Flower-Appreciation Gathering (6)

Though the Profound Heaven Sect was immensely wealthy, it upheld a rigorous and fair set of rules when it came to distributing resources to its disciples.

The sect would never recklessly pour vast resources into blindly piling up a disciple's cultivation, nor would it thoughtlessly provide disciples with high-grade Dharma artifacts. All resources had to be earned through the disciples' own efforts—by completing sect missions to accumulate points, then exchanging those points for what they needed.

In this regard, everyone in the sect was treated equally, without exception. The greatest difference between personal disciples and ordinary disciples was merely that the former had an elder as their master.

There was naturally no need to say more about cultivation matters. As for resources, if a master was willing to pay out of pocket to support a disciple, the sect indeed had no right to interfere. However, the masters of the Profound Heaven Sect were clearly not the sort to indulge their disciples without conditions.

If disciples needed resources, they could certainly take the initiative to ask their masters for them. However, whether their masters would ultimately grant them any depended entirely on the masters' own judgment.

What masters voluntarily gave their disciples on ordinary days were mostly life-saving items that could preserve their lives at critical moments, along with spiritual medicines kept in reserve for unexpected circumstances.

Other than that, there were their bonded spirit swords.

For personal disciples, obtaining a bonded weapon came with certain conveniences. The sect would forge a suitable weapon for every personal disciple.

Of course, materials could not be taken without limit. The materials the sect could provide had restrictions on both grade and quantity. If disciples had particular needs, they could also seek out high-grade materials themselves and hand them to the sect for custom forging.

The Profound Heaven Sect had a Sword Tomb, where the bonded swords of deceased disciples rested, but there was no such thing as inheritance.

A spirit sword was a spirit sword because the sword possessed a spirit. Once its owner died, most such swords would seal themselves and fall dormant. Bonded spirit swords were extraordinarily private to sword cultivators, bearing their owners' lifelong cultivation insights and emotions.

The sect master who built the Sword Tomb in those days believed that letting later generations directly inherit their predecessors' spirit swords was no different from stripping the underclothes off a dead man and wearing them oneself. Not only did it violate propriety, it could also interfere with a sword cultivator's compatibility with their own spirit sword.

Thus, that sect master expended great effort to carve out an independent space within the trunk of the Twin-Life Tree, specifically to house these ownerless spirit swords and let them "enjoy their old age" there.

As the years flowed on, the Sword Tomb and the Twin-Life Tree gradually formed a strange yet harmonious symbiotic relationship.

The sword intent contained within the spirit swords of the Sword Tomb influenced the Twin-Life Tree day after day, year after year, making the tree's own sword intent ever more refined and profound.

Meanwhile, the rich and pure spiritual energy of the Twin-Life Tree carefully nourished the dormant spirit swords, preventing them from dispersing in spirit and being ruined as swords after losing their owners' care.

Over time, the Twin-Life Tree itself became an excellent forging material, though its grade was so exceptional that it was instead difficult to use.

Moreover, the Twin-Life Tree was significant in itself, so it naturally would not be casually used for forging. Only disciples whose cultivation allowed them to stand on their own and who had made great contributions to the sect would be awarded Twin-Life Tree wood to reforge their bonded weapons.

Of course, that was beside the point.

Put simply, in the Profound Heaven Sect, masters might forge swords for their disciples, but monthly spirit stone allowances still followed the established standards. Whatever amount was due was the amount given.

In short, sword cultivators were poor. Even personal disciples of the Profound Heaven Sect could not become rich if they were sword cultivators.

This topic was truly a little unfriendly to the sword cultivators present. Lin Huaixu gave a light cough and was about to change the subject when Shen Yuxi's voice entered everyone's ears—

"I'm not, I didn't, don't falsely accuse me. What do you mean, poor? I'm clearly a good young man who knows how to live, plans every penny, and practices thrift!"

This Heart Voice carried a deliberately aggrieved, teasing tone. His desperate defense only made it seem more like he was trying to cover up the truth.

"Second Senior Brother..." Everyone was speechless, yet also somewhat relieved. Setting everything else aside, Shen Yuxi's mentality was truly optimistic and broad-minded.

"Besides, if we're talking about poverty, who can compare to Seventh Junior Brother? Of every heavenly treasure that reaches his hands, thirty percent obediently goes to the sect, sixty percent is used to worship that precious sword in his hand, and only the remaining ten percent is left for him to scrape by on."

This time, his Heart Voice carried several shades of mockery and teasing, somehow making it sound downright gleeful at another's misfortune.

The senior and junior brothers: "!!! No way, Seventh, you really do that?"

Ye Jingxuan: "...It's not quite that miserable."

Shen Yuxi continued spilling secrets. "Don't be fooled by how polished this kid looks on ordinary days. In reality, he only rotates and mixes two outer sect disciple uniforms, two inner sect disciple uniforms, and two personal disciple uniforms. On top of that, his style is refined and scholarly, so it really isn't easy to notice at first glance.

"Even if you stripped him clean, the only valuable things on him would be that storage ring and his wooden sword. The storage ring probably only holds ordinary daily necessities and pills. If a bandit really robbed him, they'd probably cry and pull out their own money to relieve his poverty."

After hearing Shen Yuxi's words, the senior and junior brothers all turned their gazes toward Ye Jingxuan and carefully examined him from top to bottom. Only then did they realize that it truly was just as Shen Yuxi had said!

Ye Jingxuan was genuinely a master of dressing. Though they were clearly just ordinary disciple uniforms, after his simple mixing and matching, he somehow wore them with the dashing air of a cultured scholar.

At that moment, a trace of pity unconsciously appeared in everyone's gazes toward Ye Jingxuan.

Ye Jingxuan: ...

"But if you really think this kid is poor, then you're gravely mistaken—his wooden sword may look utterly unremarkable, but it's a Spirit Artifact. Though he's only in the Mid Golden Core Realm now, with that wooden sword in hand, he can trade blows with someone in the Nascent Soul Realm without falling behind.

"Did you really think all the treasures he'd offered to his spirit sword over the years had gone down the drain?"

The senior and junior brothers were astonished. What a kid!

Seeing Shen Yuxi grow more and more enthusiastic, Ye Jingxuan hurriedly tried to interrupt him before more of his business was aired out.

Pretending to remain calm, he turned to Lin Huaixu and attempted to change the subject. "If what Fifth Senior Brother said is true, does that mean the Heavenly Sword Sect can only swallow this insult in silence? The two of them clashed outside the valley just now, and from what I saw, not everyone in the Heavenly Sword Sect can endure humiliation. It seems this Flower-Appreciation Gathering may not remain peaceful."

Shen Yuxi indeed followed his train of thought, secretly pondering, I remember the Flower-Appreciation Gathering being rather peaceful. Nothing went wrong. But it's strange—Wang Rong's name sounds so familiar. Why can't I remember where I've heard it...?

Lin Huaixu's heart was clear as a mirror. He immediately noticed that Ye Jingxuan was subtly changing the subject, and with good sense, he did not continue pressing the matter.

After all, Ninth Junior Brother merely had a sharp tongue. When he got angry, he showed it openly, and if he truly intended to act, he would even announce, "I'm angry, I'm going to take revenge," so people could brace themselves.

But Seventh Junior Brother was different. If this kid became angry, his methods were far more covert. He usually caused trouble in secret, striking swiftly and ruthlessly. Only after it happened would he lightly offer an apology: "Sorry, I didn't notice."

On the surface, it looked like a genuine accident, but with the slightest thought, one could taste the hidden blade within it. He was sinister.

Thus, Lin Huaixu sensibly followed Ye Jingxuan's words. "It probably will not escalate to blows. On someone else's territory, exchanging a few harsh words is one thing, but if they truly start fighting, both sides will lose face."

The group continued leisurely touring along the path as they talked among themselves, occasional laughter slipping out and softly echoing through the surroundings.

Deep within Medicine King Valley, inside a quiet side hall, the heavy doors were tightly shut, completely separating the hall from the outside world, as though blocking out all vitality and leaving behind only a stifling, oppressive deathly silence.

The hall was dimly lit. Several weak rays of light squeezed through the narrow gaps in the window lattice, casting shadows across the floor like clawing, snarling monsters.

The candle flame on the sandalwood table swayed in the eerie current of air, brightening and dimming as though it might go out at any moment. The shadows throughout the space shifted constantly, adding several more shades of terror.

With his back to the doors stood a man in a blue-purple brocade robe patterned with dark motifs. His hands were clasped behind his back, and a cold, stern aura radiated from him. His figure was upright, yet he exuded an authority that sent chills down one's spine.

"Did they truly only take a walk around the valley, without any suspicious actions?" the man asked in a low voice, every word wrapped in chill.

"Y-yes, Eldest Senior Brother." A junior disciple dressed in the same color scheme, though his clothing was clearly made of far more ordinary material and appeared plain, answered respectfully. Yet his expression was hesitant, as though words rested on his lips but were difficult to utter.

The man noticed the junior disciple's odd behavior, and irritation rose in his heart. He pressed, "Why are you hemming and hawing? Speak if you have something to say."

The junior disciple's eyes darted about in panic. After mumbling for a long while, he finally squeezed out, "They... they also met the Eldest Miss."

The instant those words fell, the room plunged into deathly silence.

After a moment, the junior disciple cautiously raised his head and secretly glanced at the man from the corner of his eye, his face full of anxiety and unease.

Eldest Senior Brother was fond of the Eldest Miss. This was no secret in Medicine King Valley. Whenever the approachable Eldest Senior Brother encountered anything related to the Eldest Miss, he easily lost his reason.

This Flower-Appreciation Gathering had naturally drawn many talented young cultivators to the valley. The Valley Master was not skilled at socializing, so receiving guests had largely been entrusted to Eldest Senior Brother and the Eldest Miss. Eldest Senior Brother must have felt deeply uneasy as well.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, rage surged from the man's heart. With a violent sweep of his sleeve, a sharp crash rang out as an expensive ice-crackle tea set—pot and cups alike—was swept to the ground by the force, instantly shattering into countless fragments, just like his patience and reason at that moment.

The man's face turned livid as he roared, "Profound Heaven Sect, how audacious!"

"Please calm your anger, Eldest Senior Brother!" Seeing this, the junior disciple hurriedly tried to persuade him, his voice trembling slightly. "They only exchanged a few pleasantries with the Eldest Miss before parting ways. There was no deeper contact. It was probably just a chance encounter, wasn't it?"

Gu Xiaoyue took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the fury in his heart before slowly turning around. "Chance? How can there be so many chances? The Profound Heaven Sect has always had little dealings with Medicine King Valley, yet they came this time in such great force. That alone is suspicious. The moment they entered the valley, they just happened to encounter Yueyao? They must have ulterior motives!"

The junior disciple shuddered all over at Gu Xiaoyue's sharp, hawk-like and intimidating gaze. He hurriedly lowered his head, burying it so low that he barely dared breathe.

He paced back and forth through the hall, his black brocade boots crunching over porcelain shards as thoughts raced through his mind. "Not only did the Profound Heaven Sect's sect master come in person this time, he also brought numerous personal disciples with him. Such a grand formation could never be solely for attending a Flower-Appreciation Gathering.

"They deliberately approached Yueyao. Could it be that they intend to use her to harm Medicine King Valley?" At this thought, his gaze became increasingly sinister, like a deep black abyss emanating a chilling aura.

"Eldest Senior Brother, isn't that a little too serious...? Perhaps they really did just come to have fun? Aren't you overthinking it?" the junior disciple asked cautiously.

Gu Xiaoyue slowly crouched before the junior disciple until their gazes were level. He let out a long sigh, then gently patted his shoulder. His tone abruptly became mild. "Junior Brother, you are still far too naive.

"Matters between sects are tangled and complicated. You must never judge only by appearances. The Profound Heaven Sect has stood in the Heavenly Domain for three thousand years. Who knew how many sects had been crushed beneath it without any chance to turn over? The depth of its schemes and strategy is plain to see.

"When dealing with them, we must be especially careful. One misstep, and the entire game will be lost. Do you understand?"

"Eldest Senior Brother, then... what should we do?"

Seeing the junior disciple nod in alarm, Gu Xiaoyue straightened, a sharp light flickering in his eyes. "Keep close watch on every move made by the Profound Heaven Sect, especially those who have come into contact with Yueyao. The moment you discover even the slightest suspicious action, report to me at once. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Eldest Senior Brother!" the junior disciple answered hurriedly.

"And," a vicious glint flashed through Gu Xiaoyue's eyes, "inform the other disciples. Tell them to remain alert as well and heighten their vigilance. They must not let the Profound Heaven Sect take advantage of any opening."

"Yes!" The junior disciple did not dare delay in the slightest. After accepting the order, he hurriedly withdrew, and his figure swiftly vanished beyond the hall doors.

Gu Xiaoyue stared fixedly at the doors, which had briefly opened and closed before being shut tight once more. The venomous gleam in his eyes flickered like ghostly fire in a dark forest, and the churning malice within him completely tore away its mask.

His hands clenched tightly into fists, his knuckles turning a terrifying white from the force, as though they might embed themselves into his palms.

He viciously forced out a low murmur through clenched teeth. "I don't care what Profound Heaven Sect you are. Whatever I, Gu Xiaoyue, want, I will surely take into my hands. No one will stop me!"

In truth, the so-called "harm to Medicine King Valley" was merely an excuse he used to fool the junior disciple. What he truly worried about was not that at all.

Gu Xiaoyue had an extremely clear understanding of Medicine King Valley's standing in the cultivation world.

Medicine King Valley disciples had always focused on cultivating medicinal herbs and refining pills. They were not skilled at facing enemies in battle. If the Profound Heaven Sect truly intended to deal with Medicine King Valley, then with True Person Yu Qing's strength, he alone could destroy Medicine King Valley in the blink of an eye. Why would there be any need to painstakingly devise schemes?

This time, the Valley Master had sent invitations far and wide, inviting the major sects to attend the Flower-Appreciation Gathering. Though everyone would send representatives as a gesture of respect for the Valley Master, most other sects merely dispatched an elder at random, or simply had their personal disciples lead the delegation. It was only going through the motions; as long as their etiquette was proper and no one could criticize them, all was well.

Yet only the Profound Heaven Sect had its sect master personally lead the group. Such importance was truly extraordinary.

This filled Gu Xiaoyue with doubts. Why would the dignified sect master of the Profound Heaven Sect make such a grand mobilization over a strange flower from the Outer Domain?

On the surface, the Valley Master was holding the Flower-Appreciation Gathering to display spirit flowers, but what was its more important true purpose? To select a suitable husband for his daughter and seek Medicine King Valley's future successor!

An ordinary disciple naturally was not worth a sect master's personal appearance. But what if the first personal disciple most likely to inherit the position of sect master among the Profound Heaven Sect's next generation, whom they had nurtured with all their strength, had developed genuine feelings for Gu Yueyao?

If such a pivotal figure had fallen for Gu Yueyao, then the sect master personally coming to assess matters for his disciple would seem perfectly reasonable.

The more Gu Xiaoyue thought about it, the more reasonable he found his deduction. Chu Shihan must have improper intentions toward Gu Yueyao, which was why the Profound Heaven Sect placed such importance on an event that, in his eyes, was nothing more than a mere Flower-Appreciation Gathering.

How could he endure that?

He slowly turned around, walked to the grand chair in the hall, and dropped into it. His eyes were full of unwillingness and resentment.

"I have been cautious everywhere in Medicine King Valley, currying favor in every matter and acting according to the Valley Master's expressions. I exhausted my thoughts to win Yueyao's heart, and only with great difficulty did I attain my current position.

"Everything was clearly under my control. Medicine King Valley and Yueyao were clearly about to become mine. What right did you, Chu Shihan, have to come whenever you pleased and seize whatever you pleased?" He gritted his teeth, his voice trembling faintly with rage.

Anyone who had schemed meticulously for decades, only to see their ambitions on the verge of becoming reality before some Cheng Yaojin suddenly leapt out of nowhere and forcibly thrust a foot into the matter, turning years of painstaking effort into bubbles, would never let it go easily. Gu Xiaoyue was no exception.

Nine Domains Encyclopedia:

○ Sword Tomb

An independent space carved out within the Twin-Life Tree, specifically used to store the swords of deceased Profound Heaven Sect disciples throughout the generations.

The sword intent within the Sword Tomb is exceptionally pure. After forging a fine sword, one may also apply to place it in the Sword Tomb for tempering. The better the spirit sword, the longer it can be stored there. After being tempered by the Sword Tomb's sword intent, all attributes of a spirit sword are greatly enhanced, and it becomes easier for it to nurture a sword spirit.