Chapter 24
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Chapter 24: She Is Too Steady!
After receiving news from He Yurou, Elder Gaoyi couldn’t wait to keep watch near the woods, fearing someone might disturb Bai Lian. It was an old deacon who stopped him in time.
“No, no!”
That’s right.
Elder Gaoyi figured it out at once. As an Elder of the Duxian sect, countless people had their eyes on him. If he acted rashly, many would secretly follow him, potentially putting Bai Lian in even greater danger.
The Ten Thousand Immortals League was a loose alliance of cultivation sects, and trust among its members was fragile at best.
Elder Gaoyi immediately decided to block the news. Now, only a dozen people knew that Bai Lian had broken through to the Soul Changing Stage.
He took a deep breath to calm his excitement, then looked carefully at Bai Lian standing before him. Sure enough, she had reached the Soul Changing Stage.
What a good child!
Elder Gaoyi sighed. He had initially planned to advise Bai Lian against arrogance and impatience, but it seemed unnecessary now.
Her expression remained calm, as though nothing had happened.
Who could have thought that this was a prodigy who had reached the Soul Changing Stage after cultivating for only three and a half years?
“She’s too steady!”
Elder Gaoyi tried to imagine. If their roles were reversed, he doubted he could remain as composed as Bai Lian.
Maybe this is the Natural Saint!
“Elder Gaoyi said, “Consolidate your cultivation base, and you don’t have to do anything for the next few days.”
Bai Lian nodded with difficulty. Her cultivation base did need consolidation, but figuring out what had happened felt more urgent.
“Elder Gaoyi…”
She barely began to speak when he interrupted her.
“Don’t worry. We have enough people. Even if you rest, it won’t affect the next trial. Everyone is taking the initiative to share your tasks, so you don’t need to feel guilty.”
“Elder Gaoyi…”
“Don’t worry. I’ve arranged for the news to be blocked. Even your Martial Sisters don’t know your true cultivation base. If others suspect, as long as you keep it hidden, nothing will happen.”
“Elder Gaoyi…”
“Don’t worry. He Yurou is a good girl. When she felt the pressure of the Soul Changing Stage, she immediately informed me and swore a Tao heart oath to keep the secret. Qing Luan and others followed suit.”
Elder Gaoyi let out a long sigh. “I’m truly gratified. The Duxian sect is so united; we will certainly prosper in the future!”
As golden sunlight filled the room, he unconsciously wiped his eyes.
They were wet.
—
A Thousand Years Ago
Many disciples of the Duxian sect perished, and the sect itself was reduced to near ruin. The late former sect leader worked tirelessly to preserve its legacy. It took another 300 years to rebuild the sect to its current state.
When An Lan was picked up, everyone believed she would lead the Duxian sect to greatness. Unfortunately, she proved too irresponsible, and her actions influenced Yan Yue, turning her into another unreliable figure.
Perhaps out of guilt, after centuries of idleness, An Lan finally accepted a disciple. No one expected her disciple to become the sect’s hope.
It’s fate.
Best of all, Bai Lian was nothing like her master.
Great.
Elder Gaoyi stroked his chin thoughtfully. “When we return to the Duxian sect, it’s time to put some responsibility on Bai Lian!”
Immersed in his excitement, he nearly forgot himself.
—
Bai Lian, on the other hand, was deeply conflicted.
At first, she suspected the rumors were started by Tong Yao, but to her shock, it was He Yurou!
Damn it. Why?
And Si Yunshang—why couldn’t she have broken through to the Soul Changing Stage somewhere further away?
Was this part of the Demon Woman’s schemes?
Bai Lian gritted her teeth. She had to explain quickly to prevent the rumors from spreading further.
She was about to speak when a task prompt appeared before her:
Task 1: Tell Elder Gaoyi that it was not you who broke through to the Soul Changing Stage, but someone else (Reward: an inferior spirit tool – Wind Flowing Cloud).
Task 2: Admit your true cultivation base in front of Elder Gaoyi (Reward: Sea Fire Seed).
Task 3: Say nothing (Reward: a bottle of Qi Gathering Pills).
“Ah?”
An inferior spirit tool?
If she chose Task 1, she couldn’t survive.
Bai Lian was frightened. She remained silent, but Elder Gaoyi acted again.
He handed her a circular jade pendant with a smile. “I almost forgot. Your current state is unstable. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that you’ve formed a Yuanshen. This jade pendant can help you conceal it.”
Bai Lian nodded, finally understanding why Elder Gaoyi was so convinced she had reached the Soul Changing Stage.
The Supreme Real Elixir was to blame.
Although her cultivation base was only at the peak of the Golden Core Stage, her soul had partly transformed under the elixir’s effects.
What a sin!
Now, even if she tried to explain, Elder Gaoyi wouldn’t believe her.
If only I had waited to eat the elixir back at the sect!
Bai Lian wanted to cry.
Elder Gaoyi continued, “If the tree stands tall in the forest, the wind will destroy it. You know this, so I don’t need to say more. Go handle your business.”
“Yes.”
Bai Lian left the room gloomily.
—
Tong Yao and the others were waiting outside. As soon as they saw Bai Lian, their breathing quickened.
“Martial Sister Bai Lian,” Qing Luan said with a bow.
Chen Yizhi remained silent but respectful.
Tong Yao, smiling brightly, added, “Don’t worry, I’m tight-lipped!”
Should I thank you for that?
Hearing “don’t worry” nearly made Bai Lian sick. If not for Tong Yao’s Tao heart oath, the rumors would have already spread to other sects!
Bai Lian chatted with them briefly. The only consolation was that she had earned several skill points during this ordeal, edging her closer to the Soul Changing Stage.
When Bai Lian left, Qing Luan stared at her retreating figure.
—
Qing Luan’s Determination
Now, Qing Luan couldn’t wait to communicate with Bai Lian. She resolved to ask the sect leader for permission to follow and study under her.
While she awaited a response, the second stage of the trial began.
Bai Lian, however, had no part in it. Her tasks were assigned to others, and she rested.
During the trial, her Martial Sisters made significant progress, reaching the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment Stage.
—
Homeward Bound
On the 15th day after leaving the sect, the Aurora Boat carried the disciples of the Duxian sect back home.
Standing on the deck, gazing at the clouds below, Bai Lian let out a long sigh.
“Finally, I survived the trial safely.”
No one had bothered her about the Soul Changing Stage rumor in recent days. Perhaps she had worried too much.
