One week slowly turned into one month, then two. The leaves in the forest began changing colours as the number of fallen yellowed leaves increased in the courtyard. Yet, their pride and joy did not return. The gloom over the Celestial Dragon Sect simmered into an unspoken yearning as the number of incense sticks increased at the shrine’s altar. Even the outer disciples of the sect heard about the legendary youngest daughter and prayed for her success. A day without Anji was like a day without joy. It was now evident how loved the little girl was in recent years.
One of the most affected people by Anji’s departure for secluded training was the patriarch of the sect. Zhao Mingfeng’s listless mood and pensive thoughts whenever he was not attending to official sect matters spoke volumes. As a doting dad, he thought he was prepared to let Anji go to the Mystical Qilin Sect. However, in the short time they were apart, the father of four felt like his entire world had lost its colours. No amount of consoling from his wife or children would get him out of the mood. Anji was not even allowed to write to him, and the times he secretly sneaked into the cultivation chamber, he could only see her working hard or sleeping. The distance between him and his youngest daughter was not as far as the distance between the two sects. Yet, Mingfeng felt like Anji was in a place way out of his grasp. The only thing preventing him from barging in and demanding a reason for the extended training time was the vision of a future where Anji would still be in it. With that hope in his heart, he was prepared to suffer even up to fifty years of heartache if it meant Anji would live.
After two long months of no contact from the blind prophet, Gu Ying returned earlier than usual one afternoon with a panicked look on her face. Anji’s personal bodyguard barged into the sect master’s meeting room, where the elders were seriously discussing the latest business expansion and information gathering in the capital.
"What’s the matter?" Zhao Mingfeng had to hold himself back from jumping to conclusions. Lizi and Gu Ying were not given many duties apart from attending to Yan Ping and Anji’s needs after the first month of isolation. Her appearance must mean that something important or bad had occurred.
Seeing the sect elders gathered in the room, Gu Ying paused. Although the Mystical Qilin Sect leader had told her to inform the patriarch beforehand so that he could make the necessary arrangements before Anji returned home, she hesitated to say it in front of everyone. After all, this was world-shocking news that could put her young mistress in danger if anyone had ill intentions.
"Sect Leader Yan told me to convey important information about the young mistress’ progress and condition. She said to tell the patriarch immediately before Anji can return."
Although Gu Ying was normally a serious person who did not smile, her expression was grave as she delivered the message. Zhao Mingfeng could not contain his anxiety as the pressure in the room increased with his aura leaking. Taking the hint quickly, the elders gave each other hushed glances and agreed to help their leader make the decision he wanted.
"We will reconfirm details of the follower numbers in Chang’an. It will take a few days, sect leader. Please call us for another meeting when you are ready," the oldest elder of the Celestial Dragon Sect bowed and took the lead, walking out of the study hall. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ noⅴelfire.net
One by one, the sect elders left and wished the father of four good luck while also nodding to Gu Ying as a sign of respect. Over the past two months, Gu Ying and Lizi’s position in the sect had elevated significantly because they were the only two people with news about Anji, keeping their overly worried patriarch in check. Lizi and Gu Ying had the most influence on Mingfeng’s mental health while Wanting and Ruiting managed the mundane sect affairs to keep things running smoothly.
It was not the first time the Celestial Dragon Sect fell into such a slump because of their inexperienced leader. If anything, they were used to supporting their hopelessly emotional leader. This side of Zhao Mingfeng was why he became a hero loved by the people. He was not a man made to be a king. If he had his way, Zhao Mingfeng would have lived his entire life as a wandering hero, helping all those along his journey and moving from continent to continent. However, they put the crown and title on Mingfeng’s head, shackling him to murim politics to stabilise the hard-earned peace. Therefore, the elders and Zhao Wanting worked closely together to support Mingfeng in times to the best of their abilities.
After everyone else left, Zhao Mingfeng shut the doors and created a soundproofing barrier so Gu Ying could report confidential information.
"What’s wrong with my daughter?" he asked with barely concealed concern. "Is she well? Did she fall sick? Did it fail?!"
Gu Ying vigorously shook her head to prevent Zhao Mingfeng from spiralling down the abyss of negativity. However, the news she was about to deliver could be worse.
"Anji is alive, well and able to cultivate now. The worst is over," she reassured. "However, the results of the new training method Sect Leader Yan designed for her successor have created a result far beyond anyone’s expectations. She told me to inform you this in advance because Anji still cannot control her new abilities."
New abilities? Hearing that his daughter was alive and well was great news. Hearing that Anji could now cultivate was even better! Tears welled up in Zhao Mingfeng’s eyes. His daughter would live for many more years to come now! Everything else was not as important to him anymore. It didn’t matter if Anji’s potential as a cultivator was only one spiritual root with no elemental affinity. Even if she could only live sixty years as an ordinary mortal, it was enough for Mingfeng.
"Yes, yes, it’s great news. Anji worked very hard these past two months," Mingfeng sniffed. "It’s only natural for someone who had just understood the basics of cultivation not to know how to control their newly gained abilities. We can teach her how to regulate her qi and contain her aura."
Here, Gu Ying stiffened. Could they really do that?
When the bodyguard lady did not reply, Mingfeng sensed that the matter was more serious than she had let on.
Gu Ying pursed her lips. Could they?
"Gu Ying apologises for being ignorant. However, does the Sect Leader know how to regulate qi for a celestial root cultivation base?"
Blinking with a blank face, Mingfeng’s mind whirred. What was this woman saying?
"Celestial root base? Whose cultivation base is that? Only immortals who had gone through the rebirthing process by abandoning their entire life’s cultivation work could obtain it. Even so, the chances of succeeding are very slim. Most people would end up crippled or severely damaging their cultivation roots doing it."
Gu Ying did not reply, sweating nervously. When Mingfeng thought about it, his dread increased as his expression paled.
Reluctantly, Gu Ying nodded slowly. She could understand his reaction. After all, she responded similarly when she first heard it from the blind prophet.
"She said it was the Seven Star Initial Core," Gu Ying responded barely above a whisper. "Anji wove that herself during the creation phase and nurtured it under her teacher’s guidance. However, after suffering tremendous backlash from helping Anji defy the heavens, Sect Leader Yan’s cultivation base has been temporarily sealed and suppressed to barely above the Refined Core stage. She’s too weak to help Anji further and asked if you could meet her to prepare for Anji’s return."
Although it was news worthy of lavish celebrations, Zhao Mingfeng only felt a heavy stone in his heart after hearing it. With how dangerous the situation is outside, Yan Ping’s crippled cultivation must never be let known to others. Those harbouring ill intentions would undoubtedly seize this chance to dispose of the prophet who led the downfall of the demonic cultivator clan. Moreover, Anji might be a powerful immortal in the future with her potential. However, she was still a child who did not know how to handle her abilities or defend herself. No matter how grand an oak tree would become, it would be all over if someone stepped on it and killed it as a sprout.
"Does anybody else know?" there was an edge in his voice.
Shaking her head, Gu Ying steeled her resolve in her eyes in response. "I’ll take the oath and pledge my life on the line to keep this secret if I have to, sir."
Mingfeng would never doubt Lizi and Gu Ying’s loyalty to Anji and the sect. He was blessed to have many trusted friends and allies. However, he doubted not their loyalty but the tricks of the demonic sect he feared.
"If you can only pledge your loyalty to my daughter or the sect, which would you choose?" he asked.
Puzzled, Gu Ying wondered what that meant. To serve Anji was to serve the sect. It was the same thing.
Sensing how Gu Ying did not understand his intentions, Mingfeng sighed heavily.
"Anji is now the official successor to the Mystical Qilin Sect. Old Yan has done a lot for her. It is a debt we, the Celestial Dragon Sect, cannot pay off. Even if she is my daughter, the sect cannot always protect her. I’m asking you to choose between the sect or Anji. You can be one of the thousand swords we possess to fight against the demonic cultivators as the Rainbow alliance, or you could be the shield that guards my youngest daughter relentlessly and walks a different path from us."
At this point, it was clear how Anji could not remain in the Celestial Dragon Sect even if Yan Ping no longer needed Anji as her successor. The little girl was destined to become immortal and could not be tied down to murim politics like him. After all, you could keep a bird tied down and locked in a cage. But how could you lock up the wind that passes through everything?
Kneeling on one knee, Gu Ying saluted with her head lowered. "Gu Ying will receive the sect leader’s will. I am a sword you raised, and my loyalties will never waver. My owner’s will is my own. Please give me the command!"
As a leader, he should choose the sect. However, as a father, Mingfeng wanted to make a selfish decision. There were plenty of good swords in the Celestial Dragon Sect. However, there would never be a sword more loyal and devoted than the Manchurian orphan before him.
"Very well," he nodded, lightly placing a hand on her head, activating the oath spell. "From today onwards, you shall serve my daughter Zhao Anji with your loyalty and life on the line. The day you forget who your true master is will be the day you end your life."
"Gu Ying accepts this vow."
Feeling the shackles of Mingfeng’s qi shackling her heart, Gu Ying smiled. She was unafraid of death. If anything, the weight of these energy chains wrapped around her heart gave her a sense of insurance. Unlike Lizi, who was smart, Gu Ying was easily manipulated and bullied by others. Knowing that she would never be able to harm Anji, thanks to this vow, made her rest easy.
"Sect Leader Yan is waiting," she reminded. "With my low level of cultivation, I could not accomplish what she requested of me. You are probably the only person capable of assisting a Celestial Root cultivator."
Wasting no time, Zhao Mingfeng nodded and told Gu Ying to return to her normal duties. Then, he tore up a teleportation spell and disappeared without a trace.