9 - Crazy! Criticizing the Prime Minister for Being a Servant

Mixed-blood individuals often have such heterogeneous bloodlines that embarking on a path of cultivation is generally beyond their reach. Even if they are fortunate enough to walk that path, they frequently possess inferior spiritual roots and lack innate talent, making their progress arduous and inefficient. Someone like her, with a high-grade spiritual root, is extremely rare. Therefore, for centuries, she has not been overly demanding. When encountering mixed-blood individuals, anyone with spiritual roots above a certain grade would be welcomed into her sect. Although unable to become direct disciples, they still brought some liveliness to the often deserted Huanxi Peak. Yet, Ran Fanyin now had a beloved little disciple! A woman with a naturally baby-faced appearance couldn’t help but feel envious. Holding her breath, her cheeks puffed out slightly as she marched up to Ran Fanyin in a huff, "Elder Sister, give me a hug!" Ran Fanyin, who was about to escort her little disciple back to the peak, was taken aback by this. Looking again, she noticed Ning Songwu's cheeks puffed up like a little goldfish, making her chuckle. Did she want some good fortune transferred to her? Elder Ran patted Ning Songwu on the shoulder, "You go wait for me at the entrance of Zhaoyun Hall." "Yes." Ning Songwu nodded and swiftly scurried away. Ran Fanyin extended her arms, "Come on, let’s hug." "Yay, Elder Sister is the best! Rubbing for some good luck, may I also have a dear disciple at the next selection." Standing behind them, the sect leader lightly coughed, his expression somewhat awkward. Ran Fanyin, accustomed to such scenes, said, "Go on, Cen Ran is also waiting for her hug." "Her luck isn't good, no hug." Sect Leader: ... Qin Siyue passed by gracefully, casting a faint glance their way, leaving behind a soft chuckle. Engrossed in their joyous conversation, they failed to notice someone approaching. Suddenly, a raspy voice interrupted. "Disciple Luo Sheng, wishing to join Sixth Elder’s tutelage." The voice was hoarse and weak, as though the speaker had neither had food nor water for many days. He Lan Mianmian was startled and, regaining her composure, looked over. The girl appeared no older than thirteen or fourteen, thin and frail, crouched on the ground so small that one could see her protruding spine. Her hair was yellowed and dry, suggesting a pitiful existence before arriving at the mountain. [Luo Sheng, why does that name sound familiar?] [Ah! Isn't she the illegitimate daughter of the Demon King?!] [Wait, she’s also in this sect? No wonder, no wonder the Demon Clan fiercely resisted the Demon Tribe later. Huh, killing her master, how could she let that go?] [Why didn't the author write about such an important detail?!] Each inner thought made Ran Fanyin's eyebrows twitch. The thin little girl before her was the illegitimate daughter of that old fox? She glanced at He Lan Mianmian, who appeared conflicted, yet before she could speak, the woman’s voice hurriedly interjected, "I'm sorry..." Chapter 5 - Twilight He Lan Mianmian looked at the young girl before her, thoroughly conflicted. Her root held an average-grade water affinity, compatible but barely making the inner disciple grade. If she took her in, it would just be another mouth to feed, and with her frail appearance, it would take significant care to nurse her back to health. She did not want to take in another disciple who couldn’t be a direct disciple. Hesitating, she spoke, "Sorry, could you lift your head first? Let me see." The young girl’s thin neck supported her small head as she raised it to meet He Lan Mianmian’s gaze. Even describing her as gaunt was an understatement. On her exceedingly delicate face, her eyes shone with remarkable brightness, filled with determination and resilience. He Lan Mianmian feared she might fall any second, so she stepped forward, holding the child’s shoulder, "Stand up first." "Without the elder’s command, I dare not." "I command you to stand up, holding onto my arm." Shocked by this sudden display of authority, Luo Sheng swallowed nervously, gripped the Sixth Elder’s arm, and stood up, head bowed, waiting for further instructions. "Average-grade water root, correct?" He Lan sighed deeply, "Fine, come with me." Her heart softened again. [Average grade? How can it be average? In the story, wasn’t Luo Sheng supposed to have a high-grade water root? Damn, why did the author change this!] Eavesdropping at the hall’s door, Ning Songwu froze, rummaging through her memory as she meticulously patted her head, heedless of the person nearing behind her. Just as Luo Sheng was joyfully acknowledging He Lan Mianmian as her master, a startled cry echoed from outside the hall. "Junior Ning!" Cen Ran was about to rush out but was halted by the white-haired woman beside her. Ran Fanyin slightly shook her head, signaling with her eyes for Cen Ran to remain still. She cleared her throat softly, covered her mouth with a folding fan, and calmly walked to the trembling girl’s side. "Junior Lin, what is the meaning of this?" Lin Yuxue clutched tightly at the hem of her robe. Not an outer sect disciple, she wore her personal attire, which was notably luxurious, reflecting her distinguished background. Pity, she’s a bit foolish. With a resounding thud, the girl knelt straight down, her head heavily knocking on the steps. "Elder Ran, just now when Ning was in deep thought here, she was so engrossed that she didn’t notice stepping off the edge. I wanted to alert her but ended up startling her. I couldn’t catch her." "Oh, is that so? Luckily, I caught her." Ran Fanyin’s face darkened slightly, her tone flat, revealing no emotion. A crimson Vermillion Bird grasped Ning Songwu and flew up, the girl still shaken, her gaze towards Lin Yuxue now tinged with iciness. [Scared me to death! Without Master’s foresight to have the Vermillion Bird watch over me, I would have truly died today. Does this count as avoiding a lethal tribulation? Let’s see the ending... Damn, it hasn’t changed yet. At least Liu Ruoying’s status is still uncertain, thank goodness.] The girl gently pressed her chest, calming herself, then leapt down from the Vermillion Bird, standing aside, and said in a composed voice, "Junior Lin indeed tried to remind me; I must thank you." "As long as Elder Sister is unharmed..." Lin Yuxue nervously clutched at her sleeves, replying softly. This subtle clash made even a fool realize that Lin Yuxue might be hiding something obscure. Cen Ran gave her a deep look, making a mental note. Ran Fanyin flicked her sleeve, the movement stirring the air as she leaped onto the Vermillion Bird’s back, pulling Ning Songwu along with her.