Chapter 101 – To Do List

  ‘I can’t trust anyone in this place!’

  The thought burned in Jun De’s mind hotter than the Dawnheart Flame in his Dantian, and a bitter feeling lodged deep in his chest. Everyone here seemed to be conspiring together to slowly torture him, all under the excuse that it was for his benefit!

  While Jun De was lost in his morose thoughts of the Ninefold Refinement Array, Mu Yanyu let out a relieved breath from where she sat on the other side of the table.

  She was happy to see that she had a chance to explain to Jun De that the Sect Master himself agreed to his preferential treatment and that she hadn’t abused her position in the Sect for his benefit. She mistook his silence for understanding, and even acceptance, of her explanation.

  A faint softness crept into her expression as she folded her hands neatly in her lap, completely unaware that her statement had sent Jun De spiralling into despair.

  Mu Yanyu’s eyes wandered across the courtyard, lingering on the neat rows of spirit herbs, the polished stone paths that glimmered faintly under the glow of the protective array, and the soft ripple of spiritual energy that suffused the air.

  A trace of a smile tugged at her lips as she felt pleased with Jun De’s new surroundings. Someone as talented as him deserved to reside here, and although she was disappointed that he had not been placed on her own peak, she was content that the Sect Master had a plan for him.

  “This residence is truly remarkable. Few, even among the Inner Sect, are granted immortal caves of this quality. It is because the Sect Master values you so highly that you were placed here, Jun De.” Mu Yanyu said softly as her gaze returned to Jun De.

  Jun De lifted his head and blinked at the statement, before his eyes moved across the courtyard.

  “Senior Sister Bai said the same thing. But I’m not sure what I did to deserve it, I haven’t even met the Sect Master.” Jun De admitted.

  Mu Yanyu’s expression grew more solemn.

  “Originally, it was my intent to bring you to my own Jade Lotus Peak where I could personally oversee your cultivation. As I told you when we trained in the Heaven-Piercing Starfall Sword Art, I have never selected a Personal Disciple, and it was my intention for you to be my first.” Mu Yanyu’s voice lowered with an almost wistful regret before she steadied herself again.

  “But the Sect Master has other plans for your future.”

  Jun De quirked an eyebrow at the statement, and he leaned forward with interest despite his weariness. His curiosity stirred, although there was a fair amount of dread and worry mixed in with it.

  ‘It’s good for the Sect to value me, since that will mean they won’t let anything too bad happen to me. But they also have a tendency to throw me into danger whenever they feel like it and claim that it's good for my training!’

  “Other plans?” Jun De asked, his tone calm and guarded.

  Mu Yanyu gave a small nod before responding.

  “Yes. When I told him that I would be taking you to Jade Lotus Peak, he informed me that he has another master in mind for you. Someone more suited to your path.” She paused, and her eyes narrowed faintly in thought.

  “I do not know who it is, but if the Sect Master speaks of them in such a manner, then it can only mean that the person he has chosen surpasses even himself in certain ways. More capable of training someone of your talent and potential.”

  Jun De’s eyes flickered, and the title ‘Sect Master’ echoed bitterly in his thoughts now that he knew the man had a hand in his punishment inside the Ninefold Refinement Array. A nice immortal cave wasn’t enough to make up for it, and Jun De’s resentment towards him didn’t lessen in the slightest.

  But even with his complicated emotions, Jun De’s curiosity gnawed at him.

  ‘More talented than the Sect Master?’ Jun De thought.

  Lu Qingchen was the strongest person inside the Tranquil Mountain Sect, and one of the few Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators on the Southern Continent. Who could be more talented than him?

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  Jun De had no doubt that there were stronger people in the region. Xianxia stories all had hidden experts tucked away in every nook and cranny, popping out of the cracks just when they were needed, but the fact that the Sect Master had pushed Jun De onto someone else spoke volumes.

  Mu Yanyu placed her teacup down onto the table with a quiet clink.

  “You will need to be patient, Jun De. When the time comes, the Sect Master will explain everything to you himself. For now, focus on your recovery. This place will aid you greatly. And, even though you are not an official member of my Jade Lotus Peak, I can still provide you with some guidance.”

  Mu Yanyu flicked her sleeve, and a ripple of Qi shimmered across the air as a folded piece of parchment materialized on the table between them. Jun De leaned forward to unfold it, revealing lines of meticulous, flowing script. The characters were elegant and precise, matching Mu Yanyu perfectly.

  As his eyes scanned the contents, Jun De felt a shiver run down his spine.

  It wasn’t just a list of suggestions for his training and development, but an entire schedule. It was a map of cultivation, training, and education tailored for Jun De’s time in the Inner Sect. Sections were divided into swordsmanship, body refinement, and education in alchemy, talisman inscription, formation arrays, spirit beast taming, and even Dao comprehension sessions.

  It was exhaustive, and above all, incredibly detailed.

  Jun De’s expression tightened as he took in the information.

  ‘She planned all this for me? Does she think that there’s more than 24 hours in a day!? How the hell am I supposed to do all this?’

  Whatever resentment he felt for the Sect Master faded, replaced with gratitude toward the man. Without him, Jun De would have been placed on Jade Lotus Peak with Elder Mu. He could easily imagine what kind of torture she would have planned for him with a list this extensive.

  Seeing his reaction, Mu Yanyu allowed a smile to soften her expression as she once again misunderstood Jun De’s thoughts. She mistook his silence and intense study of the parchment as eagerness and serious intent to follow it.

  “This is my recommendation for you, Jun De. It is a foundation to ensure that you do not walk forward with one foot in the shadow of ignorance. Too many Disciples of the Inner Sect chase after a breakthrough in cultivation, ignoring the breadth of knowledge and skill that can aid them.”

  “Too often have I seen cultivators sealing themselves away in secluded cultivation to the exclusion of all else, and when they emerge, they find their paths narrow and fragile. Then, there are those that devote themselves to one discipline, only to discover too late that they lack the balance needed to stand at the peak.”

  “Of course, learning too much is a problem as well, but at your stage, knowledge of the basics will benefit you. Expose yourself to everything the Inner Sect has to offer in order to discover where your true talents lie and what strengths you can forge into your own Dao.”

  “Without breadth, there can be no depth. Without exploration, there can be no certainty.” Mu Yanyu explained. She took a sip of her tea to wet her throat while Jun De lifted his eyes from the paper and leaned back in his chair once again.

  His first thought was to thank her politely and then completely ignore what she had given him. He didn’t want to spend every waking moment training and cultivating. And, based on her schedule, there would be little time to sleep!

  But, on the other hand, he owed Elder Mu his life.

  She had saved him on the flying ship, and she only ever had his best interests at heart. She may have been responsible for tossing him into the hated Ninefold Refinement Array, but Jun De knew that she had honestly thought she was doing him a favour.

  It wasn’t her fault that she just couldn’t understand that Jun De didn’t want to train, or fight, or cultivate much at all.

  It was a completely foreign concept to the Elder that a talented person like Jun De just wanted to laze around in his courtyard all day, safe and sound, and let the world outside pass him by while he enjoyed his life to the fullest.

  After thinking about it for a moment, Jun De just couldn’t toss aside Elder Mu’s hard work. He felt guilty for worrying her and was touched by her concern for his future.

  “Elder Mu, I…thank you for the care you have taken.”

  Jun De’s words were steady, but there was a heaviness beneath them as he resolved himself to follow her advice the best he could. That didn’t mean he was going to throw himself into her recommended training like some kind of lunatic or fanatic, but he would honestly try his best.

  Jun De inclined his head slightly in respect, but regretted it immediately as the courtyard swam before his eyes and he became slightly lightheaded from fatigue.

  “You don’t need to thank me, Jun De. I merely wish to see your potential nurtured fully. Whether you follow this guidance or not is your choice, but remember not to let haste for a higher cultivation narrow your vision. The path of cultivation is long, and those who rush forward blindly often stumble.”

  Jun De nodded as he considered her words.

  “I will consider your guidance carefully.”

  Mu Yanyu’s eyes lingered on Jun De’s face for a moment longer, and she could feel that there was still a barrier between them in his words. It stirred something inside of her, an ache that she had thought removed during her seclusion.

  Her thoughts drifted momentarily to the time they had spent together in Dual Cultivation, and she couldn’t help but recall the sensation of his lips on hers. She blushed faintly and stood up from the table, leaving the tea set behind in her haste.

  “If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to find me. This token will provide you access to Jade Lotus Peak.” Mu Yanyu said, and a small, white jade pendant appeared on the table beside the piece of parchment.

  It was shaped like a lotus, and Jun De automatically reached out to take it. The small pendant felt warm in his hands.

  When he looked up, Elder Mu was gone.

  Jun De let out a deep sigh and picked up the piece of parchment once again. Weighing the pendant in one hand and the training schedule in the other, Jun De stood and made his way deeper into his immortal cave to find a bed to rest in.