“Yu… Senior Yu… Yu, can I call you Yu Zhao?”
Yu Zhao sat in place, taking a break.
Mu Ye shuffled closer, hesitating for a while before finally managing to string a complete sentence together.
Yu Zhao nodded.
She had a good impression of Mu Ye.
Even though they were neither family nor friends, Mu Ye was the only one among the five disciples of the Green Wood Sect willing to step forward and help in a dangerous situation. For that alone, Yu Zhao couldn’t bear to treat her coldly.
Mu Ye chuckled and plopped down beside Yu Zhao, speaking bluntly, “I can’t find my people, so I’d like to tag along with your group. Is that okay?”
Mu Ye had already made up her mind about her teammates. She would rather stick with the disciples of the Five Elements Dao Sect than stay with that group of cowards.
Mu Ye nudged her gently with her arm. “You’re so close to your team leader. If you agree, she surely won’t refuse.”
Mu Ye had figured it all out.
In the Five Elements Dao Sect team, Zhou Jin Yue was the backbone, while Yu Zhao was more of a fringe member. The stark difference between their roles didn’t affect their bond; they were the best of friends. Yu Zhao wouldn’t have risked her life to save Zhou Jin Yue otherwise. Convincing Yu Zhao was essentially the same as convincing Zhou Jin Yue.
Yu Zhao thought for a moment. Having an alchemist in the group would certainly enhance their safety. “I’ll talk to Senior Sister Zhou first.”
Mu Ye beamed and nodded enthusiastically. “Go ahead, I’m waiting for your good news.”
Yu Zhao approached Zhou Jin Yue and explained Mu Ye’s request. As expected, Zhou Jin Yue didn’t object, and Mu Ye successfully joined the team as a new member.
Half an hour later.
Zhou Jin Yue walked over to Lan Zi Yu and frowned at Fang Cheng Lang, who was still unconscious. “Junior Brother Fang shows no signs of waking?”
Lan Zi Yu shook his head bitterly.
Zhou Jin Yue sighed. “Junior Brother Fang needs constant care, and you’re already looking after Junior Sister Ye. I’ll have Zhang Jun and the others take turns helping. We’ll move together without leaving anyone behind.”
“Thank you, Senior Sister Zhou.”
The wounds on Lan Zi Yu’s face had started to scab but still looked horribly disfigured. His spirits were low, his eyes clouded with a heavy gloom—a stark contrast to his previously vibrant demeanor.
Zhou Jin Yue shook her head and summoned Zhang Jun and the others to assist with Fang Cheng Lang. The team resumed their journey.
Five Elements Dao Sect.
In the grand Discussion Hall, the Sect Master addressed the gathered elders and peak masters.
“I’ve summoned everyone here because, moments ago, an unidentified entity used their divine sense to probe our sect. Although I managed to repel them, I felt it necessary to inform you all to stay vigilant.”
The announcement startled everyone present. Who would dare to use divine sense to intrude upon the Five Elements Dao Sect? This was an audacious act bordering on provocation.
“Who has the gall to behave so recklessly? Are they tired of living?”
“Clearly a provocation! This is blatant disrespect for our sect!”
“I think otherwise. If they harbored ill intentions, they wouldn’t have been discovered so easily. There might be more to this.”
The room erupted into a flurry of opinions. The Sect Master silently listened until the hall gradually quieted. His eyes narrowed, focusing on Master Qing Yan, who had remained silent throughout. “Master Qing Yan, what’s your take?”
All eyes turned to him.
Master Qing Yan replied flatly, “Trivial scoundrels, not worth mentioning.”
The corners of everyone’s mouths twitched. Master Qing Yan’s confidence was as unyielding as ever.
The Sect Master furrowed his brow, about to respond when a sudden twitch in his left eyelid caught him off guard. He gasped, instinctively pressing his hand to his eye and standing up abruptly. His strange reaction drew concerned questions from the elders.
“Sect Master, did you discover something?”
He shook his head, unable to speak. A sudden and overwhelming sense of dread had washed over him, rendering him momentarily paralyzed.
The Sect Master’s thoughts raced. The sect’s protective formation was active, and all elders were present. The danger couldn’t possibly originate from within. That left only…
His pupils contracted.
It had to be the disciples out on a mission! Zhou Jin Yue’s team! The sweat beaded on his forehead as realization struck. That group included some of the sect’s most talented young members. If anything happened to them…
Without hesitation, the Sect Master dashed out of the hall, ignoring the elders’ calls.
The elders exchanged confused looks. “Is something amiss? Should we follow?”
Before they could decide, the Sect Master reappeared, laughing loudly. “False alarm! It’s all fine now.”
He sank back into his chair, his right eyelid twitching uncontrollably as he beamed with relief.
The elders were baffled. “Sect Master, what just happened?”
“Yeah, if you’re under too much pressure, you should share it with us. We can help.”
“Please, don’t overwork yourself.”
Their words only made the Sect Master laugh harder. He waved them off, unwilling to explain. How could he? The dread had vanished the moment he’d decided to leave the sect, replaced by a feeling of joyous anticipation. Whatever the crisis had been, it was over, and something good had happened instead.
He resolved to question Zhou Jin Yue’s team thoroughly upon their return. The entire ordeal had been nerve-wracking. Too thrilling, even for him!
With the Sect Master back to normal, the discussion returned to the mysterious divine sense. After much deliberation, they agreed to wait and observe. If the intruder had no malicious intent, a warning sufficed. However, if the offense persisted, the Five Elements Dao Sect would not tolerate any further provocations, prioritizing both their security and reputation.
Just as the Sect Master adjourned the meeting, Master Qing Yan vanished from the hall.
Everyone’s lips twitched in exasperation.
Oh, you never change.