Chapter 132 — Chief Sword Cultivator, the Position of Chief

A pain that gnawed at her bones.

An itch like ants crawling and biting through her limbs, and her blood, coursing along her meridians, seemed to carry a ball of fire that scorched wherever it passed.

In the darkness, her chest felt suffocated, as if a mountain pressed down on her, leaving her unable to breathe.

Something was poured into her mouth—she choked violently.

Lian Mu jolted awake from her dream, her whole body icy cold, then burst into uncontrollable coughs.

The bitter taste in her mouth helped clear her mind a little, though her head still felt heavy.

She forced down the metallic-tasting medicine and finally saw who was in front of her.

It was Ji Mingyue.

“Lian Mu, how did you wreck your body like this?” Ji Mingyue held a bowl of pitch-black medicine that reeked of an odd, fishy stench.

Lian Mu looked around. She was back in her own quarters.

She tried to get out of bed to find some water to wash away the bitterness in her mouth, but Ji Mingyue stopped her. “The elder is waiting outside for you. Today, you must tell him everything, clearly.”

Lian Mu said, “Let him in, then.”

Ji Mingyue went to open the door. Sure enough, Murong Yi was standing outside. The moment he stepped in, Xu Xianxing and the others crowded in behind him.

In the time it took Lian Mu to turn her head, the room was already packed. They all surrounded her bed, each face grave.

Lian Mu sighed. “…Elder, I’m not dead yet.”

Murong Yi said, “You’ve slept for two days. Everyone outside is asking about you.”

Lian Mu felt a little dazed. She had actually been unconscious for two days? It felt like it had just happened a moment ago.

Seeing her brows knit slightly, Xu Xianxing quietly slipped her a few candied fruits.

“Lian Mu, are you hiding something from me?” Murong Yi asked helplessly.

This wasn’t the first time he had seen blood seep from Lian Mu’s eyes. Back in the illusion realm, he had thought she was just wounded by the Mirror Beast and would recover with some rest. He hadn’t expected her body to be so much weaker than he’d imagined.

Those few probing moves from Sect Master Shen hadn’t been that powerful. With her usual strength, she could have easily handled them. But this time, she had spilled blood all over half of Biyun Platform.

Knowing she couldn’t hide it anymore, Lian Mu admitted, “My spiritual root wasn’t innate. It was reforged.”

Her words stunned Murong Yi on the spot. Xu Xianxing and Bai Li Que froze too.

“You…” Murong Yi’s expression darkened instantly. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Lian Mu said calmly, “It hadn’t been a problem, so I didn’t plan to say anything. I’d been fine all this time.”

It was just recently that things had gone wrong—if she used her spiritual power too much, she would bleed uncontrollably, and her dantian felt like it was burning.

Ji Mingyue said coldly, “Your dantian can’t take it anymore. If you keep this up, it’ll shatter sooner or later.”

Murong Yi pressed on, “And what about that sword strike in the illusion realm?”

Ji Mingyue also stared at her. Being pinned by everyone’s gazes, Lian Mu answered blankly, “I got tricked. Took the wrong medicine. And somehow… ended up with three Heavenly Spiritual Roots.”

The room fell into a bizarre silence.

Xu Xianxing: “…Huh?”
Bai Li Que: “?”
Ji Mingyue was stunned too. “Three Heavenly Spiritual Roots… that’s ridiculous.”
Murong Yi: “…”

Ridiculous as it was, on Lian Mu, he found himself half believing it.

There was no better explanation.

She definitely wasn’t demon race—then it could only be a Heavenly Spiritual Root. As for whether she really had three…

Murong Yi took a deep breath and steadied his tone. “You must return to Returning Immortal Sect. I’ve already made arrangements. You leave tomorrow.”

Lian Mu protested, “Elder, I—”

“No discussion.” Murong Yi cut her off sternly. “This isn’t a joke. A reforged spiritual root and a damaged dantian are serious enough. Look at your condition now—if you keep delaying, it could cost your life.”

“Rest today. Tomorrow, you return to Returning Immortal Sect immediately. There’s still time before the next match. Focus on recovering your health first.” Murong Yi seemed about to say something more but held back in the end.

“…Lian Mu, stop trying to handle everything alone. Some things are beyond your control at your age. Remember, Returning Immortal Sect stands behind you. As long as you speak up, we’ll do everything we can to help. Don’t ruin your future just to act tough in the moment.”

Lian Mu could only relent. “Alright. I’ll do as you say.”

Murong Yi said, “Ji Mingyue will go back with you. It’ll be safer with her there.”

At this, Wen Yun chimed in, “I want to go too. I can handle demonic beasts.”

Xu Xianxing added, “Elder, my silver kite is faster than anyone else’s. I can get us back to the sect in a day.”

Bai Li Que offered, “I can relay messages and keep you updated at all times.”

Murong Yi, expecting them to make a fuss, refused directly. “No. The chief team can’t spare too many people. Aside from Ji Mingyue, the rest of you stay put.”

Then he turned back to Lian Mu. “Before you leave, Sect Master Shen wants to see you. If you’re willing, have Ji Mingyue take you to him.”

Lian Mu had no fond opinion of the Clear Thought Sect’s sect master. “What does he want with me?”

“He promised you compensation. You might as well get some benefits while you can.” Murong Yi said mildly, “Sect Master Shen is an old acquaintance—half my teacher, in a way. Whatever the sect rivalry, he’s a decent man. Don’t hold back; ask for what you want.”

Lian Mu’s mouth twitched. “…Thank you for the reminder, Elder.”

Why did she feel like Murong Yi actually hoped she’d fleece Sect Master Shen for as much as possible?

Having said all he needed to say, Murong Yi left with Xu Xianxing and the others, telling her to rest, leaving only Ji Mingyue behind in the room.

Once the others were gone, she and Ji Mingyue locked eyes. The atmosphere turned awkward.

Ji Mingyue raised a brow. “Took the wrong medicine? Care to explain? Didn’t you refine it yourself?”

Lian Mu popped a candied fruit into her mouth; the sweetness cut through the bitterness and fishy taste. She said flatly, “I did. But there was an error from the start. The Feng Clan Secret Arts book I studied from had been tampered with.”

She gave a simple rundown. Ji Mingyue listened silently for a long while.

“It wasn’t until a few days ago that I realized the pill formula I used was from the Heavenly Spiritual Root section,” she added.

Ji Mingyue frowned. “Talk about a lucky mishap. Good thing whoever meddled with it just shuffled the chapters instead of scrambling every page. Otherwise, the consequences would’ve been unimaginable.”

Lian Mu felt the same relief. Back then, she’d trusted Returning Immortal Sect’s library pavilion too much, assuming every book in its collection was reliable. She hadn’t expected there to be defective ones hidden among them.

“Why could I even refine a pill that reforges a spiritual root into a Heavenly Spiritual Root?” she asked. “Back then, I only knew how to follow recipes step by step.”

Ji Mingyue said, “Of course you could. A reforging pill for a Heavenly Spiritual Root doesn’t depend on your own aptitude. What matters is technique and luck. Before Master Feng reforged his root, he was just a trash spiritual root himself.”

“As for your body now, there’s not much more I can do. Once we’re back at Returning Immortal Sect, I’ll have my master examine you properly.” Ji Mingyue told her, “So behave yourself and stop running around.”

Lian Mu relented. “Fine. Take me to Sect Master Shen, then.”

She got out of bed, tidied herself up, and left with Ji Mingyue.

Ji Mingyue had her take a spiritual replenishment pill. It wasn’t as effective as the ones she made herself but would do for now.

Her quarters were quiet, but the moment she stepped out, everyone she passed turned to stare.

Expressionless, Lian Mu walked past the training grounds. Seeing her, disciples from other sects paused their sparring and eyed her sideways.

“She’s fine now?” someone whispered. “Guan Huailin, looks like your position as chief is in danger.”

Guan Huailin was there too. Everyone glanced back and forth between him and Lian Mu, weighing them against each other.

Although no one knew exactly what had happened, the Spirit-Testing Stone wouldn’t be wrong—Lian Mu was now someone with a Heavenly Spiritual Root.

“Chief Guan, if Lian Mu turns out to be stronger than you, shouldn’t the Returning Immortal Sect’s Chief Sword Cultivator position be reassigned?”

Everyone knew Guan Huailin was the only single-root cultivator among the four sects’ chief disciples, and his ranking on the Yulan List was lower than the rest. Moreover, his leadership style was gentle and conservative, far less forceful than other sword cultivator leaders.

Naturally, Guan Huailin also saw Lian Mu. His expression didn’t change as he said, “The chief position has always belonged to the capable—being replaced is normal.”

Lian Mu heard him and stopped walking. Meeting Guan Huailin’s gaze, she found no trace of annoyance; even surrounded by people whispering mockingly, he remained calm.

Since she was already here, Lian Mu wouldn’t just let it slide. “Matters of the Returning Immortal Sect are not for outsiders to gossip about. You’d all do well to shut your mouths, lest you suffer in the next illusion trial.”

She smiled faintly; just two short sentences were enough to make disciples from the other sects look displeased.

“……”

Everyone knew Lian Mu’s knack for dealing with trouble—no one wanted her attention on them.

The entire dueling ground instantly fell silent.

Guan Huailin walked over and asked gently, “Junior Sister, how’s your health?”

“I’m fine. It was just an accident before; I’ve mostly recovered.” In front of others, Lian Mu mixed truth with falsehood. “Tomorrow, I have to make a trip back to the Returning Immortal Sect.”

“As long as you’re well—everyone’s been worried about you,” Guan Huailin said. “I heard Sect Master Shen asked to see you alone—be careful when you go…”

“Don’t worry, Senior Brother. It’s just a meeting.” Lian Mu was sure Sect Master Shen wouldn’t harm her—after all, everyone knew she was going to see him. On the contrary, Sect Master Shen likely hoped nothing would happen to her on the way.

Seeing her face so pale, Guan Huailin seemed about to say more, but Lian Mu spoke first. “Senior Brother Guan, you don’t actually believe what they’re saying, do you?”

Hearing this, Guan Huailin lowered his eyes. “I follow the elders’ arrangements.”

“I won’t steal the chief position.” Lian Mu said bluntly. “The Returning Immortal Sect’s Chief Sword Cultivator is still you. I’ll be leaving tomorrow. When I’m gone, others will try to sow discord—don’t believe them.”

“You… why?” Guan Huailin was slightly taken aback.

Lian Mu replied, “You’ve spent years traveling and have broader experience than I do—naturally, you’re more suitable.”

She didn’t want to be chief because the chief team had to enter illusion trials bound together, and she was used to acting alone, which made it easier to handle other things too.

Besides, her body was unstable and her damaged dantian still untreated—now was not the time.

Guan Huailin smiled a little helplessly. “No matter how much I travel, it can’t match natural talent. Before, I thought my strength was decent, but coming to the Immortal Sect Grand Competition made me realize—among the four sects’ sword cultivators, I’m only average.”

After three illusion trials, his rank hadn’t risen; in fact, it had slightly slipped. The one who consistently surpassed him was that Clear Thought Sect’s new chief, Gong Rumei, who had joined the sect less than two months ago with a Heavenly Spiritual Root.

A few years of travel couldn’t compare to someone’s two months.

Lian Mu said, “Who says so? Even the naturally gifted have moments of failure. I believe you’ll surpass those Heavenly Spiritual Root sword cultivators one day.”

“Let’s hope so.” Guan Huailin looked into the distance, lost in thought. “Junior Sister, this trip back will be hard on you—take care along the way.”