78: Chapter 78 Sect Forbidden Ground

Steward Wu's expression suddenly turned serious as he spoke solemnly.

"Our Sect has an iron rule: The Mine is a Forbidden Ground for Cultivators."

"If we allowed Cultivators to enter The Mine at will and hide in the Mine Cave to Cultivate, it would inevitably disturb the surrounding Spiritual Qi."

"The Spirit Stone inside the Mine Cave are fragile and sensitive."

"Once affected by the Cultivation of a Cultivator, the Spiritual Qi within the Spirit Stone would be ruined."

"Consequently, eight or nine out of ten Spirit Stone mined would become useless waste."

"It is precisely to ensure the quality of the Spirit Stone mined that the Sect established this rule, strictly forbidding Cultivators from setting foot in The Mine."

Steward Wu's gaze was heavy, his expression full of concern.

"Given your current situation, only by entering the Sect will you have better resources to Cultivate."

"If you can become an Inner Sect Disciple, the treatment is vastly different; you would receive one thousand Spirit Stone every month."

"These Spirit Stone would be of great benefit to your current Cultivation Bottleneck. How about I recommend you to the Sect Master?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Song's eyes were filled with surprise and gratitude.

"Many thanks for Steward Wu's great kindness; I will keep it in my heart!"

Steward Wu smiled and said.

"Having such an Opportunity is your own good fortune. Cultivate well, and in the future, bring glory to the Sect."

"Wait here for a moment; I will return shortly."

With that, Steward Wu hurriedly produced his Flying Sword, stepped onto it, and flew away like a streak of light, rushing toward the Sect Master's residence.

Not long after, Steward Wu arrived at the Sect Master's place of meditation.

It was a quiet and secluded place, surrounded by dense Spiritual Qi.

"Knock, knock."

He tapped on the door, his movements carrying a hint of caution.

"Enter."

Hearing the steady voice from within, Steward Wu pushed the door open and entered.

"Sect Master, I have an urgent matter to report!"

The Sect Master slowly opened his eyes, brows slightly furrowed, a flash of displeasure in his eyes as he rebuked.

"What is so urgent? What kind of behavior is this! Those who Cultivate the Dao should be steady and composed. What does this flustered appearance look like!"

Steward Wu hurriedly lowered his head, his voice tinged with panic.

"Please calm your anger, Sect Master; this matter is truly of great importance."

"Your subordinate discovered someone who obtained Spirit-Essence Five-Color Marrow, and Five-Element Spiritual Root has formed within his body."

"Because of such a strange occurrence, your subordinate was anxious and lost composure. I beg the Sect Master's forgiveness."

The Sect Master's expression, originally indifferent, suddenly froze upon hearing Steward Wu's words.

His eyes widened, filled with disbelief.

"What? Spirit-Essence Five-Color Marrow and Five-Element Spiritual Root? Is this true?"

After speaking, he rose quickly and took two steps, his gaze shooting toward Steward Wu like a knife, as if to see through him and verify the truth.

Steward Wu hurriedly bowed again and said with a sincere expression.

"Sect Master, this is absolutely true."

"Your subordinate personally checked his pulse and detected the Five-Element Spiritual Root in his body; it is definitely not false. Knowing the gravity of this matter, I dared not harbor the slightest deception."

The Sect Master pondered for a moment, the doubt in his eyes fading, and he began to pace back and forth, muttering to himself.

"Five-Element Spiritual Root, rare to see in a thousand years... It is just that the resources required for Cultivation are immense and it is difficult to grow."

Subsequently, he turned to look at Steward Wu, his expression becoming serious.

"What is this child's character like? If his character is flawed, I fear it may cause trouble in the future."

Steward Wu quickly responded: "Rest assured, Sect Master, this child is pure of heart."

"According to him, he has been practicing medicine and accumulating virtue for the past six years, helping the sick."

"This time, he truthfully informed me of his encounter without any concealment, which is enough to show he is honest and trustworthy."

"Very well, go and bring him to see me immediately." This usually composed Sect Master could no longer remain calm at this moment.

Steward Wu received the order and turned to walk quickly out the door.

After Steward Wu hurried away, the Sect Master's expression was grave as he slowly rose and walked out of the room.

Immediately, a ring on his right index finger lit up with a dazzling spiritual light.

Ten colorful small flags and a piece of jade the size of a palm appeared in his hand in the blink of an eye.

With a wave of his arm, the ten small flags shot toward the surroundings, silently sinking into the ground.

With everything set, the Sect Master turned and stepped over the threshold, entering the room.

The corners of his mouth curled slightly, and a subtle, imperceptible smile appeared.

Steward Wu, stepping on his three-colored Flying Sword, arrived before Yun Song in just a moment.

Without a word, he reached out with his right hand like an eagle's claw, firmly lifted Yun Song, and said urgently.

"Stand steady! The Sect Master wants to see you; come with me to pay your respects to the Sect Master quickly."

Before Yun Song could react to this sudden action, the three-colored Flying Sword beneath his feet suddenly exerted force.

"Whoosh."

Like an arrow released from a bow, it flew straight up into the high sky.

A strong sense of weightlessness struck instantly. Yun Song felt his heart tighten violently and subconsciously grabbed Steward Wu tightly with both hands, eyes squeezed shut.

Steward Wu sensed Yun Song's tension and, while controlling the Flying Sword, offered comfort.

"Don't be afraid! Just hold on to me; this Flying Sword is very steady, and we will be there soon."

He deliberately slowed down, soothing him softly: "Once you achieve Foundation Establishment, you will also be able to fly with a sword like this."

Feeling the vibration beneath his feet and the rushing wind, Yun Song still gripped Steward Wu's arm tightly, not daring to open his eyes.

After a while, they arrived at the Sect Master's residence. Only when they landed on the ground and his figure stabilized did he open his eyes.

Steward Wu straightened his own robes and helped smooth out Yun Song's disheveled clothing.

Only then did he step forward, raise his hand to knock on the door, and speak loudly.

"Sect Master, I have brought him."

"Enter!"

A low, mellow voice, yet lacking nothing in steadiness and majesty, came from inside the room.

Steward Wu pushed open the door and stepped in first.

Just as Yun Song was about to lift his foot to follow, he felt a flash of white light before his eyes. When he focused his gaze again, he had suddenly appeared in a quiet forest.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches, casting mottled light and shadows. The surroundings were so quiet that only the occasional bird call could be heard.

Just as he was full of confusion, wondering why he had suddenly arrived here, a noisy sound came from not far away.

"Little lady, why are you running?"

A hoarse male voice, wrapped in sticky laughter, pierced the silence.

Yun Song's heart tightened, and he immediately turned to look.

"Brother has followed you for three mountain roads; this fate cannot be missed." A big man drooled at the corner of his mouth.

And the woman pleaded with a tearful voice.

"I beg you to let me go... I still have a baby at home waiting for me to feed it..."

"Hehe!"

The big man let out a weird cackle: "After today, you will be my mountain stronghold wife! It's not bad to pick up a free father too."

"Rip."

The light green skirt was torn by branches, and she fell miserably into a pile of withered leaves.

"Oh oh oh!"

The pearl hairpin in her hair scattered, revealing a section of neck like snow.

The big man approached, stepping on the broken leaves, the long knife at his waist making a light sound with every step.

He licked his chapped lips, his gaze wandering over the woman like a poisonous snake.

"Look at this little face; it's even more pitiful when crying."

The woman curled up and retreated, her back hitting the tree trunk with no way to retreat: "Don't... don't come over!"

The man sneered, his rough palm suddenly reaching for the woman's chin.

"Come, let brother love you properly—"