At first, the higher-ups of Xuantian Sect thought of Feng Xi as nothing more than… a crippled little waste with a damaged dantian.
But after Feng Xi's round of smooth talking, everyone had already selectively forgotten about the matter of her being a cripple. Now, in their eyes, this Feng Xi was someone with strong loyalty to the sect. Clever, quick-thinking, and full of insight about cultivation!
The most important thing is that she was very insightful about cultivation, that's a a really good seedling!
They'd completely forgotten how they'd mocked Xiao Baidao earlier.
Seeing her goal achieved, Feng Xi tactfully suggested that she go outside to take a walk.
Xiao Baidao, full of smiles, reminded her of a few things before letting her leave.
Once she was gone, the elders finally brought up Hunyuan Sect's disciple-acceptance ceremony. Xiao Baidao gave a brief account, then added confidently, "That Shen Zhilan may have good aptitude, but her character is lacking. She's far inferior to Xiao Xi!"
Everyone: "..."
We also thought Feng Xi's pretty good, but do you have to lie through your teeth like that?
In the world of cultivation, strength is everything. If you can't cultivate, then no matter how good your character is, it's all useless!
At that moment, Peak Lord Gu from the Eastern Peak asked curiously, "By the way, Sect Master, how did you discover this good seedling?"
Only then did Xiao Baidao recall that, in the beginning, he'd just wanted to …watch the drama, and somehow ended up with a personal disciple.
Absolutely ridiculous!
He narrated the whole thing to everyone, though he conveniently polished the story, saying he had stood up against injustice and later recognized true talent at a glance.
Everyone: …Why does it sound like our Sect Master got tricked?
Still, that must be an illusion!
Their Sect Master's Dao heart was firm, how could he possibly be fooled by a damaged dantian girl?!
It must just be Feng Xi's good fortune to have met their Sect Master.
The discussion soon shifted to other matters. Which, in short, all boiled down to one thing: the lack of spirit stones!
Although the Ziqiao Linglong Fruits could fill part of the deficit, there was still a huge shortfall.
Xiao Baidao was getting a headache. He had no good solution either.
After the meeting, Feng Xi came bouncing in to find him.
Suppressing his irritation, Xiao Baidao smiled and said, "Come, I'll take you to see your quarters."
In truth, he could've easily sent someone to lead her there, there was no need to personally escort her.
But he didn't feel at ease!
His little disciple was young and very obedient, what if someone bullied her?
Thinking of this, he began silently cursing his other five disciples. They all knew he'd returned today, yet every single one had ran off without a trace! Ungrateful brats!
If they were here, he could've just left Feng Xi in their care.
Halfway up the Main Peak was a residential area reserved for elders and personal disciples.
Xiao Baidao said to Feng Xi, "Take a look around. Any courtyard without the sect's insignia glowing on the gate is vacant, pick whichever you like."
Feng Xi was full of anticipation.
After all, having one's own courtyard was a great luxury in a cultivation sect.
However, her excitement quickly faded.
Could someone tell her why every one of these houses was drafty and falling apart?
Xiao Baidao coughed, "Well, um. A few years ago, money was tight, so we dismantled and sold some of the good timber and stone.
Once you pick a courtyard, I'll have someone chop some regular wood from the back mountain to patch it up for you."
Feng Xi: "..."
The poorest sect in the Northern Region, truly lived up to its name!
In the end, Feng Xi chose a courtyard closer to the inner side of the mountain, her logic simple: surrounded by powerful figures = safer!
Xiao Baidao immediately had people begin repairs and personally accompanied her to the storage area at the central peak to collect supplies.
He did it deliberately to show everyone that he valued Feng Xi, so no one would dare to bully her.
Feng Xi, naturally, understood his good intentions. So even though the cultivation supplies she received were less than what Hunyuan Sect's outer disciples got, her heart still felt warm.
Within an hour, her house had been patched up, and a few essential pieces of furniture had been added.
After giving her a few more instructions, Xiao Baidao finally left.
By then, it was already evening. Feng Xi washed up simply and went to sleep.
This is also her first truly peaceful night since transmigrating.
The next morning, at the break of dawn, Feng Xi got up.
Without breakfast, she rushed all the way to Xiao Baidao's courtyard, panting.
It was just past the first quarter of the Mao hour (around 5 a.m.).
On the journey back to the sect, she had subtly asked Xiao Baidao about his routine, learning that he always rose at this exact time. Perfect timing to pay morning respects.
She didn't knock, merely waited respectfully outside the gate.
With his cultivation at Soul Transformation Stage, Xiao Baidao sensed her presence the moment she arrived.
"Come in."
Feng Xi trotted in happily, "Master, I've come to pay my respects!"
"You silly girl, your body's still weak, don't push yourself needlessly."
Though he scolded her lightly, he was genuinely touched.
His residence was on the mountaintop, while Feng Xi's was halfway up.
For ordinary disciples, it was nothing. Even without sword flight, the walk wasn't long. But it was different for Feng Xi.
Her dantian was damaged and her body was no different from a mortal's.
This trip back and forth was very taxing.
Such thoughtfulness warmed the old man's heart.
Feng Xi smiled, "Master, I know you worry about me, but it's only right for a disciple to greet their master every morning. Even if you tried to stop me, I'd still come!"
Xiao Baidao chuckled and shook his head, "Very well, as you wish. Have you eaten breakfast?"
Feng Xi shook her head.
Xiao Baidao, long at the Soul Transformation Stage, no longer needed food, so he only had fasting pills in his storage ring. He took one out and handed it to her.
Though his expression showed clear reluctance.
"Here, take this. But, disciple, when you can, go to the dining hall and get some real food to store in your pouch.
You're still growing, so try not to rely on fasting pills too often."
Feng Xi: "..."
So that's what this is, you just don't want to waste your precious fasting pill!
The two chatted for a while, and then Feng Xi asked, "Master, you mentioned before that our Xuantian Sect had ancient scrolls. Could I take a look at them?"
Xiao Baidao froze. He'd only mentioned the ancient scrolls to brush her off. In truth, the ancient script was nearly lost, and no one could read it!
Finding a way to repair a dantian from them was even more impossible.
He wanted to find an excuse to delay her, but when he met Feng Xi's hopeful gaze, the words stuck in his throat. In the end, he sighed and said, "Go to the Scripture Pavilion and find Elder Hai."
Forget it. It's a problem he'd have to face sooner or later.
Even if repairing the dantian was hopeless, he could still find some nourishing herbs to strengthen her, at least help her live a few more years. As her master, he could do that much.