Xu qing inference

Ye Fan stopped in front of a portal and gently placed Xu Qing beside a sedimented rock. He always sensed there was a deeper meaning behind her actions.

As he took steps towards the portal, he turned back and gazed at Xu Qing.

"Isn't it time for you to drop the pretense?" he questioned softly.

His eyes focused on Xu Qing as he approached her, but still, there was no response.

"It seems like you are determined to face danger... Do you even realize who you're dealing with?" he muttered to himself.

Yet, still no response.

Ye Fan let out a chuckle, finally understanding that Xu Qing's intentions came from a genuine and testing place for the both of them.

"I have surpassed all your assumptions. Look at that portal over there, it signifies a fresh start. If you're willing, come follow me." He left Xu Qing alone and moved towards the portal.

"Wait!" she called out.

Ye Fan smirked momentarily as he turned to face Xu Qing, who stood carefully on her weak feet. Although in a frail state, she managed to force herself up.

"I have my reasons!" she exclaimed.

He looked at her and said, "Let's go! Whatever your reasons may be, wait until your brothers come to look for you. Besides, it would be a waste to use your heavenly-defying abilities in this inferior realm."

She laughed softly and asked, "Will I see dragons in the upper realm?"

Ye Fan smirked, already halfway into the portal, as Xu Qing followed closely behind. It marked the beginning of a new adventure for Xu Qing as she patiently awaited her brothers to join her.

…

As Ye Fan and Xu Qing ascended into the upper realm, her consciousness transcended the physical realm and entered a realm of cultivation. The world around her shimmered with an aura she had never felt before. The colors were more vibrant, the sounds clearer, and the air carried a fragrant scent of flowers.

She looked around in amazement, taking in the beauty of her surroundings. Beings of pure energy gracefully soared through the air. Not only that, but the trees in this realm emitted a soft, ethereal light, and the rivers shone with a shimmering brilliance.

Xu Qing felt a sense of peace and calm wash over her, as if all the worries and stresses of her everyday life had been lifted from her shoulders. She was captivated by the sheer beauty of this place.

A group of spiritual beings approached her, their serene faces filled with welcome. They gestured for her to follow, and she obediently did so.

As they walked, Xu Qing noticed that the very ground beneath her feet pulsated with energy, brimming with a life force she had never experienced before. She felt herself becoming more attuned to the natural world as she continued onward, following the beings to a plateau that overlooked the entire realm.

From that vantage point, she witnessed the full majesty of the upper realm of cultivation. Energy beings moved in intricate formations, and the music of the spheres filled the air. Her heart swelled with emotion, knowing that this moment would stay with her forever.

However, her thoughts were soon interrupted by the memories of her brothers. Regret began to creep in, but deep down, she knew it was for the best. If she hadn't taken this step, their burdens would continue to weigh them down, pulling them further into the abyss.

"Enough of these thoughts!" Ye Fan said, pulling her closer. "I believe you have more to worry about yourself."

While this place appeared serene and beautiful, it was important to remember that within every beauty lies deception. The upper realm may seem enticing, but it is also a place where those who cannot fend for themselves often get trampled upon. This is your new beginning.

Xu Qing looked around once again, captivated by the mesmerizing and genuine nature of the upper realm, in contrast to the lower realm.

"What is my mission since you brought me here?" she asked, shaking away all negative thoughts.

"There is a prestigious alchemy sect in this upper realm called the Mystic Elixir Sect, and your mission is to dominate it before the arrival of the sovereigns."

"Sovereigns?" she questioned.

"It seems your two brothers truly care for you," Ye Fan replied, gazing deeply into her eyes. "Little Xuan and Xiao."

Xu Qing's head lowered as another wave of sadness washed over her. She had not yet healed from her past, and it would take time to gather her thoughts together.

"And yes, depending on how well those two perform, there might be more than just three sovereigns," Ye Fan added.

"The sovereigns?"

"It seems those two lads really treasured you," Ye Fan said as she stared deep into her eyes. Were they trying to protect her?

"Little Xuan and Xiao," he replied.

Xu Qing's head fell as she felt another wave of sadness rush through her. She still hadn't gotten over things. It would take time to settle her thoughts together.

"And yeah! It depends on the performance of those two lads. There might end up being more than three sovereigns."

"Three sovereigns?" Xu Qing questioned.

"Aren't you questioning me a little too much? It's much better chatting with smart people... obviously you're the third," Ye Fan scoffed. "But if I'm considered the first then, you're probably the fourth."

"I do it... dominating the Mystic Elixir Sect," she proclaimed with a hint of determination shown on her face.

"Then there is no wasting time... we visit the sect today," Ye Fan said, folding both hands behind his back while walking away.

"Why does he always behave like an old man?" she muttered.

"Obviously, because I'm old," he muttered.

Immediately, she ran up to Ye Fan, treading closely behind him.

Without much stress, they finally arrived at the Mystic Elixir Sect. The entrance had a domineering alphabet placed on the front door, representing the peculiarity of the sect. And not only did it stop at that, the building was also smoothly constructed with a magnificent interior design. Xu Qing's mouth went agape. Only the upper realm could hold such a complex and magnificent building.

"Stop drooling, it's embarrassing," Ye Fan said, feeling irritated. "Now it's clear why those two lads had such affection towards you."

Xu Qing held the hem of his clothes, the action made Ye Fan halt.

"Don't you care about my senior brothers?" she asked softly.

"Those lads, care about them? And why would something as annoying as that?" Ye Fan said with little or no expression.

Xu Qing felt bittered. It felt as if they were forgotten, she thought, until she heard... "I have a dependence on them."

Xu Qing's eyes glittered as if sucking up to him. Ye Fan hit her hands away from his clothes.

"Compose yourself, we're about to enter the main hall," he stated with an immediate change in expression.

As Xu Qing stepped into the hall, she sensed a distinct and unfamiliar energy emanating from the leader of the Mystic Elixir Sect. Among the gathered crowd, her own Qi seemed to be of lower density.

"Which kind of visitor are you? Is visiting someone without prompt notice all you're good at?" the small female figure said, sitting on a chair with her back facing them both.

"No time for small talks, it's not as if we're acquainted by any means," Ye Fan stated.

"Hmm, always the same. What an imposing figure you are, and who is that beside you?" she said, looking back. She had yellow hair with icy eyes that pierced through nature.

"Wow! She's beautiful!" Xu Qing exclaimed.

"She is a junior of mine whom I'll love to put in your care since I might be gone for a while, and I won't like her to be a hindrance to me," Ye Fan stated sharply.

Hmm, Xu Qing took a glimpse of Xuan Ling from the corner of her eyes. "Well, that won't be a problem, Xuan Ling!" the sect master called out for her disciple.

Xuan Ling heeded the call of her master, walking in stylishly with pride.

"Little girl, bow to your master."

Xu Qing was reluctant but had no choice. She leaned forward about to bow until she heard Ye Fan speak softly.

"What are you doing?"

Huh, what's going on? she thought. She stared into Ye Fan's eyes and discovered that he had not even widened his lips since their arrival.

"I asked you to take care of my junior while I'm absent, and all you do is put her under one of your disciples?" he snickered.

"Xuan Ling here is my first and best disciple. I raised her with care, so I think she would be perfect for the work."

Xuan Ling looked at Xu Qing, degrading her with each stroke of her eyelid. "How dare you ask my master to raise a trash without a cultivation base."

"No, I'm..."

Ye Fan interrupted her. "You have to be careful. Only a few people know about the world concealment depth, and here you are about to expose yourself... it's a divine-grade technique," he said using voice transmission.

Xu Qing felt shocked. Her senior brothers taught her like it was nothing. It seems they truly acknowledged me.

"How arrogant! Even your disciple dares to spout off like that. I just left for a hundred years, and it seems I've been totally forgotten in this realm. Or should I remind you?" Ye Fan glared at the sect master with piercing eyes.

"No, no, no, just consider it my mistake and let her off," the sect master quickly revoked her decision.

Ye Fan looked around the hall and finally turned his attention towards Xu Qing. "For now, this would be your new home," he said calmly and vanished into thin air, leaving only the echo of his voice behind. "Await patiently."

"Master, who is that man? And why were you wary of him?" Xuan Ling asked curiously.

"Hmm, who he is doesn't matter. All you need to know is to be wary of him. Even a hundred of me can't touch a strand of hair on his head," the sect master replied.

Xu Qing heard their conversation and was perplexed. Who was that mysterious man? Is this another opportunity for her to prove herself to her senior brothers? She promised herself not to disappoint them. Xu Qing anxiously awaited their return.

Meanwhile, Xu Qing was presented with the Mystic Elixir Sect's attire, which she promptly changed into. As she donned the robes, she radiated a luminous and captivating aura.

"Who would have known she was this beautiful? Well, I'm beginning to get interested in her," the sect master complimented, admiring Xu Qing's transformation.

The news of Xu Qing being appointed as a direct disciple under the sect master quickly spread throughout the sect, igniting conversations like wildfire. However, along with the excitement, rumors began to circulate, suggesting that Xu Qing's sudden rise was due to backdoor dealings and not her true abilities.

Xu Qing paid no attention to the comments and opinions of others. All she was focused on was her goal to dominate the Mystic Elixir Sect. She knew it would be a tough and life-threatening mission, but she was prepared to persevere through it all.

With determination in her heart, Xu Qing set her sights on the position of the vice sect master. Reaching the level of sect master would be an arduous task, especially since the sect did not currently have one. But Xu Qing was ready to face any challenge that came her way.

As Xu Qing embarked on her journey, her presence within the sect became like smoke, while the news of her becoming a direct disciple under the sect master spread like wildfire.

Where there is smoke, there is always a fire.