Chapter 63: The Senior Sister Who Makes No Distinction Between Men and Women

The several peak masters stared at Yu Qingsong in astonishment. By the time they had entered the sect, Yu Qingsong was already a cultivator at the Golden Core stage. In their eyes, Senior Brother Yu was at least one of the extraordinary geniuses of their generation, just like Ye Caixuan and Li Yao—he ought to have been the chief disciple of a peak as well.

Sensing their expressions, Yu Qingsong spoke with a touch of pride, “Haha, although I’ve frequently traveled to Central State for sect affairs over these years, when I was young, not to mention Central State, I hadn’t even attended the Azure Cloud Conference.”

“But in the end, all those senior brothers and sisters failed to break through the Golden Core. Instead, it was I, an unremarkable disciple of middling talent, who ultimately stood out!” Yu Qingsong sighed. In his generation, there were also disciples of dazzling talent, and many had become peak masters as well.

Yet in the end, none escaped the two-century lifespan limitation of the Foundation Establishment stage. Of course, some survived for several decades more, but compared to the five hundred years granted by the Golden Core stage, it meant nothing.

To be honest, when he first broke through to the Golden Core, he truly believed himself to be a one-in-a-million genius. But when he first arrived at the Azure Cloud Sect in Central State, he was utterly crushed by a “genius” several centuries his junior.

He had just entered the Golden Core stage, while that person was already contemplating advancement to the Nascent Soul.

Fortunately, by then, he had already broken through to the Golden Core. Though he was dispirited for a while upon returning, it did not have much impact on him in the end.

Yu Qingsong gazed at Cao Xuan and spoke with profound sincerity, “Cao Xuan, in my eyes, your talent is second only to Little Martial Uncle among all the geniuses our Azure Cloud Sect in Yunzhou has seen in thousands of years!”

“However, you must understand: there are always others more talented, and the world is vast. Once you reach Central State’s Azure Cloud Sect, do not belittle yourself!”

“For you, the Golden Core stage is not the end—your future holds the promise of the Nascent Soul.”

“So do not fret over temporary speed or slowness!” As he spoke, he glanced at the other peak masters. “The same goes for you all!”

“Yes!”

“We will remember your teachings, Martial Uncle!” Cao Xuan and the peak masters replied in unison.

Yu Qingsong’s praise, placing Cao Xuan just below Sage Xiang Qiou, showed how highly he regarded him.

It must be known that Sage Xiang Qiou was personally accepted as Yu Qingsong’s disciple, but due to his astonishing aptitude, he was not only made a disciple on his master’s behalf, but even on his grandmaster’s behalf, becoming a generation higher and the Little Martial Uncle of the entire Azure Cloud Sect.

And indeed, when Yu Qingsong was at the early Golden Core stage, Little Martial Uncle was just beginning his cultivation.

Now, Yu Qingsong was in the mid-Golden Core stage, but Little Martial Uncle had already made a tremendous reputation in Central State, becoming a peak Spirit Severing cultivator. Even the holy sons of several great sacred lands were courting Little Martial Uncle.

They were but small fish in shallow waters, while Little Martial Uncle was a dragon stirring waves and clouds.

Cao Xuan was one with the potential to leave the shallows and become a dragon. He only hoped that, upon reaching Central State, Cao Xuan would not be so intimidated by the “true dragons” there that he would be afraid to leap over the Dragon Gate.

Yu Qingsong looked at Cao Xuan. Ninefold tempered spiritual roots—still a little lacking. Even if, thanks to sudden enlightenment, he had broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, it only proved his comprehension was decent.

But unfortunately, cultivation was a long and arduous path requiring perseverance.

Cao Xuan could not be in a state of constant enlightenment; he would have to hone his Foundation Establishment slowly, just like the many disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect in Yunzhou.

Thinking this, Yu Qingsong continued with, “Yu Wan, you are about to break through to the Golden Core and take my place. There are some matters I can tell you in advance, so you can be mentally prepared.”

The peak masters tensed, and Yu Qingsong continued, “The Azure Cloud Mist Cavern is not considered a high-level secret realm in Central State’s Azure Cloud Sect, but for us, as long as it helps us temper our Dao foundations and break through to the Golden Core, it is the best secret realm there is.”

He looked at Cao Xuan and, turning to Li Yao beside him, said, “In Central State’s Azure Cloud Sect, only those with supreme spiritual roots may become inner disciples!”

“Those with ninefold tempered spiritual roots or less can only be outer disciples!”

He did not elaborate, but everyone understood the meaning behind Sect Master Yu’s words.

Li Yao pressed her lips together and smiled, “Martial Uncle, you overthink. We just want to do our best; we don’t plan to compare ourselves to others!”

Yu Qingsong nodded without arguing, though he sighed softly within.

“When you get to Central State, your masters and martial uncles, having cultivated for centuries, might be able to accept it better.”

“But you youngsters, proud and spirited as you are, will you really remain unaffected by your peers?”

Sensing the somber mood, it was Li Zhiyun who stepped forward, clapped Cao Xuan on the shoulder, and laughed heartily, “Brother Yu, with all due respect, Junior Nephew Cao’s breakthrough to mid-Foundation Establishment is a great achievement—how is it that, in your mouth, it seems like nothing at all?”

She waved her thunder staff in front of Cao Xuan to catch his attention.

“Besides, if we really can’t match up to Central State, then so be it! If I break through to the Golden Core stage, I’ll return to Yunzhou and happily live out five hundred years as the Demon-Dispelling Peak Master. What’s the point of overthinking it?”

“Brother, you’re too cautious, too thoughtful. If it were me, with mid-Golden Core cultivation, I’d have already swept through Bone Demon Ridge, White Demon Forest, and the Evil Cultivator City…”

Seeing the others’ looks, Li Zhiyun waved her hand impatiently, “Enough, enough, boring!”

Everyone knew how much Senior Brother Yu had done for the sect. Without his steadfast approach, even with Little Martial Uncle’s fame in Central State and the sacred lands disdaining Yunzhou, if the local forces couldn’t be kept in check, they would certainly take their share, and even Xiang Qiou could not object.

Soon, the commotion over Cao Xuan’s breakthrough subsided, and the various peak masters dispersed. The arrangements for the Azure Cloud Conference a year later concluded with the addition of Cao Xuan.

Only after everyone had left did Li Yao, belatedly realizing something, exclaim in wonder, “Junior Brother, you’ve perfected the ‘Runic Cloud Art’?”

Cao Xuan was a little uneasy under her gaze. It was hard to bear the look of a girl who seemed as though she wanted to devour you.

Without another word, Li Yao grabbed his hand, “Come, follow me to my cave-dwelling!”

She wanted to consult him about the perfected ‘Runic Cloud Art’. While her master had taught her as well, everyone’s insights were different.

Li Yao was now stuck at the final hurdle, unable to advance or retreat. Now that there was another who had perfected the ‘Runic Cloud Art,’ she wanted Cao Xuan to help her through the barrier.

Yu Wan opened her mouth, wishing to ask something as well, but seeing Li Yao’s determined expression, she understood Li Yao’s eagerness to break through, and simply said, “Come by my cave-dwelling later.”

…

Hand in hand, Li Yao quickly led Cao Xuan to her cave-dwelling.

When he saw the interior, Cao Xuan was a little dumbfounded.

Li Yao, realizing this, blushed and hastily began to tidy up, “Ha… ha… Junior Brother, don’t mind the mess. No one visits my cave-dwelling, so I rarely clean up!”

Unlike the typically cold and austere cave-dwellings of mountain cultivators, Li Yao’s abode, having been lived in since childhood, actually had the air of everyday life.

Had she not been holding a few undergarments in her hands, awkwardly explaining as she went, the scene might have been even cozier.

Watching Li Yao clutching her undergarments, Cao Xuan felt a little incredulous. ‘Senior Sister, could it be you have no sense of modesty?’