Zanxing

Chapter 67 - Armory (1)

Yanxing never quite understood why both Men Dong and Gu Baiying acted like they were facing a great enemy when she mentioned going to the secret realm trial with Mu Chengxiao.

So, naturally, she was unaware of the turmoil that nearly erupted in Xiaoyao Hall after she left.

Men Dong sat on the ground, earnestly pleading, "Martial Uncle, we absolutely cannot let them go to the secret realm trial. These young men and women are at the peak of their vitality! If any danger arises in that secret realm, they'll likely bond through hardship. And in a moment of excitement, they might... you know, dry wood and a blazing fire... who knows, one night they might secretly dual cultivate together!"

"Shut your mouth!" Gu Baiying snapped, clearly irritated. "Mu Chengxiao likes Liu Yunxin, who has just entered the sect. How could he develop feelings for Yanxing?"

"Martial Uncle, how can you be so naive? Don't you understand men?" Men Dong continued righteously, spitting his words with passion. "What are men like? Even if Mu Chengxiao's heart is with Liu Yunxin, that's distant water that can't quench his near thirst! What if he gets desperate and seeks temporary pleasure with Yanxing?"

Gu Baiying flicked his fingers and knocked Men Dong on the forehead. "I've told you before to read more and use your words properly. You're speaking utter nonsense."

"Anyway, Martial Uncle, you absolutely must not give them any chance to be alone together!" Men Dong insisted urgently. "We can't take that risk. The Sect Leader still doesn't know the Qinchong seed is inside Yanxing. There's still a chance to fix things, but once the seed transfers to a new host, it's impossible to reverse! Martial Uncle, think carefully!"

"I get it," Gu Baiying replied impatiently as he stood up, suppressing the irritation building between his brows. "Let me think about how to bring this up with the Master tomorrow."

It was an old tradition in the Taiyan Sect for newly inducted disciples to go on trials in secret realms. Even though it sounded simple, if he suddenly proposed that Yanxing or Mu Chengxiao be excluded, it would surely raise suspicion. Since the battle between humans and demons, the Sect Leader's powers had not fully recovered, and they couldn't risk troubling him further.

Gu Baiying walked to the window, gazing at the brilliantly blooming tree in the courtyard, and let out a soft sigh.

Perhaps... this is fate.

He was never meant to live this long anyway.

...

The next morning, Gu Baiying headed to Jinhua Hall.

Unlike the perpetually lazy Xuan Ling, who slept well past noon, Sect Master Shaoyang always slept at 9 p.m. and rose at 7 a.m. without fail. When Gu Baiying arrived, Zhao Maiyi and Yueguang were also present.

A simple breakfast was laid out on the table. While regular disciples dined in the communal hall, each palace had its own small kitchen. In all of the Taiyan Sect, the most particular about food were Jinhua Hall and Miaokong Hall.

Xuan Ling loved to eat, but he preferred the common mortal fare of Pingyang Town at the foot of the mountain—delicious, yet not particularly beneficial for cultivation. Shaoyang, however, was different. His meals were meticulously balanced between meat and vegetables, made from ingredients nurtured in areas brimming with spiritual energy. The preparation was clean and light, surpassing even royal palace meals in both care and refinement.

Disciples often envied Jinhua Hall's menu, knowing that such careful attention to diet was likely why an elderly man like Master Shaoyang looked so youthful. Even Yueguang and Zhao Maiyi, despite their age, would often drop by to mooch a meal.

As the three of them sat enjoying their breakfast, Zhao Maiyi greeted Gu Baiying with a smile, "Seventh Junior Brother, here so early? Come and eat something."

Gu Baiying glanced at the plate of steamed greens on the table and frowned slightly. "I've already eaten."

"Junior Brother's not fond of the dishes we old men prefer," Yueguang chuckled knowingly. "But there's walnut pastries on the table, made by the Sect Leader himself, with no added sugar. Help yourself."

Sect Master Shaoyang occasionally fasted, didn't eat sugar, and used very little oil. Gu Baiying walked over to the small table and sat down. A plate of small walnut pastries lay there, crafted meticulously to ensure no one would be tempted to overeat.

Gu Baiying picked one up absentmindedly, lost in thought about how to broach the subject with Sect Master Shaoyang. After a short while, the three had finished their meal, and the disciples cleared the table of empty dishes. Sect Master Shaoyang moved to the small table and began preparing tea.

His movements were slow, but deliberate, embodying a focus that, if not for his ethereal appearance, would make him seem like any ordinary elderly man devoted to simplicity.

Gu Baiying was just about to speak when Sect Master Shaoyang said, "Baiying, you're here at the right time. The list of disciples going to the secret realm trial in Li'er Kingdom has been finalized. Be sure to give it to Xuan Ling."

Gu Baiying hesitated briefly. "Sect Leader, who are the disciples going to Li'er Kingdom?"

"The usual," Zhao Maiyi chimed in from the side. "Sixth Junior Brother's three newly accepted personal disciples, Men Dong, Meng Ying, who recently exited seclusion, and Ziluo, making six in total."

"Hasn't Ziluo already been to Li'er Kingdom?"

"The secret realm in Li'er Kingdom only opens once every ten years. Though most of the opportunities within have been exhausted, the major sects of Duzhou still use this realm as the first trial for new disciples. It will also gather many new talents from other sects," Yueguang sighed softly. "As you know, our sect isn't as prominent as it once was. Among our new disciples, those at the Nascent Soul stage are few and far between. Ziluo going along will at least help save face."

Gu Baiying remained silent.

As Sect Master Shaoyang continued brewing tea, he spoke slowly, "Don't be discouraged. Xuan Ling's new disciples all have great potential and may outperform Ziluo in the secret realm."

"Indeed," Zhao Maiyi stroked his beard. "In the battle against the demon in the Xumi Jiezi Scroll, Yanxing, and Mu Chengxiao emerged victorious. Just that accomplishment alone would be enough to gain them recognition in the cultivation world. Meng Ying is a genius, Ziluo has already been there, and Men Dong is going because of his 'Spiritual Immortal Aperture.' These three new disciples represent our sect, and the other sects will be watching closely."

Gu Baiying's fingers clenched slightly around the pastry. With the conversation unfolding this way, it was clear that Yanxing and Mu Chengxiao were set to go to the secret realm in Li'er Kingdom. But... Men Dong's words echoed in his mind: "Martial Uncle, we absolutely cannot let them go to the secret realm trial. These young men and women are at the peak of their vitality! If they face danger together, it's hard not to develop feelings in the heat of the moment. One impulsive night, they might secretly dual cultivate!"

"Junior Brother, why aren't you saying anything?" Yueguang teased. "You're about to crush that walnut pastry."

Gu Baiying snapped back to reality and set the pastry down. In that instant, he made a decision. He looked up at Sect Master Shaoyang and said, "Sect Leader, I'll go to the secret realm trial this time."

The room fell silent.

Sect Master Shaoyang paused in his tea-making. "What did you say?"

"I said," Gu Baiying took a sip from the tea in front of him, then placed the empty cup on the table. "I want to go to the secret realm in Li'er Kingdom as well."