Chapter Sixty: Secrets

Xiaoping Peak.

“Junior Mu, how are you feeling?” Qu Yiqiu gazed at Mu Yunqin, who was slowly opening his eyes, and asked in a cautious tone.

The fiery red hue in Mu Yunqin’s pupils gradually faded, turning into the ordinary black of a human’s eyes.

He blinked in confusion, turning his head to look at Qu Yiqiu. “Senior Sister, why are you here?”

Qu Yiqiu paused briefly before asking, “Don’t you remember how you got injured?”

Though she called it an injury, in truth, it was merely that he had eaten the Nine-colored Deer and couldn’t refine it, Qu Yiqiu mused silently.

Mu Yunqin reached up to tap his head in bewilderment, feeling uncomfortable. “Yunqin doesn’t remember. When did Yunqin get hurt? How long have you been here with Yunqin?”

Seeing him knock harder and harder, Qu Yiqiu hurried forward and grabbed his hand. “It’s all right. If you don’t remember, don’t worry about it. I haven’t been here long. Are you feeling better now?”

She stared directly into his eyes, searching for something different within them.

Mu Yunqin still seemed lost. “Yunqin doesn’t feel any pain anymore. My body feels comfortable.”

“That’s good. As long as you’re all right,” Qu Yiqiu said, unable to detect anything amiss, withdrawing her gaze.

In that moment, a flash of red glimmered in Mu Yunqin’s pupils.

He quickly lowered his head to hide it, and noticing he was soaking in a wooden tub, asked in confusion, “Senior Sister, is this… spiritual spring water?”

Qu Yiqiu followed his gaze and nodded. “Yes, there’s an unknown force in your body that’s impacting your meridians, so I specially found spiritual spring water for you to soak in.”

“There’s also Well Tea and a Yellow Sandalwood Pear Carved Dragon-patterned Moon Bed—you’ll need to use them during this period.”

Mu Yunqin was startled. “Where did you get all these things, Senior Sister? Did Master provide them?”

Qu Yiqiu didn’t answer directly, saying only, “Don’t worry about that. I have my ways. What matters now is that you rest well. Now that you’re awake, I won’t have time to stay with you.”

Mu Yunqin’s expression grew anxious at her words. “Senior Sister, where are you going? Why can’t you stay with me?”

Qu Yiqiu looked at him solemnly. “I need to find my parents. Besides, you don’t need me anymore—you’ve reached the early stage of Foundation Establishment.”

“Senior Sister, what did you say?” Mu Yunqin was stunned.

He lowered his gaze to his flawless white hands, and with a slight shift of thought, powerful Foundation Establishment spiritual energy surged in his chest.

He was dumbfounded and bewildered.

“What’s happening? Did you help me with Foundation Establishment?” Mu Yunqin asked Qu Yiqiu in a daze.

Qu Yiqiu studied his expression and replied calmly, “Junior, you achieved Foundation Establishment by your own power. It has nothing to do with me. From now on, you can take care of yourself.”

Mu Yunqin hugged his head in confusion, unable to recall what had happened.

He only knew that some voice in his mind was telling him not to reveal his secret.

Qu Yiqiu patted his head and smiled gently. “Stop thinking about it, Junior. You advanced so quickly—Master will be pleased when he returns.”

She wasn’t sure if it was truly a good thing.

Under her gentle comfort, Mu Yunqin gradually let go of his hands, gazing at her with attachment.

“When will you leave, Senior Sister?”

Qu Yiqiu placed a jade slip in his hand and said softly, “This is the solution to the sixth-grade defense array just set up on Xiaoping Peak. I’ll be leaving soon.”

“How long will you be gone, Senior Sister? How can I contact you later?” Mu Yunqin asked, reluctant to part with her beautiful, delicate face. For a fleeting moment, he saw another face with dragon horns.

Startled, he quickly lowered his gaze, his thick lashes fluttering to obscure his eyes.

Qu Yiqiu noted his strange behavior but kept her composure. “I won’t be gone for too long—at most half a year. As for contacting me, I’ll leave a soul lamp here.”

Mu Yunqin dared not look up, murmuring, “All right. Senior Sister, take good care of yourself!”

Qu Yiqiu ruffled his hair and smiled. “I know. I hope you focus on cultivating during this time. If I get the chance, I’ll watch your sect’s competition.”

Mu Yunqin nodded softly. “I’ll do my best! I’ll win first place for Xiaoping Peak and Senior Sister!”

“Haha, let’s hope so!” Qu Yiqiu laughed, not taking it too seriously.

At the early stage of Foundation Establishment, he would be facing elite disciples in the middle and late stages, even chief disciples—his chances of winning first place were slim.

Mu Yunqin’s eyes grew determined, and he silently vowed to bring a first place honor back for his Senior Sister.

“All right, I’ve said all I needed to. The rest is up to you. Master is away on a mission, and no one else can guide you,” Qu Yiqiu said, withholding the true reason for Mo Qingli’s departure.

Mu Yunqin trusted her completely and nodded. “Senior Sister, have a safe journey!”

“Mm.” Qu Yiqiu gave him one last glance and turned to leave the cave residence.

Mu Yunqin felt the warmth of the spiritual spring, gazing wistfully at her disappearing figure. Her graceful silhouette seemed to overlap with another dragon form.

…

Qu Yiqiu left Mu Yunqin’s cave, and on the way, met Zhou Chen, from whom she learned what Mo Qingli had done.

He had left Huang Lan locked in the cave as a substitute, but within days, Wang Shaoyang discovered it with his men.

Later, the Punishment Hall sent several secret guards to look for him, finally finding some traces near Qu’nan City.

Yet he still wasn’t brought back.

Qu Yiqiu listened for a long while, and after understanding the whole affair, she prepared to seek out Luo Tangyu.

She hadn’t walked far when Wang Shaoyang appeared, carrying the Nine-colored Deer.

“Hall Master Wang, why do you have the Nine-colored Deer?” Qu Yiqiu asked in surprise.

She had thought Mu Yunqin had already eaten the deer.

Wang Shaoyang smiled gently. “I suppose you already know Mo Peak Master has gone missing. The deer wandered to Qingyuan Mountain Cliff three days after his departure, was found by the secret guards, and entrusted to me. I am temporarily fostering it on behalf of the sect.”

Qu Yiqiu nodded and chatted a bit more, inquiring about Mo Qingli’s whereabouts.

After about half an incense stick’s time, Qu Yiqiu had learned the whole story.

In short, the Nine-colored Deer had not been eaten by Mu Yunqin—he had only drunk its blood.

As for Mo Qingli, after leaving Qu’nan City, no one had seen him again.

Qu Yiqiu’s questions were nearly exhausted, but she didn’t take the deer.

“Hall Master Wang, perhaps you could care for it a while longer. Master isn’t here, and none of us disciples know how to look after it.”

Wang Shaoyang thought for a moment. “Very well. You’re all still young and should focus on diligent cultivation. I can care for the deer a bit longer.”

Qu Yiqiu smiled with relief. “Thank you, Hall Master Wang!”

Wang Shaoyang shook his head. “No need to thank me. Mo Peak Master brought a primordial spiritual creature to our Tianyan Sect—he brought honor to the sect.”

Qu Yiqiu silently praised Wang Shaoyang’s upright loyalty. With the matter of the deer settled, they exchanged a few words before she sent him off.

Thank you, little fairy, little cutie, for reading~~ Thanks to eyeful for the recommendation votes~

(End of this chapter)