Ancestral Grotto, Bao Wen Academy
Zhao Min led his team of four back to their sect after a successful mission to gather rare herbs. Steward Jie was waiting for them, his piercing gaze assessing their every move as they approached.
"Report!" - Steward Jie demanded, his voice cold and firm.
Zhao Min stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Steward Jie, we have completed the mission as instructed. We have gathered enough herbs of good quality, and we have encountered no major difficulties in our journey."
Steward Jie nodded. This matched with what he knew. His gaze shifting to Jin Ju.
"And what of this one?" - He asked, indicating the reserved young man.
"Jin Ju was instrumental in saving Ye Jianhong's life." - Zhao Min explained.
"He administered the antidote to the poison that was inflicted on Ye Jianhong by Zhu Feng. He also took down Zhu Feng when he attacked us."
Steward Jie nodded again, his gaze moving to Yu Lingxin.
"And what of her?" - He asked.
"She performed well." - Zhao Min replied.
"Her skills were useful in locating and identifying the herbs. She also watched over Ye Jianhong while he was unconscious."
Steward Jie's gaze settled on Ye Jianhong, who stood silently behind Zhao Min.
"And you, Ye Jianhong?" - He asked, his voice laced with disapproval.
Ye Jianhong felt a surge of anger rise within him, but he quickly pushed it down.
"I contributed to the mission as well." - He said firmly.
"I helped with the herb gathering and also helped to solve..." - He didn't finish as he noticed the anxious gazes of his teammates turning to him.
"You stupid! What are you doing? Don't tell him about the inheritance!" - They thought.
Steward Jie's eyes narrowed.
"You were a burden to the team." - He said bluntly.
"You were poisoned and almost died, and you failed to contribute as much as the others. You must learn to be more useful and less of a liability."
Even though Ye Jianhong helped the group in the second and third stages of the Three Demon's Inheritance, they couldn't disclose that.
Ye Jianhong gritted his teeth, his face flushing with anger. But before he could say anything else, Steward Jie suddenly unleashed a powerful technique that froze the entire group in place. They could not move, could not even breathe.
Steward Jie stood before the group of four, his gaze cold and unyielding.
"You are all members of this sect." - He began, his voice ringing out across the room.
"As such, you are expected to uphold the highest standards of discipline, respect, and dedication to our cause. And yet, in this mission, you have failed to meet those expectations."
He fixed his gaze on Ye Jianhong, who still looked defiant despite the powerful technique that had just immobilized them all.
"You, in particular, have shown a lack of dedication and discipline." - He continued.
"You were a burden to the team, and you failed to contribute as much as the others. But your biggest shortcoming is not this. You failed to realize your own wrongdoing. This is unacceptable."
Steward Jie then turned his gaze to each member of the group in turn, his voice growing even sterner.
"But you all have much to learn." - He said.
"You have become complacent and arrogant, thinking that your individual talents are enough to see you through any situation. But this is not the way of the sect."
He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in. The group of four was silent, listening to his every word.
"You will all spend the next month in closed cultivation." - He continued.
"During that time, you will reflect on your mistakes and work to improve your skills. You will not be allowed to leave until you have shown significant improvement. And when you do, you will return to this sect as stronger, more disciplined, and more dedicated gu masters."
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Steward Jie released the technique. The group collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.
Steward Jie's words were harsh, but they were also wise. The group knew that he spoke the truth, and that his punishment was light. They nodded silently, accepting their fate.
Steward Jie turned and strode out of the room, leaving the group to reflect on their mistakes and prepare for the month of closed cultivation that lay ahead.
* * * * *
Xu Lian Blessed Land
Xu Lian's will flew above the lands and surveyed the landscape. The once lush and beautiful land was now filled with deep cracks and uneven surfaces. He had never seen something like this before.
"This chasm has to be filled." - He looked below himself.
"And that hill there needs to be leveled. Then I can replant the forest." - He sighed to himself at the enormity of the task.
Xu Lian was disheartened, his hands were full as he tried to restore his immortal aperture to how it was before the calamity.
"I should ask Ancestor for help, this can't go on like this." - He spoke out loud.
His will flew down to Bao Zhi's location and approached his meditating senior.
"Greetings, Ancestor." - He humbly bowed as he began.
Bao Zhi noticed his arrival long ago, he faced Xu Lian head on. Even as he was sitting, his head as higher than Xu Lian's.
"Tell me." - He replied.
"Ancestor, my blessed land is in ruins. It is hopeless, I do not have the means to fix the landscape. My immortal essence has ran dry. The work is endless." - Xu Lian's will complained. He was clearly here to seek help but he didn't dare say it directly. Even though the damage was due to Bao Zhi's methods, it was also thanks to him the calamity was passed. He had to be careful.
"The calamity has changed the landscape of your blessed land. There is no need to be disheartened. It is a new start for you." - Bao Zhi replied.
Xu Lian was taken aback by his senior's words. A new start? He was not sure what he meant.
"It is not the state of your blessed land that's wrong, but your perception of it." - Bao Zhi pointed at Xu Lian then at the ground below them.
"Please explain." - Xu Lian bowed even deeper.
"The calamities and tribulations are both disasters and blessings. Take the deep cracks and chasms, for example. These are new environments you can use to grow vegetation." - He started to explain.
"The light does not reach these places and the nutrients from deep underground are exposed. It is a good place to plant thorny vines of Darkbrier, glowing Starry Moss or patches of Shadowfern there. The places with less nutrients can still nurture Ghost Orchids for instance." - He continued.
"Then there are the new hills and mountains. Their conditions have also changed now. What lived there before would not prosper now, so you can plant Thunder Pine or Sky Blossom to take advantage of their environment." - He went on.
"As for the valleys, plant the Gale Lilly or Mountain Laurel." - Bao Zhi concluded.
Xu Lian was taken aback by the simplicity of the solution. He had never thought of this way before.
"Thank you, Ancestor! I understand now." - He bowed once more in respect.
"Take your time, Xu Lian. I am sure you can make this blessed land thrive once again." - Bao Zhi said before he returned to his meditation.
* * * * *
Ancestral Grotto, Bao Wen Academy
Steward Jie stood before Bao Li Mu, feeling small and insignificant in the presence of the elder. He cleared his throat and bowed respectfully before speaking.
"Respected Elder, I have completed the tasks assigned to me, and I have come to report to you."
Bao Li Mu sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, seemingly lost in meditation, managing his immortal aperture as he did so.
Steward Jie waited patiently, not daring to disturb the elder's concentration. After a few moments, Bao Li Mu nodded to signal that he was listening.
Steward Jie straightened his back and began to report. He informed Bao Li Mu that all the new gu masters had returned and successfully completed their herb gathering mission.
Bao Li Mu listened attentively, his face showing no expression. When Steward Jie finished his report, Bao Li Mu nodded and thanked him for his hard work.
Steward Jie hesitated for a moment before continuing. He knew that what he was about to say might not be well received, but he had to inform Bao Li Mu about this important matter. He took a deep breath and spoke.
"Respected Elder, there is something else I need to inform you about. The inheritance of the Three Demons has been taken by four of the young gu masters. I have put them under watch, and I think it would be best if we dealt with them immediately." - He explained.
Bao Li Mu opened an eye and looked at Steward Jie with interest.
Steward Jie continued, explaining the origin of the inheritance and the notorious demonic gu masters who had left it behind. But before he could finish, Bao Li Mu politely interrupted him.
"Thank you for your report, Steward Jie. You may stop there." - He said calmly.
Steward Jie was taken aback by the elder's interruption, but he stopped speaking and waited for Bao Li Mu to continue.
"I know about the inheritance of the Three Demons. Just ignore it for now." - Bao Li Mu said calmly.
Steward Jie cleared his throat nervously, fidgeting with his sleeves.
"But Elder, I feel that you don't understand the gravity of the situation." - He began, his voice shaking slightly.
"The inheritance of the Three Demons is not something to be taken lightly. Those who possess it may be tempted to walk the demonic path."
Bao Li Mu opened his other eye, his gaze piercing.
"And do you believe that these young gu masters are susceptible to such temptation?" - He asked calmly.
"I cannot say for sure, but it is always a possibility. And, if they do, it will be disastrous for our sect." - Steward Jie spoke hesitantly.
Bao Li Mu nodded, his expression thoughtful.
"I understand your concerns, Steward Jie. However, we must have faith in our disciples. We have trained them well and provided them with the tools to resist such temptations."
"But the Three Demons' Inheritance is incompatible with our sect's cultivation path." - Steward Jie persisted, his voice rising in pitch.
"It goes against everything we believe in. We cannot let it fall into the wrong hands!"
Bao Li Mu sighed, his eyes closing once again.
"I am well aware of the nature of the inheritance, Steward Jie. But we cannot interfere with the choices of our disciples. They must choose their own path, even if it leads them astray."
Steward Jie bit his lip, his fists clenching at his sides.
"But what if they bring ruin upon themselves and our sect?" - He demanded.
Bao Li Mu opened his eyes once more, his gaze meeting Steward Jie's.
"We will deal with that if and when it happens. For now, we must trust in the abilities and judgment of our disciples."
Steward Jie was about to protest, but Bao Li Mu held up his hand to stop him.
"You are one of my trusted aides. Since you already know about it, it's no harm to tell you." - He leaned closer to Steward Jie.
"This was an arrangement made by my late father, Lord Bao Li Tai. Everything is as expected."
Steward Jie was shocked to hear this. He had no idea that Bao Li Tai had made such an arrangement.
Steward Jie nodded reluctantly, but his face still showed his doubts. Bao Li Mu placed a hand on his shoulder, a gesture of reassurance.
"Do not worry, Steward Jie. The fate of our sect is in good hands."
"Steward Jie, there is no need to take any further action. Let the four of them be. They will be the key to our success in the future."
Steward Jie was speechless. He had never imagined that Bao Li Mu would be so lenient with the four gu masters who had inherited the Three Demon's inheritance. But he knew better than to further question the elder's judgment. He bowed respectfully and left the room, feeling relieved and confused at the same time.
* * * * *