Chapter 270: Hidden in the Sleeve

Chapter 270 -258: Hidden in the Sleeve

Yun Ci said nothing, simply sitting down amidst the candlelight and turning her back to Chen Qingyang.

The drastic change in her demeanor puzzled Chen Qingyang, who wondered what he had said wrong this time.

“Speak,” she finally said. “What are your terms?”

Chen Qingyang first bowed. “I would like the Master to privately teach me a Dharma Gate. Would that be possible?”

“Hmph!” The sound had barely left his lips when Yun Ci scoffed. She was a woman of firm principles, so her immediate reaction was, naturally, to find the request outrageous.

“What, are you planning to switch and become my disciple?” Her tone was icy, tinged with mockery.

Fortunately, Chen Qingyang had already braced himself. “Master, you may not know, but my Cultivation has reached the Essence Condensation Six Realms,” he continued. “I urgently need an Immortal Technique, Universe in the Sleeve. It isn’t a True Skill from your lineage, so you should be able to teach it to me, right?”

Last time in the Yong Kingdom, Yun Ci had grown quite curious about Chen Qingyang, but her cold nature stopped her from asking questions. Now, her curiosity was piqued again. “Who exactly are you, and how have you been hiding your Cultivation?”

Indeed, his behavior didn’t resemble that of a Tai Xu Sect disciple, so this question was bound to come up.

“Rest assured, Master. I’m just an Inner Sect Disciple of the Tai Xu Sect. I thought that if I let my Cultivation advance too quickly, it would inevitably attract trouble. Since everyone else believes my Cultivation is only at the Essence Condensation Realm, my only way to obtain Universe in the Sleeve is through you!”

Yun Ci neither looked at him nor spoke, simply lapsing into silence. “You are not my disciple. If I privately teach you a Dharma Gate, it would violate the Sect’s laws. If word of this reached Master Jing Yuan, it would be a major problem. I cannot help you.”

Despite her refusal, Chen Qingyang’s expression showed no disappointment. Her reaction was exactly what he had anticipated.

“I understand. The Master’s decision is the correct one.”

Seeing him reply so readily, Yun Ci couldn’t help but turn her head slightly. Her fair chin had just emerged from behind her dark hair before she quickly drew it back.

“I owe you two huge favors, yet I haven’t agreed to this small request. Do you truly feel no resentment?”

Ultimately, this Master was extremely intelligent and exceptionally talented in Cultivation, but her understanding of human nature was far inferior to Chen Qingyang’s.

He shook his head firmly. “None at all. From our very first interaction, Master, I knew you were a person of immense principle. The request I made violated the Sect’s laws; I should never have even brought it up.”

At this point, his words might have seemed insincere, but as he continued, a note of earnestness began to creep in.

“And please, rest assured, Master. Just as I was willing to risk my life to save you, I will now diligently prepare the Elixirs to help you recover your Cultivation. I will write down the ingredients for the Alchemy; I only ask that the Master procure them.”

‘If I demand it, she’ll surely refuse. Even if she relents, that will be the end of our association.’

‘But if I don’t press the issue, the worst that can happen is she refuses this time. With a little more maneuvering on my part, she’s bound to give it to me later.’

“You… you’re not trying to use this ‘retreat to advance’ tactic on me to get the Dharma Gate, are you? If that’s your plan, you’re seriously underestimating me.”

She remained with her back to him, pausing for a moment before speaking.

Chen Qingyang, however, said, “What the Master thinks is her own affair. Whether you give it to me or not is no longer my concern.”

His attitude was resolute, as if he meant every word. Though Yun Ci did not turn around, she could surely sense his demeanor perfectly.

“…In that case, just bring me the Elixirs on time, and forget about Universe in the Sleeve!” she said after a slight pause, her tone also firm.

Her tone was also very firm.

This took Chen Qingyang by surprise. ‘Could… my judgment have been mistaken?’

Put on the spot, he could only say, “Rest assured, Master. I will return in a few days with the Elixirs.”

Without turning, Yun Ci simply gave a light nod. “Mm. My thanks for your trouble.”

Her tone had also suddenly lightened. Now, it was Chen Qingyang’s turn to be dejected.

“Wait!” Just as he was about to leave, he heard her speak again. ‘Is there still a chance?’

“Does the Master have any other instructions?”

“You still haven’t written down the Immortal Grass you need. Are you not being sincere?”

“This…”

By the time he was downstairs and outside the building, it was noon.

Qingfeng couldn’t help but feel curious. “Senior Brother Chen, you used to come only once a year to deliver Elixirs. You didn’t bring any this time. Are you here for something else?”

“No, it’s just about the Elixirs,” Chen Qingyang replied.

“But… Master has seen very few visitors lately, yet she’s met with you twice, Senior Brother Chen. Is it really just about the Elixirs?”

Chen Qingyang smiled. “Junior Brother, don’t try to guess. Who can possibly fathom the thoughts of a Master? Our Cultivation is too low, and our understanding is insufficient.”

The reason seemed quite persuasive, and Qingfeng was convinced. “Mm, Senior Brother Chen is truly insightful.”

“I’ll have to trouble you again in a few days!”

Qingfeng asked, puzzled, “Is that an arrangement you’ve made with the Master?”

“It is.”

Only after watching Chen Qingyang depart using Wind Control, his figure vanishing completely, did Qingfeng head back inside.

Landing in a deserted place, his thoughts returned to the Conscious Fish. It was currently roaming through a dark, seemingly boundless space, traveling for a long time without finding an end.

Aside from the Slaughter Qi, it detected no other Qi Mechanism. Considering the Sumeru Secret Realm might be circular, continuing on would likely be a waste of time.

It began the return journey, taking a great deal of time to reach the high platform again. Peering through the Copper Mirror, it saw the scene outside. It was perfectly still; the True Monarch was long gone.