Chapter 3: The Azure Cloud Sect

The middle-aged man swept toward the back mountain like the wind, leaving everyone bewildered and at a loss. The two young men who had accompanied him were equally confused upon witnessing his behavior—they had never seen their master lose his composure in such a manner before.

“What’s happened to Master?” one of the youths asked in bewilderment.

“I don’t know. Let’s follow him and find out,” the other replied. With that, both figures moved in pursuit.

The members of the Ye family exchanged anxious glances. Ye Qianchuan furrowed his brow, suspecting that something unforeseen might have occurred just as the immortals arrived at their home. If the immortal were to become angered, the Ye family would be unable to bear the consequences. Even though he was counted as a disciple of that immortal, he was only a registered disciple—his status was far inferior to the two young men.

He had always hoped one day the Ye family would produce a true immortal’s disciple. Now, with such hope finally within reach, the thought of it being dashed was almost unbearable—for both the family and himself.

“Steward!” Ye Qianchuan barked. A middle-aged man, trembling with fear, hurried forward.

“Master, what are your orders?” the steward asked, his voice quivering with unease.

Ye Qianchuan glanced at the steward, his tone grave. “Who is at the back mountain?”

“Reporting to the master, it’s that boy.”

Ye Qianchuan’s frown deepened. He knew exactly who “that boy” referred to. Everyone in the Ye family was aware that their master had no fondness for Yin Tianfang.

Ye Qianchuan had two sons and a daughter. His daughter, Ye Suxin, had once been admitted to an immortal sect and was cultivated with great favor. With time, she was expected to secure a place among the immortals, bringing immense benefit to the Ye family. The entire family had even received permission to move into the immortal sect. But at the crucial moment, Ye Suxin disappeared, only to reappear with a child.

After sending the child back to the Ye family, Ye Suxin vanished again. To have a child out of wedlock was a disgrace in Liuzhou City, and her disappearance extinguished any hope of the Ye family entering the immortal sect. How could Ye Qianchuan not resent this?

He blamed everything on Yin Tianfang, considering him a bringer of misfortune who had destroyed his hopes. Even though Yin Tianfang was his grandson, Ye Qianchuan felt nothing for him and forbade anyone in the household from mentioning the boy in his presence.

As Ye Qianchuan’s expression shifted, anxiety spread among those present. A stifling atmosphere settled over the gathering, and no one dared breathe too loudly.

“Come, let us see for ourselves,” Ye Qianchuan said after a long pause, taking a deep breath. Whether fortune or disaster, it could not be avoided. At the very least, they needed to understand what had happened.

The group followed Ye Qianchuan quickly toward the back mountain. By this time, Yin Tianfang was already in a deep coma. Within his body, a strange energy coursed through him, transforming his veins and arteries into a crystalline state wherever it passed.

The middle-aged man moved like the wind, swiftly reaching the back mountain. His gaze fell upon the courtyard where Yin Tianfang lived. Standing outside, he closed his eyes and concentrated.

“It’s just as I thought,” he murmured, opening his eyes. He strode into the wooden house, and immediately saw Yin Tianfang lying on the ground.

The man surveyed the room before settling his eyes on Yin Tianfang. With a look of uncertainty, he approached the boy. As he drew closer, the confusion faded from his face. He crouched down, placed a hand upon Yin Tianfang, and in the instant his eyes opened, a startling brilliance flashed within them.

“Master!” the two young men called out as they hurried in, but at that moment, the middle-aged man seized Yin Tianfang, strode out of the hut, and vanished into the air.

“Master!” the two young men shouted in astonishment, watching their master disappear with Yin Tianfang.

“My disciples, I shall go ahead. The two of you will bring Ye Tianxing back to the sect later!” the master’s distant voice rang out.

The two young men exchanged confused glances.

“Brothers, what happened? Where is Master?” Ye Tianxing arrived, panting and out of breath, and asked them.

“Master has already left, and told us to bring you back to the sect,” one replied, his tone tinged with annoyance. They had hoped to enjoy some leisure in the mortal world, yet barely had they arrived before they were summoned back to the sect for their ascetic life. Naturally, both were disgruntled.

Sensing their displeasure, Ye Tianxing’s eyes darted. “Seniors, Master did not say we must return immediately. Why not stay a few more days and let me show you the pleasures of the city? If Master asks, you can say I wanted to spend a few days with my family before leaving for the immortal sect, as I’ve never left home before.”

At this, the two young men’s eyes brightened. They looked at Ye Tianxing and, finding him increasingly agreeable, burst out laughing. “Junior, you are considerate indeed. Very well, we shall stay a few days so you can be with your family before we depart.”

At this moment, the Ye family members arrived. Seeing the two young men laughing, Ye Qianchuan felt a weight lift from his heart.

He approached, saluted the two youths, and did not ask much—only exchanged a look with Ye Tianxing. Ye Tianxing immediately understood and cautiously asked, “Did Master say anything else before he left?”

The two young men shook their heads. “Not much, except that he took someone with him—it seemed to be one of your kin.”

At this, Ye Tianxing’s face changed, as did those of the Ye family members. In the back mountain, only one person resided—Yin Tianfang, the outcast.

Even though Ye Tianxing had earned the master’s favor, he was only entrusted to the care of the two disciples. Yet the master himself had taken Yin Tianfang and departed in such haste. The implications of this unsettled the Ye family greatly.

Could it be that the immortal valued Yin Tianfang more than Ye Tianxing, and was eager to take him as a disciple?

The more they thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. The faces of the Ye family grew increasingly complex. If this were so, it would bode ill rather than well for the family.

Ye Tianxing’s gaze flickered, his expression souring.

“Junior, what’s wrong? Why the long face all of a sudden?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. Seniors, you must be tired from your journey. Please, come and dine, and afterwards I shall show you the sights of the city,” Ye Tianxing replied, regaining his composure with a smile.

“Very well, junior. Lead the way.”

“Please, seniors,” Ye Tianxing said, and the three departed together. The two young men maintained a friendly demeanor toward Ye Tianxing, but barely acknowledged the rest of the Ye family. To them, Ye Tianxing was a future peer, while the rest were mere mortals—unworthy even of a proper glance, not even Ye Qianchuan. Their arrogance was palpable.

Yet not a soul in the Ye family resented this; they regarded such treatment as only fitting. After all, these two youths were immortals.

“Junior, it’s time we returned to the sect. If we tarry, Master will be displeased,” the two young men said three days later. Ye Tianxing was overjoyed—truthfully, he had longed to leave. Not far away, Ye Qianchuan gestured to him. Ye Tianxing gave the barest nod, then departed with the two young men, vanishing into the sky.

Watching Ye Tianxing’s departure, Ye Qianchuan finally breathed a sigh of relief. Yet soon, worry crept back into his heart. No one could have predicted that Yin Tianfang would be taken by the immortal.

Regret welled up within Ye Qianchuan. After all, Yin Tianfang was his grandson. Had he treated the boy with even a little kindness, the Ye family’s prospects in the immortal sect might have been brighter. But time could not be reversed. The damage was done. If Yin Tianfang bore a grudge, and the immortal favored him, the Ye family could be in grave danger.

“I can only hope Tianxing is clever. He must learn quickly and one day find a way to make that boy disappear forever. The Ye family raised him for over a decade—that is kindness enough. I cannot let him destroy all I have built. Never.”

…

A towering mountain pierced the clouds, its countless crags competing in beauty, wrapped in drifting mist. Countless resplendent palaces and pavilions shimmered in the haze, flocks of white cranes weaving through the clouds. At its summit, a majestic palace gleamed with iridescent light, inspiring awe at a single glance.

Beside the great hall, a stone bridge arched from the mist like a rainbow, connecting to another peak.

Within a cave on that peak, Yin Tianfang slowly regained consciousness. His eyes took in unfamiliar surroundings, the fragrance of flowers wafting through the air, birdsong echoing in his ears.

“Am I dead? Have I come to another world?” he murmured. Such birdsong and blossoms were not to be found in late autumn.

“You’re not dead. I brought you back and kept you alive for now.” As Yin Tianfang sat dazed, a voice sounded in his ear. Startled, he turned to see a middle-aged stranger watching him with a gentle smile.

“You saved me? Where am I?” Yin Tianfang asked.

“This is Green Mountain Sect. I am Wuchen,” the man replied, rising to his feet. “This is a sect of immortals.”

The last words thundered in Yin Tianfang’s mind. He whispered in disbelief, “A sect of immortals? I’ve actually come to live among the immortals!”

Wuchen stood with his hands clasped behind his back, smiling as he watched Yin Tianfang. In his dark eyes, a strange light flickered…