The Art of Subduing Dragons

Chapter 14

Listening to the disciples from the immortal sects downstairs discussing her as a topic of conversation, Luo Qingci shook her head and set down the tea cup in her hand.

"Is something wrong? Is the tea not to your taste?" A clear, pleasant female voice inquired, followed by a delicate hand setting a plate of pastries in front of Luo Qingci.

Luo Qingci lifted her gaze to the woman in front of her. The woman's face, lightly adorned with makeup, held a faint smile with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

The woman before her had jade-green hairpins securing her dark hair, dressed in a flowing green robe with a trail of fine silk, as gentle as the moonlight in spring. She was very easy on the eyes.

However, Luo Qingci merely glanced at her before looking down again and replied calmly, "No, the tea you make just keeps getting better."

Her tone was sincere but lacked the lazy smile that had once been her trademark.

Cheng Su, hearing this, stared at her for a moment before furrowing her brow.

Seeing Cheng Su's reaction, Luo Qingci, still calm, asked with suspicion, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Cheng Su's brow remained furrowed as she said with concern, "You've been like this for years now. You seem to have lost your warmth. You used to talk so much, but now you barely say anything."

Luo Qingci was momentarily taken aback but soon replied, "I wear a mask when I go out; how can you tell that I've become less lively?"

Luo Qingci always wore a mask when she went out, allowing her to be herself. Although this was quite odd to others, Cheng Su had long since grown accustomed to it.

"You may be wearing a mask, but there are still your eyes and mouth," Cheng Su pointed out. The mask Luo Qingci wore was a gift from Cheng Su herself, made from the skin of a dream beast, thin and close-fitting, with delicate patterns, covering all but a small part of her chin. It was much better than the ugly mask she had worn when they first met.

"You're overthinking it; I'm just feeling lazy. Remember how you used to complain about my noise? I'm just trying to keep a bit of dignity now," Luo Qingci said with a slight smile.

"Well, that's a bit of the old flavor, but it still feels off," Cheng Su sighed.

Continuing, Cheng Su glanced downstairs and added, "This year, all the major sects are recruiting disciples. I hear that regardless of their background or surname, and even without asking where they were previously apprenticed, they're only testing their natural talent."

"Tianyan Sect is even offering big rewards. If a disciple is accepted as an inner sect member, they get ten medium-grade spirit stones each. If they become an elder's personal disciple, they receive thirty top-grade spirit stones and ten condensation dew pills."

As Cheng Su spoke, a seventeen-year-old boy downstairs excitedly discussed the conditions offered by Tianyan Sect.

Cheng Su commented, "What a generous offer. Over the years, the younger generation in the immortal sects has been scarce in outstanding talents. It seems all the sects are eager."

Luo Qingci gently rubbed her right hand's index finger and thumb together and turned to her, "So, what are you implying by mentioning this?"

"Loose cultivators are always at a disadvantage, missing out on many opportunities," Cheng Su said helplessly.

"Do you want them to join a sect?" Luo Qingci asked with a faint smile.

"Isn't the sect already your place? It's just that in this region, the spiritual energy has been mostly divided up by sects and families. Without a sect backing them, it's too hard to rely solely on oneself."