bookbashuk Chapter 118 Transformation
Chapter 118 Transformation
After the apprenticeship ceremony ended, the crowd in the square gradually dispersed.
The monks who passed the test gathered in twos and threes, their faces showing excitement or relief.
Those who were eliminated were dejected; some left silently, while others lingered in front of the stone platform, seemingly unwilling to leave just like that.
Zhao Fan sat on a rock in the corner, holding Xiao Er in his arms and stroking its head repeatedly.
The little guy seemed to sense his joy, lying quietly and occasionally rubbing his head against his palm.
Su Zixin leaned against the rock wall and closed her eyes to rest, while Su Ziyan squatted next to Su San and fed him water.
Su San's face was still pale, but it was much better than two days ago; at least she could sit up on her own.
Just then, a figure walked towards them.
Zhao Fan looked up and quickly recognized the person who had come. It was the leader of the Zhou family's team, the cultivator at the peak of Qi Refining.
He walked quickly, and in a few steps he was right in front of me, with a gentle smile on his face, completely different from his cold and hard demeanor on Yuhua Mountain.
"Fellow Daoist Su, congratulations!"
He clasped his hands in a fist and smiled, his gaze sweeping over the Su family members, lingering a moment longer on Zhao Fan.
"The Su family has produced two disciples of the Suyang Sect at once, which is truly a cause for celebration."
Su San leaned against the rock, nodded slightly, her voice weak but steady.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Zhou."
The team leader waved his hand, his gaze falling on Su San's pale face, revealing a concerned expression.
"Fellow Daoist Su, are you... injured?"
"I encountered some trouble on the way, but it's nothing."
Su San said calmly.
The team leader didn't press further, but simply nodded and changed the subject.
"Fellow Daoist Su, do you have a place to stay in the city? If not, my Zhou family has a villa in the city with many empty rooms, which we can arrange for you to stay."
"I see that Fellow Daoist Su is seriously injured and needs to rest. Staying at an inn is not as convenient as having your own place."
Su San remained silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, fellow Daoist."
The Zhou family leader waved his hand casually.
"Fellow Daoist Su, there's no need to be so polite. We're all from the same place, so it's only natural that we should help each other."
After speaking, the team leader's gaze fell on Zhao Fan again.
"This must be young friend Zhao Fan? He is indeed a handsome man. I heard from the people below that you had a minor problem with your spiritual sense during the test? It's alright, the Suyang Sect has plenty of methods for cultivating spiritual sense. Once you're inside, there will naturally be a way."
Zhao Fan clasped his hands in a fist salute.
"Thank you for your concern, senior."
The team leader nodded, about to say something, when his gaze suddenly fell on Su San's back, looking somewhat puzzled.
"By the way, Fellow Daoist Su, doesn't your Su family have another member? I remember his name is... Su Ziqiu? Why isn't he with you? Haven't you been able to find him these past few days?"
Su San's eyes dimmed, and he remained silent for a while before speaking, his voice even lower than before.
"Ziqiu... has been murdered."
The team leader's smile froze.
"Murdered?"
He repeated it, his voice filled with regret.
"Where did this happen? Who did it?"
Su San shook her head and did not answer.
Zhao Fan listened from the side and understood why Su San was silent.
The fact that someone who should have been dealt with by the Zhou family is still alive can only mean that the Zhou family wants him to live.
The fact that the big man attacked them must have been at the behest of the Zhou family.
But they had no evidence, absolutely no evidence.
Su San knew this perfectly well, so he didn't say anything.
The Zhou family will not admit to this, and the Suyang Sect will not care. They are only a first-level family and cannot compete with the Zhou family.
The team leader seemed to realize something, and his smile faltered.
He coughed lightly and put on a sorrowful expression.
"Please accept my condolences. My deepest condolences, Fellow Daoist Su."
Su San didn't speak, she just nodded.
The team leader changed the subject, and the conversation became lively again.
"Let's not talk about that anymore, Fellow Daoist Su. You should go and rest in the other courtyard. I'll have someone make arrangements."
"By the way, young friend Zhao Fan, as a new disciple of the Suyang Sect, you are required to stay in the county town for a few days according to the rules, until the sect sends someone to pick you up. If you have time these few days, you can wander around. The county town is much more lively than your Fuling Mountain."
Just as Zhao Fan was about to nod, a voice came from behind him.
"Junior Brother Zhao."
Zhao Fan turned his head and saw the disciple of the Suyang Sect who was presiding over the apprenticeship ceremony walking towards him.
He changed into a clean Taoist robe, with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, and a gentle smile on his face, completely different from his official demeanor on the stage just now.
He walked up to Zhao Fan, clasped his hands in greeting, and said...
"Junior Brother Zhao, I am Wu Yuan, and I also possess the three spiritual roots of metal, wood, and fire. In a sense, we are from the same sect and share the same roots."
"I felt a connection with you today after seeing you take the test, and I would like to invite you for a small gathering. Would you do me the honor of joining me?"
Zhao Fan was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously looked at Su San.
He only agreed after seeing Su San nod.
"Then... I shall respectfully comply."
Zhao Fan returned the greeting with clasped hands.
Wu Yuan smiled and nodded, then clasped his hands in greeting to Su San and Su Zixin.
Su Ziyan watched from the side, a hint of envy flashing in her eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
Zhao Fan put Xiao Er into his spirit beast bag before turning around and following Wu Yuan.
The two crossed the square and entered a wide street.
The streets are lined with shops and towering buildings, bustling with pedestrians and incredibly lively.
Wu Yuan walked ahead at a moderate pace, glancing back at Zhao Fan every now and then with a smile on his lips.
"Junior Brother Zhao, where are you from?"
he asks.
"Fuling Mountain".
Zhao Fan said.
"Fuling Mountain?"
Wu Yuan thought for a moment, then continued.
"There seems to be a minor clan there. I've never been, but I've heard the scenery is beautiful. Are you from that clan?"
Zhao Fan shook his head.
"I am not a member of the Su family; I am just staying at the Su family's residence."
Wu Yuan was somewhat surprised. He glanced at him and then nodded.
"That's even more difficult. For a rogue cultivator to reach the seventh level of Qi Refining at this age, his talent is not bad."
"As for the matter of divine sense, you don't need to worry. The sect has plenty of ways to handle it. Since that senior has asked to keep you here, she must have her reasons."
Zhao Fan's heart stirred, and he tentatively asked.
"What is that senior's identity?"
Wu Yuan was somewhat puzzled; he hadn't expected that Zhao Fan wouldn't recognize Elder Liu.
"You'll understand this gradually once you arrive at the sect, Junior Brother."
Zhao Fan nodded and didn't ask any further questions.
Wu Yuan didn't say anything more, and pointed to a restaurant in front of him.
"We've arrived. This is the place. The spiritual food at this shop is the best in the entire county, especially their spiritual rice wine. One sip is enough to sustain you for half a day of arduous cultivation."
Zhao Fan looked up and saw a three-story pavilion with flying eaves, bracket sets, carved beams and painted rafters. A plaque hung above the door with the three large characters "Zui Xian Ju" (Drunken Immortal Abode).
Two servants in blue robes stood at the door. Upon seeing someone arrive, they immediately stepped forward with smiles on their faces.
"Please come in, seniors."