Chapter 588: Bu Yu Visits the Xinghai Sect

Wang Sheng dared not ignore Yao Xingzi's call, especially since it concerned the future development of the Xinghai Sect. However, he was unwilling to part from his senior sister, and she clearly felt the same.

After thinking it over, Mu Wanxuan decided to disguise herself and accompany Wang Sheng to the Xinghai Sect. This would give her the chance to meet Lishang, who had taken great care of her junior brother.

One of the long-standing traditions of Earth's cultivation world seemed to be cross-dressing, with men posing as women and women posing as men.

Mu Wanxuan found a loose Daoist robe that softened the perfect lines of her figure. She wrapped a silk ribbon around her neck, lightly touched up her eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil, and tied up a Daoist headband. After applying just "a little" Daoist art, she transformed into a refined and fair-featured young gentleman.

Wang Sheng stood to the side, looking her up and down without restraint. Once Mu Wanxuan finished dressing, she turned lightly in front of him, hands clasped behind her back and lips curved into a faint smile.

"Well?"

Wang Sheng scratched his head. "You look good."

They were practically like a pure, proper, and old married couple already, yet his heart still skipped a beat for no good reason.

Finally, Wang Sheng remembered that he had yet to properly gather with Gao Shixing and the others. He asked Fan Tuantuan to prepare some dishes and pulled everyone together for a meal.

Gao Shixing and Fei Lianzi would stay here to cultivate, striving to ascend as soon as possible so they could help Wang Sheng. Zhang Zikuang and Fan Tuantuan planned to conduct a systematic investigation of the thirteen qi planets and transmit their findings back to the Hua Republic.

"If either of you needs anything, don't hesitate to let me know," Wang Sheng said. "It's best not to leave the city while your cultivation is still low, though. We've got quite a large stockpile of Spirit Stones. Yaoyun brought out enough from the Small Immortal Realm to buy half of Fengmo.

"Also, unless you really have to, it would be best not to visit the Buddha statue. Otherwise, you could end up exposing it."

Huai Jing smiled. "Don't worry, everyone. I have already made certain arrangements at the Buddha statue. If anyone tries to access it, I will sense it immediately."

Wang Sheng laughed. "With you here, Buddhist Master, the title of virtuous inner helper truly does not belong to my senior sister."

At the side, Mu Wanxuan smirked. The others clapped and laughed, while Huai Jing was left momentarily speechless.

After the banquet, Wang Sheng took Mu Wanxuan out for a walk through the streets. He didn't wear a bamboo hat this time. Moreover, he fully revealed his cultivation aura, drawing many glances wherever he went. People soon recognized him as Pi Kachew of the Xinghai Sect, the peerless sword cultivator who had fought Long Aotian.

It felt somewhat dangerous, yet deeply satisfying.

Wang Sheng dared walk with his senior sister openly by his side and reveal his identity because he had already resolved to serve as her protector and remain with her at all times.

They spent half the day wandering the city, confirming the saying that shopping was in a woman's nature. He also discovered that his senior sister had a particular fondness for strange and curious artifacts. She bought more than a dozen small items, some useful and some not.

At nightfall, Wang Sheng took his senior sister to the city gate. Dozens of Xinghai Sect celestial soldiers stepped forward, cupped their fists, and called out in unison, "Greetings, Elder!"

Showing the bearing of a lofty expert, he waved his hand. "

Mm.

You have all worked hard."

He then led his senior sister out of the city and headed toward the Xinghai Sect, which was several dozen

li

away.

While riding a cloud, Mu Wanxuan tilted her head. "High official?"

Wang Sheng smiled broadly. "Not really. The Xinghai Sect just made me its elder because I solved a few problems for them; it can't really be called a high position."

Mu Wanxuan blinked. By habit, she almost pulled out her phone to type a remark, but she quickly remembered that they were outside. Hence, she could only make a face at Wang Sheng.

The Xinghai Sect truly gave Wang Sheng ample face. Upon learning that he was returning with his senior sister, two lines of immaculately armored celestial soldiers were ordered to wait at the mountain gate.

When the two arrived on their clouds, the soldiers stepped forward and saluted respectfully. The sect's defensive array opened a gap, revealing several female disciples waiting inside. They stepped forward to greet them, which Wang Sheng was somewhat unaccustomed to.

"Greetings, Elder Pi."

"Is she your distinguished guest, Elder Pi? Some time ago, the sect master ordered us to wait here for you two."

"Wasn't your guest supposed to be your senior sister? How come—

aiyah,

I was blind. Fairy, please forgive me."

Seeing Mu Wanxuan look slightly embarrassed, Wang Sheng smiled. "If you have nothing else to attend to, you may return. I will take my senior sister to the sect master."

"Elder Pi, please proceed to the front palace. Several elders are already waiting there. They say a banquet has been prepared for the two of you."

What? Did they actually arrange a grand reception for us?

After bidding farewell to the female disciples, Wang Sheng led his senior sister up the stone steps. Along the way, he pointed out the scenery and told Mu Wanxuan about the legendary Old Man of Xinghai, who was skilled in divination, constellations, archaeology, and Daoist scripture. He also mentioned that the former sect master served as a Primal Qi Passage Master and an array master.

"Master!" Mu Wanxuan exclaimed, essentially saying that their master could one day become such a well-versed great immortal as well.

Wang Sheng burst into laughter. He didn't doubt it in the slightest.

At the front palace, Linyuan and several elders came forward to welcome them. Wang Sheng introduced his senior sister to each of them.

The elders, of course, offered a stream of kind words and praise. Mu Wanxuan, however, seemed slightly uncomfortable with the formality of it all.

Linyuan said, "Elder Pi, have you seen the notice?"

Wang Sheng smiled. "Of course. Otherwise, how could I bear to return?"

He then discussed the upcoming recruitment with Linyuan for a while. This time, they were not only recruiting Protectors, but also a batch of celestial soldiers. Several elders and the sect master would also take personal disciples.

Recruiting people was mandatory for the Xinghai Sect to grow. Linyuan also hinted tactfully that he hoped Wang Sheng would bring his friends into the sect.

Wang Sheng hesitated for a moment, then declined.

"Only a few cultivators from my homeland came here to the thirteen qi planets, and they haven't reached a high cultivation realm yet. Moreover, they each have their own lineage. I can't make decisions like that for them."

Linyuan smiled. "How can you not decide for them? If their cultivation is shallow, they should naturally follow your arrangements."

Wang Sheng solemnly replied, "That's not how it works for us. Everyone is very harmonious back home, and immortal forces don't suppress one another. Though some contend for fame and profit, most abide by their sect's rules. Cultivators also live in relative harmony with one another. If conflicts arise, they avoid resorting to force or open struggle.

"This is very different from the environment of the thirteen qi planets. Not imposing one's own will upon others is the most basic expression of mutual respect among us."

The elders exchanged looks. Wang Sheng spoke with such utter seriousness that they could tell he wasn't lying. Mu Wanxuan, who had come with him, also nodded earnestly beside him.

For a moment, they truly believed him.

Linyuan sighed a little and smiled. "Well then, if there is ever a chance, I would truly like to visit your homeland. A place of cultivation like that certainly sounds like a paradise I'd love to stay in."

Wang Sheng simply smiled and continued discussing the concrete details of the recruitment drive. As its chief examiner, he would be quite busy over the coming months.

The elders insisted that Wang Sheng join them for drinks in the back mountain. Unable to refuse their earnest invitation, he brought his senior sister along for another feast.

Mu Wanxuan accepted every dish placed before her without hesitation. Moreover, she showed no interest at all in the matters that her junior brother and the elders discussed and debated in an ancient tone.

Seeing how well-mannered and fond of food Mu Wanxuan was, Linyuan catered to her preferences. He specifically ordered several female disciples to fetch professional chefs from Xinghai City to prepare more food.

Finally, after Mu Wanxuan had dealt with the elders, Wang Sheng brought her back to his own small loft to rest.

Wang Sheng had never truly walked around the Xinghai Sect before. He was always flying back and forth. Hence, while strolling through the rear mountain with his senior sister, he discovered that the arrangements throughout the sect were all thoughtfully designed. The scenery was refined and spirited, free of vulgarity, rich with celestial charm, and had an air of natural elegance.

When the two arrived at Wang Sheng's private pavilion, they noticed Yao Xingzi watching them from the window of his own pavilion next door with a faint smile on his face.

With the sect master making his intentions so clear, Wang Sheng could hardly refuse. He brought his senior sister over to pay their respects first.

On the way, Wang Sheng transmitted to Mu Wanxuan, "That's the Xinghai Sect's current sect master, a Heavenly Immortal who excels in divination art. He's also the Old Man of Xinghai's eldest disciple and an expert who keeps his true talents well hidden."

Noticing that his senior sister looked a bit reserved, he smiled. "Don't worry. He's actually quite amiable."

Mu Wanxuan pressed her lips together and obediently followed behind her junior brother. As they entered the courtyard, Yao Xingzi happened to push the door open and step out.

Wang Sheng cupped his fists. "Greetings, Sect Master."

Beside him, Mu Wanxuan properly extended the same gesture.

Yao Xingzi smiled. "So you're the senior sister Elder Pi has been keeping so close to his heart?"

Mu Wanxuan stepped forward. "Sect Master."

"My senior sister is not good with words. At present, she can only say two words at a time. Please do not take offense, Sect Master," Wang Sheng explained.

Yao Xingzi softly exclaimed in surprise. Studying her carefully, he frowned.

"Your physiognomy is quite extraordinary, Young Lady. It seems you were born with a grave deficiency and bore the signs of early death, but a great expert forcibly altered your fate and pulled you back from the Nether Gate. Not only was your extreme misfortune turned to blessing, but you've also taken on the destiny of a favored person."

Yao Xingzi waved his sleeve.

"Come, sit down. Elder Pi, may I cast a divination for your senior sister?"

For a moment, the two felt as though they had just encountered some eccentric stranger on a street corner. The fact that Yao Xingzi could name his senior sister's past condition caused a spark of hope to rise in Wang Sheng's heart, though. He pulled his senior sister to sit across from the stone table.

With a trace of unease in her eyes, Mu Wanxuan nodded lightly.

Yao Xingzi brought out his tools: a tortoise shell, jade slips, and the divination plate. After a short sequence of movements, he seemed to see something. Stroking his beard, he looked at Mu Wanxuan, then at Wang Sheng.

Slowly, he revealed, "Untouched by fate, beyond the five elements. A divine spirit who survived a great calamity. Young Lady, your origins truly unsettle my Dao Heart..."

Wang Sheng was immediately taken aback.

How is his divination art this profound? He just summarized Senior Sister's origins in a single statement!

Mu Wanxuan frowned slightly. Yao Xingzi shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"I already know that Elder Pi is deeply connected to the Heavenly Court, but I didn't expect to encounter an actual, living immortal deity of it." Yao Xingzi sighed. "Fairy, please cultivate here in the Xinghai Sect with peace of mind. I will strictly order the sect to never leak any matters related to Elder Pi's homeland. We'll do our best to fulfill all your requests, too."

"Sect Master, why are you—"

"This is the final instruction of my master." Yao Xingzi sighed once more. "Hundreds of thousands of years ago, my master actually served in the Heavenly Court. Later, he divined that a great calamity was approaching it and left it for the sake of self-preservation. That decision weighed heavily on his heart and tormented him for hundreds of thousands of years. Elder Pi, do you know why he met a sudden end?"

"Why?"

"He suffered a backlash from the Great Dao while deducing the fates of several old acquaintances from the Heavenly Court. Before his passing, he repeatedly instructed me that if I were to ever encounter immortal deities of the Heavenly Court, I had to treat them well. That was his way of atoning for his decision to abandon the Heavenly Court. To seek fortune and avoid disaster, what wrong is there in that?"

Yao Xingzi glanced at the divination plate before him.

"I once believed that I was already eighty percent as skilled as my master in divination. Today, I realize I have not even reached thirty percent."

Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan looked at each other.

"This fairy..."

"My senior sister's Daoist name is Bu Yu," Wang Sheng said. "Please don't hesitate to address her directly, Sect Master."

"Fairy Bu Yu, may I take your pulse?"

Mu Wanxuan nodded and rolled up the sleeve of her Daoist robe.

Before long, Yao Xingzi stroked his beard and shook his head. With a puzzled expression, the slightly gaunt elder offered only a one-word conclusion.

"Strange."