Chapter 442

Chapter 442: Borrowing Someone

At the summit of Absolute Heart Peak, Tian Yunzi faced the sea of clouds with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression as still as an ancient well.

Behind him stood the Old Man in White, whose white hair contrasted with his youthful face. He wore a faint smile.

"Brother, I happened to pass by your Registered Disciples’ quarters and noticed an interesting young fellow," the Old Man in White said lightly.

Tian Yunzi remained silent, seemingly absorbed by the swirling clouds.

"That youngster’s cultivation level isn’t impressive, but his true strength is remarkable. Even among your Registered Disciples, he’s likely among the top few," the old man continued.

"Third Brother," Tian Yunzi finally turned, exhaling sharply, "cut the pretense. State your purpose."

The Old Man in White chuckled. "You know me too well! I’ve come to check on your disciples’ assessments. If they’re nearly complete, I’d like to borrow one or two for a task. It’d greatly benefit them."

Tian Yunzi eyed him coldly. "Your ‘tasks’ are always life-and-death trials. In twenty years, only my eldest fool Shu Anshi survived working with you. The others? Not even their corpses remained."

Yue Huai-Chang rubbed his nose sheepishly. "High risk, high reward! Life and death are fated, and fortune lies in heaven’s hands. Your Shu Anshi may have nearly died, but he leaped from Third to Fifth Level of Golden Core. Rumor says he recently survived his great tribulation—his future’s limitless!"

"Without your reckless trials," Tian Yunzi snapped, "Anshi would’ve reached pill-breaking rebirth naturally. You know his potential."

"True," Yue Huai-Chang conceded, "but those trials tempered his will and soul beyond ordinary cultivation. At his age, we’d never faced such trials ourselves."

Tian Yunzi’s voice tightened. "Twenty years later, he still hasn’t touched the Nascent Soul threshold. Disappointing."

Yue Huai-Chang threw up his hands. "How many disciples reach Nascent Soul by his age? In centuries, only two—you being one! Shu Anshi carries Divine Grace Palace’s hopes. Having survived the tribulation, reaching Nascent Soul is inevitable. With his talent, pill-breaking rebirth will come smoothly."

Tian Yunzi’s expression softened slightly. "Your trials did refine his soul. His resolve against Mental Demons during the Nascent Soul breakthrough will be strong."

"Exactly!" Yue Huai-Chang clapped. "So, Brother, may I borrow two disciples?"

Tian Yunzi glared. "You want the Ice Spirit Herb from Thunder Falls Valley’s heart, where Purple House Thunder rages. Even post-tribulation Golden Core disciples can’t endure half an incense stick’s time there. Anshi’s at a critical juncture—don’t even think of dragging him into this."

Yue Huai-Chang—Third Level Nascent Soul cultivator and Tian Yunzi’s junior—had long sought the herb to break his stagnation. But the valley’s core, saturated with Purple House Thunder, annihilated even peak Golden Core experts. Only Thunder Spirit Qi bearers might survive briefly… if at all.

"Brother, I’d never risk Anshi now," Yue Huai-Chang said smoothly. "I’m interested in another."

Tian Yunzi’s eyes sharpened. "The new disciple with Thunder Spirit Qi?"

"Precisely!" Yue Huai-Chang grinned. "That Ye Yun nearly shattered his courtyard’s restrictions despite being at third level Foundation Establishment! He even fought the Year Beast to a draw. A Foundation Establishment cultivator matching a Golden Core beast? Extraordinary!"

"Which is why I won’t let him die in thunderflames," Tian Yunzi retorted. "His cultivation’s too weak for Purple House Thunder."

"Which is why I’ll bring Zeng Xuan too," Yue Huai-Chang countered. "Two Thunder Spirit Qi bearers might manage."

Tian Yunzi blinked. "Palace Master actually lent you Zeng Xuan?"

"I convinced him true thunder mastery requires facing Purple House Thunder. Zeng Xuan’s Divine Grace Palace’s future pillar—how could Palace Master refuse?" Yue Huai-Chang declared piously.

Tian Yunzi snorted. Zeng Xuan, Palace Master’s inner disciple, had reached Third Level Golden Core at twenty-two despite suppressed cultivation. His talent was undeniable—but Palace Master wouldn’t risk him lightly.

"With Zeng Xuan guarding him, what’s there to fear?" Yue Huai-Chang pressed.

"Fear? That boy’s still a Registered Disciple!" Tian Yunzi snapped. "None leave until they’re formal disciples."

"Then make Ye Yun your fourth disciple now!" Yue Huai-Chang waved impatiently. "The others are mediocrities. Assess him after we return!"

After a long pause, Tian Yunzi asked gravely, "You’re certain?"

"Ye Yun and Zeng Xuan. Only them," Yue Huai-Chang stated.

Tian Yunzi flicked his sleeve. "Go, then."

As Yue Huai-Chang vanished into the clouds, Tian Yunzi murmured to the billowing mists below, "Third Brother, I forgot to mention—that boy comprehends spatial laws and wields pure Ice Spirit Qi."

A gentle smile touched his lips.