Chapter 585: Deceived the Tai Xuan Realm

About half an hour later, in the Sword Ancestor’s Hall.

Ning Wanzhu and Ming Yu stepped out, their expressions complex.

Especially Ming Yu, who seemed utterly dazed.

The news about Yuan, the choice given to them by the Sword Ancestor, the already-initiated “Ascension Plan,” and her inexplicable appointment as an Immortal Network Deployment Officer…

All these thoughts tangled in her mind, leaving her head a muddy mess.

“Why don’t you come back with me to Lingyin Workshop right now?”

Ning Wanzhu’s voice suddenly sounded in her ear, pulling her out of her daze.

“The personal Immortal Network node your Master gave you is anchored to the Ascension Platform’s core at Lingyin Workshop. Since you’ve never used it before, you might as well go there first to adapt and get familiar with it.”

Go to Lingyin Workshop?

Perhaps because she had just learned too much at once, her mind was sluggish; she stared blankly for a moment before shaking her head in refusal.

“I came back too hastily—there are still matters I must handle for the Orthodox Alliance.”

She had rushed back too urgently, leaving many things only briefly addressed.

Now that matters here have reached some resolution, she must return to the Orthodox Alliance first to settle everything properly.

Then silence fell again between the two.

They walked down the mountain in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

They reached the mid-slope.

“Aren’t you the head of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall? Shouldn’t you be busy? Why are you so idle?”

“I’m only acting head, and today my Master has tasks for me—I must prioritize my Master’s affairs.”

“Pfft~ I bet you’re just using your Uncle as an excuse to slack off.”

Two distinctly different voices rose from the mist below.

Ning Wanzhu and Ming Yu both halted, turning to look down the stone steps.

Two figures emerged from the gray haze, bickering as they climbed upward.

“When I become Sect Master, I won’t be like you…”

Chi Jiuyu was about to describe her grand ambitions as Sect Master when her peripheral vision caught the two figures standing on the upper steps.

She froze.

“Ning Senior Sister? Ming Senior Sister?”

Chi Jiuyu was astonished.

She had met them years ago when she went to Lingyin Workshop with her Uncle—she wasn’t unfamiliar.

Ming Yu: “...”

Actually, her surname wasn’t Ming—she was just called “Ming Yu.”

“Greetings, Senior Sister Li.” Ning Wanzhu bowed to Li Ke first.

Li Ke nodded slightly, saying nothing more.

Though she got along well with Ming Yu, among the Disciples of the Spirit Ancestor, she was only close to Ning Wanyin.

Then Ning Wanzhu smiled at Chi Jiuyu:

“Long time no see, Jiuyu Junior Sister.”

“Mm-hmm! Long time no see!” Chi Jiuyu nodded, then glanced between the two, curious, “You two came here—surely it’s about the Holy Emperor Abyss?”

One from Lingyin Workshop, one from the Orthodox Alliance.

Why would they randomly come to the Sword Sect?

To arrive here on the same day, considering their shared connection…

Then it was obvious!

It could only be about the Holy Emperor Abyss!

Ning Wanzhu shook her head slightly: “I can’t say exactly what it is—these…”

“Not for me to know!” Chi Jiuyu blurted out, then added sarcastically, “I knew you’d say that.”

Because she’d heard it so many times, her “Supreme Wisdom” had already immunized her against the frustration it caused.

“Fine! Then I won’t ask.” She scratched her head. “So you’re leaving?”

“Yes, now that matters are settled, we must return quickly to handle our duties.” Ning Wanzhu explained, “I heard you’ve been studying at the Supreme Dao Sect to refine your Talisman Sword—your progress must be good.”

“Of course! I—”

Chi Jiuyu was about to boast.

But she remembered how she’d just tried to show off and been coldly mocked by her Senior Sister—so she clammed up.

Then Li Ke, avoiding Chi Jiuyu, exchanged a few brief words with Ning Wanzhu and Ming Yu.

After learning of their choices, she said nothing more.

The two groups parted ways.

…

…

Ning Wanzhu and Ming Yu continued down the stone steps.

Li Ke led Chi Jiuyu onward toward the summit, to the Sword Ancestor’s Hall.

Chi Jiuyu was extremely curious about what the three had just discussed—Ning Senior Sister and Ming Senior Sister’s expressions had shifted constantly, as if they’d written “complex emotions” across their faces.

But knowing full well that any question would yield only that one phrase,

she chose not to ask, and instead deduced for herself.

“Senior Sister, Ning Senior Sister and Ming Senior Sister came to our Sword Sect because of the Holy Emperor Abyss, right?” She turned to Li Ke. “Could it have something to do with ‘Ascension’?”

As a third-wave Ascension Envoy, she was to be sent beyond the realm to carry out missions.

The Holy Emperor Abyss vanished suddenly over fifty years ago, and the Orthodox Alliance scoured the entire world without finding a trace.

Seen this way, he likely left this world entirely.

Because of the emergence of Ascension, her Uncle found his trail, so she specifically summoned Ning Senior Sister and Ming Senior Sister.

Hmm!

Her deduction was reasonable!

No flaws!

Li Ke: “...”

To be fair, this stupid fish really was sharp.

Soon, the two reached the summit.

They entered the interior of the Sword Ancestor’s Hall.

At the entrance to the training hall, Chi Jiuyu poked half her head out, preparing to observe the situation first.

But once she saw what lay inside—

Especially the figure so unforgettable, so peerlessly elegant…

Huh?!

How is the Spirit Ancestor here too?!

And the Spirit Ancestor’s video call!

Wait!

Is the Yuanjun Senior Sister here too?!

She glanced around, searching.

Seeing her peeking about, the Spirit Ancestor found it amusing and winked at her.

This disciple of the Sword Saint is still fun!

Finally, Li Ke couldn’t take it anymore and kicked her, shoving her into the training hall.

“You!”

Chi Jiuyu stumbled, whirling around with a furious glare.

But Li Ke didn’t care—she stood right at the hall’s entrance.

Chi Jiuyu had no choice but to turn back, offering a weak smile to Bie Xuening, then straightening up, stiffening her face, and bowing formally.

“Disciple greets Master, Uncle, Spirit Ancestor, and Spirit Ancestor.”

No sooner had she spoken than the Spirit Ancestor’s voice reached her ear.

“Hmm… why am I listed last?”

Chi Jiuyu blinked, then answered honestly:

“Respected Ancestor, I ranked them by closeness.”

Of course Master and Uncle come first.

Spirit Ancestor treated her extremely well—not only giving her a branch of the Xuanzhu Fruit Tree, but even cooking fish for her personally…

Spirit Ancestor…

They’d only met once.

“You’re quite honest.” The Spirit Ancestor laughed.

“Of course.” Chi Jiuyu nodded in full agreement.

She was an honest fish—she never lied.

Bie Xuening’s expression remained calm; Xu Xing’s eye twitched; the Spirit Ancestor found it even more amusing.

Ning Ruo in the screen merely shook her head with a light smile:

“Since everything’s already arranged, I’ll log off now.”

No sooner had the words left her mouth than the glowing screen hovering in midair vanished without a trace.

Arranged already?