“How would you even know?” Yun Jingfei’s voice was laced with so much skepticism that Qin Yun couldn’t help but show a helpless smile.

“Feng Xia’s reaction is the best confirmation you can hope for. It’s easy for spirits to recognize one another. The best way to describe it would be something akin to resonance. I’m sure your master feels something similar,” Qin Yun replied.

“By the way, what's with Feng Xia's actions? Most of the time, she acts like an adult, but now she looks like nothing more than a child," Yun Jingfei added as she looked back at the duo stuck to one another.

Qin Yun opened his mouth to answer, yet Feng Yanmei was the first to speak as she gently stroked the little bird's head.

"Do not judge spirits based on human principles, especially ancestral ones," she said. "These types of spirits age as their cultivation grows. As such, it doesn't always reflect their mental age. Besides, spirits also grow at a speed different from short-lived races. It wouldn't surprise me if she was over a hundred years old yet retained the naivety of a child. Still, that doesn't make her stupid. She has probably been taught how to hide it but couldn't be bothered in the presence of those she trusts."

“She's right," Qin Yun said as Yun Jingfei was deep in thought. "However, you wouldn't usually see an ancestral spirit so young away from its clan. At least their elders wouldn't let them. After all, they have many useful traits, making them especially coveted. Cultivators are just such creatures, after all."

Yun Jingfei could feel the hidden intent behind his words but ignored it. She had many more important questions that needed answers.

“That’s good and all, but if master is part phoenix, how come nobody knew but you?” she asked.

"Who says no one knew?" Qin Yun shrugged. "Her sect is called the Immortal Phoenix Sect. You expect me to believe no one could recognize a young phoenix appearing at their doorstep? Think about it; this is no coincidence. Her parents probably have done it on purpose. As for why, I don't know nor care."

Yun Jingfei looked back to her master only to see her nod slightly.

“I was picked up by the sect leader back then,” she said. “I wouldn’t put it past him to have kept it from me. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time.”

Her eyes became cold, laced with a slight murderous intent, yet fleeting at best. Once she felt Feng Xia stiffen in her arms, she couldn't help but sigh and renew stroking her head. Somehow, she already grew attached to this little bird. She wondered how shared ancestry could have such a significant effect on her psyche.

“Back to the matter at hand," Yun Jingfei said, feeling slightly overwhelmed by this realization, even though most of it was about her master. She couldn't comprehend how she didn't seem perturbed by the news but added, "What does this have to do with rebuilding my spiritual roots?"

“Well, now that I know the reason for their destruction, finding a solution became much easier. I would assume the cultivation technique your master passed onto you was something she had always known, something inborn, right?" he asked, only to see the woman in red nod slightly. "She found you possessed a compatible set of spiritual roots for it. That's probably why she even chose you as a disciple. However, that technique was made for her, someone who possessed the blood of a phoenix, meaning flames are but the breath of life to her. While your spiritual roots were compatible with that flame, it doesn't mean that human qi channels can bear its heat. After all, I'm sure she added some parts to control the heat, making it unstable, hence your predicament. That technique was never meant to be used by humans—at least not pure-blooded ones."

The atmosphere grew heavier as both women looked at each other. Yun Jingfei could see remorse flash on her master's face, something she had rarely seen. In fact, ever since she remembered, her master had been strict toward her, only interacting when it came to cultivation. Still, Yun Jingfei had been fine with it, as cultivation was all she ever wanted.

But now? She had experienced much more in the last year away from her master and had changed substantially, and she could understand her master much more. After all, considering her past, her master probably could only rely on herself to reach her current heights. While the sect wasn't as bloody as the cultivation clans, it didn't mean it wasn't filled with competition. No one could reach an elder position without their hands stained with blood.

Qin Yun remained silent, letting them both sort this out. He told them what needed to be said and didn't want to intrude into their relationships. After all, the relationship between master and disciple was sacred—at least those in this world thought so. Still, it wouldn't stop some from discarding it entirely for profit. Cultivators weren't gods, no matter how they claimed to be. Just flawed living beings.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“What does this mean for my cultivation?” Yun Jingfei finally asked. “Does this mean my master’s cultivation technique is unusable?”

"Not entirely," Qin Yun replied, shaking his head. "While her being a phoenix was beyond my expectations, the result wasn't. After all, your qi channels being unable to bear the heat was plain as day. What you need to do to cultivate again hasn't changed. I already showed you the path; you only need to walk it to the end."

“Intent," she murmured as realization dawned on her. "By comprehending intent, I could spread that heat evenly or even use it to strengthen my qi channels to better resist the flame. Still, this is far from fool-proof and will take me a long time to master."

“Does time matter for cultivators?" Qin Yun said, shrugging. "Is the rest of eternity not enough time? Would you rather take the chance that something might go wrong again and wallow in mediocrity, or seek to reach the peak even if it takes you much longer? Why do people always emphasize speed? It only stuns their growths."

“Interesting philosophy," Feng Yanmei said, her eyes locked onto Qin Yun as if trying to see his depths. "Is that what you are currently doing? I must admit I haven't seen anything like this before. I doubt someone so young would have as much patience as you do. After all, who could resist the allure of what cultivation brings? Not even I could claim as such."

Qin Yun remained silent, unwilling to reply, only showing a slight smile, which Feng Yanmei reciprocated. Yun Jingfei looked at Qin Yun and was about to roll her eyes, yet her master chose not to push things further. Instead, she brought up the subject that Yun Jingfei knew was coming.

“Are you ready to go back to the sect with me?” she asked.

Yun Jingfei looked at Qin Yun; her gaze was complicated, a mix of reluctance and eagerness. Knowing her turmoil, Qin Yun gave her the push she needed.

“The way you are, you will only get in my way,” he said bluntly.

Her eyes narrowed as she frowned, a slight hint of anger apparent, yet she held her tongue. She wasn't a child, oblivious to human interactions. His aim was clear, and she knew that deep down, he was right. After all, things never turned out as they intended ever since they were married. She could only reluctantly agree that it would probably remain the same as long as they didn't possess the strength to deter those who wished to plot against them. She could only shake her head and sigh.

"Don't make me wait too long, or I might just find someone else," she said, a playful smile on her face, accentuating her lovely features. Despite not hearing her words, some of the remaining audience couldn't help but be enraptured by her. Some even cursed Qin Yun in their hearts in jealousy.

"I don't doubt it," he said as he stepped toward her, taking her small hand into his before kissing the back of it.

She frowned, not understanding the gesture, yet she couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed. She wished to inquire yet couldn't bring herself to; their parting was already set in stone, and she felt much more reluctant than she originally thought.

She turned around, unable to meet his gaze and could only murmur almost inaudibly, “Don’t cheat on me, or I will...”

Qin Yun chuckled before embracing her from behind, holding her small waist tight.

“I wouldn’t dare. I don’t know how long we’ll be apart, but you will always be in my thoughts.”

Yun Jingfei turned with a slightly shocked expression. While he had said something similar countless times before, this was the first time she had felt the words to be genuine. Despite her embarrassment and the crowd around them, she gathered her courage and vowed not to have any regrets.

She stood on the tip of her toes, and her lips made contact with his. Qin Yun was surprised for a moment, yet soon reciprocated the feeling. He could see her cheeks turn slightly redder despite this kiss being quite innocent. Still, he chose not to push further as he thought that this seemed perfect for the moment. He didn't need anything more.

As they grew apart, Yun Jingfei took a deep breath, seemingly having forgotten to breathe. Qin Yun chuckled, which only brought more colour to her face. She turned around and walked to her master, yet tears threatened to well in the corner of her eyes.

Her master had watched all this silently, yet her expression couldn't be more complicated.

It’s only been a month since they met, she thought. What happened for her to grow so attached to him? Is it only due to the tome in my hands?

Still, she had no intention of inquiring at this moment.

"Just a piece of advice," she said as she shrunk her domain to only envelope Yun Jingfei and Feng Xia within. "Not just anyone can come at their leisure within the Immortal Phoenix Sect. If you want your relationship with Jingfei to be recognized, you must prove yourself worthy."

“Senior doesn’t need to worry yourself over this,” Qin Yun replied with a peaceful smile. “I am done playing around.”

While she didn't understand the meaning of this statement, probably only thinking of him as an arrogant junior, Yun Jingfei did understand, and her eyes couldn't help but widen before a radiant smile graced her lips. She already couldn't wait for the next time they would meet.

With their goodbyes over with, the three women rose into the sky, wrapped in a shimmering barrier wreathed in flames. Then, as they pierced through the formation barrier overhead, large wings of flame resembling a gigantic bird sprouted from the orb, spreading their heat everywhere. The being of flame then flapped its wings, creating shock waves before disappearing into the night sky, becoming just a radiant dot of light in the distance.

“I’m surprised you chose to let her go,” the city lord said as he stepped next to Qin Yun, watching the light slowly fade away.

“I could say the same to you,” Qin Yun replied, his gaze fixed toward the direction his wife had left. “I’m surprised you would let Feng Xia leave with her.”

He then turned toward the man, looking him in the eyes.

"What are you really after?" he asked, only to see the man smile and then take a step over the void, only leaving a flash of light as he disappeared from this place.

Qin Yun sighed as he shook his head. Many thoughts swirled in his mind, yet none mattered at this moment. He had already chosen his path. Seeing him in this state, Lian Huiling walked next to him.

“Didn’t you want to leave with her?” she asked.

“I do, and I will," he replied. "However, before doing so, there are many things left for me to deal with, many people I must pay back."

He then walked away, entering the auction house at the top of those steps. Yet, somehow, Lian Huiling couldn't get Qin Yun's smile out of her mind. She couldn't stop her body from trembling and cold sweat pooling on her back.