#972 - Chapter 972: Equally Matched
“In Saint Continent, the Star Observation Pavilion will always be your sanctuary. Once you leave Saint Continent, you'll have to rely on yourself! Hesitation will only make the difficulties you face in the future even harder.” Star earnestly lectured Xing Chenlan.
“Grandson understands.” Xing Chenlan obediently lowered his head, listening attentively to his ancestor's teachings.
Star turned around to face Xing Chenlan.
“Hold out your hand.”
Xing Chenlan extended his slender, fair right hand.
Star waved his hand over Xing Chenlan's hand.
A blue light flashed, and a pendant appeared on Xing Chenlan's hand.
“The Spirit Radiance Star Stone!”
The Spirit Radiance Star Stone – legend says that the entire cultivation world couldn't find a second one because it's a dragon crystal that doesn't belong to the cultivation world. From the founding of the Star Observation Pavilion to the present day, the Spirit Radiance Star Stone has been passed down.
It's said that the Spirit Radiance Star Stone contains immense power and is a mystery that the Star Observation Pavilion has been unable to solve for many years.
Seeing the pendant appear on his hand, Xing Chenlan's eyes widened, his composure completely lost.
After handing the Spirit Radiance Star Stone to Xing Chenlan, Star turned around and continued watching the arena.
“This Spirit Radiance Star Stone… it's time to give it to you.”
Although Star didn't say it explicitly, he was essentially agreeing to let Xing Chenlan leave Saint Continent.
Xing Chenlan naturally understood his ancestor's meaning and knelt down on one knee to pay his respects.
“Thank you, Grandfather!”
Star didn't say anything, still watching the martial arts competition in the arena.
“Pa-嗒~” A silent teardrop fell to the ground.
In the arena, Ye Kong and Xing Yanyao were still exchanging blows, evenly matched.
The prolonged consumption of spiritual energy caused Xing Yanyao to pant slightly, while Ye Kong's state was calm and composed.
Star's cultivation was higher than both of them, so he naturally saw who would win.
Just as Xing Yanyao was preparing to attack again, Star jumped down directly from the second floor, landing in the center of the arena.
The audience below hadn't seen enough, and the ancestor had already jumped out.
Ye Kong then thought, regardless, being able to successfully take the person away meant that the purpose of this trip was achieved.
Although Xing Yanyao was also shocked by the ancestor's decision, having been raised by the ancestor since childhood, Xing Yanyao understood that the ancestor's actions had a reason, and she couldn't question it.
Night had deepened, and the weather was getting cooler.
After the martial arts competition ended, Xing Yanyao led Ye Kong into the Star Observation Pavilion.
“Miss Xing, where are we going?”
“My grandfather instructed me to take Peak Lord Ye to the Top Pavilion. Peak Lord Ye will know when we arrive.” Xing Yanyao replied politely.
Ye Kong obediently followed Xing Yanyao, but it would still take some time to reach the Top Pavilion.
The atmosphere between Ye Kong and Xing Yanyao was strangely awkward, after all, one second they were fighting each other, and the next they were walking side by side.
“You…”
“You…”
Ye Kong and Xing Yanyao spoke at the same time, wanting to ease the awkward atmosphere.
“Peak Lord Ye, you go first.”
“Oh, my Heaven Execution Sword Qi… ordinary cultivators can't even detect it even if they open their eyes wide, so how were you able to avoid my Heaven Execution Sword Qi with your eyes closed?” Ye Kong was very puzzled as to why his Heaven Execution Sword Qi was evaded by this ordinary woman.
Xing Yanyao guessed that Ye Kong would ask her. The lips beneath her veil pursed slightly, and then she spoke.
“What the eyes see is only what's in front of them. The path of cultivation values all five senses equally. When I close my eyes and clear my mind, I can use my true energy to sense your formless sword Qi.” Xing Yanyao said gently.
Ye Kong suddenly understood. It was hard to imagine that a woman could have such insight into the path of cultivation.
“Beginning with appearance, ending with talent. I believe Miss Xing is such a person.”
“Peak Lord Ye, you flatter me. It's just that I listened to my grandfather's teachings a lot and remembered them diligently.”
Being praised, Xing Yanyao remained calm on the surface, but her heart was filled with joy.
The two arrived at the Top Pavilion of the Star Observation Pavilion.
Xing Yanyao reached out and pushed open the door.
Star and Xing Chenlan were already inside. Ye Kong followed Xing Yanyao in.
Xing Yanyao bowed slightly, paying her respects to Star.
Star, with his back to Xing Yanyao, nodded lightly, signaling Xing Yanyao to stand aside.
Xing Yanyao naturally understood and walked directly to the side, standing with Xing Chenlan.
Ye Kong also gave a shallow bow to Star, after all, this was Saint Continent.
Star slowly turned around, exuding the powerful aura of the Star Observation Pavilion's ancestor.
Star was still wearing a black cloak, and Ye Kong couldn't see his true face clearly.
“Carefree Peak.” Star's deep voice rang out.
“That's right!” Ye Kong replied.
“Although you only have a Golden Core cultivation base…” Star stated the fact.
Ye Kong inexplicably blamed the system in his heart. If the system hadn't kept making him do tasks, he wouldn't have been preventing from leveling up. Now his cultivation base was looked down upon by this Star Observation Pavilion ancestor.
“But in your battle with Yao'er just now, using only one hand was a very good quality. Moreover, this old man saw that your strength is far more than what you showed just now.”
Although Ye Kong's acting skills in hiding his strength were quite good, he was still seen through by Star.
“I entrust Xing Chenlan to you, hoping that Peak Lord Ye can educate him, allowing him to see the world and understand the Great Dao.” Star didn't continue speaking, assuming that Ye Kong was a sensible person and didn't need him to say more.
“Rest assured, Ancestor. Although my Carefree Peak can't be considered a major sect, Xing Chenlan will definitely learn things that will help him in the future.” Ye Kong was very confident in his teaching, after all, his disciples had all been educated by him to be extraordinary.
Star nodded in agreement.
It was already evening, and Ye Kong's energy was still vigorous. He had originally intended to take Xing Chenlan back to Carefree Peak directly, but Ye Kong thought that Xing Chenlan had fought a big battle today and should leave tomorrow instead.
Ye Kong then stayed overnight at the Star Observation Pavilion.
The next day…
At the gate of the Star Observation Pavilion, Xing Chenlan carried a small package on his back, facing Xing Yanyao.
Xing Yanyao reluctantly stroked Xing Chenlan's little head.
Xing Chenlan had never left Saint Light Continent. Now that he was about to travel far away, looking at his older sister in front of him, tears sparkled in Xing Chenlan's blue eyes.
“Xiao Lan, don't cry. Going to another continent will allow you to see many new and interesting things.” Xing Yanyao gently coaxed Xing Chenlan with a soft voice.
Hearing Xing Yanyao's voice, the tears that Xing Chenlan had been holding back for a long time flowed out.
Xing Yanyao took out a fragrant handkerchief and wiped away Xing Chenlan's tears.
Without careful observation, it was difficult to see that Xing Yanyao's wiping hand was trembling slightly.
Xing Yanyao hadn't expected that her younger brother, who had always been strong since childhood, would actually shed tears.
