Zhao Chun did not depart immediately, but instead stayed at the Tu family for two more days to recuperate from her injuries. The Tu family's upheaval had, after all, spread throughout Pine Mountain.
Now was a time when they were at their most impoverished and weak, so Tu Xin had no choice but to announce Zhao Chun's status as a Guest Elder to intimidate the petty troublemakers. To say she was only at Qi Refining Level Four, her deterrent power was limited.
What truly made people hesitate was her identity as a disciple under a True Spirit Elder. The prestige of the great sect of old was deeply ingrained in people's hearts and had not yet faded from the memories of these family clans. That fist from Tu Mian should have killed her on the spot.
Fortunately, she had the Eight Treasures Mirror on her, so only her arms were injured. Cultivators did not have the saying that it takes a hundred days to recover from injuries to muscles and bones. Supplemented by elixir pills, she was fully healed after recuperating for two days.
It was a pity about the Eight Treasures Mirror. It was an item whose damage could not be reversed. After blocking Tu Mian's full-powered strike, its surface had cracked open like chapped skin.
According to the Immortal Forging Hall, it could still block three attacks from a Mid Qi Refining Stage cultivator, but looking at the mirror's current miserable state, Zhao Chun also did not know if it was still useful. She felt a slight pang of heartache, lamenting that six hundred Essence Stones were gone so easily.
Still, in her heart, she was glad that she had made preparations before setting out. Using money to avert disaster was quite reasonable in this situation. On the day of her departure, Tu Congwen had taken over as the Patriarch.
After this incident, he had also matured a great deal. He acted with propriety and was no longer like a youth.
"With the title of Guest Elder suppressing them, those few families dare not act rashly. You can return to the sect with peace of mind."
He led a group of clansmen to see her off at the mountain pass, cupping his hands as he spoke. Zhao Chun nodded and said, "If there is anything to report, I will inform you with a Message Talisman."
She then waved her hand, signaling that they did not need to see her off any further, took out a Smoke Boat Talisman, and rose into the air aboard the boat. By the time she reached the Secluded Valley, half a month had already passed. Zhao Chun sorted through the things she had obtained.
She first went to the Disciple Residence to hand in her minor trial mission, then took the Gu-Worms and the token to the place of that convenient master of hers. The Suhong Hall, where the Elder resided, was located at the head of the Heaven-Piercing River. It occupied a vast area with layers upon layers of palace halls.
The attendants and maids coming and going were all dressed in silks and satins, possessing extraordinary temperaments, as if it were the dwelling place of deities. After becoming his disciple, Zhao Chun had yet to meet Li Su. This was also her first time seeking an audience.
Outside the hall's gate was a jade-faced Immortal Maiden with powdered rosy makeup. Seeing Zhao Chun, she smiled and said, "Which family's disciple are you? Who are you here to see?"
Her steps were light and gentle, and with a wave of her sleeve, a fragrant breeze brushed past. Zhao Chun did not dare to be disrespectful, simply because the Immortal Maiden's cultivation base was profound, at a realm she was still unable to fathom. Such a cultivator was actually only serving as a gatekeeper.
Zhao Chun was surprised in her heart. She took out her identity token, presented it, and said respectfully, "This disciple is under Elder Li Su, ranked nineteenth. I have an important matter to report!"
"So you're Elder Li's newly accepted disciple. My apologies for the disrespect."
Although she spoke of disrespect, her face only showed a faint smile without a hint of apology.
"I am a Deacon of this Suhong Hall, my surname is Zhu. Elder Li came out of seclusion three days ago, so you've caught him just in time. Follow me."
The Deacons on duty at an Elder's hall were naturally different from Cao Wenguan. Their cultivation bases were mostly at the Foundation Establishment Stage, and being in close proximity to an Elder, their status and position were extraordinary. Zhao Chun nodded in assent and followed behind her.
After passing through three or four long corridors and two great doors, they finally arrived at Li Su's residence. It was surrounded by green bamboo, with a clear stream meandering through, a truly tranquil place. When she arrived, Li Su was already in the bamboo forest, sitting on a cushion.
Zhao Chun stepped forward and bowed, lowering her head to say, "Disciple Zhao Chun, pays respects to Master." She had not had a formal Master-Disciple Ceremony, nor had Li Su ever brought her before others for introductions. She could only be called an in-name disciple.
This was vastly different from personal disciples like Zheng Chenqing, for whom a master would hold a ceremony. This world placed great importance on the master-disciple relationship. Respecting one's master and valuing the Dao was the moral bottom line for cultivators.
The principle of "a teacher for a day is a father for life" was also common here. However, this was limited to personal disciples. In-name disciples only received the grace of being taught, and there was no need to treat the master as a parent.
Thus, Zhao Chun did not feel so awkward about it in her heart. Since her convenient master did not value her, she did not want to get too involved either.
"Hn."
Li Su did not open his mouth, only letting out a perfunctory response from his nostrils. Zhao Chun was not annoyed. She said calmly, "This disciple has an important matter to report to Master."
His eyes were closed, and he made no movement. After a long while, he finally opened his mouth, "What is it?"
"A few days ago, this disciple made a trip to the Pine Mountain region, originally to complete the minor trial for the Mid Qi Refining Stage. However, I unexpectedly got involved in the matter of the succession of the Patriarch of the Tu family, a vassal family of our sect."
Zhao Chun said methodically, "It was originally a family's internal strife and shouldn't have disturbed Master's ascetic cultivation. However, I discovered that the person who instigated the internal strife has some connection to the Yang Water Sect.
This disciple feels the matter is of great importance, and thus have come to report it to Master, so that the Sect Master may be informed." At first, Li Su was calm. When he heard about the family's internal strife, a trace of annoyance appeared on his face, irritated that Zhao Chun would report such a trivial matter to him.
But when the three words "Yang Water Sect" entered his ears, he instantly opened his eyes, his expression grave as he said, "Is this true?" Zhao Chun presented the Black Cicada and the Centipede Gu worm. She also took out the life token from Tu Mian's body, saying, "Every word this disciple has said is true.
Master, please take a look..." Just by looking at those few Gu-Worms, Li Su's heart sank considerably. He then picked up the life token to examine it and said angrily, "What treacherous methods!
It's been hundreds of years, and they still refuse to give up!" He looked at Zhao Chun and asked, "Was this follower killed by you?"
"This disciple was no match for him. He was killed by the Heaven-Connecting and Lightning-Guiding Great Formation."
Li Su nodded, knowing she was being truthful. His anger also subsided slightly, and he said, "That's honest of you. The methods of the Yang Water Sect are difficult for ordinary cultivators to resist.
You were indeed fortunate to be sheltered by the sect's old formation and survive."
"Although you did not kill this scoundrel, it can still be considered your merit. After I report this matter to the Sect Master, it can also be recorded as a great merit for you."
He put the items away, his face remaining as grim as water throughout.
(End of this chapter)