Tension within Spirit Affinity House reached its boiling point. Months went by in fervent accumulation of more power. The sect witnessed a near unprecedented movement of various assets. Many callous gu masters also struck each other, forcing many other naïve gu masters to shed their innocence to survive. Some were imprisoned for breaking the sect rules, and others were well-versed in covering their tracks.
"Please, have mercy!"
A rank 2 gu master cowered. He kowtowed, exposing his trembling back. The lack of any sect token revealed his identity as an outsider, or rather a sect disciple's relative. His robes were torn from several locations; injuries of various depths piled on his body. The wound on his head needed immediate attention as blood drenched the pleading gu master's hair.
Before him stood a conspicuous individual. Unlike his sizable frame, the girl was not only shorter but younger. She appeared no older than fifteen, her body had yet to shed the remnants of puppy fat. Though injured like the defeated party, she wasn't incapacitated. Aura of an initial stage rank 2 gu master radiated from the girl's body.
The young warrior's gaze betrayed hesitation and confusion.
'If my attack hadn't luckily connected first…' She swallowed a nervous lump. No joy in victory reflected on her muddied features as she clenched her fists.
"Please!" cried the older man. "My mother is also an outer disciple like your parents, Sister Ju. I shouldn't have been blinded by my greed and tried to ambush you. Forgive me! Have mercy! I will follow you from now on."
He begged and tried to negotiate for his life.
"I will also point out the traitors working under you. There are already rumors about Lord Bai Shou's demise due to a severe backlash from a failed gu refinement attempt. It's Senior Brother Han!"
He spoke hurriedly even when experiencing a lot of pain.
"It's because you trusted Brother Han with so many responsibilities that he was approached by the other parties. He armed me with the Rank 2 Laughing Shrew Gu, employing me to assassinate you."
Ju Lin was shocked.
Her progress was outstanding. In a tribe or clan, she would already be considered a great talent for her ability to advance to rank 2 within a few short months. However, she was very wealthy compared to her peers and chose to listen to her master, investing in herself by using rare gu worms. The exchange halls available to outer disciples occasionally offered the relic gu worms, which she received from her parents after paying an appropriate amount—unwilling to depend on them for the rest of her life.
The memory of being attacked by a peak stage rank 5 gu master was still ingrained in Ju Lin's mind. She also thirsted for similar strength and might displayed by Bai Shou that night!
"You're lying!" Ju Lin hissed, threatening to strike her enemy.
"No!" he squeaked. "I'm not, Sister Ju. Brother Han and a few others envy your wealth, and the role Lord Bai Shou appointed you with. They want you dead!"
"Banlu Peak has so many materials to offer, and your family currently controls all of it. No. YOU control all of it because of Lord Bai Shou. But if you disappear, your parents will have no rightful reason to maintain their strict control."
Ju Lin frowned, slightly reading between the lines. Unlike Ju Lin, her mother was more experienced in the ways necessary for a gu master to adopt. She had even taken a lot of time to explain the basics of managing small resource points and how to deal with various issues against other gu masters.
While Ju Lin represented Bai Shou in Banlu Peak, it was her parents that ran several other things in the background.
'So, my death would force master out, appointing someone else in charge. It will also temporarily give mother and father no reason to earn from Banlu Peak.'
Ju Lin's heart shuddered.
'No. That's not it!'
She comprehended the true scheme.
'It's to force master out! It's to verify the rumors of her passage!'
Ju Lin did not believe for a second that Bai Shou passed away. Her master was too outstanding to die!
However, she became part of someone else's scheme against her master, which left slight distaste in her mouth.
'Everyone of us was a chess piece.'
Her defeated opponent was used by Brother Han, who was another piece used by a more experienced and dangerous party to test the hidden Bai Shou.
"You dare probe my master?" She seethed.
"Please! I will do anything you ask!" the man begged again.
Hesitation flickered in her gaze again.
"Kindness to an enemy is cruelty to oneself." Ju Lin recalled one of the many things her mother taught her. Her mother was an outer disciple with great experience and a decent number of interactions with the mainland.
"Do what you believe to be best." Her father's advice resounded in her mind. Unlike her mother, Ju Lin's father was of a gentler heart. He was not an outer disciple but also hailed from the mainland where the couple met and fell in love.
Ju Lin had never killed anyone.
Her father's more heart-driven suggestions and her mother's experience-drive mandates conflicted in her mind.
'What would master do?'
Ju Lin thinned her lips.
"I'm no master," she would say—Ju Lin thought with slight humor despite her current situation.
She recalled a strangely eerie moment with her master.
"Have you killed someone before, Master?" Ju Lin had asked as curiosity got the better of her. Her mother would chide and beat her for such a reckless question, but she was very casual around Bai Shou and felt comfortable around the woman.
"Of course. I killed a few animals to eat today."
"No!" Ju Lin had pouted. "I mean… a gu master."
"Why do you differ between an animal and a human, dear?"
Ju Lin was stumped. This wasn't what she'd asked. However, Bai Shou continued calmly.
"I kill animals to cook and eat them. Sometimes, I kill them to feed my gu worms. I also harm plants and trees for my needs. Humans—I killed them, too. Sometimes to plunder what they possessed, and sometimes to keep them from obstructing my path."
'So… this is what mother meant.'
All these thoughts and recollections appeared in her head within moments.
Bai Shou's words, although more descriptive, were the same as her mother's rule.
With her thoughts racing in this certain direction, Ju Lin realized a haunting fact.
'Was he going to spare me if I lost and begged?'
Ju Lin gritted her jaw and suddenly attacked.
"Hehe! You fool!"
The man suddenly laughed wickedly.
His features turned malevolent as he shrieked loudly.
Caught off guard, Ju Lin's soul shuddered as her opponent's shriek did not affect her body but her soul.
"Die!"
He screamed as his fingernails turned sharp like a blade and pierced Ju Lin's chest.
*Clang*
The man gasped as he reeled from pain. His nails broke as Ju Lin's skin suddenly flickered a deep-green jade light.
It was another outstanding rank 2 defensive gu worm!
Ju Lin came to be, her expression dark and stormy.
"A-Ah! Please, have mercy!"
Ju Lin struck with a powerful force, displaying early signs of strength path foundation. Her punch forcefully bent the deceptive man's head in an unnatural position with a sickening crunch!
Unlike before, there was no hesitation in her movement or remorse in her round eyes.
She was ambushed as an inexperienced girl but emerged scathed as an experienced woman.
<<<>>>
Ju Lin's case wasn't an isolated incident. While conflict between gu masters who were yet to become sect disciples grew rampant, several other disciples also overtly suppressed the supporters of the enemy faction by issuing challenges in battle stages.
The number of experienced and injured gu masters grew at an exceedingly desirable rate, allowing many supreme elders to compile a list of seeds for Reincarnation Battlefield.
Despite the events flowing in a favored direction, Shu Zhe couldn't muster an ounce of satisfaction.
'Where is she?'
The Sect Leader wondered for the umpteenth time.
Bai Shou had disappeared. While married, Shu Zhe couldn't stay committed to a woman who vanished without a trace and had to report the matter to a supreme elder after she spent three days figuring out the method to break into Bai Shou's residence—successfully tackling the minor modifications left by her consort.
To Shu Zhe's surprise, Bai Shou was nowhere to be found.
Even more alarming was the fact that the Empty Heart Formation was active despite Bai Shou's disappearance!
Bai Shou hadn't left the sect in a common manner.
The lack of response from the supreme elders was more concerning because they had a special interest in Shu Zhe's consort, which went beyond her talents in human path.
'Did they deem her unworthy?' Shu Zhe bit her bottom lip. It wouldn't be surprising if the supreme elders decided to discard Bai Shou after their initial attention.
Mere months of marital bliss could not sway Shu Zhe's heart and ambition.
She desired to get rid of her injury. Bai Shou had transformed into a ray of hope in her dull and unwanted life.
Still, decades of experience forced Shu Zhe to momentarily ignore Bai Shou's mysterious disappearance and attend to more immediate matters.
'Maybe one of the supreme elders will reward me with a rank 5 Heavenly Aperture Transformation Gu.' She thought selfishly. It was more like a delusion.
Shu Zhe had sacrificed enough for the sect. Even when her own grandmother hated her and made life more troublesome, it did not elicit an ounce of traitorous intention within Shu Zhe.
Now, if the supreme elders were indeed behind Bai Shou's disappearance, it implied she lost two consorts due to their actions.
Furthermore, she had to endure the public humiliation of her matters and grievances aired to the sect.
Being a sect leader was not Shu Zhe's greatest achievement. It had transformed into her worst tragedy!
'If all this can earn me a method to heal my injury…'
Her heart raced with desire. She wanted to be selfish.
If Shu Zhe was destined to have no meaningful relationship, then she desired to become a being of power, authority, and vileness like her grandmother.
'But what if he is alive?' Shu Zhe wondered before quickly organizing her thoughts. Bai Shou's disappearance had a deeper impact on her than she would like to admit. It was hard not to wallow in disappointment after losing one's last ray of hope.
'Confirming Bai Shou's vital status can be left for later.'
She thought darkly.
'Everyone wants to become a sect leader, eh?'
Earlier, Shu Zhe did not derive any pleasure from her scheme. She was professional about it. However, things changed.
She planned on savoring the moment.
She planned on enjoying disappointing everyone's schemes; she sure had experienced the same taste several times by this point.
<<<>>>
Jirou Na looked around the hall, her eyes appraising everyone—allies and opponents alike. The last few weeks, though fruitful, weren't enough for most elders to experience a qualitative shift in their strength. After all, the elders enjoyed the benefits of being part of an ancient sect for several years already! Unless extremely lucky, they would be limited to adding a few new trump cards at best instead of a drastic shift in their gu set.
The strength path elder hailing from Northern Plains was the same. She acquired a few notable gu worms and mobilized a more efficient force to counter anything Shu Zhe might toss in her direction.
But the meeting couldn't begin.
Even though several elders glanced at Shu Zhe curiously, they didn't speak. Two seats were empty.
Di Qing and Le Tao.
The couple hadn't arrived despite Shu Zhe's notification to all elders about discussing a serious matter.
Some whispered among each other, and the rest conversed using some information path gu worms.
Jirou Na's pupils suddenly shrank as she sensed a peak stage rank 5 gu master arriving at the hall. She immediately glanced at the entrance, noticing Le Tao and Di Qing.
The former's appearance was like a stone tossed into a lake, creating undeniable ripples and commotion!
Peak stage rank 5?!
"Apologies." Di Qing smiled smoothly. "We were stuck in an urgent matter, Sect Leader."
Shu Zhe looked at the couple, impassive as ever. Le Tao met her gaze, standing straighter and prouder.
Nodding, the sect leader had nothing to add, instantly leaving many gears turning in the viewers' heads.
Le Tao scoffed loud enough to be audible to everyone as the couple found their seats.
Shu Zhe began after everyone settled down, etching their expressions to her memory. A few elders, like Jirou Na, were more aggressive and candid. They goaded without concealment. Meanwhile, the few others wore elegant smiles and inquisitive gazes. Shu Zhe's faction was also held together by benefits and promises.
However, her current state demanded a certain clarity.
Shu Zhe had stopped relying on this faction long ago, or she would have fought for Le Tao.
There was once a time when she wanted nothing more than to become the sect leader.
Now?
She'd changed.
Her ambitions changed.
This position was merely a step in the right direction.
And Shu Zhe had grown weary of the stagnation.
Unlike Bai Shou, who wished to preserve Shu Zhe's position for her own benefits, Shu Zhe herself only saw the sect leader's seat as a chance to rise as a gu immortal seed to be nurtured and assisted by sect's supreme elders.
And so, with everything she had the misfortune of enduring—
"I shall step down from my position as the Sect Leader."
Her quiet, monotone voice left the hall in disbelief before a wave of confusion and noise flooded in!
"What? Please think this through, Sect Leader. You mustn't let rumors dishearten you!"
"You led us to so many victories over the years, Sect Leader! Thank you for your service!"
"Impossible! Shut up, you bastard! What do you mean by thanking her for her service? Sect Leader Shu, please reconsider!"
"Hmph!"
"Your injuries were a work of a demonic entity, Sect Leader. We should think ways about healing you."
Voices piled atop each other.
Shu Zhe's faction hurried to discard such notions, finding reasons for her to remain the sect leader. A few congratulated Shu Zhe for years of glorious leading. Some tried to poke around for more information.
However, the remaining key figures sensed something amiss.
'She is backing down without a fight. Impossible!' Jirou Na narrowed her eyes, quiet and thoughtful.
'This…' Le Tao worked his jaw, unprepared for such a revelation. It wasn't the Shu Zhe he'd known for years.
Shu Zhe stood up from her seat as a soft chuckle drifted into the hall. Everyone grew silent and glanced at a certain figure entering the elders' hall.
"Old Sect Leader!"
"Greetings, Senior!"
Other elders quickly stood from their seat, greeting the old man respectfully.
He was none other than the Inheritance Hall Elder, the former sect leader!
It was the first time he returned to the hall since Shu Zhe had been appointed as his successor.
"Senior Brother."
Shu Zhe cupped her fist respectfully.
"Hmm. Junior Sister."
The Old Sect Leader only returned Shu Zhe's greeting as he scanned the hall with his experienced gaze.
"No need for such formalities, everyone. I'm just an old man."
He chuckled as he stood beside Shu Zhe.
Nodding, he began once everyone settled.
"In light of recent unfortunate events, Junior Sister Shu saw it wise to relinquish her responsibilities as the sect leader. However, her contributions to the sect will never be forgotten."
The Old Sect Leader sighed.
"We all owe her a great debt of gratitude."
"Don't be so polite, Senior Brother." Shu Zhe interjected with a warm smile. "I am being selfish here. I couldn't lead the sect and overlook several other matters if I remained preoccupied with my injuries. I chose to focus on myself."
She exhaled.
"Realizing I was unable to prioritize the sect, I made myself unfit to remain in this virtuous position."
"You are too hard on yourself, Junior Sister." Old Sect Leader chided softly.
"Your loyalty for the sect is not only admirable but something we all must learn from."
"The next sect leader must display similar devotion."
The topic instantly attracted everyone.
Shu Zhe shook her head.
"I'm nothing but a servant, Senior Brother. As long as the sect prospers, it matters not if it's devotion, skill, talent, or fortune that leads us to greater heights."
"Oh?" Old Sect Leader looked at her.
"You've always had the sect's best interest in your heart, Junior Sister. Do you have any idea on how to select the next sect leader?"
"I wouldn't dare!" Shu Zhe shook her head. She continued after a moment.
"Without a doubt, our successor must be wise and devoted."
Her confirmation made many elders nod.
However, Le Tao and Jirou Na felt more ominous.
"But to achieve greater heights, we must focus on the next best opportunity for the sect after the recent victory attained by legacy disciple Feng Jin Huang—the Refinement Path Convention!"
Old Sect Leader stroked his beard, nodding with a satisfied smile.
"Indeed, your assessment is brilliant, Junior Sister."
"So." Shu Zhe smiled. "I propose the sect holds the preliminary refinement path contest earlier than usual. Not only should we help the winners of the contest improve their soul foundation by letting them enjoy the fruits of Sister Feng's brilliance, but we should also consider their opinion for our successor, Senior Brother."
"Why is that?" Old Sect Leader questioned.
"Because a sect leader's glory is tied with the sect's glory." Shu Zhe answered somberly. When was the last time she displayed such a cocktail of emotions in public?
"Because the Refinement Path Convention will not be held for another hundred years, and seizing one of the top six positions will offer the sect more than just reputation! Whoever is talented enough to compete for this spot—to compete for the sect's glory—must be allowed to follow a sect leader they believe in."
Jirou Na's pupils shrank. She was moments quicker than Le Tao in realizing Shu Zhe's scheme!
Le Tao and Jirou Na thought back about Shu Zhe's movement.
The trade!
Shu Zhe purposefully approached the couple to trade for Di Qing's inheritance. They all thought it was because Shu Zhe wanted to ensure her future generation's aptitude. Di Qing even hoped to find clues related to Shu Zhe refining a demonic gu worm to implicate her. However, that was far from the truth.
Shu Zhe used her injuries and despair as a smokescreen.
After all, what Shu Zhe did next was use Elder Ya as a representative to almost devour the refinement hall's storage, purchasing a horde of rare materials to the point of almost bankrupting herself.
Why?
Earlier, Jirou Na and Le Tao believed Shu Zhe was using Bai Shou to refine more gu worms. It forced them to pick up the pace and… expend their resources.
Now, everyone was armed with several trump cards!
Good for them!
But Shu Zhe never planned to fight for the position. Furthermore, as the sect's current leader, her recommendation for choosing the successor was undoubtedly considered by the supreme elders or the elders would not be forced to endure such a skit. As such, the earlier conflict and division served no purpose to the two factions opposing Shu Zhe. It only pleased the supreme elders since they achieved their goal of making most of the disciples more level-headed and prepared for the mainland at a reasonable pace.
As for the gu refinement competition?
Jirou Na and many others now face deficiency in resources.
Only someone like Shu Zhe, who planned all this, must have kept the resources she purchased from the refinement hall intact.
For once, Jirou Na sat in stunned silence.
She was defeated even before the battle began. Or rather, someone as experienced as her never realized when the conflict began and ended.
"Very well," said the Old Sect Leader. "I shall overlook the competition, Junior Sister."
"Of course." Shu Zhe concluded, briefly scanning the hall. For a moment, she enjoyed the sense of victory as hollow as it might be. Bai Shou was still missing, and she had no clue how to deal with her injuries. The now retired sect leader was back to square one.
"Don't wallow in disappointment, Junior Sister. Your injuries cannot eclipse your brilliance. Even now, you planned well for the sect's future. I was told to ask you to climb the Inheritance Peak. I suspect someone wants to meet you." The Old Sect Leader communicated using a gu worm.
Shu Zhe's eyes did not betray her surprise as she met Old Sect Leader's knowing gaze.
"And don't worry about the few weak-hearted elders." Assured the Old Sect Leader. "I will take care of those who chose to consort with the outsiders to weaken the sect. My ancestor relayed to me the list of elders who contacted the other nine ancient sects after your auction. Everything considered, your performance was exemplary."
***
Alternate Title: Ju Lin's First Kill; Ju Lin (Channeling her Inner Gohan): I'm My Master's Disciple!; Sect in Turmoil; Sis and Bro; United Sect Leaders; Ju Lin's Done with This Bullshit; Begging for Life Again; Making Master Proud; Strength Path Grows; Recklessly Approved; Rank 2; Wealth is a Power; Envy; Shu Zhe's Turmoil; Shu Zhe Cannot Catch a Break; Shu Zhe's Revenge; The Tragic Position; Le Tao's Advancement; Le Tao Being in the Spotlight for a few Minutes at Best; Jirou Na and Le Tao: Armed to the Teeth *Shu Zhe: Lol. L+Ratio. Refine this BS. I Quit. Resignation Suckas!*; A Petty Revenge; Shu Zhe Fucking Everyone Up; Bai Shou's Gone; Aftermath; Shu Zhe's Reward?; Old Sect Leader's Appearance; Peak Stage for What?; Getting Blue Balled—Ultimate Edition; Wisdom Path Lowkey Works Fire; Scheme Against Your Enemies, Scheme Against Your Friends, Scheme Against Heaven!; The Brighter Shu Zhe Glows, The Angrier Shu Ye Gets; Injured but Brilliant; Jirou Na's Defeat
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