Gu Qingfeng hadn't originally planned to meet that so-called True Being Fei Xue, but he hadn't expected Tan Siru to come in person again, saying it was to discuss Ouyang Ye's affairs.
Not knowing what trouble the little girl had gotten into, Gu Qingfeng thought he might as well go take a look. Following Tan Siru, he arrived at a garden filled with the songs of birds and fragrance of flowers. Entering the hall, he saw a woman who appeared dignified and elegant standing before a bookshelf, intently flipping through a book.
"Master, this is that Young Lord Chiyan, Gu Qingfeng."
Tan Siru reported, then glanced at Gu Qingfeng with a cold sneer before silently retreating to the side.
True Being Fei Xue did not respond, nor did she even glance at Gu Qingfeng. Continuing to flip through the book, she spoke coldly.
"I have heard about the matter between you and my disciple."
"I hope you will leave her and sever this laughable, childish infatuation at first sight."
"Whether you are a dragon among men, I do not know, nor do I wish to know. How profound your musical attainments are, I do not know, nor do I care. What your family background is, I have not the slightest interest."
"Today, I summoned you only to make you understand one fact: you are unworthy of my disciple."
Gu Qingfeng did not speak, merely finding it somewhat amusing. After all, this matter had been fake from the very beginning. Not knowing what the little girl's situation was, he couldn't respond either. He simply listened with keen interest.
"Perhaps you are somewhat unconvinced, thinking that I say you are unworthy because you failed to establish your Foundation. If you truly think so, you are gravely mistaken. When I say you are unworthy of my disciple, it has nothing to do with your Foundation-establishment failure. Even if you had not failed, you would still be unworthy."
"My disciple's family background is extraordinary, beyond your reach and beyond your imagination."
"Her status is something you cannot hope to match."
"And her future Dao companion will inevitably be a true dragon among men."
"Do not blame me for being cold and heartless. Reality is just this cruel. You are unworthy, and that is all there is to it."
"I also know your purpose in coming to Yunxia Sect: nothing more than hoping to use my disciple's connection to have Elder Huode help you re-establish your Foundation."
"However, I advise you to abandon this notion. Although it is not absolutely impossible to re-establish a Foundation after failure, the possibility is extremely slim."
"Of course, if you insist, I will not drive you away. After all, it was my disciple who brought you here, and I do not wish to sadden her."
"But from today onward, you must sever all contact with my disciple."
"Remember, this is not a discussion, nor is it persuasion. It is a warning, and you will receive it only once."
"If I discover you still have any contact with my disciple, I will make you regret ever coming into this world."
"That is all. Siru, see him out."
From beginning to end, True Being Fei Xue never once looked up at Gu Qingfeng, remaining focused on her book. That contempt was arrogance to the bone, not even giving Gu Qingfeng a chance to speak. Just as she had said, this was not a discussion, nor persuasion, but a warning, and she would only warn him once.
After a while, when Tan Siru returned, she asked, "Master, why didn't you just drive him away?"
Back at Redleaf Valley, Tan Siru had lost all face and had been wanting revenge ever since. Within Yunxia Sect, Gu Qingfeng had Elder Huode's protection, leaving even the Li Family helpless. If Gu Qingfeng were to leave, the Li Family would surely kill him then, and she could take the opportunity to exact her revenge. She just hadn't expected her master to allow Gu Qingfeng to stay.
"As I said earlier, since Ye Ye brought him here, driving him away would inevitably upset Ye Ye's emotions and affect her cultivation. The loss would outweigh the gain."
True Being Fei Xue responded expressionlessly. "Moreover, after Guang Yuan hit a snag with Elder Huode earlier, it's enough to show this person is important to Elder Huode. Why should I offend Huode over such a trivial matter?"
Tan Siru made an acknowledging sound and was about to speak when True Being Fei Xue's icy voice suddenly came again.
"There is one more thing. In the future, do not involve yourself in Ye Ye's private affairs."
"Private affairs? Master, I have never meddled in Junior Sister's private affairs."
"Hmph!"
True Being Fei Xue snorted coldly, raised her head, and fixed a pair of frigid eyes on her, reprimanding sharply, "Do you think I truly don't know how many benefits you've secretly accepted from Li Sen?"
"Master!"
Tan Siru's face paled in fright, and she immediately knelt down, explaining, "I... I was also... for Junior Sister's own good, hoping she could have a good match. After all, Li Sen is the young master of the Li Family..." As she was speaking, True Being Fei Xue cut her off disdainfully. "So what if it's the Li Family? Not to mention Li Sen, even his older brothers are unworthy of Ye Ye."
Li Sen's older brothers were all outstanding disciples of Yunxia Sect, one a direct disciple, another a Chief of one of the Twelve Halls. Tan Siru couldn't understand what about Ouyang Ye made her master value her so highly.
"Let this matter end here. I have long since found an exceptional Dao companion for Ye Ye."
"May I ask who the Dao companion Master found is..."
"It is precisely the Chief of our Yunxia Sect's Nine Halls, Zhong Tianying!"
Hearing the name Zhong Tianying, Tan Siru's heart skipped a beat. She knew of Zhong Tianying—not only knew him but secretly admired him. To be precise, many female disciples in Yunxia Sect worshipped and adored Zhong Tianying. Whether it was family background, aptitude, or cultivation, he was the object of envy. Most importantly, he was also a top contender for the position of Heir Apparent Disciple. Whoever became his Dao companion might one day become the Sect Head's wife.
...
On the way back, Gu Qingfeng strolled, taking in the surrounding scenery while eating redleaf fruits, seemingly completely unaffected by the words True Being Fei Xue had spoken.
Indeed.
Since this matter was fake from the start, what effect could it have?
Taking a step back, even if it were real, he felt he could understand.
Any master would likely hope their disciple found someone with a good family background and good aptitude. After all, finding a Dao companion was a lifelong matter. Finding someone with good background and aptitude would benefit both parties' cultivation. Conversely, finding someone with a poor background and worse aptitude would not only offer no help to cultivation but might even become a burden.
The only thing that left him helpless was why the little girl Ouyang Ye hadn't explained things clearly.
Gu Qingfeng thought he should find a time to have that girl clarify matters properly, lest some real misunderstanding arise later.
Returning to the Rear Mountain's Spirit Seclusion Garden.
Wang Dashan stood at the entrance, seemingly anxiously waiting for something. Seeing Gu Qingfeng, Wang Dashan hurried over.
"Young Master, you're finally back."
"What is it?"
"Chief Steward Fei has been waiting for you for a long time."
Chief Steward Fei?
Gu Qingfeng was puzzled. What kind of day was today? Why were so many people looking for him? Just as he was wondering, a fat man walked out from inside the Spirit Seclusion Garden.
He truly was a fat man, a round, rotund, big fat man, with a face full of coarse flesh, oily and shiny, sporting a small braid and a beaming smile. Seeing Gu Qingfeng, this fat man trotted over, bowed, craned his neck, and asked very politely, "Might you be Young Lord Chiyan?"
"And you are?"
"This humble one is Fei Kui. Elder Huode must have mentioned me to you, right?"
Fei Kui?
Sounded somewhat familiar.
Thinking carefully, it seemed that old man Huode really had mentioned this name, saying Fei Kui was one of their own and that he would arrange everything regarding the examination.
"I remember now. Huode did mention you to me."
"Hehe, that's right then, Young Master. The old master has already told me everything about your affairs. Shall we walk and talk?"
"Oh?"
Gu Qingfeng was somewhat confused and asked, "What exactly did Huode tell you?"
"He told me everything."
"Everything?"
Gu Qingfeng was rather surprised. Had that old man revealed his identity? He asked, "You know who I am?"
"Aren't you Young Lord Chiyan?"
"And then?"
"And then?"
The fat man named Fei Kui was taken aback and said, "What 'and then'? There's nothing else... The old master said you were the Young Master and ordered us juniors to serve you."
"I see..." Gu Qingfeng had really been startled for a moment, thinking that old man Huode had sold him out.
"Young Master, when would be convenient for you? Let's get this matter settled first."
"You mean the examination, right?"
"Yes, Young Master. The old master has explained the plan to me in detail. Right now, Young Master's identity is that of an Outer Disciple. We can directly participate in the Inner Gate examination."
"Outer Disciple? When did I become an Outer Disciple? Didn't they say I still needed to take an examination?"
"Young Master, it's like this. Yunxia Sect's recruitment of Outer Disciples isn't that strict. Those with excellent spiritual roots don't need to take an exam; only those with ordinary spiritual roots need to participate. If one fails the exam, they can pull some strings, offer some benefits, and still become an Outer Disciple... So... after the old master gave me the order, I took care of it for you three days ago..."
"So that's how it is... It seems money is useful no matter the era!"
Recalling how he had passed the entrance examination back in the day, only to be rejected because of his poor spiritual root. Back then, he could have also pulled strings and found connections, but the key point was, as an orphan, what connections did Gu Qingfeng have to pull? What red envelopes did he have to offer?
Just as he was sighing with emotion, Gu Qingfeng suddenly realized something was off.
"What did you say? You took care of it three days ago?"
"Yes! Three days ago, after the old master gave the order, I promptly took care of it for you. You've been an Outer Disciple of our Yunxia Sect for three days already."
Three days ago?
Gu Qingfeng thought carefully. He had only agreed to help yesterday, yet Huode had already started planning this matter three days ago.
In other words, that old rascal had long since predicted he would agree.
Damn it!
That old rascal played a pretty sneaky game!
"Young Master, is something wrong?"
Fei Kui had been bowing all along, speaking respectfully and cautiously. "Is there a problem?"
"No, it's fine that it's settled. Since I'm already an Outer Disciple, I remember Huode said something about seizing the position of Chief of the Outer Gate's Twelve Halls?"
"Young Master, the Chiefs of the Outer Gate's Twelve Halls have always been held by Inner Disciples. So, to become a Chief of one of the Twelve Halls, one must first be an Inner Disciple to qualify."
"I see... Alright, then tell me about the Inner Gate examination."
"Our Yunxia Sect's Inner Gate examination is relatively strict. Every Outer Disciple seeking promotion to the Inner Gate must pass the personal scrutiny of five Elders, including Rende, Ziheng, Fei Xue, and others..."