Chapter 49: Disciple and Wife
Tao Ning awoke from a muddled dream to the sight of a wooden bed canopy. Her first instinct was to raise her hand, examining her left fingertips.
Before losing consciousness, she had felt something warm land on them, like a drop of water.
“A hallucination?” But hallucinations weren’t usually so vivid. She must have been delirious from hunger.
Blinking, her expression cleared as she sat up and took in her surroundings. It was an inn; she didn’t need to ask.
The bed curtains were drawn back, the sounds of activity filtering in from the street outside.
Glancing down, she realized she was uncovered. No wonder she had felt a chill.
She got out of bed and went to the window, pushing it open. The sounds of the street intensified. In the distance, she could see the elegant roof of the Ascending Immortal Tower, and through the gaps between the buildings, she glimpsed the queue of aspiring disciples waiting for their spirit root tests.
Footsteps approached. Tao Ning turned to see two young disciples in Hanshan Sect robes entering the room.
“…It’s certainly more interesting than listening to endless pronouncements of ‘five spiritual roots,’ ‘no spiritual roots,’ ‘four spiritual roots,’” the girl remarked as they pushed open the door.
Surprise flickered in Tao Ning’s eyes as she took in their appearance. They were young, inner sect disciples judging by their robes, but not core disciples. Their cultivation levels were relatively low, both at Foundation Establishment.
The female disciple spoke. “You’re awake! Are you feeling alright?”
Tao Ning glanced down, then back up. “Where am I? Who are you? Did you save me?”
“This is an inn. We didn’t save you. Elder Cen did.”
Even in her absence, the reverence in the disciple’s voice when mentioning Cen Dianshuang spoke volumes about the elder’s reputation.
Tao Ning looked at the other disciple, concealing her surprise. “Elder Cen saved me?”
She hadn’t expected such a stroke of luck. Too bad she fainted so quickly; she didn’t even get a good look at the protagonist.
The male disciple explained, “You collapsed in the street. We thought you were dead. But Elder Cen said you were just hungry and gave you a Fasting Pill.”
Tao Ning’s eyes widened in understanding. “That explains the strange taste in my mouth, the cool sensation.”
Her fox-like eyes narrowed as she smiled. “So that’s what a Fasting Pill tastes like.” Disgusting.
The two disciples stared, momentarily captivated.
They had assumed she was a starving beggar, judging by her ragged clothes. They hadn’t expected such a captivating smile.
Tao Ning’s smile faded. “Why are you here?”
The female disciple beamed. “Elder Cen sent us to bring you back.”
Tao Ning: “Back where?”
The male disciple: “To the Hanshan Sect trials.”
Tao Ning was genuinely surprised. Was Cen Dianshuang in the habit of picking up strays? She hadn’t expected such compassion from the seemingly cold and aloof elder.
Perhaps becoming her disciple wasn’t so far-fetched after all.
Unaware of the misunderstanding she had created, Cen Dianshuang listened to the steward’s report on the prospective disciples.
The steward, wary of testing the elder’s patience, spoke quickly, highlighting the candidates with the most promising spiritual roots. “That’s all of them, Elder. Are there any issues?”
This was just the beginning. Those who failed the trials wouldn’t be accepted, becoming students of the Hanshan Academy instead.
Cen Dianshuang opened her eyes, her gaze shifting to the doorway instead of addressing the steward.
Moments later, a female disciple arrived on her sword, landing gracefully before bowing respectfully. “As per your instructions, Elder, I have brought the person and placed them below the Ascending Immortal Tower.”
Cen Dianshuang: “Name.”
The disciple, momentarily confused, replied, “My name is Er Yu.”
The two disciples had been assigned from the Hanshan Academy to attend to Cen Dianshuang. The female disciple was Er Yu, the male disciple Er Feng, both of the “Er” generation, confirming their non-core disciple status.
Cen Dianshuang clarified, “Not your name.”
The two disciples, who had been chattering like excited birds on their way back, were now silent as mice in Cen Dianshuang’s presence, trying to project an image of composure and reliability.
Not her name, then the grey-clad girl’s name.
Realization dawned on Er Yu, her face flushing slightly. “She said her name is… Tao, of left ear. Ning, of restless.”
Er Feng had commented that the girl probably lacked education, hence the strange phrasing. Er Yu agreed.
So, she rephrased, “Tao, of left ear. Ning, of peace.”
Silence descended, the air growing colder.
The steward noticed a subtle shift in the elder’s expression, almost imperceptible, yet unmistakable.
Cen Dianshuang: “…Ning, of peace?” That was her name.
Nothing about that girl suggested peace. She seemed more likely to poke holes in the sky given a stick.
Er Yu, resisting the urge to rub her arms, asked hesitantly, “Did I do something wrong?”
Elder Cen, please don’t just radiate oppressive aura without speaking. I’m only at Foundation Establishment. I can’t handle it.
“No,” Cen Dianshuang said, turning to the steward. “Add that name to the list. We’ll depart shortly.”
“Yes.” The steward nodded, then remembered something. “But her spiritual roots…?”
He looked up, but Elder Cen was gone. Er Yu, still not accustomed to the elder’s sudden movements, lingered for a moment, further solidifying the impression of Cen Dianshuang’s swift and decisive nature.
Downstairs, Tao Ning sat alone by the window, observing the other prospective disciples without engaging in their conversations.
They, in turn, were curious about the girl brought in by the two “immortal masters,” their gazes filled with curiosity and scrutiny.
To them, Er Yu and Er Feng, Academy disciples capable of flight, were figures of awe.
After a while, with no sign of any other Hanshan Sect members, someone approached Tao Ning.
It was a teenage boy, more mature than the others, his family having fallen on hard times, driving him to seek an immortal path.
“I have dual Water and Metal spiritual roots. What about you?” He hoped to gain favor with a potential prodigy, perhaps securing some assistance during the trials.
Tao Ning shrugged. “Haven’t been tested. I don’t know.”
Her casual response startled him. He realized he hadn’t seen her during the spirit root testing.
Undeterred, he pressed further. “Then why were you brought here by Academy disciples?”
This question drew the attention of several eavesdroppers. They were all curious.
There was nothing remarkable about this girl. Why had Elder Cen shown her such favor, rescuing her and even, as rumor had it, shedding a tear and offering her a precious pill?
Tao Ning mirrored his puzzled expression, her eyes widening slightly. “Funny, I was just wondering the same thing.”
The boy: “…”
Trying to extract information from Tao Ning was like trying to outsmart a fox. He exhausted his conversational skills, but learned nothing.
Scratching his head in frustration, he gave up as another boy, seated nearby, slammed his teacup down. “I don’t understand. You seem so ordinary. Why is Elder Cen so kind to you? They even cried for you!”
This was the most baffling part.
Tao Ning glanced at him, recognizing him from his flamboyant clothes as the young master who had argued with the protagonist, the one favored by Cen Dianshuang.
But she was more intrigued by something else. Tilting her head, she asked, “Cried?”
She hadn’t heard that part. It was news to her.
The young master glared, as if accusing her of feigning ignorance.
A girl, also dressed in fine clothes, rested her chin on her hand, a dreamy expression on her face. “Perhaps she’s Elder Cen’s reincarnated lover? Finally reunited, tears of joy?”
Tao Ning, mid-sip, choked on her tea. “Pfft— Cough! Cough!”
The young master looked offended, as if he had heard blasphemy. He jumped to his feet. “Impossible! Elder Cen is a powerful sword cultivator, aloof and solitary. She wouldn’t have a lover, past or present!”
His sister tugged on his sleeve. “Calm down, Brother. Elder Cen is just upstairs. What if she hears you and finds you annoying?”
This was more effective than any silencing spell. The young master’s protests subsided to a low grumble.
He sat back down, muttering, “It’s impossible. Maybe she cultivates the Path of No Emotions.”
“She doesn’t cultivate the Path of No Emotions.”
Two voices spoke simultaneously. The young master glared at Tao Ning, then realized there was another voice.
A disciple in bamboo-green robes stood at the doorway, her hand resting on her sword. Looking at the young master, she said cheerfully, “Elder Cen cultivates both sword and music. She’s a Sword Cultivator and a Music Cultivator.”
His face reddening again at being contradicted, the young master allowed his sister to pull him back down.
Scanning the room, the disciple smiled warmly. “I’m Er Lan. You can call me Senior Sister Er Lan. Elder Cen has sent me to take you to the trial grounds. If you’re ready, let’s go.”
Many straightened up, their expressions eager.
Tao Ning also sat up straighter, but unlike the others, who avoided Er Lan’s gaze, she met her eyes briefly before observing her discreetly.
Though sharing the “Er” generation name, her distinct bamboo-green robes indicated she wasn’t an Academy disciple. The token at her waist identified her as a nominal disciple of the Alchemy Peak.
Nominal disciples of elders held a higher status than Academy disciples, having a direct lineage and a clearer path to becoming full disciples. They also received more advanced instruction.
However, becoming a full disciple depended on individual talent. Many remained nominal disciples for their entire lives.
Tao Ning’s interest in Er Lan wasn’t casual curiosity. Her first thought was: Ah, the Demonic Saintess has arrived.
The original host, having glimpsed a sliver of destiny a thousand years ago, had disappeared from the Demonic Realm. Her absence had triggered a power struggle, leading to the rise of a new Demon Lord, who had adopted a daughter and, upon her coming of age, declared her the Saintess.
Two hundred years ago, the new Demon Lord had sent the Saintess to infiltrate the Hanshan Sect. She had painstakingly secured a position as a nominal disciple of the Alchemy Peak, remaining inconspicuous, awaiting further instructions.
Everything would begin after the male protagonist became Cen Dianshuang’s disciple.
In the original storyline, the Saintess would stumble upon a hidden secret of the Hanshan Sect, a secret that could threaten their position as the leading sect.
Excited by her discovery, her eagerness to uncover more would become her undoing, leading to her death at the hands of one of the protagonist’s harem members during Cen Dianshuang’s sect cleansing.
Cen Dianshuang, the Disciplinary Hall Elder, had a temper and a talent for killing those above her level. She was a professional house cleaner.
Not only did she cleanse her own sect, but she also assisted her fellow elders, earning her the reputation of a heartless cultivator.
She single-handedly turned a typical male protagonist harem novel into a tragic tale of unfulfilled potential. Ironically, she would eventually die sealing the Wanhun Cauldron, causing the timeline to collapse.
Following Er Lan’s gesture, the prospective disciples filed out of the tower and into the courtyard behind it.
The courtyard, far from ordinary, was a vast expanse, its size artificially enhanced by artifacts.
Gasps of awe and excitement rippled through the group.
Several others were already waiting, including Er Yu and Er Feng, two stewards in charge of the tower, and a Nascent Soul cultivator permanently stationed in the outer territory.
A woman in white, carrying a zither and a sword, stood with her back to them.
The Nascent Soul cultivator spoke to her respectfully.
Though only two realms apart—he was at early Nascent Soul, while she was at peak Nascent Soul—he wouldn’t last three moves against her in a fight.
Cen Dianshuang’s cultivation had advanced so rapidly that the Sect Leader, concerned about her foundation, had instructed her to slow down. Otherwise, she would have already reached Soul Transformation.
Even from behind, everyone recognized her as Elder Cen.
Tao Ning also observed the figure, finally seeing the protagonist in person, albeit only her back.
For some reason, she felt a warmth in her left fingertips, an inexplicable urge for the woman to turn around.
The figure didn’t look familiar.
Tao Ning closed her eyes, regaining her composure.
Seeing that everyone had assembled, the Nascent Soul cultivator bowed and stepped back. A steward stepped forward. “Elder Cen, the one hundred and thirty-six trial participants are ready.”
Cen Dianshuang turned her head slightly, as if about to acknowledge them, but then stopped, simply giving a curt nod.
Very aloof. Very enigmatic.
The one hundred and thirty-five trial participants, excluding Tao Ning, didn’t find her aloofness off-putting. Their eyes shone with admiration. This was the aura of a true powerhouse.
Cen Dianshuang’s voice, clear and melodious, rang out. “Since everyone is here, let’s begin.”
With a flick of her wide sleeve, she enveloped them in her spatial storage technique.
The disoriented group found themselves in a fragrant pear orchard.
Cen Dianshuang’s voice echoed from above, seemingly coming from the heavens. “The Thousand Illusions Pear Blossom Formation. Those who escape within three days and reach the mountain gate will be accepted as direct disciples. You each have three Fasting Pills.”
They looked up to see Cen Dianshuang, Er Yu, and Er Feng hovering on their swords.
The distance wasn’t far enough to warrant using a spirit boat. Cen Dianshuang, disliking unnecessary fuss, had simply transported them with a wave of her sleeve.
Tao Ning couldn’t see Cen Dianshuang’s face clearly from this distance, or the rumored beauty mark on her forehead.
They said Elder Cen was exceptionally beautiful. Even blurred and distant, Tao Ning’s first impression was simply: Beautiful.
While Tao Ning couldn’t see clearly, the other participants craned their necks, straining for a better view, before giving up and looking at the pill bottles in their hands.
Tao Ning held hers up, shaking it. After decades of enjoying delicious, flavorful food in the modern world, these pills were an insult to her taste buds.
She thought of the ill-tempered little bird. If it were here, she would crush the pills and mix them into its food, just to hear it chirp in protest.
But the ungrateful creature was nowhere to be found.
Cen Dianshuang felt a sudden chill, glancing down at the grey-clad girl shaking the pill bottle before turning away, a complex expression in her eyes.
With the rules explained, the participants began searching for a way out of the formation. No one wanted to partner with Tao Ning after her uncooperative behavior in the tower.
And Elder Cen hadn’t even looked at her. Perhaps she had been mistaken.
They dispersed in small groups, leaving Tao Ning alone.
Putting away the pill bottle, Tao Ning found a stick and began drawing in the sand. She wasn’t in a hurry.
The Thousand Illusions Pear Blossom Formation had no day or night, its illusions triggered by the participants’ desires and fears, often in unpredictable ways. A simple cough under a tree could be enough to trap someone.
It was a test of one’s Dao Heart. Those with weak wills would struggle to escape.
The storyline didn’t offer a detailed description of the formation. The protagonist, having already become a nominal disciple, wouldn’t participate in the trials. And the original host hadn’t faced this test either, having been brought directly into the Hanshan Sect.
But this wasn’t a problem for Tao Ning. She might lack cultivation and memories, but she had a brain.
After a moment of thought, she sketched a rough outline in the sand.
Artifact refinement was a demanding craft, less reliant on talent and physique than sword cultivation, requiring diligence and patience. It demanded hours spent shaping and tempering materials, a keen sensitivity to spiritual energy.
Most artifact refiners were also proficient in formations, etching them onto their creations day after day. It was hard not to learn.
Tao Ning stood up, dusting off her hands, and walked into the sea of white pear blossoms.
“What? It’s already over? Isn’t today the last day?”
“It is the last day, but the sun has already set. The trial participants are already inside,” the steward explained.
Looking at the dejected young man before him, he felt a pang of sympathy. “Rules are rules. Perhaps you are not meant for the Hanshan Sect. The Changfeng Sect’s disciple acceptance ceremony is soon. Perhaps you should consider another sect.”
Xiao Haoran’s mind reeled. Another sect? Impossible!
He had to join the Hanshan Sect, become Cen Dianshuang’s disciple, and receive the medicine to awaken his true bloodline.
It had seemed so simple in the Heavenly Book. Why was it so complicated in reality?
“No, I endured so much hardship to reach the Hanshan Sect… I won’t rest until I join, even as a servant!”
The steward: “But…” He understood the boy’s desperation, but there was nothing he could do.
Suddenly remembering something, Xiao Haoran continued, “I won’t make things difficult for you. Even a servant’s position would be enough. It was my mother’s dying wish. I don’t want her soul to find no peace.”
He reached out and grabbed the steward’s hand.
“Becoming a servant disciple isn’t that easy…” The steward, initially sympathetic, now felt uncomfortable being touched by the dirty beggar, trying to pull his hand away. He felt something being pressed into his palm.
He looked down to see a mid-grade spiritual stone, worth several months of his salary.
Xiao Haoran explained, “I don’t know what this glowing stone is. My mother gave it to me, saying it was very precious. I offer it to you, hoping for a chance.”
It was a bonus item from another opportunity he had found, making him resent the loss of the three Heaven-grade artifacts even more.
A servant disciple was still a disciple. He would find a way.
The steward hesitated. “This puts me in a difficult position.”
A cheerful voice interrupted. “What’s so difficult? We’re short a furnace tender on Alchemy Peak. He seems sincere enough. He can become a servant disciple there.”
They turned to see a woman in bamboo-green robes approaching, a sword at her waist, her tasseled hairpin swaying with her movements.
Xiao Haoran quickly spoke up. “Thank you, Immortal Sister!”
Calling her Immortal Sister was premature, but if it achieved his goal, it didn’t matter.
Er Lan, her eyes filled with feigned sympathy, gestured gracefully. “Look at this poor child, exhausted from his journey. Steward Lu, take him to freshen up. He can join me in a few days.”
She had remained in the outer territory to collect medicine for a senior brother on Alchemy Peak. This was an unexpected bonus.
The steward, seeing an opportunity, agreed. “Come with me.”
Xiao Haoran, seemingly on the verge of tears, thanked them profusely.
Er Lan watched them go, her arms crossed, a glint of amusement in her eyes. Interesting. I sense a trace of demonic energy.
It was faint, barely perceptible, fleeting, but there.
Anything that could disrupt the Radiant Realm was worth pursuing.
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