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Chapter 87: New Identification Card in Hand
🕑 Added 2025-05-05 07:32:29 +0000 UTCChen Xiao looked at Xi Yunqing in surprise. “Now that things are settled here, aren’t you returning to the Chongxuan Sect?”
Chen Xiao had always thought that Xi Yunqing would handle the formalities for the people of Changjia Village and leave through the teleportation portal, heading back to the Immortal Sect located in Luocheng's grand celestial realm. Although he would feel a bit reluctant, just imagining the massive stir caused by Xi Yunqing returning to the Chongxuan Sect with a team of top-tier spiritual root cultivators after having once stood alone on the dock outside Nian City, seeing everyone else leave, filled him with pride and satisfaction.
Xi Yunqing’s lips curled slightly. “I’m not going back. The team’s task has already been handed over, and there’s nothing else for me to do here. From now on, I’ll continue my travels and cultivation in the outside world.” He wasn’t entirely sure why Chen Xiao wasn’t affected, but there was no reason to leave just yet. He had entrusted the group to the caretaker and planned to stay with Chen Xiao a bit longer.
It was rare for Xi Yunqing to act so freely and follow his own wishes. Because of his ability to bring misfortune to others without intending to, he had always preferred working alone. Additionally, his teacher's high status and his efforts to avoid bringing trouble to others or his teacher had kept him from being careless. He was usually silent, aloof, and solitary. Due to his seniority among peers, he had never really made any close friends, until he met Chen Xiao. So, he truly cherished every moment spent with him.
Chen Xiao felt a bit puzzled but soon let go of his confusion. If he were in Xi Yunqing's place, he would definitely want to witness the reaction of the Chongxuan Sect, it would be interesting. But since Xi Yunqing had decided not to return, Chen Xiao was more than happy about it. Xi Yunqing, with his cool demeanor and warm heart, was knowledgeable and insightful. Chen Xiao had learned a lot from him. He was eager to continue spending time with such a friend, hoping it would last as long as possible.
So, holding his book with enthusiasm, Chen Xiao eagerly discussed with Xi Yunqing which places in Hanshan City would be worth visiting once the internal chaos subsided.
The next day, the person sent by the Chongxuan Sect’s Administrative Hall arrived. Since Chen Xiao also needed to handle his identification, he followed Xi Yunqing to meet the caretaker.
The caretaker was also a second-generation disciple and, in terms of rank, Xi Yunqing’s senior brother. Xi Yunqing addressed him as “Senior Brother Yin,” while Senior Brother Yin, in return, affectionately called him “Little Junior Brother.” Though they were not from the same teacher, Xi Yunqing held a special position within the Chongxuan Sect, and the Administrative Hall treated him with particular regard, which made their relationship appear unusually close.
Xi Yunqing quietly told Senior Brother Yin that he wanted to help his friend obtain a cultivation identification card. His friend, for various reasons, hadn’t been able to demonstrate his spiritual root talent during the initial tests.
Not cultivating true qi as a child didn’t necessarily mean one lacked spiritual root talent, it could be that the cultivation method wasn’t suited to them. Later on, after a fortuitous encounter, some people went on to become exceptional cultivators, though such cases were rare. Senior Brother Yin considered Chen Xiao to be one of these rare individuals. Helping with the identification process wasn’t a problem for him, but what truly surprised him was that his junior brother actually referred to Chen Xiao as his friend! That was unprecedented.
Chen Xiao, feeling a bit nervous, followed behind Xi Yunqing and, at his introduction, bowed to Senior Brother Yin. “Junior Chen Xiao greets Senior Brother Yin.”
Senior Brother Yin smiled warmly, as if meeting a child’s classmate for the first time, his enthusiasm palpable. “No need for formalities. Since you’re Junior Brother’s friend, that makes you my junior as well. Just call me Senior Brother Yin.”
Chen Xiao felt uneasy and replied, “That’s too much. I can’t be so rude.” Senior Brother Yin’s enthusiasm left him feeling somewhat overwhelmed.
Xi Yunqing, unable to stand it any longer, called out to Senior Brother Yin and stopped his overzealous behavior. Speaking gently to Chen Xiao, he said, “Don’t listen to Senior Brother Yin. Just call him Senior Brother Yin, or Hall Master Yin.”
Senior Brother Yin, feeling a bit disappointed, but knowing better than to upset Xi Yunqing, reluctantly took something from his robe and handed it to Chen Xiao. “Since it’s our first meeting, and I didn’t prepare anything earlier, take this little gift and enjoy it.”
What Senior Brother Yin handed over was a short flute, crafted from green jade with intricate and beautiful runes etched along its surface. It was clear from its craftsmanship that it was a precious item, possibly even a magical artifact. Chen Xiao was taken aback. Was it typical for people from the Chongxuan Sect to give such valuable gifts so casually?
Xi Yunqing’s brow twitched in irritation. Senior Brother Yin had a reputation for being flirtatious and fond of beautiful people. He was often seen surrounding himself with good-looking disciples and giving them gifts, which would make them blush and feel affection toward him. But despite his fondness for beauty, Senior Brother Yin never got involved in emotional entanglements with anyone.
Xi Yunqing was sure that the only reason Senior Brother Yin had given Chen Xiao such a gift was because he found him to be charming, not because of any deep affection.
Xi Yunqing couldn’t help but feel a little frustrated. He hadn’t even given Chen Xiao a gift yet, and now Senior Brother Yin had gotten ahead of him. As for the jade plaque Xi Yunqing had given him earlier, that was easily overlooked by those with wealth.
Chen Xiao, noticing Xi Yunqing’s silence and the shift in his expression, quickly realized something was off. Before he could think too much about it, he turned to Senior Brother Yin and thanked him, “Thank you so much. But this is too valuable... it must be a magical artifact, right?”
The steward, Yin, chuckled and said, “It’s just a flute that can attract a hundred birds when played. A trivial little thing, hardly qualifies as a magic instrument. Just take it and have fun with it.”
Chen Xiao couldn’t help but be amazed. A flute that could summon a hundred birds? It had to be a magic instrument! No matter its actual function, magic instruments were never cheap.
Xi Yunqing said nothing, but when Yin noticed his silence and the fact that he was genuinely upset, he wisely refrained from teasing Chen Xiao any further. The three of them left Hanshan City, with Xi Yunqing leading Chen Xiao back to the valley. This time, Steward Yin brought with him a magical instrument used for testing spiritual roots, and after testing the people from Changjia Village, he was equally astonished. He and Xi Yunqing spent the afternoon discussing things in a room, and the next morning, they went back to Hanshan City to bring back a manager from Zhishi Hall.
This manager was from the Han family. The Zhong family had seized control of Zhishi Hall, causing it to fall into complete paralysis. However, some of the Han family members had managed to escape from the Zhong family’s elite forces, and this manager was one of them. Yin Steward had contacted Han Yunzhi, and though Han Yunzhi dared not delay, he sent the manager with Yin Steward on this trip. Even though Zhishi Hall was currently paralyzed, as long as the manager in charge approved, the official registration could still be processed as usual.
The manager of Zhishi Hall had been personally assigned to this task by the head of the family and could not afford to slack off. Furthermore, knowing Yin's identity as the steward of the Chongxuan Sect, he grew extra cautious. There had been rumors that the Han family would soon become a vassal under the Chongxuan Sect, and from then on, they would be a powerful ally that must not be offended.
Steward Yin maintained a serious demeanor when dealing with outsiders. He handed the Zhishi Hall manager a list, instructing him to check and verify it.
The manager of Zhishi Hall carefully examined the list. It contained the names, physical descriptions, and places of birth (which were considered the suburbs of Hanshan City), as well as each person’s spiritual root talents.
Upon seeing the spiritual root talents listed, the manager of Zhishi Hall was secretly shocked. He couldn’t understand how the Chongxuan Sect managed to find these individuals from a remote mountain area, but they certainly had remarkable talent!
He never imagined that these individuals were descendants of the Chang family, who were evading a manhunt. He assumed they were just mountain folk living in isolated areas. Although they were labeled as minor cultivators, their cultivation potential was still far above the average middle or high-level cultivators. The full extent of their power was something even the manager of Zhishi Hall didn’t fully comprehend. All he knew was that the land they came from had vast oceans, lakes, snow-capped mountains, plains, forests, deserts, and countless nations predominantly inhabited by mortals. The area was so large that it was impossible for some places not to be isolated from the rest of the world. These people had never been officially registered, making them true “black household” residents.
Normally, such “black households” required a visit from Zhishi Hall to verify their identities with the local residents before registration could take place. However, this time, with the Chongxuan Sect stepping in, this step was bypassed. The manager didn’t dare waste any time and swiftly processed the registrations.
Without even re-testing their spiritual roots, he recorded the names and spiritual root talents based on the materials provided by Steward Yin and distributed the official registration documents to everyone. The task was completed quickly and efficiently. Afterward, Steward Yin left Zhishi Hall with the manager and set off to meet Han Yunzhi in person, to express his thanks and discuss future cooperation.
After they left, the Chang family members could no longer contain their joy. They cried tears of happiness and congratulated each other. They cherished the official registration documents in their hands, flipping through them again and again. At last, they were no longer shackled by their lack of identity. They could walk openly in Hanshan City and go anywhere they pleased.
Chen Xiao held his newly minted registration papers, still feeling somewhat unreal. It was astonishing how easily something he had thought would be so difficult was solved. He had never felt more deeply how fortunate it was to be able to rely on someone powerful.
With a wide grin, Chen Xiao couldn’t help but show Xi Yunqing the papers. “Big Brother, look! I’m a cultivator now too!”
Xi Yunqing, seeing his happiness, also felt quite pleased. “You always have been,” he replied.
Chen Xiao smiled sheepishly. Xi Yunqing was so composed that it made him feel a little unsteady. He then asked, “When are we heading back to the City Lord’s Mansion?”
Every time Xi Yunqing heard him say “we,” it brought him great joy. He especially liked it when Chen Xiao looked up at him with those bright eyes, saying it. It made him feel clearly that they were together, side by side. “We’ll wait a little longer,” he replied.
Chen Xiao blinked in surprise. “Why? Tong Nuonuo and Du Rong are still at the City Lord's Mansion. Du Rong can pass the time in the meditation room or the martial arts field, but Nuonu... Her injuries have improved, but she still needs to rest. If I don’t visit her, she’ll definitely get bored.”
Xi Yunqing gazed deeply at Chen Xiao and said, “While we have some free time, I want to teach you some body techniques. That way, when you face battles again, you won’t be so helpless.” He didn’t want to return right now; if they did, Senior Brother Yin would surely drag him into a discussion. It would be much better to stay here, just the two of them, without the distractions of Tong Nuonuo and Du Rong.
Chen Xiao immediately pushed thoughts of Nuonuo aside, his eyes lighting up with excitement. “Can you teach me? Isn’t the martial arts of the Immortal Sects usually secret? Is it alright to teach me?”
Xi Yunqing smiled. “The body technique from Chongxuan is quite common in many sects, so there’s no problem. Do you want to learn it?”
Chen Xiao nodded vigorously and answered with enthusiasm, “I want to learn!”
