Chapter 65: Homecoming
The dusty mountain path echoed with hurried footsteps as Su Henglin arrived at Guyu Hollow's gates, his travel-worn robes testament to his rushed journey. There, he encountered his junior brother Yang Shufeng, equally breathless and concerned.
"Junior Brother Yang, you received Master's urgent summons as well?" Su Henglin's voice carried the weight of unspoken worries.
Yang Shufeng nodded gravely. "Indeed. Master's tone suggested great urgency, yet I cannot fathom what calamity might have befallen our sanctuary."
"Come, let us seek answers from Master without delay."
As they passed through the familiar gates, both cultivators paused in bewilderment. The hollow buzzed with its usual tranquil activity—disciples tended gardens, practiced their arts, and exchanged pleasant conversation. Most surprisingly, several senior brothers approached them with bright smiles and congratulatory words.
The returning disciples exchanged puzzled glances. Congratulations? For what?
An elder disciple approached with unmistakable joy. "Your long-lost Sister Liao has returned! She's currently residing in Elder Ji's bamboo grove."
The revelation struck both men like lightning. As Ji Wuduan's disciples, they remembered Liao Tingyan from their brief time together at Qinggu Heaven—a gentle soul whose fate had worried them greatly.
Wonder and delight flickered across their features as they hurried toward the bamboo grove.
"Master, we heard Junior Sister Liao has returned?" Su Henglin, whose mature bearing in his elegant gray-green robes often made him appear older than his master, led his junior brother into the courtyard.
The scene that greeted them defied all expectation. Two figures reclined on bamboo loungers beneath dappled sunlight—one unmistakably their remembered junior sister, but the other...
Recognition hit like a physical blow. Both disciples dropped to their knees with resounding thuds.
Liao Tingyan lifted her eye mask curiously, while Sima Jiao merely glanced at the prostrate figures before lazily turning over, as if such reactions were perfectly mundane.
"This one definitely has a supernatural ability to make people kneel," Liao Tingyan mused silently.
"Senior brothers, please rise and speak freely." She called toward the house, "Master, two more disciples have returned!"
"Coming," Ji Wuduan's voice carried both resignation and amusement. He'd grown quite accustomed to this particular scene.
For two days, Ancestral Master Cizang had graced Guyu Hollow with his presence, and remarkably, no catastrophe had befallen them. He spent his time lounging about with an air of supreme indifference, responding minimally to interaction attempts. Yet every soul in the hollow—from the Hollow Master to the humblest disciple who knew his identity—trembled with gratitude for his apparent benevolence.
What extraordinary restraint! Compared to the obliterated Gengchen Immortal Mansion, they felt blessed beyond measure. Some even whispered that perhaps the legendary demon had achieved enlightenment.
Ji Wuduan's seven disciples had been scattered across the cultivation world. The first five dated from their Qinggu Heaven days, Liao Tingyan was his sixth, and the seventh and eighth had joined after establishing Guyu Hollow.
With three disciples now returned, Ji Wuduan had developed quite a routine for managing their shock. Each had witnessed Ancestral Master Cizang's terrifying display of power during Qinggu Heaven's destruction, so discovering that same world-ending figure casually napping in their courtyard required considerable emotional adjustment.
After settling his disciples' nerves, Ji Wuduan inquired, "During your travels, did either of you locate any spirit sources?"
Both disciples hung their heads in shame. "Master, we found nothing. Two years of searching yielded no results."
Spirit sources remained among the rarest treasures in the cultivation world, and their failure, while understandable, still disappointed.
Ji Wuduan sighed internally but maintained his composure. "Don't force fate's hand. You've both endured hardship—rest now. We're hosting a welcome banquet for Junior Sister Liao tomorrow. Please attend."
Only then did the disciples refocus on their returned junior sister. Their acquaintance had been brief—barely three months before the catastrophe scattered them all. While they harbored genuine affection for her, deep familiarity remained absent.
Curiosity and concern battled within them.
"Junior Sister Liao and... that personage—what precisely defines their relationship?"
"Ancestral Master Cizang claims disciple Tingyan as his Dao companion."
The revelation staggered them anew. Dao companionship represented no casual alliance, particularly considering that individual's fearsome reputation and volatile temperament. How could anyone imagine him accepting such a bond?
"Don't overthink these matters," Ji Wuduan counseled gently. "Treat disciple Tingyan with warmth and familiarity, show proper respect to Ancestral Master Cizang, and generally... maintain safe distance from him."
After witnessing her senior brothers' fearful retreat, Liao Tingyan nudged Sima Jiao's shoulder. "They're all terrified of you."
"Anyone who knows my name fears me," he replied matter-of-factly.
The truth resonated clearly. Even during her time as Sister Yan in the Demon Realm, mentions of the Winter City Demon Lord inspired universal dread. Here in the Cultivation World, that fear intensified dramatically.
Yet somehow, she remained unafraid.
Even hearing countless tales of the Demon Lord's terrible deeds, the name Sima Jiao never filled her with terror. Perhaps some subconscious recognition protected her?
She drew her lounger closer to his, nestling her head against his neck with comfortable intimacy.
Sima Jiao closed his eyes, resting one hand on her head while his fingers found her nape, applying gentle pressure. "So... are you afraid now?"
"Hee hee hee hee hee!" Her delighted giggling filled the air.
Ji Wuduan, who had emerged to ask about lunch preferences, quietly retreated upon witnessing their tender moment. Seeing his formerly reserved disciple sharing such intimate affection with Ancestral Master Cizang left him both amazed and slightly embarrassed.
How remarkable his disciple had become! She dared embrace him, steal kisses, even braid his hair—such extraordinary courage inspired genuine admiration.
As more Guyu Hollow disciples returned, the elders carefully orchestrated introductions. Unlike the senior brothers who had witnessed Sima Jiao's power firsthand, most newcomers remained ignorant of his true identity. The knowing elders encouraged casual fellowship while privately warning everyone to display "neither servile nor arrogant" attitudes—warm, reliable, but nothing more.
Originally planning an elaborate formal banquet befitting Ancestral Master Cizang's status, the elders reconsidered when Ji Wuduan consulted Liao Tingyan.
"Why create such complications?" she suggested brightly. "Let's have a barbecue instead! I have plenty of grills, and I've heard everyone excels at cultivating different specialties. Rather than bringing expensive gifts, let's share the fruits of our labor—literally!"
The proposal's simplicity appealed to everyone, especially since it suited Guyu Hollow's agricultural character. Even considering Ancestral Master Cizang's tolerance for his companion's wishes, Ji Wuduan approved the plan.
Thus began Guyu Hollow's largest barbecue celebration ever.
"Senior Sister Liao, which green spirit melon tastes superior?" Twin junior brothers presented their competing harvests with hopeful expressions.
Liao Tingyan sampled each offering thoughtfully, considering their unique qualities with genuine care.
These botanical enthusiasts specialized in cultivation arts, frequently growing identical crops before demanding judgments from anyone available. Tonight, the honor fell to her.
"This melon offers wonderful sweetness," she declared, lifting the left sample. "While this provides delightful crispness," she continued, raising the right. "Perhaps we should call them 'green spirit sweet melon' and 'green spirit crisp melon' respectively."
The twins burst into delighted laughter, thanking her enthusiastically before racing off to prepare more samples.
"Junior Sister Liao, please try this celestial yellow beef!" A senior brother approached with generous portions. "Carefully marinated and roasted—my specialty!"
Another disciple drooled openly. "Senior Sister, my brother rarely slaughters his precious cattle. Even we seldom taste such delicacies!"
He pushed a portion toward Sima Jiao. "Senior Brother, please enjoy!"
Nearby elders nearly choked on their drinks, desperately hoping the unknowing disciple wouldn't offend Ancestral Master Cizang. They knew he didn't consume mortal foods!
Liao Tingyan smoothly retrieved the offering. "His portion belongs to me as well." After all, her ethereal boyfriend survived on spiritual energy alone.
The elders exhaled in relief while the young disciple marveled enviously. "How wonderful! Dao companions get double portions! Senior Sister, is finding a Dao companion difficult?"
"Not particularly," Liao Tingyan mused. "Mine appeared without any searching required."
Sima Jiao's ambiguous chuckle earned him a curious glance.
"Really? Then why do our senior brothers struggle so?" the innocent disciple continued.
A chorus of coughs erupted around the grills as various bachelors felt their hearts twinge. Female disciples remained scarce in Guyu Hollow, while outside cultivators preferred sword and magic practitioners over humble farmers. Many disciples prioritized agriculture over romance anyway.
The evening progressed with countless offerings—wines from mutant spirit grains, honey from rare flowers, beauty-enhancing cosmetics from spirit herbs, and delicacies of every description. Each gift came with stories of careful cultivation and preparation.
When an uncle presented roasted duck, Liao Tingyan's eyes lit up with recognition.
"We raise these green flower ducks for Sauce Fragrance House," he explained proudly. "Premium spirit ducks with tender, fresh meat."
"Sauce Fragrance House sauced duck comes from here?" Liao Tingyan exclaimed. "I've loved that duck for years!"
Indeed, during her demon realm exile, that particular sauced duck had been her culinary lifeline amid countless questionable local dishes. Discovering her sect produced her beloved comfort food created an immediate sense of belonging.
Her uncle beamed with pleasure. "Since you enjoy it so much, catch fresh ones anytime from Cloud Lake behind the mountain!"
His expression dimmed slightly. "Though I fear the spiritual energy there isn't what it once was. The ducks' flavor has declined accordingly."
Liao Tingyan paused mid-bite. "What's happening, Uncle?"
Unaware of Sima Jiao's identity, her uncle elaborated freely while nearby elders frantically signaled for silence. "Spiritual energy retreat affects the entire region—possibly earth vein fluctuations or simple depletion. Cloud Lake may soon become unsuitable for raising our ducks."
His worry poured forth. "Without spirit sources to establish new veins, those wonderful green flower ducks might disappear entirely. We've searched for years without finding even one source."
Liao Tingyan's expression grew serious. The potential loss of her favorite delicacy troubled her deeply.
Sima Jiao rubbed his forehead in resignation.
"Don't worry yourself," her uncle continued cheerfully. "Such matters don't concern young folks. Enjoy the feast!"
That night, Liao Tingyan ate abundantly, the accumulated spiritual energy leaving her pleasantly satiated and contemplative.
"Big Boss, is there hope for the spiritual energy where those delicious ducks live?"
"Yes," Sima Jiao replied simply.
"Really! But isn't solving such problems extremely difficult?"
Instead of answering directly, Sima Jiao gestured for her cosmetic case. Opening a drawer casually, he withdrew an ugly white pearl necklace she'd always disliked.
Under her puzzled gaze, he indicated the eighty-eight beads. "These are the spirit sources they've spent years failing to find even one of."
"Two beads would suffice."
Liao Tingyan stared in amazement. "???"
She'd always considered that necklace hideously unfashionable.