CHAPTER 150: CHAPTER 18: I MISS YOU SO MUCH

The Lingxi Sacred Land is located on a floating island in the eastern sea of the Sub-immortal Realm. The island is beautifully scenic, with pleasant temperatures and flowers in bloom — a truly lovely place.

As disciples of Wen Guiyun, Nan Hua and others have their residences in the middle of the island, where the Spiritual Energy is abundant, and the scenery is even more beautiful than elsewhere.

Wen Guiyun prefers garden-style architecture, leading to the majority of their buildings being designed in this manner. Here, unlike on Spirit Hidden Mountain where each person resided on a separate peak, each individual has their own courtyard.

Nan Hua’s residence is particularly striking, or rather, luxurious.

His courtyard is regularly maintained by numerous servants, and he chose a teleportation point located within his courtyard. Upon seeing him arrive, the servants immediately came forward to greet him.

Si Lin and others are quite familiar with Nan Hua’s residence, so they are not particularly curious. Gu Qingqing, visiting for the first time, couldn’t help but take a few more glances. Nan Hua’s servants immediately noticed Gu Qingqing’s presence but dared not speak casually due to the authority of Nan Hua and the others.

"Qingqing, what do you think of Senior Brother’s courtyard?" Nan Hua asked with a smile, fanning himself as he noticed Gu Qingqing examining the place.

Gu Qingqing looked around, "It’s very much your style, Senior Brother — quite luxurious." She gave Nan Hua a thumbs up.

"Haha, you know me well; only this style matches me!" Nan Hua was very pleased with Gu Qingqing’s assessment, laughing as he spoke.

"Tch, Qingqing is clearly mocking you. A grown man has made this place so flamboyantly ostentatious." Rong Ye couldn’t stand Nan Hua’s smug grin and mercilessly teased him.

Nan Hua narrowed his eyes at Rong Ye, "Xiao Wu, I see you’ve become mischievous again lately. Now that we’re back at the Sacred Land, let’s have a sparring match later."

Rong Ye rolled his eyes at Nan Hua, "Sure, sparring it is. Am I supposed to be afraid of you?" While he couldn’t beat Si Lin and Yue Zhao, he wasn’t afraid of Nan Hua!

Nan Hua showed a meaningful smile, "That’s what I like to hear."

"Alright, let’s first take Qingqing to meet the Master; the Master is waiting," Si Lin said, seeing Gu Qingqing excitedly watching Nan Hua and Rong Ye. He caught the corners of his eyes twitching as he patted Gu Qingqing’s head and then turned to the two, instructing them.

Si Lin’s authority was still intact, and the two immediately fell silent, glaring at each other before saying no more.

Out of sight of Nan Hua and Rong Ye, Gu Qingqing gave Si Lin a thumbs up and mouthed "Senior Brother is so cool." Si Lin’s expression remained unchanged, but a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes.

Since Yun Ran was not one of their junior-senior siblings, Yue Zhao had someone first take Yun Ran to the courtyard arranged for Gu Qingqing to rest while they headed to the central location of the floating island, which was where the Saint Master resided.

Wen Guiyun was already waiting for them inside, having instructed the guards at the entrance to let them in directly upon seeing them.

"Disciple greets Master."

The five arranged themselves in a line before Wen Guiyun, each kneeling on one knee to pay their respects.

"Rise."

Wen Guiyun waved a hand, and a gentle force helped Gu Qingqing and the others to their feet.

"Little Qingqing, come here, let Master have a good look at you. Have you suffered any hardships outside?" Wen Guiyun beckoned Gu Qingqing with a smile.

Gu Qingqing took a few steps forward, snuggling up next to Wen Guiyun, compliantly allowing him to look her over as she responded, "I’m fine, Master. Look, don’t I seem just fine? I even had a breakthrough."

Wen Guiyun examined Gu Qingqing closely, confirming that she appeared healthy and indeed had progressed in her cultivation, which relieved him. He tousled her hair, "Hmm, Little Qingqing is impressive."

"Qingqing is indeed impressive; she even took first place in the Huazhou City Tournament." Rong Ye interjected from the side.

"Oh? The tournament that delayed your return? Qingqing won?" Wen Guiyun turned curiously to ask.

Initially, Wen Guiyun urged Si Lin and the others to return once they found Gu Qingqing, but because Gu Qingqing had already signed up for the tournament, she decided to participate first and then return, causing the delay to today.

"Yes, Qingqing came in first. Moreover, she challenged up to the one hundred and ninety-sixth floor of the Trial Tower, just a bit behind us," Mu Chen added, seeing Wen Guiyun’s interest.

Upon hearing this, Wen Guiyun looked at Gu Qingqing with satisfaction, "Qingqing is truly amazing. This is your Master’s reward for you."

As he spoke, he took out a Storage Bag and handed it to Gu Qingqing.

"Thank you, Master." Gu Qingqing accepted it without hesitation.

Over the years, Wen Guiyun and the others often gave her things, and she had gotten used to accepting them, no longer as nervous and cautious as she was at the start.

"Qingqing just arrived at the Sacred Land today. You can let your senior brothers accompany you on a tour. I have already sent invitations to other powers to come for your apprentice ceremony." Wen Guiyun looked at Gu Qingqing with eyes full of indulgence.

"Apprentice ceremony? Master, haven’t I already apprenticed?" Gu Qingqing tilted her head, confused, and asked.

"Of course, you’ve already apprenticed, but others do not yet know you’re my disciple. Master wants the entire Sub-immortal Realm to know you are my disciple, to avoid anyone with poor judgment causing trouble for you!" As Wen Guiyun spoke, his tone carried a touch of pride as well as affection for Gu Qingqing.

As the Saint Master of the Lingxi Sacred Land, his disciple’s status was naturally very esteemed, not just anyone could compare. Anyone with some sense, upon knowing Gu Qingqing’s identity, would not dare to treat her lightly!

This was Wen Guiyun’s way of caring for and protecting Gu Qingqing!

Gu Qingqing immediately understood Wen Guiyun’s intentions, feeling deeply moved, and she instinctively snuggled against Wen Guiyun’s hand, "Thank you, Master; Master, you’re so good to me!"

"Haha, of course, Master is good to you. You just need to receive it gladly!" As Gu Qingqing grew older, she didn’t act coquettishly with Wen Guiyun as often anymore. Seeing her like this now, Wen Guiyun felt very pleased.

"Qingqing is so biased. We’ve been good to you too, but why don’t you act all sweetly towards us?" Nan Hua looked at Gu Qingqing and said sourly.

It wasn’t just Wen Guiyun who missed out on Gu Qingqing’s coquetry; they did too. They’ve always been by her side, treating her well — so why was it that only Wen Guiyun received it?

"Senior Brothers are the best in the world; I like you all too!" Of course, Gu Qingqing had to balance her affections and quickly replied.

Si Lin and the others immediately felt a lot more at ease, with smiles appearing on their faces.

The adoption ceremony was thus decided upon, and Si Lin and the others took Gu Qingqing for a stroll around the Holy Land. The disciples and servants they met were filled with curiosity about Gu Qingqing’s identity.

...

"Did you just see the girl following Brother Si and the others? She’s so beautiful, and Brother Si and the others treat her so well," said a female disciple in a pink ruqun with envy.

"I saw, I saw. It’s the first time I’ve seen Brother Si smile, and he looks so good when he smiles!" another female disciple in blue clothing said, recalling Si Lin’s smile with a lovestruck expression.

"And Brother Rong, who always looks fierce and unwilling to associate with anyone, I just saw him picking flowers for that girl, and his smile almost blinded me—he’s like a changed person!" a female disciple in a pale yellow skirt said dreamily, clearly shocked by Rong Ye’s unusually cheerful demeanor.

"Exactly, even Brother Yue Zhao seemed more gentle than usual. I overheard him speaking differently from how he usually talks to us," the woman in pink nodded in agreement.

"Who is this girl? How can she attract such attention from the five brothers?" the blue-clad disciple asked curiously.

The disciple in the pale yellow skirt looked around, gestured for the others to come closer, and then whispered, "I heard from my master that the Saint Master has taken a disciple from the Lower Realm, and preparations for an adoption ceremony are underway. Do you think this girl is that disciple?"

"Now that you mention it, it could be possible. Otherwise, why else would Brother Si and the others be so good to her? They’ve been indifferent to the girls from the Holy Land for years," the woman in pink nodded thoughtfully.

"Wow, a disciple of the Saint Master! That’s not an ordinary status at all, and with brothers like Brother Si and the others protecting her, this girl must have saved the Sub-immortal Realm in a past life—how lucky!" the blue-clad disciple exclaimed enviously.

"I think so too, considering that even Senior Sister Lin was rejected by the Saint Master due to a lack of teacher-disciple fate," the disciple in yellow mentioned Senior Sister Lin with evident respect and envy.

The other two exchanged a glance and nodded as well.

They chatted for a while and then moved on to other topics, eventually leaving as they had other tasks to attend to.

After they left, two figures emerged from behind an artificial hill.

"Senior Sister Lin, you shouldn’t worry about what they said. Even if that person is the Saint Master’s disciple, they can’t compare to you. You achieved the eighth-level peak cultivation at such a young age, and she’ll only feel ashamed when she meets you," Zhao Yan cautiously said, observing Lin Xian’er’s expression.

Lin Xian’er’s expression was undeniably grim. She had always believed she could become Wen Guiyun’s disciple. Even though Wen Guiyun had rejected her before, she firmly believed he would one day recognize her excellence and accept her as a disciple. Instead, she watched as Wen Guiyun took a disciple from the Lower Realm.

But what was hardest for her to accept was hearing those people say that Si Lin smiled at that girl. That was Si Lin, who everyone knew to be cold to everyone—including her—and never paid her any special attention. In his eyes, women were no different from men, perhaps even less worthy, since he could at least converse with men but refused to spend another second in the company of a woman!

Such a person actually smiled at someone?

She couldn’t comprehend it and didn’t dare to imagine it!

This unfamiliar girl had already become a thorn in Lin Xian’er’s heart. But she couldn’t show it, or all her efforts over the years would be ruined. So she put on a smile and turned to Zhao Yan.

"Yanyan, you don’t have to comfort me like this. I know I’m not good enough, and that’s why the Saint Master didn’t take me as a disciple. Anyone chosen by the Saint Master must have exceptional qualities. Please don’t say these things again in the future," she said gently, patting Zhao Yan’s hand, her tone soft as if she were a different person.

Zhao Yan, having been by Lin Xian’er’s side for years, knew at least some of Lin Xian’er’s temperament. She nodded in response and fell silent.

...

After touring the Holy Land, the sky darkened, and Gu Qingqing was led by Yue Zhao back to the courtyard prepared for her.

This courtyard had been prepared since the day Wen Guiyun took Gu Qingqing as a disciple, but it was only fully ready after Gu Qingqing’s ascension. The arrangements inside were all tailored to her preferences, making it exceptionally beautiful.

Gu Qingqing walked through, her smile never leaving her face.

"Do you like it, Geng Geng?" Yue Zhao asked gently, seeing the smile on Gu Qingqing’s face.

"I like it, I really like it. It’s so beautiful here," Gu Qingqing said happily, looking at the nearby stream, pavilion, and the large tree beside it.

"I’m glad you like it. We all arranged it together to make sure you’d be comfortable living here," Yue Zhao’s smile deepened, explaining with a grin.

"Thank you, Brother," Gu Qingqing replied to Yue Zhao with a bright smile.

"As for the servants inside, it’s late today, so they can come to meet you tomorrow. If there’s anyone you don’t like, send them away without consideration for us," Yue Zhao said, his gaze full of affection.

"Okay, I understand, Brother. I’ll choose carefully," Gu Qingqing said, knowing Yue Zhao’s implication. Over the years, she had learned more than just cultivation from them, including how to manage people—an important skill for someone who would live here for a long time.

"That’s good, then..."

Yue Zhao was about to speak when suddenly the sound of footsteps interrupted him.

The footsteps sounded hurried, with the owner seemingly anxious. Gu Qingqing heard them too, and both of them turned their gaze toward the source of the sound.

They saw someone dressed in black wide-sleeved brocade robes, wearing a jade crown, striding quickly in their direction.

"Jun Wu?" Gu Qingqing recognized the person and called out in surprise, quickly moving toward them.

Jun Wu paused for a moment, and upon seeing Gu Qingqing, a smile immediately appeared on his lips. He quickened his pace. "Geng Geng."

The two soon met, standing face to face, eyes fixed on each other.

"Geng Geng, I’ve missed you so much!" Jun Wu stepped forward, standing in front of Gu Qingqing, and gently embraced her, speaking tenderly in her ear.

Gu Qingqing was surprised by Jun Wu’s embrace, momentarily stunned in his arms. That familiar feeling of accelerated heartbeats returned, leaving her a bit at a loss!