Chapter Ten: The Sect in Turmoil (Part One)

Ji Mo’s attention was also drawn to the spectacle. On the spirit-testing device, a pale blue light shot rapidly toward the top, and just as it was about to cross the critical line, it halted. The handsome young man in charge of the assessment brightened instantly, unconsciously stepping forward. Once the light’s intensity steadied, he turned to Jiang Ping with a gentle smile, “Upper-grade single water spiritual root! Congratulations, junior sister, you’ve passed the first trial of our Moonwatch Sect. Please stand behind me.”

“Thank you, senior brother.” Joy overflowed in Jiang Ping’s eyes, a light flush coloring her delicate features—clearly, she was overwhelmed with excitement. She gave the handsome youth a graceful salute and moved to stand behind him.

After Jiang Ping, only Ji Mo remained from Zhao Village. Ji Mo stepped up to the measuring device, took a breath, and placed her hand upon it. Nothing happened. Even though she hadn’t held much hope for the path of cultivation, Ji Mo couldn’t help feeling a twinge of disappointment. She was about to withdraw her hand when, in that very instant, two streams of energy suddenly surged from within her, slamming into the device.

The apparatus erupted in two brilliant beams of light. Like lightning, they shot upward, instantly surpassing the critical line. A faint, explosive crack sounded as the device fractured, but the lights did not fade. Instead, they burst through the fractured instrument, piercing the sky. Thunder roared as clear blue heavens were suddenly shrouded in storm clouds, lightning crackled, and terrifying heavenly might descended.

Everyone present was stunned by this abrupt anomaly. Faces full of fear gazed at the roiling black clouds, the crackling lightning, and the oppressive force that seemed ready to crash down at any moment. No one knew what was happening.

“Top-grade mutated dual root of thunder and fire! It actually triggered a celestial phenomenon—heavens, am I dreaming?” A disbelieving murmur echoed from the void. Ji Mo’s vision swam, and suddenly, several figures appeared out of thin air before the device. Some were men, some women, old and young alike, each staring at her as if they’d discovered a rare beast.

Strangest of all, ever since these people appeared, everyone else outside the mountain gate—except Ji Mo—seemed frozen, mouths agape, eyes wide, locked in place as if spellbound.

Startled, Ji Mo took two careful steps back, eyeing these newcomers warily. “Who are you? What do you want?”

“Don’t be afraid, little girl. We mean no harm. What’s your name? I am Yun Shui Lan, head of Misty Peak in Moonwatch Sect. Most of my disciples are women. I find you extremely gifted and have taken a great liking to you. Why not become my disciple and cultivate with me at Misty Peak?” A beautiful woman in a long blue dress smiled warmly at her.

“Yun Shui Lan, your Misty Peak’s cultivation methods suit water roots best. The other girl is an excellent candidate—she has a single water root. She’s the one most suited for your peak,” interrupted a burly, rugged middle-aged man who had just appeared. He pointed toward Jiang Ping, still standing spellbound.

“Lei Wei, weren’t you in seclusion? Why have you come out?” Yun Shui Lan’s heart skipped a beat at his appearance, but her expression remained calm.

“Heh, with such a promising seedling, how could I let you have her all to yourself?” Lei Wei chuckled.

“Don’t be so overbearing, Lei Wei!” Yun Shui Lan snapped, her beautiful eyes flashing with anger.

“Overbearing? Yun Shui Lan, this girl possesses a top-grade mutated thunder and fire dual root. Such talent is rarely seen even in first-rate sects of imperial lands, let alone a fifth-ranked sect like ours. I can understand everyone wanting to claim her, but ask yourselves—if she were to join your peak, wouldn’t that be a waste of her gifts?” Lei Wei retorted with a sly grin, showing no courtesy.

“And you think your peak is any better? True, Thunder Peak mainly accepts disciples with thunder and fire roots, and you, Lei Wei, are renowned throughout the Cloud Sea Dynasty. But can you guarantee you won’t squander her talent?” Yun Shui Lan countered sharply.

“Both of you, enough. Discovering such a prodigy is a great fortune for Moonwatch Sect. In my view, it’s most suitable for Lei Wei to take her. Thunder Peak’s Profound Thunder Divine Art may not be the absolute pinnacle in the Azure Profound cultivation world, but within the Cloud Sea Dynasty, no thunder technique surpasses it. For now, it is more than sufficient for this child,” interjected another voice.

“In time, if she has the fortune, she will find a technique truly suited to her, and only then will she soar. Our current role is to nurture her growth—otherwise, all talent is like a flower in the mirror, the moon in the water. No matter how extraordinary, a genius who cannot grow is nothing at all.

“I am pleased that you all cherish talent, but remember, the path of genius is inevitably thorny. How she proceeds should be her own choice. Our duty is to guide.” As Yun Shui Lan’s words fell, a refined man in long robes, with a clear and handsome face and three wisps of black beard at his chin, appeared before them.

“Sect Master, even you have been drawn here,” Yun Shui Lan and Lei Wei both hesitated briefly at his arrival.

“With such commotion, how could I not? Luckily, the other peak masters aren’t present today, or you two might have come to blows over this child. We’re fortunate this year. Already, we’ve found a mutated thunder and fire dual root and an upper-grade single water root; perhaps there will be more surprises. Now, both of you, withdraw—don’t disrupt the assessment. Elder Feng Buping, remain to maintain order.” With a sweep of his gaze, the middle-aged man vanished as suddenly as he had appeared.

“Hmph. Since the Sect Master has spoken, I’ve nothing more to say. You’re lucky—of the other four peak masters, two are away from the sect and the other two are in seclusion. Otherwise, you might not have claimed her so easily.” Yun Shui Lan shot Lei Wei a cold glare as she spoke.

Having secured such a monstrously gifted disciple, Lei Wei was in high spirits and ignored Yun Shui Lan’s barbs. Striding up to Ji Mo, he addressed her kindly, “Little girl, my name is Lei Wei, I am the head of Thunder Peak. What is your name? Will you become my disciple and cultivate with me at Thunder Peak?”

“Do I have the right to refuse?” Ji Mo’s eyes rolled as she tilted her head.

“No,” Lei Wei replied sternly, glaring for effect.

“Well, since I have no choice, I’ll join Thunder Peak,” Ji Mo answered, wrinkling her nose in resignation.

“Hahaha! Lei Wei, serves you right to be disliked by your new disciple the moment you accept her!” Yun Shui Lan couldn't help but burst into laughter at the scene.