Xuan Lingzi kept his word. As soon as he left the armory, he immediately went to Jinhua Hall. In Jinhua Hall, several senior brothers were present, discussing the matter of going to the Li’er Kingdom’s secret realm.

As soon as Xuan Lingzi arrived at Jinhua Hall, Li Danshu saw him and said, “Junior Brother, you’ve returned from the armory. How was it? What magical artifacts did your three little disciples choose today?”

Xuan Lingzi walked into the hall and sat down. He first drank some tea to calm his nerves, then said: “Fangfang chose the Qianyang Axe, and Cengxiao picked the Mieshen Saber.”

“The Qianyang Axe? That’s quite good,” Zhao Mayi said in surprise, “Tian Fangfang already cultivates fire-based techniques. This magical artifact couldn’t be more suitable for him. Although it’s a mid-grade magical artifact, when combined with his techniques, it’s even more formidable than high-grade magical artifacts. This kid – I thought he was so greedy for money that he’d choose a high-grade magical artifact. I didn’t expect to underestimate his judgment.”

“But doesn’t the Mieshen Saber have restrictions on it?” Yueqin asked in confusion: “Why would Mu Cengxiao choose a saber with restrictions?”

Cui Yufu spoke in his deep voice: “Shouldn’t the strange thing be why he could draw that saber? Over all these years, it’s not like no one has taken a fancy to that saber, but not a single person could draw it.”

“Don’t forget,” Yueguang Daoren smiled and shook his head: “This young man previously chose the incomplete manual ‘Five Star God-Breaking Technique’ in the Martial Arts Hall, yet he still cultivated it like a fish in water. Perhaps he can unlock the restrictions on it, too. Since the Mieshen Saber could be chosen by him, Mu Cengxiao has been acknowledged by the Mieshen Saber. And the Mieshen Saber with its restrictions unlocked…” He didn’t continue, but everyone knew how shocking the true power of the Mieshen Saber was.

Amid everyone’s chatter, the young man sitting in the chair, drinking tea, asked as if casually: “Why aren’t you talking about your most beloved little disciple? What magical artifact did Yang Zanxing choose?”

The gazes of several senior brothers in the hall immediately turned to Xuan Lingzi.

Xuan Lingzi smiled bitterly: “None.”

“What?”

“She couldn’t draw a single one.”

The hall gradually quieted down. Shaoyang Zhenren on the high seat frowned almost imperceptibly: “What happened?”

Xuan Lingzi spoke truthfully: “I took the three of them to the armory. Zanxing didn’t take a fancy to any magical artifact at first sight, and she tried many, but couldn’t draw a single one. Although there’s naturally a fate between magical artifacts and cultivators, to not even be able to draw mid-grade magical artifacts – Sect Master, I’m also confused and don’t understand what’s going on.”

“Hmph,” Gu Baiying spoke coolly: “I said it before – relying only on small cleverness to enter the inner sect, sooner or later, there would come a day of downfall. A person that even magical artifacts don’t favor – this seems to be a first for the Taiyan Sect.”

“Junior Brother, don’t speak sarcastically,” Xuan Lingzi defended her: “Whether magical artifacts acknowledge her or not, I don’t know, but she’s the person who found the ‘Qing E Nian Hua Gun’ – at least she was acknowledged by your mother.”

Gu Baiying said angrily: “Xuan Lingzi!”

“Ah, don’t fight, don’t fight,” Li Danshu said with a smile: “Not choosing a magical artifact isn’t a big deal. The magical artifacts in our sect’s armory all have their personalities to begin with.”

“Right, I also think Yang Zanxing is someone with opportunities and wisdom roots.” Cui Yufu rarely agreed with Li Danshu, probably because Zanxing had supported his niche talisman books, so he spoke up for Zanxing: “Not having a magical artifact isn’t a big deal. I don’t use magical artifacts much in daily life either – talisman formations are enough.”

Watching the disciples arguing in the hall, Shaoyang Zhenren slowly spoke: “This matter need not be mentioned further. Between magical artifacts and cultivators, there are spiritual meridian connections. That Yang Zanxing cannot obtain a magical artifact may be because her opportunities lie elsewhere.”

“But,” Yueqin said, “They will soon depart for the Li’er Kingdom secret realm. Without a decent magical artifact, forget about fighting with others in the secret realm – just by appearance alone, they’ll be mocked by other sects.”

Shaoyang Zhenren was silent for a while, then called: “Baiying.”

Gu Baiying looked up and heard Shaoyang Zhenren continue: “You take Yang Zanxing to Huajin Tower and choose a new magical artifact for her.”

The magical artifacts in the sect all had their personalities, but those in Huajin Tower were different – they could be bought with spirit stones. Although their grade couldn’t compare to those in the armory, they were still much better than that rusty iron staff.

“Not interested,” Gu Baiying refused without thinking: “I won’t go.”

“On this trip to Li’er Kingdom, you’re also departing. Take the opportunity to see if there’s anything useful.” Shaoyang Zhenren remained unmoved.

Gu Baiying still wanted to refuse: “Sect Master…”

Shaoyang Zhenren: “Go.”

When Shaoyang Zhenren said one word, it meant there was no room for negotiation. Gu Baiying could only stand up and reluctantly say: “Yes, Sect Master.” Then he turned and left.

Watching Gu Baiying’s departing figure, Yueqin said: “Sect Master, there’s something I don’t understand… why does Seventh Junior Brother also have to go to Li’er Kingdom this time?”

Everyone said that Meng Ying of the Taiyan Sect was a daughter of heaven, but actually, Gu Baiying’s cultivation was even higher than Meng Ying’s, and they were of similar age. However, over these years, he indeed rarely showed himself in public, mostly spending time in secluded cultivation with Zhao Mayi and Mendong outside. Yueqin had always believed that with all the major sects now competing openly and secretly, everyone wanted to fight for first place, but none of those newly risen talents could compare to Gu Baiying. As long as Gu Baiying showed off a few times at sect gatherings, the Taiyan Sect would naturally be able to hold its head high.

However, Shaoyang Zhenren seemed to have no intention of letting Gu Baiying make a name for himself.

Come to think of it, as a descendant of Qinghua Xianzi, he already bore many expectations. Sometimes being watched too much wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

But why this time, for an ordinary Li’er Kingdom secret realm trial, would Gu Baiying replace Zi Luo and actively go?

“Of course you don’t understand.” Zhao Mayi smiled mysteriously: “Daily splitting peach kernels, the essence remains in the heart. Two flowers separated by a wall will sooner or later become joined stems.”

“What do you mean?” Yueqin frowned: “Are you saying the two of them have a private relationship? How is that possible?”

“Why isn’t it possible?” Zhao Mayi was dismissive: “You don’t have a dao companion, nor are you young. All you know is sword practice day in and day out. Meng Ying was a perfectly good little girl, but you’ve taught her to always put on airs now, cold and icy, not cute at all. Look at Zanxing instead – how lively she is, with such a good temperament. If I were a few decades younger, I’d like her too.”

“Zhao Mayi, are you crazy?” Yueqin was furious: “What’s wrong with Yingying? Instead of practicing swords properly, should she be like you, old and improper at your age? Have you no shame? You’re simply a disgrace to the Taiyan Sect!”

“Stop fighting, all of you.” Li Danshu tucked his hands in his sleeves and smiled as he mediated: “Even the Sect Master couldn’t stand listening and left first.”

Outside the hall, Shaoyang Zhenren stopped at the end of the long cliff, standing with his hands behind his back. At the endless peaks of Gufeng Mountain, where mist held sunset clouds and the sky stretched vast and distant, the wind blew his white hair, causing ripples to rise even in the usually calm eyes of this sect master.

Gu Baiying’s proposal to go to the Li’er Kingdom secret realm trial was indeed unexpected. Gu Baiying’s cultivation had now reached the Spirit Division stage, and he was probably about to break through to mid-stage Spirit Division. This didn’t necessarily mean a good thing – the stagnation of yuanli in his spiritual meridians would only make his situation more dangerous. During such dangerous times, it really wasn’t suitable to be running around everywhere.

No one knew when changes would come. Originally, according to the plan, Gu Baiying would take the Qin Chong seed to repair the deficiencies in his spiritual meridians, but…

But the reason heaven’s will was heaven’s will was that it made people forever unable to predict what would happen next.

On Gufeng Mountain, the accumulated snow had already melted, and the flying waterfall was no longer frozen, broken jade. Before long, when spring arrived, beside Lixiu River, there would again be green spring waters and willows fine as smoke.

He looked into the distance, a trace of compassion passing through his eyes.

Heaven’s will could never be defied.