Seeing Sect Master Fan’s expression shift, Yin Mingjing lowered his gaze, pretending not to notice. Well… the Sect Master and his master had been at odds for many years. Even as the Sword Sovereign’s first disciple, he did not know the reason. Nor did he have the ability to reconcile them.
Still, although Sect Master Fan was not on good terms with Qingyan, he was scrupulously fair in sect affairs, never once marginalizing Qingyan’s lineage. So Yin Mingjing simply assumed the Sect Master liked to quarrel with Qingyan in private.
“Many thanks for the Sect Master’s gift.” Yu Sang‑sang, seeing the handsome Sect Master Fan uphold his dignity while secretly drawing a sharp breath, became all the more obedient as she accepted the treasures. How could she not think her master was wonderful? Not only was he her protector, but being Qingyan’s disciple brought her immense fortune. Yet unlike when she had stood before Daoist Yushan, though she accepted Sect Master Fan’s meeting gift, she did not flaunt it with glee. Instead, she continued to stand politely with hands folded, her bearing proper and composed.
Seeing her decorous, modest, and unpretentious demeanor—so befitting a disciple of a great sect—Sect Master Fan nodded in satisfaction, rubbed at his stifled chest, and lifted his chin slightly. “Since you have joined the sect, from this day forth you are one of us. When you go out into the world…”
He truly did not wish to say these words to Qingyan’s disciple. But as Sect Master, he had to treat all equally. Slowly, he said, “Do not let yourself be bullied.”
He paused, then struggled to maintain the fairness expected of a Sect Master as he continued: “If you suffer injustice, remember to inform the elders of the sect. We will stand up for you.”
“And you… since you are here, say something.”
Yu Sang‑sang blinked, only to see the young Sect Master turn his head, gesturing toward the long‑haired beauty who seemed to be watching with interest. Though her eyes were veiled by a silken band, it was still clear she was a peerless beauty. And somehow, even with her gaze concealed, Yu Sang‑sang felt as though she was being earnestly, intently observed.
It was a strange kind of gaze. As though the silken band was no barrier at all, before her eyes, Yu Sang‑sang felt utterly exposed. An inexplicable unease welled up in her—alongside a stubborn flicker of defiance. She lifted her eyes and met the beauty’s stare with equal seriousness.
Seeing her spirited response, the woman’s red lips curved into a graceful arc.
Qingyan Sword lightly placed a hand on Yu Sang‑sang’s shoulder, narrowing his eyes at the beauty. He said nothing, yet the protective gesture was already a warning in itself.
The woman’s face remained calm, clearly unbothered by his silent caution. But under Yu Sang‑sang’s unwavering gaze, she shifted first, turning her eyes aside and smiling as she said, “For Junior Brother Qingyan, this child is indeed a good disciple. Congratulations, Junior Brother.” Her words carried a peculiar undertone.
Sect Master Fan, who had been waiting for her to speak, seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
Qingyan replied coolly, “Good or bad, she is my disciple.”
Yu Sang‑sang was utterly confused.
“Remember this well, Junior Brother. She is your disciple.” The beauty, far from offended by his rebuttal, seemed even more pleased. Her gaze no longer lingered on Yu Sang‑sang. Instead, she reclined lazily into her chair and said slowly, “Those were your own words, Junior Brother.”
Yu Sang‑sang grew more bewildered. She heard every word clearly, yet the hidden meaning eluded her.
At that moment, the beauty rose, inclining her head slightly. “I will return to seclusion.”
She turned to leave. Sect Master Fan blinked in confusion. “Seclusion? Again? That’s not what you said when you arrived just now!”
Only moments ago, she had sat in the hall as though ready for a long, intimate conversation, warm and engaging. And now, in the blink of an eye, she was leaving? What had she come for? To toy with him?
Clearly, the long‑haired beauty had no intention of answering. With careless indifference, she said, “Next time, certainly.”
So perfunctory. Sect Master Fan pressed his hand silently to his chest once more.
Yu Sang‑sang looked on with sympathy at the young Sect Master, secretly speaking up for him in her heart. One after another… none of them treated the Sect Master like the leader he was!
Especially at her side—Qingyan’s gaze remained fixed on the long‑haired beauty, his slender fingers curling slightly as he said, with calm detachment, “She’s gone.”
His voice was cool and detached. Seeing the little girl’s gaze once again fall upon his face, he gave a slight nod and led her out with him, at least that seemed proper.
Outside the hall, however, stood the long‑haired beauty who had left ahead of them. Against the light of the sky, she quietly turned her attention toward Yu Sang‑sang.
For some reason, Yu Sang‑sang felt uneasy. A streak of radiance fell into her arms. She felt a sudden weight, looked down, and—oh! Such a large egg!
“Take it,” the beauty said, lips curving, her voice melodious.
Yu Sang‑sang: … Her small face flushed crimson. Anyone would blush before such a beauty. Though the act of gifting an egg was rather odd, it was still a present. Surely it meant the beauty liked her, at least a little.
Qingyan lowered his eyes, watching this little rascal.
Fearing his junior sister might later be punished, Yin Mingjing coughed softly, prompting her to withdraw her gaze. For the sake of peace and harmony at home, he had sacrificed much.
“Don’t waste it,” the beauty added with a lilting smile before departing with graceful poise.
Watching her retreating figure and the respectful demeanor of the other Lingxiao Sect disciples toward her, it was clear she was a revered elder of the sect… after all, she even addressed Qingyan as “Junior Brother.” That alone showed her high standing.
Seeing Yu Sang‑sang clutching the great egg while staring after the beauty, Yin Mingjing murmured, “That is Fairy Pinglan of the sect.”
Fairy Pinglan? Yu Sang‑sang had never encountered this elder in the book. But then, many of Lingxiao Sect’s powerful figures were scarcely mentioned in the story—Daoist Yushan had received the same treatment.
So Yu Sang‑sang could not rely on the plot here. Curious, she asked, “Is this elder my master’s senior sister?”
“Not under the same teacher. But when my master first entered the sect, Elder Pinglan was already a senior, so she calls him Junior Brother.”
Seeing that Qingyan did not silence him, Yin Mingjing clearly took pleasure in explaining the sect’s elders to his inexperienced junior sister. Smiling faintly, he continued, “Though she speaks kindly, Elder Pinglan and my master have almost no dealings. She spends most of her time in seclusion, rarely seen, and is not close with others… It is rare indeed that she gave you a meeting gift. That shows she likes you.”
“Ah?”
So Fairy Pinglan was also a rather aloof person.
“But today in the hall she praised me…” Yu Sang‑sang remembered that Fairy Pinglan had called her a good disciple.
Leaving aside Qingyan’s reaction, even Sect Master Fan had looked satisfied.
This question made Yin Mingjing pause. His lips twitched, as though he wanted to laugh, or perhaps something else. After a moment, he said with layered meaning, “Elder Pinglan’s greatest skill is divining the heavenly mysteries. In this realm, she is known as a Celestial Master. Did you see her eyes?” He spoke softly, transmitting his voice directly to Yu Sang‑sang: “Those eyes can pierce through all things—past lives and present, old ties and future fates. Because they are too terrifying, the elder binds her own sight and seldom walks this world.”
Her gift was too dreadful. With a single glance, a person’s entire being lay bare, naturally provoking fear and dread.
People may long to know the secrets of fate. But if one’s destiny and future were laid open in another’s gaze, the feeling would be far from pleasant.
Thus Elder Pinglan remained in seclusion year after year, rarely venturing out, seldom meeting even her fellow disciples—unwilling to see the wariness and fear in others’ eyes.
Yu Sang‑sang fell silent. Good heavens. She had spent her days crying “Heaven’s mysteries, Heaven’s mysteries,” never expecting to encounter a true master of fate‑divination.
Wasn’t this just Li Gui bumping into Li Kui?
“Well, then I…”
“This is a phoenix egg. Strange—why would Elder Pinglan give Junior Sister a phoenix egg?” Yin Mingjing knew little more than that. He only found it odd.
The phoenix egg looked rather “fresh,” newly laid, with no life yet nurtured inside—still a swirl of chaos. Given time, however, a young phoenix should eventually take shape. Could it be a gift of a future spirit beast for his junior sister?
Yu Sang‑sang’s fingers stiffened. She shivered, lowered her head, and whispered, “This is a phoenix egg?”
Yin Mingjing could not connect the dots, but she could not help overthinking. Truth be told, if anyone else had given her a phoenix egg, she might have thought it a curious coincidence. But Elder Pinglan was skilled in divining fate. Could it be that she had seen something? No—perhaps her own silly phoenix had carelessly left a trace, and Elder Pinglan noticed, so the meeting gift was tied to the phoenix. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence—an unformed, freshly laid phoenix egg appearing just then? She had only just joined Lingxiao Sect not long ago.
“Let’s go.” Qingyan, after all, had seen Yu Sang‑sang’s sneaky little phoenix. Though small and timid, whenever it encountered treasure, its courage was boundless! He did not wish to speak of Yu Sang‑sang’s matters outside, so he simply led his disciples back to his own hall.
Once inside, Yu Sang‑sang rubbed her chin and said, “Could it be that Elder has already seen through my origins?” It would be natural for someone of her ability to glimpse such things—the question was how much she had discerned. For instance, had she also seen the exchange of fate between Dayu and Xianzhu?
Still, whatever the case, to receive a phoenix egg… She lowered her head, watching as the timid little phoenix poked its head from her bracelet, and whispered, “Is this for you? How do you even use it?!”
Elder Pinglan had said nothing, simply swept away, leaving behind a trail of questions. Such mystery was indeed the style of one steeped in heavenly secrets.
“And she said I was a good disciple… That was praise, wasn’t it?” Yu Sang‑sang cupped her cheeks, delighted.
No wonder Sect Master Fan had looked so pleased. What sect master would not be glad to hear his disciples praised? Clearly, Elder Pinglan had spoken well of her.
The little phoenix’s shadow also peeked curiously, eager to nip at the phoenix egg.
“Elder praised me… I think she herself is kind and beautiful, with such graceful bearing.” The girl cupped her cheeks alongside the little phoenix.
Qingyan watched coldly, eyeing this fickle child. “Is she very beautiful?” he asked, his voice icy.
By now, Qingyan suspected Elder Pinglan had deliberately appeared in the sect master’s hall for one purpose only—to draw his disciple’s gaze. Always luring other people’s disciples. Did she not have disciples of her own?!