The Guiding Jade Steps

It was not only Qin Ximo who needed to meditate.

The two guardian protectors had also just gone through a battle that consumed a great deal of energy.

However, unlike Qin Ximo who relied on pills to restore herself, the Hehuan Sect had their own method of recovery—faster, though also more indulgent.

The Right Protector, usually with a cold and composed demeanor, at this moment appeared relaxed.

Her outer robes were loosened slightly, exposing her shoulders and collarbone so her skin could breathe.

Several Hehuan Sect female disciples were drawn toward her, approaching of their own accord.

The Right Protector made no attempt to refuse them.

She accepted their closeness calmly, allowing them to lean against her, share warmth, or exchange gentle contact.

The disciples acted according to their habits:
Some offered supportive embraces.

Some held her hand or leaned against her shoulder.

Others simply rested beside her for comfort.

Even those who came later and had no place closer to her simply sat near her feet, quietly assisting her circulation of spiritual energy.

The Hehuan Sect’s dual cultivation emphasized mutual openness and trust.

Even if practitioners already knew each other well, physical proximity helped increase the effectiveness of recovery.

The closer the contact, the better the result.

Truly, it was characteristic of the Hehuan Sect.

On the other side, the Left Protector was one of the few men in the sect.

He was not originally from the Hehuan Sect, but a guest cultivator.

He was not skilled in their dual cultivation techniques, so he simply restored himself using pills.

Cao Xueyan stood to the side, looking elsewhere.

Scenes like this were not new to her.

She had seen many such occasions back in the Zuixian Tower.

Lu Qingyun often needed attendants during cultivation, sometimes multiple at once, even performing openly.

Even so, Cao Xueyan had never grown accustomed to such group intimacy.

“I see now why Qin Ximo has taken a liking to you.”

Lu Qingyun leaned close, speaking softly.
Her breath carried the faint fragrance of her spiritual constitution, making Cao Xueyan feel slightly light-headed.

“Holy Maiden…” Cao Xueyan whispered.

“Cultivation is difficult and exhausting, especially at higher realms,” Lu Qingyun said.

“Don’t be fooled by how dignified these cultivators appear.
Their remaining lifespans are often uncertain.
So they become anxious, desperate, always searching for breakthroughs.
And in the end, many achieve nothing.”

“Look at Qin Ximo.
Cold, distant, seemingly without emotion.
But if you could see inside her heart, perhaps you would find a void that nothing can fill.
Someone like you—young, inexperienced, pure—such people are exactly the kind who affect her the most.
Do you understand?”

Cao Xueyan fell silent.

Because she remembered her master, Xiao Menglan.

She remembered nights of desperation.

She remembered moments of sincerity afterward.

Cultivation… cultivation…

What was it ultimately for?

Cao Xueyan sought longevity.

A life free from sickness and the fear of death.

She would not let even the heavens dictate her fate.

Lu Qingyun noticed the look on her face and laughed lightly.

“You’ve begun to think too deeply, like scholars in the mortal world?”

Cao Xueyan protested quietly.
“Yue’er has not.”

“Really?”
Lu Qingyun gently pressed her fingertips against Cao Xueyan’s cheek.

“You are my personal attendant.
There is no need to think so much.
As long as you remain by my side, I will provide you with everything you need.
The Hehuan Sect does not advocate indulgence for its own sake.
We simply believe that life is short—and one should seize joy while one can.”

“Distorted reasoning.”
A calm voice cut in.

Qin Ximo had already finished her meditation.

She stood nearby, sword in her arms, expression unreadable.

“If Qin Fairy has insights to share, perhaps wait until we leave this place,” Lu Qingyun said, smiling lightly.

Qin Ximo did not respond to the provocation.

She spoke directly:
“Along the way, I have seen no orthodox inheritance.
Only various crooked techniques.
The method to break through to Nascent Soul—where is it?”

“Why so impatient?”
Lu Qingyun said with a soft laugh.

“All the halls we passed belonged to servants.
It is like your Qingyun Sword Sect—would the sect master hide treasures in the outer disciples’ quarters?”

“…Naturally not,” Qin Ximo admitted.

“Exactly.
The true inheritance lies upon the Celestial Mountain,” Lu Qingyun said.
“The cave-heaven’s master and disciples resided there.”

She called to the disciples.
“Enough. Prepare to move.”

The disciples stepped back.

The Right Protector stood and redressed herself.

A charm dispelled the traces left on her robe.

“We will pass through the dojo ahead and reach the main hall,” Lu Qingyun said.

“There may still be danger.
So we will rely on Qin Fairy’s protection.”

“And as for the path to the heavens—only I can open it.”

Qin Ximo ignored the hint of threat.

She extended a hand toward Lu Qingyun.

“Let her come.”

Lu Qingyun’s smile stiffened again.

But she endured.

“Yue’er. Go.”

Cao Xueyan walked over.

She paused halfway and looked back with apparent reluctance—performed with perfect skill.

Lu Qingyun nearly choked on her own frustration.

This humiliation… she would remember it.

Qin Ximo.

Once we reach the Celestial Mountain, I will make you pay.

They crossed the dojo quickly.

It was vast, with thousands of meditation seats, but no danger.

Before long, they arrived at the main hall.

The massive doors were slightly open.

Qin Ximo pushed them fully aside with spiritual force.

Inside, the most striking feature was the jade staircase in the center of the hall.

However, the steps looked dim and inert, ending abruptly at the ceiling.

Lu Qingyun stepped forward and bowed deeply.

“This disciple, Lu Qingyun, greets the ancestors.
We have come to seek the inheritance.
I ask the spirits of the founders to open the path and guide us to the Celestial Mountain.”

The hall responded.

Ancient patterns on the jade lit up.

The stone regained clarity and luster.

A gentle mist rose along the steps.

The upper end of the staircase was no longer a ceiling—
But a sea of clouds.

And beyond it, jade steps extending upward into the unseen.

A beam of divine light fell, illuminating the staircase.

As if inviting them to ascend.

Lu Qingyun stood and turned to Qin Ximo.

“Qin Fairy. Please.”

Qin Ximo stepped forward.