The third bell has tolled, marking the end of the day’s duties!

—

At that precise moment, Wang Lin felt utterly exposed, as though the very marrow of his being was laid bare before a piercing gaze.

The Elder, Sun by name, furrowed his brow. He detected nothing outwardly amiss with Wang Lin. “Wang Lin,” he began, his voice resonant with authority, “when did you return?”

Wang Lin, still reeling from the probing eyes, stammered, “This humble disciple arrived but last night. I was informed by Brother Liu of the Servants’ Quarters that you sought me urgently, and thus I hastened hither.”

Elder Sun’s countenance darkened, and without a word, he seized Wang Lin’s arm. With a single stride, swirls of auspicious, multi-hued clouds materialized beneath their feet, carrying them swiftly towards Wang Lin’s meager dwelling.

The speed was breathtaking, nearly suffocating Wang Lin. Yet, in short order, they arrived. Elder Sun flung Wang Lin aside and swept his spiritual senses through the cramped space.

“Hmm?” A flicker of interest crossed the Elder’s face. He moved directly to Wang Lin’s bed, reaching beneath it to retrieve a simple gourd, nestled amidst the threadbare belongings.

Wang Lin maintained his composure, but his heart hammered against his ribs. He groped for words, ready to fabricate a plausible tale.

Elder Sun scrutinized the gourd intently, a subtle shift in his expression. After a pregnant pause, he fixed Wang Lin with a demanding stare. “Wang Lin, what is contained within this gourd?”

Wang Lin feigned ignorance. “Revered Elder, this gourd holds spring water from the mountain. A most wondrous water, it is. Whenever weariness grips me, a single draught brings instant revitalization. I recall reading in ancient scrolls of immortals who held all things dear, and even their water proved extraordinary. Should you desire some, Elder, the chore division possesses ten vast vats. I myself filled those gargantuan containers from the mountain spring!”

Elder Sun uncorked the gourd, inhaling deeply. His face paled noticeably. “Who spoke of the spring water?” he demanded, his voice sharp with urgency. “Tell me, boy, where did you find this gourd? Speak quickly!”

Wang Lin stammered, feigning confusion. “Is… is there something amiss with the gourd, Elder? I discovered it adrift, carried downstream when I fetched water. I thought it a fine piece and claimed it as my own.”

Elder Sun narrowed his eyes, regarding Wang Lin with unsettling intensity. He caressed the gourd thoughtfully, muttering to himself, “The vessel itself resonates with ancient power. The spring water, though mundane, revives this mortal, yet he knows not its true worth. Used in the crafting of elixirs, its potency would be greatly amplified.

“And the withering of the Azure Flax and the Violet Nightbloom… it is likely linked to this very artifact. Perhaps a delicate balance exists between them. Only experimentation will reveal the truth.”

A sudden understanding dawned upon him. He stared intently at the gourd, then turned a withering gaze upon Wang Lin. “You dare trifle with an elder, boy?” he roared. “It seems you have long sown deceit within the Hengyue Sect!”

Wang Lin’s face mirrored utter bewilderment. “Revered Elder, I speak the truth! Ten vats of spring water await in the chore division…”

Elder Sun cut him off with a furious snort. “Cease this charade! It is the *gourd* I question! The nascent tendrils upon its surface are newly broken, yet you claim to have found it in the spring. This is blatant falsehood! One final chance, boy. Reveal the gourd’s true origins, or be cast out from the Hengyue Sect this very day!”

Anger flared in Wang Lin’s eyes, a mask of righteous indignation spreading across his features. “Be it so, then!” he exclaimed. “What do I find in Hengyue but the ceaseless toil of water-bearing? Oftentimes, a week passes without a proper meal. Had my mother not brought me sweet potatoes, I would have surely starved! Is this not a path to immortality, but a sentence of unrelenting hardship?

“I found the gourd by chance! If you desire it, take it! But why accuse me of falsehood? Tendrils, you say? What concern is that of mine? Perhaps some passing soul broke them off and cast the gourd into the stream. Ask them, not I!”

Elder Sun glanced at the sweet potatoes peeking from Wang Lin’s pack, then back at the gourd in his grasp. He weighed the situation carefully, a calculating glint in his eyes. *I must secure this vessel,* he mused, *but to seize it outright would bring shame upon me. To rob a registered disciple is unseemly, and the whispers would spread quickly. Worse, if my brothers in the sect learn of this, they will covet its power. I am not strong enough to defend it. Stealth is paramount.*

*And the boy still lies. There must be more than one of these gourds. If I could claim them all, my skill in concocting elixirs would reach new heights.*

After a moment of deliberation, he adopted a guise of sincere surprise and sighed heavily. “My child, you have endured much hardship, toiling without sustenance for weeks. I was unaware of this injustice. Know this, from this day forth, it shall be rectified! Even a registered disciple deserves the benevolence of the Hengyue Sect!”

He noted the lingering resentment in Wang Lin’s gaze and, though seething inwardly, spoke with newfound kindness. “Wang Lin, I desire this gourd, yet I will not wrong you. Would you be willing to serve as my assistant?”

Wang Lin grumbled sullenly, “I will not be a servant. Should my father learn I am a bondsman, he would beat me senseless!”

Elder Sun nearly lost control, the urge to strike the boy overwhelming. *Fool!* he thought. *Though I am but the least among the second-generation disciples, the common herd would leap at the chance to serve me!*

Struggling to regain his composure, he spat out, “Very well, then. I shall take you as my disciple. I will speak with the sect leader regarding this matter. Pack your belongings and await me in my garden.” With a flick of his sleeves, he turned and strode from Wang Lin’s hovel, mounting the auspicious clouds and soaring toward the sect leader’s residence.

As soon as Elder Sun was gone, Wang Lin’s amiable facade vanished, replaced by a look of cold calculation. *The old fox has ill intent,* he thought with a sneer. *He claims to take me as his disciple, but his true goal is to claim the rest of the gourds.*

Wang Lin paused, considering. *So be it. It is but a gourd. The mountains abound with such things; I shall imbue them with the power of the beads. He wishes to become an inner disciple? Then I must seize this opportunity to hone my skills.*

A spark of determination ignited within him. He packed his meager belongings, leaving a generous portion of his sweet potatoes for Zhang Hu, and set off at a measured pace toward the main courtyard.

This time, he did not pause to register. He simply walked directly into the courtyard. The young man in white, perched in the corner of the large tree, looked down and did not interfere. He had already received word from the sect leader: Elder Sun had taken Wang Lin as his disciple. He chuckled softly. “A worthless master collects a worthless disciple. How very fitting.”