Chapter Twenty-One: Choosing a Disciple

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Mo Bai steadied himself, unmoving. He wanted to see what kind of person could emanate such an aura, and why he had come here. Master Yun Zui was already a man beyond control; what value could he possibly hold now?

As Mo Bai was deep in thought, he suddenly heard a sound behind him. His heart raced with alarm—it was the greatest sense of danger he had ever felt. Someone had come right up behind him, and only now did he sense their presence. Just what level had this person's spiritual agility reached?

“Who are you, and why have you come to Yunqi Peak so late at night?” An ancient voice echoed out.

Mo Bai turned his head and saw the man. His face was hollow, devoid of emotion, like a withered branch that discouraged any approach. Now that he had been discovered, Mo Bai decided to act openly and said, “I have come to seek Master Yun Zui’s guidance.”

The old man nodded. “At least you are honest. Since you have business, I will not hinder you. But there are matters perhaps beyond your grasp. Yun Zui, poor child, is deserving of sympathy. Go and talk with him if you wish.”

Mo Bai was taken aback. For such a revered figure as one of the Six Sons of Yuntian to be called “child” by this man—just how high was his seniority? And yet, there was a trace of affection in his words when he spoke of Yun Zui. Why, then, had his aura brimmed with such murderous intent a moment before?

The old man sighed and drifted away, leaving Mo Bai drenched in cold sweat. If that man had truly wished to kill him, it would have been no effort at all. Unbeknownst to Mo Bai, he was not the only one who had just withstood enormous pressure.

But Mo Bai was not one to give up easily. If he set his mind to something, he had to see it through. Now that matters had reached this point, there was no need to hide any longer. Boldly, he strode toward the small hut. The disciple keeping watch was startled awake. Though Mo Bai’s name was already known throughout Yuntian Sect, few had actually seen him. The disciple immediately grew wary, not expecting a stranger to appear so late at night. His voice trembled as he said, “Who goes there? This is a restricted area of the Yuntian Sect. Without permission from the elders, no one is allowed to approach.”

Mo Bai smiled faintly. “Don’t be afraid, brother. I only wish to speak with Master Yun Zui.”

Though the disciple was not the most gifted, he was still a top student of the Yuntian Sect, and replied loudly, “I am not afraid! Who are you? My uncle Yun Zui is unwell and cannot receive visitors.” Realizing his words were inappropriate, he immediately looked regretful.

Mo Bai smiled knowingly. He understood that some spiritual cultivators spent their entire lives in seclusion, perfecting their skills but never venturing into the world or enduring its hardships. Such people, no matter how powerful, rarely became true heroes.

Mo Bai said, “I know Master Yun Zui is unwell. That is why I have come.” As he spoke, he produced a pill from his hand. The pill was crystal clear and exuded a unique fragrance—clearly a rare and precious medicine.

The disciple exclaimed, “So you are the one who injured my uncle Yun Zui!” and was about to raise the alarm.

Mo Bai was momentarily stunned, not knowing why the disciple said this. Not wanting to cause trouble, he moved in a blur and appeared before the disciple in the next instant. With a single finger, he immobilized him.

Sighing softly, Mo Bai entered the simple hut. Indeed, the room was sparsely furnished—just a table and chair for meals, and a bamboo bed. Mo Bai observed the middle-aged man, eyes closed. He was surprised at how young Yun Zui looked. Mo Bai couldn’t help but lament—how could such a talent suffer such a blow? He felt a heaviness in his chest. Just then, Yun Zui slowly opened his eyes.

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On Yunqi Peak, a man watched Mo Bai enter the hut. Seeing that the gate-keeping disciple was unharmed, he muttered to himself, “That’s just as well—saves me the trouble,” and then vanished into the vast night of Yunqi Peak.

Mo Bai quietly left the hut, carefully closing the door behind him. At last, he let out a long breath. Looking up at the moonlit sky, he smiled. “Who would have thought the night on Yunqi Peak would be so enchanting?” With a flicker, he disappeared.

The next moment, the disciple outside suddenly awoke, confused. “What happened? Did I fall asleep?” He glanced at the hut—its door was tightly closed. Peering through the window, he saw Master Yun Zui safe and sound. Relieved, the disciple yawned, shook his head, and drifted back to sleep.

The morning sun shone brightly, and a bird’s call rang out. Wu Luohua stretched lazily and got up, exclaiming, “Ah, so comfortable! A bed is so much better than a carriage. Hey, Brother Mo, you’re up early too.”

Mo Bai replied, “Of course. I woke up from hunger.”

Wu Luohua asked, “Strange, why don’t I feel hungry?”

Mo Bai sighed, “Who was it yesterday who nearly emptied the Yuntian Sect’s kitchen? If Master Yun Kong hadn’t intervened, the disciples would have arrested you as a thief.”

Wu Luohua grinned mischievously, “What can I say? Live and learn. Ever since I encountered the Scattered Poisoners, I’ve truly understood why Grandpa gave me this jade treasure pouch.”

Mo Bai laughed, “Just so you could store food?”

Wu Luohua praised, “Brother Mo, you’re sharp. But I’ve thought of something even better.”

Mo Bai asked, “What harebrained scheme now?”

Wu Luohua said with pride, “Before, I was worried that storing food in the jade pouch for too long would ruin its flavor. But if I put the local delicacies from each place I visit into the pouch, and take out the old ones, I’ll always have fresh food to eat.”

Mo Bai’s eyebrows twitched. “That really is a good idea. You’re a true prodigy among food lovers. But what do you mean by ‘the old food’?”

Wu Luohua burst out laughing.

Mo Bai exclaimed, “Don’t tell me it was the beef from the Niu Family Inn yesterday! When did you throw it out?”

Wu Luohua replied, “Yesterday at lunch, of course.”

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Mo Bai wiped sweat from his forehead.

Buzzing, buzzing—the Yuntian Sect’s kitchen was swarming with flies over a heap of rotten, stinking beef. The chef was nearly in tears with frustration.

Mo Bai wailed, “Now do you know why I got up so early today?”

Wu Luohua asked, “No, but that doesn’t make sense. The carriage was so bumpy, but the bed here is soft and comfortable.” At the mention of softness, Wu Luohua’s thoughts drifted to Xin’er. If only he could use those two soft mounds on her chest as a pillow—how wonderfully, wonderfully soft that would be.

Mo Bai said, “Though the other food here is average, I’ve heard Master Yun Kong’s vegetarian congee is unparalleled. He only makes it on the fifteenth of each month, and today happens to be the fifteenth.”

Wu Luohua instantly leapt up. “Brother, then what are we waiting for? That old man must be getting on in years—he probably can’t make much at once. If we’re late, we’ll miss out! Mo Bai, you should have woken me up sooner.”

Mo Bai shook his head. “I’m afraid Master Yun Kong is busy chasing flies right now.”

Wu Luohua broke out in a cold sweat.

Led by Jiu Xi, Mo Bai and Wu Luohua arrived at Yunqi Peak, but not at the same hut Mo Bai had visited the night before. Instead, they found themselves in a broad open space—clearly man-made, not natural. To clear such an expanse among Yunqi Peak’s jagged stones and rampant weeds must have taken immense effort.

No sooner had Mo Bai entered the grounds than he heard a woman’s voice. “So Second Senior Brother needed a master to hold the fort—yet it turns out to be a mere fledgling.”

Beside her, a delicate voice chimed in, “Sixth Uncle, he’s not a fledgling—he’s an old uncle! He must be hiding his true age.”

The woman replied with a dreamy smile, “Xin’er, do you really think your Sixth Uncle can’t see through such petty tricks?” Though she was past the age of youthful exuberance, her beauty was striking—not seductive, but refined and elegant. Only her words were a bit sharp.

Xin’er, the so-called Demoness, was taken aback, her mouth agape. She could hardly believe someone so young could possess such strength. In her mind, only Senior Brother Jiu Xi could reach such heights, but he was a rare case. Since she had joined the Yuntian Sect, she had never seen Jiu Xi stop cultivating, not even after becoming Deputy Head of the Discipline Hall. Day after day, he never ceased—how could a young girl like her fathom Jiu Xi’s ambition?