Chapter 54 – Still young, huh?
Hongzun returned to the mountain summit and went straight back to his cave abode, ignoring Qingshi.
Seeing this, Qingshi, who was following behind, shook his head with a smile. "Getting old and still can't handle it."
He didn't bother further and turned back to his own place. From now on, the Dao Yi Sect would probably be his home.
The thought amused him; who would have thought he'd join a sect one day and willingly be bound by its rules? But then again, that kid Changqing's cooking was really good, so it wasn't a loss.
In a good mood, he returned to his cave abode and saw his master had returned. Little Wang Yao immediately approached and asked, "Master, are we really staying at Divine Sword Peak from now on?"
"Yes, we'll be staying at Divine Sword Peak."
"Oh." She nodded cutely, then noticed the oil stains on her master's beard and asked in confusion, "Master, did you just eat?"
She remembered that her master had long since started fasting. Although he occasionally ate some demon beast meat and spiritual fruits, it was rare and only when he was idle.
Seeing oil stains on his beard from eating was a first.
Caught in the act, Qingshi didn't hide it and spoke seriously, "Disciple, listen carefully to what I am about to say."
Seeing her master so serious, little Wang Yao straightened up and nodded, "Okay."
"At the foot of Divine Sword Peak, there's a kitchen that serves three meals a day. From now on, you must go there at meal times. But there's a rule at the Divine Sword Peak kitchen: disciples of different levels must compete for seats. Only those who secure a seat get to eat."
"You're now a direct disciple of Divine Sword Peak, so you'll have to compete with other direct disciples, as well as stewards and elders."
"Remember, when the time comes, don't hold back. As long as you don't take lives or cripple anyone, you must go all out."
"Ensure you secure a seat for every meal, or you'll regret it."
Hearing these seemingly nonsensical words, Wang Yao was stunned and, after a moment, asked incredulously, "Master, are you telling me to fight for food?"
She never imagined her master would one day tell her to fight for food. Yet Qingshi nodded emphatically, "Yes, remember what I said."
Wang Yao was baffled, unable to comprehend her master's reasoning. What's so special about a bowl of food? She had been fasting for a while; even if she didn't eat, it wouldn't matter, so why fight for it? And her master seemed to imply she should fight with all her might.
Confused, she felt something was off, but having never been to the kitchen, little Wang Yao didn't know that the meals at Divine Sword Peak's kitchen were unlike any other.
In a new place, Wang Yao adapted quickly. After an afternoon of cultivation practice, just as she was about to rest, she saw Qingshi quickly emerge from his room.
"Disciple, hurry, to the kitchen, it's almost meal time."
Though he had just joined the Dao Yi Sect and only eaten two meals, he was already familiar with all the rules.
He knew exactly when meals were served and when disciples set off, among other things.
Without waiting for Wang Yao, he took off into the sky, leaving only one sentence behind, "Hurry, disciple, or there won't be any seats left."
There was a rule that during the competition for seats, masters couldn't intervene.
So even if Qingshi wanted to take Wang Yao to the kitchen, it wasn't possible.
Seeing this, Wang Yao stood there, full of questions, and after a while, she snapped back to reality. Though still puzzled, she chose to follow her master's advice and headed towards the kitchen at the foot of the mountain.
On the way, Wang Yao witnessed a scene she had never seen in her life.
She saw many Divine Sword Peak disciples running and fighting fiercely. Some even recognized her from her direct disciple attire.
"Whoa, is that the new direct disciple Wang Yao?"
"Is she Elder Qingshi's disciple?"
"Yes, that's her."
Earlier in the afternoon, Qi Xiong had announced to the entire Dao Yi Sect that Qingshi had joined and become an elder of Divine Sword Peak.
His disciple Wang Yao had become a direct disciple of Divine Sword Peak.
The news had already spread throughout the Dao Yi Sect.
Seeing Wang Yao now, the disciples were curious. After all, she was a new direct disciple, and not through the usual process. They wondered about her strength.
But with one disciple's comment, their focus shifted.
"Hey, does it seem like Senior Sister Wang Yao is also heading to the kitchen?"
"What do you mean 'seem'? She is going to the kitchen."
"Sorry, kid."
Initially curious, but if she was heading to the kitchen, then apologies were in order.
In an instant, a passing steward didn't hesitate to attack Wang Yao, intending to eliminate a competitor first.
"Sorry, kid, I'm forced to do this. I'll explain after I eat."
Apologizing as he attacked, Wang Yao was bewildered. What was happening? Weren't things fine just a moment ago? Why resort to swords and blades so suddenly?
Confused, Wang Yao still defended herself.
Unexpectedly, the steward didn't manage to subdue Wang Yao; instead, he was suppressed by her.
"Damn, as expected, no direct disciple is a pushover."
Everyone thought Wang Yao had gotten in through connections and would be weaker than other direct disciples.
But now, seeing her strength, it was clear she was formidable.
Even if she wasn't quite on par with Xu Jie and the others, the gap wasn't large.
Fighting while advancing, Wang Yao eventually followed the crowd to the kitchen.
But the battle here was even fiercer, leaving Wang Yao increasingly puzzled. What was going on at Divine Sword Peak?
Had the disciples gone mad? Had the stewards lost their minds too?
But hearing Qingshi's cheers from the side, Wang Yao gritted her teeth and defeated the steward.
"Good, just like that, disciple, hurry, grab a seat."
Qingshi shouted loudly, while Hongzun coldly remarked, "Aren't you following the rules? You can't intervene during the seat competition."
"Was I intervening?"
"Even speaking out is not allowed."
Chastised by Hongzun, Qingshi fell silent, but seeing Wang Yao successfully secure a seat, he smiled.
As expected of my disciple, securing a seat on the first try, excellent.
He thought the meal was assured for their master-disciple duo, but what happened next left Qingshi dumbfounded.
The steward Wang Yao had just defeated limped over, feigning severe injury, and pleaded with teary eyes, "Direct Disciple Wang Yao, I... I've been with the Dao Yi Sect for 581 years, working diligently. Now, with my lifespan nearing its end and no hope of breakthrough, my dying wish is to taste Divine Sword Peak's meals, so I can die knowing I lived and will die as a member of the Dao Yi Sect."
Hearing this, Wang Yao's face showed a hint of compassion. The steward's act was so convincing, it seemed he might not draw another breath any moment.
Without much thought, Wang Yao immediately gave up her seat, saying, "I'm sorry, senior, I didn't know..."
"It's alright, it's my own issue, just this one last wish..."
"Senior, please take my seat."