42. Jiu Ci Goes to School

"Lin Jiuchi is Lin Jiuchi!" Venerable Wudao muttered stubbornly, trying to numb himself while staring at the girl.

In the days that followed, however, the Venerable’s heart remained unsettled. Lin Jiuchi’s speed at learning theory, her comprehension, and her ability to memorize were on par with her older sister, Lin Jiuge. Even her talent for manifesting power without the use of elemental energy was identical.

Venerable Wudao was exasperated. Could he take back what he had already said? But looking into Lin Jiuchi’s sparkling eyes, the words on his lips changed.

"Jiuchi, you learned that very well." Children still needed encouragement.

Lin Jiuchi was overjoyed. Today, her uncle—no, her master—had praised her. She was truly amazing.

Li Yun had observed his disciple throughout the day; she was very disciplined. The only time she spent on anything extra was on dressing Lin Jiuchi up. Lin Jiuchi was always shimmering, especially her hairstyles, which were never the same and grew more elaborate as she aged. He found his disciple to be patient with everything, especially toward her younger sister.

There were other siblings in the sect, but he had never seen a pair like these two. The elder sister would dress herself sloppily while making her sister look adorable, ensuring her outfit was never repeated. The younger sister, in turn, could not bear to be apart from her sister; she was fine during the day, but at night, she would refuse to sleep and would cry if her sister wasn't there.

The mortal realm selection process concluded quickly, and the glittering Lin Jiuchi blended into the group of newcomers. Her master had told her to study hard, and once she could guide energy into her body and enter the Awakening Realm, she could cultivate with him, just like her sister.

Among the children selected from the mortal realm, Lin Jiuchi was far too radiant. While other children, even those older than her, were trembling with nervousness, Lin Jiuchi smiled at everyone. She was naturally likable, and to make matters worse, word within the sect was that she had already been designated by Venerable Wudao as his personal disciple, just like her sister.

Among the group was a young boy, dressed just as opulently as Lin Jiuchi but several years her senior, who glared at her with hatred. Venerable Wudao had actually accepted this brat!

Lin Jiuchi keenly sensed an unfriendly aura. She turned her head and saw a big brother glaring at her. Who was this?

Soon, the person in charge arrived. Lin Jiuchi recognized her; she had reported some issues to her before, along with the Sect Master—no, her uncle.

The instructor naturally recognized Lin Jiuchi. Her sister, Lin Jiuge, was the formidable genius who had written "Quick Steps," a technique so practical that even the instructors used it. The technique had already spread among the elite disciples, and even ordinary disciples had heard of it, though the contribution point requirement was steep, and they were all working hard to save up for it. Consequently, when word got out that Lin Jiuge’s sister was beginning her cultivation, the disciples treated Lin Jiuchi with varying degrees of goodwill.

"I am your mentor, Tian Ting, and this is Tian Hao. We will guide you in your daily life. I hope you will all cultivate diligently and embark on the path of immortality. Do you understand?" Tian Ting announced.

"We understand!" everyone replied, subconsciously nervous and timid. Two voices, however, were exceptionally loud: one was Lin Jiuchi, for her sister had told her to respect whoever taught her; the other was the boy who had been glaring at her. Their eyes met, and neither was willing to back down.

"Those who can read, stand on the left. Those who cannot, stand on the right. Your curriculum will differ," Tian Ting continued, her gaze softening visibly when it landed on Lin Jiuchi.

Tian Ting and Tian Hao owed their current assignment entirely to Lin Jiuge. When Lin Jiuge had first posted tasks, many were hesitant, but they had taken them on with trepidation. Though the process had been brutal—punishing them to the point of wanting to give up several times—seeing the tiny Lin Jiuge work day after day, regardless of the weather, had made them realize the gap between them and the elite disciples.

If she, with such innate talent, could work so hard, what excuse did they have, with their mediocre aptitude? Every time they wanted to quit, they looked at Lin Jiuge and gritted their teeth. In the end, not only did they earn contribution points and spirit stones, but more importantly, their cultivation level had noticeably surpassed that of their peers.

Here, they transferred that sentiment for Lin Jiuge onto Lin Jiuchi.

As they split into two groups, Lin Jiuchi looked exceptionally small but stood out. There were many children in fine clothing, but none sparkled quite like her.

"Stinky girl."

"Hmph." Lin Jiuchi ignored him. Her sister said there was no need to be warm to someone who gave you the cold shoulder. She could ignore him, but she wouldn't stand for being bullied. If she couldn't win a fight, it didn't matter; she would just go home and have her sister teach her.

The boy’s eyes widened. That stinky girl actually dared to huff at him!

"Tell me, Junior Brother, are you sure you're at ease sending your own grandson there?" The Sect Master looked helplessly at the Head of the Artifact Hall. He knew how much his junior brother doted on that grandson; why would he be willing to let him out to be toughened up?

"Sect Master, do you think I want to? Ever since Boyu heard that Brother Wudao was taking in disciples, he’s been clamoring to meet Lin Jiuchi. It’s better for him to face reality sooner so he can return to the Artifact Hall and train properly," said Zhang Geng, the Head of the Artifact Hall, known as Venerable Wusi.

"So Boyu is feeling unconvinced?" The Sect Master realized. Great, his two senior brothers were always causing trouble, and he was the one who had to clean up the mess.

"What do you think? Brother, you know how much Boyu wanted to be Venerable Wudao’s disciple." Zhang Geng sighed. He only had one grandchild; he couldn't bear to be harsh with him, so he hoped he would realize the truth.

Little Lin Jiuchi sat in the front row, listening attentively. She had already learned the material, and in great detail, but that big brother next to her, who kept answering questions to show off his presence, was truly annoying.

Soon, the lesson ended, and the children were led to their temporary residence—a large courtyard where boys and girls lived separately, five to a room. Finally, only one girl, Lin Jiuchi, and Zhang Boyu—whose name she had finally learned—were left.

"You two, don't be late tomorrow," Tian Ting instructed. The two of them were additions to the group.

"Master, Jiuchi takes her leave," Lin Jiuchi bowed obediently.

"Hypocrite. Master, Boyu takes his leave," Zhang Boyu glared at Lin Jiuchi before bowing as well.

"Master, where are the two of them staying?" another child asked.

"They? They are staying elsewhere. Don't ask what you shouldn't," Tian Ting said, looking at the child who had asked.

The boy clenched his fists. Was this the cruelty of the immortal path? He just wanted to know who they were; they hadn't been with them on the journey here.

On the way, Lin Jiuchi and Zhang Boyu walked in mutual disdain, neither speaking to the other. They walked on opposite sides of the path. If they accidentally made eye contact, both would huff and turn away.

This was the scene that greeted Lin Jiuge, who had been worried about her sister all day and had come to pick her up.

"Jiuchi."