CHAPTER 52: ELDER CHU YUXUAN

"There are five peaks in our Divine Cauldron Sect: Celestial Cauldron Peak, Sword Spirit Peak, Iron Core Peak, Elixir Flame Peak, and Ember Lotus Peak."

Inside the spirit boat flying rapidly in a certain direction, Elder Hua spoke, trying to give some general knowledge to those who had been selected in this outer sect trial.

"Each peak has multiple elders and one Peak Elder. All Peak Elders are, without exception, in the Core Formation Realm."

"Among them, Celestial Cauldron Peak stands as the main peak, personally overseen by our Sect Leader."

Seeing that everyone was paying close attention, Elder Hua continued his explanation, his tone carrying a hint of pride.

"Our Sect Leader is in the Nascent Soul Realm, and among the cultivators of this region, he is one of the youngest to ever reach that stage."

"Anyway, just know that it is your luck that you can be inner sect disciples of our Divine Cauldron Sect," Elder Hua said, clearly trying to instill a sense of belonging in these outer sect disciples.

"Umm... Elder Hua, what about Ruyue? Which Peak Elder chose her to become a personal disciple?"

Just as he was about to ramble about sect loyalty and such, he was interrupted by Mo Zhiran, who was pointing at Su Ruyue curiously.

In his previous life, he only knew that Ruyue had a flame-type physique that was very suitable for alchemy and was taken in by a related elder. He didn’t know much after that.

So, he was quite curious.

"Huh? Oh, her..."

Elder Hua glanced at Ruyue, who was standing silently behind Zhiran with a somewhat nervous look on her face, and said,

"She’s quite lucky. She’s been noticed by Elder Chu Yuxuan of the Elixir Flame Peak. Sigh... to be honest, even I’m envious of her luck."

"If everything goes well, it won’t take her long to reach Foundation Establishment, and even the Golden Core Realm might not be too far out of her reach..."

’Elder Chu Yuxuan? Why do I feel like I heard this name before?’

Zhiran didn’t care about Elder Hua’s ranting and rather focused on the name of the elder. He didn’t know why, but felt that he had heard that name somewhere.

’Wait a minute... doesn’t Chu Yuxuan have a similar surname to Chu Liang, the Legendary Gravedigger? Is it just a coincidence or...?’

Suddenly, Zhiran remembered the incident at the Outer Sect Graveyard where that gravekeeper talked about some elder behind Chu Liang.

If he connected all the dots, it really seemed to be the case?

"Aunt, I really didn’t do it. You still don’t believe me? Why are you punishing me for what I have never done?"

Just as Zhiran was thinking, the Spirit Boat suddenly passed through a certain barrier and appeared right outside a massive peak whose top couldn’t be seen clearly.

But Zhiran’s attention wasn’t on the beautiful scenery of the cultivation world, but rather on the base, right beside a tall building, particularly on a tall, mature woman and the boy standing beside her.

’Chu Liang?’

"It isn’t about whether you did it or not. It is about discipline... about teaching you to understand the consequences of your actions."

"And don’t call me an Aunt. If not for your mother, I would not even recognize someone like you who digs graves."

The mature woman, with her sharp features and tall, imposing figure, looked sharply at Chu Liang, directly silencing him.

Only then did she look at the Spirit boat slowly landing right beside her.

"Elder Yuxuan, I never thought you would come here personally. I am really sorry for the delay."

Elder Hua seemed surprised to see the Peak Elder right in front and hurriedly climbed out of the boat, bowing with slight nervousness.

"Umm...no worries. Did you bring her?"

Fortunately, it seems she didn’t care as her attention was on the Spirit Boat, or rather, right behind Mo Zhiran, on Su Ruyue.

"Yes, of course. Elder Yuxuan. Su Ruyue, come and meet the elder."

Elder Hua immediately nodded, smiled, and signalled Su Ruyue to come forward with his eyes.

Hearing Elder Hua, Su Ruyue first looked at Mo Zhiran nervously, and only after he nodded lightly did she slowly exit the boat, bowing slightly towards the mature woman in front.

"Elder Yuxuan, I am Su Ruyue. Thank you for inviting me to the inner sect."

She said softly, with deep gratitude in her eyes. And her gratitude wasn’t fake, as without this, she might have had to wait five years just to appear here.

So, she was really grateful.

"Swoosh!"

Elder Yuxuan didn’t immediately answer her. Rather, she suddenly disappeared from her place, appearing right in front of Ruyue and grabbing her wrist lightly as if checking something.

"Umm...it is indeed the rare Crimson Lotus Physique. Fortunately, I wasn’t wrong."

Only after checking Ruyue did the mature woman smile lightly, stunning all the disciples around. Even Mo Zhiran felt she looked quite beautiful when smiling.

Unfortunately, it was too short, as her face immediately returned to the previous calmness and sharpness as before.

"Su Ruyue, right? I am the Peak Elder Chu Yuxuan of the Elixir Flame Peak. Do you want to be my personal disciple?"

She suddenly asked Ruyue, her gentle gaze fixed on the girl nervously standing before her, completely ignoring everyone around them. It was as if, besides the girl in front, no one else existed.

"Yes, Elder. Thank you for giving me this opportunity," Ruyue said softly, a hint of excitement flickering in her eyes.

After all, being chosen as the personal disciple of a Peak Elder was an honor few could dream of. She would be a fool to reject such an opportunity.

"Very well then. Since you have decided, let us go immediately. We will conduct the master-disciple ceremony once we reach our peak."

Elder Yuxuan smiled sweetly again, the deep dimples on both sides of her cheeks appearing once more, quietly enchanting everyone who dared steal glances at her from the corners of their eyes.

But she didn’t care; she merely waved her hand and tossed something toward Elder Hua, who was still bowing respectfully.

"This is your reward for the errand. Ruyue, let’s go."

With that, she lightly waved her hand, her spiritual power unfurling to envelop Ruyue. The two floated gracefully into the sky and vanished from sight.

’Zhiran...’

Before leaving, Su Ruyue managed only a fleeting glance in Mo Zhiran’s direction before her vision blurred and her body ascended beyond the clouds, leaving everything in silence.

"NO...Aunt! Why did you leave me alone? How am I supposed to get back?"

Well, only the sorrowful cry of Chu Liang echoed through the peak as he ran desperately after the fading figures.

The poor boy seemed stranded.