Chapter 10: Zhou Jin Yue
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Yu Zhao was not one to procrastinate. After copying the first three levels of the Illusory Tides Technique into a jade slip and bidding farewell to Elder Gu, she returned to her cave dwelling to take stock of her possessions.
Her inventory consisted of seven mid-grade spirit stones, twenty-six low-grade spirit stones, three Replenishing Qi Pills, and a handful of miscellaneous items. While the quantity seemed sufficient, their actual value was rather modest.
Yu Zhao couldn’t help but let out a bitter chuckle.
Among the direct disciples of the Five Elements Dao Sect, she was probably the poorest.
The notion of “dissolving the foundation to rebuild” sounded simple, but the actual process was grueling and difficult to describe to others. The spiritual energy required alone was an insatiable abyss. Additionally, to minimize the damage caused by dissolving her foundation, Yu Zhao needed to prepare several gentle-effect medicinal pills, which meant even more expenses.
Her current supply of spirit stones was woefully inadequate.
Deep in thought, she pondered where she might procure more spirit stones.
Could she ask Su Ming to repay the stones he had borrowed?
Impossible.
First, there was no guarantee that Su Ming would agree to return them. Even if he did, it was doubtful he had any to spare. After all, spirit stones in Su Ming’s possession rarely survived the night—a fact proven by the early morning he had shown up at her door begging for a loan.
Borrow from someone else?
But Yu Zhao didn’t even know who to approach. She had always interacted only with her senior brothers and lacked any particularly close friends within the Five Elements Dao Sect.
She frowned, frustrated. Without spirit stones, rebuilding her foundation would become unnecessarily arduous.
Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she clapped her hands in excitement.
She had almost forgotten—today was the sect’s distribution day! She was entitled to receive ten mid-grade spirit stones.
Each mid-grade spirit stone was equivalent to one hundred low-grade stones. Ten of them could buy quite a lot. Combined with what she already had, it would be just enough to meet her needs.
Gathering her belongings into her storage pouch, Yu Zhao stepped out and headed to the Merit Hall, where the supplies were distributed.
The news of her reconciliation with Ye Cong Xin had spread throughout the sect over the past few days. Other disciples, who had previously been disdainful or openly mocking of her, now treated her with more respect. At the very least, no one dared to ridicule her in her presence anymore.
Though Yu Zhao had grown indifferent to the gossip, the newfound peace was a welcome relief.
Before long, she arrived at the Merit Hall and walked confidently to the supply distribution area. It was bustling with disciples lined up in five orderly rows.
Choosing a line at random, Yu Zhao queued at the back and quietly listened to the chatter of other disciples.
“Junior Sister Yu,” a bright voice called from behind her.
Yu Zhao turned and saw a face as beautiful as a hibiscus in bloom. She murmured in disbelief, “Senior Sister Zhou?”
“It’s Senior Sister Zhou!”
“Greetings, Senior Sister Zhou!”
“Good day, Senior Sister Zhou!”
Zhou Jin Yue greeted everyone with a warm smile before affectionately ruffling Yu Zhao’s hair. “It’s been a while, Junior Sister Yu. You seem to have grown taller.”
The genuine gesture made Yu Zhao’s eyes sting, and she nearly cried.
It was Senior Sister Zhou—alive and well!
Zhou Jin Yue, the eldest disciple under the sect master’s tutelage, was revered by all disciples of the Five Elements Dao Sect. She had entered the sect at six, reached Foundation Establishment at ten, and formed her Golden Core at twenty—an extraordinary pace.
Her delicate, captivating features contrasted with her decisive and pragmatic personality. She was also exceptionally wise and adept in dealing with others, earning the admiration of countless disciples. Many within the sect regarded her as the best candidate for the next sect master.
Yet, this remarkable woman had met a tragic end, devoured by a demonic beast. The only thing recovered was a damaged magical artifact of hers.
Yu Zhao vividly remembered the day the news reached the sect. The skies were dark, the entire Five Elements Dao Sect shrouded in grief. The sect master, overcome with sorrow, had coughed up blood on the spot. Yu Zhao had also cried bitterly.
Zhou Jin Yue was one of the few who had not been influenced by Ye Cong Xin and had always treated Yu Zhao with kindness. Their acquaintance dated back to Yu Zhao’s first days in the sect.
At that time, Yu Zhao was only six years old. After Master Qing Yan brought her to Lone Moon Peak, he left her in Fang Cheng Lang’s care. Though reliable and meticulous, Fang Cheng Lang was unaccustomed to caring for a young girl and found it challenging.
It was Zhou Jin Yue who took Yu Zhao under her wing, caring for her until she was self-sufficient before sending her back to Lone Moon Peak.
Yu Zhao had struggled to adjust after returning to Lone Moon Peak, crying incessantly for Zhou Jin Yue. However, Zhou Jin Yue’s duties as the sect’s eldest senior sister left her little free time. Eventually, the companionship of her five senior brothers helped Yu Zhao move on.
Still, a special place in Yu Zhao’s heart always belonged to Senior Sister Zhou.
Now, seeing Zhou Jin Yue alive before her, Yu Zhao once again felt profound gratitude for her second chance at life.
This time, she vowed to prevent tragedy from striking!
“Junior Sister Yu, why are your eyes red? Don’t tell me you missed me that much,” Zhou Jin Yue teased warmly.
“I did,” Yu Zhao replied with a firm nod. “I missed you a lot.”
Zhou Jin Yue looked surprised but quickly softened.
Yu Zhao had always been reserved and had never expressed herself so openly before. Zhou Jin Yue assumed that the ordeal surrounding Master Qing Yan’s acceptance of disciples had taken a toll on her.
Zhou Jin Yue had only returned the previous day after a three-month mission and had already heard about Yu Zhao’s recent hardships. Though unfamiliar with the Black Prison, she knew it was no place for a cultivator to linger. Master Qing Yan had been unreasonably harsh to send Yu Zhao there. Her disappointment extended to Fang Cheng Lang and the others for failing to intervene.
Blaming herself for returning too late and angered by the heartlessness of Lone Moon Peak, Zhou Jin Yue hesitated before speaking earnestly, “Junior Sister Yu, if you ever feel unhappy, come to Sunrise Peak. With me here, they won’t dare to trouble you.”
Her protective tone was unmistakable.
Yu Zhao’s eyes misted again.
She wondered—had Senior Sister Zhou survived in her previous life, would someone have stood up for her when she was abandoned by all?
Suppressing her emotions, Yu Zhao smiled and nodded. “Alright, I trust you, Senior Sister Zhou.”
Zhou Jin Yue said nothing more. She simply ruffled Yu Zhao’s hair again before recounting her recent mission.
Yu Zhao listened intently as the line moved forward, one disciple after another receiving their supplies.
When her turn came, Yu Zhao handed over her identity token.
“Senior Brother Zhang, I’m here to collect my supplies.”
Senior Brother Zhang, a round-faced, cheerful young man with a congenial demeanor, took the token. He was a disciple of Elder Sun and frequently handled duties at the Merit Hall, making him well-known among the disciples.
Upon seeing Yu Zhao, Senior Brother Zhang looked surprised. “Junior Sister Yu, why are you here?”
Yu Zhao frowned. “It’s distribution day. I’m here to collect my supplies.”
“But…” Zhang hesitated before continuing awkwardly, “your supplies have already been claimed by someone else.”