Chapter 58: The Invitation

Just then, a voice echoed through the heavens: “Find a place to rest. In two days, we will arrive at the Hanling Mystic Realm.” As the voice faded, the crowd around them dispersed.

Some gathered in small groups, talking quietly. Others sat alone on nearby rocks, meditating with their eyes closed. A few headed toward the exquisite courtyards in the distance.

*

Lin Xiaoyu followed their gaze. Scattered gracefully in the distance were dozens of courtyards. Gray bricks, dark tiles, pavilions, and terraces peeked through the lush green trees, looking wonderfully inviting.

“Master, look!” She tugged on Chen Ping’s sleeve. “So many houses over there! Should we go check them out?” Chen Ping shook his head.

“There might seem like a lot, but only dozens of courtyards exist.” He glanced at the tens of thousands of cultivators around them. “For a crowd this size, they’re definitely not enough.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the figures flying toward the courtyards. Every single one of them had a powerful presence. A few of them, he could even sense, were experts at the Grotto-Heaven Realm, or even the Dao Severing Realm.

“Remember what happened last time?” he asked softly.

Lin Xiaoyu froze for a moment, then nodded. Of course she remembered.

To protect her, her master had been heavily injured by the self-detonation of four Divine Ability Realm cultivators, then ambushed by that Grotto-Heaven Realm expert and nearly killed.

“I’m not strong enough yet.” Chen Ping looked at her seriously. “It’s best to keep a low profile.”

Lin Xiaoyu nodded firmly. “Disciple understands!”

*

Chen Ping led her to a flat stone in a corner. He sat down cross-legged, and Lin Xiaoyu sat beside him.

No one else was around. It was quiet. Perfect for cultivation.

*

In a courtyard not far away, Yue Qingshuang pushed open the door and walked in. The courtyard wasn’t large, but it was perfectly tidy. A few laurel trees were planted in the yard, filling the air with a faint, delicate fragrance.

She walked to the largest room in the courtyard and opened the door. The furnishings inside were simple: a bed, a table, and a meditation cushion. She raised her hand, and a stream of moon-white spiritual energy flowed from her palm, instantly enveloping the entire room. Wherever the energy passed, dust vanished, the air freshened, and even the bedding on the bed became fluffy and soft.

A moment later, she withdrew her hand and nodded with satisfaction. Then she moved on to the next room. With her cultivation level, cleaning a few rooms was effortless. In less time than it takes to brew half a cup of tea, all three rooms were spotless.

*

She was about to head out when a knock sounded at the door. Yue Qingshuang frowned slightly. She opened the door just a crack.

Three people stood outside. Leading them was a young man in luxurious robes, handsome and possessed of a solid, imposing aura. He was clearly at the Nascent Soul Stage. Two disciples followed behind him, also dressed in fine attire, with tokens of the Tianyue Sacred Land hanging at their waists.

“Junior Sister Yue.” The young man’s eyes flickered with undisguised admiration as soon as he saw her. He quickly clasped his hands in salute. “Forgive the intrusion.”

Yue Qingshuang looked at him without saying a word.

Zhou Yunfan didn’t seem to mind and continued with a smile, “There are too many people this time, and all the courtyards have been assigned. My two junior brothers and I couldn’t find a place to settle down.” He paused, a look of hope in his eyes. “Would it be possible to stay in Junior Sister Yue’s courtyard for a couple of days? Don’t worry, we won’t disturb you at all.”

Yue Qingshuang looked at him. Her gaze was icy cold.

“No.”

The smile on Zhou Yunfan’s face froze. The expressions of the two disciples behind him darkened with displeasure.

“Senior Sister Yue…” the other man spoke up. “You’re staying in this big courtyard alone. It’s just going to waste. The three of us can squeeze in; we won’t take up much space. How about—”

“No.” Yue Qingshuang cut him off, her tone still ice cold.

Zhou Yunfan took a deep breath, suppressing his displeasure. He was also a favored son of heaven in the Tianyue Sacred Land. He had always admired Yue Qingshuang and wanted a chance to get close to her. This trip to the mystic realm seemed like the perfect opportunity, but he never expected she wouldn’t even let him through the door.

“Junior Sister Yue, we are fellow disciples of the Tianyue Sacred Land. It’s only natural for us to look out for each other. Why shut us out so completely?” He tried a different approach.

Yue Qingshuang looked at him and said flatly, “Look out for me? I don’t need it.”

“You…” Zhou Yunfan’s face flushed red, speechless for a moment.

A disciple behind him couldn’t hold back. “Senior Sister Yue, you’re being completely unreasonable! Senior Brother Zhou is a well-known genius in the Tianyue Sacred Land, and he’s just kindly asking to stay for a bit. You…”

“Shut up.” Zhou Yunfan cut him off.

He took another deep breath, looked at Yue Qingshuang, and forced a smile. “Since Junior Sister Yue is unwilling, then forget it.” He cupped his hands. “We won’t disturb you any further. Farewell.”

He turned and left with the two disciples. The moment he turned away, a dark, malicious glint flashed in his eyes. Cold and dangerous.

But Yue Qingshuang didn’t see it. Or rather, she didn’t care at all. She closed the door, walked to the laurel tree in the courtyard, sat down cross-legged, and closed her eyes to rest.

*

The courtyard fell quiet again.

After an unknown amount of time, Yue Qingshuang opened her eyes. She stood up, pushed open the courtyard gate, and stepped outside.

*

Her gaze swept across the crowd. She found them quickly. In the corner, on a flat stone, Chen Ping sat cross-legged, resting with his eyes closed. Lin Xiaoyu sat beside him, looking up at him with focused attention. Under the moonlight, the master and disciple made a quiet, warm scene. A soft light flickered in Yue Qingshuang’s eyes. She walked over slowly.

*

Just as she drew near, she suddenly stopped.

Because she saw it. Chen Ping opened his eyes and looked at Lin Xiaoyu. His eyes were covered with a faint layer of purple-gold light. The light was so subtle that an ordinary cultivator would never have noticed it.

But Yue Qingshuang saw it crystal clear.

What was that?

A jolt ran through her heart.

Right where her gaze fell, the aura around Lin Xiaoyu was faintly quivering.

As if the great Dao of heaven and earth itself was bestowing its blessing upon her.

—

Lin Xiaoyu kept her eyes shut, the Heavenly Dao Divine Art surging madly within her.

That violet-gold Heavenly Dao Primordial Power roared and thundered through her meridians.

She could feel it, the barrier between the 24th and 25th layers… it was beginning to crack.

Her master’s gaze was like a bright lantern, guiding her forward.

Everything inside her body became impossibly clear.

Every meridian, every acupoint, every wisp of spiritual energy flowing…

Under her master’s watch, nothing could hide.

—

Boom…

A silent detonation thundered within her.

The barrier to the 25th layer shattered.

Lin Xiaoyu opened her eyes. A flash of violet-gold light flickered through them and vanished.

“Master!”

She sprang to her feet, elated.

“Your disciple has broken through!”

*

Chen Ping looked at her and nodded with a smile.

“Good. Your foundation is solid. No instability.”

Lin Xiaoyu stared down at her own hands, her face brimming with joy.

She could feel it. Her power had surged by a huge margin.

The 25th Layer of Heavenly Dao Primordial Qi Refining.

One step closer to the 36-layer grand completion.

*

And then…

“Peak Master Chen.”

A cool, clear voice rang out.

Lin Xiaoyu turned her head, and her eyes lit up in an instant.

“Big Sister Yue!”

*

Yue Qingshuang stood a short distance away, the corner of her lips curving faintly upward.

The smile was subtle, but it softened her entire presence.

She walked over to the master and disciple and stopped.

Her gaze swept across Lin Xiaoyu, lingering on her for a moment.

“Congratulations, Xiaoyu. Another breakthrough.”

A bit embarrassed, Lin Xiaoyu ducked her head.

“All thanks to Master’s guidance…”

*

Yue Qingshuang looked at Chen Ping.

Their eyes met.

Under the moonlight, his eyes were deep as an abyss, as if hiding endless secrets.

She suddenly recalled the scene just moments ago. Those violet-gold eyes. Wherever that gaze fell, the great Dao itself resonated.

“Peak Master Chen.”

She drew a deep breath and spoke earnestly.

“My courtyard still has a few empty rooms. If Peak Master Chen does not mind, he may bring Xiaoyu there to rest.”

She paused, then added:

“It is quieter there. It will also be easier for Xiaoyu to consolidate her realm.”

*

Lin Xiaoyu’s eyes brightened as she looked at Chen Ping.

Chen Ping was silent for a moment, then nodded.

“Very well.”

“We will be in your care.”