Second Time

Chapter 52 - Princess

Jin Liling finally returned to the sect after being out on a mission for over two years. She wanted nothing more than to immediately go to her room and rest, but that would never be possible for her.

Word of her return had already spread through the sect. Groups of people waited for her in various locations. When she first passed through the gates, dozens called out to her, showering her in compliments and praise. The scene replayed itself at the mission hall when she turned in the requested materials, and yet again when she went back to the peak she lived on.

She had the unfortunate fate of being in the sect's top ten beauties, as voted on by the male disciples. She'd have a good shot at it even if it was the females voting. Her popularity soared despite her wishes and she couldn't go anywhere without people fawning over her.

Some days, she wanted to cut off her black hair that reached her waist simply to lower her appeal. If it wasn't for her friend that took great joy in styling it, she may have, but it might backfire and have people praising her for how great she looked with short hair, so it wasn't worth it in any case.

As she walked through the crowds of fellow disciples, someone grabbed her hand.

Despite everyone's infatuation with her, they rarely were so bold as to actually touch her, especially since that would usually lead to them getting assaulted by her other fans.

Jin Liling flinched in alarm and tried to yank her hand away, but couldn't escape her captor's great strength. She spun in a rage and glared at the assailant, then immediately calmed down when she realized it was a woman.

She had never seen the woman before. If she had, she definitely would have remembered, as the woman had quite the unique appearance.

Wavy, auburn hair. Brown eyes flecked with red. An imposing, dangerous aura despite her cultivation being unreadable. The woman stared at Jin Liling's hand in her own with a pensive expression as a faint yet profound qi flowed through Jin Liling's body.

"What are you doing? Who are you?" Jin Liling asked. She couldn't recognize the woman's clothing as belonging to any of the branches of the sect. A few of them did have sleeveless robes, but none of those used red.

Jin Liling dressed in almost the opposite manner, wearing layered robes with long sleeves that concealed her figure as much as possible.

Shao Yue's face suddenly lit up, but then she grew uncertain. "Can we talk in private? I have a proposal I hope you'll be interested in."

"Again, who are you?"

Shao Yue let go of Jin Liling's hand and revealed her identity token. "I'm the newest elder, Shao Yue."

"Ah!" Jin Liling's eyes widened. She cupped her fists and bowed respectfully. "My apologies, I failed to recognize you, Elder Shao."

"How could you? I joined while you were gone." Shao Yue waved her hand. "So, can we talk?"

"Of course, Elder! We can speak at my residence, if it pleases you."

"Sure, lead the way."

Jin Liling had a substantial courtyard all to herself, as most of the Spiritual Manifestation Realm cultivators in the sect did. She brought Shao Yue into the main room and they sat across from each other at a short table.

"I'll get straight to the point," Shao Yue said, folding her hands together. "I want to accept you as my direct disciple, and then once you reach the Heavenly Realm, I will instruct you as my successor."

"What?!" Jin Liling couldn't believe her ears. "We just met, why would you—"

"You've been told you have a trash Law Body, right?"