Chapter 131: Shizun (Master)

Chapter 131: Chapter 131: Shizun (Master)

Seeing the Spirit Jade Fruit Tree treat Sui Sui so gently, everyone was left stunned. But of all those present, Jiang Huan was undoubtedly the most shocked. He stared at the scene in disbelief, his expression twisting as he struggled to accept what he had just witnessed.

"How can this be? This isn’t how it was supposed to go!" he blurted out. ℴ

Elder Shan Li turned toward him, his expression cold and unyielding. "The Spirit Jade Fruit Tree has accepted Sui Sui. This alone proves that he is not the one who harmed it. If you still insist that he is guilty, then bring forward evidence to support your accusation."

Jiang Huan immediately fell silent.

After all, they had agreed to let the tree itself determine whether Sui Sui was responsible. Now that the tree had not only stopped attacking him but had even treated him with such care, how could Jiang Huan continue accusing him without making himself look unreasonable? Yet he still couldn’t understand what had happened. How had Bai Sui Sui, of all people, managed to calm the Spirit Jade Fruit Tree when even Chu Ran, Disciple Leng and all the other alchemist here had been unable to approach it safely?

Madam Jiang, who had been standing nearby, quickly realized that the situation was slipping out of their control. Seeing that Jiang Huan could no longer argue his case, she stepped forward with a gentler expression, attempting to smooth things over.

"Since matters have come to this, perhaps it really was a misunderstanding on this disciple’s part," she said, turning toward Elder Shan Li. "However, I don’t think it’s fair to place all the blame on Chu Ran either. There may be more to this matter than we realize, so perhaps we should investigate it more thoroughly before reaching a conclusion. What do you think, Brother Shan?"

Her tone was noticeably kinder than before. The change was so obvious that anyone paying attention could see it. When things had seemed to be going in her favor, she had been more than willing to do anything to condemn Sui Sui. But now that the situation had turned against her, she was trying to soften her words and shift the blame away from Chu Ran.

Elder Shan Li regarded Madam Jiang coldly, his expression leaving no room for interpretation.

"Oh? Whether this was a misunderstanding or not, you know the truth better than anyone else," he said, his voice carrying a clear warning. "I will let this matter go one last time, but do not mistake my patience for weakness."

He paused briefly before sweeping his gaze across the gathered elders.

"By the way, there is something I would like to announce. From this day onward, all the fruits produced by the Spirit Jade Fruit Tree will belong exclusively to Bai Sui Sui. None of them will be distributed to the sect as before. He may use them however he pleases, and no one is to interfere with his decision." His gaze returned to Madam Jiang, his tone growing colder.

The moment Elder Shan Li finished speaking, the expressions of the surrounding elders immediately darkened. Several exchanged displeased glances, clearly unhappy with his decision. The Spirit Jade Fruit Tree had always been an important source of resources for the sect, and its fruits were usually distributed among their people who had made significant contributions or possessed exceptional talent and for a long time now, they had already regarded it as their own property. To suddenly give the entire harvest to a probationary disciple was something they could hardly accept.

"How can this be?" one elder protested, his brows furrowing deeply. "Bai Sui Sui is only a probationary disciple. He hasn’t even become an inner disciple yet! How can someone of his standing be entitled to the entire harvest?"

"Exactly! Even if the tree has accepted him, isn’t this going too far? Those fruits are precious cultivation resources. Giving every single one to a probationary disciple is nothing short of a waste!"

The complaints quickly spread among the elders, with several voicing their agreement. Some looked at Sui Sui with open disapproval, seemingly unable to understand what made him so special that Elder Shan Li would go to such lengths for him.

Madam Jiang seized the opportunity to speak, carefully arranging her expression into one of concern.

"Brother Shan, please don’t let your anger cloud your judgment. I understand that you’re displeased with what happened today, but surely we shouldn’t make such a significant decision in the heat of the moment." She paused, then continued in a more conciliatory tone. "Since there are still questions surrounding this incident, why don’t we investigate everything thoroughly first? Once the truth is established, we can discuss how the fruits should be distributed. Wouldn’t that be fairer to everyone?"

Her words sounded reasonable, as though she were merely trying to prevent Elder Shan Li from making a hasty decision. Yet beneath that seemingly considerate attitude was dissatisfaction: How the hell did it come to this? Clearly everything was going well before, why was Shan Li a bit different today?

Elder Shan Li gave her a cold glance, showing no sign of being swayed.

"My decision has nothing to do with any of you," he replied flatly. "The Spirit Jade Fruit Tree is mine, and how I choose to distribute its fruits is my own concern. I do not need anyone’s permission, nor do I need to justify my decision to the sect."

Meanwhile, Sui Sui remained completely unaware of the argument unfolding outside. Having finally reached the last portion of the Spirit Jade Fruit Tree’s corrupted roots, he carefully guided his Soul Force through the remaining impurities, removing them one by one. Only when he could no longer detect a trace of the murky energy did he finally relax. The tree’s interior was now filled with the familiar, soothing green light, its spiritual energy flowing far more smoothly than before.

Satisfied that the purification was complete, Sui Sui withdrew his spiritual consciousness and slowly opened his eyes.

The first thing he noticed was the tense atmosphere around him. Elder Shan Li stood nearby, facing several displeased elders who seemed to be arguing over something. Their voices carried clearly across the courtyard, and from the fragments Sui Sui caught, the dispute appeared to concern the Spirit Jade Fruit Tree’s harvest.

"If all the fruits are going to that disciple, then what about the rest of us?" one elder demanded, his expression darkening. "The Spirit Jade Fruit Tree has always contributed to the sect’s resources. Its fruits should be distributed for everyone’s benefit, not handed over to a single disciple."

"Exactly," another elder agreed. "There are plenty of talented disciples who could make good use of those fruits. Why should a probationary disciple receive the entire harvest?"

Madam Jiang seized the opportunity to join in, adopting an expression of earnest concern as she turned toward Elder Shan Li. "Brother Shan, surely you can see why everyone is troubled by this decision. The fruits are valuable cultivation resources, and keeping them all for one person would be a terrible waste. If you don’t need them yourself, wouldn’t it be better to distribute them among the sect’s disciples? There are so many promising young cultivators who could benefit from them. Why give everything to someone who isn’t even your disciple?"

From their words, Sui Sui gradually pieced together what had happened. It seemed that Elder Shan Li had decided to give him all the fruits from the Spirit Jade Fruit Tree, which had disrupted the plans of these people. After all, their original intention had been to prevent Sui Sui from monopolizing the fruits in the first place.

The courtyard had grown increasingly noisy as the elders continued arguing over the distribution of the Spirit Jade Fruits. One after another, they voiced their objections, each insisting that Elder Shan Li reconsider his decision.

Elder Shan Li’s expression grew colder with every passing moment. His brows drew together ever so slightly as the incessant chatter grated on his patience. He had already made his decision, yet these people continued to talk as though they had some authority over his belongings. The more they argued, the more irritated he became, until he finally lost patience.

"Enough!"

His voice cut through the courtyard, silencing the overlapping complaints. The sudden quiet left everyone looking toward him, but Elder Shan Li no longer bothered to entertain their objections.

"Since you all insist on making an issue of this, then let me settle the matter once and for all." His gaze swept across the assembled elders before he declared, with unmistakable authority, "From this day onward, I, Shan Li, shall take Disciple Bai Sui Sui as my one and only personal disciple."

Having made the announcement, he turned toward Sui Sui, his expression returning to its usual impassive state.

"Do you accept it or not?"

Hearing this, Sui Sui was completely dumbfounded. He had never expected Elder Shan Li to suddenly offer to take him as his personal disciple, much less in the middle of an argument with the other elders. For a moment, he could only stare at the elder, struggling to process what he had just heard.

However, once the initial shock passed, Sui Sui quickly weighed the offer.

Although Elder Shan Li always wore an expressionless face, he had been nothing but kind and patient toward Sui Sui. He had answered his questions, taught him earnestly, and even entrusted him with the responsibility of caring for the Spirit Jade Fruit Tree. Now, he was willing to give Sui Sui the entire harvest as well. This was already far more than Sui Sui could have hoped for.

Besides, becoming Elder Shan Li’s personal disciple would give him the opportunity to learn directly from one of the sect’s most accomplished alchemists. There was hardly any reason to refuse such a good offer.

If anything, Sui Sui couldn’t help feeling that Elder Shan Li might actually be the one getting the shorter end of the deal by taking him in.

Having made up his mind, Sui Sui immediately clasped his hands, bowed deeply, and respectfully addressed the elder.

"This disciple, Bai Sui Sui, pays his respects to Shizun."

Seeing Sui Sui bow so respectfully, Elder Shan Li’s expression finally softened. Although his face remained as composed as ever, the faint satisfaction in his eyes was unmistakable. He gave a small nod, clearly pleased with his new disciple’s response.

"Good. From this day onward, you are my one and only personal disciple," he declared. "Whatever knowledge and resources I possess, I will share with you without reservation. As your master, I will guide you to the best of my ability and treat you as my own child."

Having settled the matter, Elder Shan Li turned back toward the assembled elders. The warmth in his expression faded, replaced by his usual cool indifference as he surveyed their displeased faces.

"Now, does anyone still have an objection to my giving the fruits to my own disciple?" he asked. His tone was calm, but there was a sharpness beneath his words that made it clear he had no intention of entertaining further arguments. "The Spirit Jade Fruit Tree belongs to me, and I will decide how its fruits are distributed. I trust that this matter is settled."

No one answered immediately. Several elders exchanged reluctant glances, but none seemed willing to challenge him outright.

Elder Shan Li continued before anyone could raise another objection. "As for what happened today, I am willing to let it go one last time. However, I will not tolerate another incident like this. Madam Jiang, take the three disciples you sent here back with you. I have already accepted a personal disciple, and I have no intention of taking another."

His meaning was unmistakable. The matter was over, and he would not entertain any further discussion.

With that, an overwhelming pressure suddenly descended upon the courtyard. The spiritual force swept through the surrounding area, leaving no room for doubt about Elder Shan Li’s intentions. He was ordering them to leave.

The elders’ expressions stiffened, but none dared to protest further. With no other choice, they gathered their disciples and began filing out of the courtyard, carrying their dissatisfaction with them.

Only after the last of them had departed did the oppressive atmosphere begin to ease.