Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World

Without even a word of farewell, Senior Sister Tianhe left with Yan Wushuang, appearing utterly carefree.

Zheng Fa watched the backs of the two along with the tiger. What he had said earlier, Xie Qingxue might have taken seriously, or perhaps not, but Zheng Fa himself had taken it to heart:

If Mu Qingyan's memories are accurate, then the Tianhe Sect might face annihilation in the future.

Of course, he couldn't reveal this:

Otherwise, the reaction of the Tianhe Sect would be unpredictable, and even Mu Qingyan might feel betrayed by him.

But just as he said before, he was powerless to affect the fate of the Tianhe Sect and didn't care much.

Yet for Xie Qingxue and Yan Wushuang, if he had the ability, he wouldn't stand by without offering help.

...

Xie Qingxue sat cross-legged on the white tiger's neck, absentmindedly playing with its white fur, seemingly lost in thought.

"Senior Sister..."

"Hmm?"

"Are you thinking about Zheng Fa?"

Xie Qingxue was startled, turned to look at her junior brother, saw his odd expression, and immediately glared at him, scolding: "What are you thinking?"

"..."

Yan Wushuang shrank his neck.

"On our return, keep your mouth shut and don't mention Zheng Fa."

Yan Wushuang looked puzzled.

"The Five Sects Alliance may not be beneficial to Zheng Fa." Xie Qingxue's tone lowered; seeing Yan Wushuang's confusion, she clarified, "Zheng Fa killing a Dao Fruit with his Golden Core is bound to raise suspicions."

"Ancestor Master?"

Yan Wushuang was shocked and understood his senior sister's implied meaning.

Xie Qingxue nodded, "One suspicion is that Zheng Fa is connected to the Ancestor Master, which poses a life-and-death crisis for him."

Worry showed on Yan Wushuang's face.

"On the other hand, even if he has no connection with the Ancestor Master..."

"Who wouldn't covet the secret of a Golden Core defeating a Dao Fruit?"

Xie Qingxue's words made Yan Wushuang's eyelids twitch, and he exclaimed, "In that case, shouldn't Zheng Fa attend the alliance at all?"

"Not attending would suggest he has a guilty conscience." Xie Qingxue understood why Zheng Fa agreed with Luo Shangxian. Shaking her head, she said, "Attending is his only chance."

"How is there any chance?"

Yan Wushuang's expression darkened, despairing over the situation Zheng Fa faced.

"In me, you, and in Zheng Fa himself."

Xie Qingxue said, looking toward the direction of the Hundred Immortals Alliance.

"Us?"

"When we return to the Tianhe Sect, we should find out more about the Five Sects Alliance on Zheng Fa's behalf, especially finding a way to clear his association with the Ancestor Master."

"He has nothing to do with the Ancestor Master in the first place, right?"

Xie Qingxue glanced at her naive junior brother: "'Nine Reincarnation Golden Core Method' is taboo. Now this 'Jiushan Golden Core Method' derives from it; though different in technique, they are essentially the same. If discovered, it would be hard to explain."

"If you seek to condemn, any excuse will do, let alone this?"

Yan Wushuang blinked, growing more worried for Zheng Fa.

However, Xie Qingxue smiled slightly, seemingly confident in Zheng Fa: "Zheng Fa likely considered this issue. Since he dares attend the alliance, he must have some plans."

"When we return to the sect, we'll clarify things for him. If there's any change, we can inform him."

Yan Wushuang was taken aback, feeling this situation was familiar!

Last time he returned to the sect, he thought the same way!

He looked at his senior sister strangely, a thought arising:

Why not bring his father to the Jiushan Sect for a try?

Perhaps the Tianhe Sect might bear the surname Zheng?

What would there be to worry about then?

"Senior Sister, is this why you're in such haste to return to the sect?"

Xie Qingxue gave him a sidelong glance at his sudden realization and said coldly, "When we return, don't act on your own. If you let anything slip again..."

"..."

"Senior Sister, I'll do exactly as you say! I'll tell you everything!" Yan Wushuang said excitedly, "You have no idea how hard it is carrying such a big secret alone!"

There was a sense of finding belonging in his tone.

Xie Qingxue pursed her lips, her gaze toward her junior brother softening significantly.

Is it hard?

It's very hard.

This silly junior brother thought she didn't understand, but Xie Qingxue... understood long ago.

Xie Qingxue took out the Comprehensive Records, gently stroking it, and secretly smiled:

I also have someone to confide in.

...

Upon returning to the Tianhe Sect, Xie Qingxue and Yan Wushuang were immediately summoned by the Tianhe Sect Leader, Yan Wushuang's father.

"Master!"

Xie Qingxue's face was icy, yet her posture was very respectful.

Tianhe Sect Leader Yan first scrutinized her all over; seeing no apparent change, he glanced at Yan Wushuang, who was hanging his head, a trace of disdain passing through his eyes.

Not wanting to look at his unlikable son, he turned his attention to his beloved disciple, a smile appearing on his face as he asked with concern, "Did you gain anything from this trip?"

Xie Qingxue replied respectfully, "I feel a better harmony with the Qingping Sword."

Sect Leader Yan's eyes brightened. He knew his disciple was reserved, but never spoke falsely; her words must mean she's confident.

As the most talented disciple of the next generation in the Tianhe Sect and the holder of the Qingping Sword, she was seen as someone who might one day restore the Ancestor's glory.

Thus, her cultivation progress was a significant event for the Tianhe Sect.

Thinking of the Ancestor, Sect Leader Yan lowered his eyes and suddenly mentioned Zheng Fa, "You have a good relationship with the Jiushan Sect leader?"

"It's adequate."

"You two killed the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor together?"

"Disciple doesn't know why the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor died."

Sect Leader Yan looked at his disciple; her words sounded truthful.

Of course, they were true. Not even Zheng Fa figured it out.

But Sect Leader Yan interpreted it otherwise — if Xie Qingxue didn't know, did the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor really die at Zheng Fa's hands?

"Did Zheng Fa..." He paused, "inherit the Ancestor's teachings?"

Xie Qingxue hesitated for a moment, as if she hadn't considered this before honestly saying, "Disciple doesn't know."

"What do you think?"

"I think... maybe not," Xie Qingxue replied, lowering her head.

"Oh?" Sect Leader Yan squinted, probing further, "Why do you think so?"

Xie Qingxue hesitated for a long time, seeing her master still watching her, reluctantly said, "In the past, the Ancestor never killed a Dao Fruit while still at the Golden Core stage."

"..."

Sect Leader Yan twitched his lips, understanding Xie Qingxue's point — the Ancestor himself couldn't do it, claiming someone as his heir might be more about boosting the Tianhe Sect and the Ancestor's prestige than truth.

Even if Zheng Fa had some heritage, perhaps... it might be more potent than the Tianhe Ancestor's legacy.

This... makes sense.

He stared at Xie Qingxue for a long time, glanced at Yan Wushuang, and wondered:

After one trip, why did this beloved disciple's way of speaking become like his uncharming son's?

So embarrassing.