Chapter 22 – I Don’t Want to Go!

  The main courtyard of the Outer Sect was alive with motion, the paved stone expanse was filled with nearly a thousand Outer Sect Disciples, all wearing the same blue robes identifying their allegiance to the Tranquil Mountain Sect.

  It was early morning, and the dew on the plants and the morning mist hadn’t been fully burned away by the bright sun rising in the east. Disciples were gathered in loose groups, murmuring in low voices filled with excitement as they discussed the expedition they had been selected for.

  Mei Lian stood near the center of the crowd, her face composed as she watched the crowd with interest. Her hair was in a long braid down her back, her posture was straight, and her hands were folded loosely in front of her.

  Unnoticed, some of the male Disciples around her would sneak glances at her and whisper about her beautiful appearance and her rapid ascension to the 2nd Level of Qi Condensation.

  But Mei Lian wasn’t interested in anyone in the courtyard, with the exception of Jun De, who she couldn’t find anywhere.

  “He should be here. If anyone is talented enough to be included in this expedition, it would be him.” Mei Lian whispered to herself, confident that Jun De would soon arrive.

  She had trained hard to break through to the next stage of Qi Condensation, driven by her perceived failure in the Outer Valley. Mei Lian was determined to stay by Jun De’s side during this trip, and not rely on him to protect her.

  Mei Lian’s distraction over Jun De resulted in her not noticing Lin Yue until the young woman called out to her in excitement.

  “Sister Mei!”

  Turning, Mei Lian found herself face to face with Lin Yue, who walked toward her with a bounce in her step and a smile that lit up her entire face.

  Lin Yue had a warmth about her that made people naturally gravitate toward the young woman. Her cheeks were round and always tinged with a slight blush that gave her an air of youthfulness. Her eyes were large and luminous, catching the light like polished obsidian.

  She wore her hair in two low buns tied with pale blue ribbons, and a few wisps had escaped their hold to frame her face.

  If Mei Lian’s appearance were catching the attention of the male Disciples around her, the combination of the two young women amplified the effect. Many of the young men were sneaking glances at the pair now.

  “I’ve been looking everywhere for you! Have you seen Senior Brother Jun? I haven’t spoken to him since the Outer Valley, and I’m worried he is upset with me.” Lin Yue asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

  Mei Lian’s gaze softened, and she shook her head slightly.

  “No, I heard that he was seen in Tranquil City but returned to secluded cultivation. He will be here.” Mei Lian assured her with confidence in her voice.

  Lin Yue’s lips pressed into a faint pout, and she looked up toward the Upper Ridge, where Jun De’s residence was located.

  “Do you think he dislikes us for being weak?” Lin Yue asked softly, and tears shimmered at the edge of her eyes, threatening to fall. She had been worrying about her behaviour in the Outer Valley since they left Jun De behind, and had been training hard as well.

  “Absolutely not! Senior Brother Jun isn’t like that! He is just committed to his cultivation; there is no way he would hold a grudge.” Mei Lian said as she wrapped her arms around Lin Yue to comfort her friend.

  Before Lin Yue could respond, a hush spread like a ripple through the crowd. The low murmur of conversation died down as figures in flowing blue robes trimmed in pristine white appeared at the edge of the courtyard.

  The arrival of the Outer Sect Elders caused the Disciples to instinctively straighten their backs while paying their respects. Mei Lian could feel the excitement surge in the crowd at the coming announcement, something that could change the fates of everyone in the courtyard.

  But what caused Mei Lian and Lin Yue to react with surprise and delight was the appearance of Jun De, who walked a few steps behind the Elders.

  Awe rippled through the crowd like wind over water. Even amongst the dignified Elders, Jun De stood out. He was tall and slender, with a presence that seemed to be carved out of radiant sunlight and elegance.

  His robes were the same as every other Disciple, but they seemed to fit him better and even enhanced his appearance. Jun De was rumoured to be handsome, but seeing him today, he looked almost otherworldly.

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  Even those who scoffed at the notion that Jun De was a ‘reincarnated immortal’ in private were silenced by his presence.

  Lin Yue blinked, and her earlier worries were forgotten as she clutched Mei Lian’s sleeve.

  “Why is Senior Brother Jun with the Elders?” Lin Yue asked, and Mei Lian could only shake her head in response.

  Elder Shen stepped forward onto a stone dais at the front of the courtyard and addressed the crowd. His voice was bolstered by Qi so that everyone could clearly hear his words.

  “An inheritance site has been revealed.” There was a collective intake of breath amongst the crowd as the importance of the Elder’s words landed.

  “This site lies several days journey beyond our Sect’s borders. The protective formation has weakened, and within ten days, it will fully open. Only cultivators under the age of thirty and within the Qi Condensation realm may enter.”

  Elder Shen gestured to the crowd.

  “You have all been chosen to participate, to fight for a chance that may only come once in your lifetime.” The Elder’s gaze became sharp and fierce as he scanned the Disciples.

  “Understand this; beyond the protection of the Sect lies the world of Jianghu, a world ruled by strength and where might makes right. The Sect will not be able to protect you from bandits, rogue cultivators, and even demonic cultivators. All these may be present in the inheritance site, and you must act as one to protect each other or fall.”

  Elder Shen’s voice softened, and his face gained a sombre expression.

  “Do not bring shame upon our Tranquil Mountain Sect. The lives of cultivators are long and filled with hardship, and flowers in a greenhouse cannot withstand the wind and the rain.”

  Another murmur spread through the courtyard; this time tinged with unease.

  “To lead this expedition, we have chosen someone among you who has already proven himself to the Sect. One who has displayed courage, discipline, and talent beyond his years. Disciple Jun De will lead the Outer Sect Disciples into the Inheritance Site.”

  Some of the older disciples frowned, and their expressions became stiff and dissatisfied. Many of them were older than Jun De, had been in the Sect longer and were higher in cultivation.

  But no one voiced their dissatisfaction or complained aloud. They had heard the rumours about Jun De, of his accomplishments in the Outer Valley, his speed in cultivation, his presence and how the Sect clearly favoured him.

  Tales of Jun De fighting against the beasts of the Outer Valley alone for a week and coming out unscathed had impressed even the older disciples, and stories had spread that Jun De was concealing his cultivation, appearing as a 2nd Level of Qi Condensation Cultivator when the truth was that he was much higher.

  Lin Yue smiled brightly, her unease driven away at the thought of Jun De being the one to lead them, while Mei Lian was filled with eagerness at the opportunity to prove to him that she had improved and wouldn’t be a burden within the site.

  From the outside, Jun De looked as calm and composed as a statue carved of jade. But inside, his emotions churned like a storm, and he was moments away from bolting from the crowd and returning to his courtyard.

  He barely heard Elder Shen’s voice as it echoed over the courtyard. All he could think about was the responsibility being foisted onto him and how he didn’t want it.

  He didn’t even want to leave the Sect!

  “I’m not the right choice, and there are others with more experience.” He had said to the Elders, bowing low with his hands clasped in front of him.

  But Elder Shen dismissed his words with a wave of his hand.

  “There is no need to be humble, Jun De.” There was no room for argument, no protest he could make that they would listen to.

  And now he was standing in front of a thousand Disciples, many of them older, stronger, and likely harbouring resentment toward him, and he felt the weight of their stares pressing down on him.

  ‘I don’t want this!’ Jun De screamed inside his mind. He was desperate for them to understand that he didn’t choose this, that he would much rather someone else lead them. He didn’t want to fight anyone or struggle for resources or an inheritance.

  ‘I would much rather be a flower in a greenhouse! Who cares about that nonsense of winter or rain? I just never need to leave the Sect, and I’ll be safe!’ Jun De thought.

  The Jianghu was not like the Sect. There weren’t going to be any laws protecting the weak, and people would die for herbs or artifacts.

  ‘Hell, people will kill for a wrong glance or because they think you disrespected them!’ Jun De thought.

  He didn’t want to go, not one bit, but there was one thing that he took comfort in. He would be safer among the group than apart from it.

  With the other Disciples around him, especially the stronger ones, Jun De knew he would have a better chance of surviving inside the Inheritance Site.

  ‘As long as one of them doesn’t try to kill me.’ He thought bitterly as he looked at the Disciples standing in the courtyard.

  Elder Shen’s voice fell silent, and, for a moment, no one moved or spoke as the impact of his words settled.

  With a casual motion, Elder Shen lifted his right hand and waved his sleeve. The jade storage ring on his finger pulsed with Qi, and something small materialized in the air above the courtyard.

  It was a small wooden boat no larger than his hand. Delicate and precise in every detail, it had tiny masts, white sails, and a hull made of reddish-brown wood. The small boat floated higher into the air before it grew larger in an instant.

  The wood creaked and stretched as Spiritual Energy infused it, expanding outward like a flower blooming. The Sails unfurled and caught in the wind while characters glowed on the white cloth with a deep, blue light.

  “Tranquil Mountain Sect.”

  The small model became a full-sized vessel, majestic and inspiring. Its deck was wide enough to accommodate all the Outer Sect Disciples with room to spare. The hull gleamed with defensive enchantments, and the entire thing was powered internally by Spirit Stones.

  Only cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage or higher could fly, even with flying swords or relics, unless they used external items to power them, like Spirit Stones. The sky vessel was owned by the Sect, and Elder Shen had been granted it by the Sect Master for this journey.

  Without hesitation, the disciples and the Elders leapt up onto the deck of the flying ship and settled in for the journey.

  Jun De was among the last to board. He landed near the front of the ship, surrounded by the golden light created by the Luminous Step. He turned to look back at the Sect with longing as the ship took to the skies and soon left the mountain behind.