"Try and see if you can change back."
This time, Lin Shu first lifted the little chick off him and placed her to the side to avoid repeating the awkward situation from earlier.
"Change back..."
Yu Sheng crouched on the bed, closed her eyes, and clenched her small fists, as if putting all her strength into it.
Her aura began to surge wildly. That scorching heat emerged once more, causing her skin to flush and her breath to quicken.
In just a moment, sweat was pouring from her like rain.
"Forget it. Stop."
Lin Shu gently patted her head.
Clearly, this kind of forced maturation made it difficult for Yu Sheng to control her adult Immortal Body.
It could only be used as a last-ditch, life-or-death measure. Using it too often could further damage her very foundation.
Besides, even as a life-or-death measure, it probably wasn’t all that useful.
After all, she was currently a blank slate, having learned no Divine Techniques whatsoever.
Of course, Lin Shu hoped Yu Sheng could be a little stronger, to help him deal with those Core Formation Stage Cultivators.
But he had no intention of pushing her too hard.
After all, this little chick had only been awake for a little over two months.
Compared to the long lives of Immortal Descendants, she was just a toddler.
Yu Sheng unclenched her fists, her face filled with self-reproach.
She knew Lin Shu had worked tirelessly to reclaim so much for her—even more than what Yu Qing and Yu Kui had received.
If only she were a little more useful, she could protect all of it.
Remembering the old man’s foul words from before, Yu Sheng’s little face crumpled, and she whispered, "Lin Shu, I don’t think I can hold on to these territories."
She had no elders to guide her by word and example, no older siblings to lend a helping hand.
At such a young age, she was suddenly responsible for the lives of so many people. The pressure felt like a mountain crushing her.
"Just focus on protecting the inn."
Lin Shu reached out, a bit roughly, and smoothed out her crumpled cheeks. "I told you," he said calmly, "Leave the rest to me."
Upon hearing this, Yu Sheng’s eyes widened as she looked up at the young man’s profile.
After a long moment, she secretly nuzzled her cheek against his knuckles. "Okay... But I want to help, too!"
With that, this Immortal Descendant, who since childhood had been determined to do nothing but coast through life,
actually sat down cross-legged in a proper imitation of cultivation, gritting her teeth as beads of sweat once again broke out on her smooth, delicate forehead.
She closed her eyes, forcing herself to endure the piercing pain in her mind as she began to actively digest the Inheritance Spiritual Light.
「Shihu Inn.」
About twenty Cultivators sat dispiritedly in the main hall.
Yu Qing’s disappearance had left this group of disciples from respectable families, who had just left Yongzhou for the Border Region, suddenly adrift and without support.
"Steward Luo, what are we to do now?"
They called it a disappearance, but judging by the crimson blood splattered on the stone wall, everyone knew in their hearts that their Master was most likely dead.
They had not yet completed their trials, so they couldn’t be considered true Yu Family Disciples.
Now, not only were their futures bleak, but in a place this dangerous, even staying alive would be a challenge.
"Heh."
Chen Xiangzhu, who was sitting off to the side with her own disciples, suddenly let out a soft chuckle.
The sound drew the gazes of Yu Qing’s disciples, and looks of cautious hope appeared on their faces.
"What are you looking at me for? Haven’t the Yu Family Elders already placed you under Yu Sheng’s authority?"
Chen Xiangzhu was inwardly gloating, but she tossed out the remark nonchalantly, hoping to stir up trouble.
’Before, that man Lin tried to snatch the prize right from under my nose. Now the tables have turned. It’s their turn to have a headache. What disciple in their right mind would be willing to follow an underdeveloped freak?’
"Sigh."
The disciples’ expressions soured, and they slowly lowered their heads.
After witnessing the recent events firsthand, their opinion of Yu Sheng had already changed. The Little Mountain God treated her subordinates exceptionally well.
Forget the disciples—even the cooks and handymen in the inn had never once been berated by the Immortal Descendant.
But the problem was, this was Yongzhou Pass, and ability was far more important than personality.
Lin Shu thrived under her because he was strong enough, but they didn’t have that kind of power.
"Assist your immortal master diligently. A change will come soon enough."
Steward Luo’s voice was hoarse. He seemed to be speaking up for Yu Sheng, but he was actually giving the crowd a subtle hint.
Their situation was only temporary; soon the Yu Family would send a new Immortal Descendant.
When that time came, the two Yu Family Mountain Gods would vie for power, and the core members of the old guard would inevitably be purged.
Before that Immortal Descendant arrived, they surely knew in their hearts who to side with and how to act.
"What sort of change?"
Just then, a figure in a magnificent Feathered Robe descended the stairs.
She had the appearance of a girl of thirteen or fourteen, with delicate features and a hint of innocent charm.
Her smooth, dark hair fell to her waist, and her swaying robes gave her a noble air.
The girl glanced down at Steward Luo, the corner of her mouth lifting into a slight smirk. "Why don’t you tell me, too."
The hunchbacked old man stood frozen to the spot, utterly dumbstruck.
The next moment, he abruptly bowed his head, his palms beginning to sweat. He hastily cupped his hands. "Mountain God, please don’t misunderstand! I was just spouting nonsense, that’s all! Just nonsense!"
Steward Luo had never been this subservient, not even when he faced Yu Qing and the others.
Because those few young Immortal Descendants were newcomers and still needed to rely on him to get things done.
But Yu Sheng’s drastic transformation had genuinely frightened him.
Furthermore, this girl now controlled the mines of Shihu City and the Border Region. Until she was replaced, her status was higher than that of a typical young Immortal Descendant.
Five streams of Inheritance Spiritual Light, and she could grow to a normal form.
Her innate aptitude, while weaker than her peers’, wasn’t nearly as poor as the rumors had claimed.
"Greetings, Martial Aunt Yu Sheng!"
The other disciples were equally speechless with shock. When they finally came to their senses, their faces lit up with joy.

Comments

Loading...