Chapter 340: Family Master

The whole venue gasped.

It was, unexpectedly, this Yuan Ying Elder Ancestor who made the move.

Facing a Yuan Ying Cultivator, although the cultivators from the various factions attached to Baihua Valley present were eager to show their loyalty to Baihua Valley at this moment, when confronted with Yunhe, the Yuan Ying Elder Monster, they all tacitly kept silent.

Such a level is not something they can easily reach.

But their silence does not mean the cultivators of Baihua Valley are not daring.

The Sun family elder patriarch then turned, bowed very respectfully toward Yunhe, and asked:

"I, an old man, dare to ask, senior, what does this mean?"

But Yunhe completely ignored her, while Shen Xingrui said:

"What does it mean? Is it that you Baihua Valley cultivators are allowed to borrow artifacts, but we are not?"

The Sun family elder patriarch's expression shifted.

Originally, this matter was almost tacitly accepted; no one would dare to step forward and speak a word, but Yunhe's sudden appearance shattered that situation.

No, it should be said that Hua Xin's appearance broke this situation.

After all, the so‑called "Battle for the Crown" in Baihua Valley was merely a gimmick; other families and factions at most would play along, never truly seeking to claim the Variegated Purple Golden Flower like Hua Xin.

Even if Hua Xin is indeed a descendant of the Hua family, she has not formally returned to her lineage, so strictly speaking she is just an outsider.

Even taking a generous view, even if Hua Xin were to return to her clan, the Variegated Purple Golden Flower could not be handed over to the Hua family.

Fortunately, the Sun family elder patriarch was somewhat quick‑witted; after being rebuked by Shen Xingrui, he quickly said:

"This is an internal inheritance of our Baihua Valley; Qinger is the next valley master, and the 'Baihua Fan' is the master's heirloom. There is no set time for inheritance within the valley; the former master's affection for Qinger makes it unsurprising that he passed the Baihua Fan to Qinger early."

She dared not look at Yunhe, and could only glance at Shen Xingrui.

"May I ask, senior, do you have any connection with Hua Xin? If not, then why are you here"

"Audacious!"

Shen Xingrui cut her off outright, shouting sternly: "How dare you question our young master!"

Shen Xingrui was indeed shrewd; she understood the hidden meaning in the Sun family elder patriarch's words.

If Yunhe has no relation to Hua Xin, his actions would undoubtedly be seen as a provocation against the entire Baihua Valley.

And such behavior would never be tolerated by the Lotus Elder Ancestor of Baihua Valley.

His conduct is tantamount to sowing discord between the two Yuan Ying Cultivators.

What a huge nerve.

Suddenly—

Abruptly.

On the high platform, a massively powerful figure lunged down like a raging tiger, its fists wrapped in a fierce aura, striking the Sun family elder patriarch.

The one who acted was Shen Mu!

He didn't understand as much as Shen Xingrui; he only saw his sister angry and heard her say the elder patriarch offended Yunhe, so no reason was needed—just beat him!

That ferocious aura, descending from above, instantly turned the Sun family elder patriarch's face pale.

"Brother, stop!"

Shen Xingrui hurriedly shouted.

At the same time, while others were slow to react, the Lotus Elder Ancestor, with Yuan Ying Stage cultivation, could still respond.

Immediately, she formed a technique with one hand, launching a turquoise lotus at blistering speed toward Shen Mu.

The later arrival came first.

Its speed surpassed Shen Mu's falling speed.

At the same moment, Yunhe, holding a wine goblet, narrowed his eyes, flicked a finger without hesitation, and a seemingly slender Five Elements Sword shot out.

It was actually a few moments faster than the lotus shot by the Lotus Elder Ancestor!

Bang!!

In an instant.

The two forces erupted, creating a noticeable commotion, and Shen Mu's attack did not land on the Sun family elder patriarch; he stood steadily before Shen Xingrui, a hint of ferocity in his brows.

"Fellow Daoist, fine technique."

The Lotus Elder Ancestor on the platform looked at Yunhe with a hint of surprise.

Although she had no intention toward Shen Mu earlier, merely to block, she did not expend much Qi.

Yet Yunhe's method was comparable, perhaps even slightly superior.

Thus it is evident that Yunhe's strength should not be below hers.

Of course, within Baihua Valley, with the Mountain Protection Array in effect, she need not fear.

But there is one point.

Her lifespan is indeed dwindling; each true clash inevitably accelerates the consumption of her lifespan.

"Fellow Daoist, you overpraise," Yunhe smiled, rose, lightly tapped his foot, and descended to the lower platform, standing before Hua Xin.

Seeing this, the Lotus Elder Ancestor hesitated slightly, then also descended.

"Honored to meet the Lotus Elder Ancestor, honored to meet you, senior."

When the two arrived, the surrounding cultivators hurriedly paid their respects, the Sun family elder patriarch included.

Hua Xin stared blankly at Yunhe.

Only now did she finally see Yunhe's true appearance and recognize him.

Hua Xin's gaze was dazed; after regaining composure, disbelief filled her face, "Y‑you—"

Before she could finish, Yunhe brushed his palm over his satchel, took out a candied hawthorn skewer, and handed it to her.

Seeing the candied hawthorn, Hua Xin was stunned again.

The next moment.

She felt her eye sockets blur a little, and many memories surfaced.

She took the candied hawthorn, tears streaming down, yet she also smiled.

Crack—

The crystalline sugar coating gave a crisp sound as she bit, and a sweet‑sour taste filled her mouth.

Huaxin's tears flowed more and more, yet the smile on her face grew brighter.

Yunhe also showed a relieved smile, raised his hand, paused slightly, then patted her head.

This made Huaxin's action pause, but she did not resist, merely glaring at Yunhe.

But Yunhe didn't mind at all, laughing loudly and saying:

「Back then I already wanted to do this. Although I've grown taller, the feel is still not bad. 」

Huaxin glared again, holding the candied hawthorn, muttering:

「Fine, fine, fine, you're impressive now, I can't do anything to you. 」

This made Yunhe's smile widen a bit more.

Their exchange was seen by everyone, enough to show they were not strangers but had a notable relationship.

Thus many people began to speculate.

Could it be that Huaxin is a disciple of this Yuan Ying Old Ancestor?

After all, patting someone's head isn't something just any acquaintance would do.

Or perhaps Huaxin is the Dao Companion of this Yuan Ying Old Ancestor?!

But whether disciple or Dao Companion, it shows Huaxin's relationship with him is not shallow; seeing her bullied and then helping her is naturally understandable.

「According to convention, I bought you a whole storage bag. 」

Yunhe didn't care what others thought, took out a storage bag and placed it in Huaxin's hand.

Huaxin also took it without hesitation, even scrunched her little nose and said, huffing and puffing:

「Not bad, you still remember. 」

Habitually wanting to slip it into her pocket, she realized she was wearing a Baihua Valley skirt, so she could only pin it at her waist.

「Fellow Daoist, you and Huaxin are — 」 the Lotus Old Ancestor beside them couldn't help but ask.

「Oh. 」 Yunhe came to his senses, saying with a hint of amusement: "My master."

「Originally, Huaxin is actually the Fellow Daoist's disciple? My master? 」

The Lotus Old Ancestor, who had just shown a look of realization, suddenly froze.

「!!! 」

Because she realized that what Yunhe said were the two words 'my master'.

That would mean.

Huaxin is his master?!

All the cultivators present reacted, each showing shock, horror, and disbelief.

Huaxin is at Late Jie Dan Stage Cultivation Base, while Yunhe is a Yuan Ying Cultivator!

A Yuan Ying Cultivator is actually a disciple of a Late Jie Dan Stage Cultivator?

If this gets out, it'll probably drop many jaws.

It's not that such a thing is impossible.

After all, Yuan Ying Cultivators also come from low-level cultivators; when their cultivation base was still low, not only did they take Jie Dan Cultivators as masters, but even Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

However, any cultivator who has reached the Yuan Ying realm has trained for hundreds of years; when they achieve something, their low-level masters have long since died of old age.

Even Jie Dan Cultivators.

Jie Dan Cultivators have a lifespan of five hundred years, while Yuan Ying Cultivators live over a thousand years; in most cases, the Jie Dan master's lifespan is already exhausted before the disciple barely manages to succeed in Nascent Soul.

Now, Huaxin is still striving for perfection in Jie Dan, and given her age she still has a chance to reach Nascent Soul, but her disciple has already succeeded in Nascent Soul, an existence capable of becoming a king and ancestor in a region.

This only shows that Yunhe, this 'disciple', broke through to Yuan Ying probably at most only over two hundred years!

Over two hundred years and succeeded in Nascent Soul!

The previous one with such an achievement was the current leader of the Eastern Boundary Orthodoxy cultivation world, the Mysterious Void Daoist of the Tai Xuan Zhengyi Sect, the foremost of the orthodox path!

This undoubtedly forced the Lotus Old Ancestor to reassess Yunhe, this Fellow Daoist.

「Just now the Sun family elder said the master helping the disciple is natural; then as a disciple, helping my master, what objection could there be? 」

Yunhe's fierce gaze swept over the crowd.

No one dared to meet his gaze.

Even that Sun family elder was the same.

Who could have an objection, who would dare to have an objection?

Not mentioning that Yunhe is a Yuan Ying Cultivator, just his words alone are flawless.

It only allows the master to help the disciple, but not the disciple to help the master?

Moreover, everyone saw how Huaxin was beaten in this 'Champion Contention'.

The disciple not losing his temper already counts as a good temper.

But that which should be said is not said.

At this moment, everyone's hearts held only two words.

Envy!

Undeniably thick envy.

Who wouldn't want to have a Yuan Ying disciple?

Even without exaggeration, one could say this might be more prestigious than some people achieving Nascent Soul breakthrough on their own.

What's the big deal about self-achieved Nascent Soul breakthrough?

Having a Nascent Soul disciple is truly remarkable!

「Originally, originally, fellow Daoist and Hua. 」

For a moment, the Lotus Flower Old Ancestor didn't know how to address Huaxin.

After all, Huaxin is her junior, who knows how many generations apart; Yunhe is her fellow Daoist, but Huaxin is Yunhe's Master—doesn't that mean Huaxin's seniority is higher than hers?

「Old Ancestor, please forgive me. 」

Huaxin bowed to the Lotus Flower Old Ancestor and said:

「Huaxin and Yunhe, the so-called master-disciple relationship mentioned earlier was merely a hasty measure; we never performed the formal ceremony of taking a master, so strictly speaking, Huaxin cannot be considered Yunhe's Master. 」

As for that, Yunhe did not object either.

The Master's words were indeed made in haste at that time.

But.

「I, Yun, keep in my heart the kindness of guidance and the act of protection; even if not a true Master, is there anything improper with my actions this time? 」

Accepting this Master is nothing for Yunhe, but if some of his enemies dare not trouble him and instead go after Huaxin for trouble, that is also possible.

Moreover, Yunhe might also be restrained because of this.

But no matter what, regardless of whether they have a master-disciple relationship, everyone, when looking at Huaxin, couldn't help but become a bit more solemn.

「Sun Miaoke, hurry up and apologize to Fellow Daoist Yun and Fellow Daoist Hua! 」 the Lotus Flower Old Ancestor said sternly, lowering her voice.

Even if Huaxin is unwilling to acknowledge her roots, her relationship with Baihua Valley cannot be completely severed; and given her relationship with Yunhe, Yunhe's age and potential, one cannot say...

The Lotus Flower Old Ancestor's turbid eyes flickered slightly.

The Sun family patriarch at this moment wore an even more ashen expression, and sincerely paid his respects to Yunhe and Huaxin, saying:

「Senior Yun, Fellow Daoist Hua, this matter is my fault as the elder. Everything was the elder's unilateral decision to seize it by force, having nothing to do with Baihua Valley or the Sun family; I hope the two of you will not blame us. 」

She, however, also took responsibility, shouldering all the matters herself.

At the same time, the Lotus Flower Old Ancestor declared loudly: 「The one who won this championship is Huaxin! 」

Her words within Baihua Valley represent everything, and no one dares to oppose.

This also represents the ownership of the 「Variegated Purple Gold Flower」, which belongs to Huaxin as well.

(End of chapter)