Chapter 441: Forced Marriage of a Different Sort
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Invincible Sect suffered a pretty big loss this time. In the whole sky palace, everything except the back palace and several peripheral palaces were destroyed. More importantly, many disciples suffered serious injuries. Several disciples even hurt their fundamentals. It would be difficult for them to have any advancement in cultivation at all after that. Sky palaces of other places suffered even more serious losses.
Lonemoon joined the post-war recovery work as soon as he returned to the sect. Over several days, he was so busy that they didn't even see him. Shen Ying and Yi Qing actually started idling away in the back palace every day. Perhaps thinking that these two couldn't be counted on anyway, Lonemoon didn't even have the desire of dragging them over for labor.
Perhaps because Shen Ying had half recovered, she started eating lesser and lesser after a great meal on the day of return. Her five meals a day changed to three a day. She actually started sleeping more, sometimes even as she was eating she'd start yawning. Yi Qing was very worried at first, but after a few days, he realized that she wasn't going dormant, but simply getting sleepy after eating, and then became assured, and just let her be. Only that every time she leaned asleep on the table, he'd carry her back into the room carefully.
But after he had done this many times, there were inevitably several times in which Shen Ying woke up mid way. And the look that she gave him was very weird. Yi Qing vaguely felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't figure out what. But after that, Shen Ying kept asking him the same question.
"Chef, take off your pants, I won't laugh at you!"
"Chef, take it off, my sister didn't kill you the other day, maybe it was alright!"
"Chef, it is quite hot today, maybe I can help you take off your pants to cool off?"
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"Chef, take it off, I'll just take one look, okay?"
"Chef, don't go back tonight. Sleep with me. The kind with your pants off."
Yi Qing: "..."
Chef trembled in fear of a Master who wanted to take off his pants all the time.
And she actually bore the completely serious look every time, like it was all business. Every day, she thought of all kinds of ways to achieve her aim, staring at his pants the whole time.
Shen Ying thought, he everyday secretly carried her onto the bed, secretly kissed her several times, but never making the move. Hmm, she was sure that he must have gotten beaten up by Big Sister to the point of mental trauma. So pitiful...
Shen Ying's such behavior continued for a whole half month. Seeing that a certain someone getting more and more impatient and was already planning to make the move, Yi Qing had to make a concession. He said, unsure, "If Master... is willing, after Father Niu finished his work, we will... we will get married... How about that? After we are married I will... will..."
"Huh?" Shen Ying was stunned. Get married... married! She flushed. So the boyfriend was asking for her hand? But, it's not like it was impossible. As the saying goes, all relationships that don't have the purpose of marriage are hoodlum behaviors.
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"Okay!" She thought about it, and nodded hard, only then climbing down from Chef's body, and releasing the hand which grabbed his pants. "I don't behave like hoodlums!"
Yi Qing, "..." Didn't you just now?
"Then I will go to Father Niu to discuss it first thing tomorrow morning." Yi Qing stood up from the bed immediately. "Rest early, Master."
With that said, he walked out like escaping, but his footsteps were very messy, as though he'd trip and fall any moment. He walked all the way out of the yard, before the suppressed emotions finally burst out. His heartbeat was so loud that he felt like he'd explode. A wild ecstasy spread over his body, making his standing a bit unstable momentarily. He squatted down and pressed his hands against his burning face, and a curvature appeared at the corners of his mouth which had never been there before.
Was he dreaming? Master... Master really agreed!!!
——————
Before Chef went to look for Father Niu, he came by himself. As though there was some matter he wanted to discuss, he came early in the morning. He looked at the table which was laid full of breakfast dishes but with nobody sitting on it, and then at Yi Qing who came out of the kitchen.
"Chef, where's Shen Ying? Still not woken?"
"Not yet." Yi Qing replied casually. Master was getting up later and later these few days.
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"What time is it already? And she's still not awake!" Did she mean to just eat brunch? The corner of his mouth twitched, and he walked towards the room subconsciously. "I have matters to discuss with her." But when he reached the door, he suddenly paused, as though remembering a certain person's annoyance upon being awakened. The hand which lifted just didn't manage to knock.
Yi Qing walked over as well. Just as he was about to speak, the door suddenly opened from inside with a crack, showing Shen Ying who wore very messy hair. She looked up at the two, and lifted a hand in greeting, "Morning!"
"What morning'? This is almost noon!" Lonemoon said resentfully.
Yi Qing at the side stiffened, and he looked straight at the person in front of him. His eyes went wider and wider. He stepped forward and said hurriedly, "Master, you..."
"Chef, I'm so hungry!" Shen Ying said straightaway.
Yi Qing was stunned momentarily, and then he spoke subconsciously, "Breakfast is ready." And soon lunch will be, too.
"Alright, I have matters to discuss with you guys!" Lonemoon grabbed Shen Ying's hand and dragged her to the side of the table. Perhaps it was his illusion, but he felt that Shen Ying was somewhat heavier. She must have eaten too much these few days!
Lonemoon sat down by the table, took a look at the person opposite him who already started nibbling at a steamed stuffed bun, and then at Chef who was handing her more. He hesitated for a long while before saying with a deep voice, "There's a problem that has been on my mind for a long time. This time, Invincible Heavenly Palace suffered quite a great loss, and several disciples suffered quite serious injuries. Those were intruders, after all, it was normal that they couldn't fight them! In general, they suffered because of us." Those people came for them.
He sighed, and frowned, before continuing, "There will be more of such things in the future, I'm afraid that... So I'm thinking, maybe it is time for us to let go."
The master and disciple were stunned for a second, and they both looked up at him.
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What do you mean?
"I don't want the sect that we built together to be involved in plane matters every time." It was their responsibility to guard this plane. It was unnecessary to involve Invincible Sect every time. He can't promise to keep them safe every single time. "Even without us, it would be enough to have Yu Hong, Lan Hua and Little Black they all to guard this sect, seeing the Immortal Realm as it is right now."
"You've made up your mind?" asked Yi Qing. Though this sect was built together by the three, in actual fact, the whole sect was pretty much supported by Lonemoon alone. They merely provided token support by showing up for important events.
"Yup." nodded Lonemoon. Ever since this intrusion, he had understood that guarding a plane wasn't as easy as it seemed on the surface, and they couldn't possibly look out for Invincible Sect 24-7. And in those 3000 years, they did a good job, didn't they? "Not like we leave straight away, just that we try to not intervene in matters of the sect in the future."
The Master and disciple exchanged a look. After a long while Shen Ying replied, "Oh."
The corner of Lonemoon's mouth twitched. What was 'oh' supposed to mean? Yi Qing actually started to explain immediately, "You can decide it. Both Master and I have no objection."
"Alright, then it is settled." Lonemoon looked at Shen Ying. "Yu Hong took charge of the sect for 3000 years in the past, it is most suitable to hand Invincible Sect to her. I'll go and arrange right now. A few days later there will be a Handover Ceremony, Shen Ying, you will formally pass the position of sect master to her."
"Me?" Shen Ying was stunned, tilting her head.
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"Yes!" Lonemoon nodded. Remembering something, he gave her a stare. "Can you have f*cking forgotten that you are the sect master."
"Oh..." Shen Ying took a bite of the bun, and replied lazily, "So troublesome!"
"What troublesome!" Lonemoon rolled his eyes. "That's settled. I'll go first."
With that said, he got up and took two rapid steps, but then he remembered something, and his feet paused.
Wait, troublesome?
Σ(°△°|||)
He turned back abruptly, and looked unbelievably at the figure who leaned on the table nibbling at a bun, soft as wet mud, his eyes widened....
Holy shit!
"SHEN YING!!!!"
Chapter 442: Handover to Disciples
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
"Hey, Father Niu!" Shen Ying waved a hand in greeting habitually.
"To hell with 'hey'!" The corner of Lonemoon's mouth twitched, as his whole person blew over like a wind. He looked at the person in front of him up and down. Indeed, she was taller than a few days ago, and especially with that familiar laziness all over her, this was the real Shen Ying indeed. Yes. "Would it hurt you to tell me earlier!"
Well, you didn't give me an opportunity to speak. Shen Ying laughed, handing over a bun, "Wanna eat?"
"To hell with eating!" Lonemoon grabbed it forcefully and stuffed it into his mouth like it was his way of releasing anger. He looked like he was gonna burst out, but his eyes actually glanced over the person in front of him many times, unsure. "When did you recover?"
"Just now." She simply had a sleep, that was all.
"You're totally fine?"
"Yup." I was fine to begin with.
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"You won't shrink or something, anymore?"
"Uh... that'd be difficult."
Lonemoon stared straight at her for a long while, before he let out a sigh of relief. "Good that you've recovered." He had thought that it'd take her a few more years, but it was actually so fast. Though it was a good thing that the Shen Ying with her cheat-like abilities was back, why did he feel a deep sense of displeasure? Especially when he thought that he could never see three-year-old Little Ying again, he disliked the annoying person in front of him even more.
"Next time, can you notify us early if anything like this happens." If it happens a few more times, they'd really not be able to take it.
"Don't so concerned over these small details."
What small details!
He took a few deep breaths, suppressing the angst in his heart. "The handing over of position, it has to be soon." They can't drag Invincible Sect down with them.
"Oh."
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"Don't you have anything to say?" At any rate, YOU are the sect master.
"One." Shen Ying finally put down the steamed bun in her hand, and said with a look of complete seriousness, "Father Niu, if you're no longer in charge of Invincible Sect, will you... still be giving us living allowances?"
Lonemoon, "..."
Yi Qing: "..."
"Get lost!!!!"
——————
Lonemoon thought at first that the matter of handing over was just an ordinary matter of sect heritage. He didn't expect that when it came to it, Yu Hong was unwilling. She forcefully refused to take the position of Sect master. No, not only Yu Hong, but the whole sect looked like they'd refuse this decision till death.
"Master Lonemoon, are you testing me? Whatever the case, I will never accept the position of sect master, and nobody in the sect will."
"Elder Lonemoon, in my heart there is only one sect master of Invincible Sect. Alive, we are sect master's disciples; dead, we are sect master's dead disciples. Right now, sect master is still here, how can we be treasonous and go against our superior?"
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"Elder Lonemoon, you don't need to persuade me any more. If I am Sect master's disciple for a day, I'm her disciple forever."
"Elder Lonemoon, if I have done anything wrong, please give me a heavy punishment, but please don't place me in the position of injustice, ingratitude and disloyalty."
Yu Hong spoke in all righteousness, and her expression was dead serious. The key was that the disciples around them looked like it was the most natural thing. They even gave him frequent looks of condemnation.
Lonemoon, "..."
Holy shit, what did he do? He just wanted to pass on a position, hello? Isn't that very normal in Immortal sects? Where the hell did this they-would-die-before-accepting-another-sect-master look come from? He must have built a cult of heretics instead of a sect over all these years.
In the end, Lonemoon still compromised. The next best thing would be to change the concept, and choose a new Elder, instead of Sect master. In name, it was to take over from him and Chef, but it was equally to take charge of the management of the whole sect. At any rate, Shen Ying the sect master was no more than a mascot.
This time, she accepted without hesitation, and expressed a willingness to do all she could to promote Invincible Sect.
Lonemoon, "..." Do you guys have some misunderstanding about the sect master? And what was that feeling of grievance?
Eventually, Lonemoon chose two Guardians. Yu Hong, the Left Guardian, would manage all matters of the sect. The Right Guardian was Si Yu, who would teach the disciples cultivation.
Since Si Yu came back from preaching in the lower realms, she seemed to have new understandings. Not long ago, she successfully went through her Tribulation and her cultivation rose to Young Emperor. She was also the first to reach the level of Emperor among this batch of disciples.
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And with Lan Hua, seeing that he had paid rent for so many years, and had made the most contribution in rebuilding the Heavenly Palace, Lonemoon finally settled his problem of residence. He formally became a member of the Invincible Sect, the kind that didn't need to pay rent.
In excitement, Lan Hua dug his storage bag empty once more. This time not because of Good Heart, but of his own willingness.
It was difficult, the life of a foreigner. In fact, he stayed in Invincible Sect for all these years because, besides him being used to the place, it was also the only place in the whole Immortal Realm that could provide unlimited materials such as talismans and array objects for his usage, research and wastage.
Because of the whole sect being body cultivators, nobody had any use of those materials, and nobody would fight with him for it. Besides, with his good friend Radish, any kind of immortal herb could be planted, and any type of weapon refinement material could be found. As an all-rounded cultivate-holic, how could he find a better place than this? He'd be silly to leave!
So Lan Hua had firmed up his wish to stay here since long ago and had finally become a member of Invincible Sect after thousands of years of hard work. Hmm, life was perfect.
He only seemed to have forgotten the fact that Lonemoon robbed his storage bag every once in a while, and he was still penniless now thanks to that.
Because of the change of position, the original handover ceremony became a promotion ceremony. And with Si Yu's sudden imperial ascension, Lonemoon just decided to settle both matters at one go.
The continents were respectful as always, and all of them attended despite their losses from the previous intrusion. Lonemoon passed the positions of Elders to Yu Hong and Si Yu under the witness of everyone and announced that he would retire from managing the affairs of the sect from then on. He passed the jade flute that he had used for years to Yu Hong as a token.
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From now on, he was no longer involved in the affairs of Invincible Sect. He even threw out the account books and all, totally letting go.
Shen Ying looked at a dish of pastry which was almost finished really soon and took away the last two pieces rapidly. And then, she finally expressed objection to this, "Father Niu, maybe, you should still take back the account books."
"Why?" Lonemoon turned to glance at her. Remembering something, he said with a bit of relief, "Now you know how difficult it is to manage a sect, and feel heartache for me?"
"Uh..." Shen Ying looked at the empty dish on the table. No, she felt heartache for the pastries. "Anything else from you?" The person whom she may not see for days in the past had already sat there for a long time.
Lonemoon was stunned briefly. He looked at Shen Ying, and then at Chef beside her. Suddenly he thought of something. His mouth twitched, and he said with some disdain, "Are you two thinking that I'm intruding on your privacy and that's why you wanted me to go? A grown woman can't be kept in the family indeed."
"..."
"Oh yeah, Chef." He remembered something and turned towards Chef. "I kept forgetting to ask you: what was the matter that you suddenly sent voice transmission to me saying you had to discuss with me?"
Yi Qing's face paled, and the hand which was pouring tea trembled. The tea spilled out immediately. A bit of panic flashed across his face. He hurriedly said, "Nothing!"
"Hmm?" Lonemoon was stunned. "Your tone from that day didn't sound like it. Didn't you say it was about you and Shen..."
"Father Niu!" He suddenly interrupted him aloud, and the panic in his eyes grew even greater. He grabbed the empty dish on the table and said, "The pastries are finished, I will go make some more." With that said, he turned and plunged into the kitchen. Even his footsteps sounded a little messy.
Lonemoon, "..."
What was it with these guys?
He couldn't help but turn towards a certain foodie, "What did you do this time?"
"..."
Chapter 443: Can We Get Married?
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
"Huh?" Shen Ying stared blankly at him. What has that got to do with me?
"Huh what?" Lonemoon rolled his eyes. "Can't you tell that Chef has not been himself for the past few days?" He's been in a daze. Sometimes he would even zone out while staring at Shen Ying. How could she say this had nothing to do with her?
"Er... really?" She really could not tell.
"Am I wrong?" Lonemoon glared at Shen Ying, as if she was blind. "I think it was about what happened that night. It must be! It was what happened the night before you recovered. He sent me a message in the middle of the night and told me that there was something he wanted to talk to me about. He even sent me four or five messages after that, so that I could not even sleep a wink the entire night. Tell me – what happened that night?"
Shen Ying tilted her head. Something flashed across her eyes. A moment later, she said, "Nothing huge." She glanced at the fruits on the table and poured herself a cup of tea. She handed a cup of tea to Father Niu while she was at it, then continued, "He proposed to me that night."
Pui...
Lonemoon spat out a mouthful of tea.
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Coughing, he said, "What did you say?!" Propose?! Had their relationship developed to this stage? How was a proposal not a big deal? "And did you... agree?"
"I did," Shen Ying answered matter-of-factly. "I was only 15 then afterall. I hadn't seen enough of the world."
"Holy shit!" No wonder Chef was so out of sorts. The thing he wanted to discuss with Lonemoon about was his wedding with Shen Ying?
"Wait!" Lonemoon pursed his lips and scanned Shen Ying from head to toe. "You didn't go back on your word, did you?"
"Am I that unreliable?" Shen Ying glared at him.
"Yes!" Lonemoon answered almost immediately.
"..." The corners of Shen Ying's mouth twitched. She sighed, then slumped on the table. "Ai, this is so troublesome!"
"Troublesome my ass!" Lonemoon glared at her. "Given the current situation, he probably thinks you regret your answer. What are you planning to do now?" It's been so many days – she should at least clarify herself with him, shouldn't she? She could not allow Chef to continue being this depressed.
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Shen Ying tilted her head and stared at him. As if having made up her mind, she sat upright. "Alright!" She turned and shouted in Chef's direction, "Chef!"
"Master?" Chef, who had been busy in the kitchen, immediately looked over at Shen Ying. He walked over, a dish of pastries in his hand. "Master, what did you call me-"
Before he could finish speaking, Shen Ying pulled downward onto his collar, and then planted a firm kiss on his lips. Two seconds later, she said hurriedly, "Chef, once it gets dark, come into my room."
Clang!
Chef's hands trembled and the dish of pastries dropped all over the floor. He was still bent over, hovering close to Shen Ying. He looked like his entire body had turned to stone.
Yi Qing: "..."
Lonemoon, "..."
"Hey, I'm still here!" Could they take care of their own image? Could they spare a thought for his feelings?
"Eh, you haven't left?" Shen Ying turned and glanced at him.
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Lonemoon's lips twitched. "Why should I leave? This is a public place!"
Shen Ying narrowed her eyes. "That makes sense. Then we will leave!"
Once she finished speaking, she stood up, pulled onto the stone-like Chef, and walked into the house. Some things did not have to wait till dark to be done!
Lonemoon, "..."
Shit!
Was Lonemoon forced to watch their public display of affection, or had he asked for it?
Why did he have to get himself involved in matters like this?
——————
Shen Ying pulled Chef into the room and pushed him firmly onto the bed. It was then that Chef finally snapped back to reality. His entire body was flushed red.
"Master... Master, you..." He moved to get off the bed, but his hands were pulled up above him and held in place with just one of Shen Ying's hands. There was no way he could move anymore. He looked up realized that Shen Ying had already sat atop him. Her eyes no longer reflected the usual laziness that she felt. Instead, they were twinkling with something else. It made him feel warm all over.
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"Chef..." Shen Ying leaned in and Chef felt a warm breath against his ear. Chef shuddered. It was just one simple word, but he could hear a thousand different meanings behind it. "I suddenly recalled that when I was 15, there was something I didn't do. Why not we... get it done today?"
"Wh... What?" Yi Qing's mind was a blank. He stared back at Shen Ying and felt the fire building up from inside his gut. Yet, there was a cool breeze next to his ear.
Shen Ying raised her hand and tore off a piece of his dharmic robe. She scanned his body from head to toe, seemingly accidentally lingering at a certain private part.
"Master!" Yi Qing exclaimed, his eyes widening. He struggled to get up. Suddenly, he felt a warmth on his lips. Shen Ying's soft lips against his. This time, it felt different from before. Something soft moved along his lips, causing him to want more. His own lips slowly parted, and he felt something enter his mouth. The sweet taste flowed straight into his heart. Suddenly, the entire world seemed to be spinning. Chef felt a satisfaction like never before. It was as if he had just taken over the entire world.
He automatically reacted. He wanted to stay right where he was, but he wanted more at the same time.
"Mas... Master... Master..."
"Good... The familiar voice spoke into his ear. "I will be gentle." She trailed her hand downward and was just about to reach an unspeakable area.
Yi Qing shuddered once again. Suddenly, he became alert. With a certain strength that seemed to come out of nowhere, he freed his arms and pulled Shen Ying's hands away. "Master..." his face was flushed, and he was panting. Still, he stubbornly asked the person atop him anxiously, "Are you... Are you still going to marry me?"
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"Er..." Shen Ying hesitated. She looked like she was being put in a spot.
Yi Qing's heart sank. The passion that he felt a second ago disappeared all at once as a dull pain in his chest intensified. The disappointment he was feeling caused his eyes to well up.
"Chef, you know things aren't that simple."
"..." So... it's a no?"
"We definitely can't get married now," Shen Ying sighed. In a heavy tone, she continued, "The key is whether you can survive the beating that my older sister is sure to give you – the kind that would be out to kill you."
Huh?
Yi Qing paused, his eyes widening. "Master, you're saying..."
"You've witnessed my older sister's strength. Given your current cultivation, how high do you think are the chances of surviving a beating from her?" It's almost certain that he would be flattened by her and killed.
"So Master, you're actually... willing!" He could not help but reach out and grab her hand, looking desperately for confirmation,
"Mm?" Shen Ying stared blankly back at him, not understanding what he was saying. "Didn't I agree a few days ago?"
Yi Qing was overjoyed. He reached out and hugged her close. He was so excited that he could bounce around for hours. "Master, Master..." That's great! Master was willing!
"..." So they could continue?
"Master!" Yi Qing rolled around so that Shen Ying was trapped between him and the wall. Just when Shen Ying thought he was going to make a move, he sat up and said determinedly, "I will try my best to defeat Elder Shen. Master, wait for me. I... I am going to train right now."
He got off the bed. Not even concerned about his torn robes, he picked up his pants and disappeared inside the house, leaving behind a certain confused woman.
Shen Ying, "..."
A cold gust of wind blew past her.
Was it too late to break up with him?
This was why she was so tired of dating!
(╯°Д°)╯(┻━┻
Chapter 444: Chef's Cultivation
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The management of Invincible Sect had officially been handed down to Yu Hong and her batch of disciples. In the beginning, Lonemoon offered certain instructions and reminders from time to time. Slowly, as things began to gain momentum, Lonemoon finally let go and acknowledged that it was time to leave.
He had everything planned. Now that Shen Ying was completely well, he had nothing more to worry about with regard to the rear hall. However, the Three Realms were not as normal as they appeared to be on the surface. There were tons of problems inside. Be it Hong Meng or Song Ren, or the problem with the mushroom realm – all of these were not small problems.
Shen Jing was absolutely right before. The Godfiend left behind a mess for them to clear up. Now that they took the bait, they realized that it had been a trap all along. There was no way any of them could sit back and relax any further. To prevent another manager from invading the plane, and before anything irreversible happened, they had to take the initiative to clear up the mess.
That was why they had to go to each and every small world to check. On the one hand, they would be able to learn about this plane inside and out. On the other hand, they would be able to spot any traps that were lying in wait for them. Lonemoon even did a search and for all the delicacies around the Three Realms and compiled them into a book, just in case Shen Ying suddenly felt too lazy to go on the trip. Shockingly, before Shen Ying could even object, Chef suddenly said he was quitting. He wanted to go into isolation to raise his cultivation level.
Lonemoon thought he had misheard Chef at the start. What was he saying?! This little cheat needed to increase his cultivation level? He was already an assistant of the plane, and at the peak of the powers that this world had to offer, especially now that they had figured out how to make full use of their assistants' authorities. Cultivation in their eyes was just data that could easily be adjusted. Why would he still need to increase it? That was unless they met yet another invader like the previous one. Otherwise, Shen Ying and him were the most capable of winning against everyone.
But Chef was determined. No matter what Lonemoon said, he would not change his mind. The next day, he took his sword and mounted the stage in the sect, focused on training his sword techniques. Then... with one move, he broke the entire stage with his sword.
-_-|||
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He did not seem to realize his destructive powers. In the next few days, he either destroyed halls with his sword Qi or used his fire-elemental techniques to burn down whole palaces.
Lonemoon's chest tightened. Faintly, he could hear the sound of immortal stones flowing right out of his pocket.
"Control him!" Unable to hold back any longer, Lonemoon pulled over the only person who had the ability to stop Chef.
Shen Ying glanced at him lazily, then slumped, like she could fall asleep at any moment. "I'm hungry – I have no energy to control him."
"Didn't you freaking just eat?" Lonemoon glared at her
She scanned him from head to toe with a strange expression, so that Lonemoon began to feel goosebumps all over his body. Shen Ying shook her head and sighed. "Sigh, innocent single man. You wouldn't understand."
When Lonemoon heard this, he felt like a dagger had been pressed through his chest.
"What are you talking about? Make yourself clear!"
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"Don't worry, it's nothing!" Once again, Shen Ying looked at the man who was training his sword techniques. Soon, he will realize that there was no use in training this hard. That was if he had not destroyed the entire Invincible Heavenly Palace by then.
Lonemoon frowned. "Speaking of which, what did you tell Chef the other day?" Why did he become like this?
"Nothing." Shen Ying sighed, but she was thinking of something else. She didn't make it in time, did she? "All I said was if he wanted to marry me, he should expect to be killed by my older sister."
Lonemoon paused. That was highly likely indeed.
"Ai, isn't love unpredictable?"
"..." Hey! Watch your words! Are you trying to recite a poem?
"I didn't say anything about his lack of status, but he insists on us doing things the right way." Marriage is only a sort of permit. What's more, he was not even from that plane. The most they would be able to get was probably a fake marriage certificate. "Actually, I'm not too concerned about whether we get married or not."
"..." It sounds like you don't want to give him a status!
"Father Niu." Shen Ying turned to him with a serious expression. "Are all sword cultivators so stubborn?"
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Lonemoon pursed his lips and then retorted, "Are all body cultivators so casual?"
"..."
"Shen Ying, tell me honestly!" Lonemoon patted her shoulder and said seriously, "Do you like Chef? Or just Chef's body?"
"...." Why can't I like his cooking?
"Chef, Elder!" Just as they were speaking, Lonemoon flew over from afar. She seemed to know that Yi Qing was somewhere nearby training his sword techniques. She had a defensive array around herself to protect herself from getting hurt accidentally. She bowed and said, "The country emperor of East Tsui has been waiting in the Heavenly Palace for a long time. He said he has an important matter to bring to your attention."
Lonemoon frowned. "Yu Hong, I said that you and Si Yu can handle the matters for the sect. You don't have to come and ask me about these things. You can handle it."
"No." Yu Hong turned to glance at the man not far away. Then, she continued, "He wants to see Elder Yi Qing. I already asked what this was about, but he refused to tell me. All he said was that this matter is urgent, and he had to see Celestial Emperor Yi Qing personally."
"He's looking for Chef?" Lonemoon paused. Then, he recalled that apart from the ten Celestial Emperors, others saw Yi Qing as the person who controlled the Heavenly Palace. He was the official Celestial Emperor of the Bo Sea. "East Tsui? Why does that name sound so familiar?"
"The country emperor of East Tsui is Yu Cang," Yu Hong reminded Lonemoon. "He was the one who arrived late at the last immortal meeting."
"Oh. The one who played the villain?" Lonemoon knew who he was now. He was the one who said that he supported Lan Hua and opposed to Yi Qing being the country emperor.
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Suddenly, he wanted to laugh. When those country emperors tried to play tricks on them and cause conflicts between Yi Qing and Lan Hua, they completely failed. Instead, their plan backfired, and they began to have internal strife because of the Immortal Contest Pills. Later, Lonemoon and the others lost interest in the country emperors. But from time to time, they would hear from the disciples about news regarding them. They even heard that about half of the 15 country emperors had later been fired.
"He's still a country emperor?" While Lan Hua refined more than a hundred Immortal Contest Pills, Lonemoon only handed to them about 15. Later on, he quietly let a few more enter the market, so that the country emperors got angry. Afterall, the people who consumed the pills the other day were the close confidant of the country emperors. Yu Cang was the only one who played the villain and stepped up to cause trouble. Whether they supported him in silence or not, the other country emperors were sure to keep their distance from them. By right, the country of East Tsui should be in trouble by now. Why hadn't Yu Cang been fired? What was more unbelievable was that he would come to look for Chef and not Lan Hua when he had problems.
"East Tsui is more special," Yu Hong explained. "I heard that the various immortals who are in charge of various parts of East Tsui are called City Lords. Most of them came from the same lower realm. Among them, most are Yus. In the lower realm, they were known as one of the aristocratic families that trained hard toward immortality. It is rare that they are still one family in the upper realm today. Perhaps because they were all from the same lower realm, they're especially united."
"That's rare!" Lonemoon paused. But few cultivators from the lower realm ascended to immortality. Although there were many immortals in the immortal realm, they came from all over the 3000 worlds. What's more, "3000 worlds" did not really mean there were only 3000. In fact, there were probably many more worlds than that. How could so many immortals come from one lower realm? It must be that that particular lower realm was filled with thick spirit Qi.
It was no wonder that Yu Cang was still sitting comfortably in his seat. He had such an advantageous support system behind him. Lonemoon was curious as to what was so urgent that Yu Cang would run here and look for Chef. Suddenly, he was excited. He nodded at Yu Hong. "Since the country emperor came here personally, we cannot refuse to meet him. Yu Hong, lead him to the front hall. We will be there in a moment."
"Yes!" She turned and flew out.
Lonemoon nudged Shen Ying beside him, who had been drifting in and out of sleep. He pointed at Chef and said, "Hey, get to work. Call him over."
"Oh." Shen Ying looked at Chef in the distance and shouted lazily, "Chef!"
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In a flash, the sword Qi in the air disappeared and Chef appeared beside Shen Ying. His eyes were twinkling as he gazed at her. "Master, you called?"
"Someone wants to see you," Lonemoon said. "Stop training for now. Let's go to the front hall."
Chef frowned. It was obvious he was unwilling. Yet, he stole one glance at Shen Ying and followed them, anyway.
The three of them began to walk toward the front hall. After taking just two steps, Yi Qing could not control himself any longer. He turned to gaze at Shen Ying, clenching his fists by his side. A moment later, he reached out stealthily and grabbed Shen Ying's hand. He gently tightened his grip on her hand. Seeing that Shen Ying had no reaction, he broke into a silly grin and flushed.
Lonemoon, who had seen the entire process: "..." Motherf*cker!
He had to endure seeing their public displays of affection even when walking!
Wait a moment!
"Where are the two of you headed? It's there!"
Chapter 445: No One Ascends
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
By the time the few of them arrived at the front hall, the country emperor of East Tsui, Yu Cang, was already inside waiting for them. When he saw the three of them walking in, he immediately got to his feet and bowed toward Yi Qing. "Yu Cang greets the Celestial Emperor." He was unbelievably humble. Nobody would have guessed that he was the same man who was filled with such righteous anger before.
The three of them ignored him and continued walking straight. Shen Ying took the main seat as she slumped down on her chair, one arm resting on the armrest. Yi Qing stayed by her side and retrieved pastries for her to munch on out of habit. He placed it on the side table beside Shen Ying.
Lonemoon, on the other hand, took a seat closest to him on the lower platform. He glanced at the uncomfortable Yu Cang and smiled. "Young Emperor Yu, to what do we owe this honor? Did your disciples misinform us? Were you looking for Celestial Emperor Lan Hua?" He mentioned this on purpose. "How about I ask him to come over now?"
"No, no, no!" Yu Cang was perspiring. He quickly denied it. "Young Emperor, you're mistaken. I... I came to look for Celestial Emperor Yi Qing."
"That's strange..." Lonemoon smiled. "If I'm not mistaken, didn't Young Emperor Yu announce in front of all the country emperors and immortal friends from other continents that you only knew Celestial Emperor Lan Hua, and not Celestial Emperor Yi Qing?"
"Yes... Yes, I did remark indiscreetly. Please forgive me, Celestial Emperor." Yu Cang's legs turned to jelly, and he fell to his knees. "No matter how the Celestial Emperor wants to deal with me, I will accept my punishment."
Lonemoon paused. Logically, if he could afford to cause so much trouble before, he should be quite a proud person. Why was he giving in so easily? What's more, he fell to his knees to admit his wrongs without much more. Suddenly, Lonemoon realized that what Yu Cang was about to ask of them was not going to be simple.
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"But all of these was a folly on my part. It has nothing to do with the people of East Tsui, nor with the people of the Bo Sea." Yu Cang raised his head and looked very seriously at the man who was now handing more food over to Shen Ying. Yi Qing did not even spare him a glance. Yu Cang hesitated, then turned toward Lonemoon instead. "The matter I am here for today is extremely important. It concerns the entire immortal realm. I have no choice but to ask Celestial Emperor Yi Qing for help."
"Oh?" Lonemoon was getting curious now. "What is it that Che- I mean, Yi Qing can handle that I cannot?"
Yu Cang's expression changed. As if he thought about something, he hesitated and lowered his voice. "Reporting to Celestial Emperor – my East Tsui is located on an island further east of the Bo Sea. It's considered a more prosperous piece of land compared to the other countries'. There are many immortals there. But in recent years, no more immortals have been ascending. At the start, we did not know the reason. We thought that the cultivators in the lower realm were just not training adequately."
He looked up and glanced at the three of them, then he lowered his gaze again and continued. "Recently, we received a letter from one of the City Lords, City Lord Chang Qing. He said that his nephew in the lower realm had great potential as a cultivator. In fact, the City Lord had already calculated his fate and discovered that his nephew was bound to ascend to immortality. Yet, for some reason, while he was going through the tribulation, his cultivation level fell. He was stopped from ascending. It was only then that I realized that this entire situation was strange."
Lonemoon frowned and studied Yu Cang. "Cultivators are going against the course of nature after all. Any tiny change – even a hint of a mental demon in one's heart – would affect a person's ascension. How can he say that his nephew is fated to ascend?" That was of course apart from Shen Ying, the cheat. "What's more, many people were stopped mid-way while ascending. That's considered a common occurrence. What's so strange about it? Even if nobody ascends in a few years, that's..." Normal.
"No, there must be something wrong in the lower realm," Yu Cang replied anxiously. He had not finished. "The East Tsui has never before seen a couple of years go by without anyone ascending! And listen to me..." He stole a glance at Yi Qing, gritted his teeth and continued, "I heard that a strange blue realm gate appeared recently between the immortal realm and demonic realm. I also heard that it has something to do with the lower realm. So... may your subordinate boldly guess that there are problems with the realm gate connecting the East Tsui with the lower realm? That's probably why cultivators from the lower realm cannot ascend."
"Realm gates?" Lonemoon fell silent as he felt his chest tightened. He turned around to face Chef.
"There are no problems!" Chef seemed to have guessed what Lonemoon was about to ask him. He shook his head, and said, "I've checked." Then, he poured a cup of tea for Shen Ying. The last time he repaired the plane tree, he checked that realm gate. There was nothing out of the ordinary with it.
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"Celestial Emperor Yi Qing, City Lord Chang Qing's nephew must have fallen for another reason," Yu Cang tried harder to explain when he noticed that Yi Qing was not believing him. "Sacred Arrival Realm, where he's from, is always filled with Spirit Qi. Many immortals in East Tsui came from that particular realm. But in recent years, no cultivators have ascended. Although a few years isn't long,,, one day in the immortal realms is equivalent to 100 years in the lower realm. That means that tens of thousands of years have passed, yet nobody has ascended. How can you say that's normal!"
All of this sounded very logical, but...
"Young Emperor Yu, you seem to have forgotten that the location of the immortal ascension stage is not fixed, even if there are cultivators ascending. Your East Tsui might not have any new cultivators ascending, but for all we know, they've been ascending to other continents." This was not like childbirth after all. Nobody could decide where they wanted these cultivators to ascend. Lonemoon narrowed his eyes and studied Yu Cang. "Or are you saying... Young Emperor Yu is sure that there's something wrong with the lower realm because you regularly receive news about where these cultivators are ascending to?"
Yu Cang paled. He immediately looked guilty. Eyes darting about, he gritted his teeth and cupped his fists. "Please forgive me, Celestial Emperor. Your subordinate... indeed has his methods."
He raised his head to look at Lonemoon, then glanced at Yi Qing, who still did not spare him even a single glance up till then. Guiltily, he said, "When your subordinate was in the Yu Lin Immortal Territory, I came across an ancient array which could form a sort of connection between cultivators who were from the same realm. I set up this array in each of the cities in East Tsui, to allow those cultivators who just ascended to meet with their own people as soon as possible. It's also because of this... that East Tsui has always been doing so well."
Lonemoon scanned him from head to toe. Was this the reason why he has not been fired?
"Celestial Emperor Yi Qing!" Yu Cang pleaded with him. "Our powers are weak compared to yours. We have no means to investigate the reason behind this phenomenon. This is an extremely important matter and you are of a divine race. I am sure you would know a thing or two about it. Please, would the Celestial Emperor come with me to East Tsui to look into-"
"No!" Before he could finish speaking, Yi Qing turned him down. He still had to train himself to marry Master. Why would he go!
"Celestial... Celestial Emperor?" Yu Cang trembled. He did not think that Yi Qing would turn him down so decisively. He turned to Lonemoon for held. "Young Emperor Lonemoon..."
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"Why don't you return back first?" Lonemoon made no promises. "We will see what we can do about this matter."
"But I..." Yu Cang wanted to plead even further.
But Lonemoon had already turned around and waved his hand. "Someone, come and send Young Emperor Yu out."
Yu Cang had no choice. He scanned the three of them once more and then walked out reluctantly.
Only after he exited the Heavenly Palace did Lonemoon face Chef. "Chef, what do you think?"
Yi Qing frowned. He peeled a fruit as he replied, "His story was full of gaps and he did not tell us the complete truth. But there really might be such a problem."
"I think so too." Lonemoon nodded. "This Yu person is definitely hiding something. The strangest thing is his posture toward the lower realm!"
Yi Qing finally looked up at Lonemoon.
"By right, after one ascends to immortality, he should be nonchalant about whatever happens in the lower realm." Lonemoon frowned. "People who have gone through the tribulations themselves before ascending to immortality would have first completed everything they wanted to do in the lower realm, to ensure a smooth journey into the immortal realm. Or they could have the ability to bring theirs along with them, just like Roasted Chicken Gal and her spouse."
"Eh? Is that so?" Shen Ying raised her head as she munched her fruit.
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"I'm not talking to you. Shut up!" Cheats should not get themselves involved in discussions involving normal people. "Eat your fruit."
"..." Oh. Go on.
"In other words..." Lonemoon turned back to Chef. "Most of the immortals in the immortal realm would not be so concerned with matters involving the lower realms. They would not even bother about whether people from the lower realm are ascending. What's more, the array he was talking about seemed strange to me. Chef, on this plane... is there really such an array that can control where people ascend?"
"Yes!" Chef answered confidently. "The Mystic Spirit Array can temporarily open a realm gate, connecting the two realms. But this is an array belonging to the divine race. I don't think immortals have enough power to conjure such an array. There's no doubt, however, that this array can control the position where the realm gate appears."
Lonemoon's expression darkened. He thought of something, then summoned Yu Hong in to give her some instructions. A moment later, Yu Hong brought a name list into the hall.
"Elder Lonemoon, this is the list of earth immortals who have recently ascended to the Bo Sea in these ten years."
"Mm." Lonemoon opened the roll and looked at the data for the last five years. Indeed, there were about the same number of earth immortals ascending to each of the countries – each country received about ten or so new immortals each year. Only East Tsui's column was empty. They did not have even one new immortal. "What Yu Cang said about there being no cultivators ascending to East Tsui was true. Could it be because of the invaders?" Lonemoon frowned and glanced at the foodie. "Shen Ying, what do you think?"
Shen Ying stared blankly back at him. Suddenly, she stopped chewing and pointed at the name list in his hands.
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"Er, I'd look from the start."
Huh? What did she mean?
He looked down at the top of the name list, then his eyes widened.
"Holy shit!"