Chapter 47: Fortune Turns Like a Wheel
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Yu Zhao counted the Starry Sky Stones in the wooden chest—there were thirteen in total, each one unique, with no repeats. She glanced at her fellow disciples, still immersed in excitement, and spoke directly, “Senior brothers and sisters, I need to craft my life-bonded artifact and am short of two materials: a Starry Sky Stone and Geng Essence. Can I exchange other items for these two stones?”
Though the stones were discovered by Mu Ye, they belonged to everyone as teammates. Yu Zhao couldn’t claim them all for herself. She had initially considered using Spirit Stones to buy the materials, but most of hers had been depleted during her closed-door cultivation. Thus, she had no choice but to barter with items from her storage pouch.
Her words left the group momentarily stunned. Many were surprised—did Yu Zhao really need to gather her own materials for crafting a life-bonded artifact? Didn’t Master Qing Yan provide for his disciples?
After a moment of silence, Senior Sister Ma spoke up, “Everyone, I have a suggestion. Yu Zhao contributed greatly to this Dragon Roar Valley expedition and was the first to propose the secret realm’s potential. Her merits are undeniable. I suggest we gift the Starry Sky Stone and Geng Essence to her, then divide the rest among ourselves.”
Ma’s tone was diplomatic, but everyone knew Yu Zhao’s most significant merit was saving Zhou Jin Yue. That alone would have justified giving her all the stones.
“I agree!” Zhang Jun raised his arm enthusiastically.
“Me too!” echoed another.
“This is what she deserves!”
Voices of agreement quickly followed.
Zhou Jin Yue watched the scene with a warm smile. This was exactly why she fought so hard to protect her sect members—they were truly kind-hearted people.
Mu Ye, standing aside, couldn’t help but feel envious. She adored the camaraderie of the Five Elements Dao Sect disciples, even regretting her earlier choice not to join them.
But then, a tearful voice broke the moment.
“Sixth Senior Sister, I’m so sorry, but I also need a Starry Sky Stone…” Ye Cong Xin wiped her tears as she stammered, her large, pearly drops of sorrow cascading down her flushed cheeks. Her vulnerability made her appear pitiable yet charming—a perfectly calculated performance.
In the past, such tears would have melted hearts instantly, with everyone rushing to comfort her and fulfill her wishes without hesitation. She fully expected the same this time.
To her shock, her usual allies stayed silent. Even Lan Zi Yu, her ever-indulgent Second Senior Brother, said nothing. Fang Cheng Lang’s gaze turned dark and inscrutable.
The oppressive atmosphere grew, and Ye Cong Xin’s certainty faltered, replaced by unease.
“Junior Sister Ye,” Zhou Jin Yue finally broke the silence, her tone calm and composed. “There’s a proper order to things. Sixth Senior Sister asked for the Starry Sky Stone first. Moreover, she contributed far more during this expedition. From any perspective, the stone should go to her.”
The others, reluctant to cause discord with Ye Cong Xin, seized the opportunity to gently persuade her.
“Yes, Junior Sister Ye, Yu Zhao worked hard this time. It’s only fair.”
“Don’t worry, Junior Sister Ye. When we get back, I’ll help you search for another Starry Sky Stone and notify you immediately.”
“You shouldn’t argue with your senior sister over this. She deserves it more.”
Yu Zhao listened to her fellow disciples speak up for her with a mix of amusement and irony. Once upon a time, she had been in Ye Cong Xin’s position, forced to yield no matter how justified her claim, because she was a senior sister—an older one, petty and unreasonable.
“Letting your junior sister have her way” had been a shackle around Yu Zhao’s neck for decades.
Now, the wheel of fortune had turned, and Ye Cong Xin was getting a taste of what Yu Zhao had endured.
“I wasn’t trying to fight with Sixth Senior Sister… I was just too impatient. It’s my fault!” Ye Cong Xin quickly backtracked, tears streaming as she bowed repeatedly in apology. Her acute emotional sensitivity—enhanced by her system—alerted her to the shift in the group’s feelings toward her. Realizing she had overstepped, she retreated before doing further damage.
The Starry Sky Stone was useful to her, but not essential. Her true intention had been to vent her frustration at Yu Zhao. Yet her plan had backfired, and she didn’t dare push further.
Moved by her tearful sincerity, the group soon comforted her, bringing the brief drama to a swift conclusion.
Yu Zhao, however, felt disappointed.
After exploring the secret realm, uncovering the treasures left behind by its master, and finding a Scarlet Flame Lion cub, the Dragon Roar Valley expedition finally came to an end. Upon exiting the valley, Mu Ye bid farewell to the Five Elements Dao Sect team. Though she took no treasures for herself, she gifted Yu Zhao and Zhou Jin Yue each a token of the Green Wood Sect, inviting them to visit.
Yu Zhao and Zhou Jin Yue accepted with warm smiles.
The following days were spent on the road. When the towering gates of the Five Elements Dao Sect appeared, everyone felt an overwhelming urge to cry.
They were finally home.
“Senior Sister Zhou is back!” someone shouted, causing a wave of excitement to ripple through the sect.
Disciples gathered in groups, rushing to the gates to welcome their grand senior sister’s return. The Sect Master, too, quickly received the news and laughed heartily as he stroked his beard. “It’s good to have her back, truly good!”
Su Ming, upon hearing the news, abandoned his newly purchased artifact in his cave dwelling and dashed down Lone Moon Peak.
By the time Zhou Jin Yue, Yu Zhao, and the others reached the gates, they were greeted by a sea of disciples.
Zhang Jun swallowed nervously. “Why are there so many people?”
“Because of Senior Sister Zhou and Senior Brother Fang. Who cares about the rest of us?”
Zhang Jun clutched his chest at the brutal honesty.
“Senior Sister Zhou, we missed you so much!”
“Without you, food didn’t even taste good.”
“Senior Sister Zhou, I want you to guide me in sword training again. Please?”
The disciples beamed with joy and excitement as they surrounded Zhou Jin Yue, their radiant smiles making Zhang Jun feel sour.
In no time, Zhou Jin Yue was swept away by the enthusiastic crowd, along with Fang Cheng Lang and Ye Cong Xin. Meanwhile, Yu Zhao found herself on the outskirts, isolated and met with disdainful glances from those who passed by.
Unperturbed, she turned to leave, only to notice Zhou Jin Yue scanning the crowd anxiously, seemingly searching for her. Yu Zhao smiled faintly and waved before slipping away toward the Archive Pavilion.
As the commotion settled, Yu Zhao pondered how the wheel of fortune continued to turn, quietly savoring the irony of it all.