A Master’s Scolding and a Sister’s Scheme

Within the grand hall of the First Peak.

Qin Yan and Yu Qingxuan stood side-by-side, their gazes fixed upon Qin Nianci, who was clad in dark robes before them.

Qin Nianci held the storage ring, having already heard Yu Qingxuan recount the events, though certain details, such as the sudden appearance of a Daughter of the Miao Borderlands, had been glossed over.

She couldn’t help but frown slightly, her thoughts lingering on the moment Yu Qingxuan’s Golden Core Corpse Zombie had manifested.

All of it had been far too perilous, especially with Qin Yan involved.

Fortunately, no harm had come to them, and Yu Qingxuan had handled everything with meticulous care, ensuring no trouble would be brought upon the Yanqing Sect.

Of course, even if trouble were to arise, as the Grand Elder, she harbored no fear for a few local cultivation families.

“Inside lies the lifelong accumulation of a Golden Core cultivator, primarily consisting of techniques for mechanical puppetry.

Take it and deliver it to the Seventh Peak’s Elder.”

Qin Nianci spoke slowly.

“Yes, Master!”

Yu Qingxuan cupped her fists and bowed, accepting the ring from Qin Nianci’s hand.

The Yanqing Sect’s Seventh Peak Elder also cultivated the art of mechanical puppetry, making her the ideal recipient.

Moreover, their Master’s instruction to deliver it to the Seventh Peak Elder was clearly a gesture to allow them to earn a favor.

Otherwise, if it were simply placed into the Sect’s treasure vault, or if their Master had delivered it personally, they would not have gained even the slightest additional benefit.

With these thoughts, Yu Qingxuan felt a warmth spread through her heart; their Master truly treated them exceptionally well.

Thus, she prepared to take her leave with Qin Yan and head towards the Seventh Peak.

“Qingxuan, you may step out first.

I wish to speak with Yan’er alone.”

Qin Nianci suddenly interjected, her gaze resting on Qin Yan as she spoke.

Though Yu Qingxuan felt a flicker of puzzlement, she nonetheless acknowledged with a soft ‘Yes,’ and proceeded to walk out of the grand hall.

Only Qin Yan and Qin Nianci remained within the vast hall.

“Master!”

Qin Yan cupped his fists, addressing the woman before him.

“Mm.”

Qin Nianci nodded slightly, observing Qin Yan, who stood ramrod straight before her.

He had grown considerably taller than her; indeed, the child had truly matured, now reaching the age of rebellion.

‘Is Master upset that I secretly descended the mountain?’

Qin Yan cautiously inquired, his eyes subtly studying Qin Nianci’s expression.

“You have long passed your coming-of-age.

How could I possibly control you?”

Observing Qin Yan’s cautious demeanor, Qin Nianci’s lips curved downwards slightly as she replied.

‘Seeing his Master’s expression, Qin Yan realized she might genuinely be upset, though perhaps not about him secretly descending the mountain, but rather about his failure to inform her.’

“Master, I promise to inform you next time.”

Qin Yan adopted a docile expression, gazing at Qin Nianci.

“Yan’er, come here,” Qin Nianci beckoned, her heart softening at Qin Yan’s appearance.

She had lived her entire life without a Dao companion or offspring.

“If your Senior Sister hadn’t arrived in the nick of time this once, how would you have escaped danger?”

Qin Yan stepped closer, and a gentle hand rested upon his head, only to be withdrawn a moment later.

Qin Nianci had realized she actually needed to stand on her tiptoes, a gesture that surely undermined her Master’s dignity.

‘So, Master had been worried about him encountering danger.’

“I guarantee it won’t happen again, Master.”

Qin Yan declared.

“There’ll be a next time?”

Qin Nianci’s brows furrowed.

Abandoning all courtesy, she reached out and directly pinched Qin Yan’s ear.

Qin Yan winced in pain, instinctively wanting to escape, but Qin Nianci held on firmly.

He could only plead for mercy.

Witnessing his plight, Qin Nianci’s heart softened once more.

“Go now.

Go with your Senior Sister to the Seventh Peak.”

Qin Nianci released her grip, waving her hand at Qin Yan.

“Yes, Master!”

This time, Qin Yan practically leaped away, scrambling frantically towards the grand hall’s exit.

Watching Qin Yan’s retreating back, Qin Nianci nodded subtly.

Now that Qin Yan had grown into an adult, it was time for him to undergo some tempering.

Otherwise, in this cutthroat cultivation world, he would likely struggle even to protect himself.

Let alone decide his own destiny!

****

Yu Qingxuan stood waiting outside the grand hall.

In less than a moment, she saw Qin Yan rush out from the hall.

It wasn’t until he drew near that she noticed her Junior Brother’s right ear was slightly red and swollen.

‘He must have been disciplined by their Master for secretly descending the mountain this time.’

Such matters, of course, were best left unsaid, for everyone valued their dignity.

Thus, Yu Qingxuan cleared her throat softly twice, then extended her hand to Qin Yan and spoke:

“Junior Brother, allow me to take you to the Seventh Peak.”

‘After all, how could a mere flying magic treasure compare to the speed of her flying spell arts as a Golden Core cultivator?’

‘Of course, this was merely a pretense; taking her Junior Brother’s hand under such circumstances would be quite delightful.

It was a pity she couldn’t embrace his waist, but within the sect, with so many eyes, and no danger to serve as an excuse, it was simply not possible.’

“Very well, Senior Sister.

Thank you for the trouble.”

Qin Yan had no objections to this.

He reached out and took Yu Qingxuan’s small hand, finding it soft and remarkably warm.

“Let’s go!”

Yu Qingxuan called out, then, transforming into a streak of light with Qin Yan, she soared towards the Seventh Peak.

Beneath their feet, mountains rose and fell in undulating layers, and in less than a moment, they arrived at the Seventh Peak’s location.

It was night, and the entire Seventh Peak appeared remarkably quiet.

Indeed, it was much the same during the day; the disciples who cultivated the art of mechanical puppetry rarely ventured out, spending their entire days engrossed in crafting puppets and mechanisms.

Along the way, Yu Qingxuan made no attempt to conceal her aura.

Soon, a figure materialized before them.

A woman stood atop a mechanical bird, cupped her fists towards Yu Qingxuan and Qin Yan, and then spoke:

“Might I inquire what important matter brings Senior Sister Yu and Senior Brother Qin to our Seventh Peak?”

As disciples of the Grand Elder, Yu Qingxuan and Qin Yan naturally held the highest seniority among their peers.

“I am here by Master’s command, seeking the Seventh Peak Elder.”

Yu Qingxuan returned the salute, replying.

“Since you come by the Grand Elder’s command, please follow me.”

The woman nodded and proceeded to lead the way.

Soon, the two arrived outside a grand hall.

The woman bid them farewell, whereupon Yu Qingxuan bowed towards the large doors and called out:

“Seventh Elder! Yu Qingxuan, by Master’s command, has an urgent matter to discuss!”

She called out three times in succession, yet no sound emerged from within.

A sense of bewilderment washed over Yu Qingxuan, but she steeled herself and continued to call out a few more times.

“Noise, noise, noise! What is all this racket?!”

Just then, the grand hall’s doors suddenly burst open, and a woman stormed out, her demeanor fierce.

She approached Qin Yan and Yu Qingxuan, glaring up at them, her face contorted with fury.

The woman’s hair and clothes were noticeably disheveled.

At this sudden, indignant challenge, Yu Qingxuan’s face flushed crimson.

Yet, facing an Elder, she maintained her respectful tone and said:

“There’s nothing else.

Master instructed me to deliver this to you.

This is what my Junior Brother and I found in…”

Yu Qingxuan then recounted the previous events, painting them as incredibly perilous.

She even exaggerated the Golden Core Corpse Zombie, claiming it possessed characteristics reminiscent of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

‘Qin Yan understood this was an attempt to inflate the item’s value, ensuring they would receive greater compensation.’

The Seventh Elder listened, her expression somewhat suspicious, as she took the storage ring.

Upon examining its contents, she suddenly became transfixed, remaining motionless for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, as if having entered a deep meditative state.

Qin Yan and Yu Qingxuan couldn’t help but exchange bewildered glances.

“Seventh Elder?”

Yu Qingxuan called out softly.

“Cough, cough.”

The Seventh Elder finally snapped back to reality.

With a flick of her wrist, she put away the storage ring.

“I’ve examined the contents; it certainly holds some profound insights.

Acquiring this item is a great merit for the Sect!”