Chapter 7, Master

The name "saber-toothed leopard" was given by Xiao Yao. At the time when Xiao Yao successfully rebuilt her foundation, she was not in a very good mood. Therefore, when she separated its soul and primordial spirit to forge a new body for it, she did not put much thought into it, simply creating it as she thought of it. Similarly, she did not carefully consider a new name for it and directly called it "saber-toothed leopard"

Lü Buqun's gaze was calm as he looked her up and down, and only after a while did he nod in agreement to her upcoming training. He then waved his hand to indicate, "I remember you still have some tasks with Manager Wu. Take care of those before entering seclusion. I have some matters to discuss with your new junior brothers and sisters, so you may leave for now"

At times, she feels deeply guilty towards her mentor, simply because this esteemed teacher has always been diligent and responsible in her guidance, never deviating from her principles. Even now, she withstands external pressures and has not removed her from the inner circle. Although her current situation is influenced by irresistible external factors, she does not intend to justify her past ignorance and arrogance that have betrayed her mentor's earnest efforts.

After properly arranging the talismans, one waits quietly for a moment, and then sees the restrictions nearly vanish, as someone conveys a message through spiritual consciousness.

The uncompromising saber-toothed cat once held out for a short while, but as time passed, it eventually yielded to her. Imagine if there were only one person in the whole world who could speak to you and call your name; wouldn't that make her and the books simply whatever they were called?

Junior Sister Liu

The disciple bids farewell

Come in

Xiao Yao squinted her eyes slightly, a smile still lingering on her face. The disciples taught by the master always possess a proud spirit. Once, she was among them, but now...

Xiao Yao replied succinctly: "It is only because I plan to enter a long retreat for a period of time, until the valley of the stream opens. I fear that I may not have the opportunity to report my name at that time, so I have come here early to inform you, Master"

Once, the master's expectations for her were not beneath the surface, but when she successfully re-established her foundation for the second time and returned to the Xianyu Sect, what reflected in the master's eyes was a coldness born from anger. The unique existence of the Sword-cherishing Saber-toothed Leopard, with its immense secret, made it impossible for her to reveal everything to her master.

Upon hearing the name of the Stream Valley, Lü Buqun finally turned his gaze towards her. After a moment of contemplation, he stroked his beautiful beard and inquired, "There are still thirty years until the training in the Stream Valley begins. Why have you come to register so early?"

At this moment, the saber-toothed cat had just woken up from a nap, and with sleepy eyes, it stretched its head out and asked: "Where are we going now? Are we assigning tasks to the new disciples?"

Stream Valley Training

The disciple has come to register for training in the Stream Valley, please grant permission, Master

Xiao Yao felt relieved to hear that her master was still present at this moment. The stream valley was a significant matter for her, and it was more appropriate to report it in person. Thinking of hetushu.com, she smiled at Guo Jing Tian again, saying, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for informing me. I wonder how many new disciples Master has accepted this year"

There are not many, only three people. As you know, the master has always preferred quality over quantity; he absolutely does not accept anyone unless they possess exceptional talent. " After saying this, he gave her a meaningful glance.

In Xiao Yao's eyes, the saber-toothed tiger is shrouded in a mysterious aura. Aside from matters of cultivation, their communication is largely limited to bickering. Even when Xiao Yao inquires about its realm, it evasively responds: "Knowing too early is not beneficial for cultivation; you will naturally understand when your realm reaches that level."

Since her Golden Core shattered, the relationship between herself and her master has grown increasingly distant over the past two hundred years, to the point where they might not meet for ten or even twenty years. Reflecting on her youth, whenever she encountered any issues during her cultivation, she would always seek out her master, but now she finds it unnecessary.

Xiao Yao's smile has remained unchanged from beginning to end, "Junior sister, listen quietly to your senior brother's teachings; you will absolutely not bring shame to the sect or to our master"

It had also strongly protested, hoping that Xiao Yao would call it by its original name "Hongmeng," but this was firmly rejected by Xiao Yao

Disciple Xiao Yao pays her respects to the master Xiao Yao bows

Xiao Yao expressed a slight apology as she shifted to the side to let him pass, saying, "It is my junior sister who has spoken too much. Senior brother, please take care and enjoy your time at the library."

She can only inquire about some necessary information, such as the fact that she cannot cultivate in the human realm; otherwise, the influx of celestial energy would cause the dimensional stability to collapse

Guo Jingtian disdainfully withdrew his gaze, turned around, and summoned his flying magical artifact, transforming it into a radiant beam of light that soared away.

Upon arriving at the master's reception area, she discovered that there was a restriction in place, allowing entry only through a sound transmission talisman

After making the record, she said to the saber-toothed leopard: "Let us first report to the master, as we need to participate in the upcoming trial in the Valley of Streams after thirty years. We will also stop by the market to buy some items. Once the recruitment of disciples is concluded, I will enter seclusion until the Valley of Streams opens."

Under the curious gazes of her three junior disciples, Xiao Yao exited the cave. Once she left, the restrictions behind her automatically returned to their original state

Seeing that Xiao Yao seemed to want to engage in some casual conversation with him, Guo Jingtian appeared somewhat impatient. He waved his hand and said, "This junior sister should ask the master when she sees him; I have some matters to attend to and will leave first."

Recalling the past, Xiao Yao let out a barely audible sigh before departing from Yao Yue Peak

Upon entering the cave, I found not only my master but also three unfamiliar young faces inside—two males and one female. They must be the new disciples recently accepted by my master

Farewell, Senior Brother

Xiao Yao still wore a smile, showing no concern, and continued: "Without the strict oversight of the master, how could our Inviting Moon Peak have maintained such a resounding reputation within the sect for so many years? I wonder what attributes the three new disciples' spiritual roots possess."

Although Guo Jingtian did not wish to say much, he could not help but offer a lecture: "Senior brother, I originally did not want to say too much, but now I feel compelled to remind you as a senior brother. Our master despises disciples who tarnish the reputation of our Inviting Moon Peak, losing face and becoming the subject of ridicule from the other peaks. The second thing he detests is disciples who lack pride, who flatter the powerful and act in a servile manner. Junior sister, you must remember these two points well."

In the boundless void, time passes—one year, two years... Until the tenth year, the saber-toothed tiger is the first to open its eyes, sensing the movement beside it. Xiao Yao also opens her eyes from her meditation, "Has it already been ten years?"

Xiao Yao shook her head and stuffed it back in again

The saber-toothed leopard did not even lift its eyelids before it entered her body, "Do as you wish, after all, it is your own time. Just remember that our time is much shorter than that of others."

Xiao Yao first surveyed her surroundings and confirmed that there were no signs of anyone having been there, then she nodded in relief. She took out a blank jade slip from her storage bag and recorded her insights from this training session

We will first go to the market

Indeed, it is once again the time for the Xianyu Sect to recruit disciples, which happens once every ten years. You have your work cut out for you. The saber-toothed tiger nodded irritably, saying, "What a bothersome sect this is. Forget it, once this seclusion ends, we also need to prepare for the opening of Xijiang Valley in thirty years."

It waved its claw again, and a crescent-shaped裂缝 appeared in the void, bringing the two back to Xiao Yao's cave dwelling.

Guo Jing Tian had indeed just come from his master. He glanced at Xiao Yao, slightly furrowing his brow, but soon regained his composure, saying, "The master is currently instructing several new disciples on the rules."

Seeing Guo Jingtian looking at her with undisguised disdain, Xiao Yao smiled again

Guo Jingtian's brows furrowed even tighter, has it not been blackened yet? Almost everyone of the older generation is well aware of her situation; it is also the only blemish on their Inviting Moon Peak. Now, her seemingly indifferent attitude suggests that she is utterly unrepentant. Clearly, she has long lost her extraordinary talent, and I truly do not understand why the master has not yet expelled her from the inner sect.

Upon exiting the cave, Xiao Yao flew directly to Yaoyue Peak, where her master was located. Just as she descended, she happened to see her senior brother, Guo Jing Tian. She smiled slightly and approached to pay her respects, saying, "Xiao Yao has come to see senior brother. May I ask if you have just come from our master? Is our esteemed master currently in the cave?"

"Hmm." Lyu Buqun did not look at her, merely nodding his head: "What is it that you seek from your master"