Collecting Disciples for a Hundred Years [Transmigration] - Chapter 5

While pondering the future lesson arrangements for Ji Chan, Song Junyu unknowingly drifted off to sleep.

Early the next morning, Song Junyu knocked on Ji Chan’s door.

Ji Chan had woken up even earlier than her, having already neatly folded her bedding and put on the clothes Song Junyu had bought for her.

Song Junyu couldn’t help but admire her own taste. The young girl was already exceptionally pretty, and wearing the new clothes made her look like a figure from a painting, dazzlingly beautiful.

“Xiao Chan, you’re so beautiful!”

Song Junyu lavished praise on Ji Chan without restraint.

Seeing Song Junyu’s intense gaze first thing in the morning, Ji Chan felt a bit uneasy. Hearing Song Junyu’s words, she widened her eyes slightly, unsure why Song Junyu had suddenly started with the sweet talk. Instinctively, she tried to avoid the attention and took a few steps forward, but Song Junyu continued to praise her from behind.

“Even the back of your head is uniquely beautiful!”

“Xiao Chan, how is your hair so silky smooth…”

Seeing Ji Chan’s ears turning red, Song Junyu knew the child was likely feeling shy. Still, she didn’t stop and kept showering Ji Chan with compliments: she needed to express her affection for Ji Chan in straightforward language to dispel any disappointment Ji Chan might feel later. After all, she knew Elder Wan Qing well, and the words Elder Wan Qing would say might not be pleasant.

Just as Song Junyu had anticipated, when she brought Ji Chan to the Enlightenment Hall to seek out Elder Wan, Elder Wan Qing’s reaction was intense. Right in front of Ji Chan, she threw the jade plaque inscribed with Ji Chan’s name, along with Song Junyu’s gifts, out the door. Pointing a finger at Song Junyu, she scolded angrily, “Young Sect Leader, we address you as Young Sect Leader out of respect, but do you truly believe the Qing Ping Sect is entirely under your control?”

“Do you think we’re some mortal escort agency or martial arts school? Even they consider talent when accepting disciples. Yet here you are, trying to bring in a child who can’t even cultivate spiritual power. Why don’t you just move the sect down to the mortal world instead.”

…

Elder Wan Qing was a voluptuous and fiery beauty, usually full of charm, but when angered, her words were like the sharpest blades, striking right at the softest parts of one’s heart.

Song Junyu first glanced at Ji Chan and, seeing her standing silently without crying, felt a quiet sigh of relief. Just as she was about to continue reasoning with Elder Wan, the hot-tempered elder slammed the door shut with a loud “bang.”

Dust from the slammed door settled all over them. Song Junyu rubbed her nose, looked at the tightly closed door, and knew Elder Wan wouldn’t be opening it anytime soon. She sighed softly, turned around, and took Ji Chan’s hand to head back.

“Xiao Chan, don’t be afraid!”

Noticing Ji Chan hanging her head, lost in thought, Song Junyu patted her hand and comforted her in a low voice: “It doesn’t matter if she won’t officially accept you. You can start learning with me first. I’ll take you to the library and pick out some beginner books you can use.”

“Elder Wan has always had this kind of temper. When she gets angry, she’ll even scold my father. She holds prejudices against cultivators who come from mortal backgrounds.”

“But don’t worry, Elder Wan just doesn’t know you well yet. Ahem, as the saying goes, ‘Sincerity can make metal and stone crack.’ As long as we persist every day, Elder Wan is sure to be moved by our sincerity…”

Elder Wan was extremely stubborn, and Song Junyu had no idea if she would eventually be persuaded. But to ease the tension, Song Junyu made an effort to keep her tone light and cheerful.

Ji Chan couldn’t help but glance up at Song Junyu.

Elder Wan’s reaction was within her expectations. It was the typical response of an immortal sect when encountering a body without spiritual apertures. On the other hand, Song Junyu’s behavior was puzzling. Members of the immortal sect were known for their pride and face, so why didn’t the esteemed young sect leader seem the least bit disheartened after being publicly contradicted by Elder Wan? Was she simply too shrewd, or was there something else at play?

At this thought, Ji Chan froze. If she truly were Ji Chan, she should have had no prior contact with the immortal sect. So why did she instinctively assume that people from the immortal sect were obsessed with saving face?

…

Ji Chan frowned slightly, but before she could ponder further, a piece of pastry was suddenly pressed to her lips, interrupting her train of thought.

She looked up and met Song Junyu’s smiling face. After a moment of silence, she lowered her gaze and took a bite of the pastry.

The flavor was overwhelmingly sweet…

Unable to handle the intense sweetness all at once, Ji Chan could only nibble at it slowly.

“This is osmanthus cake from Qian Hua Pavilion—it’s delicious!”

Song Junyu handed a few more pieces to Ji Chan and felt a wave of relief wash over her as she watched the girl lower her head and eat earnestly.

Just moments ago, Ji Chan had been hanging her head in silence, looking utterly dejected. Song Junyu had been terrified she might burst into tears!

Luckily, children loved sweets, and Ji Chan’s attention had been captured by the osmanthus cake…

Song Junyu felt a flicker of pride. Who knew she had a talent for coaxing children? Over the years, no one had ever been willing to accept snacks she offered, and this small gesture made her feel a little closer to Ji Chan.

“Don’t eat so fast—you might choke,” Song Junyu cautioned, noticing how quickly Ji Chan was eating, likely because she enjoyed the taste. “If you like it, I have plenty more in my qiankun bag. Just ask me when you finish.”

Secretly resolving to buy double portions of pastries to share with Ji Chan in the future, Song Junyu picked up a piece of osmanthus cake herself and took a bite. “I knew you’d like pastries,” she remarked with satisfaction.

She sighed inwardly. “Though fasting pills stave off hunger, they taste awful. I’m sure you can’t stand them either, just like me. There are several flavors here. Let me know which one you prefer, and I’ll buy more for you next time…”

By the end, Ji Chan could no longer bear the cloying sweetness of nibbling slowly, so she stuffed the entire piece into her mouth at once. Just as she managed to swallow it and was about to catch her breath, she hadn’t expected Song Junyu to say such things.

For a moment, she froze, and an unfamiliar surge of violence rose within her. She didn’t understand what she was doing and truly wanted to throw the remaining pastries in her hand away. But then she glanced at Song Junyu, who was happily eating her cake with eyes narrowed in delight, and remembered the plan she had devised the night before—to stay low-key in front of Song Junyu and win her favor…

Ji Chan took a deep breath, lowered her head, and slowly nibbled on the remaining pastries. She had to strike a balance—neither letting Song Junyu sense her distaste for the treats nor eating so quickly that Song Junyu would stuff more into her hands.

She never expected that, instead of the difficulties or disdain she had anticipated from Song Junyu, the first challenge she faced after joining the sect would be munching on pastries!

Ji Chan controlled her pace, staying a few steps behind Song Junyu. Just before entering the library, she finished her pastry and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Watching Song Junyu’s retreating figure as she stepped into the library, Ji Chan stopped by the doorway.

She had heard from Song Junyu that this library had been passed down since ancient times, and it likely housed many of the sect’s secret manuals. As a disciple who hadn’t yet formally joined the sect, she probably wasn’t supposed to enter.

The door closed in front of her, but after a moment, it creaked open again, revealing Song Junyu’s surprised expression.

“Why aren’t you coming in?”

Song Junyu frowned slightly, pulling Ji Chan inside. As she did, she leaned in close and carefully wiped away the lingering pastry crumbs from Ji Chan’s face.

This was the first time Ji Chan had been so close to someone. The woman’s infuriating face, always wearing that annoying smile, was now right before her eyes. Ji Chan clenched her fists slightly, her mind suddenly going blank. In her daze, she didn’t dare move a muscle.

“Xiao Chan, for now, start with these books.”

Song Junyu didn’t seem to notice Ji Chan’s stiffness. After wiping away the crumbs, she took Ji Chan’s hand and led her further inside, selecting a few books and handing them to her. She then pointed to the rows of bookshelves behind them. “This row contains introductory sword techniques, that row is for medical arts, and over there are talisman techniques.”

“For now, you’ll learn basic sword techniques with me. After that, you can choose any books you’d like to read. If you have any questions, just ask me.”

As she spoke, Song Junyu handed Ji Chan a jade token. “This is the library pass. With this, you can come and read whenever you want.”

…

Was it really this easy to give out the library pass?

Ji Chan froze for a moment again. The more she interacted with Song Junyu, the more unpredictable the woman’s actions seemed. Her thoughts in disarray, she carefully stored the token away. But then she noticed Song Junyu gazing thoughtfully at a particular row of books in the corner, her expression strangely complicated.

“Xiao Chan, you’re still young. You can’t read these books yet.”

Song Junyu’s gaze shifted uncomfortably. She cleared her throat and quickly took out a brush, tracing a few strokes in the air. In moments, the row of books vanished.

Having spent so much time with Song Junyu, this was the first time Ji Chan had seen her wear such an awkward expression.

So, that row of books must contain Qing Ping Sect’s core secrets, right?

Ji Chan lowered her gaze. Song Junyu’s earlier unreserved demeanor had left her feeling unsettled, as if nothing was quite real. Now, realizing that Song Junyu still held some reservations toward her, the anxiety that had been gnawing at her finally eased.

Given her current knowledge and cultivation level, she probably wasn’t ready for such advanced texts anyway. For now, she would focus on mastering the basics. Later, when the opportunity arose, she could explore those forbidden shelves.

With her mind made up, she quietly followed Song Junyu to a spot by the window, near the wall.

Song Junyu casually reclined on a lounge chair and began reading.

Ji Chan couldn’t help but glance at her again: Song Junyu’s posture was utterly languid, as if she had no bones at all. She looked nothing like the proper leader of a respectable immortal sect. She even patted the space beside her, inviting Ji Chan to lie down next to her.

Ji Chan shook her head. Getting too close to Song Junyu would only lead to being fed more strange snacks. She had no intention of going anywhere near her.

Ji Chan sat alone at the desk and began reading.

These books introduced common knowledge about the cultivation world. For some reason, when she read certain passages, corresponding images would automatically surface in her mind as if she had seen these things before.

Yet whenever she tried to delve deeper, a sharp pain would shoot through her head, as if something containing terrifying power had forcibly sealed away her memories.

What exactly was her origin?

The pain in her head intensified, and a surge of blood qi churned in her chest. Unable to help herself, she furrowed her brows. Afraid that Song Junyu might notice, she forcibly suppressed her aura. Only after a long while did she glance toward Song Junyu, pretending nothing was amiss.

—There was no movement from Song Junyu’s side: she had placed a book over her face to block the sunlight streaming through the window and had actually dozed off!

Ji Chan breathed a sigh of relief. Her gaze, usually evasive when looking at Song Junyu, now lingered carefully on her for the first time.

This woman was always quick to praise others, but in truth, she herself was quite beautiful. When she wasn’t smiling, her noble and elegant demeanor was rather intimidating, but when she smiled, it was like a radiant pearl, making others feel an irresistible urge to draw closer.

Yet, no matter how she looked at it, Song Junyu didn’t seem like someone fit to be a master.

Recalling Song Junyu’s behavior throughout the day, Ji Chan couldn’t help but feel a surge of indignation.

She somewhat suspected that Song Junyu had taken her as a disciple simply because she found her amusing.

She had never seen such an irresponsible master!

With the Qing Ping Sect already in such decline, if Song Junyu continued to be this lazy, it wouldn’t be long before the sect collapsed completely.

A strong sense of urgency welled up inside her. Determined to learn the skills to protect herself before Song Junyu ran the Qing Ping Sect into the ground, Ji Chan lowered her head and resumed her reading.

Perhaps she was genuinely angered by her irresponsible master, but after that glance at Song Junyu, even the blazing, tormenting headache seemed to ease, no longer feeling like a form of torture.