19 Sect Master and Shu Yidan 2 (1/2)
”…Why do you ask that? Why give up on becoming the Sect Master?” The Sect Master asked after a long pause.
”I have a duty to the Shu Clan after all. While I sincerely desire to serve our Heavenly Wind Sect as the succeeding Sect Master, I also have the duty to revive the Shu Clan. That's why…” Shu Yidan's reply had a regretful tone.
”But, why Xiaoyi? You've only met her a few hours ago and that meeting… it likely left a bad impression on you. There are other people who you can recommend to me, people who would give up anything for that chance.” The Sect Master asked.
”The moment before I met Xiaoyi, I was in dual cultivation with my Dao Companion. I am pretty confident with my essence-controlling skill and was being cautious, only circulating 2/3rds of my essence force. And somehow, I lost control and ended up parting with the entirety of my essence force… and then my Dao Companion had a breakthrough, consuming the entirety of my essence force with the returned energy barely letting me keep my cultivation to Golden Core Initial Stage. Such misfortune is a bit… uncharacteristic. If she truly is so lucky then…” Shu Yidan said after some thought. He planned on giving away his cultivation from the start, but he wanted his cultivation realm to be Golden Core Early Stage at the least. Yet it strangely fell a step below.
”Luck is fundamentally unreliable.”
”Well then, I'll trust your ability of choosing disciples. You are the Sect Master, after all.”
…
After a brief pause, the Sect Master sighed.
”…The Shu Clan has a good descendent. Your parents and grandfather, I owed them a great favor and so I promised to have their descendent succeed me. Your grandfather would be pleased… Your disposition has certainly changed for the better.” The Sect Master slowly said.
”Don't talk about my damned disposition. I am miles better than your new brat. You are planning to pass on your entire sword cultivation inheritance to her, right?” Shu Yidan asked suspiciously.
”Certainly. Do you want to learn the sword as well? I…” The Sect Master immediately began with an excited tone.
”Never, blades are good enough for me. Your 'lesson' was fucking informative, I am not going to split my attention to other weapons. Ever.” Shu Yidan's tone was unamused.
”…Your loss, then. I shall then take back the Altar of the Founder. What do you want in exchange?” The Sect Master spoke with a wry smile.
”I want the Azurewind Plains, meaning the Azurewind Peak and the area surrounding it, the place that my Shu Clan owned. I need to get started with reestablishing the Shu Clan.” Shu Yidan immediately spoke.
”…Your clan's ancestral plot was never given away and you already own it as the heir of the exterminated Shu Clan.” The Sect Master glanced at Shu Yidan as if judging his intelligence.
”Oh yeah, I am the Clan Heir and grandfather is the Clan Ancestor. It is a pretty small clan, anyway.” Shu Yidan's reply caused the Sect Master to smile.
”So, WHAT do you want?”
”I want the entire sect to know that I am now Lord of Azurewind Plain.”
…
There was silence for a moment, before the Sect Master begun. ”…Of course, the Sect will know that the Sect Master gave his disciple a place to establish his faction.” The Sect Master had a troubled expression.
”Screw it, I can't think of anything now. I'll use this favor some other time, a half-step Void Refining's help is pretty fucking useful at any time.” Shu Yidan said while gritting his teeth.
”For only the next 60 years.”