Chapter 143
Chapter 143: Becoming My Little Junior Sister
Shi Zi Chu was deeply distressed, her face marked with doubt and sorrow.
“Jiu Jiu, following the wicked path harms the body, and it will bring no benefit to your cultivation in the future.” Xing Lan’s calm and deep voice was like an ancient qin melody, his gaze meeting Shi Zi Chu’s pitiful expression.
“I understand.” Shi Zi Chu’s voice was soft, obedient.
Xing Lan was determined to confiscate her butterfly pendant, for Shi Zi Chu often spoke one way and acted quite differently behind closed doors.
Bringing her mother back had been a decision long made in his heart. His few words would never change her resolve.
“Peak Master, Sect Master asks you to come to the Jade Void Peak Great Hall for a meeting,” the voice of the Rising Succession Peak elder echoed through the outer barrier of the main peak.
Both master and disciple knew full well that Sect Master Meng was calling Xing Lan to discuss something important.
As Xing Lan stood up, Shi Zi Chu reached out to grab his sleeve. “Master is always fair in reward and punishment. Junior Sister Zhi Rou has completed a great task; she should be reinstated…”
Xing Lan coldly finished her sentence. “As an inner sect disciple.”
It was impossible for her to regain her position as his personal disciple!
Shi Zi Chu let go of his sleeve. “An inner sect disciple will do as well. Master, go ahead to the meeting; I’ll go and bring my little junior sister back.”
Xing Lan nodded slightly in response.
…
At the Jade Void Peak Great Hall.
When Xing Lan arrived, the peak masters of several other peaks were already present.
As soon as he sat down, Sect Master Meng spoke, “Master Xi Yu has already informed me. He is bringing his disciple back, and there were fewer casualties during this trip than expected.”
He paused before continuing, “Xu Zhou Ye and Hua Ting Li from Rising Succession Peak suffered the worst injuries, followed by Ming Xi Su and Lu Cang.”
“They got what they deserved,” a cold and commanding voice declared, exuding an air of nobility.
Sect Master Meng, hearing this, couldn’t help but reflect on the situation.
These were all rare cultivators with supreme spiritual roots—such a loss was a pity.
“Chu Zhi Rou’s return with the Azure Luan Sword is certainly a major accomplishment, one that undeniably strengthens the foundation of Jade Void Sect.” Sect Master Meng turned to the matter at hand. “Xing Lan, do you have any thoughts?”
“No.”
Sect Master Meng, momentarily stunned, wore an expression of helplessness. Xing Lan’s attitude was clear as day.
If only Shi Zi Chu had begged and cried, he might have directly expelled Chu Zhi Rou from the sect.
Peak Master Kui Lian spoke up, “Although Chu Zhi Rou has contributed greatly, she has also made numerous mistakes. Perhaps her merits and faults should balance out.”
Both personally and professionally, she felt that the identity of an outer sect disciple was more fitting for Chu Zhi Rou.
“But that Azure Luan Sword is a growing immortal rank artifact, which, in time, could become a divine sword. I believe she should be rewarded,” Peak Master Xuan Ji offered his opinion.
The Azure Luan Sword had sparked numerous covetous eyes, showing just how valuable it was. This matter deserved recognition.
“If we accept Peak Master Kui Lian’s suggestion, balancing merits and faults, there will surely be those who think Jade Void Sect is too harsh on its disciples.” Several peak masters voiced their opinions, but none dared address Xing Lan directly.
After all, Chu Zhi Rou was Xing Lan’s disciple from Rising Succession Peak. Whether she should be rewarded or how she would be rewarded was entirely Xing Lan and Sect Master Meng’s decision.
Sect Master Meng attempted to persuade Xing Lan, but an immortal rank Azure Luan Sword was of no significance to Xing Lan. It was not worth angering him over.
Opening his mouth, Sect Master Meng hesitated and then closed it, before saying, “Is Zi Chu’s life-bound sword the demi-god rank spirit sword you recently forged?”
It was the only thing Xi Yu had mentioned briefly before changing the subject to the Azure Luan Sword. Had it not been for his good memory, he might have forgotten.
Xing Lan nodded.
Sect Master Meng’s face immediately brightened.
Bringing Xing Lan into the sect had been the wisest decision of his life—without question!
A demi-god rank sword?
The peak masters, previously relaxed, now straightened their postures, their eyes fixed intently on Xing Lan.
“Venerable Xing Lan, do you plan to hold a lecture at Flame Sun Peak?” Peak Master Kui Lian smiled kindly. “If Venerable Xing Lan could share some of your knowledge on artifact forging, it would greatly help our disciples’ progress!”
Forging a demi-god rank spirit sword without a sound—it was clear just how extraordinary Venerable Xing Lan’s artifact forging skills were!
Peak Master Xuan Ji, unwilling to fall behind, also spoke up. “Our Sacred Dawn Peak’s alchemists would benefit greatly from Venerable Xing Lan’s teachings.”
Seeing that other peak masters were eager to join in, Xing Lan couldn’t help but feel somewhat exasperated.
Was he some kind of sought-after delicacy?
“We’ll discuss the lecture later,” Sect Master Meng said, his tone gentle but carrying authority.
Xing Lan’s temperament was well-known to him. If they wanted him to hold a lecture, they would need Zi Chu to ask him.
Knowing this, the other peak masters wisely refrained from pressing further.
“Regarding Chu Zhi Rou…” Sect Master Meng looked toward Xing Lan, but paused before speaking again. “Her accomplishment is indeed significant. Not rewarding her would be inappropriate.”
Xing Lan coldly responded, “Then make her an inner sect disciple.”
An inner sect disciple?
That was acceptable.
Sect Master Meng did not push further, simply saying, “I will have the Mission Hall give her contribution points, and we can discuss other rewards later.”
Xing Lan nodded.
…
At Ye Clan’s estate.
When Shi Zi Chu arrived, the Ye Clan was bustling with activity.
The guards, now familiar with her face, had already been instructed by Ye He Qi. They didn’t need Shi Zi Chu to speak a word before they guided her directly to Ye Su Zhu’s residence.
Inside the courtyard, Ye Su Zhu, who had once been thin and frail, now appeared vastly different.
She was fair and slender, her once sunken cheeks now filled out, radiating vitality.
Standing beside Shi Zi Chu, the two looked almost like identical twins.
In less than a year, Ye Su Zhu’s cultivation had firmly reached the later stage of Foundation Establishment.
Ye Su Zhu had already sensed Shi Zi Chu’s arrival. After completing a sword form, she sheathed her spirit sword and hurried over, her once cold face now lighting up with an excited, joyful smile.
“Benefactor!”
Shi Zi Chu smiled, her eyes warm and kind. “Su Zhu, it’s been a long time. How have you been these past months?”
Ye Su Zhu nodded, then shook her head.
Seeing the concern in Shi Zi Chu’s gentle eyes, she answered truthfully, “I’ve been thinking about you, but Big Brother said you were busy.”
Shi Zi Chu felt a little guilty. “I’m sorry I didn’t come to see you sooner.”
Ye Su Zhu quickly shook her head, not wanting Shi Zi Chu to feel bad. Seeing the genuine apology in her eyes, she couldn’t hold onto her small bit of awkwardness any longer.
“That’s not what I meant. I was just afraid you wouldn’t come back,” she hurriedly explained, then added, “I’ve been very obedient! Everything Big Brother told me to learn, I’ve been studying diligently!”
Shi Zi Chu smiled softly.
Obedient? That was good.
“Su Zhu, would you like to come with me to Jade Void Sect?” She stepped forward, gently taking Ye Su Zhu’s hands. “Come and be my little junior sister.”
Ye Su Zhu froze.
After being in the Ye Clan for so long, she knew exactly what Shi Zi Chu’s position was.
Shi Zi Chu, the personal disciple of Venerable Xing Lan, had once been his second disciple, but now she was his first disciple.
Becoming her little junior sister meant becoming Venerable Xing Lan’s direct disciple!
Could she even do that?
It wasn’t that Ye Su Zhu was self-deprecating, but the requirements to be Venerable Xing Lan’s disciple were rather strict.
She only had a top-tier lightning spiritual root, not a supreme spiritual root.
With her spiritual root not meeting the standard, was she really worthy of becoming Venerable Xing Lan’s disciple?
Seeming to sense Ye Su Zhu’s hesitation, Shi Zi Chu spoke gently, “Don’t worry. I’ve already asked Master, and he agreed to take you as his direct disciple.”