Chapter 61: Building Factions

Xu Ziyan looked down at the peaceful Zhongdu City from the lonely peak and could not help but feel emotional. Where there are people, there will be conflicts! She turned her head to look at Xu Lin beside her, who was frowning slightly, and said softly,

“Don’t overthink it. The Clan will make decisions about these matters!”

“Yes!” Xu Lin put his hands behind his back, and his eyes grew even dimmer. “We are just small figures. We only need to follow the Clan’s orders!”

After a pause, Xu Lin suddenly perked up. A brilliant light shone from his eyes as he said loudly,

“But I am not willing! I want to travel across the entire continent and meet all the masters under heaven! I want my name to be known throughout the world!”

Xu Ziyan looked up at the sky. The bright moon was radiating mystery. Remembering her own experiences, Xu Ziyan said dreamily,

“Yes, I want to know how high the sky really is. What are the mysteries of the universe?”

Xu Lin’s expression froze for a moment. His gaze toward Xu Ziyan gradually grew intense, and he said excitedly,

“Little Sister Ziyan, you are amazing! Your goal is so grand! Yes, when we Cultivate Immortality, we fight against heaven and contend with earth. We seek to understand the evolution of the universe and the limits of humanity!”

As he spoke, he grabbed Xu Ziyan’s hand and said seriously, “Little Sister Ziyan, let us work together toward this goal!”

When Xu Lin suddenly grabbed her hand, Xu Ziyan’s body trembled and froze. She looked up at Xu Lin, who was so close, and saw in his eyes admiration, joy, tender affection, and endless sorrow.

Those eyes, mixed with several complex emotions, were captivating and so very close. His hot breath sprayed onto Xu Ziyan’s face, making her heart suddenly chaotic. In a hoarse voice, she whispered,

“It’s getting cold. Let’s go back.”

“Mhm!” Xu Lin responded softly, his voice almost inaudible. But his body remained motionless. The Adam’s apple under his neck moved up and down. Passion gradually emerged in his eyes, as if wanting to melt himself and melt Ziyan!

The night was cold, the lone peak snowy; the moon hung high, casting loneliness. They leaned together in the frosty wind; the biting wind accompanied their sorrow.

In the end, the passion of the two turned into two soft sighs. They released each other’s hands and created distance between them, but each other’s figures were imprinted in their hearts.

“Let’s go back.”

“Mhm.”

On the empty mountain peak, two voices now calm and still drifted through the air.

By the time they returned to their residence, the Morning Star was already shining brightly at the edge of the sky. Passing by Xu Qingxue’s door, Xu Ziyan stopped and reached out to knock gently.

There was a rustling sound from inside. Xu Qingxue gently opened the door. Seeing Xu Ziyan outside, she was momentarily stunned and asked softly,

“Sister Ziyan, have you finished your closed-door Cultivation?”

Xu Ziyan made a gesture to indicate they should talk inside. Xu Qingxue hurriedly moved aside. After Xu Ziyan entered, she gently closed the door again.

Inside Xu Qingxue’s room, Xu Ziyan sat down on a chair and looked seriously at Xu Qingxue. Xu Qingxue felt awkward under her gaze. Her attitude was no longer the same as when she first met Xu Ziyan. Back then, she believed she and Xu Ziyan were equals, and even felt she was stronger than Xu Ziyan. So at that time, her mindset was very calm, even somewhat cold toward Xu Ziyan.

In the end, she had even sparred with Xu Ziyan with the mindset of giving her pointers. She never expected the result would be her own defeat. But at that time, Xu Qingxue was not convinced by her loss. She believed that after she practiced for a while, she would completely surpass Xu Ziyan.

However, reality was cruel. In just a few months, when she stood before Xu Ziyan again, Xu Ziyan had become unreachable. Moreover, Xu Ziyan’s knowledge made her sincerely admire her. It was under Xu Ziyan’s guidance that she broke through to the Seventh Layer of Houtian.

Therefore, now when Xu Qingxue was in front of Xu Ziyan, it was like a Disciple facing her master. She felt both respect and a bit of fear.

Xu Ziyan saw Xu Qingxue’s discomfort but did not show a smile. Instead, she became even more serious and said,

“Qingxue, if I want to establish a faction within the Clan, are you willing to follow me?”

Xu Qingxue was initially stunned, but her expression quickly became extremely determined. In her heart, she had long regarded Xu Ziyan as her leader. She nodded vigorously and said,

“Sister Ziyan, I am willing!”

Xu Ziyan could see her sincerity in her eyes and nodded with satisfaction. She took out a bottle of Spirit Nurturing Pill from her Storage Pouch and handed it to Xu Qingxue, who stood before her. She said softly,

“This bottle contains fifty Spirit Nurturing Pills. Take them and use them first. Come find me again when you run out.”

Xu Qingxue’s body trembled. A whole bottle of fifty Spirit Nurturing Pills! The Clan only gave out one per month, and it was only recently changed to two per month. With these Spirit Nurturing Pills, Xu Qingxue was certain that, with her own talent, she would soon break through the Houtian and reach the Innate Realm Qi Refining Stage.

Her hands trembled as she took the bottle of Spirit Nurturing Pills. The look in her eyes when she gazed at Xu Ziyan changed even more. Previously, she only thought Xu Ziyan’s Cultivation progress was fast, but she did not believe Xu Ziyan had any significant background. All along, she thought Xu Ziyan was just like her, someone without much backing in the Clan. But now it was different. How could someone who could casually take out a whole bottle of Spirit Nurturing Pills not have a background?

Thinking that the leader she followed not only had astonishing Cultivation progress but also had a mysterious background, Xu Qingxue could not help but feel happy inside. The look in her eyes when she gazed at Xu Ziyan became even more respectful.

Xu Ziyan was very satisfied seeing the change in Xu Qingxue’s demeanor. She needed people like this now—those with potential for development and loyalty to her. Only then could she feel assured to entrust matters to them.

She looked seriously at the Xu Qingxue before her and said gravely, “Qingxue, you must remember, you cannot tell anyone about me giving you these Elixirs. Not even the Clan Leader!”

Xu Qingxue nodded immediately without any hesitation. In her heart, the Clan Leader was distant and unreachable, while the Xu Ziyan right in front of her was the opportunity she should seize.

Xu Ziyan looked at Xu Qingxue, and her expression softened a lot. Since she had already confirmed Xu Qingxue as her trusted aide, she naturally could not keep a cold face anymore. She said gently,

“Qingxue, I think it won’t be long before I break through to the Houtian Qi Refining Stage and enter the Inner Hall. I hope you can quickly improve your own Cultivation Level. When I leave the Outer Hall, it would be good if you could look after the New Disciples.”