lang as my deputy.
Our goal is to train, with the capture of the Seven-Colored Deer as a secondary objective. Above all, prioritize your safety. As leader, I will do my utmost to protect everyone…”
Her voice, though not delicate like her appearance, carried a resolute strength.
Listening to her, Yu Zhao’s eyes stung. Zhou Jin Yue’s actions had always proven her words true. Even in her final moments, she had delayed the Scarlet Flame Lion to allow her teammates to escape.
From Zhou Jin Yue, Yu Zhao drew an unparalleled sense of security.
“…Finally, I must emphasize that during this mission, all actions will be under my command. Unauthorized moves or harming fellow disciples will result in punishment according to sect rules!”
Ye Cong Xin clenched her teeth. Zhou Jin Yue’s last statement felt pointed, especially since her gaze seemed to land directly on Ye Cong Xin.
Zhou Jin Yue and Yu Zhao were clearly on the same side!