Chapter 45
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Chapter 45: Fundraising Has Failed
You You felt deeply dejected. The auspicious clouds marking the Elder’s ascension had illuminated the sky for three days, painting the Feng Tian Pavilion in rainbow hues. Yet her heart felt like it was drowning in a downpour heavier than the rain on the day Yiping went to beg her father for money.
Her chosen teacher was gone. Her carefully laid plan now lacked its most critical piece, threatening to collapse the entire project. This outcome couldn’t be worse.
She’d always known her skills were unreliable, but not _this_ unreliable! All she did was pass on some techniques—since when did that include triggering ascension? She’d even tested her non-attack skills on animals during her free time, and none of the rabbits had turned into spirits!
How did her handpicked teacher end up flying to the heavens?
Heartache, gloom, frustration…
Others, however, saw things differently. Since the Elder’s ascension, people had flocked to see her like frenzied chickens, including prominent families rushing to the Feng Tian Pavilion. They begged her to reconsider or add another relative to her roster.
You You didn’t mind their eagerness, but their constant congratulations on the Elder’s ascension and relentless mentions of "Establishing a Contract" felt like repeated stabs to her wounded heart.
No more selections. Not a single one!
She packed up to leave. The Wu Family had already fled with their relatives the day after the Heavenly Chosen Ceremony, likely fearing regrets. Honestly, she was disappointed. She’d come to secure an investment, only to watch her investor ascend. With slumped shoulders, she bid the Feng Tian Pavilion farewell and trudged toward the mountain gate. She’d arrived via Xu’s Flying Boat but now faced walking back—until she spotted a Spirit Ship waiting ahead.
Modest yet dignified, the medium-sized Spirit Ship stood in stark contrast to the gaudy vessels of other families. Dozens of uniformed figures waited beside it. At the front stood Ling Qi, her former customer service manager, smiling expectantly.
Everyone paused. Feng Rong scowled.
“Ling Qi? Why are you here?” You You blinked. Hadn’t they said goodbye yesterday? Was this a courtesy pickup-and-drop service?
Ling Qi bowed. “Ling Qi, family head of the Yuan Family, greets the Master!”
Behind him, the crowd knelt in unison. “Welcome, Master!”
“Huh?” You You gaped. The Yuan Family? Their uniforms _did_ look familiar. “But… your Elder ascended!”
“Though the Elder has ascended,” Ling Qi replied, “he vowed to follow you. The Yuan Family honors his pledge by continuing to serve you.”
Oh. Right. The Elder alone had left; the family remained. At least this trip wasn’t a total loss.
Then it hit her. “You’re from the Yuan Family? But your name’s Ling Qi!”
He smiled. “I am of the Yuan Family. As no noble lady was born in my generation, I carry my mother’s surname, Ling.”
“Ah!” So children here took their mother’s names? That explained Lin’s mother.
“I withheld this earlier to avoid influencing your decision,” Ling Qi admitted. He’d never expected her to choose the Yuan Family.
“No worries.” You You waved it off, noting his plain attire. “So now you’re…”
“Having resigned as a Feng Tian Pavilion priest, I now serve you.”
“You quit? Perfect!” Her mood brightened. She’d wanted to poach him anyway! Grinning, she hauled him up by the shoulder. “No formalities! We’re all brothers now.”
Ling Qi stiffened at her casual touch before smiling wryly. He gestured to the Spirit Ship. “Master, this way.”
“Great!” She skipped toward it.
Feng Rong yanked her sleeve, sneering. “So happy about _Yuan Family_ Ling Qi, huh?” He was from the Feng Family, yet she’d never shown _him_ such delight.
“Obviously! He’s a genius!” A top-tier one, no less.
Feng Rong’s face darkened. He snorted, shoved past her, and stormed aboard.
“…” What’s his problem? Little Fire Chicken indeed.
They departed swiftly.
Ling Qi briefed her on the Yuan Family’s dire state. Once part of an immortal sect, they’d survived a millennium after its collapse by pooling resources to help Elder Ning reach the next cultivation stage. Their inherited legacies were useless to those without spiritual roots—most couldn’t even open the jade slips storing cultivation techniques.
“This’ll work!” You You shrugged. Spiritual roots were fixable, but self-study post-Elder’s ascension? That worried her.
“The Elder often taught us basics,” Ling Qi said. “Though we lack spiritual energy, every clansman knows the methods by heart.”
A silver lining!
（＊◇）
