Ascending, Do Not Disturb!

Chapter 107: Collaborate

“Huan Zhong, why have you come here?” Kong Hou saw Huan Zhong and was slightly surprised.
“I made a hairpin recently and saw you over here, so I came over.” Huan Zhong gave the box containing the hairpin to Kong Hou. Kong Hou took the box. Looking at the beautiful and exquisite hairpin in the box, she almost couldn’t contain her smile.

Forging a hairpin was something people would have a hard time connecting to the famous Spirit Master Zhong Xi. Such a gentle and good side that only she knew, which made Kong Hou feel that she was special to Huan Zhong.

“Do you like it?” Huan Zhong saw her in a daze holding the box. His fingers twisted together behind his back. “I have never made hairpins for women before. If you do not like it, I… I will make a new one for you.”

“Very beautiful, I like it.” Kong Hou closed the box, her eyes curving in a smile. “So beautiful on your first try—Huan Zhong, you are amazing.”

“As long as you like it.” His fingers relaxed slightly. Huan Zhong looked down at Gui Ling who was standing under the tree. “The sword is within one’s heart—if your heart is sincere, you have the path. It is late; this little shidi should rest early.”

“Yes.” Gui Ling’s hand trembled as he held the sword. He almost didn’t dare to look at Huan Zhong’s eyes. Was this the strength of a top-tier sect disciple? Just a glance would make people feel the urge to retreat.

“I will see you back.” Huan Zhong looked away and said to Kong Hou, “There are many people in the sect recently; I am worried if you are alone.”

“This is Splendid Cloud Sect—there is nothing to worry about.” Kong Hou happily put the hairpin box into her storage ring. Let me see you back. Our sect has many peaks and residences; I worry you will not find the correct place in the night.”
Huan Zhong’s expression froze sightly. After a slight pause, he nodded and said, “Then I will trouble Kong Hou.”

Gui Ling stood in his spot, watching Kong Hou and Huan Zhong leave. He felt slightly bewildered. Maybe he had overthought? Kong Hou Shijie and Spirit Master Huan Zhong did not look like they were in love.

Maybe the two were, but when Spirit Master Huan Zhong suggested seeing Shijie back, Shijie should have agreed rather than refusing and then suggesting seeing the other back?

Maybe… there was a reason why the last three generations of Splendid Cloud Sect had not managed to marry. Not understanding the mood would be one of the top three reasons.

##

The next morning, when Gui Ling and the other disciples came out of morning class, they saw the guests from the major sects leaving. He was about to dodge these people when a jade pendant fell in front of him. He raised his head, and saw Sect Master Shuang Qing on the jade stairs together with his disciples.

Gui Ling bent to pick up the jade pendant and presented it to Shuang Qing with two hands.

Shuang Qing reached to take the jade pendant and said indifferently, “Thank you.”

“I do not dare.” Gui Ling turned and moved back, but his sleeve was grabbed by Zhou Xiao from behind Shuang Qing. “You are… Gui Ling Shidi?”

Gui Ling turned and saw the other disciples of Splendid Cloud Sect in the distance. He pulled his sleeve out of Zhou Xiao’s hand. He bowed and said, “Transcendent Zhou, Gui Ling has no fate to be a disciple of Primary Luck Sect and cannot accept you calling me shidi.”

Zhou Xiao had an embarrassed expression. He recalled that when Gui Ling had entered the sect, he had a conflict with an apprentice and then had been expelled from the sect after some unknown events. Meeting Gui Ling now and hearing him mention this, he felt slightly guilty. When that matter had occurred, he had investigated, and Gui Ling Shidi hadn’t been in the wrong. But Gui Ling Shidi had already been expelled from Primary Luck Sect. When he and the other disciples went travelling a while ago, he had searched for Gui Ling and didn’t find any of his traces. He hadn’t expected Gui Ling to join Splendid Cloud Sect.