It's a Trap!

Xiao's worst fear had come to pass. Fang Xuan's offer was indeed a trap! 

Although of what kind, she wasn't sure. The trap sprung may not be malicious enough to warrant his death, but the sect elder position she offered her was practically…useless. 

"Here is everyone, Elder Xiao!"

Fang Xuan presented the entirety of the sect with such enthusiasm that you might think that there was nothing amiss from the situation. But there is. A rather glaring one at that. 

Xiao forced an wry smile as all 52 disciples of the Transient Blades gathered before her. What's even worse is that the meager number of disciples nary had the bearings of a cultivator. The look of disinterest in their eyes were apparent, not a single flicker of the desire to reach a higher cultivation base.  

<<Ahahaha! This is just splendid, look, that kid on the corner is picking his nose!>>

Even her usually stoic master broke into laughter at the situation her student found herself in. 

Was the sect on its last legs? Are these the final generation? It might very well be. 

"I could see that our new sect elder is a bit confused. You should have explained to her your plan before roping her in, Fang Xuan." An Elderly man with a long luscious beard entered the sect's assembly hall. His multi layered robe that also bore the same dual sword insignia on his chest. "Greetings, my name Gu Hao. As the sect master of this place, I welcome our new elder."

"I am Yao Xiao…..It is a pleasure to be part of this new sect."  The compliment may be a bit forced but she still gave them anyway. Although she wasn't happy about what Xiao would consider a deception, she was not going to spit at their faces for showing her the kindness of welcoming a random cultivator into their sect. 

"I'm pretty sure it is not. Had you seen our rival sect then you would no doubt have joined their ranks first rather than this decrepit old sect."

"Father, that's enough. I promised I would restore this sect to its former glory, there is no need for negativity." Fang Xuan gently rebuked her father.

Xiao wasn't aware of their circumstances, but whatever it may be, it surely has taken a toll on both its sect and its sect master. 

Hao gave a weary sigh, "Those days are over, son. Elder Xiao must be tired, go and lead her to her room. 

+++

A whole lot more spacious than her shabby apartment in Jing Shian city, it still couldn't compare to the mansion she owned back in the Tranquil Waterfall sect. 

Although squeaky clean, the lacquer from the wooden walls made it apparent that no one had used the room in quite a while.  Much like the entirety of the facilities in the sect.

"Before I leave Elder Xiao, allow me to apologize for not telling you the whole reason as to why I invited you to become our elder. If I told you that we are poor and only consisted of 52 disciples, you might not have accepted my offer."

Fang Xuan was a bit remorseful, it would seem that he wasn't truly blind at the real state of their sect like Yao Xiao had thought. 

"Then tell it to me straight, why did you invite me to become your sect elder?"

"A few months from now there will be an intertown tournament between the three sects to decide which sect would represent Guanjin in the yearly intercity tournament. When I saw how strong you are I just had to recruit you to fill our Elder spot!"

The participants for each sect are 1 elder, 2 core disciples, and 5 inner disciples.

Xiao remembered bringing the championship for the Tranquil Waterfall sect just last year for the core disciples. But the Elder category is a different beast entirely. The fighters, if not at the 20 stars in Divine Champion, then they  would likely be at the Supreme Tyrant realm already. 

"That's ridiculous, do you know how strong the fighters in the intercity tournament are? The majority of them are stronger than me!" Xiao hit the boy before him with the cold hard truth. 

But instead of wavering, he instead steeled his resolve. Kowtowing before the woman before him. 

"Please, Elder Xiao! You are this sect's only hope! Winning the tournament will spread our name far and wide.I made a promise to my father that I will breathe life into this sect once more!"

<<That boy is quite the dreamer. He hasn't even stepped onto Dao Challenger and he's already thinking about winning an intercity tournament. Now then, Elder Xiao, what will be your decision? >>

Xiao's next course of action is to bring her limbs back. Any other agenda would have to be put on hold. 

"Give me some time to think about it. Now, please leave me. I need some time alone."

With that, Fang Xuan left her room with an optimistic smile. For their new elder promised to give it some consideration. 

+++

As soon as Fang Xuan was nowhere in sight. Xiao immediately plopped into her new soft bed. With a solemn gaze, she stares up at the ceiling. 

"So, teacher, when are you going to show me the recipe for the pill?"

<<Right now. Catch.>>

A scroll from inside her mask launched upwards into the air, inevitably landing in Xiao's hand. 

"What the hell."

<<This mask was originally a spatial storage device. Now it houses both my treasures and my soul.>>

"Treasures!? What other neat stuff are you hiding in there, teacher?"

Xiao's eyes sparkled. A standard spatial storage ring  would cost you around 100,000 spirit stones. It might seem awfully pricey but the possibility to carry all your belongings with you is invaluable. All your pills, weapons, scrolls, ingredients. Basically anything that you could fill it with, cozy and safe in your personal pocket dimension.

<<Not much. Now go and read the scroll, we will begin our search for the Huli Jing by tomorrow.>>

'Not much'  may as well be translated to 'I'm not telling you'. But what Xiao was truly interested in was her soul. The stoic but sultry voice inside her head no doubt belonged to a dignified woman, soothing to the ears. If she had spirit stones to bet she would double down that her master is indeed of exquisite beauty.

"Say, teacher. Would you describe to me what you look like?"

<<I see, you grow curious to the visage of the person nagging in your head. Very well, My flowing hair is azure like the sky, my eyes are pools of obsidian. My complexion is as pale as snow. Even as I hid behind this mask, the women I have bedded always said my beauty leaked right through.>>

"I think I can get the picture now…wait did you say the women you've bedded? You fuck women too!"

Who would've thought that her teacher also had the same preference when it came to partners. 

<<You could do without the vulgar words, but yes, I do prefer laying with my fellows. And judging by that statement, then you must be the same.>>

With how monotonous Zhen's words are, she couldn't tell if her master was happy or not that they shared the same preference. Xiao, on the other hand, was elated. This would mean that she could open up to her mentor without being judged. 

Xiao mentally gasped. With this information, what if their mentorship gave rise to something taboo? The forbidden love between teacher and student! 

"Teacher, it would be a problem if you fell in love with me. I mean I am not against having multiple lovers but one should respect the sanctity of a student-teacher relationship."

If Zhen had a forehead to crease it would have already done so. What a ludicrous assumption. Although normal morals don't apply to powerful cultivators who simply do what they want without fear of any reprehension, she still had a decorum to uphold. 

<<I am 600 years old. You are but a wee babe to me. I am not going to be involved romantically with someone who is still wet behind the ears.>>

Her teacher's bluntness stung a bit. But she was correct, the discrepancy between 19 and 600 was far too large of a gap. Zhen could practically be Xiao's ancestor. 

She focused on the scroll given to her, better to memorize its contents so she would be prepared if they encounter an Huli Jing come tomorrow. 

"Whatever you say, Grandma."