Chapter Seventy-Nine: Master Yuling

Gu Weiyu suddenly came to herself amidst her turbulent thoughts. Why was she feeling so anxious and uncertain? She was now an official disciple of the Myriad Sword Sect, with the sect as her sanctuary—so what if she couldn't become a disciple of a Core Formation master?

With this realization, Gu Weiyu felt her heart lighten, and her mood grew calm once again.

"Red Robe, are you willing to take me as your master?" A languid voice echoed through the great hall, sounding as though it had just awakened from slumber.

Gu Weiyu instinctively looked up. A dazzling red robe caught her eye, and a breathtakingly beautiful young woman stood before her, gazing at her with a half-smile.

If Fairy Yuyao was like a delicate and graceful crape myrtle blossom, then Master Yuling was like a sumptuous peony—beautiful, but with thorns.

Gu Weiyu quickly lowered her gaze. To have a Core Formation master as her teacher was naturally something she desired.

She bowed low, kneeling toward Master Yuling. "Red Robe greets Master!"

"Mm, come here," Master Yuling said lazily.

Gu Weiyu walked over in measured steps, coming to stand at her side.

She soon noticed something peculiar: most of the Core Formation masters in the hall sat upright with an air of lofty dignity, but her own master lounged sideways on a couch—well, that certainly set her apart from the others…

Master Qianhe finally found an opportunity to speak. He stepped forward and encouraged them, "You ten must heed your masters' guidance, practice diligently without ceasing, build your foundation and reach Core Formation as soon as possible, bringing honor to the Myriad Sword Sect!"

"We will follow the Sect Master's instructions!" Gu Weiyu and the other nine responded together.

Master Qianhe stroked his beard and nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Now, watch how the others fare on the Heavenly Ascension Steps."

Gu Weiyu and the others had already noticed the flowing-light mirror in the hall, and now all turned to watch.

On the Ascension Steps, roughly a hundred people still climbed, while dozens stared blankly ahead.

The remaining hundred or two were even more peculiar: some reclined, others lay sprawled across the jade steps, all with expressions of enjoyment.

"It seems only about this hundred will pass the test this time," Master Qingpu said, shaking his palm fan.

Gu Weiyu immediately understood: only those still climbing the steps stood a chance of reaching the White Jade Plaza.

"If one cannot overcome the trials of the heart, one will halt on the path to immortality.

If one indulges in pleasure and shuns progress, then no matter how gifted, such talent is wasted," Master Qingjian remarked, watching the mirror, as if speaking to himself—or perhaps for the benefit of their ten.

Gu Weiyu pondered this. Surely, those standing blank-eyed on the jade steps were ones unable to break through their spiritual barriers.

If only they could overcome them, they might still reach the summit!

"This is growing dull, Senior Brother Sect Master, I'll take my leave," Master Qingpu said as the number of climbers dwindled, now that he had chosen his disciple.

"Siblings, you may depart as you wish," Master Qianhe nodded. Indeed, there was little left to see; today's test was nearly over.

With Master Qingpu taking the lead, others soon followed, and the hall quickly emptied.

"Red Robe, come with me," Master Yuling said, rising and heading out of the hall. In a blink, she stood at the doorway.

Gu Weiyu hurriedly used the Heaven Thunder Flash technique and barely caught up.

Outside the Sect Master's hall, Master Yuling stepped onto her flying sword and beckoned, "Come up!"

Gu Weiyu obeyed, stepping onto the sword, which soared skyward.

She nearly slipped off, quickly grabbing a corner of Master Yuling's sleeve in secret.

Master Yuling's lips curved as she stood on the sword, and its speed surged again, streaking like a meteor toward Misty Peak.

Master Yuling dismounted first, Gu Weiyu following closely.

Once the sword was stowed, Master Yuling strode into the residence of the peak master, the Free Pavilion.

"Come here, sit by me," Master Yuling said, settling onto the wooden couch and addressing Gu Weiyu as she entered.

Gu Weiyu sat cross-legged on the mat beside the couch.

Master Yuling's gaze lingered meaningfully on the scar on Gu Weiyu's face. "That scar…"

Gu Weiyu knew that at such close quarters, her human-skin mask could not fool her master.

She reached to her chin, peeled it off, and revealed her delicate, charming face beneath.

"Red Robe, can you tell your master the reason?" Master Yuling asked gently.

Gu Weiyu's eyes dimmed. She lowered her gaze. Could she speak of it?

Not only was Qin Prefecture thousands of miles away, but that Chu Xingyun was likely a Core Formation cultivator as well—making it hard to confide.

The matter also involved the Gu clan's inheritance, weighing heavily on her mind.

"Enough, your master knows you must have your difficulties.

But remember, you are now my first disciple. In the Myriad Sword Sect, no one may bully you!"

Master Yuling spoke with solemnity. "If you ever wish to tell me, do so when the time is right."

Hearing this, Gu Weiyu felt a warmth in her heart; since leaving Qin Prefecture, her drifting soul finally found a place to rest.

"Thank you, Master," she said, eyes reddening.

"Your master sees you are already at the eighth level of Qi Refining at such a young age. You must have a suitable cultivation method?"

"Yes," Gu Weiyu nodded, "I already have a proper method."

Master Yuling nodded mildly. This disciple had her own story, and since she was unwilling to share, as her master, she would not press.

"My specialty is alchemy," she said, producing several jade slips from her storage space. "I am less skilled at swordplay, but if you are interested, I can instruct you as well.

These slips contain my alchemy experience and some basic sword forms. Take them to study; if you have questions, come ask me."

Gu Weiyu respectfully accepted the jade slips with both hands. "Master, I have one more matter to report."

"Oh? What is it?" Master Yuling was somewhat surprised, having thought her disciple would be reticent.

"Master, I actually possess three spiritual roots: fire, wood, and thunder." Gu Weiyu felt there was no need to hide her thunder root from her master.

"You have a hidden spiritual root?" Master Yuling was astonished, especially since it was an elusive thunder root. "If you only study alchemy, you would waste your thunder root!"

She pondered for a moment. "Very well, choose a residence first; this requires careful consideration.

Misty Peak is inhabited only by your master. If you find a place you like, let me know."

Gu Weiyu put away the jade slips and left the Free Pavilion.

She took out her pink paper crane, mounted it, and circled above Misty Peak, finding it truly deserted. Aside from the Free Pavilion at the summit, she saw no other buildings.

Purple Pen Literature