Ye Yuâs heart pounded as he realized Xie Buyuâs offer had reached its climax without her finishing the sentence. Any bystander could guess her intent.
Faced with Xie Buyuâs embrace, Ye Yu felt a cold sweat break out. Something was very, very wrong. First she proposed becoming Dao-partners, and now, in less than a day, she was ready to... proceed to the next step?
Shouldnât I be the one to suggest such a thing? And you look like an aloof, disciplined elder sisterâhow could you be so forward? There must be ulterior motives!
Though uncertain what Xie Buyu truly desired, Ye Yu resolutely refused. âStop! Elder Ge is in mortal perilâwe must hurry to support him. Other matters can wait!â
At his words, Xie Buyuâs cheeks burned crimson, and she bowed her head. What had come over her? Why had she so shamelessly offered herselfâand at the last moment backed off? How embarrassing! Yet Ye Yu was right: if Elder Ge faced danger, they couldnât tarry. Her proposal had been far too presumptuous.
On the road toward LieÂYang Sect, an oppressive silence fell between themâan ominous calm before the storm.
To break the tension and learn more about superior artifactsâ usage, Ye Yu produced the
Mu Dao Zhan Hun
(Wooden Soul-Slasher Dao). He had noticed that Elder Ge, though a master of artifacts, lacked experience wielding top-grade treasures. Perhaps Xie Buyu could offer fresh insight.
When Xie Buyu received the wooden sword, her brow creased. She traced its outline with her fingertip, eyes wide with shock. Ye Yu asked, âWhat do you feel? Any spirit resonance? I sense nothing. In Elder Geâs hand it even turned translucent. Itâs very strange!â
Xie Buyu frowned deeper. âThis superior artifactâs material is unique, yet it feels like ordinary XuĂĄntiÄn woodâno special quality. But since Elder Ge called it a top-grade treasure, it must be so. As for its spirit, it seems completely dormant.â
Ye Yu nodded. âI thought the same. Its texture now matches plain XuĂĄntiÄn woodâwhen I first held it, it was different. Honestly, if Elder Ge heard us, heâd laugh at the idea of calling it anything but a regular wooden plank meant for benches and tablesâor even worthless for alchemy!â
Yet Ye Yu didnât doubt itâhe believed the
Mu Dao Zhan Hun
had, in fact, improved. After all, the greatest truths are simple! An artifact, by †NĐŸvĐ”â ight †(Read more on our source) definition, is extraordinary.
When Ye Yu expressed his desire to learn more about superior artifacts, Xie Buyu readily shared what she knew of the
Xuan-Ba Devour-Heaven Axe
. She had encountered no resistance when inheriting it for two reasons: its spirit already recognized her, and it was Masterâs final legacy, entrusted to her by Yan Yong before his deathâan extension of its true owner. Thus, she wielded the
Xuan-Ba Devour-Heaven Axe
with ease, its spirit cooperating fully. If it were in her hands now, she would demonstrate its power instantly!
Tsk tsk
, indeed, one artifact to compare with another. The wooden sword in Ye Yuâs hand was no more than a decayed branch.
Time flew as they conversed. By the time they arrived at LieÂYang Sectâs gates, they expected a fierce battleâbut found only an old man crying outside the deity alliance formation:
âChengâer, open the gate! Iâm helpless in the Divine Realm without you! I promiseâwithin half a day, that youngster Ye Yu will return. Just let me in! Itâs lonely, cold, and miserable out here!â
Ye Yu was stunned. Elder Ge was the most unceremonious deity heâd ever seenâthis grand master reduced to pleading at the gate!
âGrand Master, whatâs the meaning of this?â Ye Yu hurried forward.
Elder Ge whipped his head around. Spotting Ye Yu, he waved, generating a strong pull that drew Ye Yu close.
âXiao-Cui, open the gate! Ye Yu has arrived!â he bellowed hoarsely.
With that, the LieÂYang Sectâs formation opened. Xiao-Cui emerged and focused on Ye Yu. âFellow Dao-priest, the Sect Lord has returned and wishes to see you. This way, please.â
Ye Yuâs mind raced to the image of the Sect Lord: Bamboo-Heart Chengâthe one who had shown interest in him before. She must be back! Without hesitation, Ye Yu followed Xiao-Cui toward the main hall.
At the same moment, Elder Ge entered the gate and inhaled deeply with a look of bliss, as if the Sectâs air were far superior to that outside.