Senior Sister

The ice coffin radiated waves of chilling cold. Qin Sang looked at Qingjun. Qingjun gazed fixedly at the ice coffin. She saw the peach wood sword held tightly in Qingzhu's embrace. She remembered that back in the Wenyue Cultivation Market, Qin Sang had bought just such a wooden sword from her. "Did he pass away only recently?" Seeing that Qingzhu's remains were intact rather than reduced to bare bones, Qingjun's delicate brows furrowed deeply. A sudden chill entered her eyes, and her tone carried a trace of anger. Ever since his disappearance in Ziwei Palace, Qingzhu had vanished without a trace, leaving no sign of whether he was dead or alive. For several centuries, father and daughter had been kept apart in separate worlds. Qingjun knew a little of what had transpired in Ziwei Palace all those years ago, enough to understand that the peril Qingzhu faced at the time had been catastrophic—a slim chance of survival amidst certain death. They had all assumed Qingzhu had died in Ziwei Palace long ago. Her mother had passed away in lingering sorrow, consumed by regret. Seeing that Qingjun had misunderstood, Qin Sang hastened to explain, "Senior Qingzhu did not intentionally stay away. He severed his own origin soul to forcibly cultivate the *Origin Soul Sword Nurturing Chapter*, and when he was heavily wounded, the demonic soul turned on him. All these years, he has been locked in an arduous struggle against that demonic soul..." Qingjun's expression softened slightly. As if murmuring to herself, she sighed with emotion, "Those who seek shortcuts must ultimately bear the cost." She was well acquainted with Qingzhu's life, as well as the power and perils of the *Origin Soul Sword Nurturing Chapter*, and knew Qin Sang was speaking the truth. Qingzhu's actions back then had sown the seeds of this disaster. From her tone, Qin Sang detected something unusual, and a hint of surprise flitted through the depths of his eyes. "He does not appear to have died from the demonic soul's backlash." Qingjun possessed extraordinarily sharp vision. "The injuries within his body are truly out of the ordinary." Senior Qingzhu had died by channeling sword qi into his own body. No matter how high their cultivation, cultivators of the present world could hardly have inflicted such wounds. Qin Sang gave an acknowledging hum. "The demonic soul was bewitched by an ancient demon and nearly freed it from its ancient seal. Senior Qingzhu was moved by righteous duty and chose to sacrifice his life, perishing alongside both the demonic soul and the ancient demon. Alas! Were it not for that ancient demon, Senior Qingzhu would have been able to return with this junior..." Thinking of Qingzhu's fate, Qin Sang still found it hard to let go, clenching his fists in sorrowful regret. "That does sound like something he would do." Qingjun nodded, then suddenly narrowed her eyes. "An ancient demon?" "Although that demon was sealed for countless years, its power was still terrifying, effortlessly overwhelming Nascent Soul cultivators. I recall that when Sin Abyss launched their sneak attack on the immortal formation, they summoned a three-headed, six-armed fiendish shadow. Could that also be related to the ancient demon?" Qin Sang asked in a solemn voice. This was something he had worried about all along. During his dealings with various factions at Yinshan Pass, he had discreetly probed for information multiple times. Unfortunately, he lacked access to Nascent Soul Patriarchs and found it difficult to uncover any true secrets. Now that he had crossed paths with Qingjun, he naturally had to ask. His friends and relatives were all in the Small Cold Domain, and in all likelihood, he would have to remain here cultivating for a very long time. He could not afford to ignore the war. Qingjun grew thoughtful upon hearing Qin Sang's question, then said, "If Sin Abyss had such a terrifying ancient demon on their side, the Small Cold Domain would have been plunged into ruin long ago. Sin Abyss is indeed somewhat strange, but the situation has not reached such a dire state." Pausing, Qingjun looked down at the ice coffin and asked, "Before his death, did he leave any last words?" "Senior Qingzhu entrusted me to bring his remains back and bury him in Peach Blossom Valley. In his final moments, Senior bore no resentment or grievance. He only said they had waited for him for many years, and he could finally be reunited with them beneath the Nine Springs..." Qin Sang glanced at the two graves and faithfully recounted Qingzhu's dying words. Afterward, he took out the jade slip inscribed with the *Qingzhu Sword Scripture* and offered it to Qingjun. "This sword scripture was carved into the precipice by Senior Qingzhu. It represents the most treasured insights of his entire life." Qingjun accepted the jade slip. It was only a few short lines of text, but she stared at them for a very long time. In the end, Qingjun returned the jade slip to Qin Sang. "This was left for you." Qin Sang started, then silently accepted it. Qingjun walked over to the two tombstones, lightly brushing her fingers across the stone. After a moment of silence, she suddenly spoke: "Do you find it strange that upon learning this tragic news, I do not seem sad in the least?" Qin Sang had not expected her to ask this. From the moment he had retrieved the ice coffin, he had been secretly observing Qingjun. Even when he recounted Senior Qingzhu's plight and final words, her expression and tone had remained exceedingly aloof, as though she were merely listening to the tale of a complete stranger. In the past, Qin Sang had felt something similar. Whenever Qingjun mentioned Senior Qingzhu, her tone was flat and indifferent. He had never imagined they were actually father and daughter by blood. Believing it best not to speak out of turn when he did not know the inner details, lest he anger Qingjun, Qin Sang carefully chose his words: "When Senior Qingzhu was trapped by the demonic soul, the sight of the peach wood sword you carved with your own hands spurred him to break free at the risk of being consumed, just to ask after your well-being. Knowing you were safe and sound and that your cultivation had flourished, his joy was beyond words. When we parted forever, Senior Qingzhu mentioned that to you, he had failed in his duties and was merely the father who gave you life—nothing more, so there was no need to disturb you..." "You do not need to be so impeccably guarded before me. No matter what, he was my father. You brought his remains back, and I will acknowledge this favor." Qingjun cut Qin Sang off, seeing right through his thoughts. The corner of her mouth curved slightly as she said, "Since he chose you as his successor, you may call me Senior Sister from now on." Qin Sang was utterly stunned. He had vaguely harbored the thought of using this opportunity to form good ties with Qingjun. Though they had crossed paths in the past, it had merely been a transaction. He had never expected the outcome to be this favorable. A formidable enemy like Dongyang Bo hung over him like a thorn in his side; to be able to establish good terms with a Nascent Soul Patriarch was something Qin Sang could only dream of. "Qin Sang pays his respects to Senior Sister!" Without the slightest hesitation, Qin Sang bowed at once, formalizing the relationship. From the corner of his eye, he glanced toward the ice coffin, silently thanking Senior Qingzhu for his unspoken protection. Senior Qingzhu surely understood his daughter's temperament intimately. Having asked Qin Sang to bring him back to Peach Blossom Valley for burial, he had likely anticipated this development long ago. "This is an elder medallion of the Yuanshen Sect! With this token, you may enter and leave Peach Blossom Valley at will in the future, and cultivate within the valley. Walking the cultivation world with the identity of a Yuanshen Sect elder, you will not have to worry about being interrogated." Qingjun flicked a streak of flowing light, delivering a medallion into Qin Sang's hands. Then her tone shifted, her voice turning slightly cold. "Qin Sang, whatever enmity lies between you and Dongyang Bo, do not attempt to drag me into it. If you wish to seek vengeance, rely on yourself." Hearing this, Qin Sang felt a chill in his heart, fully understanding the meaning behind Qingjun's words. They were connected because of Senior Qingzhu, but there was little genuine affection between them. Allowing him to open a cave dwelling in Peach Blossom Valley and granting him an elder medallion so that he would no longer have to fear discovery by Dongyang Bo before breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm was already extraordinarily generous. He could not push his luck! Qingjun bore no grudge against Dongyang Bo. Now, with the forces of Sin Abyss bearing down on their borders, the crisis remained unresolved. As a Nascent Soul expert, Dongyang Bo was of vital importance to their side. Under these circumstances, given Qingjun's character, it was even less possible for her to take the initiative against Dongyang Bo and trigger internal strife within the Small Cold Domain. Fortunately, Qin Sang had never harbored such intentions in the first place.