65 - The Divine Physician’s Overbearing Wife

Banxia Novel Chapter 65 "It seems there's something fishy," Yan Zhu Guang thought to herself. Su Qian Er must know Gu Chen, and there appears to be some sort of resentment between them. Rarely did Yan Zhu Guang find something this amusing; the situation was becoming increasingly intriguing. The system, sensing the host's thoughts, felt a bit helpless. The host could play as she wished, as long as she didn't overreach. After all, her senior sister was of utmost importance! Of course, there was no need for the system to mention this. Yan Zhu Guang's interest in Su Qian Er stemmed solely from the suspicion that, like Yun Chang Yue, she might have motives to harm her esteemed senior sister. As Su Qian Er stepped into the grand hall, several divine senses fell upon her. In the realm of cultivation, practitioners in the Nascent Soul stage and above undergo a qualitative transformation in their spiritual senses, elevating it to a higher form known as divine sense. Without cultivation, Su Qian Er couldn't perceive it. While Yan Zhu Guang's current strength wasn't enough to detect the divine senses of these high-level cultivators, her formidable perception from her past life allowed her to vaguely sense some subtle forces, which might as well be these divine senses. Though unable to clearly discern what these divine senses were doing to Su Qian Er, Yan Zhu Guang could roughly estimate how long they lingered on her. It wasn't brief, unlike the cursory probing of ordinary individuals; it seemed to be a purposeful investigation. Could it be that, like her, these elders were also suspicious of Su Qian Er’s background? If they had probed Su Qian Er before she consumed the Heavenly Heart Lotus Seed, they might have discovered her "Child of Immortal and Demon" constitution. However, after its repair, there was nothing discernible about her. Alas, to protect the seed, she had to leave these elders in the dark. The three had been in the grand hall for quite some time, yet no one spoke. The silence was such that even a pin drop could be heard. Yan Zhu Guang observed Su Qian Er’s reactions, finding them unremarkable. Yun Mi Xue, ever composed, showed no signs of inner turmoil. Only Su Qian Er, the focus of attention, grew increasingly uneasy. Finally, one elder broke the silence, addressing Gu Chen, "Sect Leader, since this young friend Su has come to our sect, how shall we accommodate her?" Gu Chen's tone was indifferent, devoid of any discernible emotion. He said, "Though it was requested by the branch of the Qiao family, the Su family girl’s admission to our Immortal Sect should adhere to the sect's rules. There’s no need for special arrangements; she will be admitted as any disciple would be." The elder confirmed, "You mean to test her spiritual roots and, based on that, determine her placement?" "Indeed." "So be it. Even if she holds a unique status, there should be no privileges, especially not for her," the elders exchanged glances and agreed to the arrangement. Listening to Gu Chen and the elders, Su Qian Er’s expression seemed to flicker with resentment, self-mockery, and a touch of relief. It was as if she had shed some restraint, appearing lighter than when she had first arrived. Yun Mi Xue presumed her relief was due to the stabilization of her uncertain future, feeling a sense of relief herself, unaware of anything unusual. Gu Chen, observing the change in Su Qian Er, cast a few lingering glances her way, making her tense up again momentarily. Although Gu Chen had decreed no special privileges for Su Qian Er, aligning her admission with any other disciple’s, it was still unique given her circumstances. The elders held a special entrance ritual for her, assessing her spiritual roots and physical constitution. Although not as formal as Yan Zhu Guang's initiation, it was quite authoritative within the sect. Even when Yan Zhu Guang was brought into the sect by Yun Mi Xue, she did not receive such treatment. Yun Mi Xue felt a bit regretful, "If not for the affairs of the former sect leader, Zhu Guang might have been treated like Miss Su." Zhu Guang originally wouldn’t have had to squeeze into a recruitment fair for new disciples and was even ostracized by those recruits because of her past status. Yan Zhu Guang gently squeezed Yun Mi Xue’s hand. "I don't care for those ceremonies. Given my current strength, those who looked down on me now only look up to me. What more could I want?" "I'm just happy that my dear senior sister cares for me," she smiled radiantly, like the scorching sun, the warmth of her smile burning straight into Yun Mi Xue's eyes. Yun Mi Xue ruffled her hair affectionately, "No matter how strong Zhu Guang becomes, she’s still my little troublemaker." Yan Zhu Guang lifted the corners of her mouth. "Mm." While the two whispered to each other, Su Qian Er, having finished testing her talents, looked over to see them smiling brightly, shrouded in an enigma that was impenetrable to outsiders. What were they talking about? Where did they find so many things to whisper about? Su Qian Er watched with a hint of envy. Perhaps in her lifetime, she might never find someone so close. Her gaze became distant, lost in unknown thoughts. "Water-elemental heavenly spiritual root, no special constitution," declared the elder testing her talents. "With such talent, she should join the Inner Sect." Although Su Qian Er entered the sect with some nuanced privileges, unlike Yan Zhu Guang's recruitment experience, there was no elder expressing interest in taking her as a disciple despite her heavenly spiritual root. Though a heavenly spiritual root is excellent, the disciples recruited from affiliated families to Fenghua Immortal Sect often include one or two with such talents. Over time, these elders with Nascent Soul capabilities have accumulated quite a few disciples, making a single-water heavenly spiritual root less special. Of course, without her unique status, no elder would have extended an olive branch. Unfortunately, her status was delicate; her mother's identity was unknown, potentially bringing future troubles. Given her circumstances, and lacking captivating talents like those of Yan Zhu Guang, no elder wished to take on the potential complications she might bring. Despite their words of arranging her like any other disciple, they couldn't truly abandon her, especially as she had never practiced cultivation before. After testing Su Qian Er's talents, an elder proposed that Yun Mi Xue temporarily mentor her until her cultivation was on track, after which she’d join the inner sect residence. First, Yun Mi Xue possessed an ice-elemental spiritual root, sharing the same element as Su Qian Er, making her suitable as an introductory guide in cultivation. Secondly, she already had Yan Zhu Guang with her, so adding one more shouldn’t matter. "What do you think, Sect Leader?" Gu Chen refrained from immediate comment, his expression impassive. Yan Zhu Guang, masking her dissatisfaction, pondered privately. She and her senior sister were fine on Yuexue Peak; why include Su Qian Er? She hadn't even received such mentorship herself. In Yan Zhu Guang’s view, the elders dumping Su Qian Er on her senior sister was less about elemental similarity and more about taking advantage of her inability to refuse. Before Yun Mi Xue and Gu Chen could speak, Yan Zhu Guang remarked to Su Qian Er, "Yuexue Peak is eternally snowbound, cold and frosty. You, having just recovered from an illness, and having never cultivated, may find it hard to adapt to living on Yuexue Peak." "Besides, my senior sister has tasks to handle; she doesn't have the time to babysit you. I believe having her care for Su Qian Er might be a bit inappropriate." The elders frowned at Yan Zhu Guang, displeased with her audacity to speak out in such a setting. Yun Mi Xue chastised softly, "Sister Yan, don't speak such nonsense. How dare you be disrespectful to the elders?" Nevertheless, she placed herself in front of Yan Zhu Guang, shielding her from the elders' gaze. Then she respectfully said to the elders, "While Sister Yan speaks out of turn, she does have a point." "Yuexue Peak's harshness might harm Sister Su's health. Besides, I'll only be here for a short while and cannot care for her." She looked at Su Qian Er with concern, "Perhaps find another to care for Sister Su." Su Qian Er discerned that they didn’t wish for her presence on Yuexue Peak. Rather than feeling hurt, she felt relieved, for she didn’t want to go there either. After Yan Zhu Guang and Yun Mi Xue spoke, Su Qian Er added, "The two senior sisters’ words are indeed right. No special care is needed; I can manage just like other disciples." "This..." The elders were somewhat reluctant, given her unique origin, leaving her unattended seemed unwise. Gu Chen decided, "In that case, let Su Qian Er handle things like any other inner sect disciple; there’s no need for special attention. The rules of discipleship apply to her as well." Since the Sect Leader had spoken, the elders reluctantly acquiesced. Turning to Yun Mi Xue, Gu Chen instructed, "Take her to the Soul Lamp Hall to light a soul lamp, enroll her in the records, and secure her material needs. Settle her in, then come to see me; I have matters to discuss." Gu Chen wanted to consult with the senior sister? Could she remain here? Yan Zhu Guang tentatively suggested, "Why not let me escort Sister Su instead? I am familiar with the process. If the Sect Leader has important queries for Senior Sister, I can handle the admission procedure for Sister Su." Su Qian Er's gaze flitted between Gu Chen and Yun Mi Xue, her eyes flickering with thoughts unknown. "Doesn't matter," Gu Chen addressed Yan Zhu Guang. "Both your senior sister and you, I have matters to discuss with. Either of you can escort her." Yan Zhu Guang blinked, then smiled, "Then I'll accompany Senior Sister in taking Sister Su. We've gotten quite familiar along the way, and it would be convenient for me to show her around the sect." Gu Chen nodded, "That works." With a sweep of his long sleeve, his form vanished from the hall in an instant. The other elders soon followed suit, leaving one after another. Once they had departed, Yan Zhu Guang finally let out a breath in front of Yun Mi Xue. "The elders' presence is so overwhelming, I could barely breathe." "You," Yun Mi Xue chided with feigned annoyance, "You little rascal, so audacious, daring to defy the elders." Yan Zhu Guang, somewhat abashed, suddenly moved behind Su Qian Er, positioning her in front. "I was just worried the elders might overlook Sister Su’s health and let her suffer at Yuexue Peak." Su Qian Er, caught between their banter, looked awkwardly at Yun Mi Xue. Can't you just talk without dragging me into it? "Senior Sister Yan was considering my well-being, so don’t blame her too much," she offered. Shaking her head, Yun Mi Xue turned to Su Qian Er, "Never mind her antics. Let’s head to the Soul Lamp Hall." However, Yan Zhu Guang chimed in, "Senior Sister, why not let Sister Su ride my flying sword? I’ve never shared a ride with anyone before." "Sister Su, would you let me try?" Yan Zhu Guang asked eagerly. Since she had put it that way, Su Qian Er naturally agreed. Yan Zhu Guang summoned her flying sword, inviting Su Qian Er to hop on. She smiled at Yun Mi Xue, then shot off in a swift motion. Yun Mi Xue opened her mouth, intending to stop her, but it was too late. That wasn't the direction to the Soul Lamp Hall—what mischief was she up to now?