Fairy, you call this repaying a debt of gratitude?

"Really? Yinghe has really grown up." A faint warmth spread across Ye Qingci's eyes. "I'm very happy that you think that way."

"I'm not a child anymore..."

"Um."

Ye Qingci paused slightly, then softly gave some instructions.

"During Master's absence, Master hopes you can cultivate diligently and calm your mind on your own. When the Immortal Alliance Conference is held, Master... hopes to see you shine."

"This disciple will not disappoint Master."

"Master believes in you."

Luo Yinghe didn't reply. Instead, her gaze suddenly shifted to Shen Wei beside her. She crossed her arms, raised her chin slightly, and spoke with a hint of command:

"I don't know your background, nor do I know why Master would keep a man by her side, but since Master did this, she must have her reasons."

"What exactly are you trying to say? Just be direct." Shen Wei raised an eyebrow, meeting Luo Yinghe's gaze directly.

The girl was slightly taken aback by Shen Wei's gaze, but quickly regained her composure:

"What I want to say is that during this period, you must protect Master's safety, and... you must never have any wicked thoughts about Master."

"otherwise……"

As she spoke, the girl flicked her finger, and half of the long sword at her waist was slowly drawn out.

"..."

Perhaps Luo Yinghe's angry demeanor earlier wasn't feigned.

Before Shen Wei could respond, Ye Qingci stepped forward slowly and gently pressed down on Luo Yinghe's hand holding the sword.

"Don't worry, with Master's strength, no one dares to do anything to Master unless Master wants to."

"That's true."

The girl half-clenched her fist and placed it in front of her chest, as if acknowledging Ye Qingci's statement.

Seeing this, Shen Wei couldn't help but tease in a low voice:

"Really... then what about that dilapidated temple a few days ago..."

Ye Qingci glanced at Shen Wei. "Why don't you take the timeframe back a bit further... like, ten years ago?"

Shen Wei was speechless for a moment, silently took two steps back, and tactfully left the space to the master and apprentice, without interrupting.

Just as Ye Qingci and Luo Yinghe were quietly reminiscing and discussing future matters.

The two people who had been following behind Luo Yinghe and whom Shen Wei considered insignificant walked over slowly.

It was clear that the shorter boy wanted to step forward, and the more composed man behind him tried to stop him several times but failed. In the end, he could only helplessly follow him forward.

"Big brother, what sword technique did you use when you fought with Master Qiu Jue? It was so cool!" The boy looked up at him with admiration in his eyes and asked eagerly.

Big brother...brother?

There just felt a little off coming from this enthusiastic young man.

"Hmm...are you also disciples of the Shangqing Sect?"

Gu Hao, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward, a sheepish smile on his face, and hurriedly explained:

"Yes...yes, we are also disciples of the Shangqing Sect. However, we were forced to come and hunt down Elder Ye. We only intended to put on a show and had no real intention of being enemies with you, young hero, or Elder Ye!"

Shen Wei glanced at him indifferently, his tone flat yet somewhat blunt:

"Yes, with your strength, you really shouldn't even have such thoughts."

Do geniuses always talk like this?

At this moment, the boy stepped forward again, his eyes filled with even greater admiration: "So, big brother, which sect do you belong to? Can I see you at the Immortal Alliance Conference?"

"I don't belong to any sect; I'm just a rogue cultivator," Shen Wei replied softly.

A rogue cultivator?

A rogue cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage?

Gu Hao was completely stunned, unable to connect the two terms at all.

The Shen Wei before me was dressed in a white brocade robe, exuding an air of nobility. It would be more believable if he were the prized descendant of some immortal sect's supreme elder, out experiencing life.

Even if what Shen Wei said is true, the fact that a rogue cultivator could cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage is still a huge shock to Gu Hao's worldview.

For independent cultivators, who have no sect, no resources, and no guidance, reaching the Golden Core stage is already difficult enough, let alone the Nascent Soul stage.

"A rogue cultivator? That big brother is amazing!"

The boy, his eyes wide with amazement, quickly said...

"Since you think all rogue cultivators are this powerful, why don't you join our Shangqing Sect! Judging from Senior Sister Luo's current cultivation level, she definitely won't be a match for you in the future!"

Before anyone knew it, Ye Qingci and Luo Yinghe had finished their conversation. Luo Yinghe walked up behind them, frowned upon hearing this, and said with a hint of exasperation in her voice:

"What nonsense are you two spouting? How could he possibly come to our Shangqing Sect?"

Judging from the tone of his voice, Ye Qingci must have been telling Luo Yinghe some things about him.

Why?

If you don't understand something, just ask.

"No reason."

Luo Yinghe didn't bother to explain further, and turned to leave, her tone firm and somewhat urgent.

"We'll head back to the sect now. The Immortal Alliance Conference is coming up soon, and I need to hurry back to cultivate in seclusion. I don't want to see Ju Wuxuan's smug and treacherous face at the conference."

After saying that, she ignored Gu Hao and Yu Tu, transformed into a beam of light, and sped off in the direction the three of them had come from.

Yu Tu wanted to say something more to Shen Wei and ask about the origin of the sword technique, but Gu Hao quickly grabbed him and pulled him in the direction Luo Yinghe had left.

"Big brother, we'll meet again someday!"

Then, the two of them each transformed into two streaks of light and disappeared.

The arena instantly quieted down, leaving only Shen Wei and Ye Qingci, and the surrounding wind softened.

So many things had happened so early in the morning that Shen Wei rubbed his throbbing head, his mind filled with too many questions, and he was eager to ask Ye Qingci for clarification.

He slowly turned his head, and his gaze met Ye Qingci's.

Ye Qingci spoke first:

"Let's get going."

Shen Wei frowned upon hearing this:

"Don't you need to rest?"

He actually wanted to find out the details during this period.

"There shouldn't be any pursuers behind us, so it's not too late to take a short rest."

"Delay may lead to complications, so let's set off quickly."

Ye Qingci looked into his eyes and seemed to understand what he meant.

"What you want to know... I will naturally tell you when we arrive at the Jade Balance Sect."

"OK."

The two then rose up on their swords, their bodies enveloped in spiritual light, and sped off towards the Jade Balance Sect.

Less than two days later, Shen Wei was able to see the outline of the Jade Balance Sect across the distant horizon.

The Jade Balance Sect is built against the mountain, perched atop a towering green peak, hidden amidst a sea of ​​clouds, shrouded in mist and fog, a model of a celestial sect.

Within the sect, magnificent buildings are arranged in a well-organized manner, exuding a simple and elegant style that reflects the grandeur of a major sect.

Above the clouds, cranes come and go in an endless stream, and sparrows sing incessantly. Occasionally, disciples dressed in plain-colored Taoist robes ride their swords through the sea of ​​clouds, their figures light and graceful, exuding an ethereal aura.

The entire Jade Balance Sect was shrouded in a faint spiritual light, its abundant spiritual power protecting the sect perfectly.

It faintly exudes a powerful spiritual energy fluctuation, which should be the protective formation of the Jade Balance Sect. It has a profound foundation and is indestructible.

This is the Jade Balance Sect, one of the five great immortal sects, the only one located in the Central Continent that directly confronts imperial power.