Chapter 29: The Target of Public Outrage

"Master, please speak."

Qi Xiao coughed twice and asked with feigned indifference, "Did your squad leader mention where she wants to go?"

Lu Ling fell silent for a moment before weighing her words. "She didn't specify a place she was set on, but she likely won't choose Baoluo Peak."

Qi Xiao was overjoyed upon hearing this and slapped his thigh. "Good! Excellent!"

At that moment, the clouds gathering in the sky dispersed entirely, and a warm, radiant light descended, bathing everyone’s faces in a soft glow.

"The remaining disciples may now ascend the Panlong Platform."

The voice did not belong to Zhang Tian; it was warm and mellow, yet carried a hint of languor. As the mist cleared, the crowd was met with a scene that left them stunned.

Seated in the center was a man in luxurious robes, his long hair held back loosely by a single bamboo pin. To his left sat Wen Zichang, looking every bit the scholar, and to his right stood Song Junyu, dressed in black and gold. Zhang Tian sat on Song Junyu’s shoulder, swinging her small feet.

"Look, aren't those the two who just received their awards?"

"To think they could carry the Sect Master’s attendant on their shoulders!"

"That’s not the point! The person in the middle looks familiar."

"Familiar? Are you blind? That’s the Sect Master!"

Soon, the murmurs below were replaced by a uniform chorus.

"It is the Sect Master!"

"We... pay our respects to the Sect Master!"

Gu Sanshi remained with his chin resting on his hand, his wide sleeves pooling at his elbows, looking perfectly at ease. His gaze seemed to sweep over everyone, yet it was as if he were looking at nothing at all, focusing on no one in particular.

Qi Xiao cupped his fists together and shouted, "Qi Xiao of Juewu Peak, respectfully greets the Sect Master!"

Beside him, Lu Ling looked up at Song Junyu on the clouds, her heart filled with shock. She had seen different sides of Song Junyu—calm, indifferent, and even overflowing with uncontrollable killing intent. But today was different.

Song Junyu wore a long black robe, accented with bold, intricate golden embroidery. It was opulent, yet carried a sense of divinity that made her seem distant and untouchable. Standing high in the clouds, she possessed a touch of compassion, like an immortal looking down upon the mortal world.

Above, Song Junyu’s voice drifted down, low and quiet: "Sect Master, is it really necessary for us to be this conspicuous?"

Gu Sanshi shifted his posture. "Why the panic? You aren't the only one standing out."

"Look, there’s another one right there."

Song Junyu followed the direction of his chin and saw Zong Zifu and... the clearly shocked and furious Sheng Shu'er.

Furious?

Song Junyu curved her lips. Far from trying to be low-profile, she turned her head and waved at Sheng Shu'er. Using her spiritual energy to carry her voice, she called out, "Senior Sister, we meet again. Thank you for upholding justice in the assessment arena."

Sheng Shu'er offered an awkward smile. "It was only my duty."

Song Junyu said no more. Suppressing the urge to strike down Zong Zifu, she watched as the remaining forty-odd disciples arrived on the Panlong Platform.

Gu Sanshi scanned the crowd. "You may now choose your destination. The four people before you are the Peak Masters of Juewu, Yangliu, Xiangdan, and Lianqi Peaks. There are also two Hall Masters who could not make it today, in charge of Spirit Beasts and the Discipline Hall; you may visit their halls tomorrow morning."

"You may state where you wish to go, and the Peak Masters and Hall Masters will decide. However, this does not mean everyone will be chosen. You have the time it takes for one incense stick to burn. Begin."

As soon as he finished, the Peak Master of Xiangdan Peak, Ouyang Xuan, stepped onto a flying alchemy furnace and soared up.

"Sect Master, aren't you going to take on any disciples for the Main Peak?"

Gu Sanshi smiled. "I have already set my heart on someone, so there is no need to look further."

Ouyang Xuan felt a vague sense of foreboding. He glanced stealthily at Song Junyu and probed, "May I ask who the Sect Master has set his sights on?"

Zhang Tian giggled, revealing a row of neat little teeth. "Peak Master Ouyang, why ask when you already know?"

Ouyang Xuan’s fears were confirmed; he nearly coughed up blood. After all the fighting and competing with the others, he never expected that while he was busy handing out awards, someone had already snatched the prize away.

He decided to cast aside his pride and turned to Song Junyu. "Liu Yu, I will not beat around the bush with you."

"We all saw your performance on the Asking Heaven Road. Your precise grasp of power is the best we've seen in a century; you are a top-tier talent for alchemy! If you are willing to follow me, I guarantee that within fifty years, you will be the youngest Alchemy Master in the Zhentian Sect!"

Song Junyu paused, the image of that abstract "Waiting for you" message flashing through her mind. She found it hard to connect that ridiculous old man with the sage-like elder before her.

After a moment of silence, Song Junyu said, "I dare to suggest that the path of alchemy, aside from a precise grasp of power, requires a natural sensitivity to medicinal herbs and a patient temperament."

"Naturally!" Ouyang Xuan replied happily.

Song Junyu continued, "But unfortunately, I am someone who is impatient for success."

"My desire for power far exceeds my pursuit of any refined skill."

The breathing of those around them grew heavy.

Song Junyu bowed slightly in apology. "If the Peak Master needs my help with herb management in the future, I will certainly not refuse. But as for my destination, I have already chosen the Sect Master."

"Hmph, child, if you choose this unreliable fellow, your future is unlikely to be smooth."

A sudden voice made Song Junyu turn sharply. She saw that the Elders who had arrived earlier had not left at all.

Gu Sanshi smiled faintly. "What wind blew the Elders here?"

The First and Second Elders turned their heads away in unspoken agreement, then began to scrutinize Song Junyu.

"The robe you are wearing is no simple thing. It clearly has fluctuations of power, yet it is not a magical artifact. Little one, what is this?"

Before Song Junyu could speak, Gu Sanshi cut in.

"Elders, please don't act so ignorant. Why have you come down from the mountain today?"

"Are we not allowed to look around if we have nothing better to do? As Sect Master, you leave a mountain of complex matters to us while you run off here to watch the juniors fight!"

The Second Elder snorted. "Fighting? With these soft beds and small tables, it looks like you just woke up after a full meal and a nap before coming here."

Seeing the explosive tension between them, Song Junyu took a half-step back and said softly, "It is a robe manifested from my spiritual energy, used for concealment."

As she spoke, she withdrew the power of the Golden Thunder, and her attire reverted to its simple, original state.

When the First and Second Elders saw this, a brilliant light erupted in their eyes.

"You mean to say that with your current Qi Refining cultivation, you can already wrap yourself in spiritual energy?!"

What this meant was that she possessed extraordinary comprehension and an unparalleled state of mind. Only those who were truly transcendent could possess the abilities of a Foundation Establishment cultivator while still at the Qi Refining stage.

This little girl looked no more than fifteen or sixteen!

Oh, dear Ancestor, do you see this?!

All these brilliant talents are going to be ruined by the bastard Sect Master you chose!!