Chapter 12: So Eager to Curry Favor?
When a young disciple embarks on the path of martial arts, they lean on their master’s teachings as a fledgling bird trusts the wind beneath its wings.
Today, Li Shuang truly understood that truth.
Since entering the sect, she had been hailed as a genius among her peers, her talent shining brighter than the stars in the ancient sky. The sect had showered her with treasures like a gentle spring rain nourishing a thirsty field. Yet, all those treasures had been quietly taken by the elusive True Immortal Ling Xu.
Her master had always taught: a disciple must honor the master, offering loyalty like a sword to its scabbard. Li Shuang had accepted this as the natural way of things.
With her heavenly talent, Li Shuang never relied on riches to improve her skills. Even before Sheng Yuan joined the sect, her days were spent in deep meditation and endless practice. Each year, as the sect released abundant resources, she handed every bit directly to Ling Xu. Soon, she saw no treasure for herself at all, as Ling Xu claimed them one by one.
She had believed that every master-disciple bond was built on this very sacrifice. Ling Xu often reminded her that as the Eldest Senior Sister and First Disciple, it was her sacred duty to give all for the sect.
But now, Lin Qing Ling declared that it was the master’s duty to bestow gifts upon their disciples?
Li Shuang fell silent, her heart a tempest of confusion.
[How could the way of the martial world change so suddenly?]
Lin Qing Ling’s eyes widened with astonishment.
Was it possible that Ling Xu was so shameless?
Even though Lin Qing Ling belonged to the poorest Peak Masters, she had always nurtured her disciples with open hands.
And yet, Ling Xu…
Could it be that he had truly given Li Shuang nothing?
A sudden thought flashed in Lin Qing Ling’s mind.
Li Shuang, peerless in talent, must have received ample resources. But aside from the Dragon Pattern Sword—which, in the end, had betrayed her—she had shown no other treasure. Even her plain white robes held no secret enchantments.
Where had all those treasures vanished to?
Lin Qing Ling’s voice rang out sharply, “Li Shuang, today is the sect’s day for distributing resources. Though your cultivation has returned to the Energy Refining Stage, your Supreme Ice Spiritual Root means the sect must still provide for you. Go and claim your share.”
Li Shuang hesitated and quietly asked, “Master… where do I collect them?”
A heavy silence fell over the hall.
Lin Qing Ling, Luo Ming Yue, and the others stood speechless.
Lin Qing Ling’s gaze darkened. “You… have never collected resources before? Then how have you cultivated all these years?”
Li Shuang replied simply, “Through sheer hard work.”
Then, with a sudden burst of anger, Lin Qing Ling slammed her palm onto the wooden table. The table split in two with a crisp crack that echoed like a clash of swords.
Even Liu Jun Cheng, who would normally calm her, wore a look of cold fury.
“That old fox Ling Xu has truly crossed the line!” Lin Qing Ling spat, teeth clenched in barely contained anger.
Li Shuang had been in the sect for twenty long years. In just three years, she had reached the Golden Core Stage, and in ten years, the Nascent Soul Stage!
[Her progress was as fierce as a dragon soaring through the clouds.]
Such speed was legendary, achieved without any aid! Any other master would have cherished such a prodigy as a priceless jade, lavishing every treasure to fuel her growth.
And yet, Ling Xu had exploited her, taking every precious gift meant for her!
Suppressing her anger, Lin Qing Ling turned to Luo Ming Yue and the others. “Ming Yue, take Li Shuang to collect this month’s resources. As for that greedy old fox, I will confront the Sect Leader myself! He must return every bit he has taken!”
“Yes!” Luo Ming Yue and the others replied in unison, voices firm with resolve.
Lin Qing Ling stormed out, her fury swirling like a raging storm.
Li Shuang opened her mouth, but no words came forth.
Luo Ming Yue inhaled deeply to steady herself, then gently smiled at Li Shuang. “Come with us. Today, the sect distributes resources alongside the Market’s opening. They say the masters now give out Spirit Stones to encourage spending.”
Li Shuang nodded silently.
As she practiced the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art, her inner vision became keen as an eagle’s. She sensed that Luo Ming Yue and the others were holding back their anger—not against her—but for her sake, burning with silent fury over the injustice she had suffered.
A gentle light flickered in Li Shuang’s eyes.
[Though I have broken free from the chains of the past, my brothers and sisters still fight my battles for me.]
Their warmth brought a spark of hope to her heart. Even though she had only recently joined their ranks, bonds of brotherhood were quietly forming, linking her spirit to theirs.
In that moment, the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art surged forward like a mighty river that had broken its dam!
A spark of clarity flashed in Li Shuang’s eyes.
Those feelings that wounded the spirit were like rusted blades—evil and no longer needed. Yet, the feelings that nurtured and uplifted her were as sharp as a well-forged sword, fueling her training.
Was this the true essence of the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art?
Unlike other martial techniques, this art flowed endlessly, always moving and evolving. Now, it surged forward, surpassing even her most disciplined efforts!
On Snow Mountain, after just a few days of meditation, she had reached the second level of the Energy Refining Stage. Upon returning and slipping into a trance, her inner energy surged like a river, carrying her naturally to the third level.
And now, with this fresh insight—
She ascended once more, rising to the fourth level of the Energy Refining Stage!
Luo Ming Yue noticed Li Shuang’s sudden leap in strength and turned, her eyes wide with wonder. “You advanced again?”
Li Shuang smiled lightly, a sense of calm in her voice. “A small breakthrough.”
Luo Ming Yue reached out and playfully tousled Li Shuang’s hair. “Just a few days and you’re at the fourth level? And you call this ‘small’? Who are you trying to provoke?”
Despite her teasing, joy danced in Luo Ming Yue’s eyes. She had taken Li Shuang under her wing and now waited eagerly for her Little Junior Sister to reclaim her lost honor—to strike back at her foes like thunder splitting the sky!
Growing used to Luo Ming Yue’s lively ways, Li Shuang teased softly, “Eldest Senior Sister, I fear your envy has only just begun.”
Luo Ming Yue glared in playful reprimand, “Li Shuang! How long have you been here? And already you speak so boldly?”
With a humble bow and a smile, Li Shuang replied, “I have an excellent teacher.”
“You—” Luo Ming Yue began, then burst into hearty laughter.
Once, Li Shuang had been as cold as frozen ice. Few had ever seen the gentle warmth beneath her disciplined exterior. But now, slowly, her true self was emerging.
“Come, let us collect our resources,” Liu Jun Cheng’s voice reminded them gently.
Luo Ming Yue immediately became animated. “Right! I’ve used up last month’s allowance already—I’ve been counting the days for these Spirit Stones so we can visit the Market!”
Grabbing Li Shuang’s hand, she dashed outside, with Liu Jun Cheng and Jiang Yi close behind.
“The sect provides monthly resources at the Disciple Hall,” Luo Ming Yue cheerfully explained. “You just show your Command Token, and once they verify your identity, your rewards will be yours.”
She demonstrated by offering her own token to the attendant. After receiving her share of items, she tucked them into her Storage Pouch and turned to Li Shuang. “Now it is your turn, Little Shuang.”
Li Shuang nodded and imitated her, handing over her Command Token. The attendant carefully checked it and then returned her share of resources.
As she placed the items into her Storage Pouch, Li Shuang felt a strange new sensation. For the first time since joining the sect, she experienced the true generosity of her home.
But then, an icy voice cut through the gentle clamor of the hall.
“Eldest Senior Sister. You have just arrived, and already you are eager to curry favor with those people?”
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation