No wonder Mu Yin found this jade pendant familiar, it turned out to be the very same Sect Leader jade pendant Mu Yuefeng used to carry with him.
Mu Yin examined the smooth, delicate jade in her hand, comparing it to the jade slip Zhang Maozhi had given her, which now seemed like a shard of glass picked up off the ground.
“This jade looks like it could fetch a hefty sum,” Mu Yin remarked with exaggerated seriousness.
Jiang Fan’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled. “The jade itself isn’t the most valuable part,” she explained. “What’s priceless is the array inscribed on it. As long as you infuse it with spiritual power, it can instantly teleport you back to Nine Stars Gate from anywhere. If you want to return to your original location, just channel spiritual power into it again.”
“That convenient?” Mu Yin studied the runes on the pendant, marveling at the bizarre wonders of the cultivation world.
Seeing Mu Yin treat the Sect Leader jade pendant as nothing more than an amusing trinket, Jiang Fan hesitated before speaking again. “Now that Mu Yuefeng has passed, Nine Stars Gate cannot remain without a Sect Leader. That’s why I’d like to invite the Third Young Miss to become our next leader.”
Mu Yin’s hand, still holding the pendant, froze midair. She set it down awkwardly and gave Jiang Fan an uneasy look. “But I’m returning to Five Skandha Sect tomorrow, and I don’t have any real skills. I’m not suited for the position of Sect Leader. Wouldn’t it be better for Senior Sister Jiang to take the role?”
Jiang Fan shook her head earnestly. “I’ve discussed this with the other disciples. Compared to those with greater abilities, we all believe someone as kind-hearted as you would be far more fitting to lead Nine Stars Gate.”
“But—”
“The original Sect Leader’s lineage has dwindled, leaving you as the only remaining descendant. We sincerely wish for you to take this position.”
Noticing Mu Yin’s reluctance, Jiang Fan added, “I understand that you’re not accustomed to handling sect affairs. After deliberation, we’ve decided that I’ll continue managing all major and minor matters within the sect. However, the title of Sect Leader should still belong to you.”
In other words, Mu Yin could hold the Sect Leader jade pendant and be a hands-off figurehead?
Jiang Fan nodded. “You could say that.”
“Well, in that case, I won’t stand on ceremony,” Mu Yin said cheerfully. “But if any major issues arise in the sect, don’t come to me, I really don’t know anything.”
Jiang Fan was delighted by her acceptance and replied with a smile, “Major issues rarely occur in the sect. You needn’t worry, Sect Leader.”
With just a few words, Mu Yin’s position as Sect Leader was settled. After spending the afternoon meeting the disciples of Nine Stars Gate, offering incense in the ancestral hall, and undergoing a simple ceremony, Mu Yin officially became the new Sect Leader.
Quite a fruitful trip down the mountain.
Before bed, Mu Yin examined the Sect Leader jade pendant once more. According to Jiang Fan, not only could it teleport her back to Nine Stars Gate instantly, but it also allowed long-distance communication through the sect’s ancestral hall array, an incredibly useful tool.
If she ever found herself in danger, this pendant could be a lifesaver.
But then again, she had no plans to leave the mountain. What kind of life-threatening situations would she encounter in Five Skandha Sect?
After some thought, Mu Yin decided not to dwell on it. She needed to wake up early tomorrow to return to Five Skandha Sect, so it was best to get some sleep.
Exhausted from the day’s events and blessed with an exceptional ability to fall asleep, Mu Yin was out like a light within moments of closing her eyes.
After midnight, Si Lingqing slowly opened her eyes. She stretched and transformed into her human form, turning her head to see the person sleeping soundly beside her.
Mu Yin slept peacefully, wrapped snugly in a small blanket with shallow breaths. Moonlight spilled through the window lattice onto the floor, allowing Si Lingqing to clearly see Mu Yin’s expression.
Perhaps because of the cold, Mu Yin, who had been sleeping soundly, slightly furrowed her brows. Instinctively, she tightened the blanket around herself, burying half her face into the pillow and curling up, clearly sensitive to the chill.
With an annoyed wave of her hand, Si Lingqing sent a gust of energy that knocked over the little ghosts lurking by the window and door. The sound of rolling heads, ‘gulu gulu’, echoed as the creatures who had been secretly watching Mu Yin were all sent tumbling to the ground before scrambling away in a panic.
Ever since Mu Yin had helped them deal with Mu Yuefeng, these filthy things had been gathering outside every day, eager to catch a glimpse of her.
Though Si Lingqing knew they meant no harm, lingering spirits naturally carried a foul aura, and prolonged exposure wasn’t good for humans. So every night, she shooed them away like bothersome insects before resting her head on her hand and watching Mu Yin sleep peacefully until dawn.
Now that the ghosts had left, Mu Yin seemed to feel less cold. Her brows relaxed as she lay on her side, facing Si Lingqing.
Si Lingqing mirrored her position, propping her head up with one hand as she gazed at Mu Yin’s sleeping face.
Mu Yin’s skin was fair, her slightly parted lips a soft pink with a distinct cupid’s bow that looked especially beautiful under the moonlight.
Si Lingqing’s pupils darkened. Slowly, she reached out and brushed her fingers against Mu Yin’s cheek.
The touch made Mu Yin instinctively nuzzle into the pillow, then shift closer into Si Lingqing’s embrace.
Amused, Si Lingqing curved her lips into a smile and wrapped her arms around the woman beside her, closing her eyes as well.
The next morning, Mu Yin woke to a tickling sensation on her nose. Opening her eyes, she found Si Lingqing in her small black cat form curled up on her pillow, her tiny head just brushing Mu Yin’s nose.
Ahhh, waking up to a kitten is pure bliss!
Mu Yin pulled the still-sleeping Si Lingqing into the blanket and gave her a few enthusiastic kisses.
Si Lingqing didn’t actually need sleep, she just found it more restful to close her eyes and lie still. Now, as Mu Yin smothered her with affection under the covers, she began contemplating when she’d be able to take human form during the day so Mu Yin could properly kiss her then too.
Yawning lazily, Si Lingqing was abruptly dragged out of the blanket by Mu Yin.
The little black cat lounged nearby, watching as Mu Yin got ready. Today, they were returning to the Five Skandha Sect. As Mu Yin combed her hair, she asked, “Are you sure it’s alright for you to come back with me like this?”
Si Lingqing flicked an ear and replied languidly, “It’s fine.”
“Don’t you need to tell your parents?”
“No need.”
Mu Yin pressed curiously, “What exactly are you? I still don’t understand, how can you turn into a cat if you’re dead?”
Si Lingqing cracked open one eye to glance at her but remained silent.
Just as Mu Yin was about to press further, Hong Zhuang knocked on the door. “Young Mistress, are you awake?”
Mu Yin had no choice but to drop the questioning and call out, “I’m up, come in.”
After Hong Zhuang brought people in, she began to help Mu Yin freshen up and dress. Once breakfast was finished and everything was settled, the group prepared to set off.
At the gates of Nine Stars Gate, Jiang Fan led over a dozen disciples to bid farewell to their Sect Leader.
“Take care on your journey, Sect Leader,” Jiang Fan said to Mu Yin with a smile. “I hope you’ll find time to visit often.”
Mu Yin gave a dry chuckle, thinking to herself that she probably wouldn’t be returning to Nine Stars Gate anytime soon.
“You can all go back now,” Mu Yin said to the crowd, holding the little black cat in her arms. “No need to see me off any further.”
Jiang Fan stepped forward and said, “Sect Leader, there’s something I forgot to mention about your Yin Immortal Body. The senior from Valley of Clarity once told me that although the Yin Immortal Body is indeed an immortal physique, it has a certain flaw. Periodically, it requires replenishing yin energy.”
“Replenishing yin energy?” Mu Yin asked curiously. “How?”
Truth be told, she still didn’t really understand what this Yin Immortal Body even was.
Jiang Fan didn’t seem to know either and silently shook her head.
Mu Yin didn’t press her, smiling lightly as she said, “It’s fine. Five Skandha Sect is vast, I’ll figure it out once I return. No need to worry.”
After all, Hong Zhuang had already informed Yu Luo about Mu Yin’s Yin Immortal Body the moment they found out. By the time they returned to Five Skandha Sect, she was sure they’d have a definitive answer.
Once they left Nine Stars Gate, Mu Yin felt considerably more at ease.
Gazing at the scenery outside the carriage, she lifted Si Lingqing and said, “I heard you’ve never been outside before. What do you think of the view down the mountain?”
Si Lingqing was speechless.
In her past life, she had indeed been a sickly person during her tribulation, never once leaving Five Skandha Mountain in all her nineteen years. But that didn’t mean she hadn’t seen anything after returning to the underworld post-tribulation.
Still, seeing Mu Yin’s cheerful expression, Si Lingqing could only let out a symbolic “meow” or two to humor her.
At first, Mu Yin was quite interested, but she soon grew tired of it and sat bored inside the carriage.
Si Lingqing was petted from head to tail several times until the two of them one human, one cat were left staring at each other, neither knowing how to pass the time.
Fortunately, the journey back to Five Skandha Sect wasn’t too long, and they arrived within a day.
By the time they reached Five Skandha Sect, Yu Luo was already waiting at the mountain gates with a group to welcome them. The moment she saw Mu Yin return, she hurried forward.
“Mu Yin, were you tired from the journey? You’ve been gone for half a month, I was so worried!” Yu Luo grasped Mu Yin’s hands, looking her up and down before finally sighing in relief. “You seem unharmed.”
Mu Yin, unaccustomed to such concern, felt warmth in her heart and smiled. “Of course I’m fine, Mother.”
Then, she lifted Si Lingqing in her hands to show Yu Luo. “Mother, look what I brought back from my trip!”
Yu Luo had initially thought the little black cat was some subdued demonic beast, but after scrutinizing it for a while, it seemed like nothing more than an ordinary cat.
“This…” Yu Luo studied the strangely familiar black cat and asked Mu Yin, “Is this a kitten you adopted?”
Mu Yin’s smile froze. It seemed Yu Luo truly didn’t recognize this as Si Lingqing.
But that was odd. Though Yu Luo was the Sect Leader’s wife, her cultivation wasn’t lacking, she was a capable female cultivator in her own right. If Si Lingqing had used any magical arts or demonic techniques, Yu Luo should have seen through it at a glance.
Unless… Si Lingqing’s abilities far surpassed Yu Luo’s.
Yu Luo didn’t think much of it. Mu Yin was all alone in the world, so it was only natural she’d want to keep a small pet. Raising a little cat wouldn’t be a problem for their Five Skandha Sect.
“Don’t all stand at the mountain gate. Let’s go inside first.” Yu Luo held Mu Yin’s hand and said to the Five Skandha Sect disciples behind them, “Everyone, disperse according to the rules before entering.”
Mu Yin, who was being led ahead by Yu Luo, found this strange and asked, “Mother, what does this mean?”
Yu Luo smiled and explained to her, “All Five Skandha Sect disciples returning from the mountains must pass through the mountain gate’s Evil-Slaying Array for purification, to prevent any evil beings from sneaking in among the disciples.”
Mu Yin froze upon hearing this.
Yu Luo continued, “This Evil-Slaying Array is our Five Skandha Sect’s great immortal formation. Any demonic evil passing through it will be utterly destroyed. But don’t worry, I’ll personally take you through it.”
Mu Yin instinctively glanced at the little black cat in her arms, locking eyes with Si Lingqing.