This spell was looked down upon by orthodox cultivators; it was mostly just a little trick the younger disciples learned for fun. Back then, she had excitedly taught it to everyone, only to get a harsh scolding from her Eldest Senior Brother.
At the time, Zhu Zhao had even sneered, “Instead of focusing on your cultivation, you waste time on these unorthodox tricks. Only a little brat like you would find this amusing.”
And now, she was actually using it on her in front of everyone?
Wasn't this outright cheating?
The words refusing to become a personal disciple were jammed in her throat, and she couldn't utter a single syllable.
Zhu Zhao withdrew her gaze and said calmly, “Since Junior Sister Lin has nothing to say, the matter is settled.”
Song Yao: “...”
What goes around comes around. The heavens spare no one.
She had committed too many sins in her past life, and now her retribution had arrived.
She resigned herself to her fate and slouched back in her seat. Beside her, Jiang Jin glanced at her. A flicker of confusion crossed his eyes, but assuming she was simply overwhelmed with excitement, he murmured, “Congratulations.”
Ming Ran and the others also gathered around, chattering excitedly. “Congratulations! From now on, you'll be... well, Senior Brother Jiang is a bit older than you, so he's the sixth disciple. That makes you Seventh Senior Sister, right?”
“Being a personal disciple is so prestigious! Once you move to the main peak, remember to invite us over for a visit.”
“Don't forget us when you strike it rich!”
“...”
Up on the high platform, several elders couldn't help but look in her direction.
A half-grown child couldn't hide her feelings. She sat at her desk looking utterly aggrieved, clutching the plate of grapes she had picked completely bare.
Despite her usually cool, aloof appearance that kept people at a distance, she now looked thoroughly pitiful.
The Seventh Elder stroked his graying beard. Unable to bear the sight, he slapped his thigh and said, “Ah, I already told you my little disciple has no grand ambitions. If she doesn't want to go to the main peak, why not just let her stay at Baicao Peak? The poor child is practically on the verge of tears.”
The Second Elder sighed deeply. “She might not want to stay at Baicao Peak either. Isn't she trying to find ways to save money so she can leave Nine Saints Hall?”
The Seventh Elder paced around anxiously. “If she doesn't want to stay in Nine Saints Hall, she must have her reasons. Why force her to remain?”
“Seventh Senior Brother, you've really stayed in the Elixir Pavilion for too long. You're far too naive.”
The Twelfth Elder held a wine cup in hand, her narrow phoenix eyes hazy with a hint of drunkenness as she spoke lazily. “Do you have any idea how many eyes are currently on Nine Saints Hall? A child as exceptionally talented as her has already made a name for herself. I heard Taiqing Pavilion has already extended an olive branch, inviting her to join their sect.”
The Seventh Elder froze. “So you're keeping her here just because you're worried she'll be taken by another sect?”
“To be frank, that is indeed one of the reasons.”
The Great Elder's tone was heavy. “But there is a far more critical reason. Disciples of Black Cloud Mountain have been frequently spotted within Nine Saints Hall's territory recently. Several disciples who left the sect have already met with misfortune, having been refined into puppets to do their bidding.”
“If Lin Mu were to join another orthodox sect, that would be one thing. But if she were targeted by Black Cloud Mountain and refined into a puppet, with her level of talent, not only would she lose her life, but Black Cloud Mountain's strength would also multiply a hundredfold because of her.”
“When that time comes, their very first target would likely be Nine Saints Hall.”
The Seventh Elder immediately fell silent, utterly speechless.
Black Cloud Mountain was considered the number one demonic sect in the Tianshu Realm. Situated at the junction of three major sects, its unique geographical location and hard-to-find entrance had prevented any successful joint suppression campaigns against it.
And they specialized in refining cultivators into puppets.
According to information from Yong'an Tower, the greater the victim's talent and the younger their age, the more power they could exert once fallen into their hands.
With their current rampant activities, if Lin Mu were to leave the protection of Nine Saints Hall, there was a very high probability she would be targeted.
Looking at it this way, staying in Nine Saints Hall was indeed her best option.
“Furthermore, the main peak is currently short-handed...”
The Twelfth Elder narrowed her eyes, looking at Zhu Zhao, who sat perfectly straight and silent not far away. “For some reason, both Ah Zhao and Ah Zhou seem to trust Lin Mu implicitly.”
...
As soon as the banquet ended, Song Yao was hauled onto a Black Bird by Zhu Zhao and brought to the main peak.
Compared to the lively and festive atmosphere of the other peaks, the main peak was excessively quiet, even carrying an indescribable sense of bleakness.
The courtyards were spaced far apart, with a few old plum trees scattered between them, swaying lonelily in the biting wind.
The newly risen wind swirled with fine snowflakes, drifting onto the blue roof tiles and adding a touch of chill to the solemn mountain summit.
Jiang Jin was first to set foot on the main peak.
Sweeping his gaze over the desolate surroundings, he had clearly not expected this place to be so simple, looking even less grand and majestic than their Wangyun Peak.
Yet as a newcomer, he still could not hide his excitement. Cupping his hands toward Zhu Zhao, he asked with a hint of impatience, “Second Senior Sister, where is Master? Shouldn't we go pay our respects and kowtow to him?”
Zhu Zhao continued walking ahead without stopping. Her voice was as cold as the mountain wind and snow: “Master is in seclusion. He is not seeing anyone.”
Jiang Jin froze, then pressed further, “What about our other senior brothers and sisters? Since we've just arrived, shouldn't we go greet everyone so we can get along well in the future?”
Song Yao followed listlessly at the very back, desperately wishing she could stuff a rag in this guy's mouth.
It was fine to see Zhu Zhao and Xie Zhou, but if she had to meet everyone else all at once and got recognized, her life would be forfeit.
Fortunately, Zhu Zhao paused in her tracks. “They are not currently in the hall. The main peak does not have so many rules. Just mind your own business; there is no need to interact with others too much.”
Song Yao was actually quite familiar with this development.
After she had caused them to go dark, they had become extremely cold, ruthless, and averse to human contact.
This was the exact moment when the warm, sun-like overpowered protagonist was supposed to save them.
How passionate.
Completely different from a lifeless person like her.
But why was none of them around?
Jiang Jin was clearly a bit disappointed. “Then what do we do now?”
“Settle in first.”
Zhu Zhao nodded toward the two courtyards ahead, her voice devoid of emotion. “Choose for yourselves.”
The two followed her gaze.
The two courtyards were located quite far apart.
One was right next to the central main courtyard, enclosed by a pavilion corridor.
The other was situated on the far west side, its backyard bordering a bottomless cliff.
Song Yao clenched her hands.
Both of these courtyards had originally belonged to her.
Dominineering and unreasonable as she was, she hadn't been satisfied with choosing the largest, best-located courtyard in the very center, so she had forced her master to build her another residence right on the cliffside.
When she was in a good mood, she would stay in the central one; when she was in a bad mood, she would stay in the cliffside one.
Sometimes, when she had a particularly nasty fight with Zhu Zhao and the others, she would even jump down the cliff to lie low for a while.
She was far too familiar with both courtyards.
She wondered if her belongings inside were still there, or if they had already been burned to ashes.
She hung her head, unconsciously playing with her sword tassel.
Jiang Jin's eyes lit up instantly. He turned to Song Yao and said warmly, “Junior Sister, don't you prefer peace and quiet? That western courtyard looks like it won't be disturbed by anyone, so why don't you take it? I'll stay near the main courtyard so that if Senior Sister or Senior Brothers need anything, I can assist them immediately.”
Song Yao glanced at him, seeing right through his little schemes, but she was too lazy to argue with him.
She wished nothing more than to live as far away as possible to avoid running into any members of the main cast.
She nodded and gave her assent. Jiang Jin was instantly delighted. Just as he was about to enter his courtyard, Zhu Zhao stopped him: “Wait.”
Rate on N.U.
