Chapter 041: Lunatic

The massacre at the Sacred Heaven Sect by Qin Xuanxi was something Song Ye had already heard about from Guan Zijie some time ago. It happened just a few months back, right after Qin Xuanxi had first left Qiuyu Village. Over seven thousand disciples of the entire Sacred Heaven Sect were slaughtered by Qin Xuanxi alone; it was clear she was utterly numb and ruthless, killing without hesitation.

Sometimes, Song Ye even wondered if Qin Xuanxi was perhaps a madwoman with multiple personalities. He found it hard to believe that the woman who called him “little husband” in such a gentle tone, who said she’d bear his children, could also be the same cold-blooded demoness who murdered over seven thousand people without a second thought.

“Zixuan, you said none of the great immortal sects dared confront the Azure Nether Demon Lord and demand Li Xiuling’s release. So why was Li Xiuling suddenly set free in the end?” Song Ye continued to ask Zhang Zixuan.

Zhang Zixuan replied, “I heard it was the Abyssal Demon Lord who personally went to the Azure Nether Sect and persuaded the Azure Nether Demon Lord to release Li Xiuling.”

“The Azure Nether Demon Lord gives face to no one but one person: the Abyssal Demon Lord. As for what ties bind the two of them, no one really knows!”

Song Ye asked again, “Zixuan, you’ve often said the Abyssal Demon Lord is the nemesis of the immortal sects. Why would she help rescue Li Xiuling? After all, Li Xiuling is an immortal sect disciple, technically her enemy!”

Zhang Zixuan shook her head. “That I don’t know. I’m just an inexperienced newcomer in the immortal sects. These are just stories I heard from my senior sisters.”

“I also heard from them that the Abyssal Demon Lord is extremely mysterious, always wearing a violet mask, and very few have seen her true face. Even in the ‘Chronicle of Demon Lords,’ her portrait is with the mask on!”

“My guess is, anyone who’s seen her true face is already dead!”

Song Ye chuckled. “That’s not quite true.”

After all, he had seen Qin Xuanxi’s true face, and he was still alive and well.

“What do you mean?” Zhang Zixuan didn’t catch the hidden meaning.

“Nothing. The sesame cakes are pretty good today, aren’t they?” Song Ye changed the subject.

“They’re delicious!” Zhang Zixuan replied with a smile.

“My little sister likes them as much as you do,” Song Ye said, patting Song Yan’s small head. “By the way, Zixuan, you’ve been cultivating under Immortal Master Su for almost a year now. What level have you reached?”

“Foundation Establishment, third stage!” Zhang Zixuan answered.

Foundation Establishment was the second major realm for immortal cultivators. For Zhang Zixuan to reach this level within a year of joining the Palace of Profound Purity was quite impressive.

After all, not everyone was like Li Xiuling, whose talent was almost monstrous. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be called the greatest immortal genius in history.

“Zixuan, you must work hard and earn your Immortal Master qualification soon. That way, when my little sister grows up, she can become your disciple!” Song Ye laughed.

At first, he’d said it as a joke, but the more he thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.

Normally, ordinary people aren’t suited to begin formal cultivation until age thirteen. Zhang Zixuan herself had only joined the Palace of Profound Purity at fifteen, though she’d had some basic guidance before that.

Of course, everyone’s constitution is different. Some are physically ready for cultivation before thirteen; others aren’t until sixteen or seventeen.

As for prodigies like Li Xiuling, she was sent to the Palace of Primordial Void at age six and was already formally cultivating under an immortal master by seven. But Li Xiuling’s case was one in a million and couldn’t be used as a standard.

As for Song Yan, the little sister he’d just acknowledged, Master Gu had previously examined her aptitude and said frankly it was quite average.

Given that, she’d probably have to wait until she was thirteen to start formal cultivation.

There were still ten years before Song Yan reached thirteen. By then, Zhang Zixuan would likely have already passed the Immortal Master’s trial and earned her license. At that point, Song Yan could formally become her disciple.

After all, with her average aptitude and muteness, it was unlikely another immortal master would accept her as a student. But perhaps Zhang Zixuan, for the sake of all the sesame cakes Song Ye had made for her, would agree to take Song Yan under her wing.

Zhang Zixuan was kind and valued loyalty, unlike the cold and reputation-obsessed Immortal Master Su. With Zixuan as her teacher, Song Ye could rest assured.

Sure enough, Zhang Zixuan immediately said, “Of course, that’s no problem! If I become an immortal master and am qualified to take on disciples, your little sister will be my first!”

“Why wait? Let’s get it done now. Song Yan, come here!” Song Ye called.

Song Yan seemed to have accepted her new name. At his call, she obediently walked over.

Song Ye handed her a bowl of tea. “Song Yan, take this bowl of tea to the pretty young immortal. She’s going to be your teacher from now on!”

Song Yan didn’t really understand what it meant to formally become someone’s disciple, but she did as Song Ye said and handed the tea to Zhang Zixuan.

Zhang Zixuan was stunned for a moment, then readily drank the tea in one go.

Song Ye said, “Zixuan, now that you’ve drunk my little sister’s formal tea, you’re her teacher from now on. When you officially become an immortal master, you can’t go back on your word—you have to accept her as your disciple!”

“No problem!” Zhang Zixuan replied cheerfully, patting Song Yan’s little head. “Be good, little one, and call me Teacher.”

Song Ye leaned in and whispered, “My sister is mute and can’t speak. You won’t mind having a mute disciple, will you?”

Zhang Zixuan was taken aback, then quickly smiled. “Of course not. Not being able to speak shouldn’t affect cultivation too much.”

“She’s such a sweet girl—I’m sure she’ll make an outstanding disciple in the future!”

With that, Song Ye had finally found a teacher for Song Yan. Her future education was now half settled—he could just leave her to Zhang Zixuan.

On the Xuan Ying Continent, following a properly licensed immortal master was already the best path one could hope for.

...

Three months later, in Qiuyu Village.

During these three months, Song Ye helped Aunt Sun from next door build a small wooden hut. Her old house had been destroyed by the “Whisper of the Wind God” from the Bone Sovereign. The hut Song Ye built was simple, but if Aunt Sun returned, at least she’d have a place to stay.

These days, Song Ye often saw a few dejected, ragged Yan soldiers returning from the south.

He reckoned the great battle at Xuancheng had ended, with Li Kingdom likely emerging victorious.

Now that the war was over, refugees who’d fled south would probably start returning home one after another.