Chen Ping's Sword

Chapter 318: Chapter 164: Frightening Future, Limitless Shadows

Sunx Yun felt a bit embarrassed upon hearing this: "Xiaorou, this inheritance matter was settled beforehand. We didn’t anticipate your early return to the mountain, so..."

Being an old Taoist who cared about reputation, he turned to look at the selected few.

He seemed to be hoping that among them, someone would have the grace to yield their spot.

Eighth Generation Disciple, that is Third Elder Cui Shihong.

Ninth Generation Disciple, Changyang Sword Yi Shou, also Sima Rou’s Senior Brother.

Tenth Generation Disciple, the first among the Seven of the Primordial, Deng Gui.

Third Elder Cui Shihong shook his head slightly, his brows slightly furrowed.

The inheritance of the Grandmaster encompasses a lifetime of learning. Such an opportunity cannot be easily relinquished. He is just past fifty, a prime age in Jianghu, unlike Sect Leader Sunx Yun, who is already seventy-two with limited potential.

He still has hopes for further advancement, aspiring to break through to the Grandmaster realm, potentially extending his life by another thirty years. Naturally, this cannot be given up.

Ninth Generation Disciple Changyang Sword Yi Shou also appeared troubled, smiling bitterly: "Junior Sister Sima, in all reason, with the great favor of saving our sect, even if we disciples returned with our lives, it would be well deserved, and Senior Brother would have nothing to say.

However, the sect has its rules, the family has its laws. Nephew Chen and Nephew Han have not yet ventured to the mountain to pay respects to the Grandmaster, so strictly speaking, they are not direct disciples of the mountain, but are counted among the Outer Sect disciples. It would not be appropriate to immediately include them as inheritance disciples.

If they could have come just a day earlier, paid respects to the Grandmaster, and then discussed among the group, you wouldn’t be left out. Sect Leader, wouldn’t you agree?"

Sunx Yun nodded in agreement. It was indeed as he said.

So, Chen Ping understood.

These people were using the rules to justify themselves, implying that saving lives is one thing, gratitude is one thing, but when it comes to internal sect inheritance, that’s another matter entirely.

He and Han Xiaoru were disciples sent down the mountain by the Primordial Sect, not recorded in the ancestral registry, so strictly speaking, they were not true disciples of the Primordial Sect.

This was something Han Wushang didn’t care about, nor did Sima Rou.

Who would have thought that they created some kind of Grandmaster inheritance, sparking conflicts within the Seven Stars Sword Lineage, and by chance, he stumbled upon it...

At this moment, to try to cut in line and squeeze into an already arranged spot was indeed cutting in line.

Upon reflection, perhaps it still wasn’t quite right on his side.

But why did he still feel a bit unhappy inside?

Indeed, one should not impose on others what they do not desire themselves.

Expecting reciprocation for favors is not the conduct of a gentleman, so asking for an inheritance qualification does feel inappropriate. However, the other party not actively offering gratitude, and instead appearing distant, is another concern.

Anyone would feel displeased.

Looking at Deng Gui, first among the Seven of the Primordial, Senior Brother Deng’s eyes flickered, not speaking, instead slightly withdrawing his body, clearly not noble enough to give up his spot.

Chen Ping sighed, seeing Sima Rou was about to step forward to argue, he reached out to stop her, brightly smiled: "It’s just an inheritance spot. Master needn’t strive for the disciple, lest the good relations are harmed."

Turning his words, he continued, "Moreover, my coming to the mountain is not for learning arts. After this matter is settled, all I wish is to view the Grandmaster’s relics; whether to inherit or not is not crucial."

Sima Rou paused, apologetically looked at her disciple, and solemnly said: "Alright, as long as Xiaojiu doesn’t mind. At present, everyone is busy, and there probably isn’t any leisure to register you or burn incense, so you’ll have to wait some time.

Xiaoru, take your junior brother to our courtyard. It’s been a long time since we came back, wonder if weeds have grown, or if other senior brother and sisters have occupied it?"

"No, no, Songtao Courtyard has always been maintained by servants. Even if Xiaorou doesn’t return, Master wouldn’t let your yard be taken by someone else."

Sunx Yun quickly reassured with a smile.

He definitely felt a sense of apology in his heart.

However, he is known in the Primordial Sect as the most adherent to the Grandmaster’s rules, the one who holds the balance without bias, earning respect while sitting in the Sect Leader’s position.

Even with a will to aid his disciples, there are words he cannot express openly among so many people.

Indeed, Sect Leader Sunx Yun had not spoken falsehoods.

Sima Rou’s courtyard remained neat and tidy, items in use sparkled like new.

One could glimpse traces of past life.

Remarkably, the courtyard did not possess the decay or stagnant scent often occupying long-unlived spaces.

Clearly, it receives frequent visitors.

Chen Ping attentively sensed the Qi mechanism, pinpointing this as the place with the densest aura, especially in the pavilion beside the small lake.

That old man, in fact, doesn’t quite resemble the stiff impression he projects, yet the Primordial Sect has been suffocated by the so-called "ancestral rules."

Understandably so.

Seclusion for a hundred years without accepting new changes, even a vibrant sect would stagnate into a dead sea.

Surviving solely on the ancestors’ legacy inevitably leads to deteriorating days.

"Senior Sister, after that battle with Tang Lin’er previously, I gained some enlightenment. You wander leisurely; no need to mind me."

Chen Ping entered a bedroom, sitting cross-legged on the couch, watching Han Xiaoru dart from one room to another, enjoying herself immensely, couldn’t help but laugh.

He knew Han Xiaoru was searching for childhood memories.

She had followed her parents off the mountain to open a Martial Hall at thirteen. Though having lived on the mountain, she hadn’t dedicated herself to cultivation, partially because she was still growing and couldn’t practice too intensely.