The Rise of the Sect: I am the most persistent person in the world of immortal cultivation

Su Wanqing's allure triggered alarm bells in Ye Yang's mind. He subtly took a step back, creating distance between himself and Su Wanqing.

As a pediatrician, with his cultivation level, he could naturally tell that the woman in front of him was not trying to use evil magic to bewitch him.

Even if the other party had the greatest courage, they wouldn't dare to do anything in Lingxiao City.

“Fellow Daoist Su, it is improper for a man and a woman to be alone in a room late at night. If you truly wish to express your gratitude, you need not do so in the future.”

His gaze shifted from Su Wanqing's face to the white jade bowl on the table, his tone flat and devoid of any romantic undertones.

Su Wanqing seemed not to hear his refusal. Her eyes were filled with tears as she took another step forward, her skirt swaying slightly, almost touching Ye Yang's boots.

"Master Ye, how can you bear to reject me? I have given you my whole heart, do I not even deserve to stay by your side?"

Her voice trembled, as if she was trying to hold back her grief, and she gently wiped the corner of her eye with her hand.

As she moved, her sleeve slipped down, revealing a section of her slender arm, her skin gleaming white under the light.

"Fellow Daoist Su, respect yourself."

Ye Yang's voice turned colder, and his Dao power circulated slightly, subtly conveying a sense of repulsion.

His gaze was firm, unmoved by Su Wanqing's beauty, even though she was as beautiful as a poppy blooming in the dark night, exuding a deadly allure.

Su Wanqing, however, was still unwilling to give up. Suddenly, her knees buckled, and she knelt down before Ye Yang.

Ye Yang instinctively reached out to help him up.

Su Wanqing took the opportunity to grab the hem of his clothes, looked up at him, her eyes full of pleading.

"Master Ye, do you know how difficult the path of cultivation is? I am just a female cultivator, with no one to rely on. Since I embarked on the path of cultivation, I have suffered endless bullying."

Her voice was choked with sobs as she recounted her past, word by word.

"When I was a child, I was treasured by my clan because I had spiritual roots. But when they found that my cultivation was difficult, they discarded me like trash. In order to survive in this cruel world of cultivation, I cultivated desperately. Even when I was injured or ridiculed for my mediocre talent, I never gave up."

Her tears fell, wetting the bluestone bricks on the ground.

"Along the way, I was framed by my fellow disciples and hunted down by evil cultivators. Every time, I was on the verge of life and death."

Her fingers gripped Ye Yang's clothes tightly, as if it were her last lifeline.

"I only want someone to rely on, someone who can protect me. Daozu Ye, you are so powerful, so dazzling. The first time I saw you, I knew that you were my hope."

Her eyes held a mixture of despair and longing, evoking pity in those who saw them.

Ye Yang was shocked. Su Wanqing's background was indeed tragic, but he was not heartless and would not be swayed by it.

He sighed softly, his voice softening slightly, but still resolute.

“Fellow Daoist Su, I sympathize with your plight, but matters of the heart cannot be forced. I am devoted to the Dao and have no interest in romantic relationships. You should get up.”

As he spoke, he channeled his Dao power, gently brushed his hand, and helped Su Wanqing up, while subtly pulling back the hem of his own robe.

Su Wanqing was lifted up by his Dao power, but she seemed to have lost all her strength. She swayed and almost fell.

Ye Yang subconsciously reached out to support her arm, but the moment he touched her, he felt a strange force trying to invade his mind.

He was startled and immediately used his Dao power to resist, while releasing his grip and taking a step back.

"Fellow Daoist Su, what is the meaning of this?"

As she spoke, Su Wanqing took another step forward, her moon-white gauze dress fluttering gently as she walked, revealing a section of her fair waist.

She deliberately slowed her breathing, allowing her sweet fragrance to permeate the quiet room, a scent tinged with a faint allure.

If an ordinary cultivator were to inhale it, their mind would surely be stirred.

She raised her head, her large, almond-shaped eyes gazing at Ye Yang, with what seemed like tears glistening in them.

"Look at my appearance. I wouldn't dare say I'm stunningly beautiful, but I can still make many cultivators' hearts flutter. However, for me, my appearance is nothing but a source of trouble. Without the protection of powerful strength, this appearance will only attract covetousness and disaster."

She reached out and gently stroked her cheek, the gesture tinged with self-deprecation.

"I once thought that as long as I learned the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and how to please cultivators, I could survive in this cultivation world. But I later discovered that those cultivators who admired my appearance were nothing more than treating me as a plaything."

"Once you get tired of someone, you just throw them away. I don't want to live that kind of life anymore. I just want to find someone who can protect me, so I can cultivate peacefully and live a good life."

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Wanqing slightly lifted her skirt, bent her knees gently, and actually made a gesture as if she was about to kneel down.

Her gauze dress was already thin, and this movement made her figure even more prominent, her skin glowing alluringly in the dim light of the oil lamp.

"Master Ye, please take me in! I'm willing to do anything for you, whether it's washing clothes, cooking, or... even accompanying you in cultivation, I'm willing!"

Ye Yang frowned even more, and his body surged slightly, forming an invisible barrier that held Su Wanqing up and prevented her from kneeling.

"Fellow Daoist Su, there's no need for this. I've already said that I saved you purely out of friendship, with no other intentions. If you wish to cultivate peacefully, there are many opportunities in Lingxiao City; there's no need to cling to relying on others." "Rely on others?"

Su Wanqing seemed to be stung, and suddenly raised her voice, tears finally falling from her eyes.

"Master Ye, do you think I willingly depend on others? I lost both my parents at a young age and was adopted by the elders of Qinglan Valley, hoping to find a place to live. But those elders never treated me as a disciple. They only taught me how to please men and how to use my looks to obtain resources. If I disobeyed even slightly, I would be beaten and punished."

She wiped away her tears, her voice trembling with sobs, and began to recount her past.

"Last year, a cultivator at the Void Refinement stage came to the valley. The elders, eager to curry favor with him, even offered me to him as a concubine. That cultivator was already over sixty years old and cruel by nature. I refused and had no choice but to flee overnight. Along the way, I had to evade the pursuers of Qinglan Valley and also be wary of demonic beasts and demonic cultivators. Once, I was severely injured by a demonic cultivator and almost died in the desolate mountains. If it weren't for the jade pendant I accidentally obtained, I would probably have become nourishment for the demonic cultivator long ago."

Su Wanqing's body trembled slightly, clearly recalling those painful experiences.

"I only wanted to live, to have a place to shelter from the wind and rain. After meeting you, I thought I saw hope. You are strong and upright, unlike those cultivators who only covet my appearance."

"I want to follow you, even if it's just as a lowly maid, it's better than wandering around outside and being at the mercy of others."

Ye Yang listened quietly, his heart stirred, but his resolve remained unshaken. He understood Su Wanqing's suffering, but his path had never been to protect others, but to safeguard the Flying Heaven Sect and those he cared about.

“Fellow Daoist Su, I sympathize with your plight, but I truly cannot take you in. I am devoted to the Dao, and it is inconvenient for me to have a woman by my side.”

"Lingxiao City is a key location of the Dao Alliance, and its safety is guaranteed. If you do not wish to return to Qinglan Valley, you can apply for protection from the Dao Alliance or join another sect. With your talent, as long as you focus on cultivation, you may be able to carve out your own niche. Don't always think about relying on others; the only one you can truly depend on is yourself."

Looking into Ye Yang's determined eyes, Su Wanqing knew that no matter what she said, she could not change his decision.

Her last glimmer of hope was shattered. She swayed, her face turning deathly pale. The days of running around, the injuries, and the emotional turmoil she had just experienced had pushed her already weakened body to its breaking point. "I...I understand..."

Su Wanqing's voice grew softer and softer, her eyes began to glaze over, and she looked at Ye Yang with eyes full of despair.

"It was my wishful thinking that led me..."

Before she could finish speaking, Su Wanqing's vision went black, and she collapsed to the ground.

Ye Yang reacted quickly, reaching out to support her and checking her pulse. He found that she had only fainted due to exhaustion of spiritual energy and emotional distress, and was otherwise unharmed.

Ye Yang sighed helplessly, carried Su Wanqing to the bed, and covered her with a thin blanket.

After finishing all this, Ye Yang walked to the table, looked at the bowl of Qingling soup that was still steaming, shook his head, turned around and returned to the futon to continue to meditate.

As night deepened, only the faint sound of the oil lamp burning remained in the quiet room.

After an unknown amount of time, a series of steady footsteps suddenly came from outside the door, followed by an old but dignified voice.

"Young friend Ye, I have come here specifically to invite you."

Ye Yang suddenly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them.

The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal! He's finally here!
Ye Yang got up, walked to the door, and opened it.

Standing outside the door was an elderly man dressed in a white Taoist robe. His hair and beard were all white, but his face was rosy, like that of a baby.

His eyes were as deep as the starry sky, and a faint sword intent surrounded him. He seemed ordinary, but he gave people an unfathomable sense of oppression.

"Junior Ye Yang greets senior."

Ye Yang bowed respectfully, his heart filled with awe.

This was the first time he had seen the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal up close. Although the sword intent emanating from the other party was not outwardly displayed, it made him feel an unprecedented pressure, which was stronger than any enemy he had encountered before.

The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Ye Yang for a moment, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

"No need for formalities. I have summoned you so late at night because I am ready to spar and have come to invite you to my sword hut for a chat."

"Thank you, senior."

Ye Yang responded, his gaze unconsciously sweeping over the unconscious Su Wanqing on the bed.

"Although this woman has a seductive heart, she is not inherently evil, and her background is pitiful. You have already saved her once, which is more than enough. She will leave when she wakes up, so there is no need to worry about her."

Upon hearing this, Ye Yang felt reassured and bowed to the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal.

“What you say is absolutely right, senior. I will go with you now.”

The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal nodded and turned to walk deeper into Lingxiao City.

Ye Yang followed closely behind, and the two walked side by side.

The bluestone path beneath their feet gleamed silvery-white in the moonlight. All around was quiet, save for the echoing sound of their footsteps.

"Young friend Ye, do you know why I want to spar with you?"

The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal suddenly spoke, his voice calm yet carrying a penetrating power. Ye Yang's heart stirred, and he answered truthfully.

"This junior is unaware; please enlighten me, senior."

The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal smiled slightly, gazing at the distant starry sky with a hint of melancholy in his eyes.

"I have been cultivating for a thousand years, and I reached the peak of the Thunder Tribulation Realm a hundred years ago, just one step away from that legendary supreme realm. But this step is like an insurmountable chasm, and no matter how hard I try, I cannot break through it."

He paused and continued.

"Over the years, I have tried countless methods. I have secluded myself for a hundred years to cultivate and comprehend the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, and fought against the top experts of various sects, but I have always been stuck at the bottleneck and could not make any progress. Until the last Dao Alliance Art Teaching Ceremony, I saw your swordsmanship and saber techniques, which seemed to be quite interesting."

Ye Yang was surprised, never expecting that his swordsmanship would be valued so highly by the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal.

Although the other party only showed some interest.

However, to be favored by such a senior is an immense act of tolerance for countless cultivators in the world.

"Although your cultivation is only at the mid-stage of the Void Refining Realm, it is far inferior to mine,"

"It is not enough to feed my sword. But the power of your sword is extremely sharp, and the Daoist charm contained within it is completely different from the sword intent that I pursue, yet it faintly conforms to the rules of that supreme realm."

He turned to look at Ye Yang, a hint of expectation in his eyes.

"My purpose in sparring with you is neither to test you nor to show off my strength. Rather, I hope to gain insight into the Daoist principles within your swordsmanship during our exchange, and to break through my own limitations through your understanding of the Dao of the sword."

Upon hearing this, Ye Yang was deeply shocked. He had never imagined that his insights into swordsmanship could be of any help to the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal, who was at the peak of the Thunder Tribulation Realm.

At the same time, he also understood the Green Lotus Sword Immortal's intention.

This was not an ordinary sparring match, but a discussion on Kendo where both parties exchanged ideas and inspired each other.

He is useful to the other party.

In other words, the other party's words and actions have a long-term guiding significance for him.

"I am truly humbled by your high regard, senior."

Ye Yang bowed and spoke sincerely.

"If my understanding of swordsmanship can be of any help to you, senior, I will certainly share everything I know and do my best to cooperate with you in our sparring."

The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal nodded in satisfaction and patted Ye Yang's shoulder. His hand seemed gentle, but it carried a profound strength that warmed Ye Yang's heart.

"Good! As expected of a cultivator who stands out among the younger generation, with this kind of mindset, his future achievements are limitless. The Sword Pavilion is just ahead, let's spar and exchange ideas there."

Ye Yang looked in the direction the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal pointed and saw an ancient bamboo hut not far ahead.

A large expanse of blue lotuses was planted around the bamboo hut, and the moonlight shone on the lotuses, giving them a faint, ethereal glow. The air was filled with the refreshing fragrance of lotuses, which soothed the mind and calmed the heart.

The two walked quickly to the bamboo hut. The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal pushed open the door and said, "Young friend Ye, please come in." (End of Chapter)