In the days following the confrontation, Xiao Yifeng maintained his usual routine, though he added a new task to his schedule: visiting his Senior Brothers and Sisters to learn the various practical Dao techniques of the Wentian Sect.
The atmosphere at Wuya Hall, however, remained suffocating.
Su Qianyi and his daughter were both incredibly stubborn. For two whole days, neither spoke a word to the other. The air at the dining table was so tense it felt like it could ignite. Xiao Yifeng tried to crack jokes to ease the tension, but his efforts were met with stony silence.
Lin Ziyun, ever the mediator, used her teaching sessions to impart more of the sect’s secret arts to Xiao Yifeng. She focused on techniques that would ensure his survival in the mortal world and even passed on the later layers of the Nine Scrolls of Asking Heaven.
For years, Xiao Yifeng’s cultivation had been overseen by his seniors. Lin Ziyun had mostly taught him the four arts—zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. This was the first time she had personally guided him in combat arts.
She was shocked by what she found.
Xiao Yifeng’s comprehension was terrifying. This disciple, who supposedly had "Ding-grade" aptitude, grasped complex divine abilities and secret techniques instantly. One explanation was often enough for him to master the basics.
"You understand it just like that?" Lin Ziyun marveled, her eyes wide with praise.
Naturally, Xiao Yifeng’s "genius" was partially due to his reincarnation. In his past life, Liu Hanyan had held nothing back when teaching him. Although the techniques of Wuya Hall and Feixue Hall differed slightly, the underlying principles were the same. With the combined knowledge of three sects in his mind, his vision was no narrower than Lin Ziyun’s. Learning these low-level arts felt as if he were being divinely assisted.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
During the day, Xiao Yifeng busied himself with training. In the evenings, he packed.
On the final night, Xiao Yifeng sat alone in his room, organizing his bundle. His Senior Brothers had inundated him with a mountain of miscellaneous items—charms, dried rations, spare robes. Xiao Yifeng didn't find it annoying; he carefully stored each item into his Storage Ring.
Xiao Yue, the princess-turned-maid, was in a foul mood. She moved silently around the room, head lowered, helping him pack daily necessities.
"Xiao Yue," Xiao Yifeng said with a smile, breaking the silence. "After I leave, be good. Don't run around causing trouble. I won't be here to clean up your messes anymore. But if anyone bullies you, go find Mistress or the Senior Brothers."
Xiao Yue turned her head away, her nose twitching with suppressed emotion. Her red-rimmed eyes betrayed her act.
"Who causes trouble?" she snapped, biting her lip. "I never cause trouble. Unlike a certain someone who probably can't tell rice from sand. You’d best not starve to death out there."
Seeing her sullen expression, Xiao Yifeng sighed. "Do you have any message for your parents? If I pass by the Yuanhai Kingdom, I can deliver it for you."
Xiao Yue opened her mouth to speak, then hesitated. She shook her head.
"Immortals and mortals walk different paths. But... if you do go to Yuanhai, I will give you a token. Just deliver a letter to my Queen Mother."
Xiao Yifeng looked at her and nodded solemnly. "I promise. And if I return, I will bring you a Sea Spirit Flower from your homeland. Take care of yourself, Senior Sister Xiao Yue."
"Old Man Xiao, you take care too!" Xiao Yue shouted suddenly, her voice wavering. "When you come back... Big Sister here will scrub your back for you!"
Before he could respond, she turned and fled the room as if escaping a fire.
Xiao Yifeng chuckled, shaking his head. He turned back to the table and poured himself a cup of warm tea.
Sipping the tea, he gazed out at the bright moon hanging high in the night sky. A sigh escaped his lips.
"Why the heavy sigh?"
A gentle voice drifted from the doorway.
Xiao Yifeng jumped. Someone had come up the stairs without making a sound.
He turned to see Lin Ziyun standing in the doorway. The night breeze fluttered her robes and teased strands of her hair. Bathed in moonlight, she looked like a celestial maiden descending to earth.
He quickly stood up and bowed. "Mistress."
Lin Ziyun walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling warmly. "I'm not disturbing your rest, am I? Sit down."
Xiao Yifeng shook his head and sat.
Lin Ziyun took the seat across from him. She studied her youngest disciple. At eighteen, his frame had filled out; he looked like a grown man now. Yet in her eyes, he was still the small, stubborn child who had climbed the mountain 8 years ago.
Qing'er is the same age, yet she still acts like a spoiled child, she thought. But this one is about to face the world alone.
She sighed softly. With a flip of her hand, two objects appeared on the table: a fiery red longsword and a jade pendant carved with a dragon pattern.
"Xiaofeng, you are leaving tomorrow. I know your mind is made up, so I won't try to stop you. Your Master and I don't have many treasures to give, but... these belong to you. This is Falling Rainbow and the Dragon-Patterned Pendant. You won them yourself."
"I won them?" Xiao Yifeng asked, stunned.
"That day at the ceremony, your Master made a bet with Senior Brother Guangwei and Senior Sister Guanghan. These are the spoils of war," she explained. "Falling Rainbow is a Middle Grade Immortal Artifact. The pendant is a Top Grade Magical Artifact. Over the last two days, your Master and I re-forged them to suit you better. Paired with your Phantom Spirit Cloak, you should be able to protect yourself."
Xiao Yifeng stared at the items. He hadn't realized that while he was busy training, his Master and Mistress had been secluded in the refining room, working tirelessly for his sake. The treasures felt heavy in his hands.
"And take these."
Lin Ziyun reached into her own Storage Ring and placed a small white porcelain bottle and a thick stack of silver banknotes on the table.
"These are Wuya Pills refined by your Master. There are three of them—save them for life-or-death situations. And the silver... well, you can't survive in the mortal world without money."
Xiao Yifeng knew the value of the Wuya Pills. They were potent healing medicines that could bring someone back from the brink of death.
"Mistress... these are too precious," he stammered. "I cannot—"
Lin Ziyun raised a hand to stop him. "Your Master instructed me to bring them."
"Master did?"
"Your Master has always been protective of his own," Lin Ziyun said with a knowing smile. "You are going out to win glory for him. Do you think he would let you be bullied by outsiders? We do this for all the disciples who leave the mountain."
Her expression softened. "In our hearts, you are no different from our own children. Especially you—you are so young. How could we be at ease letting you go with nothing? Take them. Unless you hold a grudge against us?"
"No! Never!" Xiao Yifeng said frantically. "Master and Mistress have shown me kindness as heavy as a mountain. I would never dare..."
"Then accept them."
Xiao Yifeng’s vision blurred slightly. He lowered his head. "Yes, Mistress. This disciple accepts them with gratitude."
Lin Ziyun watched him, a trace of pity in her eyes.
"Xiaofeng... you know the situation of Wuya Hall. We cannot provide the materials for a Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment. That is why you chose to leave, isn't it? It is our fault. We are useless teachers."
She hesitated, then leaned forward. "If you are willing to wait two more years... I will go back to the Luoshu Mansion. I will beg my clan. I will get you those materials."
Xiao Yifeng shook his head firmly. "Mistress, I do not blame you or Master. I only blame myself for being unable to share your burdens."
"Having that intention is rare enough," Lin Ziyun sighed. "But you are young. Do not pressure yourself too much. Act according to your abilities. Treat this trip as a vacation. If you cannot find the opportunity for a Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, do not settle for a lesser foundation. Just come home. We will find another way."
"Disciple understands."
Lin Ziyun smiled faintly and glanced at the moon outside. "It's late. You have a long journey tomorrow. I won't keep you."
She stood up and patted his shoulder one last time. "Rest early."
"Yes, Mistress. Take care."
Xiao Yifeng walked her to the door and watched her figure disappear into the night before returning to his room.
He sat back at the table, staring at the pile of treasures.
He drew Falling Rainbow from its sheath. The blade was a vibrant crimson, radiating a dense, warm Fire Qi. It was a Middle Grade Immortal Artifact, but after their re-forging, its power likely rivaled a High Grade weapon in the hands of a Fire cultivator.
And the pills. And the money.
Master and Mistress... how can I ever repay this debt?
He picked up the Dragon-Patterned Jade Pendant. It was ironic. After all the twists and turns, Liu Hanyan had still managed to force this gift into his hands. Using his Master as a proxy made it impossible for him to refuse.
What does she mean by this?
He couldn't figure it out.
Xiao Yifeng’s thoughts drifted to the one person missing from this farewell.
His Senior Brothers had given him gifts. His Master and Mistress had given him treasures. Even Xiao Yue had said goodbye in her own way.
But Su Miaoqing—the person he was closest to—had been silent. She hadn't come to see him off.
Strange.
He shook his head. I’ll never understand the mind of a young girl. Are all women this complicated? Even the little ones have thoughts as deep as the sea.
He pushed the chaotic thoughts aside, organized his new treasures, and extinguished the lamp.
Tomorrow, he would descend the mountain.