"Sect Master..."
True Monarch Wanhua remained silent, realizing there was no point in persuading further. Ning Daoran pursued a flawless Daoist heart, so if he were to take the Bamboo Wind Treasure Bottle and refine it as his life-bound item, it would indeed be asking too much.
Inside the Treasure Bottle, the imprints left by Ning Daoran were stripped away one by one, ultimately becoming an unowned treasure, suspended in mid-air.
"Swish~~~"
From within the bottle, a glimr of radiance spilled out, transforming into a maid holding an oil paper umbrella and cradling the treasure bottle, none other than the artifact spirit, Little Ping’er.
"Young Master."
Little Ping’er was in tears: "Are you really going to abandon Little Ping’er?"
"It’s not abandoning; it’s temporary separation."
Ning Daoran was resolute, saying, "Little Ping’er, you are the embodint of an entire continent’s fortune on the Jade Bottle Continent, not just my possession. If I were to take you away from the Jade Bottle Continent or even ascend to the Earth Immortal Realm, the fortune of this continent would eventually be exhausted. Therefore, you must stay. Among heaven and earth, there are plenty of places you can go. Rember, don’t get captured."
"Yes!"
Little Ping’er bowed and said, "Young Master, if that’s the case... Little Ping’er will leave then?"
"Go."
In the next mont, the Bamboo Wind Treasure Bottle turned into a green light and lted into the mountains and seas, never to be found again.
Actually, Ning Daoran wasn’t too worried about the Bamboo Wind Treasure Bottle. She was a crystallization of heaven and earth’s fortune. As long as she remained within the bounds of the Jade Bottle Continent, there was no chance anyone could capture her, not even those at the Divinity Transformation stage.
And letting her return to heaven and earth was probably what Ning Daoran believed to be the right thing to do.
...
"Wanhua."
Ning Daoran turned around to look at True Monarch Wanhua standing prettily behind him, saying, "We’ve been together for many years, but parting is inevitable. I’m entrusting the Treasure Bottle Sect to you. These days, the Treasure Bottle Sect has allied with the Cloud Heaven Sect and the Dumu Sect. With you, Xuanlong, and Chen Yiyang’s three Nascent Souls at the helm, there shouldn’t be any problems for a hundred years. After a hundred years..."
He smiled faintly, "Under the nourishnt of two fifth-order spiritual veins, the young talents of my Treasure Bottle Sect should erge like bamboo shoots after the rain. By then, it’s not sothing I’m concerned about, and as for you, strive to advance to the late Nascent Soul stage and attempt the Divinity Transformation."
"Yes, Sect Master!"
True Monarch Wanhua bowed, her eyes full of reluctance: "Sect Master, the Treasure Bottle Sect was created by you, and it will always be your ho. You will forever be the true master of the Treasure Bottle Sect, no matter when you return... Wanhua will always be waiting at the Treasure Bottle Sect for you..."
"..."
Ning Daoran was at a loss, only managing to smile and say, "Wanhua, farewell."
When True Monarch Wanhua lifted her head, Ning Daoran had already vanished without a trace.
She felt a sense of desolation and an emptiness in her heart.
...
A few months later.
Ning Daoran traveled leisurely with Big Stupid Deer and finally reached Qingzhou, arriving at the Chaotic Sect.
"Hmm?"
As he approached the mountain gate, Ning Daoran frowned, sensing a Nascent Soul aura suddenly plumting, dropping to the late Golden Core stage in an instant, and then further down to the mid-stage Golden Core!
This aura was very familiar; it belonged to the Chaotic Sect Master, Chen Yuzhu!
"Yu Zhu!"
Ning Daoran transford into a deep red light, rushing through the mountain gate straight to the Sect Master’s location at Purple Cloud Peak!
"Ancestor?!"
An Elder guarding the gate was astonished. He had seen Ning Daoran during the Battle of Descent, and the aura of that blood-red light was extrely powerful. Who else could it be but Ancestor Ning Daoran?
Big Stupid Deer also transford into a light and followed.
At this mont, the prohibitions covering Purple Cloud Peak were hazy, but Ning Daoran easily dissolved them with a few spells, imdiately seeing the ashen-faced Chen Yuzhu slowly collapsing from her bed.
"Yu Zhu!"
Ning Daoran swiftly embraced Chen Yuzhu.
On the side, an empty jade bottle lay, clearly indicating that Chen Yuzhu had attempted to form a Nascent Soul, but ultimately failed due to factors like ntal state and talent.
In truth, Chen Yuzhu was only a sixth-grade wood spirit root cultivator. Reaching the late Golden Core stage was already a miracle, greatly related to her inner resilience. However, her innate talent was what it was; to advance further and attain the Nascent Soul stage was as difficult as climbing the heavens.
Cultivation is not easy, and defying the heavens is seldom successful.
"Young Master..."
Chen Yuzhu looked at Ning Daoran, managing a smile before descending into guilt, leaning in his arms, tears streaming down like rain: "Yu Zhu is useless... I still couldn’t form a Nascent Soul in the end, failing to live up to your expectations... it’s all my fault for being incompetent..."
"That’s not true."
Ning Daoran gently stroked her gradually graying hair, saying, "You’ve succeeded in forming a Core and held the position at the Chaotic Sect for many years, ensuring peace for hundreds of years. That already makes very content."
He softly said, "As for forming a Nascent Soul... if you fail, you fail. If we can’t form one, so be it. What does it matter? Don’t you agree?"
"Yes."
Chen Yuzhu broke into a smile through her tears: "Young Master, it’s so wonderful you’ve returned. So... are matters settled on the Jade Bottle Continent?"
"Yes, they are."
Ning Daoran said, "The mountains and rivers of the Jade Bottle Continent have been restored, so I returned to the Chaotic Sect to check in on all of you."
"Good."
Chen Yuzhu tried to rise, but failing to form a Nascent Soul had severely impacted her cultivation. Even in appearance, she seed much older, despite having taken a Solid Color Pill, indicating the significant loss of Primordial Qi.
"Sect Master... Ancestor..."
From outside, other leaders of the Chaotic Sect rushed in.
Chen Xiyao led the way, followed by Huang Gang, Han Wanying, and Zhou Tieshu.
At this mont, Chen Xiyao had already reached the late Golden Core stage and had the most profound background among them. She also possessed a third-grade thunder spiritual root, known as a top-grade heavenly spirit root, theoretically making her chance of forming a Nascent Soul much higher than Chen Yuzhu’s.
"I’m fine."
Chen Yuzhu slowly stood up, saying, "No need to worry about ."
"Sect Master..."
Chen Xiyao and Han Wanying looked at her with tearful eyes.
Both of them had entered the sect long after Chen Yuzhu and always regarded her as an elder.
"Young Master..."
Chen Yuzhu showed traces of weariness, turning to Ning Daoran and holding his hand, saying, "Just as Young Master has returned today, and with Yu Zhu’s failure to form a Nascent Soul, this matter weighing on my heart needs Young Master’s decision."
"Speak freely of whatever concerns you have."
"Yu Zhu wishes to resign from the position of Sect Master and return to the ancestral land by Baisha River."
Her beautiful eyes deep with emotion, she said, "Young Master knows... Yu Zhu followed the clan to Qiongbi Peak to serve Ancestor Chen Weimo since she was young, spending all these years at the Chaotic Sect. But my childhood mories are rooted in the ancestral land, mories by Baisha River becoming increasingly blurred, so I hope to return there to spend my remaining years."
"Very well."
Ning Daoran nodded, "Then let it be so. However, as for the next Sect Master... who do you think is most suitable, Yu Zhu?"
"The new Sect Master should be chosen by Young Master."
Chen Yuzhu said, "Yu Zhu dares not overstep her bounds."
"Nonsense."
Ning Daoran said, "I have been wandering outside for years, unfamiliar with the internal affairs of the Chaotic Sect. Although I can see their cultivation levels, I cannot discern their personalities or weaknesses. The most suitable Sect Master is not rely the one with the highest cultivation; it’s soone with a steady temperant, able to consider the bigger picture. You must have already co to a conclusion on this matter, so just say it."
"Alright then."
Chen Yuzhu smiled slightly, "Young Master, I believe Xiyao is the most suitable candidate for Sect Master. Firstly, she has the opportunity to form a Nascent Soul, and secondly, Xiyao has always been steady and maintains harmonious relationships within the sect, making her a choice supported by everyone."
"Is that so?"
Ning Daoran turned to address the crowd, "If I appoint Chen Xiyao as the Sect Master, does anyone have objections?"
"We have no objections!"
Huang Gang, Han Wanying, Zhou Tieshu, and others all bowed in agreent.
"Alright."
Ning Daoran nodded, "Chen Xiyao will imdiately assu the position of Sect Master of the Chaotic Sect. A ceremony will be held on an auspicious day, after which, I will personally escort Yu Zhu back to the ancestral land."
"Yes, Ancestor!"
...
A month later.
An elaborate ceremony for the new Sect Master’s installnt was held at the Chaotic Sect, attended by many guests. Ning Daoran personally appeared, attracting congratulations from many Nascent Soul stage great cultivators. Even Ning Tianyi attended in person, gifting a spiritual treasure as a congratulatory present.
Afterward, Ning Daoran escorted Chen Yuzhu and Big Stupid Deer back to the ancestral land by Baisha River.
The Sea Dragon Immortal Boat gently navigated through the clouds.
The evening breeze was pleasantly cool on the skin.
Ning Daoran sat on the deck, arms crossed.
"Young Master."
Chen Yuzhu sat beside him, legs close together. Despite so graying hair, there was still a hint of youthful beauty in her features. She smiled, "This is the first ti Young Master has accompanied Yu Zhu on such an outing..."
"..."
Ning Daoran was left speechless.
After a long while, he finally furrowed his brow and said, "Yu Zhu, I’m sorry. I should have spent more ti with you... Perhaps I should have kept you by my side, even as a concubine. It would have been better than leaving you alone at the Chaotic Sect, struggling to support such a vast sect."
"Young Master, Yu Zhu never felt it was a burden."
She smiled, "Hearing these words from you... makes Yu Zhu feel that this life has been imnsely aningful, truly... As for the ’if’ you speak of, I’d like to carry that dream with to the end. It would be such a beautiful dream."
Ning Daoran looked at her cheerful expression, reminiscent of the shy and timid young girl she once was.
Ti truly passes so quickly; in the blink of an eye, a lifeti has gone by.
"Yu Zhu, is there any unfulfilled wish?"
Ning Daoran asked.
"None."
Chen Yuzhu smiled serenely and said, "Young Master accompanying Yu Zhu on this last journey ans my wish is fulfilled."
"..."
...
A few days later.
Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer departed.
"Moo~~"
Big Stupid Deer nudged Chen Yuzhu’s shoulder, urging her to take care.
"Yu Zhu, take care."
Ning Daoran lifted into the air, bowing to her and the gathered Chen family clansn from the Bai family.
"Young Master, goodbye."
As she watched Ning Daoran fade into the distance, Chen Yuzhu was already in tears.
Having failed to form a Nascent Soul, she wouldn’t have many more years to live... there would be no opportunity to et again.
Even if they were to et again, it would be as if separated by heaven and earth.
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