Shen Xian turned around to see a young man dressed in the attire of an inner disciple walking briskly toward him. He had handsome features, a smiling expression, and a green jade token hanging at his waist, engraved with the character “Zhao.”
“Senior Brother Zhao,” Wang Yu gave a slight nod, his tone indifferent.
Zhao Ming’s smile was gentle, but his gaze subtly sized up Shen Xian. Sensing the aura fluctuations of the Qi Refining Realm, a trace of disdain flickered in his heart.
He took a step forward, cupping his hands in greeting. “I am Zhao Ming, the duty deacon of Green Bamboo Peak. It should have been my duty to help Junior Brother collect his supplies. I apologize for making you come all this way personally.”
Shen Xian smiled faintly. “Senior Brother Zhao is too kind.”
Zhao Ming’s smile widened. “Junior Brother Shen is new here and likely unfamiliar with the sect. How about I accompany you and show you around?”
His tone was enthusiastic, but his eyes kept glancing at the storage pouch in Shen Xian’s hand. He wondered how the treatment for this direct descendant of the Shen Family compared to that of a mere duty deacon like himself.
Wang Yu leaned casually against a green bamboo stalk nearby, watching with an ambiguous smile.
“Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother,” Shen Xian maintained his polite smile. “However, today I’d like to settle in first. I’ll trouble you another day.”
He truly wasn’t familiar with the sect, but that didn’t mean he had to accept the other’s offer. Being new here, it was better to stabilize his situation first.
Zhao Ming’s smile stiffened for an instant before quickly being replaced by an even fuller one. “Of course, of course.”
He retrieved a green jade message talisman from his sleeve. “Junior Brother, if you need anything, call for me anytime.”
The moment Shen Xian took the talisman, his Golden Core divine sense keenly detected a hidden tracking mark on the back of the paper.
He accepted it without changing his expression and left side by side with Wang Yu.
After the two had walked some distance away, Zhao Ming’s smile faded like a receding tide.
He stared at Shen Xian’s retreating back, his eyes as sinister as a venomous snake flicking its tongue. “What a fine direct descendant of the Shen Family!”
The message talisman in his sleeve suddenly grew warm. It was the contact talisman of the Lin Family’s Second Young Master, Lin Lang.
The cold voice from their secret meeting three days ago still echoed in his ears: “Keep a close eye on that Shen Family trash. I want to know his every move.”
Zhao Ming rubbed the talisman, a ferocious curve twisting his lips.
How could a mere Qi Refining Realm trash possibly know I tampered with that talisman?
The solitary courtyard on Green Bamboo Peak was nestled within a sea of emerald bamboo, appearing faintly visible amidst the morning mist and swirling clouds.
Most of those who could reside here were the elite among the inner disciples. Inner disciples typically needed to live communally; only those with strength or background would come here to live alone.
On the path, Wang Yu casually plucked a tender bamboo leaf and held it between his lips, asking curiously, “Why did you refuse Zhao Ming’s goodwill?”
Shen Xian toyed with the message talisman in his hand, which still carried the other’s tracking mark.
“I only remember one saying.” He stopped walking and turned to look at Wang Yu, his clear eyes holding a certain depth. “Unsolicited kindness is never without ulterior motives.”
These words weren’t just about Zhao Ming; they also applied to this new neighbor before him.
Wang Yu acted as if he didn’t understand, smiling. “Didn’t expect you, a direct descendant of the Shen Family, to be so vigilant.”
“Of course,” Shen Xian kept staring at him and continued. “And what about you? You…”
Before he could finish, rustling footsteps came from the end of the bamboo forest path.
A young cultivator in brocade robes walked slowly over, followed by several outer disciples. This person had sharp features and thin hair tied up high; an aura of sharpness emanated from him.
“Isn’t this Senior Brother Zhou?” Wang Yu immediately stepped forward with a grin. “What brings you out for a stroll today?”
There were many inner disciples on Green Bamboo Peak; this Zhou Ziling was one of them, renowned for his formidable strength and long-standing reputation.
Zhou Ziling gave Wang Yu a cursory glance before his gaze settled on Shen Xian. “I heard the Third Young Master of the Shen Family has taken residence on Green Bamboo Peak. I came specifically to pay my respects.”
His tone was flat but carried an air of condescension.
This man came from humble origins and relied solely on his own efforts to attain his current status. Now, seeing someone at merely the Qi Refining Realm effortlessly gain the status and position he had worked so hard for simply because of family background inevitably stirred jealousy within him. This visit wasn’t merely for courtesy.
Shen Xian smiled slightly. “Senior Brother Zhou is too kind.”
“Junior Brother Shen is new here and likely unfamiliar with the sect’s rules,” Zhou Ziling said, retrieving a jade scroll from his sleeve. “This is The Divine Wood Sect Precepts that I compiled. I hope Junior Brother will study it carefully.”
This seemed like goodwill but actually contained a veiled warning. The jade scroll specifically highlighted several strict regulations targeting those relying on connections, such as “must not bully others using influence” and “must not trespass into forbidden areas without permission.”
Wang Yu curled his lip at the side. “Senior Brother Zhou is quite enthusiastic. However, Junior Brother Shen has the Holy Son’s patronage; surely he won’t make such basic mistakes.”
Zhou Ziling’s expression darkened. “Junior Brother Wang should watch his words. Sect rules apply equally to everyone.”
Just as the atmosphere grew tense, a smooth voice interjected. “Ah! Isn’t this Junior Brother Shen? I’ve long heard of you!”
A slightly plump cultivator walked over quickly, his face beaming with smiles. “My name is Qian An.”
He was also an inner disciple living nearby who had come specifically to see Shen Xian upon learning of his arrival.
“Senior Brother Qian,” Shen Xian greeted with cupped hands.
Qian An enthusiastically grasped Shen Xian’s hand. “Junior Brother Shen is new here; if you need anything, just come find me. I’ve taken care of things over at the Deacon Hall; I guarantee no one will give you trouble.”
He was a deacon in one of the thirty-six branch halls—the Deacon Hall—and due to his social adeptness held some sway within it.
As he spoke, he took out an ornate box from his storage pouch. “This is some top-grade spirit tea; I prepared it specifically as a welcoming gift for Junior Brother.”
Seeing this, Zhou Ziling snorted coldly. “Junior Brother Qian certainly knows how to handle people.”
Qian An didn’t mind and remained smiling. “Senior Brother Zhou jests. Junior Brother Shen is new here; it’s only natural for us senior brothers to offer more care.”
With Shen Xian’s status, while some looked down on him, others would naturally flatter him. Qian An belonged to the latter category.
He turned to Shen Xian and lowered his voice. “Junior Brother, if you have time, why not come visit the Deacon Hall? A batch of excellent spirit materials just arrived recently; they might aid your cultivation.”
Taking in everyone’s reactions calmly, Shen Xian smiled faintly. “Thank you for your kind intentions, Senior Brother Qian. I will definitely pay you a visit another day.”
Zhou Ziling snorted coldly again before turning and leaving—though within his sleeve, he clenched his fist until it turned white.
Just trash relying on ancestral favor—how dare he live on Green Bamboo Peak? When it comes time for the inner disciple competition matches… I’ll definitely make you lose all face!
Seeing the situation unfold further prompted Qian An’s tactful departure. “Then settle in first, Junior Brother; find me anytime if needed.”
“Tsk tsk… truly worthy treatment befitting direct descendants from families like yours,” Wang Yu remarked admiringly yet enviously under his breath, shaking his head slightly.
The two continued onward toward their respective residences. After a brief pause on the pathway leading into the dense foliage surrounding them, they walked silently beside each other again after the momentary interruption, eventually reaching their destination point where they parted ways.
Shen Xian offered no further comment, simply turning toward his new residence without hesitation.
His first day entering the Divine Wood Sect proved rather interesting indeed…
One openly hostile… another testing waters behind smiles hiding daggers… plus a neighbor seemingly detached yet observing everything keenly.
He lifted his gaze toward the distant peaks shrouded in mist and clouds swirling endlessly above them.
The waters within the Divine Wood Sect ran deeper than he had imagined.
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