The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS

Two birds cleaved through clouds in the clear sky, bringing forth poetic inspirations to the azure heights.

In the melodious sound of Qing Yu's clear singing, Qing Yu once again saw the towering peaks reaching into the clouds like seven heaven pillars.

Five days later, after finishing some trivial matters, Qing Yu and Xuanzhen flew back to Zhenwu Sect on a White Phoenix.

With Xuanzhen leading the way, the two large white birds passed through the aerial defense circle of the Zhenwu Seven Tribulations Formation and glided down to Su Nu Peak.

"Master!"

The landing of the two birds startled many. Among them, the most delighted was the little Daoist nun, Qingling.

She ran over, cheering and leaping, and crashed into Xuanzhen's arms like a swallow returning to the nest.

"Senior Sister Xuanzhen," followed a middle-aged female crown, who greeted Xuanzhen with a bow.

"Junior Sister Xuan Yun, you have worked hard during this period," Xuanzhen said warmly.

The middle-aged female crown, addressed as "Xuan Yun," shook her head and said, "It is my duty as a sister."

As she spoke, her curiosity shifted to Qing Yu, "This is... Daoist Qingyu?"

During the previous period when Qing Yu resided at Zhenwu Sect, his reputation had spread quite a bit. His extraordinary good looks, coupled with a celestial demeanor, had even drawn many disciples from Kunyin Peak and Su Nu Peak to steal glances.

Although Xuan Yun was not so superficial as to go to Wanfa Peak to gawk at handsome guys, she had heard of this white-haired Daoist's attire and appearance.

What surprised Xuan Yun was why Xuanzhen had returned with Qing Yu and even brought him into Su Nu Peak.

It was known that Daoist Qingyu was a friend of the firm Anti-Sect Leader Faction member, Peak Master Xuan Shang, whereas her own Senior Sister had always been a neutral party, impartial and unbiased.

'Not even the closest junior sister was informed?' Qing Yu glanced subtly at Xuanzhen.

A junior sister entrusted with affairs by Xuanzhen would undoubtedly be the closest, yet even she was unaware of Xuanzhen's intentions. This Elder's strategizing was indeed deep.

If back then she had vied with Xuanfa Xuan Chen for the position of Sect Leader, perhaps it would be uncertain who would be sitting in that position today!

"Previously, when I went to Shu Province to retrieve Junior Brother Xuan Shang, I also became acquainted with Daoist Qingyu. Ling'er's recovery to her former temperament is also thanks to Daoist Qingyu's help," Xuanzhen stated succinctly.

In just a couple of sentences, she conveyed the closeness between the two and also made Xuan Yun deeply grateful to Qing Yu.

Having watched Qingling grow up since she was a child, Xuan Yun's feelings for her were naturally profound; knowing that she could emerge from the nightmares in her heart, Xuan Yun was naturally thankful.

"Many thanks to you, Daoist Qingyu," Xuan Yun bowed deeply.

"It was just a small effort, no thanks are necessary," Qing Yu said with a smile.

"Master, what are you all talking about?" Qingling, who was in Xuanzhen's embrace and heard her name mentioned, asked with some surprise.

"It's nothing, just some minor matters," Xuanzhen said, patting Qingling on the back, "You go with Junior Sister Xuan Yun and get ready to prepare some food and drinks to welcome Daoist Qingyu. I have some things to discuss with Daoist Qingyu."

"Okay, Master," Qingling said cheerfully, "We will also have Daoist Qingyu try the medicinal cuisine and other signature dishes of Su Nu Peak."

"Alright, go ahead."

Watching the two leave, Xuanzhen said, "Follow me."

She flew up lightly, concealing her presence, and drifted towards the southwest.

Qing Yu also completely concealed his presence, following Xuanzhen quietly.

The two flew down Su Nu Peak, gliding through the sea of clouds for a while before descending.

Their destination was a secluded valley at the edge of the Zhenwu Seven Peaks, a place known for its pleasant scenery in the vicinity. It was also Xuanfa's final resting place.

Qing Yu and his companion gently entered the valley and landed before a solitary grave.

As a traitor, Xuanfa had no right to be buried within the Zhenwu Sect's cemetery. Not even the tombstone at this solitary grave bore any inscription, a precaution against any disciple who might stumble upon the site and learn who lay buried within.

"I have come here to pay my respects a few times, and each time I would see the lilies placed by Junior Sister Xuanyin at the tombstone, but now, they have withered long ago," Xuanzhen sighed softly.

Not just withered, the lilies before the tombstone had long decayed and rotted away. Xuanzhen had said that Xuanyin would come to pay homage every Qingming and Double Ninth Festival.

And she would also occasionally come to weed the area. However, now the lilies were wilted, and the weeds were few, but this was probably not Xuanyin's doing, but Xuan Shang's.

Before the grave was also a pot of wine, indicating that Xuan Shang had come to pay his respects not long ago.

"Double Ninth has just passed, if Xuanyin had come to pay her respects, she would not have left this scene."

Qing Yu crouched slightly, his fingertips lightly touching the withered branches, "Judging by the vitality, this bunch of lilies was placed at least a year ago. It seems that Xuanyin didn't come this Qingming either."

"So, it's possible that Xuanyin has had a change of heart?" Xuanzhen asked.

"It's also possible... that there is no longer a need to come and pay respects," Qing Yu stood up and said, "Aren't we here today to confirm that guess?"

"Uncle Master, you don't mind, do you?"

"You do as you please," Xuanzhen spoke softly, "Xuanfa and I never had that deep of a connection. Although he was always nice to people, in my eyes, everything he did was driven by strong purpose. He and Xuan Chen, I don't see much difference between them in my heart, otherwise I wouldn't have chosen to remain neutral at the time."

In fact, if over the years Xuan Chen hadn't failed to solve problems, but instead had let them escalate, Xuanzhen wouldn't have chosen to oppose him.

"If you, his disciple, don't care, then what's there for me to care about?" Xuanzhen remarked indifferently.

"Ha, I, his disciple, never spent more than a day with the master," Qing Yu said with a light laugh.

His reference to Xuanfa was always as 'master,' never 'father.' The difference is clear when put in writing.

"Then, let's get started."

Qing Yu raised his hands slightly, and the ground behind the blank tombstone began to tremble slightly, as if something was about to break through the soil.

Then, a dark coffin began to rise from the depths.

On the gloomy coffin, there were countless golden lines, the hallmark of the finest Golden Wood, traditionally exclusive to the Imperial Family.

Although Xuanfa fell in defeat and perished, his old followers still managed to procure a coffin befitting his status.

But now, this cheap master who had slumbered underground for over a decade was about to have his coffin opened by his own disciple.

"Dut dut dut..."

Amid the sounds, nail after nail was lifted by True Qi and suspended in the air. Qing Yu waved his hands gently, and the True Qi slowly pushed open the dust-covered coffin lid.

In the heavy sounds, the coffin was opened, revealing the true appearance of the body entombed within.

The face looked very gentle, with a slight mustache and a tall figure, truly a good shell, no wonder Xuanyin couldn't forget him for many years.

However, as soon as this shell was exposed to the light, it quickly disintegrated into ashes, leaving only a skeleton to appear before Qing Yu and his companion.