Volume One, Chapter Seven: The Mysterious Heavenly Dao Sect

The reaction of Xianyun stunned the few people standing behind her.

These young men and women were truly taken aback; they never expected that the lofty Xianyun emissary, revered in their eyes, would bow to this seemingly ordinary countryside person before them.

For a moment, their gazes all landed on Jiang Mu, speculating about his identity.

Jiang Yuan, however, paid no attention to the change here and simply smiled at Xianyun.

“Get up, girl. You must be exhausted from the journey, right?”

Xianyun shook her head. “I was delayed handling some matters along the way. Sorry to have kept you waiting, Master.”

Jiang Yuan waved his hand. “No matter. And who are these?”

He pointed to the few people behind Xianyun, prompting her to introduce them immediately.

“Master, they are the most talented disciples from one branch of the great kingdoms in the Northern Domain. I recruited them all to our sect on my way out.”

As she spoke, Xianyun turned and gave a detailed introduction to the group.

“Why haven’t you come to pay respects to the Master’s wife and son yet? They are family of the sect leader!”

That last sentence utterly stunned the group. They could never have imagined that the parents of the exalted leader of the Xuanyuan Tao Sect would appear so ordinary, yet they still respectfully bowed to Jiang Yuan.

“Greetings, Madam, greetings, Young Master!”

At first, curiosity filled their eyes. By the second glance, Jiang Mu had already become someone to look up to in their minds.

What a joke—it was the sect leader’s own younger brother. Such a status was beyond the contempt of ordinary disciples like them.

“No need for formalities. Xianyun, you must be weary from the journey. Go rest first; the meals have already been prepared for you…”

Jiang Su rarely spoke up, but Xianyun declined.

“Madam, Master, I won’t be eating. I came in a hurry this time; the sect leader’s orders are not yet fulfilled. Seeing that you two are in good health is enough to report back. I must leave now; it will take some time to return, and if I’m late, the sect leader will blame me for delay.”

Xianyun joked, but Jiang Yuan frowned.

“Is it that urgent?”

“Master, you don’t know. The sect has encountered some difficulties. If it weren’t for hearing that the Young Master has returned, I might not have been able to leave. Now I have to take him back as soon as possible.”

“Take me?”

Jiang Mu was a little surprised to hear that Xianyun intended to take him along. Although this had been arranged the previous night, how did Xianyun know?

“Yes, Young Master. The sect leader said that you are to enter the sect and be personally guided by her. She also specially instructed me to explain this to you and Madam. May I know your opinions?”

Xianyun tentatively asked Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan chuckled bitterly. “This girl seems to have a knack for foresight. That’s perfect. I had planned to let him go with you anyway. Since you have urgent matters, take him along and leave at once. We can return together when there’s time.”

Xianyun hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly. She smiled and nodded respectfully.

“Then Madam, Master, I’ll take the Young Master away now. I’ll come back to see you both in a while.”

Jiang Yuan nodded, then called Jiang Mu aside, pulling a mask from his pocket and handing it over with a warning.

“Mu’er, wear this when you’re out. It can conceal your aura and cultivation. Although our Jiang family is powerful, we have many enemies. They dare not openly confront us but must be cautious in secret. It’s better for you to be careful.”

Jiang Mu understood his father’s concern and nodded solemnly, accepting the mask and putting it on.

“Don’t worry, Father. I will protect myself well.”

“Good. Then go with Xianyun. When you arrive at the sect, help your third sister as much as you can. Some matters only someone close like you can assist with.”

Jiang Mu nodded earnestly, took the bundle his mother had prepared, and followed Xianyun onto the back of the exotic beast. At his feet lay the little dog, which he naturally did not forget to bring along.

The beast spread its wings, soaring swiftly into the sky, heading toward the Great Qian Kingdom.

Above the clouds, Jiang Mu watched the clouds flash past and felt as if everything were a dream. Such a flight through the clouds was something he could never have experienced in his past life.

The little dog lay quietly asleep at his feet. Taking advantage of the moment, Jiang Mu gave it a name: “Little Dot,” which seemed fitting.

Behind him, six young men and women secretly observed Jiang Mu with eyes full of respect and curiosity, clearly puzzled as to why they sensed no trace of spiritual energy from him.

Two of them hesitated several times, wanting to approach and greet Jiang Mu first, but upon seeing the black mask on his face, their enthusiasm immediately deflated, as if Jiang Mu always gave off an aloof, unapproachable aura.

Jiang Mu paid no mind to their reactions and pondered silently.

At that moment, Xianyun came over. Being older than her, Jiang Mu naturally felt some closeness.

“Sister Xianyun.”

Jiang Mu called softly, which surprised Xianyun and made her blush. She quickly waved her hand.

“Young Master, please don’t address me like that. I am only the sect leader’s maidservant. I am not worthy…”

But Jiang Mu smiled indifferently.

“Sister Xianyun, Father and Mother said you grew up in our family and are already like a half-sister to me. Calling you this is not inappropriate, so don’t refuse.”

Xianyun was stunned, her eyes slightly moist. After a long moment, she nodded.

“Alright. Privately, you may call me that. But in front of others, we must keep proper ranks. I am only a maidservant, and since you are now a young master of the sect, you may command me at will.”

Jiang Mu smiled but said nothing more, as if recalling something. He then asked,

“Sister Xianyun, I still don’t know where Third Sister’s sect is?”

“You may not know, Young Master. Our sect is called the Xuanyuan Tao Sect. It was founded solely by the sect leader and is located within the Bayue Kingdom of the Northern Domain. Now it is one of the top five powers there. No one in the Northern Domain does not know our name!”

As she spoke, Xianyun couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride.

“Xuanyuan Tao Sect?!”

Jiang Mu’s eyes widened.

“Yes, Young Master. You must have heard of the sect’s name?”

Jiang Mu smiled bitterly. He hadn’t just heard it—he had been hearing about it every day. The five great sects of the Northern Domain were so influential that even the Lin family desperately wanted to join. But he never expected...

That this Xuanyuan Tao Sect was founded by his own sister!

It truly felt like fate was playing tricks on him!

“Is something wrong, Young Master?” Xianyun couldn’t help but ask, noticing the changing expression on Jiang Mu’s face.

Jiang Mu shook his head, glanced at the direction they were heading, and then asked in puzzlement,

“Sister Xianyun, are we going back to the sect now?”

But Xianyun shook her head.

“No, Young Master. We’re on the way to the Great Qian Kingdom. There is a place called Jing’an City, where a promising disciple has recently appeared. The sect leader asked me to bring him back.”

“Jing’an City?”

Jiang Mu furrowed his brow, as if feeling a premonition.

“The gifted person you mentioned—is his name Lin Xiao?”