Translator: She.Wee

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Chapter 104: Peace In The World And Four Seasons In Harmony

After returning to Qingze Sect from Hehuan Sect, Chi Muyao walked back to Xi Huai’s cave residence with a heavy heart. As soon as he entered through the black lacquered door, he saw Xi Huai sitting on a spirit-gathering jade-carved chair inside, staring at him with an unpleasant expression. Xi Huai immediately questioned him, “You knew I was about to go into seclusion, yet you still ran off everywhere. Can’t you spend more time with me?”

Chi Muyao, who had been preoccupied, unexpectedly relaxed upon seeing Xi Huai like this.

It seemed that Xi Huai could always unknowingly bring him comfort.

While Chi Muyao was lost in his thoughts, Xi Huai’s mind was solely focused on him.

Xi Huai only ever got upset with him for two reasons: Why didn’t Chi Muyao spend more time with him? And why didn’t he want to engage in dual cultivation?

Since the day they became Dao companions, and for all the years that had passed since then, this hadn’t changed. Not once.

Chi Muyao had tried coaxing him countless times and had conducted many mental counseling sessions, all to no avail. When Xi Huai wanted to be angry, he’d still get angry. When he wanted to be clingy, he’d still be clingy.

Chi Muyao had no choice but to walk over, throw himself into Xi Huai’s arms, and hug him tightly, burying his face in Xi Huai’s chest without saying a word.

Xi Huai, still not satisfied, grumbled, “Don’t think you can brush this off so easily. I’ve been mad for two hours already.”

With his face still buried in Xi Huai’s neck, Chi Muyao softly exhaled warm breaths against Xi Huai’s skin, causing a ticklish, warm sensation. “You can have as many times as you want, okay?”

Xi Huai didn’t respond immediately, clearly swayed by the irresistible offer.

Chi Muyao continued to act meek, “I was worried about you. I even went to ask Guannan Tianzun about the formation.”

“You went to Nuan Yan Pavilion?”

“No, I found him at Hehuan Sect. These days, he spends more time there than at Nuan Yan Pavilion.”

Finally, Xi Huai’s anger dissipated, and he hugged Chi Muyao like a large doll, adjusting him to a more comfortable position. “Your spirit-gathering array is already excellent, more intricate than the formations of many other seniors in the sect.”

Chi Muyao, still clinging to Xi Huai’s back, said, “I’ve been so worried that I can’t eat or sleep. It’s you going into seclusion, yet I’m the one who’s more anxious. I kept checking the seclusion chamber over and over, afraid I’d missed something…”

Xi Huai, who had been on the verge of throwing a fit, instantly calmed down. He rubbed Chi Muyao’s head, comforting him, “Your worrying nature is really troublesome. There’s no need to be this anxious. This is a challenge for the entire cultivation world. I’m still young, this is only my first attempt. Worst case scenario, I’ll just try again. I don’t have any inner demons, and my cultivation is stable. Besides, I’ve had plenty of senior cultivators give me advice. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

Chi Muyao’s voice remained soft and sticky as he continued, clearly playing coy, “I’m this worried about you, and yet you’re still angry with me…”

“I was wrong. I shouldn’t have taken my anger out on you.” Xi Huai began to apologize.

As soon as Xi Huai showed any signs of backing down, Chi Muyao wouldn’t keep pushing him, knowing how irritating Xi Huai’s temper could be. So, he quickly dangled a tempting offer, “Then when we engage in dual cultivation later, don’t be too rough, okay?”

Xi Huai’s response was as gentle as could be, “Okay.”

From the initial hostility to the later gentleness, it only took a few words to shift Xi Huai’s attitude.

Chi Muyao already had Xi Huai wrapped around his finger.

When dealing with Xi Huai, reasoning was futile. Xi Huai had more arguments than anyone and could quickly render Chi Muyao speechless.

But whenever Chi Muyao acted soft and compliant, Xi Huai, the little dragon, would immediately turn into a baby dragon, and his entire demeanor would change.

When Xi Huai carried Chi Muyao into the room, he was extra cautious, afraid that any rough movements would upset Chi Muyao.

The next morning, Chi Muyao casually threw on a robe and went into the seclusion chamber to reinforce the formation, adding an additional layer of mechanisms and restrictions.

As he stepped out of the cave, he noticed something off with the weight of his clothing and realized that he had grabbed Xi Huai’s ritual robe by mistake. Wearing the crimson outer robe didn’t seem quite right on him, especially since his lips were already a vibrant red, giving him a slightly seductive look.

He hesitated for a moment but decided not to care and went to find Xi Lin, with whom he had a lengthy private conversation.

After all, no one in Qingze Sect would mind him wearing Xi Huai’s ritual robe.

Today was the day Xi Huai would go into seclusion.

Xi Huai entered the small seclusion chamber alone. Before closing the door, he gave Chi Muyao a deep look, then shut the stone door behind him.

Outside the chamber was a row of stone seats reserved for the senior cultivators serving as protectors.

Chi Muyao had also set up formations around these seats, strengthening the seniors’ ability to transfer their assistance directly to Xi Huai’s body.

The elders had expected that, following the usual habits of their young sect master, Xi Huai would linger a bit to say goodbye to Chi Muyao. None of them were in a rush to enter. When they saw Xi Huai actually shut the door, they were a bit surprised.

Chi Muyao felt a bit embarrassed. In truth, he had spent the entire night without sleep, soothing Xi Huai, which was why Xi Huai was so well-behaved today.

Once everything was settled, and after seeing that all the seniors had started to channel their energy, he took the initiative to leave Xi Huai’s cave dwelling, setting up a formation at the cave’s entrance.

Afterward, he saw the little chirping bird perched on his shoulder and whispered, “This time, we may have to rely on you and Hui.”

“Chirp!”

The little bird, Qiuqiu , never seemed to fear any situation, always full of fighting spirit.

Moreover, over the years, Qiuqiu  had also been cultivating alongside him and Xi Huai, and its strength had grown significantly.

Chi Muyao brought Qiuqiu  to the main hall of Qingze Sect.

Seated there were Si Ruoyu, Azure Fox Ancestor, and several other seniors who protected the sect.

The people present were not very familiar with each other, and the atmosphere was awkward until Chi Muyao arrived and things began to ease.

He calmly sat down and spoke, “Some of you were invited by me, and some are seniors of Qingze Sect. Perhaps the seniors don’t yet know why we’ve gathered everyone, so let me explain what will happen this time.”

He then relayed everything Yu Yanshu had told him to the palace lords of Qingze Sect. As expected, they were enraged, nearly leaping out of their seats in fury, eager to charge straight into Nuan Yan Pavilion.

Chi Muyao gestured for them to calm down and continued, “Perhaps in your eyes, I’m just someone who manages the Discipline Hall, an average cultivator. But this time is different. The one facing danger is my Daoist partner, so I must step forward. I understand that I’m not qualified to command all of you, but I sincerely ask you to take my concern for my Daoist partner into consideration and listen to my directives just this once.”

The one-eyed palace lord was the first to speak, “We have no issue with you. You’re much smarter than that father-and-son pair, and you never overstep your bounds. Whenever something requires action, you always manage things from behind the scenes, letting old dragon Xi convey it to us. This time, it’s just that old dragon Xi isn’t here.”

The palace lord of Moon Twilight Palace followed with a chuckle, “In fact, this time, the sect master changed the protectors for a reason. After a quick glance, it’s clear that the ones left behind have their own strengths. I already had a feeling something was up. Since things have been arranged, just go ahead and speak.”

Chi Muyao was a low-key person, rarely drawing attention. On most days, he would bury himself in the affairs of the Discipline Hall, managing accounts, handling chores, and staying out of everything else.

Despite the fierce battles between the two realms over the years, Chi Muyao had never gotten involved.

His unassuming nature, never causing trouble, never fighting or competing, and his refusal to manipulate others despite his intelligence, made the members of Qingze Sect feel at ease around him.

He had the capability and the capital to “hold power,” yet he never crossed boundaries, making him well-liked.

Furthermore, Chi Muyao’s exceptional healing abilities gave them a sense of having a hidden trump card, allowing them to charge ahead confidently.

If it weren’t for this matter involving Xi Huai, Chi Muyao probably wouldn’t have stepped forward this time either.

Chi Muyao nodded, “You’re all perceptive. The ones left behind this time are all skilled in formations or excel in teamwork. Xi Huai’s seclusion is of utmost importance, and I haven’t told him about this, fearing he’d worry. The protectors must also be powerful, so we’ve tried to leave a portion of people to guard Qingze Sect.

“As for Xian Yue, she’s long since lost her authority. Those who come with her this time likely won’t be many, so it won’t be as difficult as the last great battle.

“My plan is to use the illusion technique from Hehuan Sect, setting up a fierce formation within the illusion, combined with the manipulation techniques of the Azure Fox clan. The three will work together.”

As he spoke, he looked toward the palace lord of Moon Twilight Palace, “The palace lord of Moon Twilight Palace is the strongest support cultivator, with more battle experience than I. He will take charge of the overall situation.

“As for the others, I will assign your positions. Remember the mechanisms of the formation, guard your area well, and kill anyone who enters without mercy. I’m sure you can all handle that.”

After hearing this, the palace lord of Moon Twilight Palace nodded, “Mm, with you responsible for healing within the formation, our combat strength will increase. At the very least, we can make sure they gain nothing from this.”

Chi Muyao smiled, “I will be the formation’s core. It may be dangerous, and I might not be able to reach you in time for healing. Protecting yourselves is most important.”

Hearing this, the members of Qingze Sect grew restless again.

“No way! The first person the enemy will target when breaking the formation is the core. They’ll throw their strongest attacks at you. If you fall, the young sect master will blame all of us when he comes out of seclusion!”

“Exactly! You can’t be so reckless. Even if it’s to protect Xi Huai, you can’t sacrifice yourself!”

“We don’t agree!”

Chi Muyao smiled faintly, “I will naturally set up many fake cores as decoys. Who would expect the real core to be me, and moving around at that, right?”

Still, the others disagreed.

Si Ruoyu shrugged, “See, it’s not just me who disagrees.”

With no other option, Chi Muyao called out the one-eyed palace lord, who had the highest combat prowess, to the courtyard, asking him to attack.

The one-eyed palace lord didn’t even want to draw his sword. He looked at Chi Muyao and said, “Attack you? How could I show my face after that?”

In the eyes of everyone in Qingze Sect, Chi Muyao was a delicate flower. With impressive healing abilities, he was always protected within the sect, and no one ever thought of laying a hand on him.

A person who used a fan instead of a sword, which they rarely even saw him bring out, now wanted them to believe he was capable? They truly found it hard to accept.

“Come on.” Chi Muyao, feeling helpless, urged again.

The one-eyed palace lord had no choice but to attack, though he held back considerably.

However, Chi Muyao had a golden bell protecting him, which blocked all damage. Magical attacks were ineffective, and only the residual force could harm Chi Muyao, but even that dealt minimal damage.

What was even more remarkable was that Chi Muyao seemed able to predict the one-eyed palace lord’s attacks in advance, dodging them using Hehuan Sect’s movement technique, leaving the one-eyed palace lord unable to catch or strike him.

Over the years, Chi Muyao had thoroughly studied his magical artifact, the golden bell, and could now wield it with much more precision.

His golden bell had also become stronger after he entered the Nascent Soul stage. It seemed that a recognized treasure grew in strength alongside its master.

Chi Muyao had also discovered, to his surprise, that after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, the golden bell granted him a form of precognition.

Just like in the Miasma Forest, where shadows of future events appeared on the walls, he could now see his opponent’s moves and routes ahead of time.

Now, combined with Hehuan Sect’s speed technique—the fastest in the cultivation world—it was like adding wings to a tiger.

With precognition and the fastest movement technique in the cultivation world, Chi Muyao’s evasion skills had reached the highest level in the entire realm, even if his combat ability was still lacking.

This way, no one could hit him, and with his healing abilities, unless someone landed a fatal blow before he had a chance to heal, he could stay safe.

By then, as long as he, the core of the formation, delayed long enough, the members of the demonic sect could gain the upper hand within the formation and wipe out the invaders from Nuan Yan Pavilion.

The palace lord of Moon Twilight Palace watched in stunned silence, finally letting out a slow breath. “Wow, how do I suddenly feel like it’s our young sect master who’s marrying up?”

Si Ruoyu was quite proud, “Well, of course, our A-Jiu married down in the first place.”