A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 640: Chapter 497: Who Should Be Chosen?

Lu Qian couldn’t be bothered to respond to her teasing. With this woman’s words, what’s true and what’s false is entirely unclear, so he treated them all as falsehoods.

Along the way, Lu Qian frequently utilized Wind Shadow Cloud Body to create an incarnation that attracted the disciples’ attention, while his true form carefully led Ji Yunrou in stealth, straight to his Sect Leader’s Courtyard.

Here, it was close to the Spirit Vein. By opening the window, one could see the third-level high-tier Spirit Vein and the Spirit Vein Treasure Pearl, about the size of a human head, emitting a dazzling bright light.

The abundant Spiritual Qi spouted out, forming a dense Spiritual Mist around the Treasure Pearl. All around, drizzling rain threads enveloped the area, and under sunlight, rainbows floated—a truly beautiful scene.

Around this Spirit Vein, many pavilions and courtyards were built. These were the residences of the Yunshan Sect’s elders, stewards, and True Inheritor core members. Some sentry points were also built, providing living spaces for attendant disciples and patrol disciples.

From this perspective, performing duties for the Sect Leader and elders, or standing guard for them, allowed one to enjoy the most ample Spiritual Qi. It was truly a great advantage.

Just after dismissing the disciples, he entered the room, shut the door, and set up a Silence Array. Ji Yunrou was just about to move closer to Lu Qian when Lu Qian poked her forehead with a finger, pushing her away.

”Lu Lang,” Ji Yunrou giggled, ”Fairy Jingxia is nearby, isn’t she? Why don’t we make the most of our time? Perhaps she’ll come looking for you later, knocking at the door while we...”

Lu Qian interrupted her with exasperation: ”I think you’d do well in show business. If you still want the True Dragon Blood, stop all this nonsense.”

Ji Yunrou was displeased, pouting as she followed Lu Qian to the desk. Just as she was about to sit down, the array outside the door was triggered, and indeed someone was knocking at the door.

Lu Qian motioned for Ji Yunrou not to move rashly, frowned, and reached out to dispel the array: ”Who is it?”

”Master,” a respectful young voice came from outside the door, ”I heard from the patrol disciples that you had returned. I rushed over to pay respects and also hoped to ask you about some difficulties in cultivation.”

”Yunxing,” Lu Qian’s voice grew stern, ”I have important matters to handle right now and cannot meet with you. Your fellow senior brothers will be returning shortly, perhaps you should consult them first.”

Tan Yunxing pursed his lips in hesitation, fell silent for a moment, and then said, ”Master, in the Foundation Establishment Scroll of the Blue Sea Tide Birth Technique, there’s a sentence—”

Lu Qian suddenly cut him off: ”Yunxing! I’ve already told you before, don’t aim too high or force yourself to show off! You’re currently at the ninth layer of Qi Cultivation, still one step away from the tenth layer. You should focus on honing your foundation. Contemplating Foundation Establishment level cultivation techniques right now is harmful, not beneficial.”

”You need to be grounded, not just doing superficial work. What’s the use of rushing progress or overextending yourself to show off your extraordinary talent? Stop having such thoughts!”

Tan Yunxing’s expression turned anxious, and he quickly knelt down, repeatedly bowing, so much so that even from inside, Lu Qian and Ji Yunrou could hear the thumping sound.

”Master, I know my mistake...”

Lu Qian suppressed his anger, recalling something, and sighed: ”Never mind, just go for now. I’ll find you later to impart the teachings.”

Tan Yunxing cautiously agreed, not daring to wipe the swelling on his forehead, and awkwardly retreated.

Ji Yunrou, having listened nearby until now, chuckled lightly: ”Sect Leader Lu is really strict. Why hadn’t I noticed before?”

Lu Qian made a noncommittal sound but said nothing.

Ji Yunrou continued, ”This disciple of yours hasn’t done anything seriously wrong. By behaving this way, he just wants to please you. Why get so angry and end up chilling his heart?”

Lu Qian was moved. How could he not understand the reasoning? Yet the more Tan Yunxing tried to show off and curry favor, the more irritable and impatient he felt.

Was he worried that Tan Yunxing would bear the shadow of Zhang Lemei? Or perhaps he wanted to correct his overly cautious and deferential nature? Thinking back, it’s been thirteen years since he took Tan Yunxing as his disciple, always educating him strictly, with hardly any joyful moments.

Now, at twenty-three, Tan Yunxing’s cultivation has reached the ninth layer of Qi Cultivation, and at this pace, he would reach Qi Cultivation Perfection in another five years. Though no longer as indecisive as in his childhood, he’s still far from possessing the strong and courageous temperament of Senior Brother Tan Hong in his memories.

Most notably, he is often preoccupied with secret thoughts, likes to keep things to himself, and tends to show off small cleverness, always trying to flatter his elders.

For most masters and elders, flattery would please them, but Lu Qian found it incredibly annoying and even repulsive. He had always hoped for Tan Yunxing to be as strong as his father, so whenever Yunxing behaved this way, he would rebuke him relentlessly.

But thinking about it now, Tan Yunxing has already grown up, and personality is half innate, half acquired; it’s truly hard to change. Could it be that he had been too harsh?

Rubbing his swollen forehead, Tan Yunxing’s expression was somewhat unpleasant. But just after turning out from the courtyard, encountering a few passing disciples, his demeanor immediately shifted to one of enthusiasm.

Though his complexion was fair and his stature tall, overall, he had an unremarkable appearance, blending easily into a crowd. Nonetheless, upon seeing Tan Yunxing, the disciples hurriedly saluted him. After all, his status, talent, and cultivation were undisputable.

He possessed the talent of Dual Spiritual Roots and had been strictly taught by Lu Qian. His current cultivation surpassed even Jiang Baitao, Li Da, and Wang Ruoyu, naturally making him a leading figure among the Fifth Generation Disciples.

”Greetings, Junior Brother Tan.”