Chapter 98: Yet Another Senior Brother

Ji Yao lay on the grass, gazing at the sky overhead, lost in thought.

A shadow fell over her from the side, yet the figure remained motionless for a long time.

Ji Yao made no move to acknowledge the visitor, allowing him to observe her freely.

"You being seen in this state is not proper," the deep male voice finally spoke. Though pleasant, the perspective made it sound fatal.

Ji Yao turned her head. From her reclined position, she glimpsed his sharp jawline and piercing eyes. Although the man's features were strikingly handsome, even peerless beauty would fade in such an angle.

Ji Yao decided to sit up to protect her eyes.

"Either sit and speak, or explain in a few words. Being so lofty places me under pressure. Speak properly."

"Hah, you remain as blunt as ever!" Dongfang Shenyu said, then sat after adjusting his robes.

"Almost a true senior brother now, why be formal? By the way, weren't you supposed to leave? Showing up here, are you not afraid someone will strike you? This young man will soar high after returning."

Ji Yao regretted it, and at that moment she even wanted to vomit at herself.

Spirit Purification Pill!

The instant it appeared, her hands trembled. Acting on impulse, she quickly shoved the pill into Dongfang Shenyu's mouth.

Remembering his stunned expression, Ji Yao wished she could chop off her own hand.

In essence, Ji Yao had personally witnessed Dongfang Shenyu transforming from dual wood-metal spirit roots to heavenly metal spirit roots. She had missed the pill herself.

Three days before the Qi Xian Secret Realm's end, rumors leaked out: the man who appeared at the center, slaying the silver-winged demon cat with a sword, had obtained the predecessor’s treasure.

He had contracted a divine beast, the White Tiger, which allowed him to kill six stage-three demon beasts effortlessly and possessed mysterious means to seal the secret realm's holes.

Upon hearing the rumor, they realized their actions that day had been witnessed. Why the rumor omitted Ji Yao remained unknown.

In truth, no one had been nearby when they acted. Not even Yun Fei or Jin Yao—the White Tiger cub named by Dongfang Shenyu—had sensed anyone.

How it became known was unclear to Dongfang Shenyu, but Ji Yao pondered and guessed the array hole was the issue.

Only Dongfang Shenyu and Jin Yao had been near the hole, so Ji Yao acting outside remained undiscovered.

Considering Yun Fei's mention of the Azure Sun Sect envoy and the demon cultivator altar in the outer valley, Ji Yao felt an invisible thread linking all events.

After the secret realm's final cultivators were sent away, Dongfang Shenyu took out the Spirit Purification Pill bottle and handed it to Ji Yao.

"With this, you won't have come in vain. As for me, I probably won't return to the sect."

Human hearts cannot withstand tests. Without sect protection, standing in the outer sect would be hard. Outside, fewer people would recognize him, making it safer. Dongfang Shenyu decided not to gamble on hearts.

This was repaying Ji Yao a personal favor. For someone like her, a partner who could stand ten in a crisis was priceless.

These were Dongfang Shenyu's thoughts at that moment.

Yet Ji Yao thought differently. If Dongfang Shenyu were a male lead, failing to grovel in time would begin his darkening.

Without sect backing, once grown, resentment would turn to anger. Therefore, when he could be allied with, enmity must be avoided.

The next step was to increase his chips so the sect could not abandon him.

Thus, Ji Yao acted faster than her mind, pouring the pill and throwing it into his mouth. By the time her thoughts finished, the matter was set.

High-grade pills are lively and active. The Spirit Purification Pill dissolves upon intake. Ji Yao could not pry it out.

She could only say sternly, "What are you waiting for? Refine the power quickly. I'll guard for you."

She turned, not looking back, and stationed herself at the cave entrance, refusing to gaze at Dongfang Shenyu.

A good person does it to the end, sends the Buddha to the west. Upon exiting the secret realm, Ji Yao's first act was to find Mu Boyun and Lu Ming.

She asked them to report Dongfang Shenyu's affairs to the supreme elder of Ling Yun Sect and the Disciplinary Hall chief, Mo Daoyan. After all, one was the supreme elder's direct disciple, the other the first disciple of Su Wen Zhenren!

Ji Yao would never forget their expressions, especially the complex emotions in Mu Boyun's eyes, which made her overlook his raised elegant brows.

In one day, the supreme elder issued an order: one golden core true person and Mu Boyun would escort Dongfang Shenyu back early.

Supported by the supreme elder, Mu Boyun accepted the disciple as master and father. Dongfang Shenyu formally became a disciple under Qi Feng Zhenren as second direct disciple. Qi Feng was Mu Boyun's late father's Dao name, making him Mu Boyun's own senior brother.

Since Dongfang Shenyu had a legacy, this avoided occupying other real persons' titles. After initiation, he was guided directly by the supreme elder and Su Wen Zhenren.

As for the White Tiger Jin Yao contracted through equality, as long as Dongfang Shenyu was a Ling Yun Sect disciple, Jin Yao would be the sect's guardian spirit beast; other sects must not covet it.

Dongfang Shenyu's status rose before the formal ceremony, so the senior brother title was no longer possible.

The news reached the valley, igniting everyone. Other sects restrained their intentions.

Dongfang Shenyu, sitting beside Ji Yao, looked up at the sky.

"So this is how you bid farewell! By your grace, I have already lost my freedom!"

His tone was light, with no anger at losing freedom.

"Is this forcing me to fight? Pure arrogance! Even I who promoted this don't have such treatment—he's sulking!"

"Welcome to draw your sword, gladly!" Dongfang Shenyu "intimately" reached out, messing up Ji Yao's rare feminine updo.

"Scram!" The long sword was drawn, slicing the grass beside, and the person jumped up.

"This is for you. I see you've long coveted it."

Dongfang Shenyu tossed the item, turned his back, and waved goodbye as he left.

Ji Yao looked down, finding a familiar array disk.

This was one of the pair in the secret realm that could locate and communicate. But when had Dongfang Shenyu noticed she wanted this pair?