With a sharp tone, Su Ming continued, "It's true, since Elder Xuan's passing, provisions have been… not quite up to the mark. Surely an administrative oversight. I was just about to visit the Provision Hall to collect what was promised. With interest, I hope."
Laughter rippled among the disciples before being silenced by the elders' glares.
But the jab had landed perfectly.
Su Ming continued, "White Lotus Peak may look abandoned, but I have no intention of giving up. Five years - that was the time that was promised. Now five months remain. Within due time, I'll meet the sect's expectations. And I assume by that time no one will raise any objection regarding my qualifications."
A collective gasp erupted.
"To speak to the Sect Master this way…" disciples whispered in shock.
"How arrogant!" an elder snapped.
"Just a handyman disciple… how dare he!" another sneered.
"Impudent! Offending the Sect Leader? Courting death!"
Such sentiments spread like wildfire. Some voices were scornful, others doubtful, but every word weighed heavily in the air.
Su Ming let it linger before adding, voice calm, almost mocking, "Even without resources, I cultivated. Even without allies, I stood my ground. If the sect wishes to abandon White Lotus Peak now, so be it. That is not something I can control."
The sharpness of his words stunned many into silence. Among the disciples, sneers faltered, and a few eyes flickered with awe. Behind him, Lin Yao's chest swelled with pride, her earlier despair burned away by the force of her master's defiance.
Sect Master Jun studied him for a moment. His expression was unreadable, yet a faint glint flickered in his eyes—approval, or perhaps curiosity, Su Ming did not know. Then, without warning, a vast wave of pressure descended. His divine sense descended upon him, like a mountain, testing, probing, seeking to uncover Su Ming's depths.
Su Ming's chest tightened, but he did not flinch. He let his cultivation flare to its fullest, meeting that pressure head-on.
His goal was simple. What he needed was acknowledgment—and there was no higher stage to seize it than here. If Sect Master Jun himself recognized him, then the rest of the sect would have no choice but to yield. This was his chance to cast aside the image of a mere caretaker and establish himself as a worthy successor of White Lotus Peak.
He was fully aware that before Sect Master Jun, he was nothing more than a mosquito… perhaps even less. But that was precisely why he flared his cultivation to its fullest. If nothing else, he wanted to show that this junior still had the courage to stand tall against impossible challenges.
Inside, however, he was afraid. His secret—the lantern—must not be exposed. But he had no other choice. He had to trust that it would remain hidden and that Sect Master Jun's divine sense would find nothing beyond ordinary.
At last, the Sect Master gave a slow nod. "Very well. Five months. We shall see whether White Lotus Peak rises or falls with you."
His gaze shifted briefly toward the nervous girl before settling firmly on Su Ming. "Since you have chosen her, from this day forward, Disciple Lin Yao shall be acknowledged as a disciple of White Lotus Peak under your name. But remember this—her future will be tied to yours. If you fail, then her fate will also be buried alongside you."
Su Ming bowed deeply, "This disciple thanks Sect Master for his guidance."
A beat later, Lin Yao hurriedly followed, dropping into her bow. Her voice trembled at first, but steadied as she spoke, "Disciple greets the Sect Master."
With a flick of his fingers, a trusted elder appeared. "Elder Yu, investigate this Provision Hall matter. I want to know why a disciple of my sect has not received what was due."
Elder Yu bowed. "By your will, Sect Master."
Jun Tianya extended his hand, and a storage ring floated toward Su Ming. His voice dropped to a near-whisper, meant only for him. "Senior Brother Xuan once saved many disciples from a life-and-death crisis—including me. Take this, and consider that debt repaid."
Then, aloud for all to hear, his tone carried the weight of command. "You and your disciple may visit the central library as any other. Choose freely among its collections that are permitted in your rank. White Lotus Peak shall not be denied its place."
With that, the Sect Master turned, robes billowing like storm clouds, and departed as gracefully as he had arrived.
Both of the young duo, the master and the disciple, bowed. For Su Ming, this time, it was a genuine gesture.
Yes, he had intended to make a scene. Yes, he wanted the recognition, but the outcome surpassed even his wildest expectations.
As Sect Master Jun returned to his majestic flying boat, followed by his personal disciples, he flicked his fingers. From the shadows, a cultivator draped in black appeared, silent as a whisper.
A faint smile curved Sect Master Jun's lips. He had recognized something rare in Su Ming, and now the Heavenly Cloud Sect's Shadow Squad would keep a discreet watch over White Lotus Peak.
***
Su Ming walked at an unhurried pace, Lin Yao following half a step behind. Along the path back from the ceremony grounds, disciples and attendants parted instinctively, whispers trailing after them like shadows.
Su Ming understood they had plenty to say—but after the Sect Master had intervened, they kept their mouths shut.
Good. This was what he wanted.
They stared, eyes ranging from curiosity to pity. Su Ming ignored them all. Beside him, Lin Yao kept her head low as she clutched her sword, but the corners of her lips were slightly up.
By the time they reached the mist-shrouded cliffs, the serene courtyard of White Lotus Peak was visible ahead.
Over the past month, Su Ming had trimmed back the weeds, repaired cracked stone paths, cleared the old training platform, and tended to the lotus ponds that gave the mountain its name. It wasn't majestic, but it was better than before, and even some white cranes had started coming since last week.
Lin Yao stopped for a moment, taking in the view. To her, this was going to be her future home.
"Come," Su Ming said, leading her toward the inner courtyard.
The main hall of White Lotus Peak stood simple but well-kept. Elder Xuan, though reclusive, had never denied himself basic comfort. A number of small quarters were built apart from the main quarter. Su Ming paused before one.
"This will be your room," he said, pushing the door open.
Lin Yao bowed deeply, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Yes, Master."
He was not going to let her stay in the depleted hut he had once used as a handyman disciple. He had to maintain a basic level of status.
Su Ming's expression softened just slightly before he coughed into his fist. "Introduce yourself properly."
She straightened. "This disciple is Lin Yao, from Northwind Village. Some months ago, my village was destroyed by demonic beasts, and only I survived."
She clenched her sword as she spoke.
In that sense, they both shared a familiarity—at least the old Su Ming did.
"From this day forth, I will follow Master's teachings and work hard to never bring shame to White Lotus Peak."
A faint smile tugged at Su Ming's lips. He nodded. "Good. From this day on, you are not only my disciple but also a potential successor of this peak.
"As such, you are eligible to learn the inheritance of White Lotus Peak. But I will not stop you from learning more. Take your time and study well. From the looks of it, we both follow the path of flames and swords, so I will teach you what I can."
"Tomorrow, we will visit the Central Library to gather suitable techniques for you. Until then, rest—and make yourself familiar with the place."
"Yes, Master."
He turned to leave but paused. "Before that, you should visit the registration hall. They'll issue you sect robes and an identity token. Do it in the morning—we'll go to the library after."
Her eyes widened at the mention of sect robes, and she bowed again, voice low but resolute. "Disciple understands."
As the two stepped back into the courtyard, a familiar figure approached—Elder Qingya, her robes fluttering softly in the mountain breeze. She displayed a genuine smile.
"You did well today," she said simply.
For a moment, Su Ming's calm mask wavered, and he returned the bow with sincerity. "Thank you, Elder Qingya. Today would not have been possible without your voice at the gathering."
He glanced at Lin Yao, then gestured toward her. "This is Lin Yao, my first disciple."
Lin Yao hurriedly stepped forward and dropped into a deep bow, "Disciple greets the Elder."
Elder Qingya's gaze lingered on the girl for a moment before she returned her eyes to Su Ming. "White Lotus Peak may yet see light again. Do not squander this chance."
With that, she turned and left as swiftly as she had come, leaving Su Ming and his new disciple standing.