Chapter 28: Delivering Treasures

Had anyone else spoken, they would surely have been rebuffed.

But the person who had arrived was Su Yuwei!

Su Yuwei walked over slowly. She had changed into a slightly loose black robe that made her appear somewhat petite, yet those calm, serene eyes remained as captivating as ever.

"Young Miss!"
"Young Miss!"

All three men immediately restrained their expressions. As inner sect elders, their status was exceptionally high. Having finally encountered a prodigy who had triggered the bell five times, they were naturally doing everything in their power to take him on as a disciple. Every inner sect disciple had the right to choose a mentor from among the many inner sect elders. The Lihuo Sect had established this rule primarily to ensure that the sect’s legacy was passed down closely from one generation to the next. Inner sect disciples already possessed superior talent; once taken in by an elder, they could be nurtured with even greater care. In this way, the success rate for producing talent was far higher than it would be under loose management. To secure the most promising disciples, the elders would also exhaust themselves to improve their own combat power and cultivation, striving to maintain a significant competitive advantage over their peers. This was the very reason why the Lihuo Sect had always remained the top power across the five nations!

"You may leave. He will not be taking anyone as a master," Su Yuwei stated calmly. Her voice was as clear as a spring.

The three men fell silent. Since the young mistress herself had spoken, they had no choice but to desist. After bowing, the three departed.

Lin Chen looked at Su Yuwei with some confusion. "How exactly is this 'five chimes of the bell' determined?" He had only entered the Lihuo Sect after winning the tournament in the Great Cang Kingdom, and his status was merely that of an outer sect disciple. By all accounts, there were far too many people more prestigious than him; why was he the one receiving the treatment of five chimes? Furthermore, the sect had not even assessed his talent, so who had given the order?

"I was the one who made the ancient bell chime five times," Su Yuwei said, pulling out a wine gourd and speaking with a calm expression. "As for why..."

Lin Chen pricked up his ears, wanting to hear her reasons. Even he himself did not understand where he was outstanding enough to warrant this.

"Because it was fun."

After saying this, Su Yuwei lifted the gourd and took a sip. A faint flush quickly flashed across her flawless, jade-like face. Her previously indifferent demeanor suddenly became somewhat vivid and more approachable.

"Hah." She exhaled a breath of wine, the scent as delicate as an orchid, and fixed her beautiful eyes on Lin Chen with interest, as if she wanted to see his reaction.

***

Lin Chen was stunned at first, then asked in disbelief, "Just because it was fun?"

"Yes." Su Yuwei sat in the garden pavilion, her delicate nose wrinkling slightly. "The bell has chimed five times, and for hundreds of years, no one else has achieved it. Every disciple in the entire sect will treat you as a target to challenge. Don't you think that’s fun?"

Lin Chen frowned. Fun? Where was the fun in that?

"Next time, please do not make any decisions on my behalf," Lin Chen said, taking a deep breath, his voice very calm. Were it not for the fact that he needed her help, he would have turned on her long ago. By what right did she make such a decision for him? He only wanted to cultivate in peace and grow stronger while keeping a low profile. Once he had sufficient strength, he would go to seek revenge against Su Huanxue and the Wind Sword Sect! Why were you causing me trouble?

*Do you think I want to be bothered with you? If not for Lin Tianming's instructions...* Su Yuwei thought, unable to help but snort coldly.

"What about Lin Ning'er? I am going to treat her injuries." Su Yuwei shook her wine gourd and took another drink.

"In that state, will you be alright?" Lin Chen asked, feeling somewhat uneasy. His sister did not cultivate, and her body was frail; he could not afford any accidents.

"You talk too much." Su Yuwei narrowed her eyes, looking as lazy as a cat under the sun. She stood up and walked into the room, closing the door behind her.

Lin Chen frowned; he truly could not understand Su Yuwei! If she were a bad person, she wouldn't have helped him at the Great Cang Kingdom arena, nor would she have volunteered to purge the cold poison from his sister. Moreover, she had been taught by his grandfather for two years. His grandfather was a man of integrity; he would never have passed down his spiritual patterns and marvelous techniques to someone of poor character. Yet, if she were a good person, why would she act on her own initiative to trigger the five chimes and make him a target for everyone? What exactly was she trying to do?

"Lin Chen, still thinking about her?" Tuntun jumped onto Lin Chen's shoulder, sighing, "Tell me, this girl is so cold and lazy toward everyone else, acting as if no one can get close to her. Why is she so talkative only when she's with you?"

"How would I know? I wish she talked less!" Lin Chen retorted irritably.

"I know! Usually, when a girl talks that much to you, she must like you!" Tuntun said triumphantly, dancing about. "Lin Chen, you've got to put in some effort. She’s the top prodigy of the five nations and the young mistress of the Lihuo Sect. Once you win her over, you can sit back and rely on her for the rest of your life! By then, you can find me a mother-tree..."

"I'll find your grandfather!" Lin Chen punched Tuntun, sending the creature flying.

"Damn it, Lin Chen, you heartless guy!" Tuntun shrieked. "I'll fight you!"

Just as the man and the tree were bickering, the door opened with a "bang." Su Yuwei walked out expressionlessly and said, "The cold poison in her body is severe. The entire treatment process will take at least half a year!"

"Half a year?" Lin Chen was shocked to hear this. Was she really that far gone?

"I will return in three days." Su Yuwei walked out of the courtyard.

"Th... thank you." Lin Chen hesitated before expressing his gratitude. Su Yuwei paused, her back to him, and said faintly, "No need to thank me. I promised Lin Tianming I would look after you two."

Lin Chen gave a bitter smile. Hearing this from Su Yuwei sounded strange. After all, she was roughly the same age as him. "Look after"? It did sound a bit odd!

***

Late that night, after Lin Chen had settled Lin Ning'er in and prepared to cultivate, there was a knock at the door. Lin Chen opened it to find Xu Kun and was surprised. "It's late, Elder Xu. Is there something you need?"

"Take these three-pattern spirit jades, and this bead... this is called a Spirit Gathering Bead. It is a spirit weapon inscribed with a level-three spiritual pattern. If you hold it while you cultivate, it will speed up your absorption of heaven and earth energy!" Xu Kun dumped a pile of treasures in front of him, introducing them one by one.

"This... isn't this too valuable?" Lin Chen was astonished. "Would the sect really issue so many treasures to an outer sect disciple?"

"What are you thinking? The young mistress ordered me to bring these to you." Xu Kun glanced at Lin Chen, his voice soft and somewhat feminine. "Don't even mention outer sect disciples; even those inner sect disciples don't get treatment this good!"

"Su Yuwei?" Lin Chen raised an eyebrow. Was it her?

"Oh, right. The young mistress also wanted me to tell you that these cultivation resources don't come without conditions. In the sect grand competition three months from now, she expects you to place in the top three at least!" Xu Kun sighed; he, an outer sect elder, was practically running errands now.