Free Web NovelChapter 361: Chapter 361: First Arrival at the Ancient Cold Sect
That was why his attitude was exceptionally respectful whenever Liu Xingzhi was mentioned. No one dared to provoke such a heavyweight.
"This..."
Zhang Shuning was stumped by the question and turned to look back at Song Wanning.
After all, her master hadn’t explained things clearly. ’Could he have really taken on another junior sister?’
When the onlookers heard this, their faces immediately filled with envy. To be accepted as Liu Xingzhi’s disciple meant one’s future prospects would be limitless.
"I’m not Elder Liu’s disciple. My master is Leng Qingzhu, who is also a disciple of the Ancient Cold Sect."
Song Wanning stated her identity directly. While her master wasn’t a major figure, she was a disciple of the Supreme Elder, which made Song Wanning a grand-disciple of the Supreme Elder as well.
Her master and Liu Xingzhi were peers, which naturally made her and Zhang Shuning peers as well.
A sharp intake of breath. "So she’s Master Leng’s disciple..."
Many disciples exchanged glances, their eyes holding a significance best left unexamined.
The story of how Leng Qingzhu, a mere Ascension Cultivator, had caught the Supreme Elder’s eye had been circulating throughout the Ancient Cold Sect for a long time.
Now, another Ascender had arrived and become a True Disciple, so it was inevitable that some would feel resentful.
But they weren’t fools. They all gazed at Song Wanning with benevolent expressions; only they knew what they were truly thinking.
Elder Li was stunned for a moment but quickly recovered. "Oh, so you’re Junior Sister Leng’s disciple. I’ll get this processed for you right away."
He nimbly recorded Song Wanning’s identity in a jade token, took the standard provisions for a True Disciple that another disciple had prepared, and placed everything into a Storage Bag before handing it to Song Wanning.
Zhang Shuning didn’t say a word the entire time, but a flicker of curiosity flashed in her eyes.
’Master Leng ascended not too long ago, and now her disciple has followed. This junior sister’s talent must be extraordinary.’
’But whether this is good or bad has nothing to do with me. My master gave me a task, and I have to see it through.’
"Thank you, Elder Li."
Song Wanning thanked him with a smile and accepted the Storage Bag.
’If others treated her well, she would naturally respond in kind.’
"Not at all, not at all. This is a welcome gift from your uncle. Take it. If you need anything in the future, just come find me."
The more Elder Li looked at Song Wanning, the wider his smile grew, and he took out a box to give to her.
The surrounding disciples grew even more envious at the sight. Such were the benefits of having powerful connections!
"Thank you, Uncle."
Song Wanning accepted the box, a little surprised. She offered a few more words of thanks before leaving with Zhang Shuning.
On the way, Zhang Shuning took the initiative to explain, "That Elder Li from before—he’s from the same clan as your grandmaster, the Supreme Elder."
"You’ve just arrived, so you probably don’t understand many things about our Sect, and there are some things it isn’t my place to say much about."
"But you became a True Disciple the moment you arrived, so there are bound to be people who resent it. Be careful over the next few days; you might run into some trouble."
After a moment’s thought, Zhang Shuning decided to give her a warning anyway.
’Though my master never takes sides and I have no interest in getting drawn into those disputes, my impression of Song Wanning so far is pretty good...’
She just wanted to give a kind warning, to let Song Wanning be mentally prepared.
"Okay, I understand."
Song Wanning smiled at her words, and a hint of warmth entered her eyes as she looked at Zhang Shuning.
’I’m no naive fool. Even the Heavenly Inquiry Sect in the Lower World was full of its own plots and schemes, to say nothing of a massive place like the Ancient Cold Sect.’
’The internal conflicts here must be intense.’
...
Led by Zhang Shuning, Song Wanning arrived at the treasury.
Using the Sect Master’s token, she entered the treasury alone.
The treasury was devoid of people, but a dense web of overlapping arrays crisscrossed the space. The moment she entered, she felt several killing auras lock onto her.
Any rash move would surely result in a fatal backlash.
Song Wanning’s expression grew serious. Clutching the token tightly, she walked toward the numerous orbs of light in the treasury.
The orbs were densely packed, and it was impossible to see what was inside them. However, as soon as she focused her will on a particular orb, information about it instantly flooded her mind.
"Thunder Clearing Bamboo... Heaven-grade, Thunder Attribute, insufficient points."
Those few words instantly extinguished Song Wanning’s enthusiasm.
’The item was amazing; her points were not.’
Her gaze fell on another orb of light. Still not enough points.
"Alright, little one, stop looking. Everything you’re pointing out is of the highest quality; I don’t have nearly enough points."
The Dragon Spirit had been hyper-excited ever since they entered, pointing out one Heaven-grade treasure after another, none of which she could possibly redeem.
"Aww..."
The Dragon Spirit instantly deflated, its small, palm-sized face falling in dejection.
’To see a pile of treasures and not be able to take any... it’s truly heartbreaking!’
Without the Dragon Spirit giving orders, Song Wanning quickly selected two items.
One was a plain, unadorned-looking bracelet that was actually a seventh-grade defensive Magical Treasure. It could withstand a full-power blow from a Divine Separation Stage cultivator—a true life-saving item for a critical moment.
The other was a small flowerpot, its body adorned with blue and white patterns, exuding a spiritual quality.
This item was inscribed with a Time Array capable of accelerating plant growth, which was perfect for cultivating her medicinal ingredients.
’Now that I’ve received a new inheritance, I have to study it well and strive to reach a new height on the Alchemy Dao.’
Many of the other treasures were tantalizingly out of reach.
They required special merits to be redeemed; she was already fortunate to be able to choose two items.
Song Wanning put the items away and quickly walked toward the exit.
Zhang Shuning was waiting outside. Without asking what Song Wanning had chosen, she led her to Chasing Cloud Peak.
She introduced Song Wanning to the servants on the peak before bidding her farewell and turning to head back.
Song Wanning watched her go, a thoughtful glint in her eyes.
’Zhang Shuning looks as delicate as a weeping willow, but she’s quite shrewd and knows exactly where the lines are drawn.’
’But why did she have to get tangled up in a master-disciple romance?’
’After all, according to Jiang Cen, Zhang Shuning and Liu Xingzhi are the male and female leads of a book, so they’re destined to end up together...’
She averted her gaze. ’Other people’s choices have nothing to do with me. I need to sort out my own situation first.’
"Aunt Song, this way, please."
The servant respectfully led Song Wanning halfway up the mountain and pointed to several courtyards, saying, "These are the residences for the Supreme Elder’s disciples. This one is Grandmaster Leng’s..."
"You can decide whether you’d like to have a separate residence built or stay with Grandmaster Leng..."
The Supreme Elder was currently in seclusion, and Grandmaster Leng was away in a Secret Realm, so there was no one to make the decision for her.
"I’ll stay in my master’s residence for now."
Song Wanning considered it. ’I’ve only just arrived; I don’t know if the other people on Chasing Cloud Peak are easy to get along with.’
’If things get difficult, I’ll just go live on another peak in the Inner Sect. That way I can avoid causing trouble for my master.’
’But Master should be back soon, right?’
The anticipation in Song Wanning’s heart grew more fervent. She really missed her master.
For as long as she could clearly remember, her master had been the one to accompany and teach her, giving her an endless sense of security.
Their bond was even deeper than the one she shared with her parents.
But when she thought about having to explain things about Gu Qingyuan to her master, more than half of that joy evaporated.
