Chapter Nineteen: The Witch

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At the Cloudsky Sect, Shun Qing eventually met his fate in the fire-refining ritual, while Mo Bai was in the inner chambers of the Celestial Vein Hall, discussing an important matter with Master Yun Kong.

Mo Bai looked at Yun Kong with a puzzled expression. “Since Master Yun Zui is already gravely injured, why is he still taking in a disciple? Forgive my bluntness, but Master Yun Zui, unable to wield spiritual power, may not even be a match for Jiu Xi.”

Master Yun Kong sighed. “Jiu Xi is indeed one of the most outstanding disciples of the third generation. It is precisely because of this that my junior brother Yun Zui is so anxious to choose a disciple he deems worthy.” Yun Kong paused before continuing, “The six of us brothers entered under our master’s tutelage one after another, all learning the arts of spiritual cultivation, each aspiring to become powerful spirit wielders on the Delicate Continent. But people are different, and so are their talents. Although my fifth brother Yun Zui joined later, his prodigy-like talent won him our master’s deepest affection. He was diligent in his studies and relentless in his practice, ultimately reaching profound heights as a spirit wielder. Yet, like our master before him, he wished to find a disciple to whom he could pass on his legacy. Unfortunately, all these years, he has not found anyone with whom fate aligns. Watching as his fellow brothers each gained promising disciples capable of commanding their own domains, my fifth brother grew anxious as well, but remained stubbornly particular in his standards.”

Here Master Yun Kong let out a mournful sigh. “Alas, my fifth brother never found a young man he admired, and now he has ended up in such a pitiful state. Still, Yun Zui is indeed a genius of his craft. Despite his grievous wounds, he used his last reserves of spiritual energy to preserve his true spirit, waiting to pass on his powers to a worthy successor.”

Mo Bai was moved. “So Master Yun Zui has reached the level where he can transmit his true spirit? What a pity. No wonder he is so eager to take a disciple.”

Master Yun Kong replied, “Exactly. When you arrived, it was precisely at the time my fifth brother asked us to hold the Disciple Selection Ceremony for him. The event has already lasted three days and will continue for four more. At the end, he will choose the most talented among the candidates and transfer his spiritual power to that disciple, elevating them to the pinnacle of cultivation.”

Mo Bai was taken aback. “If Master Yun Zui gives away all his spiritual power, then won’t he—”

Master Yun Kong closed his eyes, resignation on his face. “My fifth brother is sacrificing himself for the greater good. At least his final wish will be fulfilled. It’s just a pity that we haven’t found the culprit who harmed him.”

Mo Bai suddenly asked, “Are you certain the culprit is from within the Cloudsky Sect?”

A glint of gold flashed in Yun Kong’s eyes. “I am certain.”

Mo Bai nodded silently, then said, “What would you have me do, Master?”

Yun Kong replied, “There are still four days left in the disciple selection. In this time, the young talents from all thirteen peaks of the Cloudsky Sect will gather here. I hope you can find some clues among them. But this matter is of utmost importance—please do not reveal it to any of the disciples, lest unnecessary panic spread.”

Mo Bai nodded. “I will do my best. May I see Master Yun Zui?”

Yun Kong shook his head. “To keep his spiritual energy from dissipating, my fifth brother has already entered a deep meditative state. Whoever visits him now would see only a living corpse. He will awaken only after four days.”

Mo Bai was puzzled. “Then how will Master Yun Zui judge the candidates for discipleship?”

Yun Kong explained, “Before he entered meditation, he set three challenges. Anyone who passes them may become his personal disciple. Even if in the end they are not chosen to inherit his power, these young talents will keep the incense burning on Celestial Wonder Peak for generations to come.” Celestial Wonder Peak was where Master Yun Zui cultivated.

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Before Mo Bai could finish speaking, a commotion arose outside. A lively voice called out, “So you’re the one who bullied my sister Feng Wu! Hmph, you must have a death wish, swaggering around the dining hall, eating and taking whatever you please. I’ve never seen a man like you!”

Someone replied with a satisfied burp, “Why don’t you ask that old man Yun Kong? He invited me here, so I graciously accepted a meal from your Cloudsky Sect. To be honest, the food wasn’t that great. Otherwise, your disciples wouldn’t have fought over a piece of beef.”

Mo Bai shook his head with a chuckle. “Master, Xiaohua is being impolite.”

Yun Kong laughed heartily, letting the matter pass. “Young Master Wuluohua truly is an extraordinary character. But I fear he may have met his match this time.”

Mo Bai was surprised. “Oh? Then I must see who this formidable person is.”

Yun Kong said, “Feel free, Mo Bai. I must take my leave.” With that, he slipped away like a mouse fleeing a cat.

Yet, despite his speed, he could not escape the eyes of spiritual power. The same lively voice shouted, “Grandpa Second, why are you running? Xiner can’t eat you up!”

Yun Kong forced a sheepish smile. “Ah, I see someone has mastered sword flight.”

Xiner looked around eagerly, but of course, there was no such miracle in sight. Turning back, she found Yun Kong had vanished. She clenched her tiny fist in frustration. “Hmph, the old man tricked me again.”

Old man? Grandpa Second? Who was this fierce young woman that even Yun Kong, Deputy Master of the entire Cloudsky Sect, dreaded? At that moment, however, Young Master Wuluohua was entirely at ease. With a casual flick of his wrist, a delicate silver toothpick flew from his jade pouch. One hand on his hip, he picked his teeth with the other. Seeing this, Mo Bai couldn’t help but laugh—was this truly the famed young master of the Wu family?

Turning around, Mo Bai saw the mischievous girl herself. Though not tall, she had a head of long violet hair that cascaded past her shapely hips all the way to her calves. Her youthful face, trying hard to appear fierce, only made her look more adorable, but it was her violet eyes that were even more striking than her hair.

A sudden realization flashed through Mo Bai’s mind, as if something astonishing had come to him, but he quickly composed himself and smiled. “Little sister, this man is a glutton. Don’t take him too seriously.”

Xiner retorted, “Hmph, who are you calling little sister? What’s little about me?” She instinctively puffed out her chest. Wuluohua couldn’t help but notice—indeed, she wasn’t so little, certainly more so than Feng Wu.

Xiner, sensing the wolfish look in his eyes, shrank back. “What are you staring at? Never seen a beauty before?”

Wuluohua replied dreamily, “Women, women are such strange creatures. They dress up for men to see, but when men look, they act all shy.”

Xiner shrieked, “What did you say?!”

Wuluohua laughed, “Nothing, nothing. I said you’re a little, little… a great beauty, a great beauty.”

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Xiner’s anger subsided slightly. She looked at Mo Bai and said, “I heard you were involved in the incident down the mountain too, weren’t you… uncle?”

Uncle! A bead of cold sweat formed on Mo Bai’s forehead. Wuluohua, meanwhile, was laughing so hard he could barely stand, slapping the ground in mirth.

Mo Bai forced a bitter smile. “I may be a few years older than you, but surely not old enough to be your uncle.”

Xiner teased, “Hmph, don’t think I don’t know. You’ve used some obscure spirit-cultivating arts to preserve your youth. If you were truly that young, there’s no way you could have defeated Sister Feng Wu with a single move—let alone best someone as skilled as Brother Jiu Tong.”

Wuluohua propped himself on one arm, clutching his stomach with the other. “You mean that wine cask? I don’t know how much he can drink, but in terms of cultivation, he’s nothing special.”

Xiner suddenly remembered her original target. She roared, “Hmph! Are you so impressive? I see you have no spiritual power at all, yet you loaf around here, eating and drinking for free. Well, if I don’t teach you a lesson, you’ll never learn respect for the Cloudsky Sect!” With that, she prepared to strike.

A thought flashed through Mo Bai’s mind. Was this girl truly clueless, or could she really see through Xiaohua’s true nature?

Wuluohua sprang up with startling speed, making Xiner jump in surprise. With righteous indignation, he declared, “A real man never fights women. If you want a contest, challenge my brother Mo here. Beat him, and you’ll earn the right to face me with one hand. And stop calling yourself Xiner if you’re going to be so fierce.”

Mo Bai turned to Wuluohua and said, “As you wish, young master.”

Wuluohua nodded approvingly.

Xiner raised an eyebrow, attempting to look intimidating, but her adorable face made it impossible to be truly frightening. She declared confidently, “Fine—herding one sheep or two, it makes no difference to me. Though I’ve never seen a sheep, today I’ll treat you two as such. Once I deal with you, I won’t fear that sissy hiding behind you.”

Wuluohua burst out in outrage, stepping from behind Mo Bai. “Who are you calling a sissy? I’m a real man!”

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