Upon hearing that Chen Miaomiao intended to walk back to Yunluo Zhen, everyone felt suffocated!
If they hadn’t known Chen Miaomiao’s identity as a Yuanying Laozu, they would have thought she was deliberately making things difficult for them!
After all, walking from here back to Yunluo Zhen would take at least three days and three nights even at a fast pace—and that was without eating or drinking.
But they were only at the Lianqi Qi stage and had not yet achieved Bigu, so naturally, they couldn’t go without food and water.
“What, not happy?”
“We wouldn’t dare, Senior!”
“Hmm, then let’s go.”
“Yes.”
With heavy hearts, everyone followed Chen Miaomiao on the journey back to Yunluo Zhen.
In her previous life, Chen Miaomiao had weathered storms and endured days and nights of lying low, often going without food or drink. Plus, with the help of her “magical shoes,” she didn’t feel tired at all.
But these pampered young masters and misses couldn’t handle it. In just half a day, they were already exhausted and weak-limbed.
Chen Miaomiao glanced at them coldly and said, “Gather your qi. Humans are born from the qi of heaven and earth, shaped by the laws of the four seasons. When heaven and earth combine their qi, it is called a human (1). When qi gathers, form takes shape; when qi disperses, form perishes (2). Do not let your qi scatter. Gather it in your Dantian and circulate it through your Jingluo.”
Chen Chuqing and the others’ eyes lit up, believing Chen Miaomiao was guiding them. Their hearts leaped with joy, and they hurriedly replied, “Yes, Senior!”
“Yes, Senior!”
“Thank you for your guidance, Senior!”
“Thank you, Senior!”
“Hmm.”
Chen Miaomiao responded coldly and continued focusing on walking, though inwardly, she was a nervous wreck.
Oh dear, she didn’t understand cultivation at all. Everything she said was pure nonsense—just methods and insights from her previous life’s practice of Guwu. She hoped this act wouldn’t be exposed before they returned to Yunluo Zhen.
But Chen Miaomiao didn’t know that after Chen Chuqing and the others followed her “guidance” to “cultivate,” they indeed felt much lighter, and even the Lingqi they gathered became more solid.
In their hearts, Chen Miaomiao’s image as a master grew ever more brilliant, majestic, and mysterious. Their last shred of doubt and suspicion toward her was completely shattered!
A true master!
Senior must be a reclusive master!!
…
The road back to Yunluo Zhen wasn’t long, but with frequent stops, the journey took a full five days.
During these five days, Chen Miaomiao lived quite comfortably. First, Chen Chuqing and the others treated her with utmost respect, so she had no worries about food or drink. Second, she learned the basics of this world from their conversations—whether it was cultivation levels or various factions—so she was no longer completely in the dark.
After five days of “tempering,” the Xiushi were completely convinced of Chen Miaomiao’s prowess.
Although Senior was strict with them, she never stopped them from resting or eating. To comfort them, she even shared meals with them, proving herself approachable and warm-hearted beneath her cold exterior.
More importantly, under Senior’s guidance and training, several Xiushi who had been stuck at bottlenecks for years showed signs of breakthroughs. Among them, Chen Chuqing was the most envied!
She had broken through both Lianqi Sijie and the fifth stage, reaching Lianqi Liujie!
And Chen Chuqing was only eighteen this year!
While an eighteen-year-old at Lianqi Liujie wasn’t the pinnacle of talent, it was enough to enter a sect as an outer disciple.
Wasn’t the reason they followed Chen Chuqing like dogs precisely for the cultivation resources in the Chen family’s hands?
Encountering a noble expert as selfless and magnanimous as you, senior, is like their ancestors’ graves emitting blue smoke—a stroke of immense fortune.
Thus, everyone became even more “enthusiastic” toward Chen Miaomiao. Whatever she asked, they answered exhaustively, holding nothing back, almost eager to spill every detail of their family affairs. Among these, the embarrassing deeds “Chen Miaomiao” had committed were described vividly and in great detail.
For instance, the man “Chen Miaomiao” had an affair with was said to be the son of County Magistrate Ma. Not only was Magistrate Ma’s son unattractive, but he was also a traditional good-for-nothing, a loafer who idled on the streets. “Chen Miaomiao” had even looked down on the prodigy of the Sheng Family, yet she fancied a street loafer—utterly foolish and pig-headed.
Then there was how “Chen Miaomiao” had committed such a disgraceful act, yet the Fancheng Chen Family was willing to cover up her shame. To appease the Sheng Family’s anger, they arranged a marriage alliance with the most talented Purple-clothed Fairy. The Chen Family had shown “Chen Miaomiao” utmost benevolence, truly setting an example for all great families… and so on and so forth.
Chen Miaomiao listened with great relish. Seeing this, Chen Chuqing grew anxious and angry, fearing these tactless fools might “compete for favor” with her. She repeatedly promised to introduce Chen Miaomiao to her family’s elders once they arrived at Yunluo Chenjia.
“Excellent,” Chen Miaomiao said with a smile. “Then I’ll trouble you.”
Of course, she had to meet those so-called elders. How else would she know if the original owner’s death was connected to Yunluo Chenjia’s sudden rise?
Chen Chuqing beamed with joy. Indeed, just by invoking the elders’ names, even a Yuanying Laozu would regard her differently.
After walking for another half an hour, they finally caught sight of Yunluo Zhen.
Yunluo Zhen was built on a plain, surrounded by crisscrossing paths, bustling with traffic and activity.
The town was sizable, with solid and ancient city walls. Guards were stationed at the four gates—east, west, south, and north—and anyone entering or leaving had to present identification for passage.
Had Chen Miaomiao arrived alone at Yunluo Zhen, she would likely have been turned away as a “person without credentials.”
But with Chen Chuqing by her side, she instantly became a “hot commodity.” Not only did the Chen Family personally come out to welcome her, but even Yunluo Zhen’s County Magistrate Ma was waiting respectfully outside the city gates.
Clearly, they had all received Chen Chuqing’s “Chuanyin” and learned that Chen Miaomiao was the mysterious senior who had helped her break through two consecutive stages!
As for Chen Chuqing’s breakthrough, Chen Miaomiao had never expected it. What she had taught them was merely the most basic Guwu cultivation method.
Perhaps the two shared similarities despite their differences?
Even from a distance, everyone immediately locked onto the white-robed young woman walking at the forefront.
She was slender and upright, with skin as fair as jade and hair as dark as ink. As she approached with calm and steady steps, her exquisitely beautiful features became clearer, yet they seemed increasingly unreal—like the bright moon emerging from clouds, or pure snow cleansed by the wind.
Most terrifying of all… they couldn’t discern her cultivation level. To their eyes, she appeared to be an ordinary person.
But could an ordinary person destroy a Lianqi Jiujie Xiuzhenzhe with a wave of her hand?
Could an ordinary person help them break through with a mere flick of her fingers?
Absolutely not!
This white-robed young woman was a powerhouse whose cultivation they couldn’t fathom, a presence that made them look up in awe.
Thus, no matter how stunning Chen Miaomiao’s appearance was, they felt not the slightest hint of irreverence, only deep reverence.
Chen Hong, the head of Yunluo Chenjia, put on a somewhat ingratiating smile and stepped forward first to greet her.
“Junior Chen Hong of Yunluo Chenjia pays respects to the senior. The senior’s arrival in our Yunluo Zhen is truly an honor for our town. I have prepared a banquet at my home to welcome and cleanse the dust from your journey. Please, senior, grace us with your presence.”
Chen Miaomiao smiled. She remembered this Chen Hong from the original owner’s memories—he had once pounded his chest and promised that “Chen Miaomiao” would be well cared for while recuperating at Yunluo Chenjia.
But what happened later?
He had better pray she uncovers nothing in her investigation. Otherwise, not only would Chen Chuqing, who bullied and assaulted “Chen Miaomiao,” have to pay the price, but the entire Yunluo Chenjia would find no peace from her!