A Master’s Intentions and a Disciple’s Duty

Seven days later.

Tonight, under a canopy of stars, two figures traversed the flagstone path winding through the mountains, the bright moonlight cascading over them and casting long, elongated shadows in their wake.

These two were none other than Qin Yan and Yu Qingxuan.

Qin Yan gazed at the flagstones beneath his feet, walking at a measured pace, for ever since the last competition, he had sequestered himself within his quiet chamber, dedicating himself to solidifying his cultivation.

Upon emerging from his retreat, his senior sister stood, as always, by the chamber’s entrance.

To advance his cultivation further would mean reaching Core Formation; as this thought crossed his mind, Qin Yan slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, realizing it was still best to calm his heart and thoroughly stabilize his foundation.

“Junior brother, that person ahead…?”

Just then, Yu Qingxuan’s voice reached Qin Yan’s ears.

He lifted his gaze to behold a figure clad in white Daoist robes, walking leisurely ahead of them; though their face remained obscured, Qin Yan’s heart offered a conjecture based on their silhouette.

“It’s Master.”

Qin Yan spoke, and together with his senior sister, he quickened their pace.

When the two reached the figure in white Daoist robes, it was, as expected, Qin Nianci, and observing her two disciples approaching, she too halted her steps.

“Master!”

Together, they bowed in deference to Qin Nianci.

“Good.”

Qin Nianci nodded, then resumed her walk forward, with Qin Yan and Yu Qingxuan following beside her, the trio slowly ascending towards the summit of First Peak.

Halfway up, the vista before them broadened considerably; perched on the mountainside, they beheld a breathtaking landscape of undulating peaks and valleys, especially captivating under the moon’s luminous glow.

At this point, Qin Nianci paused, and naturally, Qin Yan and Yu Qingxuan did the same.

They watched their Master, who seemed to be gazing intently at the scenery before them; Yu Qingxuan glanced at Qin Yan beside her, and he returned her look, yet neither uttered a word.

“In ancient times, humanity, guided by a goddess, first appeared upon this land,” Qin Nianci began. “Thousands of years ago, a mighty human cultivator, unable to bear the sight of humanity suffering under the oppression of the demon race any longer, led our people to this Northern Realm…”

Qin Yan and Yu Qingxuan listened to their Master’s words, stories of the ancient past with which, having grown up in this world, they were naturally not unfamiliar.

“Master! Now that our human race flourishes, we naturally no longer suffer the bullying of the demon race!”

Yu Qingxuan spoke, clasping her fists in a respectful gesture.

“Indeed, we no longer suffer the bullying of the demon race,” Qin Nianci replied, her voice tinged with a faint melancholy. “Yet, seeing that conflict is about to erupt in this Northern Realm, I wonder how many innocent commoners will face calamity then.”

Yu Qingxuan found herself a little embarrassed by these words, and she fell silent, unsure if her Master was perhaps settling a score from earlier, when she hadn’t recognized her.

“When prosperous, the common folk suffer; when ruined, the common folk suffer.”

Hearing this, Qin Yan couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

Qin Nianci’s expression deepened into contemplation upon hearing his words; after a moment, she spoke: “Yan’er is right; whether in prosperity or ruin, the common folk suffer. In ancient times, the first cultivators emerged among humanity, originally to protect our race from the arbitrary slaughter of foreign tribes. Yet, as years passed and circumstances changed, such cultivators grew increasingly rare, with everyone seeking transcendence and the Grand Dao for themselves.”

“Master’s teachings are profound.”

Qin Yan pondered for a moment before responding.

His Master had imparted these words to them, to ensure that as cultivators, they would never forget their responsibilities and duties.

Qin Yan had also delved into the history of this world, for the Yanqing Sect, being a prominent establishment, possessed a wealth of books that offered a shortcut to understanding this realm.

The human race began in obscurity, slaughtered like pigs and dogs by foreign tribes, only to slowly develop thereafter.

Initially, witnessing these historical accounts left half of Qin Yan’s heart numb; this world was simply too perilous, for sometimes enmity arose not from specific events, but merely from one’s identity.

Nevertheless, this only solidified Qin Yan’s resolve to cultivate diligently.

“Recently, I heard that a certain area has been plagued by demons committing evil deeds, Yan’er,” Qin Nianci inquired, her gaze fixed on him. “Do you have the confidence to eradicate these demons?”

“Demons?!”

Yu Qingxuan’s face drained of color upon hearing this. “Master, demons are not to be trifled with! Setting aside their innate divine abilities, their impenetrable feathered scales alone are enough to give anyone a hard time.”

Having spoken, she quickly added: “Master, why not let me go instead!”

Qin Nianci offered no reply to Yu Qingxuan’s words; instead, she looked at Qin Yan, seemingly awaiting his decision.

‘So this was Master’s true intention…’

Qin Yan was uncertain whether his Master intended to train him or test him; however, since it was his Master’s idea, and involved demon eradication, he felt there was no issue, both from a personal standpoint and in terms of righteous duty.

“I appreciate Senior Sister Yu’s kind intentions, but as cultivators of our generation, such demon eradication is naturally our bounden duty!”

He declared his resolve.

“‘Bounden duty’ indeed; well said.”

Qin Nianci nodded vigorously upon hearing this, her eyes filled with admiration as she gazed at Qin Yan, then her tone softened slightly: “Yan’er, did you receive the rewards from the last competition?”

“Replying to Master, I’ve been in secluded cultivation these past days, consolidating my cultivation, so I haven’t yet gone to claim the rewards,” Qin Yan replied. “However, with Master present, could the sect possibly renege on its promise?”

Qin Yan replied, subtly flattering Qin Nianci.

“A calm and unhurried disposition is indeed the best method for cultivation,” Qin Nianci remarked, nodding with satisfaction. Then, two items suddenly appeared in her hand. “These two Dharma treasures are named ‘Void’ and ‘Vajra Seal’.”

One, resembling the moonlight itself, emitted a faint luminescence and was about the size of a finger joint; the other was like a round jade pendant, from which a red string was dangling.

Qin Yan understood his Master’s intention; these were Dharma treasures she was bestowing upon him, and he quickly received them with both hands.

“Thank you, Master!”

He replied with a beaming face, for anything personally bestowed by his Master certainly wouldn’t be mere refuse.

“The ‘Void,’ that moonlight-like artifact, is a flying Dharma treasure, capable of propelling you through the ‘Empty Gate’ at extreme speeds, leaving even Core Formation cultivators far behind in its dust. The ‘Vajra Seal,’ on the other hand, can withstand at least one strike from a Nascent Soul cultivator, and can also actively defend against incoming attacks.”

“One of them is a sect reward I chose for you, and the other is my personal encouragement for your performance in the competition.”

Qin Nianci spoke with a smile, gazing at the delighted Qin Yan.

Hearing this, Qin Yan felt a touch of surprise; his spear was an offensive Dharma treasure, and the Luban Lock a control-type one. Now, his Master was gifting him a flying Dharma treasure and a defensive one, clearly indicating thoughtful consideration rather than a haphazard bestowal.

At this realization, a warmth bloomed in Qin Yan’s heart.

“Many thanks, Master!”

He bowed deeply, clasping his hands in a respectful salute.

When he finally lifted his head, he found Qin Nianci’s figure had already vanished from sight. Beside him, Yu Qingxuan gazed at the Dharma treasures in Qin Yan’s hands, her brow furrowed; she felt no favoritism or jealousy towards her Master, but rather a profound sense of anxiety regarding Qin Yan’s upcoming demon eradication mission.

“Junior brother, even with Dharma treasures to protect you, I won’t be by your side, so you must be exceedingly careful!”

She spoke with a face etched with worry.

Hearing her words, Qin Yan suppressed the excitement in his heart; then, a new thought struck him, and he looked at Yu Qingxuan before him, speaking with a touch of hesitation:

“But… Master never said you couldn’t come with me.”

Yu Qingxuan was momentarily stunned, then realized her junior brother’s words were utterly unassailable.