Chapter 98: The Tai Xuan Immortal Sect's Big Shot Retirement Mutual-Aid Group

"Oh right, this is a gift your disciple brought for you."

Chi Jiuyu placed the little yellow duck she had bought for three spirit coins at the edge of the training ground, bowed once, and then headed straight for the exit.

The whole sequence flowed like clouds and water—seamless and practiced.

Hm? Just as she was about to reach the door—

Bie Xuening waved a hand, drew the little yellow duck over, then said coolly: "Come back."

The cold, clear voice echoed across the training ground, making Chi Jiuyu's whole body shudder.

Chi Jiuyu's face fell as she turned around stiffly.

"Master, look—not only did I bring you a gift, I even specially sent you cotton candy before!"

"So?" Bie Xuening watched her with cold eyes.

"Deep bonds between master and disciple, Master!"

All her past stunts of courting death turned into whips lashing the present her.

'My past self really is a damn bastard!'

"Deep bonds between master and disciple—well, there is some truth to that." Bie Xuening nodded slightly.

Oh?!

Hope flared in Chi Jiuyu's eyes.

Could it be that Master, seeing Uncle-Master, was happy and planned to let her off? "Precisely because our master-disciple bond runs deep, a strike on you pains your master's heart."

Do you even hear what you're saying! Then swap us!

I can be the one in pain too! "Master, I…"

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

Huh?!

No time is good, no time is wonderful! Chi Jiuyu felt like the fright was about to give her a whole new set of ailments.

"Then you and Uncle-Master chat, your disciple will take her leave first." Chi Jiuyu forced a laugh and made to leave.

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

What was that? Chi Jiuyu sneaked a curious glance—and that single glance made her expression change drastically; she spun around to flee.

But it was already too late.

A hand seized her by the back of the collar, followed by a terrifying, utterly irresistible force.

The world spun; Chi Jiuyu was pinned to the ground like a dead fish, unable to move.

"Greetings, Master. Master has emerged from seclusion, yet your disciple failed to attend at your side—I beg Master to forgive me."

It was a figure radiating a faint glow, clad in silver battle armor that set off her handsome, refined features.

The armor traced her tall, upright figure; a sword hung at her waist, its cold gleam adding to her dignity.

Chi Jiuyu, pinned to the ground with a single hand, felt a surge of grief and indignation.

That wretched Ye Shijie—how dare she leave a Sword-Intent Spiritual Body behind in the sect!

"The rotation of star domains is a matter of utmost importance; how could it be delayed simply because I've emerged from seclusion? You handled this well."

"Thank you, Master!"

Perhaps stirred by emotion, the hand's grip suddenly tightened.

"I'm dying! I'm dying!" Chi Jiuyu let out a wail.

That doesn't even count as a compliment—why are you so worked up! "Take her out." Bie Xuening's voice came from behind.

Ye Shijie's expression faltered—she had actually wanted to say a few more words to Master.

But recalling her recent experience, she ultimately did not dare disobey Bie Xuening's order and could only swallow her grievances.

"Your disciple takes her leave."

Then she rose, dragged Chi Jiuyu along, and headed out.

It's over, it's over—here comes a big one! Chi Jiuyu's heart hammered; she could only place her last hope in one person.

"Uncle-Master, save me!!!"

Unfortunately, the Uncle-Master she had pinned her last hopes on merely cast her a sympathetic glance, then turned and walked toward Master.

/(ㄒoㄒ)/~~ The boat of friendship has capsized!

In the end, Chi Jiuyu was dragged out by the Sword-Intent Spiritual Body.

For a moment, the surroundings fell silent.

Xu Xing walked up to Bie Xuening and sat down on the cushion she had prepared.

"It's been a long time, Ye Shijie."

"Mm."

Unlike her manner online, Bie Xuening was not much of a talker in real life.

She was an aloof, cold Sword Sovereign.

"Long time no see—Ye Shijie is still the same as ever."

"I was afraid you'd find me unfamiliar." Bie Xuening said softly.

On the day Xu Xing decided to enter seclusion, she had worn this very outfit to see her junior brother off.

Perhaps because of those early days on the cultivation path, when the two of them practiced swordplay with their master in the bamboo grove, most of Bie Xuening's attire bore bamboo patterns.

"Then does Ye Shijie find the current me unfamiliar?" "No."

"I feel the same—no matter how Ye Shijie dresses, I would never find you unfamiliar." Xu Xing said with a smile.

"Mm."

Junior brother was still that junior brother—and compared to before, he seemed to pay more attention to the people around him.

In the past, his gaze had been set too high.

"By the way, how are the fellow Daoists? Ye Shijie, have you been in contact with them in recent years?" Xu Xing said.

"…" Bie Xuening was silent for a moment, then took out a phone in a little yellow duck case. "I'll pull you into the group."

Hm? Into the group?

That sense of incongruity hit him all at once.

Ding-dong!

At the crisp notification sound, Xu Xing also pulled out his phone.

【Sword Sovereign of Guarding the Home invites you to join the group chat "Tai Xuan Xian Sect Big Boss Retirement Mutual Aid Group," enter to view details】

Big Boss Retirement Mutual Aid…

The corner of Xu Xing's eye twitched.

Though, come to think of it, that wasn't wrong.

"Ye Shijie, the group owner of this group is…?"

"Me."

"Worthy of Ye Shijie, the name you came up with is truly easy to understand and down to earth."

Bie Xuening said nothing, but from her eyes one could tell she was very happy.

Xu Xing clicked the invitation, and the phone screen immediately jumped to the group chat interface.

【Master Jianzu has joined the group chat】

This group even auto-corrects nicknames?

Overlord Sovereign: "Congratulations on emerging from seclusion, Dao Brother / fist bump"

Pill Ancestor: "Congratulations on emerging from seclusion, Dao Brother / fist bump"

Hong Sovereign: "Congratulations on emerging from seclusion, Dao Brother"

Overlord Sovereign: "Those above, please don't break formation"

Hong Sovereign: "Sorry, sorry / awkward"

Hong Sovereign, one of the ancestors of the Supreme Dao Sect.

Hehuan Laozu: "This concubine congratulates Dao Brother on emerging from seclusion / flowers / blown kiss"

Hehuan Laozu: "/image"

The image showed a pair of crossed slender legs, fair and delicate, half-hidden beneath a long crimson dress, faintly visible, extremely alluring.

But in the very next instant.

Hehuan Laozu recalled a message.

Bie Xuening, who had been about to use her admin authority, paused.

Hehuan Laozu: "Oh my, this concubine just slipped, to maintain the group's fine atmosphere I've already recalled the photo, please don't blame me, Sword Sovereign / honest and simple"

Sword Sovereign: "Bullshit, slipped your uncle's ass, it was clearly on purpose / sword qi spitting little yellow duck"

Overlord Sovereign: "/complicated feelings"

Pill Ancestor: "/complicated feelings"

Hong Sovereign: "/complicated feelings"

Pill Ancestor: "Honestly, I always used to think Sword Sovereign was a very aloof person"

Overlord Sovereign: "Plus one"

Hong Sovereign: "Plus one"

Watching the messages popping up one after another, Xu Xing felt a bit of emotion in his heart.

The fellow Daoists are also keeping up with the times.

But a few fellow Daoists hadn't spoken, presumably busy with something.

Master Jianzu: "Many thanks to all fellow Daoists."

Sword Sovereign: "You're the only one who can talk, are you? If you're so good at talking, why don't you go tell stories under some overpass?!"

Hehuan Laozu: "/Me and my little friends are all stunned!"

Hehuan Laozu, who loved watching the excitement and never minded things getting bigger, immediately jumped out to fan the flames.

Hong Sovereign: "Sword Sovereign was probably talking about Pill Ancestor."

Pill Ancestor: "…"

Third update, please subscribe.

This chapter is a bit late, really sorry

(End of this chapter)