Chapter 73: The Inner Sect's Gossip

According to Feng Ke'er’s own calculations, she intended to slip away unnoticed amidst the chaos of the Azure Cloud Sect.

However, Feng Jiu was intent on searching for his reincarnated crush and wanted to seize the opportunity to infiltrate the inner sect—previously, his cultivation was too low, and there was a barrier between the inner and outer sects that prevented casual entry. After listening to Feng Ke'er’s plan, he cited an old agreement between them and cast her a sidelong glance, saying, “For cultivators, the most important thing is keeping one’s word.”

Feng Ke'er, with no other choice, agreed. After all, she was unattached, alone in the world, and could be anywhere—what did it matter? Besides, she wanted to check in on Qin Hanyan.

The barrier set by the sect’s founding ancestor was no mere decoration. The two didn’t use invisibility; instead, they snuck into the outer sect’s steward hall, stole two sets of equipment and robes belonging to Qi Refining disciples, and blended in with the crowd, swaggering their way up to Azure Mist Peak.

After reaching the third stage of Foundation Establishment, Feng Ke'er accidentally discovered that her appearance had subtly changed. How to describe it? The features, taken separately, were the same as before, but together, she looked like an entirely different person. It was similar to the makeup techniques of modern celebrities—her previous looks were decent, but compared to now, it was merely a bare face. Truth be told, when she first saw her own fantastical beauty, she was genuinely startled.

Even Feng Jiu, accustomed to beautiful women, raised his brows and brightened when he first saw her true face. He finally understood why she used to keep her hair cut in a blunt fringe.

“Hm, I think you’d better turn back into Qin Heng,” he said, coughing quietly into his fist, his voice low. For some reason, just imagining others seeing this unreal beauty made him deeply uncomfortable.

Feng Ke'er disagreed. “Forget it. In the sect, few have seen my real face. Besides, I can’t impersonate Qin Heng anymore.” The previous incident had long since faded, and the outer sect was embroiled in turmoil. Who still remembered the little blue-robed newcomer from barely a week ago? Moreover, this era favored women. Without male privilege, even if men had desires, they lacked the courage to act.

Feng Jiu frowned, “What happened?”

Feng Ke'er explained the matter of Leaving Regret Heaven, then added, “Even if I hadn’t attracted that mysterious fellow, I don’t want to keep impersonating. The Qin family has treated me kindly lately, and I don’t want to deceive them anymore.”

Hearing this, Feng Jiu fell silent and cast a spell to transform himself into a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy-next-door. The Azure Cloud Sect generally only accepted disciples aged fifteen or older. Even direct descendants of the three great families had to reach fifteen before formally joining, except for true prodigies, who could enter earlier—like Qin Heng, who joined the outer sect at fourteen because Qin Ruhua secretly altered his age. Thus, Feng Jiu’s current boyish body couldn’t sneak into the inner sect.

After advancing, his magical strength greatly increased. Below the Core Formation stage, he could easily distinguish between those who had fallen and those who were reincarnated—a fallen cultivator was like a snuffed lamp, body returning to dust and soul dissipating; a reincarnated one retained the original soul in a new shell.

Unlike the outer sect, the inner sect peaks (except Azure Mist Peak) were mostly Foundation Establishment disciples. Qi Refining disciples were rare. The two changed into Foundation Establishment attire and disguised themselves accordingly.

In three days, they scoured every peak within the inner sect, but found nothing.

“Forget it.” Feng Jiu stood atop Jade Mist Peak, rubbing his brow, and admitted defeat. It seemed Tai Yi was right—Xiao Xi wasn’t here.

Feng Ke'er, however, pointed to a side peak and said, “Since we’re here, let’s take a look over there.”

That peak was festooned with lanterns and streamers, cultivators riding flying swords in and out, the atmosphere joyful. It was the steward’s compound of Jade Mist Peak, and today was the day the chief steward, Qin Ruhua’s eldest daughter, hosted her betrothal banquet. Feng Jiu glanced at Feng Ke'er, a red glow flashing in his hand, producing two jade-colored wooden tokens, his lips curving in a meaningful smile as he tossed one to her. “Let’s go.”

The jade tokens had identical characters on both sides, each inscribed with the word “Jade.” This time, he intended to impersonate a disciple of Jade Mist Peak. Feng Ke'er took the token, puzzled. “Hey, what are you up to?” Heaven knows, she hadn’t planned on attending Qin Han’s banquet—she just wanted to check on Qin Hanyan.

But he had already leapt onto his flying sword and gone ahead.

She rolled her eyes, fastened the token to her belt, and followed.

Having infiltrated every peak in the inner sect, they were experts by now. Avoiding the main entrance, they landed their swords and strode confidently through a side gate.

The guards at the entrance glanced at their tokens but did not stop them.

Inside, the courtyard was crowded, guests everywhere. Feng Jiu, who disliked crowds, frowned and made his way through several corridors, soon finding a quiet spot.

“Invisibility. Wait here. Your ancestral aunt will come by,” he said, already concealing himself and sitting cross-legged under the trees.

“You’ve seen her?” Feng Ke'er was startled, about to use her spiritual sense to investigate.

But Feng Jiu lifted his gaze and snorted, “Among today’s guests are many at the Ascension stage. If you’re not afraid of being detected, go ahead.”

“Don’t we have breath-concealing talismans?” Feng Ke'er protested.

Feng Jiu rolled his eyes. “You think those talismans are omnipotent? They only mask spiritual power and sound, not conceal from spiritual sense. You’re far below an Ascension cultivator, and besides, this is the heart of the inner sect—layered with barriers, not to be trifled with.”

She conceded—safety first. Feng Ke'er smiled apologetically, sat down cross-legged like him, eyes sparkling. “Is it fun, being able to predict the future?” It seemed the little bird had become increasingly mystical after advancing, and she was eager to learn.

“Not interesting,” Feng Jiu closed his eyes and ignored her.

Feng Ke'er had no idea of the real reason, so she also concealed herself, sighing with regret. How could it not be interesting? If her elder sister had known she’d be dragged here by the black crow trio, she’d never have come alone.

Feng Jiu heard her clearly and sighed inwardly. How could her little thoughts escape him? But as for divination, he was truly inferior to Tai Yi, knowing only the basics—not enough to teach others. His certainty that Qin Hanyan would appear wasn’t due to divination, but reasoned from his observations over the past three days. His eyes were sharp and his deductive skills famous even in the divine realm.

They sat in silence.

About half an hour later, the sounds from the front courtyard suggested the banquet had begun. Feng Ke'er opened her eyes and glanced at Feng Jiu, “Should we go get some food?” Honestly, the simple snacks here didn’t tempt her, but she was curious about the betrothal banquet—she might as well observe and broaden her horizons.

Feng Jiu didn’t even lift his eyelids.

This annoying brat, what’s with the attitude? Fine, she’d go herself! As Feng Ke'er prepared to rise, a muffled cry came to her ears—a woman’s voice, about a hundred meters away, seemingly gagged and kidnapped.

Feng Jiu opened his eyes, looked toward the sound, and communicated to her via spiritual sense: “It’s starting!”

What was happening? Feng Ke'er pricked up her ears.

“Caixia, it’s me, it’s me! Come with me, it’s dangerous here.” Though anxious, the man’s voice remained gentle as jade.

That voice sounded familiar—where had she heard it? Feng Ke'er frowned, thought for a moment, and suddenly remembered—wasn’t this Leaving Regret Heaven’s voice after he turned into a pretty boy? Today was his daughter’s betrothal banquet—what was he doing sneaking around, entangled with some woman?

“Let’s take a look!” Feng Ke'er rose and nudged Feng Jiu with her elbow, also communicating via spiritual sense.

“No rush. They’re coming this way,” Feng Jiu stopped her.

Sure enough, their voices drew nearer, and soon two figures appeared at the end of the path. One was Leaving Regret Heaven, now wearing the androgynous handsome face, dressed in green silk robes. He was indeed covering a young woman’s mouth, glancing around warily while coaxing her softly. The woman wore a white robe, hair disheveled, clearly unwilling to go, struggling desperately.

An elite inner sect disciple from the Qi Refining stage? Why couldn’t she sense her cultivation? Was she disguised too? Leaving Regret Heaven had to be at least several hundred years old—ha, an old bull after young grass! Feng Ke'er’s jaw dropped in shock. In all her time here, she’d never seen a man dare use force against a woman.

“Just as I thought!” A flash of red appeared—Qin Hanyan truly showed up. She summoned the Immortal Binding Cord to wrap the woman named Caixia’s waist, decisively pulling her away.

“Sister!” Caixia, terrified, nearly buried herself in Qin Hanyan’s arms.

Qin Hanyan withdrew the cord, gently stroking her hair and soothing her, “Don’t be afraid, little sister. I’m here.”

So Caixia was the ancestral aunt—Leaving Regret Heaven’s tastes were impressive, enjoying both aunt and niece, not even sparing those with disabilities, not picky at all! Feng Ke'er felt a wave of disgust and tugged at Feng Jiu’s sleeve. “Let’s go!”

Feng Jiu, however, remained: “Easy. The real drama is yet to come.”

Such a gossip-loving kid! Feng Ke'er sighed, resigned to accompany him. Heaven knows, she had no interest in these melodramatic affairs.

But Qin Hanyan’s next words caught her attention.

“Feng Yulin, haven’t you caused Caixia enough misery?” Qin Hanyan rebuked, eyes blazing. “She used to be the highest among her peers, the youngest master in the sect. But look at her now—thanks to you, she has no cultivation, muddles through each day, can’t even remember her own name! Caixia was the one who brought you into the sect, who treated you sincerely, yet you used her for the sake of your Feng clan, schemed against her—are you even human?”

Gong Caixia? Master Caixia? Feng Ke'er covered her mouth, unable to believe her ears—Leaving Regret Heaven was Feng Que’er’s uncle, the high priest’s biological father! Hadn’t they both died long ago?

(Continued in next chapter: “The Eight Gossip of the Inner Sect,” Celestial Tome, Chapter 73)