C19 Visit Zhao Qinger

"Xiao Yao, come to your auntie quickly!"

The little girl named Xiao Yao hurried to Zhao Qinger's side, beaming as she said, "Auntie, this big brother wants to help us fight off the bad guys."

Confronted with the face that hadn't changed in ten years, Zhao Qinger was flooded with complex emotions. Despite everything that had happened, Sister Qinger remained unchanged.

"Identify yourself! What's your name? There's no one like you in the Soaring Flying Sect!" Zhao Qinger demanded, eyeing Ye Chen with a frosty suspicion.

In a burst of inspiration, Ye Chen drew a long sword from the pond and immediately began the Soaring Flying Sword Technique, thrusting it towards Zhao Qinger.

"Hmph!"

Undaunted by the challenge of swordplay, Zhao Qinger's Wandering Sky Step moved swiftly, her sword flashing with a blur of over a hundred dazzling blooms, like a flock of birds swooping at Ye Chen.

Yet, Ye Chen matched her move for move, his blade shimmering even more brilliantly. Zhao Qinger was astounded; no young member of the Soaring Flying Sect could match this skill.

"Could he be a secret disciple of the Great Elder?"

This thought left Zhao Qinger both stunned and furious. She shifted her technique, attempting to bewilder him with her Wandering Sky Step, but the stranger executed it effortlessly. Even when she incorporated the unrevealed core of the Soaring Flying Sword Technique, she couldn't gain the upper hand.

Finally, with a clang, Zhao Qinger's sword was knocked away.

Despite the loss, Zhao Qinger's hands shook as she fought back tears.

"You're Ye Chen..."

"Sister Qinger, the Master opens the door, but the practice is up to the individual. You see, as your disciple, I haven't let you down," Ye Chen said, setting aside his sword.

Zhao Qinger's voice was tinged with emotion, "After all these years, you've continued to perfect the Soaring Flying Sword Technique, surpassing even me in skill."

"Sister Qinger, you haven't changed a bit since that girl of ten years ago. You're still as radiant as ever, haha." Ye Chen observed that, indeed, the years had left no mark on Zhao Qinger's face; it was as if they had only parted yesterday.

"It's all thanks to the Pill you gave me. I've managed to preserve my youth, so there's been little change."

"Little Yao, did you say someone was bullying your aunt? Tell me who they are. I'll go and set things right for you." Ye Chen crouched down, gently asking the little girl.

"There's no need. It was just some disciples from the sect challenging me. Their grasp of the Soaring Flying Sword Technique is too rudimentary to be a threat to me," Zhao Qinger quickly interjected.

No sooner had she spoken than the courtyard door was flung open—more accurately, it was violently smashed open.

Xiao Yao immediately sought refuge behind Zhao Qinger, shivering uncontrollably. Clearly, this wasn't the first time this had happened.

Three disciples barged into the courtyard, each brandishing a sword. The leader, a towering figure, burst into laughter upon seeing Ye Chen, "Qinger, must be tough waiting in solitude, huh? Seems you've found yourself a companion. But don't worry, just spar with me, Bai Zichen, and once I claim the title of sect master, I'll be sure to take good care of you."

Ye Chen's forehead pulsed with anger at these words. This man not only disrespected Sister Qinger but also harbored lecherous intentions towards her.

"Bai Zichen, I suggest you leave now. I'm not in the mood for a dispute today!" Zhao Qinger snapped.

"Hahaha, what's with that tone? We're all part of the same sect. Can't you even fulfill this small request from your Junior Brother?" Bai Zichen retorted, lifting his sword to strike.

"Hold on!" Ye Chen called out, but Bai Zichen paid him no heed and lunged at Zhao Qinger.

Boom!

A fiery orb exploded in the sky, startling Bai Zichen, who quickly bowed and said, "My apologies, Great Elder. I may have been a bit presumptuous, but this is an internal matter of the Soaring Flying Sect. Please, Great Elder, refrain from intervening."

The Void Returning Sect had dissolved, and with it, the once formidable title of Elder Immortal had lost much of its clout. Now, Ye Chen and his fellow former disciples were seen as potential allies to be courted by the seven great sects, rather than untouchable celestial beings.

"It's just the Soaring Flying Sect's sword technique. As it happens, I've been honing my martial arts skills lately. How about we spar a bit? I won't use any of my magical powers," Ye Chen suggested, unsheathing his sword to demonstrate his earnestness in relying solely on his martial prowess.

"Very well, then I must apologize in advance for any offense," Bai Zichen replied, a grudge simmering within him. This man had appeared out of nowhere and was now in the company of Zhao Qinger, who was soon to be his wife. The situation was bound to raise suspicions.

Ye Chen had volunteered not to use his magical powers, which meant Bai Zichen had nothing to fear. The so-called immortal elders were known for their reliance on magic and supernatural abilities, but when it came to physical strength, he was confident few could withstand ten rounds with him.

The ideal scenario seemed promising, but the harsh reality was that the fight ended in just five rounds, with Ye Chen emerging as the victor. His wrists flicked with precision, exploiting Bai Zichen's vulnerability and swiftly delivering strikes that severed the tendons in his arms and legs.

Though he spared his life, Ye Chen had effectively rendered him disabled—a fate considered more agonizing than death within the ranks of their powerful faction. Bai Zichen's two remaining attendants gingerly carried their defeated master away, too intimidated to utter a single word.

"You've ultimately changed," Zhao Qinger sighed, having witnessed the recent events. She hadn't intervened, nor would she have been able to in time. She sent a silent lament; despite Ye Chen's relative inexperience, his decade with the Void Returning Sect had significantly altered him.

"Sister Qinger, sometimes we have no choice. It's only through our ruthlessness towards enemies that we can show mercy to ourselves," Ye Chen remarked.

"It seems your journey has been more remarkable than I could have imagined. Come, let's go inside and you can fill me in on what exactly has happened with the Void Returning Sect," Zhao Qinger said, leading Ye Chen into the house.

In the span of half a day, Ye Chen had shared with Zhao Qinger the entirety of his experiences over the past few years. With each detail, her astonishment grew, culminating in sheer disbelief. She had never imagined the Void Returning Sect harbored such secrets.

"It's truly remarkable how you managed to eliminate the Sect Master, who was so ruthless in his ways. You're incredibly strong, far more so than I am," she marveled.

"Sister Qinger, now that I've shared my story, what about yours?" Ye Chen cast a glance at little Yao, who had long since succumbed to sleep, then surveyed the courtyard outside. "Your time with the Soaring Flying Sect these past years must have been quite challenging as well."

"When I first returned to the Soaring Flying Sect, the absence of my father's influence left the sect in disarray. It was particularly difficult after my brother fell in battle. Without military backing, the sect's influence waned, and my commands went unheeded."

"As you can see now," she continued with a hint of resignation, "even as the Mu family's eldest daughter, I've been treated as nothing more than a disposable commodity."