Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

Chapter 196

“Miss Yue,” Xu Ming greeted as he stood and cupped his hands in a polite salute.

The woman before him was Yue Lou, an inner disciple of the Tianxuan Sect and one of the people who had come to rescue him.

The Tianxuan Sect often sent inner disciples, and even direct disciples, to stations like Xuanyue City. Their duties included maintaining order in the city, as well as serving as a form of training.

“How is Young Master Xu feeling?” Yue Lou returned the greeting politely.

“Thanks to Miss Yue’s help, I’m fine,” Xu Ming replied with a smile. “The doctor only advised me to rest and recover.”

Yue Lou shook her head, looking a little embarrassed. “I didn’t do much. All I did was find you; I didn’t really do anything else.”

“For Miss Yue to go to the trouble of leading people out of the city to help me, I am already deeply indebted,” Xu Ming said with a smile.

Though he was genuinely grateful for their assistance, Xu Ming couldn’t help but think that it might have been better if they hadn’t come out of the city at all.

If they hadn’t intervened, Mo Zhuer wouldn’t have been affected, and the subsequent events between him and Mo Zhuer might never have occurred.

Although that demoness hadn’t asked him to take responsibility—nor would she—it was still his first time in two lifetimes, and the thought left him with complicated emotions.

That said, Xu Ming didn’t blame Yue Lou. Her actions had been well-intentioned; it was simply a matter of unfortunate timing.

“Actually, there’s something I need to discuss with you,” Yue Lou said hesitantly, looking at Xu Ming.

“Please, go ahead,” Xu Ming replied. Judging from her expression, he suspected it wouldn’t be good news.

“It’s like this…” Yue Lou began, carefully choosing her words. “Before you came to Xuanyue City, ‘Uncle’ (Shishu) Qin mentioned you to me. She said you were her childhood friend and that if you came to Xuanyue City, we could take you directly to the Tianxuan Sect.

But now… there’s a bit of a problem.”

Xu Ming nodded calmly. “What kind of problem?”

“Well,” Yue Lou explained, “normally, it’s very easy to enter the Tianxuan Sect. Outsiders just need to state their purpose, and they’re allowed to visit without much issue.

But right now, the Zixia Grand Ceremony is approaching.

You might not be familiar with it, but the Zixia Grand Ceremony is one of the most important events for our sect. It’s essentially a grand founding anniversary. When the sect’s patriarch first achieved enlightenment under the Zixia glow, he established the Tianxuan Sect.

Since then, the celebration has been held once every five hundred years. This month, guests from all over the world will be arriving for the event.

Because of the ceremony’s importance, security has become extremely tight.

Normally, I could’ve asked ‘Uncle’ Qin to issue a verbal order, and you’d be allowed in without any problems. But ‘Uncle’ Qin is currently in seclusion, preparing for the ceremony.

I approached the disciples in charge of entry management and explained your identity. At first, one of them agreed to issue a pass for you.

But then another steward stepped in, took back the pass, and said they couldn’t confirm your identity. To ensure the safety of the ceremony, they said you’d have to wait until ‘Uncle’ Qin comes out of seclusion.

They even said that I, as an inner disciple, don’t have the authority to bring anyone in during the ceremony.

Worse, they implied that with so many disciples in the Tianxuan Sect—over ten thousand—who’s to say there isn’t a traitor among us trying to smuggle someone with ill intent into the sect?”

The more Yue Lou spoke, the angrier she became. By the end, Xu Ming could even hear her grinding her teeth in frustration.

With a heavy thud, she slammed her fist on the stone table. “I’ve never heard of such ridiculous nonsense! I’ve been in the Tianxuan Sect for ten years! How am I suddenly a spy? And where did this so-called ‘new rule’ even come from? It’s not written down anywhere!”

Xu Ming chuckled. “It may not have been a rule before, but it might be one now. Rules are, after all, made by people.

But I don’t think this is about rules. It’s more likely that someone in the Tianxuan Sect holds a grudge against me.”

Yue Lou raised her head as a thought crossed her mind. She recalled some previous rumors. “Could it be Senior Brother Xia?”

Xu Ming asked calmly, “The Senior Brother Xia you’re referring to—is it Xia Donghua, the sect master’s son?”

Yue Lou nodded. “Yes, that’s him.”

Xu Ming didn’t seem too bothered. “Miss Yue, may I ask how I’m perceived within the Tianxuan Sect? What do most disciples say about me?”

“This…” Yue Lou hesitated, her expression awkward.

Xu Ming reassured her with a light tone, “You don’t have to hold back, Miss Yue. Knowing will only help me navigate things better when I visit the Tianxuan Sect.”

Yue Lou took a moment to organize her thoughts, trying her best to be tactful. “The general rumor in the sect is that Young Master Xu, back in the Baiwa Secret Realm, was resourceful and quick-witted. Many say it was thanks to you that they managed to leave the realm safely.”

Xu Ming chuckled, taking a sip of tea. “I’m afraid the version circulating within the sect paints me as a scheming opportunist who intercepted others’ chances halfway, deliberately opened the gate to the outside world, and even colluded with the demonic cult—essentially leading everyone to their doom. Isn’t that right?”

Yue Lou fell silent, her expression giving her away.

Her lack of denial confirmed Xu Ming’s words.

Feeling embarrassed, Yue Lou finally spoke. “I know those rumors aren’t true. ‘Uncle’ Qin already explained it to me. At the time, no one dared to attempt the trial for fear of dying on the spot. But you, Young Master Xu, stepped onto the Heavenly Staircase against all odds and ultimately found a way out for everyone.

If it hadn’t been for you, no one would have made it out alive.

As for collusion with the demonic cult—that’s complete nonsense. Didn’t you fight the branch master of the Black God Sect yourself?

And I don’t think these baseless rumors were spread by Senior Brother Xia. They likely originated outside the sect and were merely picked up by some of the disciples here.”

Xu Ming smiled faintly and didn’t say much.

Perhaps the rumors about him circulating within the sect were indeed the handiwork of those envious or resentful of him outside the sect.

As for whether Xia Donghua had secretly fueled these rumors—it was hard to say. Even if he had, he would have ensured it was done discreetly to avoid tarnishing his reputation.

“Miss Yue, there’s no need to dwell on it. Honestly, I don’t care much about how others perceive me,” Xu Ming said with a comforting tone when he noticed Yue Lou struggling to find the right words. “You mentioned earlier that you had something to discuss with me. Could it be that you’re advising me not to enter the Tianxuan Sect for now?”

“Not at all,” Yue Lou said, shaking her head. She fixed her gaze on Xu Ming, her expression serious.

“On the contrary, what I wanted to discuss with you is this: if Young Master Xu is willing, I can take you to the Tianxuan Sect tomorrow!”