Because Liu Xingzhi's name had been mentioned, everyone's attitude became especially respectful. No one dared to provoke this senior figure.
"This…"
Zhang Shuning was caught off guard by the question and turned to glance at Song Wanníng.
After all, her own master hadn't explained the situation clearly. Could it be that there was really a new Junior Sister?
The onlookers exchanged glances, envy flickering in their eyes. To be taken in as Liu Xingzhi's disciple meant one's future prospects were limitless.
"I am not Elder Liu's disciple. My master is Leng Qingzhu, also a disciple of Guhan Sect."
Song Wanníng spoke plainly, stating her identity outright. Although her master was not some towering figure, she was still a disciple of the Grand Elder. That made Song Wanníng the Grand Elder's grand-disciple.
Since her master and Liu Xingzhi were of the same generation, she and Zhang Shuning were, in seniority, also peers.
"I see… a disciple of Martial Uncle Leng."
Several disciples exchanged subtle glances, the meaning behind them not easy to read.
Leng Qingzhu was an ascended cultivator whom the Grand Elder had taken notice of. That story had been told in Guhan Sect for years.
Now another ascended cultivator had arrived, not only joining the sect but becoming a True disciple. It was only natural that some might feel displeased.
But none were foolish enough to show it openly. Their faces were all kind when they looked at Song Wanníng, though only they knew their true thoughts.
Elder Li was momentarily stunned, then quickly recovered. "So you are Sister Leng's disciple. I'll handle the registration for you right away."
He deftly inscribed Song Wanníng's identity into a jade token, then took the personal disciple's allotment that the attending disciples had prepared and placed it together in a storage pouch, handing it to her.
Zhang Shuning remained silent throughout, though there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.
Martial Uncle Leng had only ascended a short time ago, yet her disciple had already followed. This Junior Sister's talent was clearly remarkable.
Whether that was good or bad had nothing to do with her. Her master had assigned her this task, and she would see it done.
"Thank you, Elder Li."
Song Wanníng smiled as she accepted the storage pouch. When others treated her kindly, she naturally returned the courtesy.
"No thanks needed. Consider this a meeting gift from your Martial Uncle. If you ever need anything, come to me."
The more Elder Li looked at Song Wanníng, the broader his smile grew. He even took out a small box and offered it to her.
The surrounding disciples' envy deepened. This was the advantage of having strong backing.
"Thank you, Martial Uncle."
A little surprised, Song Wanníng accepted the box and offered a few more words of thanks before following Zhang Shuning away.
On the road, Zhang Shuning took the initiative to explain, "That Elder Li you just met is from the same clan as your grandmaster, the Grand Elder.
You've just arrived, so there are many things about the sect you won't yet know. There are also things I can't say too much about. But becoming a True disciple right after arriving will inevitably make some people unhappy. You should be careful these next few days. There might be trouble."
After some thought, Zhang Shuning still decided to give the reminder.
Though her master never took sides and she herself had no interest in political struggles, her impression of Song Wanníng so far was rather favorable. So she offered this as friendly advice, to help her be mentally prepared.
"All right, I understand."
Song Wanníng's smile deepened at her words. She wasn't naïve. Even the smaller Wentian Sect in the lower realm had its scheming hearts, let alone a sect as vast as Guhan.
The internal rivalries here must be fierce.
…
Led by Zhang Shuning, Song Wanníng arrived at the sect's treasure vault.
With the sect master's token, she was allowed to enter alone.
The vault was empty of people, but crisscrossed with densely layered arrays. The moment she stepped inside, she felt several killing intents lock onto her.
Any rash move would invite certain death.
Song Wanníng's expression tightened. She gripped the token firmly and walked toward the clusters of glowing orbs that filled the vault.
Each orb concealed its contents, but with a thought, she could make the one she focused on transmit its information into her mind.
"Clear Thunder Bamboo… Heavenly grade, lightning attribute. Insufficient points."
The short line of text immediately doused her excitement.
The item was excellent, but her points were lacking.
She shifted her gaze to another orb—again, insufficient points.
"All right, little one, stop looking. Everything you're picking is top-grade. My points can't cover any of them."
Long Ling had been bursting with excitement the moment they entered, pointing out one treasure after another. But all of them were Heavenly grade, far beyond what they could afford.
"Ah…"
At her words, Long Ling's tiny face—no bigger than a palm—drooped, eyes full of disappointment.
To see a trove of treasures and take none was heart-wrenching.
Without Long Ling's eager commentary, Song Wanníng quickly settled on two items.
One was a plain-looking bracelet that was in fact a seventh-grade defensive artifact, capable of withstanding a full-power strike from a Divine Soul stage cultivator—an invaluable life-saving tool.
The other was a small flowerpot adorned with blue-and-white patterns and exuding a faint spiritual aura.
It bore a time-acceleration array that could hasten the growth of plants—perfect for cultivating medicinal herbs.
Since she had received a new inheritance, she would devote herself to study and aim to reach greater heights on the alchemy path.
Many other treasures remained out of reach, requiring special merits to redeem. Being able to pick two was already fortunate.
She stored them away and quickly left the vault.
Zhang Shuning was waiting outside. Without asking what Song Wanníng had chosen, she simply led her toward Zhuiyun Peak.
There, she introduced Song Wanníng's identity to the attendants at the peak before taking her leave.
Song Wanníng watched her walk away, a glimmer of thought in her eyes.
Zhang Shuning might look as delicate as a willow, but she carried her own calculations and knew her limits well.
Still… why did she always end up in master-disciple romances?
According to Jiang Cen, Zhang Shuning and Liu Xingzhi were the male and female leads in the book. Naturally, they would end up together…
She turned away. Other people's choices had nothing to do with her. She needed to sort out her own affairs first.
"Martial Uncle Song, this way please."
One of the attendants respectfully guided her halfway up the mountain and pointed toward several courtyards. "These belong to the Grand Elder's disciples. This one is your master's…
You can decide whether to build your own residence or stay with your master."
At present, the Grand Elder was in seclusion and her master had gone to participate in a secret realm expedition, so there was no one to make decisions here.
"I'll stay in my master's quarters for now."
Song Wanníng considered for a moment. She was new here and didn't know what the others on Zhuiyun Peak were like. If trouble arose later, she could always move to another peak in the inner sect to avoid bringing trouble to her master.
Though… her master should be returning soon, right?
Her anticipation grew. She missed her master dearly.
Since the earliest days she could remember, her master had been there, guiding her, giving her a sense of absolute safety.
Even more than her bond with her parents.
But thinking of how she would have to explain the matter with Gu Qingyuan to her master dimmed her joy by half.