“Look how scared you are.”
The Vermilion Bird Mentor let out a shameless laugh. “You’ve contributed so much already, how could we possibly force you to keep doing research… They might be heartless, but we’re not like them.”
“Eh heh…” I scratched my head, a bit embarrassed.
I really had been scared just now.
Because the mystery of the tail might be the one research topic I couldn’t guarantee I’d solve.
If I really dug into it, it could take three to five years at best, centuries at worst.
“I believe, with your talent, no matter how you toss things around, for the goals the academy wants to protect… it’ll only bring countless benefits and no harm. In comparison, keeping you stuck in this tiny academy, making you deal with some simple frontline tasks, would be a waste of your abilities.”
The Vermilion Bird Mentor ruffled my hair and Cluru’s.
Feeling her expectations, I felt a little awkward.
Because I knew I didn’t have those wonderful qualities she hoped for.
At least, subjectively, I never wanted to do anything particularly admirable with him.
“Like a Kunpeng, your very existence is a form of greatness.”
The Vermilion Bird Mentor said, rising to see us out. “There’s no rule that says ‘enrolled students can’t start their own schools’, so… feel free to go play. Come back when you’re tired, and if you want a degree, the academy can give you one anytime.”
“Thank you.”
“No need, we should be thanking you.”
*
Treating it as a temporary leave from school, Cluru and I decided to leave for a while and fulfill a small wish of founding our own sect.
We returned to Kangcheng and decided to establish our sect in the Qinshan mountains.
To choose the location, Cluru and I practically scoured every map, finally selecting a place where seven peaks stood side by side.
“In the novels, it’s always like this: one peak is the main peak, where the Sect Leader and the management live. The other six each have their own specialties—one for forging, one for alchemy, one for sword training, and usually there’s one for female disciples only…”
Cluru floated midair, excitedly gesturing across the landscape, planning the sect’s development.
“Then each peak has a Sword Landing Platform, a designated spot for sword-flying arrivals and departures.”
“Should we also have flying sword shuttles? You know, coin-operated flights?” I couldn’t help but joke.
“Well, it’s not impossible…”
“That’s too complicated, and we’re not planning to recruit that many disciples anyway.”
“Alright then.” Cluru dismissed her many wild ideas.
“Our main goal is to train employees for the artifact forging shop, so most disciples will come up the mountain to learn forging techniques. I’m not planning to teach them cultivation methods. As for a few personal disciples, they shouldn’t take up much space either… So, no need to divide things so meticulously.”
“But then it won’t have that immortal vibe,” Cluru complained, lying on my back.
“Alright, alright.”
“What should we call our sect?” Cluru asked. “Master, what sect did you join back then? Shouldn’t we inherit the sect’s name…?”
The sect I joined back then?
“Do you miss them?”
“A little, I guess…”
They weren’t the kind of master and senior siblings I’d dreamed of, but, truthfully, they were the kindest people to me in the Realm of Cultivation.
At the very least, they did bring me into the Immortal Sect and taught me how to cultivate.
Maybe, in a world that cold, that was already the greatest kindness they could give.
“Do you want to keep the old name?”
“No, what’s past is past. Let’s call it Sect of Immortal Dew.”
“Won’t the Master Ancestor be upset?”
“My cultivation has long since surpassed your Master Ancestor’s. Even if he saw me in the underworld, he’d have to respectfully call me ‘Senior’… You don’t have to worry about all that.”
Among cultivators, seniority is determined by cultivation. I already far surpassed any Progenitor…
Back when disaster struck the sect, I risked my life to save them several times. By now, the debt for their teachings is long repaid.
Cluru looked at me, eyes full of curiosity:
“I really want to see your world someday.”
“Train until you’re the second-best in the world first. That place is dangerous.”
“Why not number one in the world…” Cluru unhappily grabbed my ticklish spots.
“Because number one is your Master… Hey, no tickling! One more time and I’ll bite you!”
Between our laughter and playful wrestling, pavilions and towers rose from the ground, and immortal palaces gradually appeared among the mountains.
Cluru’s movements slowly stopped. She gazed, mesmerized, at the seven mist-shrouded peaks and the pristine, elegant sect gate buildings.
“So beautiful…”
“So, Senior Sister, what do you think of your new home?”
“I want lo~ts of little junior sisters!”
“One step at a time. Maybe looking after mischievous kids isn’t as fun as you think. You might get bored of it in three minutes and not be able to take it anymore,” I poured cold water on her excitement without mercy.
“Hmph! Impossible!”
“Wanna bet?”
“A bet it is! What are the stakes?”
“If I lose, I’ll let you vent your fire.”
The air froze.
“Y-you’re serious?” Cluru trembled all over with excitement.
“Of course.”
“Then you can’t cheat! No altering the disciples’ minds or creating trouble on purpose!”
“Alright, I’ll do nothing. All you need to do is stick with your little junior brothers and sisters for three months.”
“You’re underestimating me! You’ll regret this bet!” Cluru bared her fangs.
“Don’t you cry and beg me to reverse time.”
“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!”
And thus, my bet with Cluru began.
Our bodies as the wager.
The timer would start from the day our new disciples ascended the mountain…
Of course, the artifact department trainees didn’t count; only new personal disciples were included.
“Master Lu, from today you are the Peak Lord of Red Sun Peak in the Sect of Immortal Dew, and also serve as Grand Elder. The training for the artifact department is yours to handle,” I summoned Master Lu.
“Don’t worry! Leave it to me!” Master Lu patted his chest with full confidence.
With Master Lu in charge, I could leave Red Sun Peak to him and focus on my bet with Cluru.
“You choose the disciples. Whoever you want as junior brothers or sisters, I’ll take them as my students. That way you can’t accuse me of cheating when picking disciples.”
In the main hall on the main peak, as the Sect Leader, I curled up in the big chair, my little feet dangling, and declared with pride.
“How do we choose?” Cluru was stumped.
What kind of disciples should we pick?
Talented test-taking kids from a small town? A fallen princess with a tragic backstory? A poor kid rejected from an engagement?
“Don’t you care about their aptitude?” Cluru asked.
“Even if it’s a pig, I could turn it into an Immortal Emperor. Pick whoever you want.”
That made the selection pool even bigger, and Cluru looked more troubled than ever.
“Got it!”
Cluru pulled out her phone.
Very soon, she found a girl on a video platform—seriously ill, a tragic background, and bravely earning her medical expenses by making videos.
And a boy in a similar situation.
Both were minor internet celebrities.
“These two,” Cluru said.
I glanced at their faces.
What the…??
One has a Body of Pure Yin, the other a Body of Pure Yang… Did Cluru secretly learn appraisal arts or something?
But looking more closely at their faces, I grinned, half amused:
“You’re sure about these two?”
“Absolutely.”
“Don’t regret it.”
“Don’t try to scare me! Hmph, I trust my choices!” Cluru put her hands on her hips, cheeks puffed out.
“Alright then…”