Chapter 23
Chapter 23: Paying Respects to an Elder Mentor
The storm Yue Zuan caused within the upper ranks of the Ling Zhen Sect was known only to those who sat in that hall.
Sect Master Tu Sheng personally confiscated the Sun-Swapping Spirit-Stealing Grand Art. The four Inner Sect elders reached a rare, unanimous decision: an evil technique that stole spirit roots was too vicious to exist. Not even a fragment could be allowed to spread.
“There is one more matter,” Tu Sheng said, voice measured. “Outer Sect disciple Zhao Chun had her wood spirit root extracted by Yue Zuan. Yet afterward, she became a metal-fire dual spirit root cultivator.”
“I intend to bring her into the Inner Sect as a disciple. Elders—what is your opinion?”
The first to speak was Ge Xing Chao, an elder with crane-white hair and long brows that slanted like blades. “We don’t know what lingering harm that evil art may have done to her cultivation. If we admit her to the Inner Sect too hastily and she later can’t even reach the Foundation Establishment Stage, won’t that become a joke?”
“Spirit roots are innate,” Qiu Silhouette said, nodding as she spoke. “What matters is the disciple’s heart and how she uses what she has. I’ve heard Zhao Chun’s temperament is tough. Even in front of Yue Zuan, she didn’t show fear. She’s a good seedling.”
Wu Yun Zhang lowered his eyes, expression unreadable. “Bring her in and see. If she reaches the age limit and still can’t break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, send her back to the Outer Sect.”
Ge Xing Chao flicked a glance toward Li Shu—the last of the four Essence Condensation Stage elders, who had remained silent until now.
Li Shu’s eyes were closed, face calm, giving nothing away.
Ge Xing Chao’s patience snapped. “Then let her enter. But if she can’t reach the Foundation Establishment Stage later, send her back quickly. Don’t let her take up Inner Sect resources meant for others.”
Tu Sheng gave a small smile, as if used to Ge Xing Chao’s sharpness. “So be it.”
He set the matter aside and continued. “Zhao Chun will be entering the Inner Sect at a young age. By custom, she must have a mentor to guide her.”
“Which of you is willing?”
Silence.
Ge Xing Chao cradled his teacup and leaned back, clearly not volunteering.
Wu Yun Zhang acted as though he hadn’t heard.
Only Qiu Silhouette lifted her brows. “Among the elders, only my branch has yet to accept a disciple. In that case—”
Before she could finish, Li Shu opened his eyes. “Martial Niece Qiu is water-aspected, is she not? How can she teach a metal-fire dual spirit root disciple?”
Qiu Silhouette’s face cooled. “Elder Li’s disciples are not all metal spirit root cultivators either.”
“That’s exactly the point,” Li Shu said, shaking his head. He turned to Tu Sheng. “Metal cultivators are rare. Very few of my disciples share my aspect for that reason. Now we have a disciple who cultivates metal and fire together. That kind of talent doesn’t come along often.”
“Senior Brother,” he added smoothly, “leave her to me.”
The other elders exchanged looks, bewildered by the sudden contention.
Qiu Silhouette’s temper flared. “How many disciples does Elder Li already have? If not 20, then 15. A disciple should be chosen for quality, not quantity—don’t ruin their paths.”
Li Shu looked at her, unruffled. “Martial Niece, are you claiming I ruin my disciples?”
“If you truly think—”
The argument threatened to ignite.
Tu Sheng raised a hand. “Enough.”
He hesitated, torn. After a moment, he threw the unseen disciple an apologetic look—as if the decision had already been made long before this conversation began.
Then he spoke. “Zhao Chun will enter Junior Brother Li’s branch.”
Qiu Silhouette’s expression darkened. When the Sect Master rose to leave, she stood first, anger written plainly on her face, and stormed out without another word.
Ge Xing Chao returned with Li Shu afterward, still puzzled. “Senior Brother… why accept that disciple? A metal-fire dual spirit root only slightly aligns with your metal aspect.”
Li Shu glanced at him. “Whether I accept her or not makes little difference to me. I simply didn’t want Qiu Silhouette to gain more strength.” His voice turned colder. “Wu Yun Zhang has leaned toward her these past years. Once she reaches late Essence Condensation Stage, who else will have a voice?”
Ge Xing Chao frowned. “Then why allow Zhao Chun into the Inner Sect at all? Wouldn’t it be easier to keep her in the Outer Sect?”
“Foolish,” Li Shu said, calm and sharp. “The Sect Master raised the matter because he intends her to enter. Openly defying him is unwise.”
He waved the question away. “If she’s good, she can be cultivated into a useful piece. If she’s not, I won’t waste effort.”
Li Shu wasn’t claiming Zhao Chun because he valued her. His branch already had plenty of dual spirit root disciples. One more, with an uncertain future, meant little.
Zhao Chun, of course, knew nothing of the maneuvering above.
When word came down that an Inner Sect elder would accept her as a disciple, she was overjoyed.
To go from a reserve disciple to an Essence Condensation Stage elder’s disciple—she had leapt straight into the sky. The Thirty-Ninth Court, and even the entire Outer Sect, buzzed with it.
Everyone envied her fortune. No one understood what it had cost.
If not for the bead—if not for whatever had erupted from her chest—she would have died by Yue Zuan’s hand.
Thinking of it made her heart tighten.
She took the bead out in secret and held it in her palm. Ever since that day, it had returned to its clear, transparent state, as if nothing had happened.
But the hunger she felt from her dantian was real—so real it made her certain this was no ordinary object.
She never spoke of it.
On the day she left the Daylily Garden, Lian Jing gripped her hands and spoke solemnly. “People are saying you gained dual spirit roots because you found a treasure. True or not, it means eyes are on you now.”
“In the Inner Sect, be careful. Endure when you can. Once you have enough strength, no one will dare look down on you.”
The truth about Yue Zuan couldn’t spread—but the deaths of the Liao siblings had to be explained, and Zhao Chun’s change in spirit roots needed a story.
So rumors took root.
They said Zhao Chun’s group had encountered a heaven-and-earth spiritual treasure on the road—something capable of creating dual spirit roots. An evil cultivator tried to steal it, killed the Liao siblings, and went after the others.
In the end, Meng Han fought desperately and killed the evil cultivator, saving everyone. With late Qi Refining Stage cultivation, he had supposedly slain a Foundation Establishment Stage enemy. His name spread fast.
And Zhao Chun?
The rumor claimed that while Meng Han fought, Zhao Chun stole and consumed the treasure herself. That was why she gained dual spirit roots and entered the Inner Sect—yet people sneered at her for it.
The story was full of holes, but plenty still believed it.
Perhaps a truly peerless genius could kill a Foundation Establishment Stage enemy while only at late Qi Refining Stage.
But Meng Han wasn’t that kind of genius.
And if Zhao Chun had truly done such a disgraceful thing, why would she return to the sect alongside Meng Han, face the elders, and survive the scrutiny?
It was nothing more than resentment looking for a target.
Zhao Chun understood that arguing would change nothing. She saved her breath.
If she had energy to fight, she would spend it cultivating. Once her strength rose, who would dare wag their tongues?
Meng Han proved trustworthy. The Storage Bag Zhao Chun had asked him to buy arrived the day before she left for the Inner Sect.
She couldn’t use it openly, but simply having a place to hide her valuables steadied her nerves.
The sect provided Inner Sect disciples with daily necessities—clothes, accessories, the lot. Zhao Chun didn’t have much to pack. She only carried a small bundle as cover, with a few dozen Cui Stones inside, and held the potted seedling Zhou Pian Ran had given her as she followed the messenger.
The Inner Sect lay west of the Sky-Piercing River and occupied half of the Secluded Valley. Aside from the Shang Yan Hall where the Sect Master resided, and the halls of the four elders, the vast remaining lands housed fewer than 2,000 disciples.
Each disciple had their own courtyard. Peace and quiet were easy to find.
Elder Li Shu had 19 disciples. That meant Zhao Chun would have 18 Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters ahead of her.
Those who could enter an elder’s branch were all dual spirit roots. Among them, she was nothing special.
Li Shu, citing seclusion, refused to meet her.
He sent only a meditation cushion that could calm the mind, presented as a token of acceptance. His message was brief: when Zhao Chun reached the ninth level of the Qi Refining Stage and stood on the verge of the Foundation Establishment Stage, she could come to him and request a spiritual treasure to serve as her foundation.
The Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters were busy as well. They sent Cui Stones, pills, and other gifts through intermediaries, but none came in person.
Zhao Chun couldn’t shake the feeling that this branch didn’t particularly welcome her.
Perhaps it was the rumors.
She frowned and said nothing.