Chapter 49: Summons and Recruitment

Bai Yueqing's injuries had nearly healed, though her complexion still bore the pallor of long exhaustion. She spent most of her days in seclusion, quietly consolidating her cultivation and tending to her body, while carefully nourishing the silent longsword on the table with her own spiritual energy.

Since that day, Ye Ming had fallen into a deep slumber from which he had not stirred. His spiritual aura had faded, leaving him as lifeless as a blade of common iron. Yet Bai Yueqing could sense that he had not perished, but had instead entered a profound state of self-repair and dormancy.

What he needed might be time—or perhaps a far greater source of power.

This yearning made her all the more eager for the resources available to the inner sect.

On this particular morning, the restriction outside her dwelling was triggered. When Bai Yueqing opened the door, she saw an unfamiliar inner sect steward standing respectfully yet distantly before her.

“Junior Sister Bai, Elder Li requests your presence at the side hall of the Steward Pavilion. Please proceed there at once.”

Bai Yueqing understood immediately; Elder Li’s inquiry was inevitable. She straightened her robes, carefully wrapped the longsword in a gray cloth and strapped it to her back, then followed the disciple.

Inside the side hall, Li Qifeng sat alone behind a table of purple sandalwood, reading a jade scroll. Upon seeing Bai Yueqing enter, he set the scroll aside and fixed her with a calm gaze.

“Sit,” he said, pointing to the chair opposite him.

“Thank you, Elder,” Bai Yueqing replied, sitting upright with a dignified composure.

Li Qifeng regarded her for a moment before speaking. “How has your recovery progressed?”

“I appreciate your concern, Elder. I am no longer in any serious danger.”

He nodded, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the tabletop. After a moment of silence, he went straight to the point.

“Your sword—and this so-called ‘Ancient Spirit-Nurturing Technique’—now that you are admitted to the inner sect, would you elaborate on them for me once more?”

“The sect has always placed great importance on all forms of ancient inheritances.”

Bai Yueqing tensed inwardly. She drew a deep breath and recited the account she had prepared in advance, making it even more detailed and cautious. Her story remained the same: she had found the ancient sword and a fragmentary manual in a mining cave behind the mountain, emphasizing the incomplete nature of the technique and its peculiar effectiveness only on swords.

She attributed all oddities to the mysterious profundity of the ancient method and to chance encounters.

Her account was a blend of truth and fiction, her tone steady, but she blurred the details and avoided any mention of the sword spirit’s existence.

Li Qifeng listened without interruption, his gaze growing ever more penetrating.

When Bai Yueqing finished, the hall fell into a brief silence.

“This old fox… still as hard to fool as ever…” she thought. Though Ye Ming was silent, she could almost hear his habitual muttering if he were awake.

“Ancient Spirit-Nurturing… drawing out the essence of materials, feeding it back into the blade, even awakening supernatural abilities…” Li Qifeng slowly repeated the key phrases, his gaze sweeping with tangible weight over the longsword on her back.

“It seems rather similar to certain lost artifact-forging arts from ancient times, though considerably more… direct.”

He changed tone, his voice growing heavier. “Bai Yueqing, are you familiar with the proverb: ‘A jade in the hand is the cause of one’s own ruin’?”

Her heart skipped a beat. She bowed her head. “I understand, Elder.”

“As long as you do.”

“It was manageable in the outer sect, but now that you’ve entered the inner sect, the waters are far deeper. Your sword and this technique may draw more attention than you imagine.”

“Before the outer sect tournament, it was merely an oddity. But now, you must realize it has caught the eyes of the sect leader himself.”

He paused, his voice lowering. “The sect is not as harmonious as it seems. Greed, scheming, survival of the fittest—they are everywhere.”

“You have talent and strength of character—these are your assets. But without matching strength or backing, some things in your possession can bring disaster rather than fortune.”

His words were a stark warning.

“Thank you, Elder, for your guidance. I will take it to heart, strive to improve my cultivation, and proceed with caution.” Bai Yueqing answered with respect.

She recognized that Li Qifeng’s words were probing, yet more so a warning.

He regarded her for a while longer, as if trying to discern something from her expression, then slowly leaned back and waved his hand.

“Enough. This is your own opportunity; make the best of it. You may go.”

“Thank you, Elder. I’ll take my leave.” Bai Yueqing bowed and departed the hall.

She had barely walked out of the Steward Pavilion before a figure blocked her path.

The newcomer wore the black robes of an elite inner disciple, his features handsome with a touch of coldness, a seemingly warm smile on his lips. It was Zhu Yu.

“Congratulations on joining the inner sect, Junior Sister Bai,” he said with practiced familiarity.

“I just saw you exit Elder Li’s quarters. Was it about that ancient sword?”

A cold weight settled in Bai Yueqing’s heart, though her expression remained composed. “Senior Brother Zhu, it was merely a routine inquiry from the elder.”

“There’s no need to be nervous.” Zhu Yu’s smile did not falter, but his gaze flickered lightly over the sword on her back.

“To reach the top three in the tournament with only sixth-level Qi Refinement and an ancient sword, even grasping an embryonic sword intent… That’s extraordinary talent.”

“With such aptitude, it would be a shame for you to muddle along in some ordinary cave-dwelling, exploring on your own.”

He paused, then voiced his true intent. “To be candid, my uncle is Elder Zhu of the Discipline Hall.”

“I have some standing within the inner sect. I could introduce you to my uncle’s tutelage.”

“With a late-stage Core Formation elder’s personal guidance, your cultivation resources would far surpass what ordinary inner disciples receive.”

“And as for your remarkably spiritual sword, perhaps the elder could help uncover its true secrets, aiding you in drawing out its full power. Would that not be the best of both worlds?”

The offer sounded tempting, but every word was laced with hidden barbs, especially that last line, which all but revealed his true interest in the sword.

Bai Yueqing’s heart tightened. Zhu Yu’s invitation was no act of kindness; he clearly wished to bring both her and Ye Ming under his control.

“A weasel wishing a happy new year to a hen… never with good intentions!” If Ye Ming were awake, he would certainly have exploded indignantly at this.

She did not hesitate, merely inclined her head, her tone respectful yet distant. “Thank you, Senior Brother Zhu, for your generosity.”

“But my cultivation is shallow and my talents limited. Gaining entrance to the inner sect was already a stroke of luck; I dare not hope for a place among the elder’s disciples.”

“Besides, I am used to a more unrestrained way of practice and would hate to disappoint the expectations of Senior Brother and the elder.”

“I wish to explore the path of cultivation on my own for a while first.”

Her refusal was crisp and decisive.

Zhu Yu’s smile faded instantly, a flicker of coldness passing through his eyes.

He had not expected Bai Yueqing to reject him so bluntly, giving him no face at all.

“Oh? Explore on your own?” He repeated the words, his tone unreadable.

“The inner sect is not like the outer sect. Fortune and danger are often two sides of the same coin.”

“Since your mind is made up, very well. Let’s hope you won’t regret the choice you’ve made today.”

With that, he gave Bai Yueqing a deep, coldly oppressive glance before turning away.

Bai Yueqing stood where she was, watching his figure recede until it disappeared at the end of the mountain path. Only then did she let out a long breath, feeling cold sweat on her back.

She knew she had now thoroughly offended this influential senior.

The road ahead in the inner sect would not be smooth.

But no matter how many hardships and dangers lay ahead, she had to press on.

For herself—and for Ye Ming.