Chapter 3 Pei Yuan: "You don't want me anymore either, do you?"
Dongxuan frowned upon hearing this.
"Let's just forget about it. This person has never liked getting involved in these things." Emperor Lingzhen couldn't help but frown when he mentioned that person.
"But he is, after all, Hengluan's personal disciple. If he doesn't step forward, won't our Tianyan Sect's magic arts sect decline?"
Dong Xuan pondered for a while and also felt that it made sense: "Yuan Guang is right. Let's go. Even if we don't consider our sect, we should think about the magic left behind by Heng Luan. We can't let it end with him."
Emperor Lingzhen also abandoned his weary expression and nodded seriously, saying, "Well then, let's invite him."
While the people above were talking, the others below, being young themselves, were quite talkative.
"Hey, do you know who they were talking about just now?" a man in a purple brocade robe asked the person next to him.
Dressed in plain clothes, Li Tiankuo closed his eyes to rest, pretending not to hear.
The purple-robed youth found it boring and pouted.
The girl in pale yellow next to Li Tiankuo leaned over and gossiped, "I heard she's the personal disciple of Emperor Hengluan, who sealed away demons with her own body a hundred years ago!"
"Wow! No wonder! I want to learn the unparalleled illusion magic of Empress Hengluan too!" the purple-robed youth exclaimed excitedly.
The girl in pale yellow snorted, "Don't even think about it! It's impossible for you!"
The purple-robed youth asked in astonishment, "Why?"
The girl in pale yellow laughed, "Hehe, with me here, why would I possibly choose you!?"
"...Tch." The purple-robed youth glanced at her. "Arrogant wretch!"
"Hmph, whatever you say!" The girl in pale yellow shook her head and laughed triumphantly.
Bai Yuheng almost laughed when she heard what the two were saying.
But when she heard them talk about Pei Yuan, the personal disciple of Emperor Hengluan, she couldn't help but fall into memories.
I wonder how that little brat is doing.
I remember when she first conceived the idea of sealing the demon with her own body, her quick-witted disciple knelt outside the hall and begged her to give up the idea.
"Come in and talk." Bai Yuheng disliked others kneeling before her, so she used magic to let him into the hall.
"Master, are you going to leave your disciple alone again?" For the first time, the boy boldly knelt on her lap, his moist, red eyes pleading with her.
She didn't speak, but simply stroked his head, her eyes filled with joy and emotion at his growth.
"Yuan'er has grown so much."
"Master..." He grabbed her hand that was stroking him, rubbed it against his cheek, and pleaded in a tone so humble it was almost painful, "Master, your disciple will help you, please don't leave me, okay?"
She ignored his request, and when Pei Yuan saw that she was unmoved, he even used the binding spell she had taught him.
"Yuan'er, don't be silly." She stood in the hall, looking at him helplessly.
The person outside the hall stood against the wind, their clothes fluttering, their eyes filled with ruthless determination.
"You don't want me anymore, do you?"
"I'm not abandoning you. Be good, listen to me, and open the barrier first."
"I'm not a three-year-old anymore, why are you still trying to fool me?"
"I'm not lying to you." She said helplessly, "Now that the world is suffering such a great calamity, we, as cultivators, should take it upon ourselves to uphold the principles of heaven and earth, to secure the lives of the people, and to bless and protect all living beings. Haven't I taught you these things?"
"..." Pei Yuan pursed his lips tightly and remained silent. He quickly made a hand seal to reinforce the barrier. "You won't be leaving here today."
And don't even think about leaving me.
"Pei Yuan!"
This was the first time she had ever called his name so angrily.
Pei Yuan's body trembled, but his eyes held an unyielding, dark stubbornness.
In a regular assessment, Bai Yuheng would undoubtedly praise his talent for being able to use the techniques she taught him so skillfully.
But at this moment, all she wanted to do was give this brat a good whack on the head.
“Master, you should give up. I created a reinforced barrier for this formation, so you can’t open it.” Pei Yuan smiled smugly. This was the technique he had practiced and studied the most thoroughly, and now it finally had a chance to be used.
Seeing her trapped and helpless in the palace, a madness flashed in his eyes, and dark thoughts grew wildly: "You said you would always stay by your disciple's side, you can't leave me."
"..." Bai Yuheng sneered, finding the brat's smile so twisted and infuriating. Her hands flew, and in no time, she broke through his barrier. Seeing his astonished expression, Bai Yuheng chuckled, "You brat, if you're so bad, you need to practice more. You still want to lock up your master? You'll have to practice for a few more years!"
After saying that, he tied him up with his hands behind his back.
"Master!" Pei Yuan struggled but was bound tighter and tighter. His eyes were filled with endless complex emotions, but Bai Yuheng had no time to investigate.
"Hengluan, it's time to go." Emperor Yuanguang appeared just in time. He frowned when he saw Pei Yuan, who was tied up and glaring at him with hostility, but he didn't say anything.
Bai Yuheng nodded, then turned to him and scolded, "You should stay here and reflect on your actions. When I get back, I will punish you severely for becoming increasingly unruly!"
"Master, please don't leave me! I beg you..."
Bai Yuheng was determined to leave and ignored him, riding a phoenix and leaving Wangxian Mountain with Emperor Yuanguang.
The helpless and desperate boy knelt on the ground and sobbed, but he couldn't win back the one he loved.
Pei Yuan was undoubtedly her most outstanding disciple. He was intelligent and steady, and could solve any problem, no matter how difficult or dangerous.
Even the binding techniques she had set up, which she had never taught him, could be untied in advance.
When she saw him again on the battlefield, a hint of pride flashed in her eyes, but at that time she did not have the opportunity to tell him that she was proud of him and of herself for having such an outstanding disciple.
The sealing of the demon was just one step away, and she focused intently on condensing her primordial spirit.
"Master!"
The Four Directions Mirror floated in the air, its primordial spirit binding the leading demons causing chaos on the earth.
The boy was running frantically, trying to seize the last chance to break her self-sacrifice formation.
It was so close.
Just a little bit more...
"Bang—"
A burst of golden light appeared.
The residual force of the shattered primordial spirit knocked everyone to the ground.
"don't want!!!"
"Yuan'er, wait for me at Wangxian Mountain."
"No, no..."
"don't want!"
The man's mature, deep murmurs echoed in the dark and silent hall.
"Master..."
The body on the bed was tall and strong, with his back arched. His dark hair turned silver from the roots as his spiritual energy fluctuated.
"Knock knock—"
A rapid knocking sounded at the door outside the hall.
"Uncle-Master, the three elders request your presence."
It's a little fairy boy who came to deliver a message.
The person on the bed stirred slightly, and the look of weakness and helplessness faded with each knock on the door.
Barefoot on the cold floor, his long, silvery-white hair slowly turned back to its glossy black as he walked.
"Bang!"
The palace doors were opened from the inside.
The little fairy was startled, his wings sprouting as he fluttered nervously, stammering, "Master, Uncle-Master, Elder San-San invites you..."
Heaven knows, he was most afraid of this cold-faced senior uncle!
Otherwise, after saying this, before the other person could respond, he would cup his hands and run away in a flash.
"..."
Pei Yuan let out a soft sigh, turned around and went back to his bedchamber to change out of his already soaked nightgown.
*
Inside the main hall.
The elders were all busy with their own affairs and didn't intend to waste time waiting for others, so after informing Pei Yuan, they began selecting disciples to personally mentor. However, after hearing Dong Xuan's words, they were somewhat troubled again.
The three of them looked at Bai Yuheng in the hall. They had never seen anyone who could shatter the spirit-testing stone before. They believed that she must be an exceptional genius no matter which sect she studied under.
Emperor Yuanguang waved his hand and set up a barrier around the three of them, preventing their voices from being heard, so as not to discourage people.
“I think she has excellent potential for swordsmanship, so it would be better for her to join my sword sect,” said Emperor Lingzhen first.
"Hehe, I don't think so. You didn't see the scene when she slew the demon. She was able to use the random objects around her with such skill. She would be perfect to join my school of weapon crafting!"
"You old man, you're trying to take it from me again! You took Suiqing from me three years ago, and now you're doing it again!" Emperor Lingzhen was also furious when he saw that he was not giving up. He conjured up a sword in his hand and said, "Do you dare to have a match? Whoever loses gets it."
"Hmph, who's afraid of who!"
The two pretended to fight inside the hall.
Emperor Yuanguang was annoyed by the two arguing again and said soothingly, "The children are still in the palace, so watch your manners."
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Emperor Lingzhen sheathed his sword and asked in unison with Emperor Dongxuan.
Emperor Yuanguang smiled kindly and said gently, "I think this disciple is gentle and steady, and is very suitable for alchemy."
"..."
"..."
"You should have a match too!" the two said in unison.
Emperor Yuanguang waved his hand and chuckled, "My martial prowess is not as strong as yours. Never mind, let's think of another way."
Emperor Lingzhen snorted and said, "Forget about it. Why not have a competition and see who has the best aptitude under which master? Then we can choose the one."
Emperor Dongxuan and Emperor Yuanguang exchanged a glance, agreeing that the idea was good, and nodded, saying, "Alright."
After reviewing their qualifications, they each conducted an entrance examination for their preferred candidates, and only after consulting with them did they finalize the selection.
"I'll go first." Emperor Yuanguang stood up and explained their thoughts. "Who among you is interested in joining my Medicine Sect?"
Seven people entered the hall, but only one was not chosen.
Bai Yuheng glanced at Li Tiankuo, who hadn't chosen, hesitated for a moment, and thought that since she was already here, there was no harm in trying Yuan Guang's assessment. In any case, it was just a formality, and in the end, it would depend on which elder thought whose talent was the most suitable to choose.
The others thought the same way. Apart from having a preferred sect in mind, being chosen by one of these three great masters would be excellent, and they weren't picky at all.
With a flick of his sleeve, Emperor Yuanguang displayed a row of alchemy tools in front of them.
"Watch me refine it once, then try to replicate it yourself. Whoever refines it best will get the highest score."
"yes."
Several people stood outside the red light, intently watching him make medicine.
Although the steps are simple, the dosage and the heat of the refining process are the most difficult to control.
Several people were in a dilemma and some regretted participating, but they were all geniuses with great potential, so they were not going to give up easily.
Guyuan Dan (a traditional Chinese medicine formula).
Bai Yuheng immediately recognized what he was refining.
They were friends for many years, so she could at least replicate the style to some extent.
Emperor Yuanguang stood before her, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back, his expression changing several times.
Bai Yuheng gave him a shy smile.
"..."
Well, it's just that the steps were wrong and the method of refining the medicine was too rough, but the result is still correct, so it's not a failure since it was still made...
Emperor Yuanguang couldn't help but facepalm; he simply couldn't bear to look and could only quickly glance at the others.
Standing before the girl in pale yellow, he was slightly surprised and couldn't help but ask, "Have you ever made poison?"
The girl in pale yellow was overjoyed. She nodded and said, "My father is the leader of the Five Poisons Sect."
Yuan Guang Emperor's eyes flashed, and he asked, "Are you Cen Ying?"
Cen Ying nodded with a grin: "Your Majesty recognizes this junior?"
“I attended your 100-day celebration,” Emperor Yuanguang smiled gently. “You have great talent.”
Cen Ying blushed and looked at the person in front of her with bright eyes.
"Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty!"
The alchemy process will still take some time, but Emperor Yuanguang already has a good idea of the outcome. He glanced at the girl, sighed softly, and couldn't help but feel sorry for her. How could someone be just like that person, making such a mess of alchemy? It's quite similar to what they did...
"Alright, it's my turn now." Emperor Dongxuan stood up and demonstrated the artifact.
"Whoever can disassemble and reassemble this object in the shortest time will win."
Except for Li Tiankuo, all six others participated.
The course on artifacts was one of Bai Yuheng's specialties. After all, she had lived for several hundred years longer than the people in the palace, so she was quite proficient in these basic things.
She and a shy young man in blue robes finished almost simultaneously, their movements nearly identical.
The two looked at each other and smiled.
Next up is the swordsmanship of Emperor Lingzhen.
This time, Li Tiankuo also got involved.
The group landed within the sword formation set up by Emperor Lingzhen. Whoever could defeat the sword spirit within the formation the fastest would win.
Swords possess a spirit; they can create sword techniques and also replicate them, making them almost impossible to defend against.
While the group was still focused on fighting the sword spirit, another person appeared in the hall.
A note from the author:
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