'To deal with the Demon-Planting Mark... I can't do it here in the Xuanyuan Dao Sect, no matter what. I'll have to take a long trip... Forget it. I'll wait until I've handled things at the Cold Palace Sword Mansion first, then I'll think about it.'
His Dao Companion was at a critical stage of her recovery, and his two disciples were on the verge of a Breakthrough Realm, needing to be ready to face their Celestial Tribulation at any moment.
Under these circumstances, there was no way Pei Yuhang could get away.
'Worst case, I'll just avoid Shang Miaoyan for a while. I'll announce that I'm entering seclusion in the Cold Palace Sword Mansion.'
Pei Yuhang announced this most cowardly, head-in-the-sand tactic with the most self-righteous tone, leaving Bai Jingjing, who had expected some earth-shattering master plan, utterly speechless.
"Pei Yuhang, why don't you just ascend to Divinity Transformation before that Witch does?"
"The Demon-Planting Mark is tyrannical, but if your Cultivation is far higher than the one who cast the curse, you can absolutely use that gap in power to forcibly suppress it."
"You've reached Divinity Transformation before. Retracing your old path should be easy for you, right?"
Pei Yuhang didn't mind his Sword Spirit using his full name. He gave Bai Jingjing a weary eye-roll and said, "You think I don't know something that simple?"
"But the Cold Palace Sword Mansion is so poor right now that even the free-roaming Immortal Cranes in the sect won't bother stopping by to look for food... Where am I supposed to get the resources to cultivate back to Divinity Transformation?"
Besides, even if he had the resources, he would have to give them to Liyuan and Yueqiu first—they were the ones at a critical juncture.
Pei Yuhang didn't say that last part out loud.
But Bai Jingjing looked into his clear, pure eyes, and perhaps because of the Unity between a Sword Spirit and its master, she managed to guess his thoughts.
Bai Jingjing snorted. She crossed her jade-white, lotus-root-like arms in front of her petite Jade Maiden Peaks, and said with a hint of exasperation:
"Hmph! You're like a clay bodhisattva crossing a river—you can't even save yourself, yet you're still thinking about those women... So indecisive! It serves you right if your Dao Companion covers your head in little red hats!"
The moment Pei Yuhang heard his bratty little Sword Spirit mock him like that, his face darkened. He yanked Silence over, preparing to gather his Yang Fire for a harsh spanking.
Ever the opportunist, Bai Jingjing saw that Pei Yuhang was about to "administer family discipline" and immediately backed down. Her little mind raced, and she quickly changed the subject:
"About the problem with cultivation resources... you could totally ask your Senior Sister for help! You know, the Alchemy Fairy with the incredibly lewd body!"
"Since she's so fond of you, her junior brother, she'd definitely be happy to give you all sorts of Divine Elixirs to help you get back to Divinity Transformation, right?"
Pei Yuhang's scorching palm hovered an inch from Silence. The wave of Pure Yang Aura that washed over her made the heat-sensitive little Sword Spirit's body grow hot again.
"That would be too great a favor to ask... We'll talk about it later. Also, from now on, you are forbidden from using the word 'lewd' to describe Senior Sister Lu!"
The Sword Immortal sighed, having lost the mood to spank his Sword Spirit's butt. He casually tossed Silence onto the head of the bed and prepared to get up and wash.
Even though Cultivators were nourished by Spiritual Qi around the clock and their pores didn't accumulate dirt and grime like mortals,
Pei Yuhang had no intention of changing the good habit of cleanliness he'd developed in his past life. Besides, with all sorts of Magic available, washing up was extremely efficient.
"Tch. What a coward, scared of women... At this rate, by the time your Dao Companion has recovered and can cultivate again, you and that Demoness will probably already have a child."
Watching Pei Yuhang turn and leave, Bai Jingjing, somewhat bored, stuck out her small, fair feet and stomped hard on the pillow he slept on, as if the poor pillow were his face.
"Hey, you little imp, don't step on my pillow!"
"What do you mean, 'step on'? Isn't this a reward for you? Isn't this how you and Ye Liyuan had your fun in the bedroom?"
"You perverted Sword Spirit! You really were peeping when Liyuan and I were together, weren't you!"
Just as Pei Yuhang was about to go teach that bratty little imp a lesson she deserved, a rapid "BEEP—BEEP—" sound reached his ears.
'The Transmission Token? Who's looking for me now?'
Pei Yuhang was a bit confused. His social circle in the Xuanyuan Dao Sect had always been simple; in the past ten years, he probably hadn't received as many messages as he had in the last few days.
He spread his fingers, and the Transmission Token immediately flew into his hand, drawn by his Spiritual Qi.
As he channeled Spiritual Qi into it, a robust voice emanated from within. It was the same elder who had previously contacted him about welcoming the delegation from the Yin Yang Sacred Land.
"Palace Master Pei, tonight the Xuanyuan Dao Sect is holding an evening banquet for the delegation from the Yin Yang Sacred Land..."
"That Fan Ya Fairy specifically requested your presence, Palace Master Pei."
"..."
Pei Yuhang's mouth opened and closed. His hand holding the Transmission Token tightened instinctively.
He didn't need to guess.
This was definitely Shang Miaoyan's idea.
'That Witch wants me there for no other reason than to find ways to humiliate me. This time, she wants to do it in front of so many of our peers from the Dao Sect. She's as insane as ever.'
'Why should I go and let myself be humiliated?'
Pei Yuhang decided to refuse.
"My apologies, Elder Liu. I need to prepare for closed-door cultivation during this time, so tonight's banquet might be..."
"Palace Master Pei, although you've lost your eligibility to compete for the Saint Son's seat in our Dao Sect, the Sect Leader still has high hopes for you. You mustn't disappoint him."
Hearing this, Pei Yuhang felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
'Isn't this just the corporate way of saying, "The boss thinks highly of you, so you have to be at the dinner party tonight"?'
'So, it seems these so-called Immortals are just people who happen to be "immortal."'
As if sensing Pei Yuhang's hesitation, Elder Liu continued, "Palace Master Pei, you've already given that drop of the Fountain of Youth to Fairy Ye, haven't you?"
"Yes."
"And it was very effective, wasn't it?"
"Yes..."
Pei Yuhang had a feeling the person on the other end was about to sweeten the deal.
"Palace Master Pei, your head disciple, Qing Yueqiu, must be preparing to advance to the Nascent Soul realm soon, yes? I've heard of her; she seems to hold the reputation of being the number one female sword cultivator of our Dao Sect's current generation."
"Truly impressive! As expected of the Cold Sun Sword Immortal's disciple. To have such a stunning young talent is a testament to the prosperous fate of our Dao Sect!"
"Ahem... but for such a fine seedling to lack a good sword is truly a pity. This opportunity to enter the Divine Sword Pavilion..."
'The Divine Sword Pavilion?'
Pei Yuhang was surprised. Just what kind of heavy quota had the Sect Leader given Elder Liu to make him willing to offer up an opportunity to enter the Divine Sword Pavilion?
He'd already laid his cards on the table.
Pei Yuhang knew he had no room to refuse anymore. To keep declining would be impolite.
Besides, he knew that he owed Qing Yueqiu a great deal after his Dao Companion was severely injured. With the great sect competition approaching, he wanted to give his disciple a satisfying gift.
That being the case, he had no choice but to go.
Pei Yuhang took a step of his own accord into the decadent Abyss...