Chapter 284: Learning to Let Go is a Vital Life Lesson
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation.
The Grand Elder’s proposal was unanimously accepted.
The members of the Seven Stars Sect resolved to confront Yu Zhao at all costs.
Little did they realize, they would be the ones unable to endure first.
Why? Because the psychological pressure Yu Zhao brought upon them was simply overwhelming.
Even if Yu Zhao did nothing but casually stroll around the Seven Stars Sect, pausing here and there, it was enough to leave everyone on edge, filled with unease.
The situation worsened when Yu Zhao discovered a small pond and decided to fish there. The hearts of the sect members nearly leapt out of their chests.
Unbeknownst to Yu Zhao, her choice to fish out of boredom had unwittingly led her to the exact location of the Spirit Vein.
She sat by the pond, fishing rod in hand, exuding a relaxed demeanor. Watching the tranquil water, a pleased smile graced her lips.
In recent days, she had noticed an increasing number of attempts to spy on her. The intervals between these occurrences grew shorter, betraying their rising anxiety.
Gradually, she pieced things together and guessed they had misunderstood her intentions toward the Spirit Vein, desperate for her to leave.
Now, with the initiative in her hands, it was time for the Seven Stars Sect to feel the heat.
“Yu Zhao… Senior.”
A clear female voice broke the stillness behind Yu Zhao.
Turning, Yu Zhao saw a visibly nervous young woman. She gave a small nod in acknowledgment before returning her attention to the fishing rod.
Pu Xing Yu hesitated, sensing Yu Zhao’s indifference, and felt an urge to retreat. But the thought of missing this rare opportunity gave her courage.
“Senior Yu Zhao, I have a question I wish to ask. I hope you can enlighten me. Xing Yu will be eternally grateful.”
She bowed deeply, her lashes fluttering uneasily.
Yu Zhao asked nonchalantly, “Your relationship with the Grand Elder seems close. Why not ask him?”
Xing Yu froze. “Senior Yu Zhao, you know me?”
“No one’s ever told you how much you resemble the Grand Elder?”
Yu Zhao had noticed Xing Yu several days earlier. Xing Yu often lingered at a cautious distance, occasionally taking two steps forward before retreating three steps back.
Most striking was her face—bearing a seven-part resemblance to the Grand Elder. Anyone who had seen both would easily deduce their connection.
A bitter smile crossed Xing Yu’s face as she touched her cheek.
“Someone mentioned it a long time ago, but no one brings it up anymore, so I forgot.”
Yu Zhao’s gaze flickered. It seemed Xing Yu’s relationship with the Grand Elder wasn’t great. Could this be her opening?
“Ask your question.”
“Senior Yu Zhao, please forgive my rudeness for asking this. But how did you find the resolve to sever your ties as a disciple of Master Qing Yan? Weren’t you afraid of rumors and gossip?”
Xing Yu lowered her head, worried she had offended Yu Zhao.
But Yu Zhao remained unfazed, responding calmly. “Master Qing Yan introduced me to cultivation, and I fulfilled my duties as his disciple. I owe him nothing and feel no guilt. When the situation turned unfavorable for me, I knew it was time to cut my losses. Holding on blindly only deepens mistakes. As for rumors…”
Yu Zhao chuckled lightly.
“At first, they sting. But over time, you grow numb. Eventually, you get used to them, and they lose all power over you.”
The only people capable of truly hurting her were those she cared about. Once she stopped caring, the harm became blunt—painful, but never fatal.
“If only I had your courage…” Xing Yu murmured, a look of yearning on her face.
“Would you mind sharing your story?” Yu Zhao asked.
“Of course not…”
Finally finding a release for her frustration, Xing Yu recounted her plight.
Yu Zhao was right; Xing Yu had a deep connection with the Grand Elder. She was his granddaughter and his sole surviving blood relative.
By rights, the Grand Elder should have cherished her, or at least looked after her. Yet, reality was different.
The Grand Elder treated ordinary disciples with more care than he showed Xing Yu. If a disciple reported injustice, he would intervene. But when Xing Yu faced hardships, he left her to fend for herself.
Worse, whenever Xing Yu earned recognition through her efforts, the Grand Elder would demand she relinquish it to less capable disciples, citing various reasons.
Resources were scarce even within a sect, and competition was fierce. As the Grand Elder’s granddaughter, Xing Yu never received special treatment and was expected to yield at every turn.
Over time, others in the sect noticed her lack of support. Her life grew increasingly difficult as she became an easy target for exploitation. She was assigned the worst resources, sometimes receiving none at all, while bearing the brunt of labor-intensive tasks.
Her attempts to fight back brought nothing but ridicule from her peers and apathy from the Grand Elder.
“They say the Grand Elder dedicates himself entirely to the sect, selfless and virtuous, while I’m selfish and petty. They call me a disgrace, a ‘rotten bamboo’ sprouting a ‘good shoot.’ But I’ve never harmed anyone—how dare they say such things about me?
Senior Yu Zhao, am I truly at fault?”
“Of course you’re at fault,” Yu Zhao said decisively.
Xing Yu’s eyes dimmed instantly, her hands clutching her sleeves tightly. Even Senior Yu Zhao thought she was wrong—was she really at fault?
“Your mistake lies in being too sentimental, failing to see the true faces of those around you sooner.”
Though Yu Zhao didn’t know the Grand Elder well, she had experienced his stubbornness firsthand in her past life. Back when the Seven Stars Sect’s Spirit Vein was withering, Yu Zhao, then a scapegoat, was relentlessly pursued under his command.
She had assumed his actions stemmed from a deep bond with the sect. Now, she realized he likely viewed the sect as his personal possession, willing to sacrifice even his granddaughter for its sake.
What a noble, selfless Grand Elder.
It was almost touching.
“Eh?” Xing Yu looked up in surprise.
Yu Zhao stood by her side. Yu Zhao understood her.
“Blood doesn’t always make family. Some ties are inherently weak and should not be forced. Don’t let worldly notions cloud your mind. The only true reliance you’ll ever have is yourself.”
Looking at Xing Yu, Yu Zhao saw a reflection of her past self.
Her advice to Xing Yu was also a reminder for her former self.
Learning to let go is one of life’s most crucial lessons.
Thanks for the translation.