Chapter 116 – New Friends

  “Senior Brother Jun De!”

  That bright, clear voice made Jun De turn just as two familiar figures hurried toward him across the polished deck of the flying ship.

  The vessel was anchored at a platform higher up on the Tranquil Mountain, allowing access for both the Inner and Outer Sect Disciples.

  He could feel the formation arrays humming faintly beneath his feet as the ship hovered just above the ground, but Jun De hardly noticed as his eyes widened when Lin Yue and Shen Ruolan swiftly walked to his side and hugged him.

  “Yue, Ruolan, what are you two doing here?” Jun De asked, his tone full of disbelief. They hadn’t told him they would be attending the exploration of the Secret Realm; there hadn’t even been a single mention of the fact in their latest message.

  Before either of them could answer, Shen Weifeng gave a soft chuckle next to him and rolled his shoulders in a shrug.

  “The Sect Master decreed that all talents may enter the Secret Realm. Did you think it would be limited only to the Inner Sect? Young Lin Yue is extremely gifted in Alchemy and Herbalism, skills that will prove as valuable as a blade once we are inside the Hidden Space.”

  Jun De blinked in amazement at Shen Weifeng’s praise, and Lin Yue met his gaze with a small smile, while her eyes were bright with delight at not only seeing Jun De again after so long, but hearing his mentor’s approval of her efforts.

  But then, Shen Weifeng’s attention shifted to his niece. His expression sobered, while his voice was firm and measured.

  “As for Shen Ruolan, she has also earned her place through her own efforts.” It was clear that Shen Weifeng didn’t want to give anyone the impression that he was playing favourites and had worked to gift her a place on the ship without having earned it.

  Ruolan straightened instinctively at her uncle’s words, and a strong expression of pride lit up her face that she made no effort to hide.

  Jun De studied them both for a moment, then nodded. He couldn’t deny that they were talented. Lin Yue had reached the 4th Level of Qi Condensation, while Shen Ruolan was at the beginning of the 5th!

  It was a definite improvement since he had last seen them, and he knew that they must have worked hard to achieve it. Gaining a level of cultivation in just under a year required a ton of effort and dedication.

  Jun De smiled as he looked between Lin Yue and Shen Ruolan. Any nervousness that may have made him uneasy at having them enter the Secret Realm was removed when he remembered the Elder Mu was accompanying them, and that the Sect Master himself had approved of the trip.

  “Congratulations! You both deserve to be here as much as anyone else. More so, in fact! Yue, your Alchemy and herbal skills will be invaluable, and Ruolan, if Elder Shen himself says you earned your place, then that’s no small feat! I know just how hard it is to earn his praise!”

  Jun De laughed as he looked at Shen Weifeng out of the corner of his eye. The former Elder shook his head before waving his hand and walking away.

  They had been spending every day together for nearly a year in the Inner Sect, and while Jun De’s improvement was visible to the eye, Shen Weifeng’s was more subtle.

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  He was still in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, but he seemed to have solidified his cultivation further, regaining some of his vitality and strength that he had in his youth. Shen Weifeng almost seemed to be aging in reverse as his cultivation improved and his lifespan increased. Where he had once been white-haired and elderly, he now appeared to be in his early to mid-sixties.

  “Enjoy your time on the journey to the Secret Realm, Jun De. Once we arrive, our training will continue.” Shen Weifeng said in parting. He walked over to where Mu Yanyu and several Elders stood together, bowing low before speaking to them.

  “Jun De, I was hoping that we could spend some time together before we arrive. Alone.” Shen Ruolan said, shooting a glance at Lin Yue, who frowned and took a step closer to Jun De in response.

  It seemed that whatever truce had existed between them was temporarily on hold while they travelled.

  “Senior Brother Jun De must be too tired to play ‘Go’ with you, Sister Ruolan. Jun De, I obtained some tea from the restaurant you love in Tranquil City. Would you like to go to your room and enjoy it together?” Lin Yue asked, gracefully gripping Jun De’s left arm and subtly leading him to the stairwell behind her.

  “I’m sure that Jun De would rather try the pastries and dishes that I brought, along with his favourite tea from Yunlai City. Jun De, my mother sent me a care package, and she made sure to include the finest tea for this year’s harvest. Wouldn’t you like to go to your room with me and try it?” Shen Ruolan said, and she latched herself onto Jun De’s right arm.

  Unlike Lin Yue, Ruolan was practically dragging him away!

  Jun De was about to respond, although he had no idea what to say to get him out of this situation, when they were interrupted by a booming laugh that cut through the hum of the flying ship’s formation arrays.

  “Haha! Junior Brother Jun De, there you are!”

  Jun De turned to see Zhao Wuxian striding across the deck toward him. The man looked even more imposing than before, with his skin bronzed from days of training beneath the summer sun, and the muscles of his chest and arms were more prominent from his harsh body refinement in the Inner Sect.

  Zhao Wuxian had improved his cultivation as well, reaching the middle of the 7th Level of Qi Condensation while his physical strength had been enhanced by the new facilities and resources of the Inner Sect.

  Lin Yue and Shen Ruolan both frowned as Zhao Wuxian drew nearer, and they crowded closer to Jun De as if they were concerned that Zhao Wuxian would stir up trouble. Or worse, focus his attention on them and begin bragging and flexing as he usually did whenever he was around beautiful women.

  “Jun De, I heard you were the one to bring word about this Secret Realm. Hah! I knew you were the same as me, eager for glory and destined for greatness!”

  Jun De blinked at Zhao Wuxian, and for a moment, he was completely at a loss for words. What the hell had happened to Zhao Wuxian for him to completely change his attitude toward Jun De?

  This was the same man who was all arrogance and bluster, proclaiming himself the best in the Sect, all while criticizing Jun De and saying that they were ‘fated rivals’ and that Jun De would be his ‘stepping stone on the path to immortality.’

  Yet now, the disdain and anger toward Jun De were gone, replaced with something that actually appeared friendly and genuine!

  Jun De’s mind finally caught up to current events, and he managed an awkward smile.

  “Zhao Wuxian, it seems all your training has paid off.” Jun De said politely, still unsure of the change in attitude.

  Zhao Wuxian’s grin widened.

  “Hah! I have pushed my body to the limits every day. Seeing your efforts, I couldn’t allow you to train harder than me! It takes the efforts of a rival to open one’s eyes, and now I see you for what you are. From today onwards, I will call you my friend, Junior Brother Jun De.”

  Zhao Wuxian said it without hesitating, and his voice was loud enough that many other Disciples turned their heads to look at him in surprise.

  Lin Yue and Shen Ruolan exchange glances, and their shock and surprise mirrored Jun De’s own. Zhao Wuxian, who had spent so much time mocking and insulting Jun De, had just declared his friendship with him.

  Zhao Wuxian’s laughter rolled across the deck, but this time there was an edge to it. He leaned in closer to Jun De, and he lowered his voice so that only Jun De and those around them could hear him.

  “My Zhao Clan has been busy, and we recently had a conflict with the Zhang Clan. Hah! That makes us allies, doesn’t it! You against the Zhangs, me against the Zhangs, it’s all the same! We’ll crush them beneath our feet, and together, we’ll reach the greatest heights within the Sect. Zhao Wuxian and his Junior Brother, Little Jun De!”

  While Jun De wasn’t sure how to answer, Lin Yue covered her smile with her sleeve, while Shen Ruolan tilted her head to the side and watched the exchange with amusement as the flying ship finally took to the skies.