Chapter 3: She is Your Opportunity
The sect leader of Rain Terrace Blessed Land, surnamed Xia, was named Xia Yanming. His residence, along with the meeting hall, was located on the small floating islands above Rain Terrace Mountain’s peak.
Cultivators who reached the Qi Sea Realm could fly. However, Mingyan, a mere cultivator of the Gathering Stream Realm, could only ascend via the iron chains connecting the floating islands to the mountaintop.
He was well-practiced in climbing these chains. Moreover, his enhanced agility and coordination as a cultivator allowed him to quickly reach the floating islands.
Sect Leader Xia Yanming was still in discussion with several elders. Mingyan requested a disciple guarding the entrance to inform them of his arrival. Shortly after, Xia Yanming and Mingyan’s master, Liu Yunfeng, emerged from the meeting hall.
Liu Yunfeng was a burly, middle-aged man, while Xia Yanming appeared younger, with handsome and refined features. He was the most powerful cultivator in Rain Terrace Blessed Land. Rumor had it he wasn’t much older than Liu Yunfeng and was a rare genius within the sect.
Upon seeing Mingyan, the tension visibly left Liu Yunfeng’s face. “You’re finally back…”
“Sect Leader, Master.” Mingyan bowed, then glanced hesitantly at the guarding disciple beside Xia Yanming. “Sect Leader…”
Xia Yanming dismissed the disciple. Mingyan then spoke, “Sect Leader, the woman I brought back is named Huang Feiyan. She wishes to speak with you.”
Xia Yanming looked slightly surprised. He pondered for a moment, then nodded. “Return to your residence. I’ll come shortly. Remember, keep this matter confidential.”
“Understood.” Mingyan nodded. He couldn’t deny his apprehension. This woman seemed to possess a formidable background. He worried about causing trouble for the sect.
Xia Yanming smiled, stepping forward and patting Mingyan’s shoulder. “I know you might be feeling pressured, worried about causing trouble for the sect. But think about it, this could be an opportunity for the sect. Or perhaps, an opportunity for you.”
Liu Yunfeng glanced at Mingyan, seemingly about to speak, but ultimately remained silent.
“Let me escort you down. I’ll come over later.” Xia Yanming placed his hand on Mingyan’s shoulder, leaped into the air, carrying him down from the floating island, and landed softly on the mountain peak.
Releasing Mingyan, Xia Yanming spoke meaningfully, “Perhaps one day, you will leave Rain Terrace Blessed Land. But I hope you won’t forget that this is where you entered the path of cultivation. A person’s life is long, even more so for a cultivator. But there are always places worth remembering, wouldn’t you agree?”
Mingyan looked at Xia Yanming, puzzled. While he did have aspirations, he didn’t understand Xia Yanming’s words. Did he know Mingyan would eventually leave?
Xia Yanming patted his shoulder again, then leaped into the air and vanished from sight.
Did he make his intentions that obvious? Mingyan wondered, shaking his head as he returned to his residence.
Huang Feiyan was sitting cross-legged on his bed, eyes closed, seemingly meditating. Hearing his footsteps, she opened her eyes.
“Celestial one, the sect leader said he’ll be here shortly. Please wait a moment.” Mingyan pulled up a chair and sat down.
Huang Feiyan nodded. Her pale lips had regained some color, and her overall complexion had improved significantly.
“Celestial one, our elder mentioned you’ve reached the Qi Sea Realm. Is that true?” Mingyan recalled Elder Li saying Huang Feiyan’s cultivation was comparable to his master, Liu Yunfeng. He was also told she wasn’t much older than himself, piquing his curiosity.
“…Yes.” Huang Feiyan paused before nodding.
“You’re not much older than me, yet so powerful. Truly impressive,” Mingyan said sincerely.
Huang Feiyan shook her head. “Not really.”
Sensing Mingyan’s Gathering Stream Realm cultivation, she asked, “How old are you?”
“I’m sixteen. Celestial one… Celestial Sister? You’re older than me, so I should call you sister, right?” Mingyan asked tentatively.
A faint smile touched Huang Feiyan’s lips. “You may call me that.”
Sixteen years old and only at the Gathering Stream Realm. To Huang Feiyan, this cultivation speed was incredibly slow… But this was merely a Blessed Land. She couldn’t judge it by her standards.
“How old is Celestial Sister?” Mingyan asked.
“A woman’s age is a secret, isn’t it?” Huang Feiyan playfully covered her lips with her hand.
Mingyan pursed his lips. “I apologize…”
“But since you saved me, I suppose I can tell you. I’m two years older than you.” Huang Feiyan lowered her hand, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she smiled. Her smile held an indescribable charm. Her crescent-shaped eyes were captivating.
“Only two years older?” Mingyan was surprised. “Yet your realm is almost comparable to my master’s… Truly remarkable.”
Huang Feiyan’s smile faded as she lowered her head. After a moment of silence, she asked, “Ming…yan? Mingyan, why do you cultivate?”
“Why do I cultivate? I… I suppose it’s to catch up to someone.” Mingyan smiled sheepishly. “A year ago, I was saved by a celestial being. Since then, I’ve wanted to repay her. But back then, I was just an ordinary person, powerless to do so. That’s why I decided to cultivate. I want to follow in her footsteps. That way, someday, I’ll have the chance to repay her.”
“Is that so? You only started cultivating a year ago?” Huang Feiyan focused on this key information, looking at Mingyan with surprise, then smiling faintly. “You must have remarkable talent.”
Mingyan shook his head. “I was just lucky.”
“No need for modesty.” Huang Feiyan’s voice, though still slightly weak, was full of spirit. She paused, then said, “I also cultivate for someone… I want her to know that I haven’t let her efforts go to waste, that I haven’t disappointed her… That’s the reason I work so hard.”
“In that case, we’re quite similar, Celestial Sister,” Mingyan smiled.
“Indeed. By the way, may I ask? What realm is the celestial being you mentioned?” Huang Feiyan asked after a moment’s thought.
“I’m not sure. I don’t even know her name.” Mingyan scratched his head. “I only know she’s very powerful.”
Huang Feiyan wasn’t surprised. The person who saved Mingyan had no obligation to reveal her name or cultivation level.
“Someday, you’ll find her, catch up to her, and fulfill your wish,” Huang Feiyan smiled gently. “I hope we both achieve our goals.”
“Thank you, Celestial Sister.” Mingyan was genuinely surprised. He had expected someone with Huang Feiyan’s high cultivation to be difficult to interact with. After all, there was a vast difference not only in their cultivation levels but also in their perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. They were from different worlds. Yet, Huang Feiyan’s gentle demeanor made him feel like equals.
A knock came from the door. “Mingyan?”
“Is that the sect leader?” Mingyan quickly stood up, opened the door, and welcomed Xia Yanming inside.
Xia Yanming raised an eyebrow as he looked at Huang Feiyan sitting by the window.
“Sect Leader Xia, we meet again,” Huang Feiyan greeted with a faint smile. “The last time was at the Huang family estate.”
Xia Yanming’s expression turned serious. “I didn’t expect the person Mingyan brought back to be Celestial Huang… How did you end up at Dragon Ridge?”
“It’s a long story…” Huang Feiyan glanced at Mingyan, who understood the implication. “Sect Leader, I’ll go see Master.”
Xia Yanming nodded, and Mingyan left the room to find Liu Yunfeng.
“Master.” Mingyan encountered Liu Yunfeng shortly after leaving his residence. His master seemed to have been waiting for him. Mingyan bowed slightly.
“You scared me to death. I thought something had happened to you.” Liu Yunfeng sighed. “If something had happened to you while gathering herbs on my orders, Mengli would have hated me forever.”
The mention of Liu Mengli gave Mingyan a slight headache. “Speaking of which, I promised to take Mengli to the market this evening…”
“This is a sensitive time. It’s best to stay within the sect.” Liu Yunfeng shook his head. “I’ll talk to Mengli…”
He paused, then looked at Mingyan. “I know your heart isn’t here. With your talent, you could reach greater heights… But I hope you won’t forget you still have me, your master, and Mengli, your junior sister.”
Mingyan was taken aback. Sect Leader Xia Yanming had said something similar earlier, which he had found perplexing. “Master, why do you say such things?”
“I asked Elder Li to divine your future potential. He told me he couldn’t. I believe if your potential were within our grasp, he would have been able to see it. Your future achievements will surely surpass our imagination. I can’t teach you much. Rather than wasting your talent in Rain Terrace Blessed Land, it’s better for you to grow in a more suitable place…” Liu Yunfeng sighed. “Sect Leader Xia intends to send you to a sacred cultivation ground. He believes that’s where you can fully realize your potential… This celestial being you brought back might be your opportunity. You must seize it.”
“Master…” Mingyan was speechless. While he did aspire to climb higher, to reach realms currently beyond his understanding, hearing Liu Yunfeng say he couldn’t teach him much brought a pang of sadness.
“Enough said. When you achieve greatness, don’t forget to visit and support your junior sister. That’s all I ask.” Liu Yunfeng, ever the carefree one, dismissed his melancholic tone and clapped Mingyan’s shoulder, smiling. “When you return, remember to bring me a few jugs of celestial wine.”
“Master, I won’t disappoint you,” Mingyan said earnestly, cupping his hands in respect.
“Good.”
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