"I don't really want to know right now. You can tell my master, and then have him pass it on to me later." Song Nianchu had no desire to listen at the moment.
With her current level of strength, she had no intention of adding any extra pressure to her life. She still needed to find a way to improve her Divine Formula Healing Technique; her family was waiting for her to return and heal them.
The elders were surprised that someone as young as Song Nianchu not only showed no fear in front of them but was also so candid in expressing her thoughts. Judging by her reaction, they felt as though they had finally seen a glimmer of hope.
"Very well, we will have a proper talk with your master," the gray-robed elder decided, thinking he should have a thorough discussion with Tantai Xu about ensuring Song Nianchu focused on her cultivation in the future.
"However, can you do something about this stone shell?" Song Nianchu pointed to the black stone. "You mustn't hurt the little one inside."
"If you hadn't formed a contract with it, we might have been helpless," the gray-robed elder replied. "But since you have already contracted it, things will be much easier."
As he finished speaking, the gray-robed elder took action. The surface of the black stone began to change. From a few tiny cracks, it slowly began to widen. Suddenly, the spirit pet flew out from within and shot straight toward Song Nianchu. Just as she reached out to catch it, the spirit pet vanished from where it hovered.
"Master, Master..." The spirit pet chirped happily, rolling around in her Consciousness Sea.
Song Nianchu: "..." It seemed even more energetic than before.
***
The next day, as Song Nianchu stepped out of her courtyard, a woman in blue robes stood outside. Judging by her attire, she was a direct disciple.
"Junior Sister Song..." Hearing the sound of the door opening, the woman in blue lifted her gaze to look at Song Nianchu.
"Who are you?" Song Nianchu asked, looking at the woman with a puzzled expression.
"My apprentice, this is Senior Sister Lin Chan, whom the Sect Master has arranged to guide you for a while," Tantai Xu said, glancing at the woman and signaling for her to wait outside.
Lin Chan obeyed and turned to wait outside.
"Master, is she a direct disciple as well?" Song Nianchu asked, watching Lin Chan’s retreating back.
"Yes, but her situation is a bit different," Tantai Xu explained. "She is the Sect Master's daughter. Since I have no other disciples and cannot accompany you around the sect every day, the Sect Master felt it would be more appropriate to have Lin Chan guide you for a while."
"The Sect Master's daughter?" Song Nianchu was somewhat astonished. "Master, isn't that... a bit too high-profile?"
Tantai Xu chuckled at this. "Who told you to have such great talent? You don't need to feel pressured. Lin Chan won't be staying for long. The sect is crowded, and I’ll feel more at ease knowing she is there to guide you. Once you no longer need someone to show you the ropes, Lin Chan will leave."
Hearing this, Song Nianchu didn't dwell on the matter and instead steered the conversation toward another topic. "Master, you haven't told me yet: what is it that the Sect Master and the others want me to do now that I've contracted this mythical beast?"
Song Nianchu knew it must be related to the spirit pet she had contracted.
"With me here, those matters won't affect you. You only need to focus on your cultivation," Tantai Xu said. "As for things you don't like doing, your master will handle them."
Hearing this, Song Nianchu realized that the issues discussed last night likely wouldn't have much of an impact on her after all—perhaps because her master was powerful enough to hold the line. With that in mind, she asked, "Master, have you heard of the Divine Formula Healing Technique?"
"Divine Formula Healing Technique?" A flicker of doubt crossed Tantai Xu's eyes. "How do you know about that?"
Song Nianchu extended her hand, and a faint, shimmering pattern appeared on her palm. It was the mark of the Divine Formula Healing Technique; only those who possessed the technique could manifest it.
Tantai Xu gasped upon seeing the mark. "Did you use this to save Si Jiuli?"
"Who is Si Jiuli?" Song Nianchu asked reflexively.
"The man who gave you the jade talisman—did he not tell you his name?" Tantai Xu looked at her in surprise.
It was only then that Song Nianchu learned the man's name was Si Jiuli.
"When I fell into the Forbidden Land of the Soul-Snatching Mountain and was injured, I used the Divine Formula Healing Technique to treat myself, and he happened to be nearby..." Song Nianchu recounted the situation without holding anything back.
Tantai Xu didn't know what words to use to describe his feelings. At that moment, he finally came to a realization: he feared he might have taken on an incredibly heaven-defying apprentice.
"Apprentice, I only know a part of the Divine Formula Healing Technique. After you finish your lessons today, I will tell you more about it in detail," Tantai Xu said. "The others will accompany you to class; if you have any questions, you can ask them. They are experienced students and will know a thing or two."
"Understood, Master." Song Nianchu nodded and then left with Lin Chan for the peak where the main hall was located.
Before entering the classroom, Song Nianchu looked back at Lin Chan. "Senior Sister Lin Chan, shall I contact you after my class?"
Lin Chan was a cold, aloof girl, quite similar in temperament to Song Nianchu herself. Upon hearing this, she didn't act coy. "Sure. If you need anything, feel free to reach out."
Watching Lin Chan leave, Song Nianchu turned and entered the classroom. It was filled with direct disciples, along with some who had joined the sect earlier than her batch. She scanned the room; there were about fifteen people.
The moment she entered, the eyes of everyone in the classroom turned toward her. The instructor had not yet arrived, so Song Nianchu chose a quiet spot and sat down.
"Is that Song Nianchu?"
"That’s her, alright."
"She’s not bad-looking, but she’s still a bit behind Junior Sister Liu."
Liu Rushuang had grown up stealing all the good resources meant for Song Nianchu, leaving Song Nianchu looking thin and somewhat malnourished. However, her features were actually quite refined; once she was properly cared for, her beauty would surely surpass Liu Rushuang's. Unfortunately, no one here was observant enough to see that yet.
"She really chose that useless piece of rubble with no energy in the Treasure Pavilion?" a sycophant of Liu Rushuang’s began to mock her.
Song Nianchu’s mouth twitched when she heard the term "useless rubble."
"Master, why do these people have such foul mouths?" the Phoenix asked, clearly displeased.
"They do," Song Nianchu nodded. "But this is the result I wanted."
"Why?" the Phoenix was puzzled.
"Because... it’s safe." Song Nianchu only wanted to keep a low profile and develop her strength. After all, she was too weak right now. Even though her master was protective, he couldn't guard her every second. She believed that if something truly happened to her, her master would definitely avenge her, but if she lost her life, revenge would be pointless.
"Don't be like that, everyone. Nianchu didn't choose that black stone on purpose," a voice that filled Song Nianchu with disgust chimed in.
"Master, the scent on this woman is disgusting," the Phoenix remarked. Being a mythical beast, its perception of humans was incredibly sharp. If the Phoenix said that, it meant the person was genuinely repulsive.
"Yes, that is my enemy," Song Nianchu replied.
"Not on purpose? That means she chose it deliberately?" A man looked at her with utter disdain. "To choose a piece of trash like that intentionally—how did a useless person like her become a direct disciple?"