Chapter Seventy-Eight: Competing to Take Disciples

"It's all right, Youwei. You and Mofei go on ahead. I need to arrange matters for those little ones in the flying vessel," Elder Ma said with a genial wave, his face benevolent as he watched Ning Mofei gleefully drag Yu Youwei up the steps. Only then did he turn back and enter the flying vessel parked on the stone terrace behind him. Unless in exceptional circumstances, it was forbidden to fly directly into the mountain gate; such was the sect's rule. Even as an elder, he dared not defy it, so he had to escort the meditating disciples out one by one.

More and more disciples poured out from the mountain gate, all somewhat bewildered, unable to grasp what was happening.

"You little rascals, stop standing around and help carry them up! What are you waiting for?" Elder Ma scolded with a smile.

A courageous disciple asked, "Elder Ma, what happened to them?"

"Fools! Can't you tell they're all meditating?" Elder Ma chided.

A disciple dressed in purple nearby asked, "I know they're meditating, but why are they all doing it together in the flying vessel?"

"What are you all crowding around for?" A cold, arrogant voice echoed from within the gate. At once, the blue-robed disciples scattered like startled birds, while the purple-robed disciples stepped forward, each carrying one meditating comrade inside.

Another disciple in golden robes swept out from the mountain gate and spoke to Elder Ma, "Elder Ma, Master calls for you. Leave this to us disciples."

"Cold Rock, of all the people to imitate, you choose Ning Bai—the one always wearing a stern face. Careful, you might end up alone," Elder Ma teased, then floated up to join them.

Ning Mofei had already dragged Yu Youwei to pay respects to the masters and uncles in the great hall, collecting a round of greeting gifts. Turning to see Elder Ma enter, he slapped his forehead and exclaimed, "Uncle Ma hasn't given his greeting gift yet! Quick, hand it over!"

At the head of the hall, the Sect Master of Celestial Morning Sect stroked his beard, smiling, without stopping the disciple.

The refined and witty master of Azurewood Peak, ever quick with humor, now teased, "Brother Ma, you're too stingy! Haven't even offered Mofei a wedding gift. That's just not right. I'll be fair—double gifts, please!"

"That's right, Uncle Ma must give double!" Ning Mofei nodded vigorously, his face full of avarice.

Yu Youwei whispered in embarrassment, "Mofei, don't be like this."

Ning Mofei waved generously, "Oh, fine, Uncle Ma's gift isn't needed then, so forget it."

The elders in the hall burst into laughter. The short, stout master of Imperial Earth Peak joked, "Why let Uncle Ma off so easily? Little Mofei, favoritism is unacceptable! Listen to your uncle—you must get double from him. If not, we'll help you rob him!"

Sweating, Yu Youwei struggled not to laugh—so this fool not only robbed his brothers but even the elders! Her embarrassment vanished, only to be replaced by a desire to disappear in the next moment.

"I'll listen to Youwei, not to my uncles," Ning Mofei said naturally.

Even the usually stern master of Purplegold Peak grew interested, asking, "If it's between your master and your wife, who do you obey?"

Ning Mofei swept his gaze across the amused elders, replying matter-of-factly, "Of course, my wife."

The hall fell silent. The standing disciples wore smirks, and the peak masters' expressions were odd. Only the Sect Master seemed unsurprised by Ning Mofei's answer, smiling without comment.

A fool is a fool—he doesn't even know how to save face! Yu Youwei glared at Ning Mofei, awkwardly saying, "Um, Mofei's just childish, talking nonsense."

"I'm not talking nonsense! Master ignores me and won't play with me, so why should I listen to him?" Ning Mofei huffed, deeply bothered by her words.

"Uncle Ma supports you, Mofei. Listen to your wife, not your master. As for the gift, I'll owe it and let you two pick it yourselves after I return," Elder Ma laughed. Having just come from the Dark Emperor's Fortress and forced his cultivation down to pilot the vessel, it was remarkable he'd lasted this long.

Sensing Elder Ma's condition, the Sect Master instructed Ning Mofei to take Yu Youwei to rest and dismissed the disciples standing guard. Only then did he ask Elder Ma about the events at the Dark Emperor's Fortress.

Elder Ma's voice echoed in the hall, though he had already gone to seclude himself in meditation. Those remaining were stirred and unsettled, regretting not joining the journey and astonished by Yu Youwei and Ning Mofei's conduct.

The master of Jadewater Peak broke the silence first, "Before the Alliance Leader of the Killing Alliance, that girl was still so forceful. How could she be willing to marry Mofei, that silly boy?"

Fire and water clashed, and as always, the two peak masters were at odds. The red-faced, bearded master of Skyfire Peak retorted, "Mofei's heart is pure, he's handsome, his family is respectable—marrying him isn't so bad. Sister, don't be so suspicious."

"Stop, you two! Why she married Mofei is their affair, the Ning family's business, not ours. The girl has a wood spiritual root; I want her as my disciple. Sect Master, the main hall has Ning Bai, Purplegold has Shan Xuan, Skyfire has Hong Kun, Jadewater has Lin Shuiyue, but Azurewood Peak lacks a distinguished disciple. She must come to Azurewood Peak."

Skyfire Peak's master shouted, "Her fire affinity is clearly stronger than wood; the fire essence surges more powerfully. She belongs in Skyfire Peak, or her talents go to waste."

Jadewater Peak's master countered at once, "She could withstand the Killing Alliance Leader's pressure, which shows her mental strength is formidable. My water techniques specialize in mental cultivation; together with wood arts, she should belong to both Water and Wood Peaks to fully realize her talents."

"Shui Linglong, are you deliberately opposing me? Since the founding of the sect, there's never been a disciple belonging to two peaks!" Skyfire Peak's master roared, using Jadewater Peak's master's given name. Luckily, the hall was shielded by a sound barrier.

The delicate, gentle master of Jadewater Peak, seeming like the girl next door, was utterly unafraid of his outburst and continued to provoke, "Rules aren't immutable; they must be adapted for individuals. Why not have the Sect Master take her into the main hall? That way, the couple can stay together."

"You want a fight?"

Skyfire Peak's master, tongue-tied, rolled up his sleeves to start trouble, but the stout master of Imperial Earth Peak pinned him back into his chair with a laugh, "You two have been squabbling for years—isn't that enough? Elder Ma said the girl doesn't wish for attention, so let's hold off on recruiting her. Bring it up again during next year's disciple assessment. Don't forget—the Killing Alliance Leader suffered quite a loss at her hands."

"So what if he's the Killing Alliance Leader? Would he dare come to Celestial Morning Sect's territory to kill our disciples?" Skyfire Peak's master sneered.

Though the disciple could not be recruited, the desire for talent remained. Azurewood Peak's master said, "You can't guard against a thief every day. Let's do as the girl suggested—declare publicly that it was Ning Bai who went to the Dark Emperor's Fortress. Have him return quickly. Let that old dog from the Killing Alliance rack his brains trying to figure out who she is."