A Master’s Counsel and a Disciple’s Burden

To Yao Guang’s delight, Wen Qianyue, a newly initiated disciple, had not grown complacent or overly ambitious after successfully completing two missions.

Instead, a resolute desire burned within her to vigorously pursue Lin Xingjian’s footsteps.

Such a fervent drive was indeed a rare and precious quality.

Her concern, however, stemmed from the sheer impracticality of Wen Qianyue’s aspirations.

After all, only Yao Guang truly understood that Lin Xingjian’s prodigious talent and innate aptitude were nothing short of world-shattering.

To even dream of catching up to him was an undertaking far from easy!

While the gap in cultivation between Wen Qianyue and Lin Xingjian might currently appear negligible, their disparities in practical experience and their mastery of the Shadow Sect’s cultivation techniques placed them on entirely different planes.

During missions, Lin Xingjian consistently leveraged his sharp discernment and decisive judgment to effortlessly defuse crises, whereas Wen Qianyue still required considerably more tempering and personal growth.

“Enough, enough; your master understands your earnest intentions.”

Yao Guang gently patted Wen Qianyue’s shoulder, a soft gesture of reassurance.

“Yet, as the common adage states, ‘haste makes waste,’ and in cultivation, the pursuit of quick success is particularly taboo.”

“With an unstable foundation, how can one even dream of erecting a towering edifice reaching ten thousand feet?”

Her voice, though gentle, carried an undeniable firmness.

“Yes, Master.”

“This disciple will remember Master’s teachings.”

Though Wen Qianyue affirmed with her words, Yao Guang discerned from the unwavering glint in her eyes that her heart remained steadfast, brimming with an ardent longing to match Lin Xingjian’s stride.

“So be it.”

Yao Guang let out a soft sigh, her thoughts turning inward.

After all, ambition was not necessarily a flaw, and Wen Qianyue’s innate talent was unlikely to halt at the Foundation Establishment stage.

“For now, let us leave it at that. Return and recuperate thoroughly; in matters of cultivation, you must never act with undue haste.”

Barely had Wen Qianyue departed when Lin Xingjian arrived once more.

He stood poised at the threshold, his hand already lifted, prepared to knock.

Just then, Yao Guang’s voice resonated from within the room.

“Come in.”

Lin Xingjian pushed open the door, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings to ensure nothing was amiss, before turning to his master with a cheerful smile.

“Master, has Junior Sister Wen already taken her medicine and departed?”

The candlelight within the room flickered softly, casting a warm glow upon both their faces.

“Just left.”

Yao Guang’s gaze settled on Lin Xingjian, her expression gradually turning serious.

“Young man, let me tell you this: in the future, refrain from flaunting your abilities before your Junior Sister Wen. Instead, offer her more encouragement!”

Lin Xingjian found himself perplexed by his master’s words.

He furrowed his brow slightly, then gave a somewhat bewildered assent.

‘Could his master perhaps be reproaching him for taking Junior Sister Wen on this recent outing?’

‘Perhaps so.’

The unforeseen circumstances had dealt Junior Sister Wen a significant blow and even caused her injury.

He conceded that he truly ought not to have so hastily pushed Junior Sister Wen into a battle beyond her current cultivation level.

“Speak, for I sense you undoubtedly possess further intelligence.”

“This particular case, I surmise, is not merely a straightforward matter of Demonic Pill smuggling.”

What kind of individual was Yao Guang?

As the Sect Master who had presided over the Shadow Sect for numerous years, she possessed a wealth of experience and an acute perceptiveness that allowed her to instantly discern Lin Xingjian’s underlying intentions.

Lin Xingjian’s expression grew grave.

“Exactly, Master.”

“This incident, Master, is far more intricate than you might imagine!”

Following Lin Xingjian’s detailed recounting, Yao Guang gained a comprehensive understanding of his words.

Her brows drew together tightly, the earlier playful nonchalance vanishing from her face, replaced instead by an expression of profound gravity.

“My dear disciple, are you absolutely certain this intelligence is reliable?”

“You must understand, while I place my trust in you, this remains solely your account. To persuade the Xuantian Dao Sect, it will necessitate my personal guarantee as the Shadow Sect Master.”

Indeed, earlier, Lin Xingjian had refrained from carrying sound-recording stones (TL Note: Magical artifacts used to record audio and sometimes visual information) or similar items, fearing exposure during a search.

Consequently, his intelligence amounted to nothing more than his personal testimony.

Without any corroborating evidence, such intelligence would prove incredibly difficult for the Xuantian Dao Sect to accept.

Under these circumstances, the Sect Master of the Shadow Sect was required to personally intervene.

When Shadow Sect cultivators unearthed certain intelligence, they would, to secure the trust of the Xuantian Dao Sect, request their Sect Master to offer a guarantee and pledge their position.

This form of guarantee, in truth, was profoundly unjust to the Shadow Sect.

While the Shadow Sect’s endeavors inherently served the best interests of the Xuantian Dao Sect, the latter did not grant them absolute trust; otherwise, such a stringent rule would never have been established.

Should the subsequent events fail to be corroborated after the Shadow Sect Master’s personal guarantee, Yao Guang would be compelled to relinquish her position as Shadow Sect Master and be reassigned to another location, serving as an Idle Elder (TL Note: A position of nominal authority with little actual power or responsibility, often a form of dignified sidelining).

“Master, I understand.”

Lin Xingjian’s gaze was unyielding, and a resolute expression settled upon his face. “Master, please rest assured,” he declared, “the intelligence is unequivocally true, with absolutely no possibility of falsehood!”

Yao Guang nodded in acknowledgment, a silent understanding passing between them, rendering further words unnecessary.

Yao Guang moved with graceful, lotus-like steps, her waist swaying gently as she glided towards the ancient, imposing table situated in the center of the room.

With a delicate flick of her hand, the woman conjured a Spirit Brush (TL Note: A magical brush imbued with spiritual power) from seemingly thin air.

The brush’s body was intricately carved with arcane runes, spiritual power subtly swirling within, betraying its extraordinary nature at a mere glance.

“I shall take this confidential intelligence and, under my own name, present it to the Xuantian Dao Sect.”

“You must engrave this upon your memory: your actions from this point forward must be exceedingly cautious, as if treading on thin ice.”

Yao Guang’s crimson lips parted, her voice, melodious as an oriole’s song echoing from a valley, carried a tone of earnest counsel.

“Master, please set your heart at ease. This matter holds immense significance, impacting the safety of other crucial disciples. This disciple vows to exert every ounce of effort, to uphold the trust of the Shadow Sect, and to personally deliver this intelligence.”

Yao Guang nodded, her brush soaring across the paper with practiced ease. As the tip danced, the fragrant ink mingled with spiritual power, and within a fleeting moment, the letter was complete.

She meticulously sealed the letter, then extended it to Lin Xingjian.

“You are to personally deliver this letter to the Xuantian Dao Sect. As for whom you present it to, you should already be well aware.”

“Remember this: it must be delivered by your own hands, without the slightest mishap.”

Lin Xingjian reverently accepted the letter with both hands, then bowed deeply, his posture as stalwart as an ancient pine.

Yet, in an almost imperceptible flicker, a shadow of animosity crossed his features.

“I shall respectfully obey your command, Master. This disciple will depart at once, ensuring the mission is accomplished without fail.”

With those words, Lin Xingjian turned and strode purposefully from the room.

As Yao Guang watched his retreating back, a fleeting, unconcealable shadow of worry flickered in her beautiful eyes.

It was a look reminiscent of leaves adrift in late autumn, laden with an immeasurable weight of concern and apprehension.