"What does the Patriarch intend?"
Wei Chengze spread his hands and asked his father.
"Set it aside for now. Let them come beg my Wei clan later. Do they think wind-attribute arts are so easy to find? If Wei Xueru had taken a master with a Wind root in Heavenly Sword Sect, we might have no handle. But she worshipped Jian Lu, who has five roots. Her advancement is fast, yes, but she is not a Wind-root cultivator. That makes a big difference."
The Wei Patriarch spoke with barely concealed smugness.
"As for the Ancestor, do we still need to deliver Jian Lu's visiting card?"
"Hold it. We will speak of it when the Ancestor asks."
The matter had erupted suddenly. They had not expected a clan child already judged unable to cultivate to start again, decisively leave the clan, and join Heavenly Sword Sect. She even found herself a powerful master at the outset, catching them off guard. For now they could only stall and wait for the Ancestor's inquiry.
All told, the Wei clan was on the back foot, and the patriarchal branch had certainly written down a grudge against Wei Weie's family.
Heavenly Sword Sect
The next day, Mao Dou and Yu Zongfan, the two senior brothers, came to pay respects to their Master and to begin the second round of live-combat trials. As expected, they met their little junior sister.
Jian Dan introduced her three disciples to one another, then said, "You two are senior brothers. Act like it. Look after your little junior sister in daily life. Because Wei Xueru is young, she will stay by me before Foundation Establishment so I can condition her body. Once she reaches Foundation Establishment, she will move to the eastern spur to cultivate with you."
"Yes, Master. Your disciples understand. We will protect Junior Sister."
Mao Dou and Yu Zongfan looked at the well-behaved girl standing by their Master's side and felt secretly delighted. They were senior brothers now, with someone to care for. They instantly felt taller.
"Wei Xueru greets Senior Brothers. From today on, I will cultivate together with you. I hope my senior brothers will guide me more."
Wei Xueru made a proper bow to Mao Dou and Yu Zongfan and sweetly addressed them. The two were overjoyed and immediately rummaged through their storage pouches to present meeting gifts to their junior sister.
Jian Dan watched with a smile without interrupting. Harmony among siblings was a lesson she intended to teach the three.
She deliberately gave them a full day together so the two senior brothers could take Wei Xueru to the eastern spur to see her future cultivation grounds.
Mao Dou and Yu Zongfan led their little junior sister all around the eastern spur and even chose a prime spot of geomancy as her future residence and cultivation cave.
Wei Xueru was thrilled and very satisfied with their choice. She promptly dragged her senior brothers into planning the layout of her cave abode.
Yu Zongfan, who had an uncle in the Affairs Hall, knew the procedures and offered useful suggestions. Mao Dou was the hands-on type, drawing a boundary with his sword around the chosen site and clearing weeds and stones on the spot.
"Junior Sister, you need physical conditioning now, so you will not move in yet. We can exchange the materials for building your cave on your behalf. When you have time, come to the eastern spur and we will help you set everything up piece by piece. When Master is busy, you can come cultivate with us."
Yu Zongfan explained a little shyly, and Mao Dou, though silent, clearly agreed.
Wei Xueru's eyes shone. She nodded, smiling. "I will report to Master. When I have time, I will build the cave with my senior brothers and arrange it myself. Then I can invite Elder Brother to come see my cave."
"Good."
The three decided happily. Wei Xueru then visited her senior brothers' caves and met Bai Bai, who had come out to look for his owner.
Yu Zongfan cupped Bai Bai in his hands, patted the little head, and introduced him to his junior sister. "Junior Sister, this is my spirit pet. His name is Bai Bai."
"Bai Bai, this is Master's third disciple and my little junior sister. We will be cultivating together. Get acquainted."
It was Wei Xueru's first time meeting a spirit pet. Her big eyes were full of curiosity. She wanted to pet it but felt a bit shy.
Bai Bai's small, beady eyes flicked over Wei Xueru. He hopped onto her arm, then sprang up to perch on her shoulder.
"Do not be afraid, Junior Sister," Yu Zongfan hurried to explain. "Bai Bai means no harm. He is close to you because he likes you."
Wei Xueru was braver than her senior brother expected. She held Bai Bai gently in her hands, then carefully placed him in her other palm. Girl and mouse even stared at each other for a long moment.
Wei Xueru solemnly introduced herself to Bai Bai. The next thing Yu Zongfan knew, Bai Bai followed her back to the main peak where Master lived, leaving him on the verge of tears.
Jian Dan saw Wei Xueru return with Bai Bai and asked with a smile, "How did your Senior Brother Yu Zongfan bear to part with Bai Bai?"
"Master, Bai Bai and I hit it off at first sight. May I let him keep me company for a few days?"
Wei Xueru stroked Bai Bai and scratched his head, then looked up at Jian Dan with bright eyes, hoping for permission.
"You may. Bai Bai belongs to your senior brother, so he can keep you company here for a few days. But he must eventually be returned. If you like, I can find you a spirit pet. How about that?"
"Thank you, Master. I am only curious. Bai Bai can stay with me for a few days, then I will send him back. When I am capable, I will catch a spirit pet I like by myself."
Her words were full of spirit.
"Good. Then it will depend on Wei Xueru's Luck and strength."
Jian Dan smiled. She knew Wei Xueru needed an adjustment period. Last time she had only come for meridian treatment and left. This time was different. She would remain here long-term until she could go out on sect training.
Bai Bai's presence would ease Wei Xueru's loneliness. A small companion meant less quiet emptiness.
Jian Dan raised her hand and laid out spirit meals on the jade table, instructing Wei Xueru to eat at proper times. She had not begun fasting yet and could not withstand hunger. Bai Bai also benefited, gobbling several cakes made of spirit rice until his little belly was round.
Bai Bai thought to himself, following his owner's Master is the life. Top-tier cultivation environment, exquisite food suffused with spiritual energy. His whole belly felt warm after eating.
There was no stiff rule against talking at meals here. After finishing a piece of spirit rice cake, Wei Xueru reported her day's tour of the eastern spur to her Master.
Jian Dan listened patiently, nodding from time to time, and supported Wei Xueru's plan to prepare her cave early.
"This month you likely will not have time. First soak in the body-tempering decoction. Then I will have Yun Shu take you to exchange for materials. When you have time, arrange things yourself."
"Yes, Master. Cultivation comes first. I will not delay my training."
Wei Xueru answered with earnest conviction. She knew how hard-won her chance to cultivate was and cherished it.
"Good girl."
Jian Dan lightly flicked her fan and produced a plate of crystal fruit for Wei Xueru and Bai Bai to share. She told the girl to rest early. Training would officially begin tomorrow.
Wei Xueru, with a delighted Bai Bai in tow, returned to her cave to rest.
Jian Dan summoned Yun Shu and instructed her, "Wei Xueru has not reached Foundation Establishment. She must eat three times daily. Prepare her spirit meals and make sure she eats on time. Do not let her skip meals for cultivation."
"Yes. Yun Shu understands."
===
Hey guys~ just a quick update ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ
Technically, I've got 9 ongoing projects listed on my account. But! Mom's Apocalypse Survival Log, The Invincible Money-Grubbing Fairy, and My Daughter is the Empire's Lucky Charm are all fully translated already. Right now (as of September 29), Reborn as the Fallen Idol, I Leaned Into the Chaos! has less than 50 chapters left to go.
That means, out of the last 5 projects that are truly active, 3 of them are complete works (the original novels are already finished). The other 2 are still being serialized by their authors, but I've already caught up with the latest chapters—those are also queued up in my drafts with over 400 chapters ready to roll (148+260).
So really, my current active projects are just 3. Yay progress! (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و
On my side, I also just got a job offer starting in October. I don't know the exact details yet, so I'm holding off on picking up any new big translation projects for the moment. If I do start working, I'll have to juggle both job and translations, and I don't wanna push myself into burnout (ง •̀_•́)ง.
Originally, I planned to dive into another historical-themed novel right after finishing Mom's Apocalypse Survival Log, but that might have to wait a bit. Or if I do take it, I'll probably slow things down to about 2 chapters a day instead of my usual 5. Some of you have also asked me about continuing Glitched: Highway Apocalypse, and I'll see if I can sneak it into my schedule ( •̀ ω •́ )✧.
For now, until I know how much free time I'll actually have, I won't be starting any giant 400+ chapter novels (unless the chapters are really short). If it's on the longer side with heavier word counts, I'll probably cap it around 300