Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Shen Xiuyong said, "The True Martial Lineage."

Hearing this answer, Ruan Lingxiu’s brow furrowed, and she sighed softly. "This... is going to be a bit troublesome."

"What’s wrong?" Shen Xiuyong and Qiao Hongyun asked in unison, their faces filled with confusion.

Ruan Lingxiu chose her words carefully and said in a low voice, "Because of an old incident from two hundred years ago, the True Martial Lineage’s position Within the Sect is quite delicate. Their relationship with the other three lineages isn’t exactly harmonious. More importantly, that affair involved several Noble Families, which led to the True Martial Lineage having a cold, or even resentful, relationship with some of the thousand-year-old Noble Families."

"As a result, disciples from Noble Families rarely choose to join the True Martial Lineage. This has also caused the lineage to be subtly influenced and suppressed when it comes to their voice and access to resources Within the Sect. Right now, among the Ten Great True Disciples, the True Martial Lineage has only one person barely holding on, and their rank isn’t very high either."

"Junior Nephew Chen Qing is exceptionally talented, but by choosing the True Martial Lineage, his future path will likely be much more arduous than if he had chosen one of the other three lineages."

After listening, both Shen Xiuyong and Qiao Hongyun’s expressions grew grim.

They hadn’t expected the factional struggles Within the Sect to be so complex.

Shen Xiuyong sighed. "So there was such an inside story. But since he’s already made his choice, he can only rely on himself. I don’t ask for anything else, I just hope that if he encounters an obstacle he truly can’t overcome in the future, you could lend him a hand, as long as it doesn’t violate the Sect’s rules and principles."

Ruan Lingxiu was, after all, a direct descendant of the thousand-year-old Ruan Family and currently ranked ninth among the True Disciples of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect. Her influence was considerable.

Ruan Lingxiu mulled it over for a moment before nodding. "I will keep an eye on him. As a True Successor Candidate... the Sect itself pays close attention to geniuses like him. As long as he is strong enough and knows how to assess situations, it’s not impossible for him to carve out a place for himself."

Afterwards, the three of them chatted about old times and recent events, and the atmosphere relaxed again.

As they were about to part, Ruan Lingxiu took out two Jade Tokens from her sleeve and handed them to Shen Xiuyong and Qiao Hongyun. "Each of these has five hundred Contribution Points. Consider it a small token of my regard. You’ll find them useful, having just entered the Inner Sect."

Shen Xiuyong and Qiao Hongyun exchanged a look.

Qiao Hongyun was the first to speak. "Lingxiu, we appreciate the thought, but these Contribution Points are too valuable. We can’t accept them."

Shen Xiuyong also smiled. "That’s right, Old Qiao is right. We were once Elders of our own sect, after all. We still have some pride. We can earn Contribution Points on our own. You should take these Jade Tokens back."

Seeing their firm refusal, Ruan Lingxiu said softly, "Xiuyong, Hongyun, we’ve known each other since we were nobodies. How can our friendship be measured by a few mere Contribution Points? Just take this as a small gesture from an old friend to help you have an easier start in the Inner Sect. If you really feel you can’t accept it, then consider it a loan. It won’t be too late to pay me back when you’re better off."

She looked at the two of them with clear eyes.

Shen Xiuyong and Qiao Hongyun glanced at each other. They knew Ruan Lingxiu’s personality well; she appeared gentle, but was actually very strong-willed. Since she had already offered them, forcibly refusing would only make things awkward and distant.

Besides, five hundred Contribution Points was indeed a significant amount of resources for an Inner Sect Disciple, and it would be a great help to their current Cultivation.

Shen Xiuyong let out a long sigh and finally reached out to take the Jade Token. "Lingxiu, you... ahem, fine, fine. We’ll shamelessly borrow them from you, then. We will definitely repay you in the future."

He weighed the Jade Token in his hand; it felt heavy.

Qiao Hongyun also accepted his silently, murmuring, "Thank you... Senior Sister Lingxiu."

This address of "Senior Sister" sounded more distant and more complicated than any time before.

Seeing them accept, a faint smile returned to Ruan Lingxiu’s face. "That’s more like it. Fellow disciples should support each other. I hope everything goes smoothly for you in the Inner Sect and that you establish yourselves quickly."

She chatted with them for a little longer, mostly offering words of encouragement and concern, but the atmosphere was ultimately not as natural and casual as it had been at the beginning.

Outside the window, the sky was growing dark, so Ruan Lingxiu stood up to leave. "The hour is late. Let’s end it here for today. Take care, you two."

Shen Xiuyong and Qiao Hongyun quickly stood up to see her off.

At the entrance of the Gathering Immortals Tower, Ruan Lingxiu stopped, gave the two a slight nod, and disappeared down the bustling street.

Shen Xiuyong and Qiao Hongyun stood there for a long time, staring in the direction she had gone.

The early winter wind blew past, carrying a biting chill, but it was nothing compared to the empty, uncomfortable feeling in their hearts.

Those five hundred Contribution Points were like a mirror, reflecting the chasm between them and her.

"Let’s go, Old Qiao," Shen Xiuyong said, clapping Qiao Hongyun on the shoulder. "Back to the mountain."

Qiao Hongyun nodded silently. Without another word, they walked side by side toward Xu Wang Mountain.

The anticipation and nervousness they had felt on their way here had been replaced by an indescribable sense of melancholy and sober realization.

Perhaps this was what reality was always meant to look like.

.....

「Night deepened.」

Incense swirled within the Warm Pavilion, dispelling the winter night’s chill.

A man stood by the window, gazing at the light snow falling outside.

His features were handsome, but his eyes held a chilling coldness. This was none other than Zhong Yu, the third-ranked True Disciple of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect and Ruan Lingxiu’s husband.

The soft sound of footsteps echoed as a maidservant in a pale lavender dress entered the Warm Pavilion. She bowed with downcast eyes and said, "Young Master."

Zhong Yu did not turn around. His voice was flat and emotionless. "Has the madam returned?"

The maidservant’s heart tightened, and she lowered her head even further. "Replying to the Young Master, the madam has not yet returned to the estate."

"Oh?"

Zhong Yu finally turned around slowly. His gaze, like a deep and ancient well, fell upon the maidservant. "Where did she go? She didn’t even take you with her?"

This maidservant’s name was Youlan. She was a house-born servant of the Zhong Family and had served Zhong Yu since childhood; no one understood his temperament better than she did.