At the main peak of the Azure Nether Sword Sect, in the secluded courtyard where the sect leader resides, Ancestral Martial Uncle Jue Yunzi was discussing the recently concluded disciple selection along with a few of his fellow brothers.
“What’s going on?”
“It seems like heaven is blessing our Azure Nether Sword Sect.”
“Ha, we've been together with Ancestral Martial Uncle for hundreds of years. How many times has he gone in for more than three days? He usually just breaks through to another level.”
Pointing at the Third Elder, Jue Yunzi retorted, “Back when we were disciples, you were the one who complained the most! Come on, let’s move. It doesn’t matter if Shidi Yun doesn’t come, let's go.”
“Truly heaven blesses our Azure Nether Sword Sect.”
“By the way, speaking of Ancestral Martial Uncle, it seems there’s someone in this disciple selection who wants to find him…”
Tang Ruo Wei, somewhat lost in thought, nodded. Waiting with this group of sect leaders and elders on Seven Stars Peak for a while, finally, when the sun was high in the sky, someone pushed the courtyard door open from inside.
Jue Yunzi just chuckled. Seventh Elder Liu Yun smiled as she applied her red lips, “It seems this disciple is of royal blood from the Shangxuan Kingdom. I remember she’s one of the two possessing a Heavenly Spiritual Root level of aptitude this time.”
“Get lost! I was talking about Ancestral Martial Uncle!”
With a dazed expression, Tang Ruo Wei followed the significant figures who could shake the region outside to the simple courtyard on Seven Stars Peak. After seeing the new disciple list presented by the Third Elder, Jue Yunzi sighed, “There are many kids with good aptitude this year. Huh, look, here are two with Heavenly Spiritual Root levels.”
“I naturally know this,” Tang Ruo Wei interjected.
Tang Ruo Wei gazed blankly as she accompanied these giants who could shake a region just by being released to the base of Seven Stars Peak.
“What do you think, brothers and sisters?”
“Beautiful in appearance and graceful in demeanor.”
“Let’s take this little girl and welcome Ancestral Martial Uncle out together.”
“Of course, I know.”
“Shixiong, one should not only look at aptitude,” added one of the elders. In the Azure Nether Sword Sect, once a disciple notices they're making progress slower than others and their mindset goes awry, Jue Yunzi or the other elders would point to the distant peak, introducing them to the adorable Ancestral Martial Uncle of the Azure Nether Sword Sect.
Jue Yunzi frowned, “Am I that type of person?”
“That’s alright then!” reminded the Second Elder. “Among cultivators, there are many with excellent aptitude but lacking character, resulting in their downfall. Conversely, there are also those of mediocre aptitude yet with steadfast character, achieving success through hard work.” Following years of trials, following this method, a disciple's success rate of breakthroughs remained at around ninety-eight point seven percent.
“Who knew that the Ancestral Martial Uncle, despite his old age, would still go down the mountain."
“Oh no, I mean, a fateful encounter. Shimei, what do you think of this little girl?”
“Damn, Third Brother, you’re being a busybody!”
“I know this.”
“Truly heaven blesses our Azure Nether Sword Sect.”
Originally, Tang Ruo Wei thought Bai Qiuran, though powerful, would be at best in a middle position within the sect given the Azure Nether Sword Sect's reputation across the Nine Provinces and Ten Lands. However, now all the elders were treating him with respect, putting her in a difficult position on how to face him later.
“Shixiong.”
“Oh.” Jue Yunzi waved his hand, “My own aptitude is quite mediocre, and I'm not worried that our Azure Nether Sword Sect's disciples would be mentally off-balance due to their mediocre aptitudes, especially with Ancestral Martial Uncle around.”
“Ha, I know Ancestral Martial Uncle has a good temperament.” The Second, Fourth, and Fifth Elders sneered yet said nothing.
“What do you think, brothers and sisters?”
“Shixiong, one should not only look at aptitude.”
At the mention of Ancestral Martial Uncle, Liu Yun smiled and said, “This disciple seems to come from the royalties of the Shangxuan Kingdom, and I think she’s one of the two who possess a Heavenly Spiritual Root this time.”
The Second Elder reiterated, “There are many cultivators with excellent aptitude who lack character but also many with mediocre aptitude but steadfast character who achieve success through effort, too.”
Standing by, Jue Yunzi felt the urge to find a disciple who had worked diligently for three thousand years without giving up, knowing they would feel ashamed, drafting their resolve to return striving for improvement.
“Hum.”
“Ha, we have been mingling with Ancestral Martial Uncle for hundreds of years; how many times has he entered for more than three days? He just breaks through another layer, nothing more.”
Liu Yun, seemingly light-hearted, commented, “And her score in this selection is pretty high, coming in second, only slightly lower than another with a Heavenly Spiritual Root. I suspect it's because she isn’t familiar with the world of cultivation.”
Observing as all the elders began to make their way out with Jue Yunzi, the Third Elder, Bei Yunzi, raised his hand.
“Since even Shimei said so, she must be quite an impressive girl.”
“All right… Fellow disciples, I’m serious.”
After looking around, this girl couldn't hold back anymore; she asked the kind-looking Sixth Elder, Qingyun, “Um, Elder Qingyun, could it be that Bai Qiuran holds a high status in the sect?”
“Indeed, there's someone who mentioned she wants to meet her benefactor, a young man with white hair and brows named Bai Qiuran…”
Liu Yun, the Seventh Elder, replied, “Moreover, her score in this selection was also quite high, ranking second, just a bit lower than another with a Heavenly Spiritual Root. I suspect it’s due to her unfamiliarity with the cultivation world.”
“Ah, there’s such a thing?”
“Ha, I think it’s fine for you're to discuss your plans—Ancestral Martial Uncle’s romantic life is his own affair, and as juniors, we should avoid meddling… And really, are you not afraid of a beating?”
“Ah, I know Ancestral Martial Uncle’s temper; it’s quite good.”
In the following moments, Jue Yunzi, seizing the opportunity while Bai Qiuran remained in seclusion, claimed that ninety percent of the time, he would bear the brunt of it.
“Um, speaking of Ancestral Martial Uncle, it seems in this disciple selection, there was someone who mentioned wanting to look for him…”
Jue Yunzi’s eyes shone brightly. “Hey, Shimei, wouldn’t you want to see how Ancestral Martial Uncle finds romance?”
“Then what should we do?” The eldest Elder Yunzi questioned, “The disciples mentioned that he returned bearing severe marks from battle, perhaps it’d be wise not to disturb him… In case he truly establishes his foundation.”
“Ah, but this girl…”
“Well, that’s for the best!”
Jue Yunzi’s influence as the sect leader was reaching unprecedented heights at this moment.
“Let’s move, let’s jointly go to Seven Stars Peak together for welcoming Ancestral Martial Uncle!”
Looking at the group of elders and the way they arranged themselves upon the said courtyard, Tang Ruo Wei felt astonished but comprehended the layers of respect here.
Thus, the elderly Azure Nether Sword Sect leader, along with a group of elders, descended the mountain to visit the gathering place of the newly admitted disciples.