"My true self, I know you're the middle corpse," Chen Huaian thought to himself - just as expected.
Dan Yun had been right after all.
This girl was money-obsessed, grew stronger by consuming wealth, and looked exactly like Real Person Jade Compassion - what else could she be but the middle corpse?
The girl widened her eyes and placed her hands on her hips. "I never admitted it! How did you figure it out before I confessed? I didn't even know myself until I stopped advancing at the Great Ascension Stage!"
"It was rather obvious," Chen Huaian shrugged. "How many beings in the entire Cangyun Realm consume spirit stones like you do? And since you're not from the demon race, that narrows it down considerably."
"I see." The girl nodded, then smiled mischievously. "Don't worry, I don't need to eat any more spirit stones or jade now. I've reached my limit."
Chen Huaian genuinely sighed in relief at these words.
His greatest fear had been that Jade Compassion's middle corpse would develop an even greater appetite after reaching Great Ascension Perfection. At that point, not even four high-grade spirit veins would suffice - they might have to sacrifice the Celestial Jade Marrow too.
"So... what are your plans now?" Chen Huaian inquired.
The girl stroked her chin thoughtfully before answering, "I'll stay at your Moon Shadow Sect for now. I've already discovered the origin of your high-grade spirit veins." She gave Chen Huaian a teasing look. "Impressive work stealing the demon race's spirit veins! Quite bold!"
Chen Huaian chuckled awkwardly.
When purchasing the spirit veins, he hadn't known they belonged to the demon race.
Though... even if he had known, he still would have bought them.
"Since you stole the demon race's spirit veins and I've consumed them, they certainly won't let this slide. I'll stay at the Moon Shadow Sect to protect you for a while."
Overjoyed by this declaration, Chen Huaian immediately bowed.
With Jade Compassion's middle corpse offering protection, he could worry less about the Cangyun Realm situation.
After all, he'd already made a military pledge to Hua Jin regarding Earth Star and would soon be joining Wang Shouyi to quell the beast uprising. During that period, he might not have time to monitor events in the Cangyun Realm.
Though this girl was Jade Compassion's middle corpse, she wasn't actually Jade Compassion herself. Therefore, her connections to Real Person Yuyao and the Jade Pool Holy Land could be disregarded. Moreover, she appeared as a friendly green dot on the map - another reason for Chen Huaian's confidence.
Chen Huaian returned to the Moon Shadow Sect with Jade Compassion's middle corpse.
At the sect entrance, Li Qingran and others had been anxiously awaiting his return. Their faces lit up with relief seeing him unharmed.
"I knew our Ancestor would be fine!" Zhang Mengchu unclenched his fists with an audible exhale.
"Indeed, we worried unnecessarily." Li Ziping shook his head in admiration. "For the Ancestor's first Great Ascension tribulation to be so terrifying shows his talent is heaven-defying. Yet he survived unscathed... This guarantees at least a century of peace!" For original chapters go to noⅴelfire.net
Li Ziping calculated that the second tribulation shouldn't occur for another hundred years or so. A century could change everything - by then, the Moon Shadow Sect would undoubtedly be the Cangyun Realm's premier sect. Moreover, the Ancestor would have ample time to prepare for his second tribulation, un rushed occasion.
Disciples like Zhaole and Xu An crowded around, their eyes filled with reverence and joy. Having witnessed the terrifying heavenly tribulation firsthand, their respect for their Ancestor had deepened immeasurably.
"Ancestor's might is peerless!"
"With our Ancestor's protection, our sect's rise is inevitable!"
"Exactly! Not even a million demons and five demon saints could threaten our Ancestor!"
The excited chatter continued until Li Qingran, standing at the forefront with reddened eyes and bitten lips, could no longer contain herself. As Chen Huaian's direct disciple, Dao Companion, and sect leader, her inner torment during the ordeal had been unimaginable. Seeing her master return safely, she rushed forward and embraced him tightly.
"Master... You're safe... You're really safe..." Her voice trembled slightly, revealing the immense stress she'd endured.
Chen Huaian gently patted her back. "Don't worry. With all of you and the sect counting on me, how could anything happen?"
The disciples, unaware of Li Qingran and Chen Huaian's Dao Companion relationship, stared in shock at their sect leader's emotional display. Though they tried interpreting the embrace as merely between master and disciple, Li Qingran's tearful reluctance to let go made the situation seem... unusual.
"Eh? Sect Leader is..."
"Shh! Don't speculate!"
Zhaole quietly pulled aside her fellow disciples. "You don't understand. The sect leader's devotion to our Ancestor is that of a disciple's profound respect and dependence. After witnessing such a dangerous tribulation, her emotional reaction is completely normal."
Someone as noble as their Ancestor would never take advantage of a disciple! He had dedicated his entire life to the sword path! Zhaole firmly believed this.
Xu An flicked open his folding fan in agreement. "Exactly! Didn't you see how pale the sect leader turned earlier? Our Ancestor is both her master and our sect's hope. What's wrong with a hug? What's wrong with that?!"
Only Yue Qianchi and Mo Shumei exchanged knowing glances amidst the crowd.
Zhang Mengchu observed the nearly inseparable pair with narrowed eyes. As someone who'd lived for millennia, he recognized the signs immediately. Li Qingran's gaze toward Chen Huaian had always been questionable, and now the Ancestor was returning the same look!
"But this isn't our concern," Zhang Mengchu muttered to himself. If Li Qingran didn't mind that their Ancestor might be a ten-thousand-year-old relic, why should they interfere?
Li Ziping, equally perceptive, tactfully cleared his throat and waved at the surrounding disciples. "Alright everyone, disperse now. Let our Ancestor rest. Today's successful tribulation calls for grand celebrations! Elder Su! Elder Su!?"
Noticing Su Qinian's dazed state, he discreetly pinched the elder's backside and hissed, "Aren't you going to organize the banquet?"
Finally snapping to attention (though still stealing glances at the embracing pair), Su Qinian led the disciples away. Zhang Mengchu and Li Ziping likewise made themselves scarce, neither wanting to overstay their welcome.
"Ah, traveling really tires me out. Nothing compares to the comfort of my spirit stone mines." Jade Compassion's middle corpse yawned and stretched before giving Chen Huaian and Li Qingran a suggestive look. With a flicker, she vanished from sight.
Thus, only Li Qingran, Chen Huaian, and one tactless monkey remained at the Moon Shadow Sect's grand entrance.