I was breathing heavily trying to calm myself. But that wasn't possible, they took Zhenzhen from me. How was I supposed to know she was safe now? What if something happened to her? What would she do without me?
I mentally added Zhenzhen's master to the kill list I decided to start. I wasn't stupid enough to rush in and try and fight someone who was able to rise to the position of an elder of one of the two greatest sects. I would have to take my time in order to take revenge.
I dug my nails into my palm, blood started to periodically drip down. Even doing this was barely enough to take my mind off of it.
A few minutes later I finally regained my bearing and asked master a question.
"Who is her master?"
"Your friend? If I heard correctly her masters name is Yue Qingge. She is the core elder presiding over all water element cultivators."
"How strong is she?"
"Hmm... I think she just broke through and became a Heaven Immortal."
'Damn! She's nine major realms ahead of me. Even if I cultivate nonstop it would take me around a hundred years to reach that level.'
It killed me to wait that long before finally taking my revenge, but I could still safely escape with Zhenzhen earlier than that if I focus on movement techniques or have a heavenly treasure that could escape from someone at that level.
"Its best not to cloud your mind with thoughts of revenge."
"I know."
Master sighed and turned around to leave "Prepare yourself for the ceremony tomorrow." He walked out after saying that.
I spent that night thinking of different ways I could kill Zhenzhen's master that would cause the most despair.
***
The next day came faster than I thought it would. I didn't sleep at all as I was busy fantasizing and laughing at my thoughts for the future.
I took the dark black robes with a golden circle embroidered on the back out of the storage ring and put them on. The black robes seemed like they were made to compliment my pure white hair and ears, the silk fabric was obviously of the highest quality.
While I was putting my hair up I got a sound transmission from master.
'Come to the main hall, enter from the main door after everyone arrives.'
I had to wait almost an hour for all of the elders and their disciples to arrive.
After everyone arrived I got another sound transmission telling me enter.
I pushed open the doors that were separating me from the main hall. I took a deep breath and walked in. The room was completely silent and the atmosphere seemed heavy.
"Baek Hong."
I knelt and lowered my head upon hearing this.
"Before you are accepted as a disciple you will have to follow the tradition of the nine ceremonial bows."
"Bow thrice to the sect founder."
"Bow thrice to the ancestors."
"Bow thrice to your new master."
I had to bow to the founders portrait thrice followed by the ancestors and ending with my master.
After the nine ceremonial bows were completed master started laughing heartily.
"Hahahahhahahaha"
He was laughing so hard he was almost wheezing.
"Ohhh... good job. I haven't laughed that hard in ages."
I looked up at master with confusion written all over my face. Master looked down at me and started explaining.
"We don't actually do this to accept disciples. I just read it in a book before and wanted to try it."
If someone payed close enough attention they could probably see a vein bulge on my temple.
Why did I have to do this?
After seeing the look on my face the other elders burst out laughing as well.
I almost couldn't contain my anger, I only sighed after realizing everyone in the room could kill me with a breath.
I would probably become the laughing stock of the sect for a year after this.
It took the elders nearly an hour to calm down. Why were they laughing so hard? Did they do drugs before coming here?
After the laughing came to a stop the disciples of the elders approached me.
"Junior sister if you have any questions ask me."
"Junior sister don't hesitate to ask for anything you need."
"Junior sister make sure you stop by so we can get to know eachother."
"Junior sister do you know young master muffin man?"
***
I was bombarded with all sorts of questions and pleasantries. My ear felt like it was going to gall off if I heard 'Junior sister' one more time. I also feel like someone said something weird at the end there, oh well it probably wast important.
I didn't bother remembering anyone's name other than the senior brother who had shooed the croud away from me. I would definitely remember this favor.
Senior brother Long Fan was a descendent of the dragon clan. He seemed nice and honest from a glance. He was the only one in the croud who seemed somewhat dependable.
"Junior sister, you can just ignore everyone else. I'll make sure to keep everyone away if that's what you want."
"That'd be great senior brother, would you?"
"Haha no problem."
I felt like this senior brother could be someone who I could talk to when I was bored.
***
"Master, can I walk around the sect with a senior brother?"
"Go ahead."
"Thank you master."
***
I left with the senior brother to explore the sect and get away from the other people who only knew how to say 'junior sister'.
"This is the training ground for core disciples, most people don't use it as they have their own. Over there is the weapon hall where you can exchange contribution points for weapons. A few buildings past it is the mission hall where you can take missions to earn contribution points, when you go there for the first time they will give you a jade slip that tracks your missions and contribution points. Most of us just call the contribution points as 'cp'. Over here is the alchemy hall where you can buy pills. You can buy arrays and talisman in the alchemy hall as well. There are some restaurants and other places like that as well. Any cultivation material such as weapons and pills cost 'cp' and the other stuff like food and entertainment can be bought with spirit stones."
I didn't know one person could say that much in a single breath. The information was a lot to take in but it wast really a problem for me.
***
"Tsk he's even going after children now."
"Didn't he just have two women the other day?"
"I heard he actually leaves the sect to visit brothels."
"That's nothing, I heard he even goes after the women in the outer sect."
"Really? I heard he had an outer sect elder wrapped around his finger."
"Are you an idiot?! Why are you saying this out loud and not through sound transmission. Don't be surprised if you don't wake up tomorrow."
"I'm obviously saying it out loud for a reason. Maybe that poor Junior sister can still save herself. And if I end up dead we can confirm if the rumors are true."
"That... actually makes a little sense. Farewell in advance Junior brother, I will remember your sacrifice."
***
"What are they saying senior brother?"
"Some of the people that are jealous of my talent spread rumors about me to ruin my reputation."
"Why don't you just correct them?" I asked.
"If I went out of my way to stop the rumors they would probably come to the conclusion that I had something to hide."
"That makes sense."
"Besides, do you think I would be able to stay in the sect if any of those rumors were true?"
"I believe you senior brother, it must be hard for you."
"Not at all, I don't let it bother me. These things happen all the time. They might happen to you in the future so you'll have to be prepared to face this kind of thing, especially given your position. They might be even harder on you than they are on me."
"I'll keep senior brothers advice in mind."
***
It took hours to mostly explore the center of the sect. We didn't even cover the elders' mountains or the outer sect, we only covered the main areas where inner and core disciples spend most of their time.
"Bye, senior brother."
We both waved as he left. I knew about things like rumors that were falsely spread to harm your reputation. I didn't experience it first hand because father had executed anyone who dared speak I'll of me. It didn't surprise me that senior brother had rumors circulating around about his promiscuous life.
The easiest rumors to believe were men who obsessed over women and women who lusted after men after all. I wouldn't fall prey to such obviously false rumors. I had spent the entire day with senior brother and he didn't seem like the type to do such things.
After the exhausting day I had, even though I didn't technically need to sleep that often, it didn't take me long to fall asleep.