C16 Returning Triumphantly

Moving forward, Skyhaven Clan and Stormwrack will be engaging in frequent collaborations. As such, both sects will make regular visits to one another. Each month, Skyhaven Clan and Stormwrack will send five disciples to the other's sect to engage in sparring. As long as no fatalities occur, regardless of the outcome of the fights, the sect elders are forbidden from intervening."

Upon hearing Qin Mu announce these rules, disciples from both Stormwrack and Skyhaven Clan were filled with regret. They had foolishly quarreled before, and now they faced the prospect of sending five of their own to potentially get thrashed every month.

Zhang Lei felt a touch of gratitude when he heard Qin Mu's words; his Stormwrack Sect's standing hadn't been diminished.

As the crowd settled down, Qin Mu declared, "All Skyhaven Clan disciples, it's time to head home!"

Qin Mu's proclamation was met with jubilant cheers from the Skyhaven Clan disciples. After more than two months of toil, they could finally return home, victorious!

While the Skyhaven Clan disciples celebrated, Qin Mu sought out his disciple, Chu Feng, to inform him about the mandragora.

Chu Feng responded with a hearty laugh and a casual wave of his right hand. "Master, there's no need to worry. Even with just my right hand, I can still wield the Butterfly Blast with ease. I'm alright; it's just an arm that's gone, not my life!"

Qin Mu couldn't help but smile. Chu Feng had truly changed; he was now more like a true disciple of his.

After all, it wasn't the end of the world. Life is full of disappointments, and clinging to them only leads to more harm. The essence of life is to be born in peace and live in happiness.

Qin Mu approached Zhang Lei and invited him, "Mr. Zhang, would you care to join me for a visit to Skyhaven Clan?"

Zhang Lei hastily declined, "No, thank you. I have many matters to attend to within my own sect."

"Come with me to Skyhaven Clan. I'll introduce you to the old sect master," Qin Mu insisted.

Zhang Lei, with a flicker of doubt in his eyes, asked tentatively, "Does Skyhaven Clan truly have such a sect master? Is he really still alive?"

Upon hearing Zhang Lei's skepticism, Qin Mu chuckled and responded, "What's this? Mr. Zhang, do you still harbor doubts?"

Zhang Lei, with a brisk nod, replied, "Very well! I shall pay a visit to the Skyhaven Clan. It's been decades since my last visit there!"

With those words, Zhang Lei promptly departed, leading a group of disciples deep into Stormwrack.

Qin Mu simply smiled, choosing to remain silent.

The Skyhaven Clan disciples were all ready and beaming with joy. They had finally demonstrated the might of their clan. Now, when they ventured out for training, they could proudly proclaim their affiliation with the Skyhaven Clan!

The team, which had initially lacked confidence in taking down Stormwrack, returned triumphantly, laden with spoils.

As they traveled, Ling Siying turned to Qin Mu with a solemn expression. "I want to express my gratitude to you, Qin Mu. You've brought hope to the entire Skyhaven Clan, transforming us from a disorganized group into a united force." She cast a meaningful glance over the ranks of the Skyhaven Clan.

But when she looked back, Qin Mu had vanished. The Ling sisters could only smile wryly, wondering if she had spoken too much.

Qin Mu, soaring through the sky, paid no attention to the Ling sisters, shuddering at the memory of their sentimental display. He could tolerate such drama from Qing Shu, but the Ling sisters were not his cup of tea.

Speaking of Qing Shu, she hadn't sought him out recently. His Divine Sense swept the area, and to his surprise, he found Qing Shu trailing at the end of the group.

Qin Mu approached her with a beaming smile.

Meanwhile, in a remote cave.

"Master, what should we do now?"

The deep voice belonged to none other than Shen Bing.

Sun Xing, seated in meditation, had taken on a sinister appearance, her hair cascading down her back, her lips a ghastly shade of blue-black, and her neck adorned with bizarre, otherworldly patterns.

With a malevolent grin, Sun Xing declared, "I will reclaim what I've lost! Later, you will accompany me to meet with some individuals."

Shen Bing eyed the peculiar Sun Xing with a hint of trepidation, yet she responded with due reverence, "Yes, Master, I'll step outside. I'll stand guard for you!"

With a nod from Sun Xing, Shen Bing exited and, upon seeing the open sky, she breathed in the fresh air deeply and gratefully.

Back at the Skyhaven Clan, spirits were soaring. Qin Mu sought out Qing Min to brief him on the details of their conquest over Stormwrack.

Yet, Qin Mu was plagued by doubts. On their return, Qing Shu had inexplicably given him the cold shoulder, eventually darting off and leaving him to an awkward solitude.

In the midst of this, Ling Siying approached and suggested, "There's no need to visit the forbidden area. The Sect Master is away. He left a message directing us to the Tower of Phlogiston. Shall we go together?"

Quelling the swarm of questions in his mind, Qin Mu agreed, "Sure! Let's head out."

At the Tower of Phlogiston's threshold stood Qing Min.

He spotted Qin Mu and the Ling sisters from a distance and greeted them with a hearty laugh, "Qin Mu, I'm astounded by your prowess. I granted you three months, yet you subdued Stormwrack in just two, and even managed to bring one back with you!"

Qin Mu met Qing Min's gaze silently, but Ling Siying chimed in, "Sect Master, you're unaware of how each battle was a resounding victory. Had Zhang Lei from Stormwrack not surrendered so promptly, they would have surely faced total annihilation!"

Qing Min was elated; the Skyhaven Clan's might had surged impressively in a mere two months, and the spoils from Stormwrack promised even greater strides in their future power.

Qin Mu, not one for idle chatter, got straight to the point, "Prepare yourself, Zhang Lei may arrive soon. Think carefully about how you'll handle him."

"If he shows up, so be it. What can a defeated commander do now?" Qing Min retorted with a nonchalant grin.

Qin Mu glanced at Qing Min and let out a chuckle, "I can't possibly stay with the Skyhaven Clan indefinitely. Your time is running out as well. Once I'm gone and you've passed away, what will become of the Skyhaven Clan? Zhang Lei has reached the Nascent Infant stage. Does the clan have anyone capable of standing up to him?"

Ling Siying stared at Qin Mu, her face etched with shock, then turned to Qing Min, her voice tinged with a mix of age and skepticism, "What's going on with the Sect Master? Is what he's saying true? Didn't you tell us you were on the mend?"

Bombarding him with questions, Ling Siying awaited an answer. Qing Min, however, responded calmly, "Ling Siying, consider your age. You get so worked up over every little thing. It's unbecoming. You could learn a thing or two from young Qin Mu here!"