Chapter 68: Artifact of the Upper Realm

The news shook the entire Mystic Gate world:

the long-vanished Qingyang Sect had returned to the mortal realm.

Within a single day, every cultivator knew. Though the Celestial Masters Hall had become the foremost public authority in recent centuries, no sect had ever surpassed Qingyang’s legacy. It was the wellspring of half the cultivation world’s techniques and scriptures.

True, in recent years impostors had claimed to be Qingyang disciples, swindling their way through the lands, leaving the orthodox sect’s name muddied. No one could be sure who was real.

But this time? No one doubted. Not after two people had summoned the Mystic Gate’s very founder—the Guangji Heavenly Venerable—down to earth in broad daylight.

If you can call the Ancestor himself to appear and bear witness, who dares say you’re fake?

Everyone also knew: every true Qingyang cultivator throughout history had been a peerless genius. Half of the world’s most profound manuals traced back to Qingyang. Even those later adapted by other sects started with Qingyang’s roots. To touch just a fragment of its teaching was to profit for life.

So wandering cultivators began stirring restlessly. Big sect disciples couldn’t easily defect, but the lone wanderers saw a golden chance.

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Meanwhile, Hall Master Xu Qingfeng of the Celestial Masters Hall was thinking very differently.

He didn’t care about the sect’s name.

He wanted the person: Yun Jiao.

He’d already been amazed by her formation talent—she’d solved the mirage demon crisis; in the third trial she’d doubled as a spirit healer, saving a disciple afflicted by yin energy.

But most importantly… she’d actually summoned the Ancestor down.

No one had ever done that. She was clearly a heaven-favored cultivator. If he could bring her into the Hall, the entire Mystic Gate might rise to new heights.

Xu Qingfeng decided: strike while she’s still here.

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“Guest Elder?” Yun Jiao blinked, staring at him. “What’s that supposed to be?”

“This is the unanimous decision of the Hall’s elders,” Xu Qingfeng said, stepping forward.

“Daoist Yun’s arts are profound, and you’ve repeatedly saved the Hall. The title Guest Elder is only temporary—if you wish something else later, we can adjust.”

(Truth be told, no one would object, least of all Elder Jiao, who was already desperate to drag her into the Formation Pavilion.)

“But… I haven’t even finished the Upper-Volume exam yet!” Yun Jiao frowned slightly. The third-stage results hadn’t even been announced.

“Daoist Yun jests.” Xu Qingfeng chuckled. “As Guest Elder, your ranking is evaluated differently. After discussion, we’d like to grant you the grade of Initial Moon Celestial Master—would that please you?”

“Moon?!” Yun Jiao was genuinely stunned. Was the Hall’s ranking system this casual? Weren’t you supposed to start at Copper Coin? She eyed him skeptically, just opening her mouth to protest when—

The old man barged in.

“Girl, hurry, is the soup ready? The Ances—”

He froze mid-sentence at the sight of Xu Qingfeng standing at the hearth. “…Hall… Hall Master Xu.”

“Daoist Bai,” Xu Qingfeng greeted warmly, recognizing another Qingyang disciple.

The old man shot Yun Jiao frantic winks: Girl! Girl! … chicken soup… you know.

“I know.” Yun Jiao sighed, ladled the simmering broth, and—out of habit—pulled a big porcelain bowl from her storage pouch to serve.

Just as she scooped the first ladle, Xu Qingfeng suddenly gasped and grabbed her wrist.

“Daoist Yun! T-this… this is the very artifact the Ancestor wielded that day!”

Both Yun Jiao and Bai Yu froze stiff.

Crap! They’d forgotten: this was the same style bowl. After seeing the Celestial Masters so ecstatic to carry away the original, Yun Jiao had begged the Ancestor to quietly make that bowl vanish, to avoid trouble.

But now—how to explain this one?!

“Could it be…” Xu Qingfeng’s eyes grew wider by the second. He looked at Yun Jiao, then the bowl, awe dawning. “Have you… already reverse-engineered the forging of this divine artifact? Is this your replica?”

“…”

Wait—what?

“Daoist Yun truly is a prodigy!” Xu Qingfeng exclaimed, reverently turning the bowl in his hands.

“This matches the Ancestor’s weapon perfectly!”

Yun Jiao: “…”

Bai Yu: “…”

“It’s just… lacking a bit of immortal aura,” Xu mused wistfully. Perhaps mortals simply couldn’t craft true celestial items. He sighed, still impressed. “I never dreamed Daoist Yun was also a master of artifact forging.”

Yun Jiao stood silent a beat, then managed a solemn nod. “…Studied a little.”

(Great. Guess I’ll have to actually learn artifact forging now…)

“Too humble,” Xu said with genuine admiration. “To recreate it this closely shames even our Hall’s smiths.”

His eyes then drifted to the pot of chicken soup—and suddenly lit up with realization.

“Wait… Daoist Yun, could it be you’ve also uncovered its method of use? That’s why you’ve borrowed this small kitchen since returning, brewing soup three times a day?”

“Uh…” No, she was just feeding a certain foodie…

Xu Qingfeng mistook her silence for confirmation and grew more astonished.

Of course! Bowl… plus soup… how obvious, and we all missed it!

“Daoist Yun’s insight is extraordinary.” Clutching the bowl, he beamed. “Since we’re free today, why not let me assist? We can test this artifact’s power together!”

And with that, he ladled a serving, raised the bowl, and prepared to drink.

Yun Jiao and Bai Yu turned pale and shouted at once:

“Stop!” ×2

Too late.

A sudden golden flash blasted from the room, slamming straight into Xu Qingfeng.

With a deafening BOOM, he shot through the air, smashed through three walls in a row, and landed sprawled and motionless.

Both froze, sucked in sharp breaths, then sprinted over. Yun Jiao whipped out silver needles, stabbing rapidly into several points until Xu Qingfeng groaned awake.

His face was blank with shock. For a moment he was sure he’d glimpsed the Bridge of the Dead.

“You okay?” Yun Jiao checked him thoroughly; finding no severe injury, she exhaled in relief. Still alive. Thank heavens.

Xu Qingfeng blinked dazedly, then murmured:

“W-what… a terrifying artifact…”

Yun Jiao: “…”

Bai Yu: “…”

MD, this man is hopeless!

A long pause.

“Hall Master,” Yun Jiao said flatly, “I’ve decided. Forget this Guest Elder thing.”

“Huh? Why?”

“…”

Because apparently it lowers my IQ being here, that’s why!

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(End of Chapter)