Sect Master Ancestor, Heavenly Immortal Fate Descends

It is said that among the batch of disciples who joined five years ago, one of them drew the short straw and was assigned the task of sweeping the Founder's Shrine.

Among the many chores within the sect, this was a task that most disciples did not particularly enjoy.

After all, it could not compare to becoming a sword-attendant disciple to an elder, where one could frequently interact with senior masters.

A single word of guidance could save one from many detours, and if one performed well, there was even a chance to be taken directly under an elder's wing as a formal disciple.

It also could not compare to being a fire-tending boy in Treasure Pill Valley, where one could gain access to much useful knowledge regarding alchemy and pharmacology.

Even working in the Spirit Beast Yard or tending to the medicinal fields held more promise.

Although the work of sweeping the Founder's Shrine was not particularly heavy or arduous, it was far too lonely, and there was almost no opportunity to come into contact with the sect's seniors or other fortuitous encounters.

Therefore, the disciples all avoided it whenever possible.

The disciple who drew the short straw was also helpless, his face filled with dejection.

Usually, once the three-month term expired, they would be eager to head to the Miscellaneous Affairs Yard to claim a new chore.

Moreover, this trend was not limited to this generation of disciples; it had been this way in the sect since ancient times.

However, a strange thing happened five years ago.

The disciple assigned to sweep the Founder's Shrine did not complain or act as if the world had ended; instead, after three months, he actually volunteered to take on the same chore again.

And he had been at it for five years.

Five years, day after day.

No complaints, finding joy in the task.

Even the deacon at the Miscellaneous Affairs Yard felt a bit apologetic and uneasy, asking him several times if he wanted to change his chore.

The other party, however, firmly refused.

He laughingly claimed that his aptitude was poor, so it made no difference what chore he did; changing to a different task might not necessarily help his cultivation.

Why not just keep sweeping the Founder's Shrine?

For one, he was already familiar with it.

For another, he was already deeply grateful to have been accepted as a disciple by the Feathering Sect, but he suffered from having such poor cultivation that he could not contribute to the sect.

Being able to sweep for the ancestors of the sect could be considered doing his part.

When he first heard his grand-disciple mention this, Master Green Feather did not take it to heart.

He merely felt that this youth had self-awareness, knew how to be grateful, and possessed a sense of filial piety.

However, at this moment, as he stepped into the Founder's Shrine and saw him sweeping the floor and wiping the tables with great earnestness, not missing a single corner of dust, he was moved.

He appeared both diligent and content.

Master Green Feather could not help but nod secretly.

To be able to remain calm and composed, knowing how to prioritize, this state of mind and cultivation was truly excellent.

Among the young disciples, he could be considered outstanding.

A flash of spiritual light appeared in his eyes as he used his Heavenly Eye ability to check the youth's spiritual root aptitude.

He then sighed.

It was merely the kind of poor, mixed spiritual root.

Although he could cultivate, his progress was destined to be slow, and his achievements would be limited.

Even with hard work, he would likely never reach the Foundation Establishment stage in this lifetime.

Otherwise, he would have been inclined to introduce this youth to his own disciple and let him become his grand-disciple.

But now, he dismissed that thought.

As he approached, Lin Xiaoyao seemed to suddenly notice the visitor and could not help but be startled.

Immediately realizing it was the Sect Master, he hurriedly bowed and performed a deep salute: "Disciple pays respects to the Sect Master Grand-Ancestor."

"Rise."

Facing this junior who, despite his low aptitude, was diligent and polite, Master Green Feather appeared very amiable and asked, "How many years have you been here?"

"Replying to the Sect Master Grand-Ancestor, five years and two months."

Lin Xiaoyao signed in every day, rain or shine, so he remembered the time very clearly.

"Five years, indeed not easy!"

Master Green Feather sighed with emotion: "Do you truly not find it bitter?"

"It is not bitter."

Lin Xiaoyao's face was filled with determination: "To be able to join the Feathering Sect and contribute to the sect, this disciple is already very satisfied."

"Mm."

Master Green Feather offered a word of praise but said nothing more. With his discernment, he could tell at a glance whether the other party's words were true or false.

"I wish to pay my respects to the ancestors; you may withdraw for now!"

"Yes!"

Lin Xiaoyao bowed his head in a salute, then prepared to turn and leave the area.

However, just as he had taken a few steps, the voice of Master Green Feather reached his ears once more: "Wait."

"Does the Sect Master have further instructions?"

Lin Xiaoyao felt a slight sense of surprise, and he made no effort to hide the emotion on his face, as that was the only way to appear reasonable and appropriate.

"Take this bottle of pills."

The other man flicked his sleeve, and a ray of spiritual light carried a medicine bottle, slowly floating toward him.

Lin Xiaoyao hurriedly reached out to catch it. He pulled out the stopper, and what met his eyes was a bean-sized pill with a pungent, fragrant aroma.

"A Marrow Cleansing Pill!"

"Sect Master, this is..."

Lin Xiaoyao's expression was one of both surprise and a hint of trepidation.

He portrayed the reaction of a low-level disciple in such a situation with vivid realism.

"This Marrow Cleansing Pill is helpful for the progress of a Qi Refining cultivator's mana. Although your aptitude is ordinary, your state of mind is quite good. As long as you work hard, the day of Foundation Establishment is not entirely out of reach. The path of immortality is arduous, but since you have embarked upon it, you must not give up lightly."

Lin Xiaoyao was a bit stunned.

Is this a reward for me?

So... have I encountered a rare stroke of immortal fate?

Although it was of no use to him personally, he immediately lowered his head, showing an expression of both respect and gratitude: "Thank you for your teachings, Sect Master. This disciple will certainly keep them in mind."

Having said that, he did not stand on ceremony; he happily tucked the bottle of Marrow Cleansing Pill into his robes.

He then bowed once more: "This disciple takes his leave."

"Go."

Master Green Feather waved his hand.

He said nothing more.

Of course, he was not truly interested in this unremarkable little cultivator, nor had he seen anything unusual about him.

He was merely moved by the fact that the young man possessed a steady temperament, though it was a pity his aptitude was so poor that Foundation Establishment would likely be incredibly difficult.

He also appreciated that the boy had swept the Founder's Shrine for five years, day in and day out, without complaint. While there was no great merit, there was at least the toil of labor, so he decided to lend a helping hand.

Thus, he assisted with a bottle of Marrow Cleansing Pill.

This pill could increase the mana of a Qi Refining cultivator, allowing their cultivation to achieve twice the result with half the effort.

He hoped it would help the boy take a step forward.

Of course, as for the specific outcome and whether he could eventually reach Foundation Establishment, it would mainly depend on the little fellow himself.

Master Green Feather had merely been moved by a momentary impulse and acted on a whim.

Naturally, he did not truly take the matter to heart.

After all, even if the kid had some redeeming qualities, his aptitude was too poor. He might be able to help him out on a whim, but he could not provide too much support.

As the leader of a sect, the most important thing was to be fair.

Cultivation resources were limited, so they must be prioritized for those disciples with outstanding talent.

It was not favoritism, but a matter of trade-offs.

Only in this way could the sect avoid decline and continue to progress.

Therefore, although he had bestowed a bottle of Marrow Cleansing Pill and offered a few words of encouragement, he soon cast the matter to the back of his mind.