“...Uh, this, this must be a secret technique the Hall Master taught you, right?”
The Seventh Elder's eyes darted slightly as he hurriedly stuffed the porcelain bottle into Song Yao's arms. “You've always been talented at everything you do, so it's not surprising you could learn this. What... what is there to suspect?”
Song Yao caressed the porcelain bottle, her doubts growing deeper. “Would the Hall Master casually teach me a secret sect technique like this?”
“Wh-Why wouldn't he? The Hall Master has always been thorough in his planning. Perhaps he foresaw the invasion of the Taiqing Pavilion and the Beiyao Sect and left a backup plan with you.”
The Seventh Elder babbled on. Seeing that she wanted to ask more, he suddenly walked over to a shelf in a flurry, fanning himself while sorting through herbs. “Alright, alright. As long as you're fine, that's all that matters.”
“The Pill Pavilion took quite a hit, and many disciples in the hall are injured. There are a lot of pills to refine, so this old man is going to be very busy lately.”
Having said that, he added to Song Yao, “I probably won't have time to look after you lately, and I doubt I'll have time to chat either. Rest well and don't wander off.”
Song Yao's brow furrowed even deeper. “But...”
The Seventh Elder quickly cut her off. “No buts. Go on out and play. This old man has to refine pills. Once this batch is done, I still have to send it to the Ward-Off-Illness Pavilion for the injured disciples...”
“Ah, I'm busy to death.”
His intention to shoo her away was obvious.
Since Song Yao hadn't finished asking her questions, she naturally didn't plan to leave. Just then, He Yu hurriedly walked in holding some herbs. Seeing the strange atmosphere, he smiled and asked, “What's going on here?”
The Seventh Elder said, “It's nothing. Quick, quick, quick, help me check the heat, and bring over those pill recipes I just wrote.”
He Yu was startled. “Me? Check the heat? Okay...”
For such a small batch of pills, his master could refine them with his eyes closed. Why would he need help watching the fire?
And why was he suddenly in such a rush?
With a wave of the Seventh Elder's sleeve, the furnace fire instantly flared up, making the entire room somewhat hot and stuffy.
For some reason, the two of them enthusiastically began bustling about.
Song Yao couldn't get a word in. She considered whether she should just smash the elixir furnace to reveal her true identity.
After thinking for a moment, she gave up on the idea.
The Seventh Elder was getting on in years; he couldn't take that kind of stress.
Besides, it wasn't convenient for her to fake her death to escape like before, so it was better not to have too much conflict with them.
It wasn't like she was actually a villain.
Stashing the porcelain bottle, she left the Pill Pavilion, poured out two pills, and chewed them up. Seeing that Ming Ran was still waiting, she decided to switch targets. “Is your master at Wangyun Peak?”
Ming Ran thought about it. “He should be. Master has been at Wangyun Peak these past few days handling the aftermath of the previous events. What's wrong? Do you have business with him?”
Song Yao nodded. “Yes, I'm going to see him.”
Ming Ran said, “Sure, sure! I'll take you there.”
In the blink of an eye, the two landed back on Wangyun Peak.
The Beiyao Sect cultivators had previously used this place as a lecture ground, gathering the Nine Saints Hall disciples here. Quite a few things had been smashed in the process, leaving even the ground somewhat bare.
Cultivators bustled back and forth, looking very busy.
They asked someone and learned that the Second Elder was at the sword arena, so the two hurriedly made their way there.
They hadn't walked far when a familiar figure rushed over from the direction of the disciple quarters behind them. Even from afar, his uncontrollable anger was obvious: “Lin Mu!”
Song Yao was walking lazily with her hands tucked into her sleeves. Before she could clearly see who it was, Ming Ran already sensed something was wrong. She quickly stepped in front of her, her brow furrowing deeply. “Senior Brother Jiang? What do you think you're doing?”
Senior Brother Jiang?
Song Yao poked her head out to look. “Jiang Jin?”
Where did this guy come from?
She felt like she hadn't seen him in ages.
She thought about it sluggishly for a moment, then remembered.
Previously, he had inexplicably run to Black Cloud Mountain to find her, saying something about wanting to marry her, which angered Wen Tang and got him locked up.
There had been too many things happening afterward, so she had completely forgotten about him.
Could he have been locked up all this time, only to be released now?
If he was let out, what about Wen Tang?
With rare good temper, she smiled and greeted him, “Hello, hello. You're back.”
Jiang Jin didn't know how she could still smile. His anger almost burst from his throat. “At least you still recognize me! You've been back in Nine Saints Hall for so long, but have you thought of me even once? Do you have any idea what I went through?”
“Why should she think of you?! Who cares what you went through?!”
Ming Ran got angry the moment she saw him like this. Without giving Song Yao a chance to speak, she snapped back with a stern face, “Who told you to run off to Black Cloud Mountain on your own?! You were locked up by Fifth Senior Sister. What does that have to do with my master? Watch your attitude when you speak to her!”
Jiang Jin was already fuming with rage. Provoked like this, his face turned extremely dark. “Ming Ran, this is between Lin Mu and me. It has nothing to do with you.”
Ming Ran sneered. “How is it not? Master's business is my business. My master hasn't recovered from her serious injuries yet. If you offend her, I won't let you off.”
As she spoke, she raised her hand, and her sword unsheathed itself.
Jiang Jin froze. “Seriously injured?”
He looked past Ming Ran at the girl behind her, his gaze landing on Song Yao's weary and pale face. “You're injured?”
Song Yao replied casually, “It's no big deal. How did you get back? Where is Wen Tang? Is she alright?”
Jiang Jin was instantly choked up.
The anger that had managed to subside a bit upon hearing she was injured flared up again.
Back at Black Cloud Mountain, he had confessed his feelings to her, but not only did she show no reaction whatsoever, she had also let Wen Tang lock him up.
She had abandoned him at Black Cloud Mountain for so long. Now that he had finally returned with great difficulty, she hadn't even come to see him once.
And now that they finally met, instead of caring about him or asking how he was, she actually asked about Wen Tang first?
A dark gleam flashed in his eyes. “Wen Tang is an evil cultivator now. It's best if you don't get too close to evil cultivators. Otherwise, you'll bring trouble upon yourself and might even harm Nine Saints Hall.”
Song Yao: “?”
What gibberish was he spouting?
Knowing she probably wouldn't get any useful answers from him, Song Yao lost interest in continuing the conversation. She said to Ming Ran, “Let's go.”
“Okay.”
They had only taken two steps when Jiang Jin suddenly raised his hand to block her path. Squinting, he said, “I heard you were taken away by Master during this time? Where is Master now? Take me to pay my respects to him.”
Ming Ran suddenly whipped around and slapped his hand away, shielding Song Yao as she walked out. “The Supreme Elder didn't actively seek you out, so he must think you lack talent. If you have the ability, go find him yourself. Stop bothering my master. Scram.”
Jiang Jin trembled with rage. “Ming Ran, I am talking to her!”
Ming Ran spat twice. “Like I care? If everyone in the world could just casually talk to my master like you do, wouldn't my master be busy to death?”
Jiang Jin was shocked. “You... her... I'm her senior brother! What's wrong with just having a conversation?”
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