Chapter 166: A Silent Gaze, an Unspoken Plea

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For a moment, the impulse to kill Qin Haoxuan rose in Sect Master Huanglong’s heart. If not for this fellow making trouble, would Xu Yu refuse to sell the Qi-Circulating Powder to Zhang Kuang? With that powder, Zhang Kuang’s cultivation progress would surely advance by leaps and bounds.

Of course, this impulse quickly vanished. As the Sect Master of the Taichu Sect, he was supposed to treat all disciples equally. He laughed silently at himself. Where had his years of cultivating his state of mind gone? To be agitated by a mere weak seed disciple was truly improper.

Huanglong felt a sense of helplessness, a rare feeling for him. But at this moment, facing Xu Yu, he was truly at a loss. As the Sect Master, he couldn’t force her to sell her things to someone else. Even if she weren’t a Purple Seed, he couldn’t bring himself to do such a thing.

With no other choice, Huanglong tried again. “The child, Zhang Kuang, is indeed a bit domineering. I have reprimanded him for it many times, and he has expressed that he will certainly change his ways and be friendly to his fellow disciples. His nature is not bad; I believe he was only playing around.” Even as he said these words for Zhang Kuang, he himself felt they were hypocritical. But in order to persuade her, he had to thicken his skin.

Xu Yu still shook her head, her expression stubborn and firm.

“How about this? This seat will summon Zhang Kuang here. You two can shake hands and make peace. From now on, you can support each other. How about it?” Huanglong was growing more and more annoyed. Seeing her resolute refusal, the impulse to kill Qin Haoxuan grew stronger, yet he had to continue speaking to her in a pleasant tone. He hadn’t spoken in such a deferential manner for decades, and he never thought he would be using it on a junior disciple.

His words fell on Xu Yu’s ears, and she heard them clearly. The Sect Master kept talking about her making peace with Zhang Kuang but never once mentioned Brother Haoxuan. It was clear that her friend’s life was of no consequence to him. She said with resolute finality, “As long as Zhang Kuang is Brother Haoxuan’s enemy, I, Xu Yu, swear that I will not sell him a single grain of my powder, even if I am expelled from the sect for it. If the Sect Master feels that this disciple is being foolish, then please take back the rewards you have bestowed upon me.”

Her words startled Huanglong, and his face immediately darkened. From her tone, he could hear a hint of resentment. If any other new disciple had dared to speak to him like that, he would have had them disciplined. But Xu Yu was a Purple Seed. He couldn’t bear to punish her. Besides, what she was doing was, in truth, an act of great loyalty.

Frustrated, Huanglong didn’t know what to do. He waved his hand with a bitter smile. “So be it, so be it. You may take Xu Yu and go,” he said to Su Baihua.

After they had left, Huanglong wondered to himself, Should I summon this Qin Haoxuan? Perhaps if I can get through to him, Zhang Kuang will be able to buy the powder from Xu Yu. If he gets that powder, how fast will his cultivation be? The era of our Taichu Sect’s great revival will be upon us! This Qin Haoxuan…

At the same time, he was also considering whether the treatment of new disciples should be improved. He realized that the sect’s harsh initial conditions had inadvertently fostered the iron-clad bond between Xu Yu and Qin Haoxuan, damaging her loyalty to the sect itself.

Just as he was lost in thought, the attendant announced, “Reporting to the Sect Master, Hall Master Xuanji of the Nature Hall requests an audience.”

Huanglong was stunned. A moment later, his usually placid, immortal-like eyes showed an exceptionally complex expression. Finally, he said in a very soft voice, “Please ask him to come in.” The attendant was also stunned. For the master of the Nature Hall, who never came to Emperor Peak, he had used the word “ask.”

A moment later, Xuanji was led in. He saw Huanglong and bowed. “Xuanji pays his respects to the Sect Master.” Although Xuanji’s cultivation was low, he was of the same generation as Huanglong, and the Sect Master had to give him some face.

Huanglong looked at him, his gaze falling on the clear, bright eyes that held a polite but distinct distance. He sighed softly in his heart. “Sit,” he said.

Xuanji bowed again before taking a seat. “This junior brother has come today to ask a favor of you, Sect Master.”

“Speak,” Huanglong said, gesturing for him to try the tea.

Xuanji refused with a wave of his hand. “The Nature Hall has been in decline for some time, and our true lineage is no longer accessible. But recently, a disciple of excellent aptitude has appeared in our hall. He is suffering from a lack of a suitable orthodox art to cultivate. For this reason, I earnestly request that you show mercy and bestow upon the Nature Hall the backup copy of our lineage’s orthodox art, which was stored with the sect by our ancestors.”

“You came to see me for this?” Disappointment was written all over Huanglong’s face. He then said with a self-deprecating smile, “You know that the lineage in that jade slip can only be viewed once. Are you sure you want to use it? Which disciple has such good fortune?”

“Qin Haoxuan…”

Hearing this name, Huanglong was stunned. His expression was a mixture of wanting to laugh and wanting to be angry. How is it that everyone who comes here is connected to this Qin Haoxuan? First Xu Yu, and now Xuanji!

No, I must see this child for myself, Huanglong decided. He said aloud, “Junior Brother, the Nature Hall’s lineage is a part of our sect’s heritage. If it is lost, how can I face our ancestors when I die? I think you should wait on this matter. I have an assessment here. If he can pass it, then I will give it to him.”

Xuanji had not expected him to change his tune so quickly. He was shocked. Could Qin Haoxuan have some discord with the Sect Master? He quickly dismissed this absurd guess. One was the supreme Sect Master, the other was a looked-down-upon weak seed disciple. How could they possibly have any interaction?

“Sect Master, this Qin Haoxuan’s aptitude is truly excellent. There is hope for the Nature Hall to prosper in his hands. But his current strength is weak; he will certainly not be able to pass the sect’s assessment. I ask that you make an exception…”

Huanglong gently waved his hand. “On any other matter, I would grant your request. But this concerns the lineage of your hall, and thus, of our sect. If Qin Haoxuan is truly worthy, then he will certainly be able to pass this assessment.”

Xuanji’s mouth was filled with a bitter taste. Even he himself could not pass that assessment. How could Qin Haoxuan?

“Thank you, Sect Master. I will go back and reconsider.” At this point, Xuanji did not want to say any more. He stood up and left directly.

“Junior Brother…” Huanglong stood up, wanting to say something, but Xuanji, with his back to him, raised a hand to stop him.

“Sect Master, there is no need to see me off. Xuanji takes his leave.”

In that moment, the back of Xuanji in Huanglong’s eyes was filled with exhaustion. He was no longer the spirited young man of their youth. He was tired… very tired…

Huanglong opened his mouth several times to call him back but ultimately said nothing. I must see this Qin Haoxuan for myself, he thought. If he is truly a worthy talent, with a good character, I will personally deliver the Nature Hall’s lineage to him.

As Xuanji returned to Nameless Peak, he sighed. He recalled that the founding ancestor of the Taichu Sect had passed his teachings down to five disciples. The ancestor of the Nature Hall had been the one with the poorest aptitude and had died early. The other four, out of their brotherly affection, had not only founded their own four great halls but had also established the Nature Hall for their deceased brother’s disciples.