Cultivation Starting from Choosing Augments-Chapter 99 - 96: What Should You Call Me?

After parting ways with Mei Yong, Xiao Chen first returned to Bishui Peak.

He didn’t have much to move, but he felt he should go inform Elder Qi as a courtesy.

Besides, building a new residence in the valley would take a few days.

"Senior Brother, you’re finally back."

He had just opened his door when Su Wanqing from next door heard the sound and ran out.

She looked incredibly excited, as if something wonderful had happened.

Xiao Chen was a little curious. "Did you not go to cultivate today?"

It was currently 1:00 PM, and Xiao Chen was curious as to why Su Wanqing was still on the peak.

Normally, she should have been practicing in the sect’s Cultivation Chambers at this hour.

Su Wanqing walked up to Xiao Chen, planted her hands on her hips, and puffed out her chest. "Senior Brother, take a look. Is there anything different about me?"

Hmm?

Xiao Chen looked her up and down but didn’t notice anything unusual. "What’s up?"

Su Wanqing proudly announced, "After this period of arduous cultivation, I’ve broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refining."

With a flip of her hand, she produced an Identity Token. "Ta-da! I’m a True Disciple now."

On paper, the status of a True Disciple wasn’t much different from that of an Inner Sect Disciple. As long as one could take any Peak Master as their master, they could become a True Inheritor.

The only problem was that the position was limited; a Peak Master could have at most three True Disciples.

Furthermore, once chosen, the decision was irreversible until that disciple achieved Foundation Establishment or surpassed the age of thirty.

Previously, Shen Siyue had been the only True Inheritor on Bishui Peak, allowing her to frequently receive guidance from Elder Qi.

Now, with Su Wanqing added to the ranks, the pressure on the other disciples of Bishui Peak increased significantly. They could now only compete for the final remaining spot.

Xiao Chen nodded. "Oh, congratulations."

Su Wanqing was clearly dissatisfied with his reaction. "Senior Brother, it only took me five months to break through to the ninth level of Qi Refining."

"Besides, I’m a True Disciple now. According to the sect’s rules, what are you supposed to call me?"

’Ah, so that’s what this was all about.’

According to the Inner Sect Manual, the order in which disciples became True Disciples determined their seniority on the peak.

Therefore, if he hadn’t yet broken through, as a member of Bishui Peak, he would be expected to address Su Wanqing as Second Senior Sister.

Su Wanqing smugly waved the Token in her hand. "Xiao... Junior... Brother... don’t you know to greet your Senior Sister when you see her?"

Xiao Chen smiled faintly, took out the Token he had just received, and flashed it in front of her.

"It seems you’re quite the expert on sect etiquette."

"In that case, let me quiz you. According to the sect’s rules, what should you call me?"

"Huh?!"

Su Wanqing was stunned. She carefully examined the Token in Xiao Chen’s hand. "Steward of the Demon Extermination Hall... You... Don’t tell me you’ve already achieved Foundation Establishment?"

Xiao Chen nodded.

Su Wanqing’s gaze darted back and forth between the Token and Xiao Chen’s face several times.

Finally, she looked at him and greeted in a small voice, "Greetings, Junior... Junior Martial Master. Congratulations on your successful breakthrough."

"Why the sudden lack of energy? You were so full of spirit a moment ago. Louder."

Su Wanqing’s eyes widened as she stared at him. Finally, she accepted reality: "Greetings, Junior Martial Master!"

Xiao Chen said with satisfaction, "Perfect timing. I was about to go see your master. Since you’re here, you can lead the way."

He wasn’t deliberately trying to tease her. The fact was, Elder Qi rarely made public appearances, and there were no attendants stationed outside her residence.

Normally, he would have had to find Shen Siyue to announce his visit.

But since Su Wanqing had popped up, it would be a waste not to make use of her.

"You’ve achieved Foundation Establishment?"

When Elder Qi saw Su Wanqing leading Xiao Chen inside, for once, she didn’t maintain her usual stern expression, a look of surprise appearing on her face instead.

Her tone held a rare trace of emotion. "When did you break through?"

She recalled her own past, how she had spent a full five years preparing for Foundation Establishment—accumulating Contribution Points, earning Spirit Stones to purchase Spirit Medicines, and solidifying her own base.

She had painstakingly acquired a single Foundation Establishment Pill, and had fortunately succeeded in her breakthrough on the first try.

Even so, whenever she looked back, Elder Qi considered her own journey to have been remarkably smooth.

But who would have thought that after reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining in March, Xiao Chen would complete his Foundation Establishment in just five months?

That was a twelve-fold difference in time.

Such a stark contrast caused a slight shift in Elder Qi’s usually unshakable composure. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Xiao Chen answered truthfully, "I finished gathering the Spiritual Objects a few days ago, so I gave it a try and happened to succeed."

"Congratulations on your breakthrough, Junior Martial Master Xiao."

Shen Siyue happened to be with Elder Qi as well. Upon hearing the news, she immediately offered her respects, her own eyes filled with utter shock.

Xiao Chen felt a certain fondness for this Eldest Senior Sister; after all, she had shown him genuine concern in the past. "Thank you. I wish you a swift breakthrough as well."

Upon hearing this, Su Wanqing immediately wanted to protest his preferential treatment.

’She had greeted him too! Why didn’t he wish *her* a swift breakthrough?’

But after a moment’s thought, she realized they were no longer peers and decided against saying anything.

In truth, after asking Elder Su back in March, she had known that Xiao Chen would probably achieve Foundation Establishment soon.

But this day had still arrived far sooner than she had imagined.

The Double Ninth Festival was almost upon them again. She had originally planned to invite Xiao Chen to climb the heights with her once more.

But now he had become Junior Martial Master Xiao and was probably going to move away soon. It didn’t feel appropriate to ask him anymore.

She suddenly felt a pang of disappointment at the thought.

"Have you picked a spot for your new residence? When do you plan to move? I have a few flowers here that would make for nice decorations in your room."

Elder Qi pointed to several pots of Spirit Flowers nearby. "They’re right over there. If you see any you like, you can take a few pots with you when you leave."

The moment she said this, both Shen Siyue and Su Wanqing were stunned.

Normally, no one else was even allowed to water those Spirit Flowers. Only the two of them and Elder Qi herself were permitted to care for them.

Su Wanqing had even asked Shen Siyue about it in private before.

She had learned that the Spirit Flowers were, in fact, Tier Two Spirit Medicines, each at least three hundred years old—precious resources that Elder Qi had spent many years accumulating.

Each and every flower was worth at least three hundred Spirit Stones.

Who would have thought she would now offer to give several pots away?

Although Xiao Chen was only an amateur Alchemist, his foundations were solid enough for him to recognize the value of those Spirit Flowers.

He wasn’t short on Spirit Stones at the moment, so there was no need to accept such a grand gift.

So he waved his hand in refusal. "I appreciate the Peak Master’s kind intentions, but I’m not very fond of flowers and plants. In my hands, they’d probably die within a few days."

"As for the new residence, the location has been chosen. Mei said he would handle the construction, and I’ll move in three days."

"I see."

Elder Qi paused for a moment before making a strange suggestion. "Both of my disciples are quite skilled at caring for Spirit Flowers. I could send one of them over to look after them for you."

At these words, Su Wanqing’s eyes lit up, and she looked toward Xiao Chen.

HISS!

Xiao Chen sucked in a sharp breath.

’Don’t tell me she only took Su Wanqing as a disciple because of the Su Family and now finds her too troublesome? It feels like she’s not trying to gift me flowers, but a person!’

He shook his head and quickly refused, "I don’t think that would be appropriate. Let’s just forget the idea."

"Very well." Elder Qi nodded, but then added, "If you change your mind, you can come and find me."