The smile on the elder's face vanished the moment he heard Lin Yue's request.
It was a truly shameless demand. Never before had someone so openly asked to become a disciple of the sect.
Normally, those who wished to enter the sect had to pass an examination or present a letter of recommendation. Not a threat!
The elder examined Lin Yue from head to toe, still hesitating. His gaze then shifted to the young man she had brought along. Fragile. Weak.
If Lin Yue was unable to cultivate, allowing her into the sect would become a stain and a loss. And if she truly had ties to the black market, the situation would be even more dangerous.
"There is nothing else?" the elder asked, seeking confirmation.
"No need for complications. I only want the identity of a disciple."
Lin Yue smiled faintly, calm and generous.
The elder let out a cold chuckle. He had no intention of making a hasty decision that could determine the sect's reputation.
"I need time to consider this carefully. Our sect is very strict when selecting disciples. We do not allow just anyone to enter, especially outsiders."
Though his tone sounded neutral, the glint in his eyes betrayed him. He was furious, barely restraining himself.
Lin Yue nodded. Her hand moved casually as she picked up the token on the table and stored it away, paying no attention to the elder's darkening expression.
"Then I'll keep this token as collateral. Think carefully before deciding."
Anyone with sense would understand this was another threat.
Lin Yue already knew this token was not just an ordinary engraved stone, judging from the elder's reaction and Yu Han's earlier hints. This elite token significantly increased her chances of being accepted.
"Don't worry. We will arrange accommodations for you within the sect for a few days," the elder replied.
If he could, he would have kicked Lin Yue out on the spot. But for now, it was better to keep her inside, preventing that token from ending up elsewhere.
A satisfied expression bloomed on Lin Yue's face. After all this time, she finally had a temporary place to stay.
"Don't forget about him as well," she added, not overlooking Yu Han's presence.
The elder did not want to agree, but for certain reasons, he had no choice.
"Yes. And for that young man as well…"
After the conversation ended, the elder immediately ordered a disciple to escort Lin Yue and Yu Han to their assigned rooms. Once the two had left, the elder's expression twisted completely. His aura leaked out, filling the room.
Not only Lin Yue, even his own disciple was troublesome. Completely incapable of staying out of trouble.
...
Lin Yue was in a good mood when she arrived at the room prepared for her. Yu Han was assigned a room right next to hers.
The room was clean, neat, and simple.
Though far less luxurious than the parts of the sect she had seen earlier, that was precisely what she preferred. Lin Yue disliked wasteful extravagance.
She sat on the edge of the bed, holding the elite token in her hand, examining it carefully.
No matter how she looked at it, the token seemed completely ordinary. Just a carved piece of stone bearing the name "Xu Shen Dian." Was it really that special?
Lin Yue frowned. Perhaps it was because she lacked cultivation.
She flipped the token over several times, yet nothing changed.
Then the problem must be cultivation.
That was the conclusion she reached.
Without hesitation, she assumed a meditative posture. In her previous world, she had read that martial artists and similar practitioners cultivated this way. They focused their minds, calmed their thoughts, and regulated their breathing.
She followed what she remembered carefully, though she wasn't sure if her method was correct.
Unfortunately, as time passed, nothing happened. Confusion crept in.
Something was wrong…
Lin Yue began searching for the cause of her failure.
It was highly likely that she simply knew nothing about cultivation in this world and that her method was incorrect. However, she also recalled that the initial stages of cultivation here were flexible. One did not need extraordinary talent to begin, meaning techniques from her previous world might still work.
Those with talent simply progressed faster.
She had learned this general information from a book placed on the shelf beside her bed. Unfortunately, it contained no instructions on how to begin cultivation.
Frustration welled up inside her.
Was it really true that she lacked talent? Or was her body simply too weak?
She lay back helplessly on the bed, sinking into her thoughts.
Lin Yue realized that when she attempted to cultivate, her breathing remained heavy and unsteady. Her posture was too stiff, and maintaining it for long periods caused discomfort.
That meant she needed to strengthen her physical foundation first, increasing her chances of successfully beginning cultivation.
Once she understood the cause, Lin Yue immediately grabbed a pen and paper, writing down a list of physical exercises she needed to do.
Tomorrow, she would begin her training.