Chapter Three: So She Entered the Immortal Sect Fresh and Radiant?

He Moboai: "Speak."

"Master, I have not seen my younger sister for a long time and miss her dearly. I hope you will allow me to bring her with me back to the Immortal Inquiry Sect."

"This..."

Jiang Wei’an was caught off guard by her words and felt somewhat helpless. Even Song Zhihua and Lin Rongyue looked surprised.

Would Aran’s request trouble the Immortal Elder?

They knew that He Moboai accepted Aran because she possessed a rare, mutant spiritual root that appeared once in a century, making her well-suited for the path of immortality. But they had no idea about Jiang Zao’s spiritual root. Would he really agree?

If both children could embark on the immortal path, they would be delighted. If not, they could raise Jiang Zao well and ensure she suffered no grievances.

However, Jiang Zao, the protagonist, was strongly opposed to going with her.

[Huh?]

[Isn’t... Big Socks, do you even know what you’re saying?]

[I’m just an ordinary, unremarkable person. Why drag me into this cultivation excitement?]

[May I ask, what benefit do you get from this for me?!]

[He Moboai, you absolutely must not agree!]

Jiang Zao stared wide-eyed in disbelief, silently berating herself. She seriously suspected the heroine must be ill; otherwise, why would she want to bring her back to the sect?

That was one of the top sects in the cultivation world, filled with powerful figures and even more genius disciples. Most importantly, the Immortal Inquiry Sect was where the story began!

As a mere passerby, she might become cannon fodder or worse, lose her life...

She just wanted to live leisurely and peacefully. The ruthless cultivation world was not suitable for her!

Listening to Jiang Zao’s inner meltdown, Jiang Aran felt great and became even more determined to keep Jiang Zao by her side.

But... what did “Big Socks” mean?

Never mind, it wasn’t important.

She wanted Jiang Zao to see with her own eyes that their master was not the kind of person she imagined, and that her own life would not be as miserable as she feared.

He Moboai’s brow twitched subtly upon hearing the request. Jiang Aran quickly added, “Master, rest assured, I will guide my little sister well.”

He Moboai turned his head and saw the stubbornness in her eyes. From his understanding, if he refused, she might persist stubbornly and possibly delay their return to the sect.

He was silent for two seconds, then focused on Jiang Zao, probing her meridians and dantian with his divine sense.

Four spiritual roots... utterly useless.

Metal, Wood, Water, Fire...

Each element both nurtured and restrained the others—useless among the useless.

A worthless spiritual root; even if she entered the immortal path, she wouldn’t get far. Why waste time?

Yet, seeing his disciple’s stubborn yet hopeful gaze, he reluctantly agreed after a moment’s silence.

“Fine, you may bring her along.”

She was just a waste anyway; he could find a time to kill her.

He Moboai concealed his emotions well; no one noticed the flicker of murderous intent in his eyes.

Jiang Aran happily saluted him: “Thank you, Master.”

“Actually… I don’t have to go,” Jiang Zao muttered softly, raising her hand weakly to protest as the decision had been made without her consent.

But no one paid attention to her objection; Song Zhihua and Jiang Wei’an even shot her disapproving glances for being unambitious.

What a great opportunity—how could she just give up?

Under pressure from the elders, Jiang Zao had no choice but to keep quiet, lowering her head like a frightened quail.

He Moboai didn’t care about her feelings and said on his own, “The rules at the Immortal Inquiry Sect are many; be careful not to break them.”

“I understand, Master.”

“When you’re ready, crush this token, and I will come to find you.” He Moboai used his spiritual power to lift a dark red wooden token and handed it to her. After giving the instruction, he vanished.

Jiang Aran took the token, her face lit up with an uncontrollable smile.

“Aran, Zao can go to the Immortal Inquiry Sect with you?”

After He Moboai left, Jiang Zao supported the elderly lady and approached her, both nervous and excited.

Jiang Wei’an and Lin Rongyue followed closely.

“Yes, Grandmother. Master has agreed; my sister can go with me.”

“Good, good, good,” Song Zhihua said happily, patting Jiang Zao’s hand three times in a row.

“Hahaha, Zao is about to become a cultivator on the immortal path too!”

Jiang Wei’an laughed heartily, oblivious to her daughter’s expression, which was worse than crying.

“Aran and Zao going together is perfect—they can look after each other,” Lin Rongyue said softly, holding a handkerchief.

[Didn’t anyone ask if I wanted to go?]

Jiang Zao was speechless; everything had been arranged for her clearly.

[So no matter what, I’m being dragged along.]

“Zao, aren’t you happy to go with me?” Jiang Aran asked, pretending innocence, but her sincere eyes carried a hint of something else.

Jiang Zao: “...”

“I’m naturally happy to go with my sister.”

Jiang Aran’s lips curved slightly as she saw Jiang Zao’s expression, which was more painful than tears, feeling content.

If only she could ignore Jiang Zao’s inner nagging, her mood would be even better.

[My dear sister, what grudge do you hold against me? Why treat me like this?]

[Do you understand what “ordinary person” means? It means I’d die if I went to the cultivation world!]

[Ah! I hate you!]

Jiang Zao’s mind collapsed as she cried silently. If her exterior were not strong enough, she’d have thrown a tantrum, cried, and even threatened to hang herself to refuse going to the Immortal Inquiry Sect.

Though in the end, she’d probably still be dragged along.

[Fine, it’s just the cultivation world. Living anywhere is living—just a difference between comfort and humiliation.]

[...]

[Why must they pick on a defenseless, fragile, worthless little girl?]

The reversal really caught everyone off guard.

Jiang Aran twitched at her inner voice and began to worry about her mental state.

She straightened her expression and asked, “Sister, do you have anything to pack? If not, we should leave.”

She feared that if she heard more complaining, she might be tempted to strike her, bringing peace to the world.

“I have nothing to pack, sister.”

[Why would I pack anything? Pack you or pack He Moboai? Ridiculous.]

Jiang Zao was obedient and adorable; Jiang Aran was at a loss for words.

Jiang Aran was momentarily speechless, unable to argue back.

“Very well, then let’s go.”

Jiang Aran crushed the token, waiting for the master to arrive.

Song Zhihua’s eyes glistened with tears; she was reluctant to part with them. “Aran, Zao... remember to listen to the Immortal Elders at the sect.”

Jiang Zao comforted her: “I will listen, Grandmother.”

“Go, your father awaits your return,” Jiang Wei’an said, waving with his back turned, hoping to lessen their sorrow.

Jiang Aran looked at Lin Rongyue, who simply smiled gently and nodded. A mother knows her daughter best; she could not hinder her child’s future.

He Moboai said, “Let’s go.”

“Father, Grandmother, Auntie... goodbye.”

The two girls followed him, turning back to wave farewell. This departure—who knew when they would meet again.

“Goodbye...”

The three swiftly reached the territory of the Immortal Inquiry Sect by spiritual boat.

Mists curled, light shimmered, cranes flew in flocks, their cries piercing the sky. Disciples of the sect soared on swords.

He Moboai controlled the boat, not stopping but heading straight to his mountain peak.

“Xiao Ran, since she is the one you brought back, it’s your responsibility to help her familiarize herself with Yuling Peak.”

“Yes, Master,” Jiang Aran saluted respectfully and only rose after he left.

Jiang Zao gazed at the misty, beautiful Yuling Peak, a daze washing over her.

[So... this is how one gracefully enters the Immortal Inquiry Sect?]