Chapter 2705

"Big sister, it’s not your fault," Qinghe sobbed, wiping her eyes. "I didn’t know Qingxia was so bad. She lied, saying she’d help me find you. But she threw me into the river. I thought I would die. Grandpa saved me."

Qingyun listened patiently to Qinghe’s story, hearing every painful detail of her past. Her heart ached deeply. "It’s all my fault. If I had taken better care of you back then… It’s because I failed to protect you that you suffered so much."

She wiped her own tears, then gently dabbed Qinghe’s cheeks. "Come, I brought lots of food. Eat something first."

Qingyun took out various cooked dishes—steamed meat buns, roasted chicken, and grilled meat.

"It smells so good! Is all this for me?" Qinghe felt a sudden wave of happiness.

"Yes, it’s all for you." Qingyun rubbed Qinghe’s head. "Eat up."

Qinghe didn’t hesitate. She picked up a meat bun and took a big bite, nodding as she chewed. "So fragrant. So delicious."

"Keep eating. I’ll boil water for you to bathe and change clothes. Then I’ll take you away from here." Qingyun stood up and went to the clay stove to heat water.

Qinghe didn’t stop her. She just ate while watching Qingyun, feeling as if she were in a dream.

When Qinghe finished eating, Qingyun had the water ready. She helped Qinghe bathe.

Qinghe was only seven years old, but she looked no taller than a five-year-old. She was skin and bones. Seeing her sister’s frail state made Qingyun’s eyes sting with sadness.

After the bath, Qingyun packed up everything in the cave and sealed the entrance. She asked Qinghe, "Is there anything else you want to take?"

Qinghe shook her head slightly. "No. Sealing it is fine. There’s hardly any food left anyway. This cave was never really lived in."

This place was remote. Since the village was nearby, travelers would stay there instead. Few people ever paid attention to this cave.

Qingyun led Qinghe to a quiet spot and summoned her flying boat. She held Qinghe and boarded, then flew away from the area.

Qinghe touched everything on the boat, looking around in wonder. "Sister, what is this? It’s so magical. It can fly?"

"This is a flying boat. My senior uncle gave it to me as a gift when I became his disciple," Qingyun explained, rubbing Qinghe’s head. "Now, I’m taking you to see Master. He is a very powerful person with excellent medical skills. Let him check your health so you can recover fully."

"Okay," Qinghe nodded immediately. Then she asked, "Will your master like me?"

"Yes," Qingyun said seriously. "But you must be your best self. That way, Master will like you even more."

Qinghe smiled. "I will. I’ve always tried to be good. I remember Mom and Dad’s words: be sincere to others. Even if you suffer a loss, as long as it doesn’t threaten your life, don’t worry too much. Never do things against your conscience. Never…" Qinghe paused. "Sister, I don’t want to go back to the Qing family."

"No, we won’t go back," Qingyun said gently. "I never planned to return to the Qing family either. So don’t worry, Qinghe. I don’t intend to make you go back."

Hearing this, Qinghe breathed a sigh of relief. "That’s good. I was worried you’d make me go back."

"No," Qingyun said calmly. "The Qing family has nothing to do with us anymore. Remember, we have the surname Qing because our father’s surname is Qing. The Qing family in Qicai City has no relation to us."

"Okay," Qinghe smiled again, satisfied. "I know I am Qinghe. But I am Father’s Qinghe, not the Qing family’s Qinghe."

"Smart little brother," Qingyun praised.

The siblings had much to talk about after their reunion. As the flying boat moved forward, they chatted happily.

Zhu Yanyi saw the flying boat approaching from afar. The corners of her mouth twitched slightly. "They moved fast. Qinghou only took six hours to return."

"Six hours is twelve hours," the Immortal Empress said from the side. "Actually, that’s quite a lot of time. It was just to pick up one person."

"Mainly because the flying boat my husband gave me is too stingy. It took over two hours one way. The round trip took almost five hours," the Emperor Empress complained.

Hearing her wife’s complaint, the Black Emperor defended himself. "Wife, you’re wronging me. The child is only fourteen and still at the Qi Condensation stage. She can’t control other flying tools. If I gave her something else, she couldn’t use it. When she’s able to use better ones in the future, I’ll give her another boat."

"That makes sense," the Emperor Empress said. She knew the Black Emperor often refined many good items when she had nothing to do. What she gave now were mostly outdated models.

Qingyun landed with Qinghe, put away the flying boat, and walked to Zhu Yanyi to bow. "Master, Qingyun has brought her brother back."

Zhu Yanyi nodded slightly. "Good that you’re back." She added, "Set up your brother’s room next to yours."

"Yes, thank you, Master." Qingyun nodded seriously. Then she hesitated. "Master, could you check my brother? she is seven years old, but right now…"

Qingyun didn’t need to finish. Zhu Yanyi understood. A seven-year-old child looked no taller than a five-year-old, clearly suffering from long-term malnutrition. Zhu Yanyi flicked her finger, and a green energy stream wrapped around Qinghe’s wrist. After a brief pulse check, she said, "This child has suffered greatly. There are many hidden injuries inside, and she lacks nutrition."

She took out a fruit and handed it to Qinghe. "Come to me every day to eat one spirit fruit. It will heal your hidden injuries and help you regain your health and nutrition quickly."

"Thank you, Master," Qinghe said.

Zhu Yanyi smiled. "You are not my disciple, though."

"Can I become your disciple?" Qinghe asked, her eyes full of curiosity and admiration.

Zhu Yanyi smiled faintly. "Becoming my disciple depends on fate." She then took out a crystal ball. "Come, place both hands on it. Let me check your spiritual roots."

Qinghe didn’t know what the crystal ball did. She glanced at Qingyun subconsciously. Qingyun nodded slightly. Emboldened, Qinghe placed both hands on the crystal ball.

A dazzling red light shone brightly, shocking everyone.

"Top-grade Fire Spiritual Root," the Fire Emperor laughed. "I haven’t taken a disciple yet. Yanhou, why not let this child be mine?"

Zhu Yanyi smiled faintly, looking at Qinghe. "I am of the Wood element. Your sister is suitable to be my disciple. You are of the Fire element, so I cannot teach you much. However, the one who spoke just now has a natural Fire Spiritual Root."