Chapter 90

Chapter 90: Trouble Arrives

Zhou Luo did not expect the so-called sect learning to be like this. Thinking that they were restricted to the front yard, he suddenly felt deceived.

He had thought that coming to the Immortal Sect to study meant an opportunity to gain the favor of some important figures. If he could be accepted as a disciple because of it, it would have been a massive win.

But now, according to Wang Yu Wei’s explanation, they were basically prisoners confined to this manor with almost no chance to meet the Immortal Sect’s high-ranking members.

Learning this news, a flash of disappointment appeared in Zhou Luo’s eyes.

It seemed this chance for sect learning wasn’t as great as he had imagined either.

Lin Xin beside him felt the same way, but both chose to remain silent.

"I know what you’re thinking, but it’s ultimately beneficial for newcomers like you. Moreover, if your weekly evaluation results are exceptional, you can earn family rewards," said Wang Yu Wei.

These words sparked a measure of anticipation in both of them.

"What would the rewards typically be?" Lin Xin asked.

"It varies. Magical artifacts, potions, cultivation techniques, etc. – basically everything is possible," Wang Yu Wei answered.

Such a large Immortal Sect surely wouldn’t give stingy rewards.

"Many thanks for the explanation, Miss Wang," Zhou Luo said, cupping his hands politely.

Though his relationship with Wang Yu Wei wasn’t that distant, in front of others, it was better to act as if there was no special connection.

"It’s nothing. Elder Liu instructed me to do it," Wang Yu Wei replied with a smile.

"What kind of person is Elder Liu?" Lin Xin suddenly inquired.

"Hmm… you could describe him as lax. He generally doesn’t involve himself in affairs," Wang Yu Wei explained after a slight pause.

Elder Liu was primarily responsible for matters, big and small, in the front yard, but he was usually asleep and disliked dealing with daily trivialities.

Therefore, everything was essentially handled by several of his disciples.

Elder Liu had five disciples, all residing in the rear yard. Under ordinary circumstances, unless something significant happened, the smallest disciple managed things.

Besides the ten of them in the front yard, there were also some Pill Masters who had gained the sect’s recognition to study there.

These Pill Masters possessed strength comparable to theirs but had far greater innate talent and potential.

For them, the front yard was merely a temporary stop; some might even qualify to enter the rear yard within a year.

After all, only in the rear yard could one learn the real knowledge.

Wang Yu Wei also didn’t know exactly how many people currently lived in the front yard. She just reminded them both that if they encountered Pill Masters belonging to the sect, they should try their best not to conflict with them.

As she said this, she deliberately looked at Lin Xin.

"Why are you looking at me?" Lin Xin retorted.

Though proud by nature, she wasn’t foolish enough to provoke members of the sect.

"I was just concerned about you," Wang Yu Wei explained.

Zhou Luo, listening nearby to this sentence, surmised that the two women probably had a decent relationship.

After the brief introduction, Wang Yu Wei suggested taking them to see the layout of the place.

Just like that, the three of them walked out of the room.

The front yard was very large, and their residence was located to the left of the black tower, close to the main gate.

Beside the building where they lived was the place where everyone received spiritual food. Towards the back stood a row of rooms— the alchemy rooms.

Apart from the alchemy rooms, there were also structures for storing medicinal herbs and recording potions.

As for the right side of the black tower, that was where the sect disciples Wang Yu Wei had mentioned earlier resided.

The buildings on the right weren’t much different from those on the left; they had all the same facilities and were even more extensive than the left side. Therefore, the two groups rarely interacted under normal circumstances.

The only place where they likely encountered each other was probably the black tower directly ahead.

Returning once more to the black tower, Wang Yu Wei addressed the two: "The second floor serves as a public area. You may enter it freely. However, to access the higher levels, you must obtain Elder Liu’s permission."

Having said that, she led them to the second floor.

The second floor resembled a library. Ancient tomes of various kinds were sorted neatly on bookshelves, some taller than a person. Several figures stood or sat nearby, absorbed in studying the ancient texts.

This seemed to be Lin Xin’s first time here.

Her face lit up with curiosity. She promptly abandoned the other two and headed towards the towering bookshelves.

Left behind, Wang Yu Wei and Zhou Luo exchanged a glance. Suddenly, Wang Yu Wei leaned forward and whispered softly in his ear.

"Tonight I will visit your room."

Before Zhou Luo could react, she had already turned and walked away, leaving only a lightly scented fragrance lingering in the air.

Zhou Luo shrugged his shoulders and approached the nearby ancient texts to flip through them.

He was quite curious if he would find any knowledge previously unknown to him here.

But he was being far too naive.

Since these ancient texts were freely accessible to all, how profound or secret could they really be?

After browsing for a while, he realized all the tomes contained information about first-level alchemy skill, of no use to him whatsoever.

Rather than wasting time here, returning to cultivate was far more worthwhile.

Zhou Luo simply returned to his room. He sat cross-legged on a cushion and attempted to circulate the Spirit Gathering Technique.

…

Approaching dinner time, he finally left his room and walked towards the adjacent building, intending to collect his portion of spiritual food.

He had no other choice. At the Qi Refinement level three stage of cultivation, he hadn’t yet reached the state of Grain Abstinence. Only after reaching the fifth layer of Qi Refinement or above could one temporarily forgo eating.

Furthermore, the spiritual energy absorbed during this cultivation stage was insufficient to support exertion and was extremely taxing on physical strength.

He entered the main hall where some others were already seated at tables, eating and chatting.

Zhou Luo recognized them immediately— these were members of the Lu Family?!

Recalling the conflict between the Lin and Lu families, Zhou Luo sped up and collected his spiritual food for the evening through a window, intending to leave straight away.

"Halt."

Just what he feared happened.

A voice called out to stop him.

Zhou Luo could have ignored it and walked straight out. But such encounters were impossible to avoid forever.

So he took a deep breath and turned toward the speaker.

That person was precisely Lu An, who had participated alongside him in the written examination and secured second place.

Only later, due to his poisoning incident, the Lu Family had withdrawn from the competition.

Unexpectedly, he still appeared here.

“Something you need?” Zhou Luo inquired.

The Immortal Sect forbade internal conflict, so he wasn’t concerned the other might strike.

Dressed in lavish silk robes, Lu An stood and approached him, arrogance etched across his brow.

“Did you cheat during the written examination?” He glared at Zhou Luo, hostility burning in his eyes.

“Do you really think that’s possible?” Zhou Luo countered.

Before Lu An could respond, he continued, “Besides, I’m merely a son-in-law married into the Lin Family, not an actual Lin member. The rivalries between your families shouldn’t concern me. So next time you want to intimidate someone, make sure you pick the right target.”

Lu An stared at him intently, his expression darkening.

After speaking, Zhou Luo turned, preparing to leave.

Yet, to his surprise, Lin Xin and Wang Yu Wei appeared right behind him.

Zhou Luo’s heart sank.

Damned luck—how much had she overheard?

Lin Xin gave him a cold look but said nothing, merely walking toward the meal counter.

Zhou Luo exhaled with relief and hurried away.

Left ignored, Lu An stood frozen, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles whitened. Teeth gritted, his eyes bored into Zhou Luo’s retreating figure.

Back in his quarters, Zhou Luo unpacked his dinner.

He noticed the Immortal Sect’s spirit cuisine was far more abundant than his family’s. Taking a bite, he found the flavor pleasantly rich.

At least life here offered some perks—if nothing else, one could satisfy their appetite.

Then, the earlier incident resurfaced in his mind.

The thought of Lin Xin overhearing him distance himself from her family overwhelmed him.

If she reported this to the elders, all the goodwill he’d built up could vanish in an instant. Worse still, the family might cease all support for him.

This couldn’t stand—he needed to clarify matters.

Deciding swiftly, Zhou Luo resolved to find Lin Xin after dinner and have a proper conversation.