System's Super Sect Chapter 1147 - 1042: Zi Ran’s Concern

After the attendant nodded, Qing Qian immediately stepped out of the room, striding towards the main entrance of the chamber, completely ignoring the many confused core disciples of Zeming Palace back in the room.

When she saw the back of Zi Ran at the door, Qing Qian’s pace suddenly slowed down. Memories from over a hundred years ago flooded back like a tidal wave, and the image of Zi Ran as a child appeared before her eyes.

In her memory, Zi Ran often came to play with her before she turned ten, but after ten years old, she never saw her again.

Because at that time, Zi Ran was placed under high expectations by Elder Mingzhu from the moment she was born. Elder Mingzhu even piled all her lifelong knowledge and resources onto Zi Ran.

That overwhelming feeling, even she sensed the suffocating pressure within it. Not to mention Zi Ran, this little girl who was only ten years old back then. From the age of ten, Zi Ran spent every day dealing with celestial materials, barely resting for one or two days in a year.

Whenever she thought of this matter, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for Zi Ran. However, it was Elder Mingzhu’s decision and family affair, even the Palace Master had no right to interfere, so she definitely couldn’t say anything.

Over the years, Zi Ran was almost daily immersed in cultivation and honing her vortex skills. Despite Elder Mingzhu’s painstaking efforts, Zi Ran’s talent remained a major hurdle, like a towering stone peak blocking her path of progress in vortex skills.

As for what happened in the subsequent decades, she was unaware. When Zi Ran broke Zeming Palace’s lowest record, taking a hundred years to become a Two-Vortex Vortex Divine Artisan, she had already left the palace more than seventy years ago.

She only learned about Zi Ran’s expulsion from Zeming Palace by chance when summoned back by the Palace Master, by which time Elder Mingzhu had already forbidden anyone to mention Zi Ran’s name in her presence.

Time flies, seasons change swiftly. After Zi Ran was expelled from Zeming Palace and disappeared, she never expected to see Zi Ran again in her lifetime, let alone see her in such an aged appearance.

Though she didn’t know why Zi Ran deliberately let her body age instead of maintaining youth, nor did she know where Zi Ran had gone or what she had experienced over the years, she felt that Zi Ran must have a reason for coming quietly to meet her this time.

"Little Zi Ran, it’s been a long time."

As she approached, Qing Qian called out the nickname she hadn’t used for over two hundred years.

Zi Ran slowly turned around, feeling indifferent towards the address "Little Zi Ran," she just responded flatly, "Elder Qing Qian, I am afraid you have mistaken me. The Little Zi Ran you called out died one hundred forty-seven years ago."

Hearing this, Qing Qian knew Zi Ran’s heart towards Zeming Palace was already dead. She promptly changed her tone and asked, "So, may I know what brings Master Zi Ran here today?"

"Elder Qing Qian, could we speak privately? I came today to ask you a question."

"Follow me." Since Zi Ran had no intention of publicly acknowledging her, Qing Qian respected her wishes.

Thus, Qing Qian led Zi Ran into the depths of Zeming Chamber, finding a secluded spot by a clear pool to sit. Others from Zeming Chamber followed closely, curious and unwilling to leave, but were sternly ordered by Qing Qian to retreat. Intruders would face death!

The decree of death shocked and deterred everyone, scaring them away from the depths of Zeming Chamber. Yet it also stirred their curiosity about Zi Ran’s identity.

Today, the Vortex Divine Artisan Ranking was announced again, launching thirty names into the spotlight. The Thousand Crafts Sect gained immense fame across Divine Flight City, drawing even more visitors than yesterday.

Despite such circumstances, Elder Qing Qian dismissed everyone to welcome the visitor, disregarding the pressing challenges facing Zeming Chamber. Just moments ago, she was the most anxious person!

By the clear pool.

In front of a stone table.

As fish swam leisurely among the rocks, Elder Qing Qian sighed with emotion, "We haven’t seen each other in over two hundred years, have we?"

"Since my hidden cultivation and Elder Qing Qian left the palace, it’s been exactly two hundred thirty-seven years."

"Where have you been all these years?"

"Elder Qing Qian, I did not come today to reminisce, nor do I intend to reconnect with Zeming Palace. Just as I said, the Zi Ran in Zeming Palace died one hundred forty-seven years ago."

Upon hearing these words, the precious smile on Qing Qian’s face gradually froze, "Then why are you here today?"

Zi Ran took a deep breath and exhaled heavily, then said, "I just want to ask Elder Qing Qian one question, is Elder You Yue still alive?"

"She is."

Qing Qian nodded.

Seeing Qing Qian nod, Zi Ran’s previously indifferent and cold expression finally eased significantly, revealing a hint of delight and satisfaction. This sight made Qing Qian finally understand why Zi Ran chose to meet her quietly today.

Does Zi Ran hate Zeming Palace?

She must.

And she surely wishes to cut all ties with Zeming Palace, otherwise, she wouldn’t have ignored her in their previous encounters.

Qing Qian was certain Zi Ran must have recognized her long ago, after all, over these two hundred years, her appearance had not changed at all.

Zi Ran came tonight just to inquire about Elder You Yue, her grandmother’s wellbeing. Although Elder Mingzhu was ruthless and disregarded kin, in her memory, Elder You Yue, as Zi Ran’s grandmother, had showered her with affection, and was the closest person to Zi Ran.

But why didn’t Elder Youyue stop Elder Mingzhu back then? This was something she couldn’t comprehend no matter how much she thought about it.

Logically speaking, if Elder Youyue had intervened, no matter how indifferent Elder Mingzhu was, she couldn’t have succeeded in expelling Zi Ran from Zeming Palace, right? Or perhaps Elder Youyue did try to stop her but failed?

The reason behind this is probably only known to Elder Mingzhu and Elder Youyue themselves.

"Although Elder Youyue is still alive, she is destined never to reach Celestial Unrestricted in this lifetime. Her lifespan is near its end, so she doesn’t have much time left. If you go back to visit, you might see Elder Youyue one last time," Qing Qian tentatively told Zi Ran, wanting to see Zi Ran’s attitude and reaction.

However, Zi Ran shook her head, but the satisfied smile on her face remained unchanged. "Thank you, Elder Qing Qian, for the answer, but I will not return to Zeming Palace."

"Alright." Since Zi Ran had made her decision, Qing Qian didn’t wish to say more, especially since Zeming Palace was in the wrong first. However, seeing Zi Ran stand up to leave after getting her answer, Qing Qian quickly stopped her.

Zi Ran surely resented Zeming Palace, but her visit proved she harbored no hatred toward Qing Qian herself. Therefore, Qing Qian could potentially discuss collaboration with Zi Ran, who had come with the Sect Leader of a six-star sect and was a close associate.

If they could work together, the current pressure on Zeming Trading Company would certainly be eased. After all, despite Thousand Crafts Sect being at its prime, it still hadn’t sought collaboration with any six-star influence.

"Master Zi Ran, wait!" Qing Qian blocked Zi Ran’s path. "Master Zi Ran, shall we sit down and chat? I represent only myself, merely representing Zeming Trading Company of Primordial Yang Domain, and would like to discuss cooperation with Master Zi Ran."

"I’m just a One Vortex Divine Artisan in the Immortal Sect. If Elder Qing Qian wishes to collaborate with me, I’m afraid Elder Qing Qian will be disappointed. Moreover, there’s nothing for us to collaborate on with Zeming Trading Company, since I’ve come with the Sect Leader, dealing in Vortex Dao," Zi Ran originally didn’t want to say anything, but out of gratitude for Qing Qian answering her question, she explained why collaboration wasn’t possible.

Strictly speaking, Immortal Sect and Zeming Trading Company will be competitors, but not entirely.

"Your sect came to Divine Flight City for Vortex Dao?" Elder Qing Qian slightly raised her eyebrow.

This was something she had never expected.

With the current situation in Divine Flight City and the foreseeable future in Primordial Yang Domain, Thousand Crafts Sect would dominate Primordial Yang Domain. There wouldn’t be room for others to share the pie.

Even six-star influences are no exception!

And trying to take a slice from Thousand Crafts Sect is exceedingly difficult. The current predicament of Zeming Trading Company is a testament to that.

"Indeed," Zi Ran nodded, then countered, "Elder Qing Qian, haven’t you read today’s Immortal Daily? Right beside the Vortex Divine Artisan Ranking, there’s an announcement stating our opening date."

Qing Qian was stunned for a few moments, then pulled out the wrinkled and worn Immortal Daily she had been carrying. Sure enough, next to the striking Vortex Divine Artisan Ranking, there was an announcement.

The text of the announcement was not small and was quite prominent. But because everyone’s attention was involuntarily drawn to the Vortex Divine Artisan Ranking, it was completely ignored.

[Announcement]

[The former Caiyuan Chamber of Commerce in Divine Flight City reopens, officially renamed Purple Treasure Pavilion, opening in three days. Main business: acquisition of celestial materials, and selling Vortex Maps from One Vortex to Five Vortexes and Vortex Killing Artifacts.]

[Address: Six Fang Street, Divine Flight City]

An inconspicuous announcement, not even considered a major event, with its highest product being the Five-Vortex Vortex Map. Such an existence wouldn’t stir waves in Divine Flight City.

The only special thing was that it could appear in Immortal Daily, positioned next to the Vortex Divine Artisan Ranking.

"Can’t you see the Thousand Crafts Sect in Divine Flight City is flourishing?" Qing Qian asked in bewilderment.

But this time, Zi Ran didn’t answer her.

Having repaid Qing Qian’s favor with the previous question, Zi Ran felt no obligation to clarify further.

"Elder Qing Qian, just wait and see. The future of You Country will be very... lively because of Purple Treasure Pavilion. I bid you farewell!" With that, Zi Ran slightly bowed and turned to leave.

Qing Qian quickly pursued, catching up to Zi Ran, then bombarded her with questions full of uncertainty.

But Zi Ran didn’t answer.

This scene caught the attention of others from Zeming Palace, leaving everyone even more bewildered, looking at each other in confusion. However, having seen Zi Ran earlier, three core disciples started wildly speculating due to Qing Qian’s atypical attitude toward Zi Ran today.

"Do you think there’s a possibility that this elderly woman who resembles Elder Mingzhu so much is actually that Zi Ran?"

"Which Zi Ran?"

"Are you kidding? Remember the record that was shattered over a hundred years ago?"

"Wait!"

"Are you suggesting that this elderly woman is the daughter of Elder Mingzhu, who was expelled from Zeming Palace?"