Chapter 17

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Because Elder Wen of the Wen clan was a highly respected senior in the cultivation world and had maintained a friendly relationship with the previous sect leader for centuries, Sect Leader Yu treated him with great respect. Today, out of concern for his daughter, he personally came to visit, so Sect Leader Yu asked Ruan Ling to help change Yu Youyou into a more beautiful outfit to show their regard.

When Ruan Ling was carrying out her tasks as an outer disciple, she had taken on all sorts of chores and was incredibly efficient at these small matters. Soon, she had Yu Youyou dressed in a newly made little skirt and styled her hair into a pretty bun. Although the child's hair was still not thick and jet black, having been raised in the Primeval Sect for some time, it was no longer as sparse and yellow as when she first returned.

Making the most of her strengths and hiding her weaknesses, despite the lack of hair, the child’s short bun looked quite proper. After some thought, Ruan Ling placed two small dangling hairpins in the bun; with each step, the little ornaments swung gently, adding an adorable touch.

She devoted herself fully to ensuring that Yu Youyou would not be disrespectful in front of elders, and that the child would not cause her father to be rumored as “neglectful in raising his daughter.” Though a bit intimidated by the overly enthusiastic Elder Wen, after nibbling on a few small milk cakes to settle her stomach, she steadied her heart and, hand in hand with Ruan Ling, made her way to the front hall of the Sect Leader’s main chamber.

Just as she arrived, Sect Leader Yu returned from outside. Upon seeing his precious daughter looking especially lovely today, all the fatigue from his constant busyness vanished, and a tender smile appeared on his face as he lifted her up.

“Messy.”

“It’s alright. Our Youyou never needs to be stiff with formalities. If her clothes get messy, so be it.” In Sect Leader Yu’s eyes, Youyou was the most adorable child, no matter how she looked. Smiling warmly, he gently patted her little head and said, “Youyou can do as she pleases, as long as she behaves decently in front of elders.”

He even taught his daughter to “slack off” a little in front of elders, to which the little one readily agreed, “Okay!”

She agreed with great enthusiasm. Clearly, compared to being proper, young ones definitely preferred to take it easy.

Watching from the side, Ruan Ling carefully noted all the explanations Sect Leader Yu gave to his little junior sister’s words. Diligence could make up for lack of talent. She could not yet share the tacit understanding that Sect Leader Yu had with the little junior sister but believed that with earnest contemplation, she would eventually understand Youyou’s thoughts better and be able to accompany and care for her more effectively.

Sensing Ruan Ling’s sincerity, the little one rested on her father’s shoulder, babbling softly for a while, then turned back and gave her a joyful smile. Ruan Ling smiled back.

This was a very cheerful disciple and a father who sincerely loved his daughter, bringing her happiness.

Sect Leader Yu kept it all in his heart and thought he might give Ruan Ling more guidance in cultivation later.

The father and daughter chatted lively while they had free time. Since guests were arriving today, Chu Xingyun also came over to host. Zhu Changshu’s cold personality meant she only said she was in seclusion refining pills and would not come out to entertain. Sect Leader Yu did not expect that a senior visiting the sect would require disciples to run around like servants.

Moreover, Zhu Changshu’s absence was understandable.

They waited briefly in the main hall of the Sect Leader’s chamber before a flickering light appeared on the horizon, and soon a flying vessel arrived above the hall.

Since this was a private visit, there was no need for the sect members to gather. The flying vessel descended quickly, and Sect Leader Yu, holding his daughter, came out to greet them, which was already a very polite gesture.

Several people disembarked from the vessel.

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Yu Youyou peeked over and saw that indeed they were familiar faces she often saw in her daily life from the books.

At the front was an elderly man in a broad, flowing robe, with an aura of transcendent grace, his kind eyes looking warmly at Sect Leader Yu and his daughter.

Behind him stood a tall man dressed in brocade, appearing to be in his early thirties, handsome and elegant. Beside him was a graceful and charming female cultivator; the two walked hand in hand, clearly deeply attached.

The rest showed ordinary auras and attire, evidently attendants.

Sect Leader Yu smiled as he came forward. Upon seeing the man and woman walking arm in arm, he frowned slightly but quickly regained his smile and said, “Elder Wen, you have come in person; it must have been a tiring journey.”

Though Elder Wen was a senior in the cultivation world and had connections with the previous sect leader, Sect Leader Yu was the head of a major sect and saw no need to be overly deferential.

Elder Wen smiled kindly and, looking at the child beside him, spoke softly, “No matter how tiring, it is worth it to see Youyou.”

“Brother Yu, how old is she now? You’re still holding her?” The tall man in brocade laughed and asked directly.

Although the child was still young, most other children that age were allowed to roam freely. Holding her in his arms so long seemed overly doting.

“My Youyou has been away from my side for three years. Now, I cannot bear to be apart even for a moment.” He regretted not having held her in her infancy and would never let go of his daughter now.

Sect Leader Yu was very familiar with the brocade-clad man; this was just ordinary teasing between acquaintances, and the mood remained light.

Since they were familiar, they spoke without formalities and entered the main hall directly.

Once seated, the little one was put down and slowly walked over to the kindly elder who looked at her with full affection. She clasped her small fists and bowed, saying, “Greetings!”

She was thin and small, and it took her a long time to utter that single word.

Elder Wen’s hands beside his body twitched slightly but showed no surprise. He gently held her slender arms and lovingly said, “I heard you were ill before; I was very worried. Now you seem fully recovered.”

He was no stranger, so he let his spiritual energy probe Yu Youyou’s meridians. After a careful inspection, he sighed softly and looked at Sect Leader Yu. “Miaohua has already tearfully confided in me about Youyou. She has indeed suffered great grievances. It is understandable that you are angry with Miaohua. However... she has already realized her mistakes...”

Sect Leader Yu, smiling, interrupted, “Elder Wen rarely comes to the Primeval Sect; please do not mention unrelated people.”

Unrelated.

Elder Wen sighed repeatedly but said no more.

“Are you really going to quarrel with Miaohua like this? She sent a message from Demon City to father and me, crying like never before. All these years, I have never seen her cry like that.” The brocade-clad man shrugged with some sympathy, addressing Sect Leader Yu.

“Are you and Elder Wen here to plead for her?” Sect Leader Yu’s smile faded at these words.

The man studied his expression and, seeing his anger, clicked his tongue in sympathy.

When Gong Miaohua scandalously betrayed the sect, Sect Leader Yu was unperturbed. Now, for the sake of the child, to turn against her was a different matter. The man could only shake his head and sigh, “I only feel sorry for Miaohua. You know how I felt about Miaohua back then. Though our love was deep but short-lived, and I have since married and had children, I have never fully forgotten my youthful affection. I must care for Miaohua a little more in my heart.”

Yu Youyou listened nearby. Though she was confused by the brocade man’s words, being a child with the book, she recalled. This brocade man was Wen Shi, Elder Wen’s only son, about the same age as Sect Leader Yu. He once admired Gong Miaohua and followed her devotedly. After Gong Miaohua became Sect Leader Yu’s partner, he married in solitude but never stopped loving her.

Not marrying Gong Miaohua was a great regret for Wen Shi. Later, Elder Wen proposed a marriage alliance between Yu Youyou and Wen Shi’s son, which delighted the man greatly.

He enthusiastically agreed and constantly pushed his son toward Yu Youyou.

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Though the Yu Youyou in the books did not like the Wen boy, she was proud of the Wen family’s affection and the marriage proposals.

But for the current child, it was a different matter entirely.

“You have old feelings for her, that’s your business, but it’s no reason for my Youyou to endure humiliation. Your daughter was wronged; you naturally speak from a place without pain.”

Sect Leader Yu was unmoved by this so-called deep, unrepentant affection.

If it were someone else, he might feign politeness and sigh “how deep the feelings,” but now, when someone tried to use his daughter as a stepping stone, Sect Leader Yu firmly refused.

Wen Shi’s usual success met a shattering defeat here.

He could not help but laugh at the little one, who joyfully stretched out her little arms wanting to be held. “Brother Yu is right. Youyou is the most important.”

Sect Leader Yu bent down and embraced his beloved daughter, sitting opposite Elder Wen.

Elder Wen glared reproachfully at his son, who was careless with words, then asked with concern, “Is Youyou cultivating now?”

“She’s only three years old, no rush.” If she could cultivate, she would. But no matter how mysterious the strange symptoms Sect Leader Yu suspected in Youyou, it was true that she could not enter the path of cultivation.

Sect Leader Yu did not pressure his daughter’s cultivation, gently stroking her little head and saying, “Let it be. No rush, take it slow.”

With him around, whether she cultivated or not did not matter.

He only wished for his Youyou to be happy.

“Patience brings success,” Elder Wen agreed. “Judging by her spirit now, it’s clear she is better nurtured by you.”

Even the most biased would hardly say the child would be better raised by Gong Miaohua.

Though Elder Wen loved his old friend Gong Miaohua deeply, seeing Youyou still so small and thin despite her time in the Primeval Sect, he knew Gong Miaohua had not told him the whole truth in her messages.

He refrained from further persuasion and spoke kindly only to the child.

Since a child appeared in the Wen family, she had been very anxious, not wanting the Wen family to mention marriage again.

She worried that whenever she responded to Elder Wen, she had to think carefully so she wouldn’t unwittingly agree to something inappropriate.

Slow and clumsy, word by word she spoke, appearing not very clever when strung together.

Elder Wen showed no disdain but took out spiritual herbs and pills prepared for Youyou’s health and said to Sect Leader Yu, “Though she has recovered, her meridians are weak and cannot hold spiritual energy. I am not skilled in medicine and truly powerless.”

His concern was genuine.

As long as Elder Wen did not mention Gong Miaohua, Sect Leader Yu would not turn him away.

He accepted the gift with a smile, “Elder Wen, your care for Youyou is even more precious.” In his arms, the child clasped her fists and said, “Thank you!”

Elder Wen smiled and nodded. Wen Shi also took out a gift and said straightforwardly, “As an elder, I also bring Youyou a present upon meeting.”

Yu Youyou was wary, seeing it was not her son receiving the gift but a rare spiritual treasure, and she exhaled softly.