ALL NOVEL Chapter 126 - Repayment of Kindness, An Odd Flavor
“Congratulations to Master for another breakthrough in cultivation!”
Yuan Kouxuan’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at her master with admiration and reverence.
“Master is the strongest! Master is the best! Master is unparalleled!”
Qin Kewan, on the other hand, pumped her fists into the air, unabashedly showering her master with wild praise.
Yuan Kouxuan’s enthusiasm was expected, but as for Little Five, Xu Yang couldn’t help but internally muse: ‘You’ve never tested it—how would you know?’ A vague sense of divine scrutiny descended from the heavens, making him dismiss these thoughts immediately.
He turned to his two disciples with a warm smile before shifting his gaze toward the gathered immortal heirs. Raising his hand slightly, he said, “Rise.”
A formless wave of power surged from the void, lifting everyone who had knelt in reverence to their feet.
At this moment, the immortal heirs gazed at Xu Yang with nothing but awe and veneration. The slightest trace of disdain had been wiped away, and the notion of making him their subordinate was now utterly unthinkable.
To them, Xu Yang was like the sun in the sky—a being they could only look up to but never touch.
Outside the Ascending Heaven Tower, rogue cultivators and sect elites shared this sentiment. Xu Yang was no longer just a figure of admiration; he was an icon, a god to be worshipped and pursued.
“Master Xu, the kindness of your teachings will remain forever etched in my heart,” Jiang Haoyu said, his voice trembling with emotion as he repeatedly bowed. “Should you ever need anything, I, Jiang Haoyu, will move mountains, cross oceans, and brave all hardships to repay this debt!”
Xu Yang believed his words. After all, Jiang Haoyu, as described in the original narrative, was a man of his word. Even in the face of personal loss, he honored his commitments unwaveringly.
Jiang Haoyu’s heartfelt declaration stirred the other immortal heirs. Following his lead, they stepped forward, bowing deeply and declaring in unison:
“Master Xu, the same goes for us!”
Hearing this synchronized chorus, Xu Yang was momentarily reminded of a famous scene, nearly breaking into laughter. Suppressing his amusement, he maintained his composed demeanor, responding with a faint smile:
“There’s no need to talk of repayment. Just don’t drag my name into any trouble you cause in the future.”
Outside the Ascending Heaven Tower, rogue cultivators and sect elites who overheard this were dumbfounded.
“Master? Could it be that Master Xu is truly willing to accept us as disciples?” one rogue cultivator exclaimed, his face alight with hope.
“You’re overthinking it,” a nearby sect elite said, dousing the enthusiasm with cold water. “Master Xu was clearly joking.”
It wasn’t disdain for rogue cultivators but rather a clear acknowledgment of reality—none of them were worthy of becoming Master Xu’s disciples. Even for himself, a prized genius of a great sect with a bright future as a Venerable, the idea of being admitted into Master Xu’s tutelage felt like an unattainable dream.
This sentiment was surely shared by the immortal heirs inside the tower.
Back inside, Jiang Haoyu nodded earnestly. “Master Xu was joking, of course. How could we ever involve you in our troubles?”
“Jiang, you knew he was joking, but you still…”
“Hahaha, Master Xu, please don’t mind him. Jiang Haoyu is just straightforward like that. We’ve all grown used to it!”
The immortal heirs laughed, their remarks poking fun at Jiang Haoyu while subtly attempting to smooth over any potential misunderstanding.
Xu Yang remained unbothered, smiling faintly.
“No harm done. I know Jiang Haoyu’s heart is pure, like that of a child. He has the virtues of a true gentleman, so why would I take offense?”
“Master Xu knows me best!” Jiang Haoyu’s face flushed with pride at the praise. With a deep bow, he said, “Master Xu, you must be exhausted after lecturing for so many hours. I’ve already arranged three of the best rooms for you and your disciples to rest in. Please allow me to escort you there. Tomorrow, when the Heaven’s Chosen Gathering officially begins, I will personally come to greet you.”
“Very well,” Xu Yang nodded.
Under the guidance of the innkeeper, Xu Yang and his two disciples departed for their rooms to cultivate and rest.
The gathered immortal heirs also began to disperse, their hearts still brimming with awe and admiration.
“Master Xu, here we are!”
The shopkeeper handed three keys to Xu Yang with a smile, then quickly excused himself.
Xu Yang weighed the keys in his hand, glanced at his two disciples, and asked, “Which room do you two want?”
Yuan Kouxuan pointed to the room on the right. “This disciple will take this room!”
“Alright,” Xu Yang said, tossing the key to his eldest disciple.
“Then this disciple will take the room on the left!”
Qin Kewan accepted the remaining key, looked sweetly at her master, and said softly, “Goodnight, Master~”
She yawned as she opened the door with the key and stepped inside.
Now, only Xu Yang and Yuan Kouxuan remained in front of the doors.
“Master…” Yuan Kouxuan’s cold and composed face flushed slightly as she gazed at Xu Yang. Through voice transmission, she said, “Master, I still have some confusion about swordsmanship. I was hoping you could help me with it tonight. So… please don’t lock the door.”
With the transmission complete, Yuan Kouxuan quickly said aloud, “Goodnight, Master. I’m going back to rest!”
She blinked her enchanting eyes at Xu Yang, then turned and entered her room.
The next morning…
Knock, knock!
A rapid knocking sounded at Xu Yang’s door.
“Master, please open the door! It’s me, your disciple!” Qin Kewan’s voice called from outside.
Xu Yang glanced at his eldest disciple, Yuan Kouxuan, whose clothing was neat but slightly wrinkled, then checked himself to confirm his own robes were perfectly intact.
It seems that Little Five shouldn’t notice anything unusual!
With a thought, Xu Yang opened the door.
“Little Five, why are you in such a rush to see me so early in the morning? What’s the matter?” Xu Yang asked openly.
Qin Kewan didn’t reply immediately. Instead, she sniffed the air repeatedly as if trying to catch a specific scent.
This action made Yuan Kouxuan visibly tense, though she managed to maintain her composed, cold demeanor.
“Little Five, what are you sniffing for?” Xu Yang asked.
“Master, there’s a peculiar smell in your room!” Qin Kewan said, her tone resolute as her sharp gaze fixed on Xu Yang.
Yuan Kouxuan’s fingers gripped the corner of her dress, and a faint blush crept up her cheeks.
“Little Five, stop talking nonsense! This is the finest room in White Emperor City—how could there be any strange smell?” Xu Yang replied, his tone firm.
“Heh, Master, you might be able to fool others, but you can’t fool me!”
Qin Kewan’s eyes swept over her senior sister, noting her slight nervousness, before locking onto Xu Yang.
“You and Senior Sister…”
Her voice suddenly turned accusatory.
“Did you eat something delicious without me?!”
tn// little five is Qin Kewan’s nickname if you couldn’t tell