Chapter 98: Tai Xuan Immortal Sect

“By the way, here’s a gift I brought for you.”

Chi Jiuyu placed the small yellow duck he’d bought for three spirit coins at the edge of the practice ground, bowed deeply, then turned and walked out.

His movements were fluid and seamless.

Hmm? Just as she was about to reach the door.

Bie Xuening waved her hand and summoned the yellow duck, then spoke coolly: “Come back.”

Her icy voice echoed through the practice ground, making Chi Jiuyu shiver.

Chi Jiuyu’s face drooped as she turned around stiffly.

“Master, look—I not only brought you a gift, I even sent you cotton candy earlier!”

“So?” Bie Xuening regarded her coldly.

“Master-disciple bond, Master!”

All her past recklessness had turned into whips lashing her present self.

‘I was such a damn jerk back then!’

“Master-disciple bond… does make sense.” Bie Xuening nodded slightly.

Oh?!

Hope flared in Chi Jiuyu’s eyes.

Could it be that seeing her aunt had put her master in a good mood, and she was about to let her off? “Precisely because of our master-disciple bond, the pain strikes you—but it cuts deeper in my heart.”

Are you even listening to yourself?! Swap it then!

I can feel pain too! “Master, I—”

“But I truly have no time to deal with you today.”

Huh?!

No time? Perfect! More than perfect! Chi Jiuyu felt she was on the verge of a breakdown.

“Then I’ll leave you to chat with your aunt. I’ll take my leave.” Chi Jiuyu laughed nervously and turned to go.

Then Bie Xuening raised her hand and released a streak of golden light, landing before Xu Xing.

What’s that? Chi Jiuyu glanced curiously—and that single glance turned her face pale as she spun to flee.

But it was too late.

A hand seized the collar of her robe, followed by an overwhelming, irresistible force.

As the world spun wildly, Chi Jiuyu lay pinned to the ground like a dead fish, motionless.

“I pay my respects, Master. I failed to attend you upon your emergence from seclusion; I beg your forgiveness.”

It was a faintly glowing figure, clad in silver battle armor that highlighted her sharp, exquisite features.

The armor accentuated her tall, upright posture; a sword hung at her waist, gleaming with icy radiance, adding to her solemn authority.

Chi Jiuyu, pinned to the ground by one hand, burned with bitter rage.

Damn sister—she’d left behind a sword-intent spiritual avatar even within the sect!

“The rotation of the star domains is of utmost importance; it cannot be delayed merely because I’ve emerged from seclusion. You handled this well.”

“Thank you, Master!”

Perhaps moved by emotion, her grip suddenly tightened.

“I’m gonna die! I’m gonna die!” Chi Jiuyu screamed.

You’re not even complimenting her—why are you so worked up?! “Take her out.” Bie Xuening’s voice came from behind.

The sister froze. She’d wanted to speak more with her master.

But remembering her recent ordeal, she dared not defy Bie Xuening’s order and swallowed her anger.

“Your disciple takes her leave.”

Then she rose and dragged Chi Jiuyu out.

It’s over—it’s over! This is gonna be huge! Chi Jiuyu’s heart pounded; she clung to hope in the last person left.

“Auntie, save me!!!”

Alas, the person she’d pinned her last hope on merely sighed, then turned and walked toward her master.

/(ㄒoㄒ)/~~ Friendship’s little boat has capsized already!

Chi Jiuyu was ultimately dragged out by the sword-intent avatar.

Silence settled over the surroundings.

Xu Xing walked to Bie Xuening’s side and sat on the cushion she had prepared.

“Long time no see, Sister.”

“Mm.”

Unlike online, Bie Xuening rarely spoke in person.

She was a cold, aloof Sword Sovereign.

“It’s been a long time, yet you still look the same.”

“I feared you’d find me unfamiliar.” Bie Xuening spoke softly.

On the day Xu Xing entered seclusion, she’d worn this very outfit to see him off.

Perhaps because they’d first trained together under their master in the bamboo grove, most of Bie Xuening’s garments bore bamboo patterns.

“Then do you find me unfamiliar now?” “No.”

“Nor do I. No matter how you dress, I’ll never find you unfamiliar.” Xu Xing smiled.

“Mm.”

Her brother was still her brother—and now, he seemed more attuned to those around him.

Before, his gaze had always been fixed too high.

“By the way, how are the other Daoists? Have you contacted them in recent years?” Xu Xing asked.

“...” Bie Xuening fell silent for a moment, then pulled out a phone encased in a yellow duck shell. “I’ll add you to the group.”

Huh? Add me to a group?

The dissonance hit instantly.

Ding!

A crisp notification tone rang out as Xu Xing also pulled out his phone.

【Sword Guardian invites you to join the group chat “Tai Xuan Immortal Sect’s Top Elder Care Mutual Aid Group.” Tap to view details.】

Top Elder Care Mutual Aid...

Xu Xing’s eyebrow twitched.

Though, to be fair, the name wasn’t wrong.

“Sister, who’s the group owner?”

“Me.”

“No wonder you’re my sister—your naming is refreshingly simple and down-to-earth.”

Bie Xuening said nothing, but her eyes betrayed her delight.

Xu Xing tapped the invitation, and his screen shifted to the group chat interface.

【Sword Ancestor joined the group】

Does the group auto-adjust nicknames?

Sword Sovereign: “Congratulations on your emergence from seclusion / fist salute”

Dan Ancestor: “Congratulations on your emergence from seclusion / fist salute”

Hong Ancestor: “Congratulations on your emergence from seclusion”

Sword Sovereign: “The one above, don’t ruin the lineup.”

Hong Ancestor: “Sorry, sorry / awkward”

Hong Ancestor—one of the founding ancestors of Tai Shang Dao Sect.

Hehuan Ancestor: “I extend my congratulations to the Daoist / flowers / flying kiss”

Hehuan Ancestor: “/image”

The image showed crossed, slender thighs, pale and smooth, partially revealed beneath a crimson long robe—exquisitely alluring.

But in the next instant.

Hehuan Ancestor retracted a message.

Bie Xuening, about to activate her authority, paused.

Hehuan Ancestor: “Oh dear, my hand slipped! To maintain the group’s wholesome atmosphere, I’ve retracted the photo. Please, Sword Sovereign, don’t be angry / humble”

Sword Sovereign: “Bullshit. Your hand slipped? You’re full of shit / spitting out a yellow duck sword qi”

Sword Sovereign: “/complicated feelings”

Dan Ancestor: “/complicated feelings”

Hong Ancestor: “/complicated feelings”

Dan Ancestor: “To be honest, I always thought the Sword Sovereign was a cold, aloof type.”

Sword Sovereign: “+1”

Hong Ancestor: “+1”

Watching the stream of messages, Xu Xing felt a quiet pang.

My Daoist friends are keeping up with the times too.

However, several other cultivators have not spoken; they must be occupied with something.

Sword Ancestor: “Thank you all, fellow cultivators.”

Sword Sovereign: “You’re the only one who can talk, are you? If you’re so eloquent, why don’t you go tell stories under the Tianqiao bridge?!”

Joyful Ancestor: “/My little friends and I are utterly stunned!”

The Joyful Ancestor, who loved to stir up trouble, immediately jumped out to fan the flames.

Hong Sovereign: “The Sword Sovereign must mean the Pill Ancestor.”

Pill Ancestor: “...”

Third chapter update; please subscribe.

This chapter is a bit late; I sincerely apologize.

(End of chapter)