With a heart full of trepidation, Chen Xiaoyu finally arrived at the entrance to Eden Garden.
Many disciples who came to Eden Garden to buy Spiritual Beasts couldn’t help but look at Chen Xiaoyu, who stood at the entrance. Her delicate features, coupled with her stern temperament, made them wonder if this Female Cultivator was here for revenge.
About a quarter of an hour later, a male disciple who considered himself to have both good looks and a strong background approached her to start a conversation.
"Junior Sister, I am He Zhi. May I have the honor of knowing your name?" He Zhi introduced himself in a flamboyant manner, holding a folding fan.
Chen Xiaoyu looked at him with disgust and, making up her mind, headed into the courtyard.
Even though Chen Xiaoyu ignored him, He Zhi still wanted to make another effort. A Female Cultivator as fresh and refined as her is rare, and she even possesses Divinity Transformation Cultivation. Her talents are evident at a glance; she and I are a perfect match!
"Junior Sister, are you planning to buy a Spiritual Beast? I’m not exceptionally wealthy, but I do have some assets. I’ve bought quite a few Spiritual Beasts here in Eden Garden. If you’re looking to buy one, Junior Sister, I suggest the Fire Flood Dragon. Although the Fire Flood Dragons here have some quirks, their combat power is quite impressive—not much less than the Sect-raised Flood Dragons. Here, you only need Spirit Stones to buy them."
"If you don’t have enough Spirit Stones, Junior Sister, I can offer some support." With this trump card, the Female Cultivator before me will surely fall into my arms, He Zhi thought. To his surprise, Chen Xiaoyu didn’t even acknowledge him.
Anger surged within him. He Zhi was about to teach the unappreciative Female Cultivator a lesson, but realizing they were at the registration desk, he couldn’t cause a scene. He just glowered at Chen Xiaoyu, his expression dark.
"Senior Sister, may I help you with anything?" Chen Tingting asked, glancing at Chen Xiaoyu in a businesslike tone.
Chen Xiaoyu shook her head. "I’m looking for someone. Is Chen Jiuge here?"
"Why are you looking for the boss? What’s your relationship with him?" Chen Tingting frowned.
"Boss?" Chen Xiaoyu was a bit confused by this title. But from this Junior Sister’s words, my big brother is indeed here, she thought. "I’m his sister, his biological sister. My name is Chen Xiaoyu. You can go and ask him."
Chen Tingting furrowed her brow. It’s better to ask him directly. Chen Jiuge was usually practicing Body Refinement at this time and generally didn’t carry a Communication Stone, so she summoned a Golden Iron Back Ape that served as a guard.
She whispered a few instructions into its ear.
Then she said to Chen Xiaoyu, "Please wait a moment. If you truly are the boss’s sister, he’ll come over soon."
Upon hearing this, He Zhi sneered, "Senior Brother Chen is a Direct Disciple of a Heavenly Immortal Elder. You, a mere ordinary disciple, shouldn’t be trying to claim connections recklessly."
Chen Xiaoyu gave He Zhi a cold look. "Annoying fly."
"You!" He Zhi’s face turned red with anger. This Female Cultivator couldn’t possibly be Chen Jiuge’s sister, he thought, then sneered maliciously. She must be throwing herself at Senior Brother Chen and has now come knocking. I want to see how you’re going to end up!
While practicing Body Refinement in Gravel Forest, Chen Jiuge suddenly saw a Golden Iron Back Ape sprinting straight towards him. Curious, he stopped what he was doing. "What’s the matter?"
"You’re saying a Female Cultivator claiming to be my sister has come? Named Chen Xiaoyu?"
"Drive her out? Nonsense, she really is my sister." Chen Jiuge patted the monkey’s head and smiled faintly.
When he reached the registration desk and saw the girl standing there, graceful as a jade sculpture, Chen Jiuge immediately recognized her as his sister. However, the stern aura she exuded indicated that she had suffered greatly in the Secret Realm of the Desolate World.
Seeing that the Female Cultivator truly seemed to be Chen Jiuge’s sister, He Zhi quietly slipped away. He didn’t realize Chen Tingting had secretly noted him. He Zhi... just bought a Spiritual Beast... and was bad-mouthing the boss’s sister. Looks like I can’t sell Spiritual Beasts to him anymore.
The siblings embraced tightly. Looking at his little sister, her eyes brimming with tears, Chen Jiuge sighed. "It’s my fault, Little Sister. I couldn’t make it to the Desolate World to find you."
"Big Brother, it’s a good thing you didn’t come. If I was fine and you had an accident, that would have been terrible," Chen Xiaoyu said, relieved.
"Alright, let’s go to my cave mansion. You can tell me properly what happened. It was supposed to be a simple Secret Realm, but you were trapped for over a hundred years. You have no idea how heartbroken Mom and Dad are every time they mention you."
After brewing Chen Xiaoyu a cup of Spiritual Tea, Chen Jiuge asked curiously, "Now, tell me, what exactly happened?"
Chen Xiaoyu took an awkward sip of Spiritual Tea. "There are restrictions, so I can’t say too much. I can only reveal a little."
"Restrictions? It seems this incident was quite serious then. A little is fine."
"The main thing is that the Secret Realm suddenly allowed us to advance our Realm. Then, midway through, many people who weren’t from the Heavenly Realm appeared—supposedly from the Demon Clan. Finally, a Golden Immortal Level Spiritual Beast suddenly awakened at the heart of the Secret Realm. That’s roughly what happened. I can’t give more details." Chen Xiaoyu simply described the dangers she had encountered.
Chen Jiuge’s mouth twitched. "Wow, your adventure in the Secret Realm was so tumultuous! That one trip was more thrilling than anything I’ve ever experienced."
"From now on, don’t take any more risks. I have more than enough to support your Cultivation," Chen Jiuge declared proudly.
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaoyu smiled joyfully and shared some good news. "You don’t need to, Big Brother. I’ve already been accepted as a Direct Disciple by the Golden Immortal Elder who led our group. My mentor will provide my resources."
"What did you say?" Chen Jiuge rose stiffly from his seat.
"I said, I’ve been accepted as a Direct Disciple by a Golden Immortal Elder!" Chen Xiaoyu repeated loudly.
Chen Jiuge looked at his little sister with a complex expression. Could it be that Little Sister is the fated child?
"What’s the name of the Elder you’ve taken as your mentor?"
"The Seventh Elder of the Main Hall, Luo Shuitian," Chen Xiaoyu replied without hesitation.
"Good. That little brat from back then has grown up too. I don’t have much to give you, but when you’re bored, come visit me. I may not have much else, but I do have plenty of Spiritual Beasts."
Having been parted for a hundred years, the siblings had much to talk about. Eventually, they contacted their parents, and the family of four shared a heartfelt conversation.
After ending the communication, Chen Jiuge said earnestly, "Xiaoyu, don’t take risks in the future. Safety is most important; our family should stay together."
"I understand, Big Brother. It wasn’t my fault this time—I was very cautious in the Secret Realm," Chen Xiaoyu protested.
"That’s good." However, he didn’t know that Chen Xiaoyu’s idea of "being cautious" was to eliminate all her enemies. As long as no one saw her, she considered herself safe.
Only when the sun began to set did Chen Xiaoyu realize the entire afternoon had passed. She hurriedly said, "Big Brother, my mentor is still waiting for me. I should go back now. I’ll visit again in a few days."
"Alright, hurry then. Don’t keep your mentor waiting. You should have handled things with your mentor before coming over. I’ll always be here," Chen Jiuge said, flustered. My little sister is really too much, keeping a Golden Immortal waiting!