The Most Generous Master Ever Chapter 5 - Qi Wuhui’s Shock

In recent days, Lin Qingzhu had grown accustomed to the serene isolation atop Violet Cloud Peak. With not a soul to converse with in this secluded spot, her sole focus turned to her cultivation. This intense dedication resulted in a meteoric rise in her strength; in under three days, she successfully advanced to the third level of Qi Mastery. It felt as if her progress occurred daily.

Barely at the break of dawn, while the sun lingered yet beneath the horizon, Lin Qingzhu’s slender, white-clad form emerged upon the cliff. She began the tripartite training regimen mandated by Ye Qiu: Enlightenment, Qi Mastery, and Heart Questioning.

The icy elegance of this woman seemed even more detached from the earthly realm now that she had truly embraced the path of cultivation. Her breathtaking features radiated a frosty, impenetrable aura. Ever since the tragic fall of her family, she had maintained a distance that none dared bridge. Her gaze remained devoid of warmth, mirroring a celestial maiden from the Nine Heavens, visible only from a great distance.

Pausing at the cliff’s edge, she turned her eyes toward the back mountain and whispered to herself, “It is unclear when Master will finish his seclusion. I have not seen him for days, and a strange sense of longing has taken hold. Ah, enough of this! I have yet to complete my daily practice. I must attend to it.”

Despite her scan of the back mountain, nothing stirred. She settled onto a boulder in a cross-legged position, cast a glance toward the mountain peaks below, and descended into deep meditation.

By noon, her eyes flickered open. “Fourth level of Qi Mastery! Four days have passed, and I have effectively broken through a realm each day. If I maintain this pace, I shall reach the Black Finger realm in less than three months.” Lin Qingzhu felt an overwhelming sense of self-assurance, even though she understood that cultivation grew exponentially more arduous as one climbed higher.

Nonetheless, her current innate aptitude and speed were already superior to the top-tier disciples of the Heaven Mending Sect. She was well-aware that this transformation was entirely a gift bestowed by Ye Qiu.

Just then, a cloud drifted from the distance, depositing a sage-like figure onto the craggy peak.

Startled by the appearance of the elder, Lin Qingzhu instinctively bowed. “Disciple Lin Qingzhu offers respects to the Sect Master.”

The visitors were Meng Tianzheng and his companion, Qi Wuhui.

An air of weary responsibility hung around Meng Tianzheng. He flicked his hand dismissively. “You may forgo the formalities.”

Qi Wuhui, however, cast a sharp look around and interrogated, “Where has your master hidden himself? Why is he not here to welcome the Sect Master?”

Lin Qingzhu narrowed her gaze, the memory of the Jade Pure Hall incident still fresh. She replied with composure, “Reporting to Martial Uncle Qi, my master has retreated into seclusion.”

“Seclusion? Ha!” Qi Wuhui let out a scoffing, mocking laugh. It was the most absurd thing he had heard all day. “Does someone like him honestly need seclusion? With his mediocre potential, he could meditate for ten years and likely fail to ascend even a single minor realm.”

This was no mere attempt to belittle Ye Qiu; it was common knowledge within the Heaven Mending Sect that the Master of Violet Cloud Peak was a laughingstock. After a decade of cultivation, he had only clawed his way to the second level of the Black Finger realm. Ten years! An ordinary pig would have likely reached the ninth level by then.

Lin Qingzhu’s spirits plummeted at the sight of her master being insulted. Involuntarily, the divine bones within her flared. Without conscious direction, a biting, glacial chill emanated from her person.

Meng Tianzheng, who had been on the verge of rebuking Qi Wuhui for his harsh words, suddenly felt the icy surge. He spun around, staring at the girl in astonishment.

“The Natural Mystical Ice Bones!”

“What?” Qi Wuhui gasped. He looked from the stunned Meng Tianzheng to the young girl.

There, imprinted on her forehead, was the subtle mark of dormant divine bones.

“Impossible. We scrutinized her during the ceremony in the Great Hall; she lacked any such talent,” Qi Wuhui declared, desperately denying the reality before him. He had meticulously checked every candidate, and the only one with divine potential had already entered his own tutelage.

Lin Qingzhu had been overlooked by everyone, viewed as having negligible potential. She had been the last resort of Ye Qiu, a man leading a sect of one. How could she possess such rarities?

Qi Wuhui moved to examine her further, but Meng Tianzheng barred his path.

“It is authentic—a divine bone of the highest purity! It even shows signs of evolving into an immortal bone. Ha! Splendid! I never imagined the Heaven Mending Sect would produce another genius of this caliber. This is a tremendous blessing for our sect.”

Yet, a pang of regret soured his excitement: why did she have to be a disciple of Violet Cloud Peak? To have such a prodigy wasting away under Ye Qiu’s guidance was a tragedy. As for Qi Wuhui, he stood there with a face as dark as though he had swallowed rot, unable to fathom how his own keen observation had failed him.

“Child, would you consider returning to the Jade Pure Hall with me to study? Rest assured, with your innate gifts, I shall provide resources and support beyond count. Your future will reach heights beyond imagining.”

Meng Tianzheng extended this olive branch with confidence. Internally, Lin Qingzhu felt a surge of contempt, though her face remained impassive.

When no one else had wanted her, only Ye Qiu had extended his hand. Now that her master’s guidance had awakened her dormant potential, these men shamelessly sought to poach her.

“I am deeply honored by your offer, Sect Master, but I must decline. My master resides alone on Violet Cloud Peak, and he requires my presence to assist him. Thus, I cannot accept.”

Lin Qingzhu’s refusal was swift and final. A trace of resentment touched Meng Tianzheng’s expression as he withdrew his hand. With his wisdom, he instantly saw through her flimsy excuse—Ye Qiu had managed alone for a decade; he hardly needed a servant now.

“Very well, if your bond is that deep, I shall not press the matter. Tell me, before his seclusion, did your master impart any cultivation techniques? Meditative retreats can span months or half a year. We cannot allow your divine gift to stagnate.” He would offer instruction himself, if necessary; he simply couldn't stand the thought of a talent being ruined by incompetence.

“Sect Master, my master has already provided me with cultivation techniques.”

“Ha,” Qi Wuhui sneered. “What kind of ‘immortal techniques’ could a man like him offer? It is a travesty to see such divine bones squandered by a failure.”

Ignoring the jab, Meng Tianzheng looked closely at Lin Qingzhu. “Child, may I inspect your current progress?”

Lin Qingzhu offered no resistance, extending her hand. As Meng Tianzheng felt the flow of her pulse, his demeanor underwent a total transformation.

Qi Wuhui frowned, uncertainty creeping into his voice. “Senior Brother, what is it?”

“Level four of Qi Mastery!”

“How? That is impossible. She transitioned from a mortal with no foundation to a fourth-level Qi Mastery cultivator in only four days?”

Disbelief painted Meng Tianzheng’s features, while Qi Wuhui looked physically ill. He recalled fighting for the ‘genius’ disciple in the hall, only to realize he had let a real miracle slip through his fingers.

“It cannot be. Let me see for myself…” Qi Wuhui reached out, desperate to disprove it, but the reality shattered his composure. His face turned deathly pale.

“This… this is no dream. It must be a trick.” His heart seethed with bitterness. He had strutted around with pride for days, boasting of his own new disciple, only to be humiliated at Violet Cloud Peak. The disciple of the man he mocked had surpassed his own in mere moments. It was the ultimate, stinging insult to his ego.