Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Rising Lake.

Qin Yu didn't stay in the laboratory. He sat on a balcony of the lakeside building, leaning back against a sofa as the crisp wind brought over the faintly sweet fragrance of the grass and trees.

But even this satisfying environment couldn't alleviate the heaviness in his heart. His eyebrows were slowly furrowed together, like a mountain range pressing against itself.

He hadn't found a way to heal his soul injuries yet. Everything before this he had only been able to extend the period of time he could last.

Some time ago, Feng Qing had sent over a strange jade that was highly useful to his soul injuries. But because of this treatment, it seemed that the precarious balance he had been maintaining had been broken.

To put it simply, yesterday, Qin Yu's soul injuries had suddenly worsened!

If someone could look into his soul space right now, they would discover that the soul there which was wrapped by the Chain of Stars was rapidly fading away.

If he couldn't recover, then at this speed, at worst he would have half a year and at best he would have one year before his soul weakened to the point where he fell unconscious.

At that time, what awaited him was nothing but death!

He originally thought he still had a lot of time, but this sudden accident had disrupted his plans. This was destiny. It wasn't something he could choose, only something that he had to withstand.

Right now, Qin Yu's most urgent need was to find a way to treat his soul injuries.

The jade piece that Feng Qing gifted him before was certainly the best choice. But since no further news reached him these past days, he knew that the chances of finding any more were decreasing with each day.

"Hah!" Qin Yu sighed and took a deep breath. After suppressing the tumbling thoughts in his heart, a look of resolve filled his eyes.

Everyone had times of weakness, but this sort of feeling could be relieved by venting a little. After all, people needed to look forward into the future and not wallow in the past.

There was the sound of footsteps. Qin Yu didn't need to turn his head to know who it was.

Yun Die respectfully bowed, "Teacher, someone from the Hidden Fog Sect has come. They hope to see you as soon as possible."

As a disciple, it was essential to her daily duties to be able to observe the moods and attitudes of others. Although teacher never spoke much, she knew he had a good impression of the Hidden Fog Sect.

If it weren't for that, she wouldn't have disturbed her teacher who was clearly in a bad mood.

As expected, though he frowned, he nodded and said, "Bring them in."

Yun Die nodded and left.

Qin Yu stood up and returned to the first floor. Not long afterwards, Yun Die returned with two people following behind her.

These were two people he had met before. One was Xiang Ziyue and the other was Old Wei.

The two of them were travel-worn. Their eyes were reddened and their faces were flushed with anxiousness.

Before they came to a stop, Old Wei already asked out loud, "Mister Ning Qin, the Hidden Fog Sect has encountered a great difficulty. We ask grandmaster to please help us!"

Qin Yu furrowed his eyebrows. "Mister Wei, just what has happened? I have no idea how to answer if I don't know the exact situation."

Old Wei glanced at Yun Die.

Qin Yu lightly said, "She is my disciple so she naturally has my trust. If Mister Wei doesn't wish to speak here, then please return."

Yun Die lowered her head and didn't speak, but in truth her heart was moved. As she thought, her teacher was cold on the outside and warm on the inside. Although he seemed to think little of his disciples most of the time, the truth was that he cared much for them.

However, the Hidden Fog Sect was not an ordinary influence and Yun Die didn't hope to provoke any trouble. She bowed and said, "Teacher, I will go to prepare some tea."

Qin Yu said, "You stay here."

If this were any other day, he might understand the privacy of the Hidden Fog Sect.

But now, since he could clearly feel the aura of death shrouding him, he was in a very poor mood…if they wanted to speak then they could speak. If they didn't want to then they could leave!

Yun Die respectfully said, "Yes, teacher."

She stood to the side. Since her teacher had expressed his stance, she could only comply.

Old Wei's complexion was ugly. He took a deep breath and squeezed out a smile. "It was I who didn't consider things. If I was disrespectful in any way, I ask for you not to blame me."

Qin Yu said without expression, "Mister Wei, let's not waste anyone's time. Please tell me what you want."

Old Wei's face stiffened.

Xiang Ziyue never thought that the atmosphere would take a rapid turn and deteriorate so quickly after just meeting. This was completely contrary to their intentions in coming here. But since his back was against the wall, he couldn't care about their difference in status anymore. He hurriedly said, "Grandmaster, we have no intention of provoking you. We came here in hopes that you would help us and take a trip with us to the Hidden Fog Sect."

He clenched his teeth and continued to say, "One of my sect's spirit beasts has experienced an accident while in the process of rising to the next level. It is currently in a very dangerous situation…if grandmaster is willing to help, then my Hidden Fog Sect will be truly grateful and will surely give you the most sincere repayment for your efforts."

The meaning behind these words was basically: as long as you help, you can set the conditions.

Qin Yu's complexion stagnated. After a brief pause he shook his head and said, "I apologize, but I have an extremely important matter to attend to right now and cannot leave."

Xiang Ziyue fell to his knees. "Grandmaster, no matter what, I ask you to help!" The Hidden Fog Sect had already tried every possible method. Qin Yu could be called their last hope.

If he refused to help, then…just thinking about the consequences left him shivering.

Qin Yu frowned. "There could be said to be a happy cooperation between me and the Hidden Fog Sect. Normally, if I could help then I wouldn't stand by. But right now, I cannot waste my time. I ask you to understand."

Old Wei paled. "Mister Ning Qin, my Hidden Fog Sect's spirit beast only suffered an incident after taking the ash line grass you provided. You cannot just stand by and do nothing!"

Qin Yu looked up. "Are you sure that the reason is the ash line grass I provided?"

Old Wei froze.

Beside him, Xiang Ziyue revealed an angry look.

If it weren't for the high level figures of the sect ignoring his teacher's advice because of their own wild ambitions, then things wouldn't have come to this point!

Although the two didn't reply, the answer was already made clear.

Qin Yu closed his eyes, his expression faint, "Yun Die, see our guests out!"

Old Wei still wanted to say something, but he was pulled back by Xiang Ziyue. Xiang Ziyue forced a smile and said, "Grandmaster, it was we who were impolite today. If you change your mind, then my Hidden Fog Sect will respectfully await your honorable self at any moment."

Yun Die gestured a hand, "Please follow me."

After sending the two people of Rising Lake out, she returned to the lakeside building. Looking at her teacher who was leaning back against the sofa with his eyes closed, she revealed a worried expression.

Although she didn't know what the reason was, she could feel that her teacher was in a bad mood. Just what had happened?

Qin Yu opened his eyes and saw her worried look. His heart warmed a little and he said, "I'm fine, you don't need to worry about me."

Yun Die earnestly said, "Teacher, while I am weak and cannot compare with you, if there is anything I can do, please allow me to help. As your disciple, this is one of my duties."

Qin Yu nodded. "Alright. There is something you can help me with right now. Prepare some invitations; I will be inviting guests tomorrow." As he spoke to here, he slapped his forehead. "You can prepare the name list of guests yourself. Choose them from people who sent gifts recently."

Feng Qing was stunned. Without even a name list, he wanted to welcome guests? This was the complete opposite of teacher's normal temperament, and seemed far too superficial.

This banquet…did teacher have some other arrangement?

But being smart, she didn't inquire further. She respectfully bowed and said, "Yes, teacher, this disciple will immediately begin arrangements." Although everything was rushed, with the current status of Rising Lake Manor, unless the people invited had their heads stuck in a wall, there was no way they wouldn't come.

However, she was afraid that there wasn't enough manpower to help set up the venue...well, she would let the Internal Affairs Department sort this out…

They had initially offended teacher and were looking for a chance to atone. If so, they would surely do their best.