Starting My Cultivation With Time Management-Chapter 776 - 13 Harmonious Master and Apprentice

Chapter 776: Chapter 13 Harmonious Master and Apprentice

For his identity as the Tai Yin Sword Master, Ling Yunpo naturally had been prepared for the need to recharge and pay renewal fees every time he used his power.

The reason was simple: if Ah Jing could burn spiritual power without any burden and allow him to use the Tai Yin Summoning Sword three hundred and sixty-five days a year, he would have long since gone to attack the Four Sects and seized every fragment of the Heaven-Mending Stone. Why would he need to play the game of being an Endless mole?

The existence of the Tai Yin Summoning Sword served not only as a trump card in a strategic nuclear sense but was more often used for conventional deterrence and the spread of reputation.

The former goes without saying, with the four petals of Mount Emei still standing there!

The latter, of course, needs no further explanation, as the identity of the Tai Yin Sword Master actually means far more to the sword cultivators of the world than the strength he could exert himself.

Take Shushan as an example, these days the stream of True Persons from Various Peaks visiting Qingluo Peak was unending, almost perfectly replicating the scene that had occurred at the entrance of Golden Ridge Cave Abode when Qiu Changtian forged his First Grade Golden Core.

Unlike Changgeng True Person, whom everyone adored, the Shushan True Persons who came to visit Qing Heng and Jiao Xiao this time were mostly there to make amends.

Make amends for what? Naturally, it was past grudges.

Due to Su Jian’s overbearing strength back in the day, many grudges were created among his Shushan peers. These grudges blossomed through relationships such as mentor-mentee, senior-junior brothers, and Daoist companions, resulting in a large group within Shushan who were displeased with Qingluo Peak, with some even troubling An Zhisu during Su Jian’s secluded cultivation.

However, numerous as these people were, they were not the entirety of the Shushan Shangqing Faction, as there were always individuals among the Various Peaks not entangled in the web of grudges.

Now, with Su Jian emerging from seclusion to succeed as Sect Leader and Qing Heng True Person becoming the Tai Yin Sword Master, Qingluo Peak has completely turned the tables, soaring like a dragon in the sky. If the Various Peaks still cannot recognize the current situation, then they might as well join Ziyun Peak in tough brotherhood—since Elder Ming Hua was killed as a traitor, his disciples from Various Peaks scattered, seeking refuge in other peaks, leaving only the abandoned Ziyun Peak temple, standing forlornly at the mountaintop.

Although the Tai Yin Sword Master did not possess the Weed-Cutting Sword Immortal’s infamous reputation of “ruthlessly slashing one’s Life-bound Sword Artifact,” the act of cleaving Mount Emei was far too frightening. Moreover, no one wanted to one day be suddenly branded a traitor and have their mountain peak cleaved by a sword… Consequently, they quickly listed those True Persons who hadn’t made enemies with An Zhisu, rushed to Qingluo Peak to reconcile grudges, and apologize.

As a result, for over ten consecutive days, Qingluo Peak was filled with guests, bustling with activity, to the point where the temple threshold was nearly worn out by the visitors.

Although An Zhisu was quite capable in combat, she was utterly inept at receiving and treating people. Ling Yunpo had no choice but to ask her to continue being the backdrop, usually sitting beside with a smile. When guests engaged in light talk, she would respond with “Yes,” “Indeed,” “That’s true.” Handling the guests was a task that Ling Yunpo had to undertake himself.

Although the task was monotonous and boring, Ling Yunpo was experienced and adept, managing the guests so skillfully that nobody could find any fault in this aspect.

When Su Jian heard about this, he even made a special trip from the Ancestral Master Hall to take a look, and upon seeing Ling Yunpo’s adept social skills, he couldn’t help but feel greatly relieved.

Although he was not adept at interpersonal interactions, it was merely due to the aloofness that came with overpowering strength, not because he truly lacked emotional intelligence. He was well aware that An Zhisu, being his daughter, was as much of a reticent person in this regard.

I am truly satisfied that Qing Heng’s disciple is able to uphold the dignity of my Qingluo Peak on his own in this respect.

With that thought in mind, Su Jian, despite the busy responsibilities of a Sect Leader, still stayed to interact more with Ling Yunpo and An Zhisu.

Although An Zhisu greatly respected and revered her father, for some reason, she always referred to him as “Master” rather than “Father” and treated Su Jian with the formality of a disciple rather than the intimacy of a daughter.

Su Jian was used to this and, after inquiring about his daughter’s situation for a while, began to encourage Ling Yunpo:

“These days have been hard on you.”

“Not at all, not at all,” Ling Yunpo hurriedly replied modestly, smirking inwardly.

Compared to this period, the true hardship was when you, sir, were in seclusion!

Su Jian also seemed to realize the problem with his words and quickly said with emotion:

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“During that period when I was in seclusion, it was entirely thanks to you and Su’er that Qingluo Peak was supported,” Qiu Changtian said.

“You and Su’er” — it started with Ling Yunpo, and then An Zhisu. It seemed that the foster father knew very well who played the more significant role. However, he probably didn’t mean to reassure Ling Yunpo with his words; he might have just blurted out what he was thinking without the intention to soothe.

But this personality trait really did run in the same vein as An Zhisu.

With Ling Yunpo’s astute ability to read people, he instantly discerned Su Jian’s thoughts.

First of all, this master, like Senior Sister An, possessed a strong “clan-oriented mindset.”

What does a clan-oriented mindset mean? It’s categorizing the people around you into “our people” and “outsiders.” “Our people” are absolutely trustworthy, so they must be treated without any shortcomings.

In more colloquial terms, it meant “covering for one’s own people” — unreasonably protective of one’s own clan.

Since Ling Yunpo was already a disciple and had contributed so much to Qingluo Peak, he was without a doubt considered completely one of “our people,” so Su Jian naturally valued him highly.

However, no matter how much he was valued, it could not offset the fact that Su Jian had been in seclusion for many years. The master and disciple hadn’t just grown unfamiliar with each other at that point; they were virtually strangers not long ago, which naturally made Su Jian feel awkward and uncomfortable.

On one hand, he wanted to get close and be protective, but on the other hand, they really were not familiar. Thus, it was imperative to get to know each other quickly. Being a mentor, Su Jian of course chose the “small talk” approach to vigorously bridge the gap between them.

Knowing this, Ling Yunpo had a corresponding plan — “remember the hardship and reflect on the sweetness.”

Although the two were not familiar with each other, they shared common grounds: Qingluo Peak and An Zhisu.

Since the master took the initiative to start the conversation, Ling Yunpo naturally went with the flow, talking excitedly about “the hardships Senior Sister and I endured during the time of your seclusion, master.”

When it came to the hardships, and seeing Su Jian’s hesitant and ashamed demeanor, Ling Yunpo immediately grasped his meaning and swiftly switched the topic from the original bitter narrative to “but after unremitting efforts, Senior Sister and I finally achieved such and such…”

It must be known that while Su Jian might be possessive in nature, he was not one to be coerced by force. Now, as the Sect Leader of Shushan, all the Various Peaks were hastening to apologize to Qingluo Peak, and he certainly couldn’t say, “I won’t forgive you, I want revenge,” otherwise Shushan might just disintegrate on the spot.

As Ling Yunpo spoke of the past, Su Jian felt regret and an inability to change the present, fueling his self-blame. But when Ling Yunpo started talking about later achievements, it made Su Jian feel that “the younger generation did ultimately make something of themselves,” brightening his mood instantly.

While Ling Yunpo spoke, An Zhisu couldn’t tear down her junior brother’s stage and just continued with “um,” “that’s right,” “Junior Brother speaks the truth.”

In Su Jian’s eyes, this naturally became proof of the validity of everything Ling Yunpo said.

It could only be said that though Su Jian’s swordsmanship was exceptional, he still fell behind by leagues in some aspects compared to someone else.

After leaving Qingluo Peak, the Sect Leader of Shushan felt pleased and was about to return to the Ancestral Master Hall to deal with matters of state when he encountered Elder Jade Capital passing by, so they exchanged greetings.

Elder Jade Capital saw his good spirits and thought that his father-in-law must be extremely satisfied with his son-in-law.

It made sense, after all. Being the Tai Yin Sword Master and having loved Jiao Xiao True Person for many years, how could Su Jian not be satisfied?

It was just unclear when the two might become Daoist Companions… with all the grudges Su Jian had accumulated in the past, and although now he was the new Sect Leader and had the support of Long Eyebrow Immortal in the shadows, his reputation and foundation were still unstable.

If the Tai Yin Sword Master and Jiao Xiao True Person could formally become Daoist Companions, it would undoubtedly benefit him in solidifying his position as Sect Leader.

Hmm, I should go and remind him of that.