Chapter 358: Chapter 172: Senior Sister, Part 2

"Alright, let’s go to the Mountain Pavilion," Qiao Hongyun said with a nod.

The Mountain Pavilion was one of the Haisa Sect’s finest reception halls. Outside its windows lay a magnificent view of a churning sea of clouds and distant, rolling mountain ranges.

The group entered the Mountain Pavilion, which was elegantly yet grandly decorated, and took their seats.

Qiao Hongyun gave an order. "Go, have a Steward arrange for tea to be served. Use the ’Jade Sea Tide’ I have stored here."

"Yes, sir."

The disciple accepted the order and departed.

Before long, a middle-aged man with a steady gait, dressed in the attire of a Haisa Sect Steward, entered with several disciples carrying tea.

He stood calmly to one side, directing the disciples as they served everyone tea with methodical and orderly movements.

When Chen Qing’s gaze fell upon the man, his heart stirred.

This Steward was none other than Li Yuan.

Li Yuan’s appearance had indeed changed somewhat.

After several years, his once-black temples were now tinged with white, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes had deepened, as if he had weathered many storms.

He was focused on directing the disciples when his gaze inadvertently swept over Chen Qing. His pupils constricted slightly, and a dazed, incredulous look flashed across his face.

’Could it be...?’

With his sharp eyes, Qiao Hongyun naturally noticed Li Yuan’s expression and asked, "Steward Li? What is the matter?"

Li Yuan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the tempest in his heart. He lowered his gaze, not daring to look at Chen Qing again. "Replying to Elder Qiao, it is nothing. It’s just... I just felt this young hero bears a striking resemblance to an old acquaintance of mine from many years ago. I was momentarily dazed. Please forgive me, Elder."

Shen Xiuyong, watching from the side with amusement, casually asked with a smile, "Oh? Such a coincidence? And what might be the name of this old acquaintance of yours, Steward Li?"

His tone was light, as if making casual small talk.

Li Yuan replied, "In response to Elder Shen, his name... is Chen Qing." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Can there truly be such a coincidence in this world?"

In the next moment, Shen Xiuyong burst out laughing. "Steward Li, look at this, just look! My martial nephew here also happens to be named Chen Qing! Does this tea from your Haisa Sect have some secret property? Can drinking it create a bond between people with the same name?"

BOOM—!!!

Shen Xiuyong’s words struck Li Yuan’s heart like a bolt of lightning.

Although he had his suspicions, the shock of having them confirmed to his face was still incredibly intense.

Chen Qing!

Dean of the Wutai Sect’s Cyan Wood Institute!

An honored guest of Elder Qiao Hongyun!

The martial nephew of Elder Shen Xiuyong!

’Any one of these identities was worlds apart from the boy in his memory!’

’Back then, even though the boy had reached Transmutation Force, in his eyes, he was merely a talented youth from a remote, small city.’

’The Haisa Sect’s Outer Sect had countless prospects like that. Why would a mere Steward like him need to make an exception?’

’Besides, he had already spent considerable effort and favors to secure a spot for his niece, Zhou Yu. Why would he go through extra trouble for some unrelated boy?’

’But now...’

’How much time had passed?’

’The boy he had once looked down on had transformed into a leader among his peers, a true elite of a major sect!’

’He was the Dean of a major sect, someone who could sit as an equal with the Haisa Sect’s own Sect Leader candidates!’

’How could his future prospects even compare to that of a mere Inner Sect Disciple of the Haisa Sect?’

’How is this possible?!’

’This is completely absurd!’

’His refusal back then—which had seemed so thorough but was in fact so cold—now felt like a silent yet resounding slap across his face.’

’A searing pain burned from his cheek straight to his heart.’

’If only he had put in a little more effort back then and formed that good connection... then today, Chen Qing would be by his side, indebted to him, and would have become one of the Haisa Sect’s chosen geniuses.’

’The mere thought of such a scene was unimaginable!’

’Even those usually arrogant Grand Stewards and Elders would probably have to show him some respect.’

At this thought, Li Yuan’s heart filled with regret and a tinge of fear.

Now, not only had he failed to earn a favor, but he had likely created ill will.

This was what worried him the most.

Qiao waved his hand. "That’s enough. You may leave for now."

Li Yuan didn’t dare to meet Chen Qing’s eyes and carefully left with a cupped-fist salute.

After Li Yuan left, Shen Xiuyong looked at Chen Qing. "Martial Nephew, you know him?"

"We’ve met once," Chen Qing said with a nod. He and Li Yuan truly had only met that one time. He planned to ask him about his senior sister in private later, so there was no rush.

Hearing this, Shen Xiuyong didn’t ask any more questions and began reminiscing with Qiao Hongyun.

Although both now held the position of Elder, when they were together in private, their youthful competitiveness often surfaced.

Qiao Hongyun took a sip of tea, his tone tinged with mockery. "Speaking of which, I imagine things were quite lively in the Wutai Sect a while back when Elder Shen broke through to the Astral Realm. I heard there was even a celebration banquet? A pity I was tied up with trivial matters and couldn’t attend to congratulate you in person. It’s truly a shame I missed witnessing Elder Shen’s moment of glory."

The mockery in his words was obvious.

Shen Xiuyong was not one to take a loss lying down. He scoffed and countered without mercy, "Qiao Hongyun, stop with the passive-aggressive remarks. Don’t forget that by the shores of the Emerald Waves Pool all those years ago, you genuinely lost to me by half a move."

As soon as he said this, a trace of surprise flashed through the eyes of Wu Hui and Chen Lin, who were watching from the side.

Qiao Hongyun was known as a genius in the Haisa Sect, having advanced to Astral Force at a young age. They never expected him to have once lost to Shen Xiuyong.

Qiao Hongyun snorted. "Shen Xiuyong! You cheated back then, using underhanded tricks! It was a dishonorable victory, yet you dare to bring it up all the time?"

"There’s no time like the present. How about we have another match today?"

He absolutely refused to admit his skills were inferior, especially to Shen Xiuyong.

"Oh? I cheated? A loss is a loss. Why make excuses?"