Chapter 61: Reunion with an Old Acquaintance

After completing his mission, Song Qingming finally returned to his tent. Once he had set down his exhaustion, he leaned back against the small daybed inside, slowly reflecting on the events of the day.

He still felt a lingering fear from the great battle against the demonic cultivators. After witnessing the terrifying strength of the Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator Yang Wuqi, Song Qingming had even felt a moment of despair. Although reinforcements eventually arrived, he still found it hard to believe that he had actually survived.

Having witnessed a battle between Foundation Establishment experts, Song Qingming yearned all the more for the supernatural abilities of those who could soar through the skies and burrow into the earth. Unfortunately, Feng Laogui—who had just agreed to take Song Qingming to Mount Bai Long after returning to Guiyun Market—had also died at the hands of the demonic cultivators today.

After hearing from Wei Tong that Feng Laogui had died at the hands of Yang Wuqi while pursuing the demonic cultivators, Song Qingming felt quite depressed. Yesterday, not only had he given Feng Laogui a talisman for nothing, but he had also risked his life to help him hunt the high-grade Fire Rats.

Now that Feng Laogui had suddenly died, he had no idea who to go to for the promises made in exchange for his substantial deposit. Thinking of this, Song Qingming could only sigh helplessly.

Perhaps his luck was truly abysmal. In the few months since he joined the Flying Cloud Guard, the people he was most familiar with had all met with misfortune today: Feng Laogui had perished, and both Lu Yunfei and Shi Mofeng had been severely injured. Thinking of this, Song Qingming couldn't help but reveal a bitter smile.

Seeing that it was getting late, Song Qingming was about to prepare for meditation when a sound-transmission talisman flew into his tent. Song Qingming took the talisman and opened it to find delicate handwriting written upon it.

"Fellow Daoist Song, Gao Yuyao of the Carefree Sect has come to pay a visit."

Song Qingming opened the restriction outside his tent. Just as he lifted the door curtain, a beautiful yellow-clad figure quickly slipped inside.

Compared to three years ago, Gao Yuyao’s appearance hadn't changed much, though she seemed to possess a bit more heroic spirit. Seeing her cautious demeanor, Song Qingming guessed she didn't want anyone to see her here. He quickly lowered the curtain and set up another layer of restriction at the entrance.

Looking up at the somewhat secretive Gao Yuyao before him, Song Qingming rolled his eyes, revealed a curious smile, cupped his hands, and said:

"Fairy Gao, it has been several years. I thought you had forgotten about me."

"The reason I didn't acknowledge you today was because there were many fellow sect members present, and it would have been inconvenient. I hope Fellow Daoist Song understands." Gao Yuyao explained with an apologetic look on her face.

"Please rest assured, Fairy. What passed between us back then was merely a mutual exchange of needs, and I am not one to speak out of turn. It’s just that you left so suddenly back then, and I still don't understand why. I wonder if I did something improper or neglected you in some way."

After hearing Song Qingming's words, Gao Yuyao smiled brightly: "I also received a sudden message from my Master back then, requiring me to return to the sect immediately. I simply forgot to inform you. I hope Fellow Daoist Song does not misunderstand."

"Oh, I see. Then I am relieved. Let me first congratulate you on breaking through to the late stage of Qi Refining."

"Thank you, thank you. It has been three years, and not only has your cultivation progressed rapidly, but you have also joined the Flying Cloud Guard. You have truly impressed me."

Seeing that Song Qingming had broken through from the fourth level to the sixth level of Qi Refining in just three years, Gao Yuyao assumed he was a three-element spiritual root cultivator like herself, and she couldn't help but hold him in higher regard.

Song Qingming quickly shook his head and said with a smile: "Haha, it is all thanks to your help back then that I was able to exchange for more cultivation elixirs, saving quite a bit of time. It was merely opportunistic. Compared to you, who has broken through to the late stage of Qi Refining at such a young age, I am still far behind."

"I only left my family to train at Guiyun Market not long ago. By a stroke of luck, I was favored by Captain Lu and joined the Flying Cloud Guard. I never expected to encounter a Foundation Establishment demonic fiend on my very first mission. Several teammates I spent my days with died before my eyes. It really has been a case of poor fortune."

Seeing that Song Qingming was disheartened by the day's events, Gao Yuyao quickly offered words of comfort.

"Eliminating demons and defending the Dao is a task assigned by the sect. Since you killed many demonic cultivators today, once my Master reports this to the sect, you will certainly be credited and rewarded with spiritual items. You will not be treated unfairly."

Song Qingming gave a bitter smile and asked: "Is there something you needed, Fairy, by coming to see me today?"

Gao Yuyao paused before replying: "The reason I came to find you, besides catching up, is that I was afraid today's events might cause a misunderstanding. I came to explain a little. In the future, when I return to Qinghe County, I hope to continue being friends with Fellow Daoist Song."

Seeing Gao Yuyao’s sincere expression, Song Qingming was surprised. Back in Qinghe County, he had speculated about her identity, always assuming she was a disciple of some alchemy expert in Qinghe Market.

After Gao Yuyao hadn't come to Caolu Mountain for three years, Song Qingming had specifically asked his Fourth Uncle about her in Qinghe Market. Unexpectedly, his Fourth Uncle, who was very familiar with the market, had never heard of her. Only then did Song Qingming realize that Gao Yuyao's identity might be extraordinary.

Yet, he never imagined that Gao Yuyao was actually an inner sect disciple of the Carefree Sect, her status far exceeding anything he had imagined.

That she, a disciple of a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Carefree Sect, could think highly of him—a cultivator from a small family—truly surprised him.

Seeing Song Qingming's puzzled look, Gao Yuyao hesitated before explaining: "Fellow Daoist Song, the reason I went to Caolu Mountain is that I am also from Qinghe County. I am a cultivator of the Gao family of Lotus Mountain in Qinghe County. Do you understand now?"

Hearing Gao Yuyao's explanation, Song Qingming suddenly had a moment of realization. No wonder she hadn't wanted him to tell the Patriarch that she was the one who sold him the elixirs.

Like the Huang family that the Song family relied upon, the Gao family of Lotus Mountain was also a Foundation Establishment family in Qinghe County. If the Huang family had known about the transactions between Gao Yuyao and the Song family, it could very well have caused unnecessary trouble for both sides.

Only now did Song Qingming understand all the previous anomalies regarding Gao Yuyao. He nodded with relief and said: "It is a great honor to be acquainted with you, Fairy Gao."

After chatting for a few more moments, Gao Yuyao rose to take her leave.

Over the next few days, Liu Xingfeng and the other two remained in the camp, and Song Qingming and his group did not go out to scout for information on demonic beasts again.

After the great battle between their eleven-man guard and the demonic cultivators, more than half were dead or injured. Even their captain, Lu Yunfei, would have to return to Guiyun Market early in a few days to heal and recuperate.

Song Qingming had already learned from several Carefree Sect cultivators over the past few days that Liu Xingfeng was mobilizing nearby Flying Cloud Guards to come to the camp and replace their eleven-man guard.

It seemed he would also be returning to Guiyun Market early.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 62 =====