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The woman poured a cup of tea for Chen Xiu before elegantly walking up to Yang Kai.
In an instant, a pleasant fragrance tickled his nose.
âPlease have some tea, Senior Brother,â the woman said in a small voice, which sounded as delightful as a silver bell. As she spoke, she took a quick glance at Yang Kai before lowering her gaze.
âMany thanks, Junior Sister.â Yang Kai nodded in response.
The woman started blushing and held the tray in her arms. Then, she strode towards Chen Xiu and stood obediently behind him.
Chen Xiu said with a smile, âShe became my Disciple when she was a young child, and has never stepped out of the Sect before. Sheâs pretty bashful as she has rarely met outsiders. Please donât laugh at her, Martial Nephew.â
After giving it a thought, Yang Kai replied, âJunior Sister is beautiful and innocent. Itâs rare to find anyone with such a temperament in this world.â
When the woman behind Chen Xiu heard his compliment, she hung her head even lower as her chin almost came into contact with her plump chest.
âWhat happened to you, Martial Nephew?â Chen Xiu didnât seem to have the intention of talking about his Disciple as he quickly changed the topic.
There was a helpless smile on Yang Kaiâs face as he replied, âItâs a long story. After I left Lang Ya Paradise, something happened and held me up for quite some time. Has Senior Sister Qu been released from her confinement, Martial Uncle?â
Chen Xiu nodded, âShe was released almost ten years ago, and she had been waiting for you. UnfortunatelyâŠâ
As he spoke, he shook his head as though he felt sorry for Qu Hua Shang.
A shocked Yang Kai asked, âDid anything happen to Senior Sister?â
Chen Xiu waved his hand, âNot really. Itâs just that since you never showed up after she waited for a long time, she decided to cultivate in seclusion. She hasnât exited even now.â
Upon hearing that, Yang Kai set his mind at ease. When he saw Chen Xiuâs expression just now, he thought that something had happened to Qu Hua Shang. Now that he knew she was fine, there was nothing he had to worry about.
âMartial Uncle, where is Martial Uncle Xu? What about Senior Brother Qing Kui and Senior Sister Su Ying Xue? Why donât I see them?â Yang Kai was curious about this point. He was a Yin-Yang Cave Heaven Son-in-Law on paper. As a Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Master from Yin-Yang Cave Heaven, Chen Xiu naturally had the right to receive him. However, this matter had something to do with Xu Ling Gong, so he should have been the one to show up.
Even if Xu Ling Gong wasnât in Yin-Yang Cave Heaven at the moment, could Qing Kui and Su Ying Xue be busy as well?
Chen Xiu explained, âSenior Brother Xu and his Disciples were given an important task, so they left the Sect almost 100 years ago.â
Yang Kai was stunned, â100 years ago?â
It had been 100 years since Qu Hua Shang was confined, and Xu Ling Gong had left Yin-Yang Cave Heaven at around the same time. In other words, not long after the Dao Theory Assembly ended, Xu Ling Gong left the Sect with his two Disciples.
After making some calculations, Yang Kai reckoned that the incident happened after the matter regarding the World Tree in the Star Boundary was settled; after all, Xu Ling Gong was still in the Star Boundary at that time as he introduced the powerful cultivators from the Cave Heavens and Paradises to Yang Kai.
Then, he was also the one who helped persuade the higher-ups to let Yang Kai enter the Universe Temples to study the Universe Array.
Yang Kai had the urge to ask what kind of task Xu Ling Gong was given that the latter still hadnât returned from after 100 years. However, as an outsider, it wasnât his place to ask about such things. This task must be important and highly confidential; otherwise, they wouldnât have asked a Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Master like Xu Ling Gong to do it. He had even brought his Disciples with him.
Yang Kai reckoned that if Qu Hua Shang hadnât been confined, she would have been taken as well.
It was no wonder that he hadnât seen Xu Ling Gong or any of his Disciples. Upon that realization, he set his mind at ease. Yang Kai was previously nervous as he thought that Xu Ling Gong was displeased with the fact that he hadnât shown up on time. Perhaps the older man was hiding in the shadows somewhere, just waiting for a chance to hack at him with his sword.
âMartial Uncle, where is Senior Sister Qu now? Iâd like to see her. Can you tell me?â Yang Kai asked politely.
Yang Kai found the issue to be thorny as Xu Ling Gong and his Disciples were not in Yin-Yang Cave Heaven. Other than Xu Ling Gong and his disciples, he basically knew no one else in Yin-Yang Cave Heaven.
With that said, the other issue he was worried about could be dealt with at a later time.
He was a Yin-Yang Cave Heaven Son-in-Law, so he supposedly had to get married into the Sect. Nevertheless, he naturally wouldnât agree to this. It wouldnât have mattered if he were on his own; however, he was the leader of Void Land and High Heaven Pavilion. He was tangled up in many issues, so it was unrealistic for him to get married into Yin-Yang Cave Heaven.
On the other hand, Qu Hua Shang was a Core Disciple of Yin-Yang Cave Heaven, so there was no way they would let her go.
Initially, Yang Kai planned on having a discussion with Xu Ling Gong so that they could come up with a solution that was acceptable for both parties.
He had the intention to offer some compensation to Yin-Yang Cave Heaven since he had obtained immense rewards from the Chaotic Dead Territory. Just by taking out a small part of it he would be able to tempt the leaders of Yin-Yang Cave Heaven to let Qu Hua Shang go.
However, since Xu Ling Gong wasnât around, there was no one he could talk to about this issue. Having said that, this matter could be delayed for now.
Open Heaven Realm Masters enjoyed a very long life, so the matter between Qu Hua Shang and him didnât have to be dealt with immediately.
Regardless, he had to meet Qu Hua Shang and find out what was on her mind. If she was willing to leave with him, he wouldnât mind paying a hefty price for it. Nonetheless, if she wasnât willing to do so, he wouldnât force her.
Upon hearing this question though, Chen Xiu appeared hesitant, âThere has not been any news about Martial Niece Qu since she started cultivating in seclusion, so it wonât be easy to see her. Iâm sure youâre aware that a cultivator is most wary of external disturbance when he or she is cultivating in retreat. If that happens at a critical moment, they will suffer from cultivation dissonance. Or worse, lose their life.â
Yang Kai nodded as he was fully aware of this truth; thus, he cupped his fist and said, âPlease tell me where she is, Martial Uncle. Iâll not disturb her as Iâll just wait outside. There will come a day when she steps out of it.â
After pondering on it with a frown, Chen Xiu nodded, âGood. Before Senior Brother Xu left, he told me to help handle the matter between you two. Since youâre here, thereâs no way Iâll sit back and do nothing. I can gather some information on your behalf, but you mustnât be overly anxious about it. Martial Niece Qu is now a Sixth-Order Open Heaven Realm Master, so itâs normal that she might spend decades in seclusion. During this period of time, you can just stay here. Iâll come to you if thereâs any news.â
âMany thanks, Martial Uncle.â Yang Kai expressed his gratitude.
All of a sudden, Chen Xiu grabbed the Elder Token on his waist and probe it in silence for a while before rising from the chair, âSomething has happened in the Sect. I have to take my leave now.â
He then turned to his Disciple, âWanâer, you have to take good care of your Senior Brother Yang.â
The woman replied respectfully, âYes.â
Following that, Chen Xiu flashed an apologetic smile at Yang Kai, âMartial Nephew, please wait here for a few days. Iâll inform you if thereâs any news.â
Upon finishing his words, he strode out of the hall.
Presently, only Yang Kai and the Sixth-Order Open Heaven Realm Master named Wanâer were left in the Grand Hall. Just now, she had been hiding behind Chen Xiu. When Chen Xiu spoke to Yang Kai, she was too bashful to even lift her head.
The situation exacerbated since only the two of them were left now. Her face was as red as blood while she clenched the tray in her arms as though she was trying to seek a sense of security.
Yang Kai looked up at her and happened to see her stealing a glance at him. As their eyes met, the woman quickly looked away as though she was a frightened little animal. She appeared to be on pins and needles.
There was a helpless smile on Yang Kaiâs face when he saw her behaving like this. If she wasnât pretending, she must be very naĂŻve and innocent. However, Yang Kai couldnât see any traces of pretence, so he reckoned that the woman was indeed just sheepish.
âYou are Junior Sister Wanâer, right?â Yang Kai asked in a gentle voice as he was worried that he would shock her if he spoke any louder.
With her head hung low, the woman nodded and replied in a small voice, âTao Ling WanâŠâ
Yang Kai reckoned that it was her name; thus, he got up and said, âPlease get me a room to stay, Junior Sister.â
Tao Ling Wan seemed to be in a dazed state and she didnât seem to hear him. It wasnât until Yang Kai repeated his words that she anxiously walked out of the hall, âP-Please come with me, Senior Brother.â
After a nod, Yang Kai followed her in a relaxed manner as he kept a distance of ten steps behind her.
The pleasant scent coming from the woman was like countless gentle hands that were tickling his heart.
Soon, they arrived at a room. Tao Ling Wanâs head remained low as she pushed the door open and stepped aside, âHow do you find this room, Senior Brother?â
Yang Kai didnât have any demands when it came to the room he had to stay in as he was just waiting for news from Chen Xiu, so he nodded, âMany thanks, Junior Sister.â
Upon entering the room, he realised that the place was small and there were barely any decorations. He then closed the door and took a seat.
He was surprised by the information he had heard from Chen Xiu on this day. It had been 100 years since Xu Ling Gong and his Disciples left Yin-Yang Cave Heaven. He wondered what kind of task they were assigned.
On the other hand, Qu Hua Shang started cultivating in seclusion several years ago. Was she furious at the fact that Yang Kai didnât show up on time? He felt somewhat apprehensive. Although it was because he had been held up in the Chaotic Dead Territory, that was ultimately his own fault.
If not for his curiosity, he wouldnât have followed the Giant Spirit God and barged into the Chaotic Dead Territory. He could have just returned to High Heaven Territory after leaving Lang Ya Paradise. In that case, he would have ample time to head to Yin-Yang Cave Heaven.
He reckoned that he had to sincerely apologise to Qu Hua Shang when they met again.
Fortunately, Qu Hua Shang wasnât a small-minded woman, so he believed that she would understand after he explained everything to her.
While he was lost in his thoughts, Yang Kai suddenly furrowed his brow.
After rising from the chair, he opened the door and looked out, âWhy are you still here, Junior Sister?â
Just now, he could sense that Tao Ling Wan never moved away from the door. Even the tray was still firmly held in her arms.
âIs there anything you need to tell me?â Yang Kai asked with concern.
Tao Ling Wan quickly shook her head, âNothing. Itâs just that Honoured Master has told me to take good care of you.â
Yang Kai burst into laughter, âThereâs no need for that. Just do your own things. Iâm fine with being alone.â
With her head hung low, Tao Ling Wan said in a small voice, âItâs an order from Honoured Master.â
Yang Kai didnât know what to say. After giving it a thought, he said, âJunior Sister, why donât you get some rest first? Iâll call out to you if I need anything.â
Tao Ling Wan didnât say anything, nor did she take any action.
It seemed that Yang Kai was unable to reason with her. He had no idea whether Chen Xiu had told her anything or it was just her nature.
However, it wasnât like he could let her keep standing outside the room. She wasnât a maidservant but a Sixth-Order Open Heaven Realm Master.
If the others from Yin-Yang Cave Heaven saw that Tao Ling Wan was standing outside his room as though she was ready to serve him, they would definitely chastise him.