I still remember that day.

The sky over the eastern continent had turned black. With the sun blocked out, true darkness blanketed the land and its dwellers throwing them in the age of chaos.

In that darkness, the Orthodox Alliance was the only ray of light for the weak, however corrupt or self-serving the cultivators within were. But the few who truly fought for justice overshadowed the greedy.

“Your sect was attacked… so why are you here?” Qian Yun turned to meet my eyes.

Her previously expensive silk robes had numerous cuts and splatters of blood. Yet, her sharp beauty contrasted with the muddy battlefield.

We were taking down the most important hideout of the Demonic Cultivators on the Eastern Continent, the Heaven’s Pond which fuelled their strength when the transmission came to me about the sneak attack on the Azure Sky Sect involved in the war.

“That’s what they want, what would happen here if one of the two leaders leaves?” We had pushed them back to the point where the Demonic Cultivators had no other choice but to shut themselves in the stronghold, this was an obvious trap.

“Stop the sophistry. You want to go back, anyone whose home is attacked would do the same.” She scoffed. “I’d leave you here in a heartbeat if my sect was… Just leave, I don’t want to see your stupid face around anyway.”

She was correct. I couldn’t sit still after that message, that was why I came to meet her.

“…I’ll remember the favor.” I said.

“What favor?” She stood with a smirk. “After this is over, I’ll make you my servant for a week, so get ready to brew my tea and cook my meals, I won’t take anything average.”

“Well… I suppose that isn’t that bad.” I left for my sect after that.

Till my death, I thought about that decision of mine.

I never got to return that favor.

And, I died thinking that I would never be able to.

But things are different now.

“First you make me wait five hours, then you drift off in your thoughts? Do you think my time is free?”

Sitting across the table, Qian Yun’s face had the usual annoyed look. Her eyes teeming with dissatisfaction.

“I don’t remember promising a meeting to you. So, it is your fault for coming in without an appointment.” My fingers tapped at the polished wooden table, getting on her nerves.

“Like you ever stand true on those appointments. Last time you made me wait ten hours just to give some information you could’ve passed along with a servant!”

“You have no patience as usual. Good things only come to those who wait.”

“If I didn’t have patience, you’d be six feet under in a jar you damned fossil!”

“We’re only one generation apart. If I am a fossil, so are you.” I shrugged.

“Grr!” She banged on the table, cracking it.

“Now, what’s the matter?” I asked before the situation and curses escalated, I didn’t want this room to be thrashed as it gave a good view of the garden.

“Diving straight into the talk? There’s a distinguished lady in your house and you won’t even offer tea or snacks?” She clicked her tongue.

“Oh… I forgot.” With the wave of my hand, a ceramic teacup and plate of sesame seed candy appeared before her. Although I said that, the tea I poured into her cup could buy a palace in the mortal world, the sweets were simple though.

“…” Qian Yun stared at the steaming cup of tea and plate in front of her then at me in turn a few times.

“What? This is all I have at hand right now, so don’t complain.” I picked up my cup of tea.

“I… I am not complaining, it’s just…” Her eyes settled on my face in the end.

“It’s what?” I tilted my head.

“Creepy.”

“I see, too bad then.” I smiled.

My hand reached over the table to take it all away, but she snatched the plate away.

“This is mine!”

“Wasn’t it creepy?” I raised an eyebrow.

“You are creepy, not the sweets.”

This damned woman and her sweet tooth. If the Demonic Sect laid down a trail of desserts, she’d probably follow it.

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“Forget that, why are you here?” Even though I expected this situation I had to play dumb.

“…About that, why did you help my sect?” She asked, her vigilance spilling over the room.

“Do I really need to explain you something so basic?”

My Master, the Leader of the Azure Sky Sect, and Qian Yun’s Master, the Highest seat of the Purple Cloud Sect had a good relationship as they were both new Leaders at the time. And, they hoped that it would be passed down through their disciples, however Qian Yun and I were like oil and water.

“Don’t act, I know you are hiding something.” Her eyes locked onto me like a hawk.

“If you know, there is no point in me explaining, is there?”

Qian Yun clenched her fist under the table, her anger was reaching its limits. It wasn’t out of the ordinary for her to doubt people given her position. Anyone who had done a favor to her had always expected something in return because of her status.

In truth, I am no different this time. Of course, I can’t say that out loud, I have a reputation to uphold too.

“I only looked out for your sect because I had sufficient evidence at hand to expose the Demonic Cultivators, shielding them while harming a neighboring sect is not something I would do.”

“I can’t deny that you helped tremendously, to the point that it is making me mad.” Qian Yun’s face scrunched up as if she had bitten a lemon.

“That’s just you being petty because I helped.”

“True.” She acknowledged biting into the sesame balls. “Hmm~ tas—! Ahem, anyway you did great.”

“For sending an envoy or making those?” I pointed at the plate.

“Just shut up!” She glared for a moment. “Still, if the evidence from your sect didn’t come in time, our relationship with Frozen Flower Holyland would’ve fallen through.”

Qian Yun should’ve guessed it too, this result would’ve been more than a hostile stance from the Frozen Flower Sect. This incident was used as an excuse by the stronger minor sects to cut off the Purple Cloud Sect from important trade routes, deals, and even gatherings. Their inability to prove their innocence had jeopardized their credibility, inviting further leaps of judgment.

The list of Four Major sects was made with power, scale, and wealth, in mind but the most important part was undoubtedly heritage. The reason Purple Cloud Sect and Azure Sky Sect were on the lower end of the list was because their power was divided within the sect, and our sect was new even if under one leadership.

The only way to replace one of the Major sects was to wait for them to weaken while sharpening your claws, like what the minor sects did in the future.

Purple Cloud Sect’s fall would’ve benefited many so no one helped them as their relationships with the other major sects soured because of the incident.

“…If Azure Sky Sect needs any help in the future, do contact us. That’s what my master said. I’ve already told this to the Grand elder of your sect, but I am telling you this just so you don’t think we are taking the help for granted.” She folded her arms after clearing the plate, regaining the dignified air.

“Now that you say it, I have something else to share with you.” The time for the real talk had come.

She scoffed as if saying I knew it! but waited for me to continue.

“Qian Yun, is your sect going to take this lying down?” The answer was obvious.

“Of course not.” Her eyes turned firm understanding the shift in subject.

“You see, the Demonic cultivators have gotten too brazen lately. Not only did they conspire against your sect, they dared to step foot so close to our home. So, I plan to retaliate.”

“It is more about your pride than us in the end.” She said understanding part of the puzzle.

“You in?” I had to set up a few more things before that.

“I’ll decide after you explain.”

An acceptable response in normal situations, but not this time.

“I’ll only explain after you agree, and I won’t let you back out.” This was different from the promise her Master sent so I couldn’t force her, but I knew how to get her riled up better than anyone else.

“You think I would leak information?” Her brow furrowed.

“This is beyond you and me, Qian Yun. You should know that.” This was for the reputation of the two sects, and above all else the numerous lives, I won’t take any chances.

Understanding my serious gaze she nodded, even if annoyance dripped down her face.

“If you are thinking of using my sect as bait… I won’t forgive you.” Although her words were simple, the intent behind them wasn’t.

At the peak of Nascent Soul Realm, Qian Yun could kill me with a slap at this point. However, considering our positions all she could do was threaten me. Considering she did that in my very backyard showed the seriousness of the matter, and how much she cared for her sect.

“Worry not, the bait has been prepared and it’s not your sect.” The one I am trying to catch didn’t care for the Purple Cloud Sect as a whole anyway, and I doubt he would have the time to worry about them after the recent failures.

“Then, I promise you full support.” Qian Yun’s words were the same as her Master’s in this situation.

“Good, I’ll contact you within a month with additional information.” Above all, I had trusted her with my back on many occasions, and she hadn’t disappointed me once in that regard.

After the topic came to an end we left the garden-side room and headed down the hallway. On the way, we met Sun Lingling and Wang Yang who were headed for the kitchen. They were quick to give us a bow before standing straight.

“You guys wait at the table, I’ll come cook after seeing her off.”

But before I could walk past them, Qian Yun stopped. A lopsided smirk hung on her lips for obvious reasons.

“Come to think of it I am in the mood for some food too, so make my portion too.”

I am gonna make fun of you as you do it. It was all written on her face. But I guess I owe her that much.

“Hmm, it won’t be anything fancy.”

She looked aghast. “…Creepy.”

“Get out.” Needless to say, she didn’t get anything to eat after that.

Like that, the day came to an end, or so I had hoped. It was night time and I was called to Lotus Peak to discuss the current affairs with Purple Cloud Sect and my little trip. However…

“What’s the meaning of this, you all?”

Chains of the five-element bound my body as Li Xianquan looked over from his seat, his face cold as ice. Near him were Huang Bai and Lui Zhi, the latter getting her tools and artifacts ready while the former’s eyes stayed fixed on me, obviously to restrain me if I broke out.

“That is what we want to ask too.” Xianquan stood up, the formation below me firing up.

This is bad, really bad. That was all I could think of at the moment.