Chapter 8 Qingyue's Status

"My pressure points were deliberately damaged by someone?" Xiao Che's brows shot up. From childhood until the present, regardless of whether he had heard it from his grandfather or the rumors circulating in the city, he had been given to understand that he had been born with damaged vital arcane energy pressure points. He himself had just become aware that this damage was not something inherent and even that only after he had been "reborn" today, inheriting the memories of the Healing Saint's successor. However, Qingyue had not only managed to identify that this damage was not something he was born with, but she had also immediately diagnosed that it had been caused by external forces after birth. Nobody in the Xiao family had discovered this, yet Qingyue had been able to do so in less time than it took to breathe. This young woman… "That's right," Qingyue asserted, her brows drawing together slightly. Her voice was gentle and even warm as she continued, "Not only that, it occurred when you were very young and inflicted serious damage. However, perhaps your family members did not realize this, so no steps were taken to restore your vital arcane energy pressure points or treat them. As you grew older, the damage became permanent…there's no way to reverse it, unfortunately!" These last words were uttered with absolute certainty. If an adult's vital arcane energy pressure points were damaged, it would cause a significant loss of arcane power, but there were many methods to heal and repair the injury. However, if these same pressure points were damaged in the period of infancy to early childhood, they would continue to develop in their debilitated state as the child grew to adulthood. By the time they reached Xiao Che's age, there was no way of reversing the damage. Nonetheless, Xiao Che's expression did not change; he merely said calmly, "Not always, no." Qingyue shot him a quick glance. "It seems you've been thinking about how to restore your damaged vital arcane energy pressure points for some time." "I'll definitely restore them," Xiao Che replied expressionlessly. Qingyue studied him intently. In his gaze, she saw not just dauntless confidence, but also cold, profound determination. Silently she sighed to herself, then said gently, "…Heavenly Arcana Land is a wide, boundless territory, and there are countless individuals with great skill and uncanny powers. Perhaps there really might be some miraculous person who can cure your damaged pressure points. I shouldn't have made such a bold statement earlier; please treat it purely as my ignorance speaking." Xiao Che's impression of Qingyue underwent a significant change at these words. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Earlier, what was that arcane ice technique you used on me? I've never heard of anyone in Cloud City who uses that sort of power. Your master probably isn't from Cloud City then…of course, if it's a secret you've pledged to keep, you don't have to tell me." Qingyue was silent for a long while. Right as Xiao Che began to think that she probably would not tell him, she suddenly said calmly, "It's the Ice Cloud Technique." "Ice Cloud Technique?" Xiao Che was startled. Somehow, this seemed vaguely familiar. Suddenly, the significance of the technique's name flashed through his mind, and his expression changed dramatically. Involuntarily, he blurted out in astonishment, "The Polar Deity Temple?!" The expression on Qingyue's beautiful countenance altered slightly, and she stared at Xiao Che in surprise for a moment. It was evident that his self-control had slipped when he blurted out the name of the Polar Deity Temple, but to her, he was still far too calm. Anyone else in Cloud City, even the prefect of the city, would be reduced to trembling, knock-kneed astonishment. Quietly and gently, she replied, "My master is from the Polar Deity Temple, yes, and I can be considered a disciple of the Clan as well. Apart from my father, no one else in all of Cloud City knows about this; you're the second person to know. I'm telling you because….at least in name, we're now husband and wife, and it's the most basic form of respect I can accord you." Xiao Che might look calm, but internally, his mind was thrown into turmoil; he found it impossible to regain his usual composure. In fact, just hearing the name of the sect Qingyue belonged to was as shocking as a massive grenade going off in the room. The Polar Deity Temple was one of the most powerful of the Four Great Sects in the Tucame Empire; it was a sacred destination that all cultivators in the Empire aspired to visit. In fact, the Temple was so powerful that even the Tucame Empire's imperial family had to make ceremonial offerings and worship there annually! The Four Great Sects were the Heavenly Sword Sect, the Polar Deity Temple, the Xiao Sect, and the Burning Heaven Sect. Of the seven empires in Heavenly Arcana Land, the Tucame Empire was the smallest. In terms of overall might, it was also the weakest, but it had never been swallowed up by any of the other empires. This was mainly because of the existence of the Four Great Sects. The other larger empires might not fear the might of the Tucame Empire's imperial court, but they certainly feared the Four Great Sects. Without a doubt, these Four Great Sects were extremely powerful. Their conditions for taking in disciples and followers were also exceptionally stringent; the most important thing was talent and innate potential, not status or origin. It was the dream of practically every cultivator in the Tucame Empire to enter one of these four Sects. If anyone managed to become part of one of these Sects, even if they were the lowliest disciple, their families would share the prestige and ride on their success. Even the imperial court would treat them as honored guests, to the point where titles might be bestowed upon them as well. There had never been news of anyone from small, insignificant Cloud City who had managed to enter any of the Four Great Sects, nor had anyone even dared to dream about such a thing. The old Xiao Che would have been very familiar with the names and well-known reputations of these four Sects, but to him, they would have been as unattainable as the Celestial Palaces of Heaven. Who could have imagined that the woman he had married today would turn out to be a disciple of the Polar Deity Temple, the sect that was second only to the Heavenly Sword Sect? Xiao Che calmed himself down as rapidly as he could, then asked Qingyue, "Since you're a disciple of the Polar Deity Temple, why hasn't the Xia family made this public? Your position alone would allow your entire family to do anything they wanted, and no one would dare take offense. Every wealthy, noble household in the city would try to gain your family's favor, including the prefect of the city and his kin. It would mean a meteoric rise for all of you." "They haven't done so because of you," Qingyue answered. "Because…of me?" Xiao Che was taken aback. He fell silent at once; the reason immediately sprang to mind. "Cloud City is already in an uproar that you're marrying me in my current standing as a daughter of the Xia family. If I were to disclose my identity as a disciple of the Polar Deity Temple and become your wife, the uproar would extend far beyond our small Cloud City. This could potentially create many unforeseen issues later on for you and for my family as well. After all, there's a very wide gap between you and me in terms of status." Qingyue's voice was soft and light, and her eyes were limpid and clear. Even just standing there, her loveliness was eye-catching. Xiao Che exhaled slowly. "So why did you agree to become my bride?" "You know the reason very well...it's because Uncle Xiao Ying saved my life, and he was unable to defend himself when he was assassinated, so he perished. It's also because on the day I was born, Father intended that I should marry you. Regardless of whether it's to fulfill my father's wishes or repay the debt I owe Uncle Xiao Ying, there's no reason for me to decline marriage with you." Qingyue lifted her gaze to Xiao Che and her eyes were as clear, wintry, and gleaming as ice crystals. "I told you earlier that I was part of the Polar Deity Temple. I also should let you know that to become a cultivator in the Sect, one must first have a heart that is as cold as ice. The Polar Deity Temple only accepts female disciples; they must live a life untainted by desires or passions, and they are not allowed to have feelings of love or lust. Even though I'm married to you now, I cannot love anyone, not even you. This is something you should know." "...Even if you weren't a disciple of the Polar Deity Temple, I wouldn't expect you to fall in love with me," Xiao Che answered with a faint smile of self-mockery. Qingyue nodded slowly. "Perhaps you've misunderstood me. I'm not looking down on you; in fact, I've never looked down on you…Master has said to me many times, however high one has climbed, one may stoop to look at someone but never look down on anyone. Furthermore, I'm only at the beginning stages. Arcane ability may be status and respect in Heavenly Arcana Land, but there are countless individuals who are praised for laboring in the service of society, such as healers, alchemists, and weaponsmiths. Your vital arcane energy pressure points may be damaged, but that doesn't mean your entire life has been destroyed." Xiao Che was betrayed into a change of expression. Cloud City's rumors only spoke of Xia Qingyue's beauty and potential; perhaps nobody knew that under that grace and elegance lay a state of mind that very few people possessed, even those of advanced years. Furthermore, she was only sixteen years old…in a few years, her wisdom would be unimaginable. No wonder the Polar Deity Sect had set their sights upon her! Not only that, this girl, so bewitching with her peerless beauty, potential, and state of mind, was now his wife. It felt as if he were in a dream! If Xiao Che had not possessed the benefit of two lifetimes' worth of memories and experiences, he would certainly have felt so inferior in front of Qingyue that he would not even have dared to look at her. "Thank you for telling me all this…" Xiao Che returned with a sigh. Abruptly, he changed the subject, and his gaze became more focused. "In that case, can you tell me the current level of your arcane abilities?" To reach the 10th level of the Nascent Arcana stage at sixteen years old demonstrated an astounding talent that would cause a huge sensation in all of Cloud City. However, Xiao Che honestly did not believe that Qingyue was merely at the 10th level of the Nascent Arcana stage. While such potential would be unrivaled in Cloud City, it was not enough to make the Polar Deity Temple sit up and take notice. Xiao Che's abrupt question made Qingyue fall silent. She did not respond to him, but her silence was already a clear indicator that her arcane ability had certainly surpassed the 10th level of the Nascent Arcana stage. "You should probably go make a toast at the banquet now," Qingyue said slowly, glancing sidelong. Right as she said this, footsteps could be heard outside, gradually approaching. After that, Xiao Hong's aged, placid tones drifted into the room. "Young Master Che, it's time for you to serve wine to the elders now." "I'll go right away, Steward Hong," Xiao Che answered with alacrity. He gave a final glance toward Qingyue, then smoothed down his clothes and went out of the room. As soon as Xiao Che had departed, a shining swathe of frost suddenly appeared in the room. From amid the frost, a snowy-white figure materialized in front of Qingyue as if out of a dream. Qingyue stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Master," she greeted in soft, respectful tones. "Qingyue, you've already fulfilled your wish. You should return to the Polar Deity Temple with me now, shouldn't you?" The woman addressed as "Master" had a voice that was very gentle and extremely melodious to the ear, as light as a cloud and gentle as a soft breeze. It could utterly melt even the coldest of hearts. However, Qingyue shook her head slightly. "Master, I'd like to stay here for a little longer. If I were to leave right after the wedding ceremony, he'll encounter even more ridicule and humiliation from everyone. If you please, Master, let me have another month. When the time is up, I'll find a way to leave in a manner that won't hurt him or allow anyone else to continue harming him." Qingyue's white-garbed master merely looked at her serenely. After a while, she nodded slowly. "Very well. Since I've already broken the rules by letting you become the first of the Polar Deity Temple's disciples to get married, allowing you to stay for another month won't matter." "Thank you for your understanding, Master." Qingyue bowed again. She hesitated for a little, then asked softly, "Master, is there really no way of restoring his damaged vital arcane energy pressure points?" The white-garbed woman shook her head decisively. "There may not be very many absolutes in this world…but from what I can see, it's impossible. Qingyue, you have a compassionate, kind, and appreciative heart. This is an excellent thing. However, this time, I'm truly unable to help you in this matter."