C16 Unlike a Good Person!

The three elders were taken aback, their excitement quickly snuffed out.

The Bright Moon Sect's members were no fools; they wouldn't simply stand by and let us seek help.

"If push comes to shove, we'll have to select some of the most talented Elite Disciples. Then, we'll stay behind and fight the Bright Moon Sect to the death, to buy time for the others to escape," Huang Feng declared, his teeth clenched with determination.

The elders were visibly shaken. "Sect Master? Are we truly resorting to this?"

"What other choice do we have?" Huang Feng responded with a wry smile. "The Bright Moon Sect is relentless, having even wounded our ancestor. This course of action may preserve the Jade Sun Sect's legacy and give us a fighting chance."

The elders fell silent, no one else speaking up.

"For now, let's get ready. Elder Xiao Hee, please start organizing the sect's scriptures and other resources in the coming days. Be prepared for the worst," Huang Feng instructed.

Elder Xiao Hee nodded gravely, "Rest assured, Sect Master. I'll make the necessary preparations."

"Good. Elder Mo and Elder Han Ye, once you return, begin selecting the Elite Disciples," Huang Feng continued, then recalling the previously mentioned prodigious disciple, he inquired, "Do you know of the disciple who, at only Level Three of Qi Refining, managed to defeat opponents above his level and even stand his ground against Han Bing?"

"Sect Master, that genius must be included among the Elite Disciples. Should the worst come to pass, he may well be the key to the Jade Sun Sect's future," one elder suggested.

The others recalled the disciple who, despite being merely at Level Three of Qi Refining, had impressively vanquished several enemies of at least the seventh level and even withstood an attack from someone in the Foundation Stage.

His precise control and keen judgment were the marks of a true genius. Such a disciple must be protected at all costs, as the Sect Master had said, for he might very well carry the Jade Sun Sect's legacy into the future.

Yet, his identity remained a mystery to them all, except for Han Ye, who felt a faint sense of familiarity.

"So, upon your return, make it a priority to find out who this disciple is. We must ensure his protection immediately."

Everyone nodded in agreement; each elite genius was vital to the sect.

A new house had been erected on the ruins within a small valley a hundred meters behind the mountain. Zhou Mu sat cross-legged, his eyes half-closed. Strands of Heaven Earth Spirit Energy swirled around him, and a faint green glow shimmered across his form. The Heaven Earth Spirit Energy in the vicinity was being drawn into him.

With the aid of the Pills from his Storage Bag, Zhou Mu was steadily enhancing his strength.

"Buzz!"

A green wave of Qi burst forth from him, and Zhou Mu opened his eyes in resignation.

"Another Pill gone. Is my talent truly this inadequate?" he muttered, furrowing his brow. He had noticed during his previous cultivation sessions that his absorption of Heaven Earth Spirit Energy was painfully slow. Only with the help of Pills could he accelerate the process.

Yet, the rate at which he was going through his Pills pained him. In just one day, a third of the once plentiful supply in his Storage Bag had dwindled. The alarming rate of consumption left him stunned.

"If I continue at this pace until I reach the Foundation Stage, how many Pills will I go through?"

Zhou Mu was troubled. He had only just begun his path of cultivation, having previously been a Miscellaneous Affairs Disciple with virtually no resources. He was destitute. If not for the female demon forcing him to steal Pills on two occasions, his cultivation journey would have been even more challenging.

The thought of that female demon using his body to steal Pills twice gave him an even bigger headache. The mere idea of Elder Han Ye discovering the thefts made him shudder; he knew the Elder would not hesitate to strike him down.

"Maybe I should slip away while the sect is under attack from outsiders?" Zhou Mu pondered, his eyes shifting. He didn't understand why the sect was being attacked, but it seemed like an opportunity. He feared that the sect was in grave danger and might not survive this crisis.

Having only just embarked on his cultivation journey, he wasn't ready to die alongside the sect.

As he was lost in thought, a Sect Disciple entered the valley.

"Is Junior Brother Zhou Mu around?"

Inside, Zhou Mu was taken aback. Someone had arrived?

His heart started pounding. Could it be that his secret was out? He felt an immediate urge to flee, but then he reconsidered. If the theft of the Pill had been discovered, the visitor wouldn't be so courteous. They would have likely attacked him with sword qi first.

After a few seconds of deliberation, he decided to step outside and assess the situation. If anything seemed amiss, he could always run away then.

Zhou Mu rose to his feet, opened the door, and stepped outside. His heart skipped a beat when he saw who it was.

Bai Qianhe, an Elite Disciple of the Jade Sun Sect and a direct disciple of Sect Master Huang Feng. His cultivation had reached the pinnacle of the tenth level of Qi Refining. With just the right opportunity, he could break through to the Foundation Stage and become a distinguished Foundation Stage Cultivator.

He was a true prodigy. Zhou Mu had once envied him, even dreaming of how wonderful it would be to be in his shoes.

Luckily, Bai Qianhe was alone. It seemed that Zhou Mu's misdeeds had not been exposed. He breathed a sigh of relief.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Bai. May I ask what brings you here?" Zhou Mu said, promptly stepping forward with a respectful bow.

"You're too kind, Junior Brother," Bai Qianhe replied with a smile, returning the gesture. He then looked at Zhou Mu with admiration. "Previously, with the strength of a Level Three Qi Refining, you managed to counterattack and slay several enemies above the Seventh Level. Such talent is truly commendable."

What did this mean?

Zhou Mu was puzzled by Bai Qianhe's visit. Surely he hadn't come just to offer compliments?

He was skeptical that Bai Qianhe hadn't done his homework before coming. Zhou Mu's reputation as a good-for-nothing was well-known throughout the sect.

Yet, when he looked into Bai Qianhe's eyes, he saw no mockery or envy, only genuine sincerity.

"Junior Brother Zhou, you're truly remarkable. Any negative reputation you may have had before will be completely erased now that you've embarked on the path of cultivation."

Bai Qianhe genuinely admired Zhou Mu. He was aware of the less-than-stellar reputation Zhou Mu had within the Bright Moon Sect, but he had never paid much attention to someone who was unable to cultivate.

However, once someone begins their cultivation journey, they earn a status equal to his own. He was particularly impressed when Zhou Mu, at only Level Three of Qi Refining, managed to defeat an opponent at Level Seven. That feat had earned Zhou Mu his deep respect.

"Ah, Senior Brother Bai, you flatter me. Everyone in the sect is well aware that you are the true prodigy."

Zhou Mu quickly deflected the praise with a modest wave of his hand, suggesting that his success was merely a stroke of good fortune.