“Such a tiny, utterly powerless fledgling bird.”
Chen Ci finally noticed Gu Shi, who was standing the furthest away, and raised an eyebrow. “And you are?”
Gu Shi replied neither servilely nor overbearingly, “Gu Shi.”
Chen Ci laughed, his expression full of mockery. “Oh, so it is Sect Master Gu’s good-for-nothing son who cannot even cultivate. The Yuandao Sect really has fallen; anyone can just come into the deliberation hall and speak now.”
These words were delivered with zero restraint, but Gu Shi could not afford to care about his dignity anymore. His mind was entirely occupied with how to make Shen Yunsheng stay. Shen Yunsheng was the male lead of this world and the hope for saving it; he absolutely could not let Chen Ci take him away.
Chen Ci thought nothing of Gu Shi and shifted his gaze back to Gu Yan. Crossing his legs and leaning back in his chair, he asked, “Sect Master Gu, have you considered my proposal?”
Gu Yan frowned, his tone resolute. “Shen Yunsheng is my disciple. A teacher for a day is a father for life; I could never sell out my own child.”
Chen Ci was not angry at all, maintaining his smiling demeanor. “I anticipated that someone with Sect Master Gu’s overcautious temperament would take a long time to make a decision. Without putting a little pressure on Sect Master Gu, it would be hard for me to go back and report to my superiors anytime soon. I have heard that the ley lines of the Yuandao Sect are exceptionally robust. I wonder how many waves of my attacks they can withstand.”
The ley lines were the foundation of a sect. If they were destroyed, the sect’s collapse would only be a matter of time. This was backing them into a dead end, and Gu Yan grew furious. “Chen Ci, do not go too far.”
Chen Ci chuckled, completely unbothered by his anger, and lightly dusted his robes. “And so what if I do?”
Gu Yan said in a cold voice, “Even if you are at the Nascent Soul stage, with the entire strength of our Yuandao Sect, we can still make sure you do not leave here alive.”
Chen Ci laughed even more heartily. “Do you think I came unprepared? Sect Master Gu, are you not always portrayed as righteous? In your eyes, are the lives of over a thousand disciples of the Yuandao Sect truly worthless?”
Right now, he was the butcher’s knife and they were the fish on the chopping board. In the face of absolute power, all their resistance was a joke. Gu Yan clenched his fists tightly by his sides. He knew that Chen Ci would not give up today until he took Shen Yunsheng away, and he could not genuinely let the entire sect engage in a suicidal fight with him.
Chen Ci’s smile faded. “I do not have much patience left. Sect Master Gu, make your decision quickly.”
Yu Chanxin could not take it anymore. The string of Buddhist prayer beads on his wrist flew into mid-air, emitting a fierce white light, and he prepared to strike Chen Ci. Chen Ci watched him leisurely, his eyes full of arrogance. “If you have any tricks, use them all at once so I do not have to clean you up one by one.”
Gu Yan forcefully stopped Yu Chanxin. “Second Junior Brother.”
Yu Chanxin was burning with rage. “You are still going to endure this?”
Gu Shi, who had been unable to think of a solution, suddenly felt the weight on his shoulder and a sudden idea struck him. “Wait, wait, wait. Elder Chen, I have something here that you will definitely be interested in.”
Chen Ci glanced sideways at him, not taking his words seriously at all, but still decided to give him a chance. “Speak.”
Gu Shi grabbed the small red bird on his shoulder and held it out in front of him. “This thing right here.”
Chen Ci laughed as if he had heard a joke. “A tiny fledgling bird with zero spiritual power? There would not even be enough meat on it to eat. You could not pay me to take it.”
Gu Shi hardened his heart. “It came out of the Western Continent Secret Realm.”
As soon as those words left his mouth, the mockery on Chen Ci’s face receded, and his expression turned serious as he looked at the small red bird. “Really?”
Gu Shi wore a solemn expression and swore an oath to the heavens. “I swear that if it did not come out of the Western Continent Secret Realm, let me be struck by five lightning bolts from the heavens.”
Taking advantage of the moment when Chen Ci and the other two were distracted by Gu Shi, Gu Yan hurriedly shot a look at Wen Qingtang. Understanding his meaning, Wen Qingtang quietly slipped out of the deliberation hall to urgently search for Shen Yunsheng.
Chen Ci flicked his finger, and a streak of white light shot out, wrapping tightly around the little red bird. Bound by the light, the little red bird kicked its little claws frantically and let out a string of high-pitched chirps, showing obvious dissatisfaction.
Carried by the white light, the little red bird was brought right in front of Chen Ci. Chen Ci stared at it intently, inspecting it thoroughly from top to bottom and all around, yet he still could not detect a single shred of spiritual power fluctuation. With a wave of his hand, he rudely and disdainfully tossed the bird back. “Trash. Even if it came out of the Western Continent Secret Realm, it is still trash.”
The little red bird flailed in the air. Without moving his body, Gu Shi reached out and caught it out of mid-air. The little red bird was so angry that the fluff on its head stood on end; it flapped its wings and kicked fiercely toward Gu Shi’s face. This time, Gu Shi did not let it land a kick, gripping it tightly in his hand as he continued to upsell its value to Chen Ci. “Elder Chen, it might not look valuable, but the value it can bring is immeasurable.”
Chen Ci pondered for a moment, still giving him a chance to speak. “Let us hear it.”
Gu Shi argued persuasively. “Since it came out of the Western Continent Secret Realm, it naturally is not bound by the realm’s rules. As long as you tame it, the Western Continent Secret Realm becomes the Wuxiang Sect’s backyard. What treasures could you not get?”
Chen Ci’s eyes lit up, and he nodded. “If it is truly as you say, that would not be bad. Hand it over.”
Gu Shi clutched the little red bird close and refused to give it up. “Trade it for Shen Yunsheng. The Wuxiang Sect definitely will not lose out.”
Hearing his naive words, Chen Ci burst out laughing. “How can you trade like this? Young man, you did not understand my meaning.”
Gu Shi had not understood his meaning before, but the moment those words were spoken, he finally did: Chen Ci wanted both. He had underestimated just how shameless Chen Ci could be.
Furious, Gu Shi could not fathom how a person could be shameless to this extent. “We agreed on one Mysterious-grade spiritual plant. You are changing the terms on the spot.”
Chen Ci dropped all pretense. “And what can you do to me?”
Gu Shi hid the little red bird behind his back and stubbornly barged ahead with his bargaining. “Then do not even think about taking it.”
“Naive.” Chen Ci glanced sideways at him. Without even moving a hand, he simply released his aura pressure. In a split second, Gu Shi felt a crushing weight descend upon him, as if a massive mountain were pressing down on his head. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead instantly. Gu Shi bit his lips until they bled, yet he still could not resist the pressure. His knees went weak, and he heavily dropped to his knees. This was the crushing pressure of a higher realm over a lower one.
Gu Yan hurried to Gu Shi’s side and helped him block a portion of the pressure. Only then could Gu Shi prop himself up on the ground and stand back up. Blood was already spilling from the corner of his mouth, dripping down in a thin line, but the little red bird was still securely clutched in his hand.
Chen Ci’s face darkened, his voice carrying displeasure. “Will you hand it over yourself, or do I have to come take it?”
Swallowing the metallic taste of blood in his throat, Gu Shi quickly said. “Wait, I have already tamed it. If you forcefully take it from me, I will destroy it right now.”
Before he could finish his sentence, Gu Yan forcefully interrupted him. “I will give it to you.”
Gu Shi was puzzled, and then Gu Yan turned around, glaring at him with a look that expressed a thousand words left unsaid. A shock went through Gu Shi’s heart as realization dawned: if he had finished that sentence, Chen Ci would have definitely taken him to the Wuxiang Sect as well, and then used the lives of everyone in the Yuandao Sect as leverage to force his absolute obedience. The Wuxiang Sect was simply too shameless.
Chen Ci looked at Gu Yan with a half-smile. “Sect Master Gu knows what is good for him after all. However, since this bird has already been tamed, its master has to go along too. Keeping one extra idle person around is no big deal; my Wuxiang Sect can afford to feed one more.”
Gu Shi quickly changed his tune. “I have not tamed it.” At the same time, he loosened his grip. The little red bird immediately flew right up to Gu Shi’s face, kicking it with its claws and slapping it with its wings. Just as it prepared to peck him with its beak, Gu Shi felt he had proven his point enough and finally reached out to pinch it by the neck. “Elder Chen believes me now, right?”
Using his spiritual power, Chen Ci pulled the little red bird over to himself, gave it a casual glance, and tossed it to the disciple standing behind him. “Barely acceptable. Where is Shen Yunsheng?”
Gu Yan replied in a deep voice. “He is out on a training journey.”
Before he could finish his sentence, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall. Gu Shi turned his head to look and saw Shen Yunsheng and Wen Qingtang walking in. Shen Yunsheng’s face wore a desolately ashen pallor; just looking at him made Gu Shi’s heart ache.
When Gu Yan looked at Wen Qingtang, his eyes were filled with shock. Meeting his gaze, Wen Qingtang guiltily gave a slight shake of his head. The two of them said nothing, yet everything had been communicated.
Shen Yunsheng walked to the center of the hall. Seeing him, Chen Ci’s expression softened considerably, as if he had finally picked out a suitable piece of merchandise. He stepped down from the high seat and said with a warm smile. “Ah, very good. A fine sapling indeed. Leaving him in the Yuandao Sect is burying his talent; following this old man to the Wuxiang Sect to make a grand future for himself is the proper path.”
Shen Yunsheng looked at Chen Ci, his tone resolute. “Elder Chen, I have already entered the Yuandao Sect and acknowledged my master. Going with you this time can only be considered studying abroad; I cannot acknowledge a new master.”
Gu Shi was the first to object. “No. You cannot go with him.”
Gu Yan’s complexion could no longer be described as dark because of blame, but rather because of overwhelming self-reproach. “Shen Yunsheng.”
“Very well, as you wish.” Chen Ci did not make things difficult for Shen Yunsheng. After all, in his view, Shen Yunsheng’s emotional attachment to the Yuandao Sect was still deep, but once he arrived at the Wuxiang Sect and experienced how much importance they placed on him, given time, his heart would naturally sway.
Chen Ci continued. “Business is done. Let us return to the sect.”
Shen Yunsheng said. “I have a few parting words I wish to say to my master. Please grant me permission, Elder Chen.”
Chen Ci cheerfully agreed. “Alright. Besides, I need to tally up the travel expenses anyway.”
Chen Ci led his disciples out of the deliberation hall. Unable to wait a moment longer, Gu Shi grabbed Shen Yunsheng’s hand. “You cannot go with him.”
Although Shen Yunsheng still maintained his expressionless and cold demeanor, the corners of his eyes had turned red at some unknown point. Brushing Gu Shi’s hand away, he knelt down before Gu Yan. “Master, as long as this disciple has a single breath left, I will definitely return.”
Gu Yan hurriedly bent down to support him, his own eyes turning red. “It is this master who is useless and unable to protect you.”
Remaining in his kneeling position, Shen Yunsheng said. “The happiest thing in this disciple’s life has been entering Master’s sect. Master, please rest assured; this disciple will never bring shame to Master.”
Hearing those words, which sounded almost like a final testament, Gu Yan quickly said. “Yunsheng, no matter what happens, you must live well. The Yuandao Sect will always be your home.”
“This disciple will keep it in mind.” Shen Yunsheng’s voice was already choked with tears. Having finished speaking, he heavily knocked his head against the ground three times with loud thuds, then stood up and walked outward, his retreating figure appearing both desolate and resolute.
Gu Yan staggered a step forward and cried out in sorrow. “Yunsheng.”
Shen Yunsheng paused for a fraction of a second, but it was only a fraction; he did not turn back. Gu Shi chased eagerly after him. He saw the tears all over Shen Yunsheng’s face, and his heart gave a painful tug as he made a solemn, oath-like promise. “Shen Yunsheng, I will definitely bring you back.”
Shen Yunsheng gave him a deep look. All misunderstandings and rumors seemed utterly insignificant at this moment. Perhaps this would be the last time they ever saw each other in this lifetime. He pressed his lips together, seeming as though he wanted to smile, but ultimately failed to do so; instead, he simply reached out, patted Gu Shi’s shoulder, walked past him, and kept moving forward.
The magnificent, scorching sunlight outside could not shine into the hall. After Shen Yunsheng left, the entire hall instantly fell into a dead silence. A fire was burning in everyone’s chest, yet they could find no outlet for it. Even Yu Chanxin, who usually had the most explosive temper, slumped back into his chair without uttering a single word. Everyone knew that once Shen Yunsheng left on this trip, there was virtually no possibility of him ever coming back.
Wen Qingtang spoke up to explain the origin of it all. “I found Yunsheng and told him to run as far away as possible. But he said that every single day he lived was a gift, and he could not just run away and leave this mess behind for us.”
Gu Shi knew Shen Yunsheng’s background. When he was six years old, feral beasts had massacred his village, and it just so happened that Gu Yan was passing by, slaying the beasts with a single sword stroke and saving everyone left in the village.
The sorrowful atmosphere spread like a cold front, dense, desolate, and lonely, pricking the heart with a dull ache.
“We still have a chance.” Gu Yan’s voice, suddenly filled with reinvigorating adrenaline, broke the silence of the hall. Everyone looked toward him. Gu Yan looked at Gu Shi, and consequently, everyone shifted their gaze to follow Gu Yan’s line of sight straight to Gu Shi.
Gu Shi picked up where he left off. “I obtained an opportunity in the Western Continent Secret Realm and awakened a fire spiritual root.”
Gu Yan added. “A supreme-grade fire spiritual root.”
The dead, lifeless eyes of everyone present instantly reignited with ash-reborn light. Yu Chanxin stood up in excitement. “Really?”
Gu Shi openly extended his hand toward him. “Second Elder can examine it for yourself.”
Extending his fingertip to rest on Gu Shi’s wrist, Yu Chanxin channeled a wisp of spiritual power to investigate. Very quickly, his eyes filled with brilliant light. “It truly is a supreme-grade fire spiritual root. Our Yuandao Sect is saved.”
Gu Yan hurriedly made a gesture for silence. “Only the few of us know about this matter; it must not be spread outside.”
Everyone nodded one after another. “That goes without saying.”
Yu Chanxin grabbed Gu Shi’s hand. “From now on, you are the fourth disciple of my Little Lotus Peak. I will undoubtedly pour out everything I have learned in my lifetime to teach you.”
Gu Yan remained silent, simply looking at Gu Shi. “What are your own thoughts on this?”
Gu Shi knew very little about cultivation and could not make up his mind right away. “I want to go take a look at the Scripture Pavilion first.”
Gu Yan nodded, then looked at the rest of the group. “Starting from now, we will pool the entire strength of the sect to cultivate Gu Shi. This is the sect’s number one priority.”
A supreme-grade spiritual root was a once-in-a-millennium genius. As long as he cultivated properly, his future prospects would be limitless. This was the Yuandao Sect’s only hope for a comeback, so naturally, no one had any objections.
“Understood.”