Get Lost, Rebellious Disciple (13)

She had been stuck at the Nascent Soul stage for years, while her own disciple was about to reach it.

"Just go wash up and sleep," Little Wei waved her hand dismissively. "Being a Nascent Soul cultivator isn’t all that great."

The cultivation ranks in this world were fairly straightforward:

Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation, Tribulation Crossing, and Great Ascension.

The final step was ascending to divinity.

Though the stages sounded few, each one could take an eternity to break through. Some people never even made it past Nascent Soul in their lifetime—Little Wei mused that this probably referred to her.

After Nascent Soul came the Nine Heavens Lightning Tribulation. She was too delicate for that—who’d want to get struck by lightning?

"I think it’s great. I’ll definitely become a powerful Nascent Soul cultivator," Little Wei had said offhandedly, but her disciple took it far too seriously.

Little Wei: "..."

Emmm…

Forgive her for not knowing what to say—she just wanted to babble incoherently.

"Fine, aim higher then. Forget Nascent Soul—let’s ascend to divinity!" Little Wei suddenly felt a surge of confidence.

Her little disciple: "..."

Little Wei was getting cheekier by the day.

But Duan Lingyun was a fragment of Si’s soul—a divine soul fragment could never surpass the limits of this world’s power. No matter how talented she was, she’d be stuck at the Great Ascension stage for life.

Still, as a fragment of Si’s soul, reaching Great Ascension would already be an incredible feat.

Hearing Little Wei’s words, Duan Lingyun froze for a moment.

"…Is that really possible?" she asked.

But if she ascended, wouldn’t that mean leaving her master behind?

The thought made her hesitate. She had grown so used to her master’s presence and companionship—if one day her master was no longer by her side, she’d miss her terribly.

She wasn’t sure when this feeling had taken root, but since it was her master, Duan Lingyun didn’t think there was anything wrong with it. Anyone with emotions would feel attached to someone who had guided and cared for them.

Little Wei, however, never expected her casual remark to be taken so seriously.

"Just go wash up and sleep. We don’t need to be that strong—as long as we can protect the people and things we care about, that’s enough," Little Wei said while picking at her spirit rice, enunciating each word for Duan Lingyun.

She didn’t want to burden her disciple too much. Stress would only slow her cultivation progress.

"Master… do you have someone you like?" Duan Lingyun seized on one particular phrase.

Little Wei: "???"

How did the conversation take this turn?

"Well… not at the moment," Little Wei replied awkwardly, not daring to voice her true thoughts.

Duan Lingyun’s expression softened slightly at that.

But before she could react, her master leaned in, almond-shaped eyes wide with curiosity.

"What about you? Do you have someone?" Little Wei asked.

Duan Lingyun shook her head hurriedly.

"Of course not. I don’t need that. I just…" need my master.

She bit back the words and quickly amended, "I just need enough cultivation strength so that Master can accompany me on training trips in the future."

Little Wei eyed her skeptically for a long moment.

Duan Lingyun kept her expression perfectly neutral.

"Fine. Anyway, we’re heading out soon."

Little Wei had no idea what the sect leader had told the other peak masters, but no one brought up the matter again.

Soon, it was time to take the disciples on their training expedition.

Since these trips were usually conducted in batches, Little Wei and the Alchemy Peak’s master were only responsible for about a dozen disciples this time.

Cheng Yuguang was the team captain, with Ye Mingtian as his deputy.

The Alchemy Peak master was a kindly-looking old man in his fifties or sixties, with a white beard and squinting eyes.

"Listen up, brats. You’re in good hands with me—but don’t expect me to babysit you. This is a training trip, and Master Gu and I are just here to supervise. We won’t lift a finger unless your lives are in danger."

"Our destination is the famed Sunset Forest in the Canglan Continent, home to countless spirit beasts and herbs—a perfect training ground for cultivators. We’ll be heading there shortly. Stow anything that identifies you as Qingdao Sect disciples—we don’t want to draw attention."

"Master, why? Being from Qingdao Sect is an honor!" one disciple protested.

"Honor or not, who in the martial world flaunts their background? If anyone asks, say you’re just a group of friends traveling together. Got it? Keep a low profile," the Alchemy Peak master huffed, stroking his beard in exasperation.

Hopeless. Absolutely hopeless.

Meanwhile, Little Wei sat slumped in her chair, half-asleep.

The disciples exchanged despairing glances.

Were these two masters even reliable?

Ahem. "Alright, now let’s hear a few words of encouragement from Master Zhongling!" the Alchemy Peak master announced, only to turn and find Little Wei staring blankly at the crowd, looking utterly clueless.

"Master Gu?" He coughed pointedly.

Little Wei snapped out of her daze.

"I don’t have much to say. Just remember to eat well and don’t skimp on yourselves."

The disciples’ despair deepened.

These two were utterly useless.

"Right, well, moving on—" The Alchemy Peak master waved his hand, and a massive flying ark materialized before them.

"Whoa!"

The disciples gaped in awe.

"Master, is that—?"

"Ahem. This is the sect’s expedition vessel. It can house all of us and fly straight to Sunset Forest. Not as fast as sword flight, but much quicker than traveling on foot. Now, board quickly and pick your cabins."

A jade staircase descended from the ark. Though steep, it was no trouble for cultivators, who easily bounded up.

Little Wei marveled at the extravagant sight. Only the Qingdao Sect could afford such a luxurious group transport.

Duan Lingyun, already aboard, glanced back at her master. Little Wei flew up to join her.

"What’s up?" she asked her senior disciple.

"I want to stay close to Master," Duan Lingyun stated bluntly.

The Alchemy Peak master chuckled.

"Master Zhongling’s little disciple, still clinging to her master at this age? How embarrassing."

Duan Lingyun lowered her eyes without a word.

"Fine, fine. But we’ll be piloting the ark, so our cabins will be near the front—closest to the outside."

And to any potential danger. Spirit beasts didn’t just roam the ground.

"Understood," Duan Lingyun agreed quickly.

Once she’d been assigned a cabin and left to settle in, the Alchemy Peak master turned to Little Wei.

"Master Gu, your disciple is awfully clingy—not at all like her usual self."

Little Wei stroked her chin thoughtfully.

"Maybe it’s because… I treat my disciples well?"

There was no way Duan Lingyun could have feelings for her at this point. If it were Big Cheng, she’d have already kissed her by now.

Ugh, just thinking about it makes me blush. No, no, no!

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