Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Yao Bin had returned!

The Chief Elder smiled, his tense heart finally relaxing. Although the Sect Master hadn’t made a great fuss about this, he knew just how much the Sect Master valued Yao Bin. This involved curing the hidden wounds in his body, so how could he not care? If Yao Bin left and didn’t return, no one knew how many people would die beneath the Sect Master’s anger. Even though he was the Chief Elder, even he wouldn’t be able to escape punishment.

Luckily, none of that would happen.

Xu Song hesitated for a moment and said, “Chief, Yao Bin’s sect residence has been occupied by one of the chosen sect disciples, Feng Changjing. Should I inform him to prevent any conflict from occurring?”

The Chief Elder shook his head. “There is no need. Don’t interfere in this matter. Simply pretend as if you don’t know Yao Bin has returned.”

The Sect Master had detained the two barbarians and punished Xu Sheng who was close to Yao Bin. Wasn’t this all for the sake of finding whether Yao Bin had violated the sect rules? Now, a rare opportunity had appeared in front of them. If Yao Bin came into conflict with others, they would have a reason to suppress him. This was something that the Sect Master would be happy to see.

“Xu Song, has the name list with Feng Changjing participating in the Demon Ascension Gate been reported yet?”

Xu Song’s heart skipped a beat. “Because there are still ten days until we reach the deadline, I haven’t reported it yet.”

The Chief Elder nodded. He lightly said, “Go and send it.”

…

Grandmaster Yao’s dwelling. Even in the Black Demon Sect it could be called top quality. The palace was constructed atop a mountain and clear springs flowed down all around, eventually irrigating vast fields of verdant green. A path built from white jade winded atop the water towards the palace. After careful repair, the grassy fields and several giant mulberry trees seemed particularly gorgeous.

At this moment, several dozen long tables were scattered around beneath the shade of the mulberry trees. Various types of delicacies, sweets, pastries, and fruits were piled up atop the white tabletops. With a single glance, one could see that the materials used were all exquisite. The crystal cups were placed into a wine tower and were overflowing with fragrant red wine. Just taking a sniff of this wonderful scent lifted one’s spirits.

Over 30 young cultivators had been invited to attend this banquet. Besides a few people that kept themselves restrained, most others had looks of acclaim and envy.

“I hear that this used to be the dwelling of an alchemy grandmaster; the specifications of this palace are even higher than that of a common Elder. Even so, fellow daoist Feng managed to move in here. His methods must be superb.” A purple-haired cultivator said in a hushed whisper, his voice filled with jealousy.

Another female cultivator covered her mouth and chuckled. “Who doesn’t know that Feng Changjing has an older brother who participated in the last Demon Ascension Gate and managed to smoothly enter the Demonic Path? I heard his martial talent is incredibly high and he was accepted as a disciple by a Demonic Path Elder. Now, he has even reached the Revered Blue Sea realm and his future is limitless. With such a big brother, it’s no wonder Feng Changjing is held in such high esteem.”

A scholarly-looking youth in white clothes and with an elegant bearing lightly said, “I heard that the alchemy grandmaster who used to live here was extremely fierce. But because he left the sect he was punished, thus this place became fellow daoist Feng’s dwelling. Some people even say that this alchemy grandmaster originally wanted to join the Demon Ascension Gate. If he comes back and discovers this happened, there will likely be trouble.”

“Humph! What the Demon Ascension Gate tests is true strength! Who cares about an alchemy grandmaster? It has to be known that when you are over a hundred years of age, the standards for being recruited into the Demonic Path are far, far more stringent!”

“Even if that person comes back, with the current situation I don’t think he can even save himself, much less make things awkward for fellow daoist Feng. Hehe, you should remember that fellow daoist Feng is someone who has awakened a demonic bloodline. Not only is his strength tyrannical, but his future achievements might be higher than his brother’s!”

“If this grandmaster really returns, pretending he doesn’t see all of this is his chest choice. If he were to go looking for trouble on his own initiative, things won’t end well for him.”

A group of people nodded deeply to each other. They looked over to a young and handsome youth who was happily smiling beneath a mulberry tree. He wore tightly fitted blue clothes that served to accentuate his ethereal temperament. His long black hair casually fluttered around him and confidence exuded from him like a steady stream of water.

This was a truly extraordinary character!

Qin Yu took a moment to give praise inwardly. He arrived in front of a white table and picked up a crystal cup from the wine tower. Then, he lifted up a hand and took a sip, nodding his head in satisfaction.

Several maids and servants hesitated as they saw Qin Yu. This person didn’t seem like a guest invited by the master, but since Qin Yu was so calm, they didn’t dare to offend him. Perhaps this person was the master’s friend.

They believed that their eyesight wasn’t bad. A person with such a temperament definitely wouldn’t come here for free drinks and food. Moreover, who would dare cause trouble at the young master’s banquet?

As the workers were wondering about what to do, they saw Qin Yu turn around and head towards a group of guests. This act caused them to relax a little. Indeed, this person wasn’t normal at all, otherwise he wouldn’t have taken the initiative to go and talk to others. Fortunately, they hadn’t been impulsive just now or they would have caused the young master to lose face at his own banquet. If that were to happen, none of them would have had a good ending.

This black-robed youth couldn’t be considered pretty or delicate. He even seemed a bit inexperienced, not yet ripe enough. But, his eyes were deep and bright and there was an unspeakable atmosphere around him. Several maids couldn’t help but glance his way, blinking their eyes. They wondered: would they have a chance to serve this guest tonight? As they thought this their pale faces immediately blushed red.

They watched as Qin Yu walked near a group of guests. He smiled and spoke some words. When he received a response he nodded and glanced towards the young master beneath the mulberry tree. Then, he finished his cup of wine, smiled in thanks, and walked towards the tree.

When Feng Changjing was young, he had already awakened his demonic bloodline. After being tested, it was found his bloodline power was shadow – a peak ability necessary for assassination. Those with the power to walk through darkness often had extremely sharp senses. When Qin Yu walked near, Feng Changjing subconsciously frowned and said some words of apology before turning around.

Then, he saw Qin Yu walking over, a glass of wine in his hands and a calm look on his face. His frown tightened. Those invited to today’s banquet were all talented cultivators who had the qualifications to contend for the spots to enter the Demon Ascension Gate. In order to prevent any embarrassing mishaps he had remembered information about every single person invited. Thus, he knew that this person wasn’t a guest at all.

It was just that Qin Yu’s current actions caused him not to easily judge who he was. So, he decided to take a look first. Steadying his thoughts, Feng Changjing smiled and said, “Fellow daoist looks so familiar. Are you a senior-apprentice brother within the Black Demon Sect? For you to attend my banquet today, I am truly honored.”

His words immediately attracted attention. The two men and two women standing near him turned around. These people had two characteristics in common: first, they were young, and second, they were arrogant. These two traits were clearly visible.

Their eyes fell on Qin Yu. After a moment of thought, they looked away. They were curious, just why was Feng Changjing so polite to this common-looking boy?

Who cared if he was a Black Demon Sect cultivator? They had obtained a chance to participate in the Demon Ascension Gate, and if they were chosen they might be able to enter the Demonic Path. Even if they weren’t chosen in the end, any one of the 12 branch sects would happily be willing to admit them.

Qin Yu smiled and lifted his glass in tribute. He looked around, “The scenery here is quite good. Unfortunately, I never made use of it in the past. Now it seems that it is quite appropriate to be used to hold banquets.”

Feng Changjing’s smile dimmed by several degrees. “Is fellow daoist familiar with this place?”

Qin Yu nodded. “I lived here for a period of time before. What a pity, I was busy cultivating all day so I neglected this beautiful area. I must thank fellow daoist Feng for reminding me about it.”

Feng Changjing lightly said, “Why is fellow daoist thanking me?”

There was a cold intent in his voice.

The two male and two female cultivators revealed looks of surprise. They never imagined that this cultivator would be so disrespectful.

If it were any other day, they wouldn’t mind watching Feng Changjing lose face. But right now in the Black Demon Sect, they were all outsiders.

Moreover, as guests of the banquet, if someone were to mess things up, they would also be shamed.

The four people simultaneously looked over, a faint chill percolating in their eyes. Unfortunately, this type of threatening gaze had absolutely no effect on Qin Yu. After experiencing the glory of those apex powerhouses that hovered in the highest heavens like divine dragons, he naturally wouldn’t care about these bugs that lived in the muddy sand.

Qin Yu smiled. “I certainly have to thank you – this place is my dwelling after all.” He paused and then continued to say, “Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Yao Bin, an alchemist of the Black Demon Sect.”

At this moment, the entire field fell silent.

When Feng Changjing and the others expressed ill intent, everyone’s attention had been drawn to the scene. Although Qin Yu’s voice wasn’t too loud, everyone who was paying attention could clearly hear what he said.

The eyes of many people widened. This was…the original master had returned!

Those who knew the inside story were suddenly excited. It was clear that a good play was about to occur.