Chapter 10: Choosing Your Own Master?

"Shu'er!"

Yun Xu turned and rushed into the room, the urgency in his eyes nearly overflowing.

Although Chen Xiangshui was also worried, he was still calming himself after being reprimanded by Yun Xu. Seeing the girl in pink lying on the carved wooden bed in the distance, he noted that despite her sickly appearance, her delicate face was as smooth as mutton-fat jade, clearly well-cared for.

For some reason, the image of the young disciple in black and gold robes he had encountered at the Three Seasons Bridge flashed through his mind—covered in blood after fighting Yang Wen, yet not uttering a single sound. Though they were of a similar age, she had endured pain thousands of times greater than Shu'er.

*Forget it,* he thought. A gentle, kind, and understanding junior sister like Shu'er deserved to be doted upon by them. It was simply a matter of different fates for different people; there was nothing he could do about others.

As his thoughts drifted, he heard Sheng Shu'er gently comfort them: "Third Senior Brother, Eldest Senior Brother is only worried because he cares. It is not as serious as he thinks; you need not blame yourself. I am quite alright."

Chen Xiangshui’s attention was pulled back. He sighed softly, reached out to pat Sheng Shu'er’s head, and said, "It was indeed my delay. Eldest Senior Brother was right to reprimand me. Tell me, how would you like me to make it up to you?"

Sheng Shu'er smiled sweetly at these words: "If you truly wish to make it up to me, perhaps you could buy me some osmanthus cakes. It has been a long time, and I have missed them."

Chen Xiangshui replied softly, "I will certainly get them for you."

Once they had lulled Sheng Shu'er to sleep, the two men exited the room. After walking a sufficient distance, they spoke in unison, their voices hushed: "Tell me, what should we do now?"

"Eldest Senior Brother, you know better than I do that Shu'er’s body cannot withstand malevolent energy. At the time, it was all thanks to the blood-tempering beads—"

"Shut up!" Yun Xu became hypersensitive at the mention of the blood beads and stopped him sharply.

Chen Xiangshui did not press the point, but scoffed, "Now the Eldest Senior Brother is being cryptic about it, yet when we first learned of this method, you were the first one to insist on using it."

Yun Xu grew increasingly angry, but out of brotherly affection, he swallowed his rage, turned away, and said coldly, "Healing Shu'er is what she ought to do. If she hadn't been disobedient, we wouldn't have treated her that way."

Chen Xiangshui had never thought there was anything wrong with those words before, but perhaps influenced by that young disciple in black and gold, he felt a twinge of discomfort in his heart.

After a long silence, he replied, "I only hope she does not become the karmic debt you and I will have to repay."

With that, Chen Xiangshui leaped away from the courtyard, leaving Yun Xu alone. The man stood where he was, his eyes deep, his fingers clenching until his knuckles turned white. A rare look of confusion crossed his face.

*To save Shu'er's life, what wrong have we committed?*

***

After Song Junyu left Ji Rong's courtyard, she couldn't help but feel a sense of sorrow. Although she did not have a true master-disciple bond with the Primogenitor, he had always kept her in his thoughts. If she hadn't met him, she likely would have been picked clean by this world of cultivation long ago.

*Forget it,* she thought, *the most important task is right in front of me; there is no use in overthinking.* Moreover, with the Primogenitor gone, she had even less protection. She would need to be more cautious in her cultivation and actions from now on.

On the way here, she had overheard some young disciples discussing that today was the Zhentian Sect's annual Master Selection Ceremony. Except for the sweeping servants, all disciples were to gather at the Panlong Square to witness the elders selecting their personal disciples. This was a perfect opportunity for her to attempt the Three Seasons Bridge.

Just as she was thinking this, a small shadow appeared ahead. Concerned about her status as an unregistered "black-market" disciple, Song Junyu darted behind a nearby mountain rock.

The person drew closer. She held her breath, gathering her energy, ready to strike if necessary. Just as she was about to act, a familiar voice drifted over: "Eh? Not here?"

Song Junyu was quite surprised. She frowned and looked again, confirming that the person was indeed Zhang Tian. *Why is the Sect Master's little attendant here in the back mountains?* And this was the only path to the Primogenitor's residence; by all logic, no one should know about it.

"Wow, why are you hiding here?" a childish voice piped up. Song Junyu jumped and quickly reached out to cover his little mouth.

"Shh, why are you here?"

"Mmm-mmm..."

Seeing Zhang Tian’s face turning red and looking pitiful, Song Junyu sighed and let go.

As soon as he escaped her "clutches," he hurriedly rubbed his little face, his round eyes drooping as he whispered, "The Sect Master told me to find you. He said if you take this and go to the registration desk at the front gate to find the Old Tree, you can participate in the Master Selection Ceremony."

Zhang Tian held out his hand, dangling a wooden plaque tied with a knot. It had the characters for "Pass" written on it. Every Zhentian Sect disciple received one upon entry, bound to their spiritual consciousness to prevent loss or theft.

"The Sect Master said you can choose your own name, pick any master you like, and learn wherever you want—except for Baoluo Peak."

Zhang Tian spilled it all out in one breath. Fearing that Song Junyu wouldn't understand Gu Sanshi’s good intentions, he leaned in, cupped his hand to his mouth, and added quietly, "The Zhentian Sect may look peaceful now, but it is divided into factions. Baoluo Peak is a place of trouble; the Sect Master cannot protect you there."

Song Junyu took the plaque, surprised. She recalled the day she met the Sect Master and how he had spoken of his relationship with the Primogenitor. *This matter was likely entrusted to him by the Primogenitor as well.*

Since it was the Primogenitor's instruction, there was no reason to hesitate. If she remained an unregistered disciple, cultivation resources would always be a problem. With a name, an identity, and a master, she would surely grow much faster.

"Then please thank the Sect Master for me."

Zhang Tian nodded with a smile, then rummaged through his little bag and pulled out a grey ring. "The Sect Master gave you this, too. He said that while it’s true one should rely on oneself, taking appropriate shortcuts can help one reach their goal faster."

"This wooden-patterned ring is a 'Treasure-grade' storage ring. It can hold spiritual plants and spirit beasts, and it has many wonderful uses."

With that, he shoved the ring into Song Junyu’s palm, turned, waved, and headed down the mountain. "The items are delivered, so I’m going! You better hurry, if you're late for the Master Selection Ceremony, you won't have a chance!"

Watching his figure disappear, Song Junyu stared at the wooden ring with complex emotions. Immortal artifacts and treasures were divided into five grades: Mortal, Rare, Treasure, Immortal, and Saint. Anything above that was said to be from ancient times and had never been seen.

A Treasure-grade storage ring was priceless, let alone one that could hold spirit beasts. This favor was a bit too large to owe...

*Sigh, forget it. When the time is right, I will ask how I can repay this kindness!*

Song Junyu murmured to herself and rushed toward the foot of the mountain. To have a second chance to register at the Old Tree was truly a blessing. The Master Selection Ceremony was a grand event for the Zhentian Sect; it was a pity she had been so detached from the world before and knew so little about it.

Back then, she had been scouted by Aunt Liu as soon as she entered the sect and taken away directly. Since Aunt Liu was a guest hall master, she didn't interfere in sect affairs, so they hadn't participated in the ceremony. Seeing it today, she found it quite overwhelming.

The mountain slopes were surrounded by dense crowds of people, most of whom were cautiously holding their wooden plaques, waiting in an orderly fashion. They all appeared to be registered outer sect disciples.

Song Junyu deliberately changed into a dusty grey garment she had scavenged from Ji Rong's storage bag and quietly joined the line.

Just then, a clear, bright voice rang out from behind her: "Wow, your wooden plaque is so shiny!"