Su Qinghe and Su Qinghan exchanged a look. Both stepped forward, affectionately took Ye Ling's hands, and pulled her over to sit at the stone table.
“Actually, we received word the moment you emerged from the Bailing Secret Realm the day before yesterday,” Su Qinghe said softly, her eyes brimming with joy.
“We wanted to visit you, but we figured you had just finished your secluded cultivation in the secret realm and that you must have a lot on your plate with the Qingyun Grand Tournament just around the corner.”
“So we hesitated, not wanting to disturb you. We didn't expect you to come see us first.”
Ye Ling explained, “After the Qingyun Grand Tournament ends, I plan to travel and train in the neighboring kingdoms for a while. I probably won't return to the sect anytime soon.”
“Since we assemble and set off at noon today, and it might be hard to find free time later, I came over specifically to let you know in advance.”
Upon hearing this, both Su Qinghe and Su Qinghan paused, instinctively exchanging another look.
They had always known that Ye Ling possessed peerless talent and lofty aspirations; she was never destined to be a mere fish trapped in the shallow pond of a single sect.
The path of cultivation was one of traveling far and wide, constantly searching for answers. With Ye Ling's talent, it was only a matter of time before she left the sect to venture out and test herself in the wider world.
A faint sense of reluctance naturally lingered in their hearts, but both were sensible and understanding. They would never say anything to hold her back and delay her grand path of cultivation.
After a brief silence, Su Qinghe was the first to offer a gentle smile, actively breaking the slightly melancholic atmosphere.
“That's good too,” she said softly. “Traveling and seeing the world is a much faster way to make progress than cultivating behind closed doors. With your temperament and strength, you belong in a much vaster world anyway.”
Su Qinghan also nodded repeatedly beside her, her eyes bright. “We will cultivate in peace here at the sect and wait for your return to gather again.”
“But when you're traveling outside, you must be cautious in everything. Remember to keep yourself safe.”
They deliberately avoided the melancholy of parting, shifting the conversation to the rules of the Qingyun Grand Tournament and the local customs of the royal capital.
Curled around Ye Ling's wrist, Cang Si watched the three of them chatting and laughing happily, quietly refraining from interrupting.
But after waiting quietly like this for a moment, drowsiness washed over her. The tiny green snake's head nodded up and down until she drifted straight into a deep sleep.
Ye Ling had originally intended to take advantage of the pleasant atmosphere to introduce Cang Si to Su Qinghe and Su Qinghan.
Seeing that the little one was already fast asleep, she suppressed the thought.
I'll introduce her next time we meet then, she thought.
She continued to chat with her two good friends, learning about their cultivation progress during their conversation.
Su Qinghan's cultivation had already steadily entered the Houtian Twelfth Layer. Her foundation was extremely solid, and her spiritual energy was thick and refined.
She was only a single step away from the Xiantian Realm.
Su Qinghe had also made significant progress, now firmly at the Houtian Eleventh Layer with a stable boundary.
She was not far from the Houtian Twelfth Layer either, and her breakthrough was just around the corner.
Both were outstanding figures among the outer sect disciples, possessing exceptional talent and resilient temperaments.
Especially Su Qinghan, who was only eighteen; with her current progress, there was a high probability she would break through to the Xiantian Realm before turning nineteen.
If that came to pass, her talent would be no less than that of those Xiantian Realm geniuses who had stood out the moment they entered the sect.
After their brief catch-up, the sunlight in the sky gradually shifted, and the time for the sect's noon assembly drew closer.
Seeing this, Ye Ling rose to bid them farewell.
Just then, Su Qinghe quickly called out to stop her, “Ye Ling, wait!”
As she spoke, she reached into her storage bag and took out four or five well-sealed wine jars, arranging them neatly on the stone table.
Ye Ling was slightly taken aback. “Bayberry wine?”
“That's right,” Su Qinghe said, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled gently.
“You mentioned last time that you liked this flavor. When I went out on a sect mission a while ago, I made a detour back to Baiyun City and specifically asked my master for a few extra jars.”
“You've been busy with secluded cultivation and other matters, so I never had the chance to give them to you. Since we happened to meet today, I'll hand them over to you.”
With that, she pushed all the jars of bayberry wine in front of Ye Ling.
Ye Ling did not refuse. She picked up a jar and peeled off the seal.
In an instant, a sweet and rich aroma of bayberry fruit mixed with mellow wine wafted over. The scent was sweet and pure, refreshing the mind and spirit.
Ye Ling took a light sniff and smiled genuinely. “Mhm, it smells wonderful.”
To her surprise, Cang Si, who had been sleeping coiled around her wrist, instantly caught this sweet scent.
Having just woken up, the little one could not contain herself. She immediately unwrapped her body from Ye Ling's wrist and floated gracefully in the air, her tiny snake body moving with agility, filled with curiosity.
“Sister, what is this? It smells so good!”
The sudden voice and the floating little green snake instantly startled Su Qinghan and Su Qinghe.
Their expressions tensed as they instinctively stood up, their eyes filled with astonishment.
Seeing them startled, Ye Ling reached out to gently stroke Cang Si's tiny head and explained.
“Don't be afraid. This is a companion I bonded with in the Bailing Secret Realm. Her name is Xiao Si.”
“Xiao Si, you startled the two sisters by appearing so suddenly. Apologize quickly.”
Cang Si was obedient and sensible. She immediately bowed her slender snake body, her soft, sweet voice carrying an apologetic tone.
“I'm sorry, Big Sisters.”
“I smelled the fragrance and got too curious. I couldn't help myself and appeared abruptly, scaring you.”
Su Qinghan and Su Qinghe quickly waved their hands, saying it was fine. Their eyes were full of novelty, and they both began to gently comfort the little creature.
The group chatted briefly for a little longer. Seeing that it was getting late, Ye Ling bid them farewell, took to the wind, and headed straight for the main sect hall.
Even after Ye Ling rode the wind away, the warm atmosphere in the small courtyard did not dissipate, and Su Qinghan and Su Qinghe did not part ways immediately.
Su Qinghan's eyes brightened. She suddenly turned to look at Su Qinghe beside her and spoke softly, “Sister Qinghe, should we secretly give Ye Ling a surprise?”
Su Qinghe was slightly startled and turned to look at her. “What surprise?”
Su Qinghan was two years younger than Su Qinghe.
When Su Qinghe first met Su Qinghan during the Heishui Commandery sect selection, she had thought that because Su Qinghan was exceptionally talented and came from a great family, she might be difficult to get along with.
But after spending time together, she knew that while Su Qinghan seemed aloof and unreachable, she was actually quick-witted and had the most mischievous ideas.
Seeing the excitement hidden in her eyes now, Su Qinghe could not help but feel curious.
Seeing that Su Qinghe was interested, Su Qinghan immediately seized the opportunity. “For this Qingyun Grand Tournament, everyone's eyes are focused on the Five Geniuses of Qingyun. No one expects a dark horse to emerge.”
“But I believe Ye Ling's true strength is definitely far beyond what anyone estimates.”
“She is bound to shine brilliantly in this tournament.”
“So, let's set off later too!”
“We can go to the Mission Hall to take a mission near the capital, head to the Qingyun royal capital, and watch the Qingyun Grand Tournament live!”
“Ye Ling will definitely be incredibly surprised when she sees us there.”
“Why didn't I think of that!” Su Qinghe's eyes instantly lit up.
Every session of the Qingyun Grand Tournament attracted countless sect disciples and rogue cultivators from all over the Qingyun Kingdom to rush to the royal capital to watch.
In the past, they had only heard of it from afar. Though they yearned to go, the long journey made it difficult to travel.
But this time, their best friend, Ye Ling, was on the participant list.
How could they possibly miss it?
Rate on N.U.
