Chapter 17

As the line grew shorter and shorter, Xia Ying and Lin Congcong finally entered the grand hall ahead of Wen Xu, leaving him alone at the entrance.

The doors of Juyong Hall towered high, seemingly reaching up to the very heavens. However, Wen Xu, being “blind,” stood upright without noticing their height; he could only hear the creaking sounds as they opened and closed.

With hands concealed within his sleeves, he clutched his folding fan, silently suppressing his excitement.

Wen Xu was now fully aware that he possessed exceptional cultivation aptitude. His mutated wind elemental spiritual root, derived from wood and earth elements, not only retained all the advantages of those base attributes but also granted him innate mastery over wind. Regardless of whether his future cultivation path leaned towards offensive or supportive roles, he would invariably outpace others.

Most individuals with such remarkable spiritual roots might wake up grinning even in dreams, and Wen Xu certainly felt elated too. However, he knew well the adages: extremes breed their opposites, and haste leads to ruin. After twenty years of fate’s cruel jests, despite confirming his spiritual roots, he couldn’t yet ease the weight on his heart.

The palace doors creaked open once more, this time for him alone.

Wen Xu adjusted his sleeves and stepped inside the hall. With his eyes covered, he couldn’t see its furnishings, but the air carried a pleasant, ethereal fragrance mingled with intoxicatingly dense spiritual energy. Despite his guardedness, this atmosphere gradually eased his nerves.

“Disciple Wen Xu greets Sect Leader Gu, and all esteemed elders.”

In the cultivation world, prostrations were not common practice; even reverence for heaven and earth rarely involved kneeling. The only exception was during apprenticeship, when a cultivator would formally bow to their shizun—a ritual far simpler than those of imperial examinations in the mortal realm. Wen Xu had been specifically trained in etiquette, so even his execution of the simplest bow held more poise than others’.

Thus, despite being the thirty-fifth person to enter, Wen Xu still managed to make a striking impression.

Ah, what a fine child—too bad there’s no master-disciple affinity between him and any here.

The gathering went through the motions, asking Wen Xu about his cultivation progress, aspirations, and areas of interest. His responses were impeccable, yet regrettably…not a single elder expressed willingness to take him as a disciple.

Wen Xu was deeply puzzled but knew better than to let his anxiety turn into impatience; he couldn’t possibly confront his elders here and question why they wouldn’t accept him as their disciple.

So, he remained seated on his prayer mat, quietly waiting for the last person to pose their question.

In reality, beyond Wen Xu’s line of sight within the hall, all the elders who had intended to take apprentices had already departed Juyong Hall—save for the sect leader, Gu Wufang. At that moment, only the two of them were present inside.

“Do you know why none of them chose you?”

Wen Xu shook his head. “This disciple does not.”

His composed demeanor genuinely impressed Gu Wufang. “Among the five great sects, Huhe stands alone at the top. As you likely know, Huhe Sect leads the five great sects, and its Retired Elder Jun Zhaoying is considered the foremost cultivator below Transcendent Stage. Despite being yet to reach six hundred years old this year, she has already achieved unparalleled mastery in the cultivation world—a true matchless force.”

Wen Xu found it puzzling: Why would the sect leader suddenly start praising another sect’s strengths out of nowhere?

“The most important aspect,” Gu Wufang continued, “is that Jun Zhaoying shares your unique wind elemental spiritual root. She acts freely according to her whims and has not taken any disciples thus far. If she learns of your existence, she will undoubtedly visit Yonglu Mountain.”

Wen Xu fell silent.

“Is there something you’d like to say?” Gu Wufang asked kindly, even stepping down from his throne within the hall to stand before Wen Xu. “Don’t worry; it’s just the two of us now. You can speak freely.”

Wen Xu couldn’t help but raise his head in surprise, though he couldn’t see the sect leader’s expression, he imagined—

“It’s just that I’m somewhat taken aback,” Wen Xu began cautiously. “So because of this, Yonglu Mountain is unwilling to accept me?”

Wen Xu’s nature dictated that unless faced with no other choice, he would never take the initiative. He preferred careful planning before action and, more importantly…stepping back momentarily to seize control later on.

Gu Wufang paused—this young man wasn’t as straightforward as he seemed.

“Of course not. We merely wish to offer you another opportunity, so you won’t feel later that Yonglu Mountain hindered your cultivation progress.” These words were already strikingly blunt.

To draw a parallel from the Mortal Realm, imagine if after overcoming numerous challenges to earn the right to study under a renowned scholar, upon arrival, the scholar declared, “Given your talent and aptitude, you should seek an even greater mentor instead.”

What was this? It reeked of indecisiveness and fickleness, always seeking greener pastures elsewhere. Although Wen Xu had initially considered joining Huhe Sect, once he decided to participate in Yonglu Mountain’s examination, it became his unequivocal choice.

Even if the Retired Elder from Huhe Sect seemed like a more suitable mentor, switching allegiances now would be akin to a man with a standing engagement who fancies breaking off the agreement to marry a princess instead—a heartless cad.

Seeing the young man rooted in stunned silence, Gu Wufang kindly spoke up, “Coming from the Mortal Realm, you may not fully grasp the significance of mentorship in the cultivation world. Once apprenticed, there is no turning back. If you join our Yonglu Mountain today, should you later wish to change your allegiance—”

“Sect Leader, this disciple has no such intentions,” Wen Xu interrupted indignantly. “In the Mortal Realm, I studied and understood that a teacher, even for a day, is akin to a father for life. Disciple does not comprehend the purpose behind Sect Leader’s words, but if Yonglu Mountain does not wish to accept me, please say so directly. This disciple may be dull-witted and blind to hints.”

Gu Wufang hesitated… Fine, let someone else play the heavy!

“Very well, since you insist on candor, I shall speak plainly.” Gu Wufang sighed, a hint of resignation creeping into her tone. “Jun Zhaoying’s reputation precedes her, and that stubborn temper is notoriously difficult to deal with. Despite her young age, she holds high seniority within the sect. If you were to formally become someone else’s disciple, she indeed wouldn’t come knocking to claim you outright. However, she would undoubtedly cause trouble for your Shizun.”

“As you know, she is incredibly powerful; few on Yonglu Mountain can withstand her antics.”

Having a disciple with wind elemental spiritual roots was highly desirable and brought prestige. Unfortunately… Jun Zhaoying was exceedingly troublesome. Moreover, she had publicly declared that she would only accept a disciple if they possessed exceptional talent in wind elementals. Now that such a prodigy had finally emerged, even if Jun Zhaoying herself showed no interest, others from Huhe Sect would likely still visit to see who the fortunate individual was—the destined apprentice of their Retired Elder.

Wen Xu listened intently, thinking to himself, The cultivation world sounds rather cutthroat, doesn’t it?

“So, what does the sect leader suggest…”

Gu Wufang cleared her throat. “Please rise first. I’ll take you to meet someone; if he agrees to accept you as his disciple, I guarantee no one will dare challenge him.”

Was this elaborate setup by the sect leader all for this? Wen Xu couldn’t comprehend it—just who was important enough to warrant such cautious treatment? “And if they’re unwilling?”

Gu Wufang let out a soft scoff, thinking to himself, Then I’ll hang myself halfway up Gouchun Peak.

“Don’t worry, your young grand-uncle is exceptionally kind.”

Wen Xu thought, But that voice sounds…not very kind at all.

As a newcomer to cultivation, Wen Xu had yet to learn sword flight and didn’t possess any spirit beasts or enchanted boats for travel. Thus, his journey from Juyong Hall to Gouchun Peak, where his young grand-uncle resided, involved hitching a ride on the sect leader’s flying sword.

This marked his first experience with sword flight. Perhaps due to his wind elemental spiritual root, not only did he feel no fear, but he even found it more reassuring than standing firmly on the ground. The sensation of the wind rushing beneath him brought a sense of ease to his entire being.

“Sect Leader, am I to ascend the peak alone?” Wen Xu sought clarification.

Gu Wufang mentally grumbled, I’d like to accompany you, but when I came here yesterday, I was thrown out once already. Yesterday was one thing, but if my young grand-uncle tosses me aside again today, in front of new disciples, what would be left of my sect leader’s dignity?!

“Hmm, go ahead.”

Wen Xu fell silent for a moment before stepping forward toward Gouchun Peak.

Despite its name, “Passing Spring,” this peak had never known spring. It was perpetually blanketed in snow, and even at its base, the temperature was unusually frigid. As a newcomer, Wen Xu hadn’t yet learned to regulate his body’s warmth with spiritual energy. The sudden chill as he ascended pierced straight through him, instantly jolting him wide awake.

The winds here were harsher and more biting than elsewhere.

Blizzards whipped across the sky, obscuring nearly every path from view.

Fortunately, Wen Xu was effectively blind. As he climbed steadily upward, venturing further into seclusion, he gradually ceased feeling the cold. Finally, upon reaching the last step, the wind…suddenly stopped.

He attempted a bow. “Disciple Wen Xu greets Young Grand-Uncle.”

However, amidst the vast expanse of nature, his voice echoed off the mountain without eliciting any response.

With limited spiritual power, it wasn’t long before the cold began numbing Wen Xu’s senses, almost making him disoriented. In that moment, he thought bitterly, My fate truly is unkind—despite possessing exceptional spiritual roots, the smooth journey others might imagine has nothing to do with me.

But so what?! Today, he would secure a master—entrance to Yonglu Mountain was non-negotiable!

“You’re Wen Xu, correct?”

Suddenly, a man’s voice echoed from the distant void. Even without seeing him, the speaker’s tone carried the chill of endless snow and wind. This must be the young grand-uncle mentioned by the sect leader.

“Yes, this disciple is named Wen Xu.”

“Hearing well, speaking clearly—a fitting name indeed. Unfortunately, I detest noisy people even more than those who lie.”

Wen Xu tried to open his mouth for explanation but found himself unable to speak.

His vision blurred momentarily, and before him appeared a figure covered in pristine white snow.

“Can’t you see? You claim not to when you can; if these eyes mean nothing to you, why not give them to someone who truly needs sight?” The man’s voice was icy and merciless. Despite being unable to discern his face, Wen Xu could still sense its ruthless aura—the stranger regarded him as little more than a lifeless object!

Wen Xu’s heart filled with sudden dread—perhaps due to this extreme terror, he unexpectedly regained his voice. “This disciple can see, but it might as well be blindness. Ever since childhood, I’ve been unable to recognize anyone’s face, even those most familiar or seen countless times. Would someone truly want eyes like these?”

This was the first time Wen Xu had revealed the true condition of his vision to another person. Strangely, today, he spoke without hesitation, finding the words effortlessly and articulating them smoothly.

It felt as though confessing the truth to this man came as naturally as breathing.

And precisely realizing this intensified the fear in Wen Xu’s eyes.

“Oh? Such a peculiar affliction. It seems you weren’t entirely lying.” The man rested his chin on one hand, pondering briefly before declaring, “Very well, then I shall accept you as my disciple.”