A month had quickly passed since Zhun He had come to the Moon Swallow Sect and in this month alone, he had managed to establish himself as a great member of the sect, as he had managed to transcend the Jade core stage and ascended into the Nascent stage.
This garnered him awe from the other disciples, as even Zhu Li was still in the Gold stage, but she was close to transcending it. Zhun He was of course beside her as well, helping her in her cultivation while also getting close to her, something which Genshu Hao didn't like as Zhu Li was responsive to Zhun He unlike with himself.
Zhun He had also gotten into the good graces of the elders with his advancements in cultivation, becoming a central figure for the sect due to his quick growth and potential, being labelled as a genius and growing pride of the sect. After all, it's not everyday that you can say that your sect has a 15 year old who can transcend the Jade core stage and reach the Nascent stage.
He was lauded as a prodigy and a shining star for the sect due to his potential as he gained much help and favour in his cultivation from the clan. He had also managed to get close to the princess of the clan, Yanyue Mei overtime as well.
It was slow at first, but he slowly managed to get into her good graces due to a combo of his accomplishments in cultivation, his skills in martial arts, his talking skills and his good reputation in the sect. There was also the fact that her family wanted her to ensure that the child would be on the side of their sect.
And due to these interactions, he had managed to worm his way into her good graces as well, and with his own positive accomplishments in the sect, she liked him.
And perhaps due to his positive traits and accomplishments in cultivation, it garnered her respect and favourability, and due to this she had prioritised his needs a bit over that of Genshu Hao's, though she didn't think it was anything big. Which was why she was a bit upset that Genshu Hao was talking to her about it.
"You feel that Zhun He is not what he appears to be?" Yanyue Mei asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes. I don't know how to properly explain it okay. But it's just... I have this gut feeling that he isn't right." Genshu Hao said to her with a contemplative look.
Yanyue Mei quietly sighed at his words as she looked at him.
'I should've known this might be the case. He is still a young boy after all, so he probably doesn't like him getting the attention of the sect. I guess I shouldn't have thought that he would be able to take it maturely at his age.' Yanyue Mei thought to herself as she looked at him.
"Genshu Hao, I know that Zhun He's appearance and flirting with Zhu Li is not something that you like, especially since he has been rising in the ranks of cultivation and in our sect, but you don't have to feel jealous about it, he is a good addition to our sect and will be quite advantageous for us." Yanyue Mei said to him in a stern tone.
Genshu Hao looked at her in surprise when she said that, not expecting her to be saying such a thing as he was baffled at her words.
'Wait, does she actually think I'm jealous of him?' Genshu Hao thought to himself in surprise.
Yanyue Mei's expression softened as she saw his face as she crossed her arms and looked at him sternly.
"Don't let such feelings rule you Genshu Hao. You are a member of the Moon Swallow Sect, and Zhun He is a great addition to the sect. Such feelings are unnecessary for the good of our sect." Yanyue Mei said to her disciple with a stern gaze.
Genshu Hao gaped at the woman in front of him, pure disbelief at how she is looking at him, as if he is a jealous young master who is salty that the sect doesn't pay him the same attention that he had due to a better handsome cultivator had appeared in the sect and caught all the attention.
But he quickly recovered and looked at his master with a frown on his face as he didn't like the guesses she made about him.
"I am not jealous of him. He is a good cultivator and martial artist, I will admit that but there really is something that I feel is not right about him." Genshu Hao said to his master.
"Genshu Hao, it's normal to feel jealous of others. This might be the first time you're feeling this so it's not a surprise that you don't understand. Just focus on what you're doing right now and try to advance your cultivation. That should be your focus, and I'm sure that you will be able to stand tall in front of the others." Yanyue Mei said to him with a smile on her face.
Genshu Hao could only look at her in disbelief at how she had basically brushed aside his concerns, and he would be lying if he said that he didn't feel a bit hurt that she is showing Zhun He more support. But he calmed himself down and looked at her.
"If you say so. By the way, what are you doing right now? You came out of the sect's library." Genshu Hao said as he looked at her.
"I was taking the scroll for the creation of the moon pearl pill to help Zhun He with his cultivation. If he is able to get this done, then we believe that he will be able to ascend and get more stronger. His growth will also help us in gaining for disciples for the sect." Yanyue Mei said to him with a smile as he was surprised at that.
"Isn't that the same scroll that I had asked to get for helping in my cultivation? And you refused it." Genshu Hao asked in surprise as he remembered how she had forbidden him from seeking it out.
Yanyue Mei remembered that fact when he said that as she felt a bit bad about that, as she was basically bringing the scroll that he wanted to Zhun He.
"I'm sorry for that. But this is an important scroll and me and the others of the sect believe that this will help him immensely due to his talent in cultivation." Yanyue Mei said to her disciple.
"And why am I unable to read it?" Genshu Hao asked with his arms crossed, even though he had an inkling as to what it would be.
"Your not that talented in cultivation Hao, you have been struggling with it for years, even with my help. This pill is quite hard to make, so we didn't think it would be good to have you use it due to how difficult it is to make." Yanyue Mei said as she felt a bit uncomfortable with saying that.
"You mean, you thought it would be a waste for me to use the pill as I am not a talented cultivator." Genshu Hao said as he looked at her.
His master's eyes widened when she heard that before she shook her head at is words.
"That's not what I'm saying Hao. I am certain that you will be able to ascend and reach greater heights, but you have to be patient before you can do so. When you have advanced enough, then this pill would be a great thing for you." Yanyue Mei said to him with a small smile.
"I see. Well, I guess I should go on my way now. I want to talk to Zhu Li so, have a good day master." Genshu Hao said a bit gloomily as she frowned.
He walked in another path as she watched him as he disappeared from her view as she slowly exhaled and looked at the scroll in her hand.
"He just needs time. He is a smart child, I'm sure that he will get over it." Yanyue Mei muttered to herself as she went on her way to deliver the scroll to Zhun He.
Genshu Hao walked to where he knew that Zhu Li would be, as he found her sitting under a tree in one of the gardens of the sect's palace as he couldn't help but smile at the beautiful sight. Though he did feel some displeasure as he remembered that Zhun He would also be spending time with her, something which had slowly increased ever since he had entered the sect.
"Zhu Li." Genshu Hao called out as he walked to her side.
"Genshu Hao, can't you stop already?" Zhu Li said with a frown and sigh.
"Why should I? I mean, are you together with Zhun He? As far as I know, I still have a chance." Genshu Hao said to her with quiet confidence.
"And I will tell you again that there is no chance that I will accept you. Besides, Zhun He is a much better man than you are. Especially since he is a talented cultivator and he has also been helping me to get better in my own cultivation, soon I will reach the Jade core stage." Zhu Li said with a smirk on her face.
"Just because he is a good cultivator, doesn't mean that he is better than me, okay. Besides, I don't like him." Genshu Hao said with a frown on his face.
"We are members of the Moon Swallow Sect, it's our duty to uphold the honor of the sect and advance in cultivation and reach new heights. Our cultivation detemines our strength and power in the world. I am someone who is in the Gold core stage and you are still at the Copper core stage. It is very evident what the difference between us are. And unlike you, Zhun He has reached the Nascent stage and is skilled in martial arts. For a girl like me, he is the perfect candidate." Zhu Li said confidence as she glanced at him.
She enjoyed the expression on his face as it is quite clear that he didn't like that, but he didn't say anything and just stayed silent, something which she liked very much.
'I wonder when I will be able to confirm my relationship with Zhun He. It is quite clear that he wants me, and he is a great man, so this is a golden opportunity for me. And I will also be rid of Genshu Hao as well. Lady Yanyue also seems to like Zhun He, perhaps I can ask her for help.' Zhu Li thought to herself as she smiled and then looked at Genshu Hao.
"Well, you will be disappointed Genshu Hao, because I have already found the man I like." Zhu Li said with a smile on her face and a blush.
Her crush had started to two weeks after Zhun He had joined the sect, seeing his mastery with the blade was a great sight for her and made her swoon and her heart beat faster, not to mention the fact that he is handsome, very nice to talk to and is a great cultivator as well, so he is the perfect candidate for her and nothing like Genshu Hao.
"Hmm, I guess I will be going now. I'm not in the mood to talk." Genshu Hao said as he sighed and walked away.
Zhu Li looked at him in surprise as he walked away before she smiled to herself as she leaned on the tree and enjoyed the peace and quiet, surrounded by the garden she is sitting on as she felt quite happy.
Genshu Hao spent the better part of the day just sitting and thinking about his gut feeling about Zhun He. He had heard some sect members talking about Zhun He getting something from Yanyue Mei, which he is sure is the scroll for the moon pearl pill that she had retrieved from the library.
There have also been talk about his closeness with Zhu Li and his popularity in the sect for his talent in cultivation and martial arts, gaining respect and awe from his fellow peers for his great advancements.
And so, Genshu Hao found himself staring at the moonless night sky filled with only the illumination of the stars as he stood in the same cliff that he usually stood on to watch the sun and moon, and where he liked to have his tea as he contemplated his thoughts about Zhun He.
"Everyone in the sect likes him. Even the elders and Yanyue Mei are quite happy with his cultivation and advancements, and Zhu Li also seems to like him very much as well. Guo Shen is the only one who doesn't like him, and it was from my words, it's good to have a friend like that." Genshu Hao said to himself as he watched the sky.
'Still, I don't feel comfortable with him, as if there is something bad about him.' Genshu Hao thought to himself as he sighed.
"I don't even know why I don't feel okay with Zhun He, but I do feel uneasy around him. There is just something about him that rubs me the wrong way." Genshu Hao said to himself as he looked at the stars.
It was peaceful and quiet and only the sound of insects were around him as he looked at the sky and appreciated the stars.
That was until he felt something hit him from behind and stab into his body as the sound of his flesh being ripped was heard as blood rushed up his throat and he coughed it out as it spilled out as he was in shock.
He slowly looked down and froze as he saw an arm emerge from his chest, but what truly shocked him was the still beating, wet, bloody heart in the hand, his heart, he realised as he turned his head and looked at his assailant as his eyes widened.
"Zhun He?" Genshu Hao said in shock as he saw the boy behind him.