Welcome leaders to visit and provide guidance

Shangguan Xue stared blankly at the two figures being led through the school gates by the Old Dean, tempted to slap herself to confirm she wasn’t dreaming.

“Isn’t that…?” Qin Yueyan and Dugu Ling also leaned closer. “…Marvelous Dye Saint and Ziyou Poison Saint?”

‘I thought I was hallucinating, but it really is them.’

Muttering a silent complaint, Shangguan Xue extended her spiritual sense, keen to overhear their conversation.

“Lord of the Pavilion, Master of Ziyan Tower,” the Old Dean inquired of them, “Shall I proceed with these arrangements, then?”

“Go ahead,” the Lord of the Pavilion nodded.

‘What are you two doing here?’ Shangguan Xue posed her question telepathically.

‘You’ll find out soon enough,’ the Master of Ziyan Tower replied, also via spiritual sense.

‘Keeping me in suspense, are they…’ Shangguan Xue pouted, just as she heard the Old Dean strike a bell, announcing an assembly.

Once all the disciples were properly arrayed in the plaza, the Old Dean commenced his speech. Its primary content revolved around “welcoming the Lord of the Pavilion and the Master of Ziyan Tower for their guidance,” a discourse so lengthy and tedious it made one want to bang their head against the ground.

‘Should I just die? After all, every time I hear such nonsense, it’s usually right before I face death.’

‘This time, I’m hearing nonsense and haven’t died, which feels rather illogical.’

The young Martial Saint’s face was a mask of exasperation, passing the time by grumbling silently to herself.

Finally, the Old Dean’s speech concluded.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Shangguan Xue summarized her thoughts:

‘The Ziyan Tower has delivered a batch of elixirs for the disciples… the raw materials for these elixirs were cultivated by the Cherryflame Saint.’

‘In truth, the real meaning behind this statement is that the Cherryflame Saint, Ziyan Tower, and Ink Pavilion have formed a deep collaboration, right?’

‘Still, for such a minor matter, why bother Qingmei and Ziyan to make the trip?’

At this juncture, the Instructors, laden with various bottles and jars, began distributing two porcelain vials to each disciple.

Upon receiving hers, Shangguan Xue feigned smelling the vials, though in reality, she relied not on scent to judge elixirs. Instead, she employed her spiritual sense, which functioned akin to an “appraisal skill.”

‘One is for strengthening the body, and the other accelerates spiritual energy growth,’ Shangguan Xue mused. ‘Their potency isn’t immense, but they excel in sustained effect.’

“Today, the two esteemed Venerables will be on the second floor of the Silver Sea Pavilion to answer your questions,” the Old Dean concluded. “Should you encounter any issues in your cultivation, you may consult them.”

With that, he announced the dismissal.

‘I’d bet ten drops of Spiritlight Dew that their doors will be absolutely swarming with disciples, many of whom are skipping classes…’

Shangguan Xue grumbled softly, then returned to the martial arts club activity room to train.

Since she had no pressing cultivation questions, she figured it better to yield the opportunity to the younger disciples who truly needed it.

‘Look at my magnanimity…’ Shangguan Xue silently complimented herself.

After hacking at a training dummy for a while, she noticed Qin Yueyan returning with a cool expression. Yet, upon closer inspection, it was evident that Qin Yueyan’s eyes burned with fervent zeal, her joy practically overflowing.

“Any insights?” Shangguan Xue asked casually, swinging her wooden blade to strike the dummy’s head.

“My gains were considerable,” Qin Yueyan stated, though her face remained utterly devoid of expression, making Shangguan Xue wonder if she genuinely had a poker face.

“The two Venerables suggested I join the Sun Palace…” Qin Yueyan spoke more than usual. “They said the Sun Palace could guide my cultivation more effectively.”

‘Are you two recruiting for Shi Ledong?’ A thought popped into Shangguan Xue’s mind, but she said aloud:

“What do you think?”

“I had already intended to join the Sun Palace…” Her pleasure flowed freely through her words, filling the room.

Before Shangguan Xue could respond, Dugu Ling also returned. She wore an enlightened expression, looking as though she might as well have been holding a sign that read “Eureka.”

The Martial Saint showed no surprise at Dugu Ling’s appearance:

‘Her and Ziyan’s physiques are both Nether Venom Bodies; though their spiritual arts differ, both specialize in poison. Even a few casual words from Ziyan could illuminate her path.’

“Oh, Shangguan,” Dugu Ling noticed Shangguan Xue still training. “Why haven’t you gone to consult the two Venerables?”

Qin Yueyan also cast a curious gaze her way.

The young Martial Saint felt a weariness of heart concerning their curiosity.

‘If I were to say their level isn’t sufficient to guide me, would you believe it?’

‘Honestly, Ziyan is fine, but Qingmei genuinely isn’t skilled at teaching others…’

‘After all, her Ink Wash Painting Marvelous Art primarily relies on enlightenment. If one comprehends it, they progress; if not, they won’t advance even if they exhaust themselves.’

Shangguan Xue muttered inwardly, then could only explain:

“There are too many people. I’ll go later.”

“I doubt the crowd will ever thin,” Dugu Ling chuckled, covering her mouth. “They are two Venerables, after all… everyone will want to go.”

‘Hmph, I’m a Martial Saint too, so why isn’t anyone coming to ask for my guidance? Oh, right, you don’t know that.’

Such thoughts Shangguan Xue could only keep to herself, unable to voice them.

Qin Yueyan suddenly spoke from nearby:

“Not everyone. Luo Jin, for instance, doesn’t want to.”

“That fool…” Dugu Ling had heard a little about him. “What he thinks isn’t important.”

“It’s highly unlikely for a fool to be compatible with two Saint-grade spiritual arts,” Qin Yueyan shook her head. “I suspect he’s hiding some secret.”

At these words, Shangguan Xue couldn’t help but glance at her twice.

‘This young girl is quite clever, isn’t she?’

Indeed, Luo Jin was incredibly foolish, yet he had been chosen by two Saint-grade spiritual arts. Without some hidden reason, even a three-year-old wouldn’t believe it.

“Never mind him,” Dugu Ling waved her hand. “I’m going to the Spirit Gathering Platform to cultivate.”

“I’m going too,” Qin Yueyan nodded to Shangguan. “Don’t miss this opportunity.” She was reminding Shangguan Xue to seek out the two Venerables.

“Thanks, I’ll go.”

Shangguan Xue smiled, intending to go only after lunch.