A New Beginning and Gathering Storms

The affairs within the Yan family had, for the moment, drawn to a close.

They were due to return to the Yunhua Sect the following day.

Around eleven or twelve at night, Yan Long, an apprehensive expression on her face, made another visit to Su Muyu’s residence.

Given the turn of events, it was only natural that Yan Long and Su Muyu needed to have a thorough discussion.

“You’re here? Are you feeling alright?” Su Muyu asked, her voice weak as she sat in the living room, watching Yan Long enter.

Yan Long appeared somewhat awkward.

“I apologize; I never anticipated such a thing would happen. However, Little Seven, if you do not despise me in my current state, I—I can entrust my entire latter half of life to you,” Yan Long quickly declared.

Su Muyu gazed at her husband, whose appearance had completely transformed, her heart a tangled mess of emotions.

“You’ll entrust your entire latter half of life to me, but what about First Madam and the others? Will you simply abandon them?” Su Muyu countered.

Yan Long seemed to have already considered this, and perhaps after being resurrected and undergoing a gender change, many previously vexing issues no longer troubled her.

“Perhaps this is Heaven’s punishment for my neglect of you and Yun’er for the past decade or so. The children have all grown up, and for the past few decades, I believe I have done right by the madams.”

“Now, I can no longer openly appear in the Yan family, so this can also be seen as an opportunity to break free,” Yan Long said with a faint smile.

These words, upon reaching Su Muyu’s ears, were undoubtedly gratifying; what woman would wish to share a man with others?

“Easy for you to say. I think you’re just taking me for a fool. You’ve become a woman; do you truly believe I could fall for someone of the same s*x? I’m not Yun’er, after all,” Su Muyu stated, her arms crossed and a displeased look on her face.

Yet, Yan Long seemed determined to cling to Su Muyu.

“It’s fine. If we can’t be husband and wife, we can be sisters. I’ve already decided to formally acknowledge Fairy Yunshuang as my master under my new identity, so we’ll be fellow sect sisters from now on,” Yan Long declared solemnly.

“Ugh… how cheesy. I never realized you were so thick-skinned before,” Su Muyu exclaimed, goosebumps rising on her skin.

“Regardless, my entire latter half of life is entrusted to you. Just consider it me clinging to you,” Yan Long chuckled.

However, Su Muyu did not immediately agree.

“Hmph! That will depend on your future conduct. If you don’t perform well, I can break up with you at any time. After all, you’re a woman now, and the concept of the husband being the head of the household in my heart has vanished,” Su Muyu said with a hint of haughtiness.

But these words filled Yan Long with immense confidence.

“Little Seven, thank you for this opportunity. I will strive tirelessly to earn your approval,” Yan Long quickly promised.

Su Muyu immediately sighed.

“Have you decided on your new identity and name? Have all the necessary instructions been given?” Su Muyu inquired.

“Of course, I’ve already decided. From now on, I’ll be called Yan Huang, nominally Yun’er’s aunt,” Yan Long replied.

And so, the two reached an agreement.

****

Early the next morning, a group of people gathered in the courtyard.

First Madam and Yan Hui, in particular, gazed at Yan Huang, who was dressed in younger attire, their faces filled with sorrow.

“Father, are you—are you truly leaving like this? Will you ever return?” Yan Kun and the others asked, their voices heavy with grief.

“What a thing to say. If the family ever faces trouble, we will certainly return. As for you, now that I’m gone, you must listen carefully to your grandfather and mother,” Yan Huang instructed.

“Husband, rest assured, we will safeguard the family for you,” First Madam and the others promptly vowed.

Yan Huang nodded, and then a force bound them, lifting them gently into the air.

“Third Sister, I entrust Father to your care!” Yan Kun shouted urgently to Yan Yun.

Yan Yun immediately gave Yan Kun a huge eye-roll.

“As if I need you to tell me! You speak as if he isn’t my father.”

With that, the members of the Yunhua Sect, led by Yunxia’s power, vanished into the horizon with a whoosh.

****

After the events concluded yesterday, Yunshuang had returned to the Yunhua Sect ahead of schedule. Upon her return, she immediately made a trip to the Immortal Alliance headquarters.

Although the Immortal Alliance was inherently controlled by its core member sects like theirs, such a significant incident required the Yunhua Sect to provide an explanation to all major members of the Immortal Alliance.

The most pressing issue requiring explanation was, naturally, the matter concerning Yan Yun.

Inside the Immortal Alliance headquarters, a group of cultivators sat in the conference hall.

Shangguan Jinyang spoke on behalf of the Immortal Alliance.

“Sect Master Yunshuang, regarding Yan Yun, the Heavenly Poison Maiden, and the Heavenly Poison Sutra, we require an explanation from you.”

“Indeed,” another chimed in. “Let’s not even mention your Yunhua Sect’s propagation of poison cultivation techniques for the sake of the Heavenly Poison Maiden, which has led to many people in our country cultivating the Heavenly Poison Sutra. Was there some conspiracy behind this, for instance, are there issues with this poison cultivation technique? The Yunhua Sect must provide us with a satisfactory answer,” Qingxuanzi stated in a deep voice.

Soon, the leaders of other major sects also voiced their opinions, unanimously demanding that the Yunhua Sect provide assurances to all sects, guaranteeing that the poison cultivation technique would pose no problems and that Yan Yun would not harm the cultivation world.

However, Yunshuang was currently unable to provide such a guarantee, as she was still uncertain of Yan Yun’s intentions. Nevertheless, she could certainly guarantee that Yan Yun would not harm the cultivation world.

The demands from the other major sects would require time to verify.

These sects had fundamentally declared that if Yan Yun were to exploit the issue of the poison cultivation technique to engage in unsavory activities, they would unite and exert their full strength to exterminate her.

This was an open and undeniable threat.

****

Turning back to Yan Yun and the others who had returned to the Yunhua Sect, after exchanging greetings with Su Muyu and Yan Huang, Yan Yun led Wen Meng and a few others back to the Purple Abyss Pavilion.

However, at the entrance, they encountered members of the Lin family.

The Lin family members were fixating on Yan Yun with gazes that seemed ready to devour her.

“Yan Yun, I never would have thought you were hiding in the Yunhua Sect! You killed my brother, my uncle, and my paternal uncle. Do you truly believe this matter will simply end here?” Lin Zi angrily questioned Yan Yun.

Yan Yun merely snorted, not even sparing her a glance.

“The Lin family brought this upon yourselves; you are beyond saving. If you wish for revenge, I welcome it at any time, but do not blame me if you die. Since my identity has been revealed, I will show no mercy to any of you from the Lin family.”

Lin Zi and the others’ eyes blazed with fury, yet they were powerless against Yan Yun.

“We’ll see about that,” the Lin family members declared, leaving those words behind as they turned and departed.

Just as they entered the gate, Xie Yuyan rushed over.

“Third Sister, are you—are you alright? I heard that over in Qifeng City, more than a dozen Divine Venerables appeared, intending to kill you. Your elder sister was worried sick!”

Upon seeing Xie Yuyan, Yan Yun let out a soft chuckle.

“Haven’t I returned safe and sound? Don’t worry, nothing will happen.”

As they entered the Purple Abyss Pavilion, its disciples immediately gathered.

“Pavilion Master, you’re back! Are you truly that Yan Yun?” someone immediately stepped forward to ask.

This was a matter of concern for many.

Yan Yun sighed, looking at their confused expressions.

“Yes, I am.”

Upon receiving confirmation, everyone’s expressions were filled with utter astonishment.

“Then, what exactly happened to you? You were supposed to be a man, weren’t you?” someone inquired.

Yan Yun saw no need to conceal it any longer.

“Cultivating the poison cultivation technique resulted in side effects, changing me from male to female.”

This revelation startled everyone.

“What? This—side effects can even change one’s gender? Then, my luck is quite good, after all.”

Along the way, Wen Meng and the others had already asked countless questions, and Yan Yun had answered all that she could, including the issues concerning the poison cultivation technique.

Yan Yun even informed them about the backdoor in the poison cultivation technique.

The reason she could speak of it now was that, as the propagator of this poison cultivation technique and the inheritor of the Heavenly Poison Maiden’s legacy, she was arguably the most comprehensive master of the technique currently. Knowing the backdoor weaknesses of the poison cultivation technique was, in fact, quite normal.

Had it been them, possessing such ability, they would likely have also left weaknesses in the poison cultivation technique to prevent others from using it against them.

However, Yan Yun also assured them that as long as they did not become her enemies, she could share the truly complete Poison Sutra for them to cultivate, and even the so-called backdoor would never affect them throughout their lives.

These individuals were originally mortals; being able to cultivate immortals was already enough, and they did not dare to ask for too much. Their attitude towards Yan Yun was, above all, one of gratitude.

****

Meanwhile, Lin Mo remained at her residence, still pondering the issues with the poison cultivation technique. She had already learned of everything that transpired in Qifeng City.

Yet, she seemed utterly unconcerned.

“Hahahaha, this poison cultivation technique indeed has its flaws, but as long as those issues can be avoided, it remains an incredibly powerful method! Yan Yun, hurry and release the complete Poison Sutra. You must publish it now, otherwise, you will stand against the entire world!” Lin Mo declared fanatically.