At Jiang Yan's earlier words, everyone only shook their heads.
Surpass Jiang Yan's cultivation and become Sect Master?
Who would dare accept such a statement?
Mount Shu was founded by Jiang Yan himself. Everyone knew he was only speaking to inspire, to give them a goal to chase.
If some fool truly took it seriously and accepted?
He would likely be smacked to death on the spot—if not by Jiang Yan, then certainly by the Hall of Discipline afterward.
Besides, Jiang Yan's talent was unparalleled, unprecedented.
At such a young age, he was already close to Union of Void and Dao—how could anyone hope to cultivate faster than him?
But the position of First Seat—that was different.
At the late stage of Refining Qi into Spirit, one could become Acting First Seat.
Not too far a stretch. With hard work, it was attainable.
And as Mount Shu revived and grew, the prestige of a First Seat would rise as well.
When Mount Shu shook the heavens in the future, the title of First Seat alone would be enough to awe the world.
It was an identity, an honor, and a mark of strength.
Thus, though Jiang Yan's words were offhand, they truly gave everyone motivation.
When he saw they did not wish to pursue the subject further, Jiang Yan let it drop.
He turned toward Ningguang and the others:
"The founding ceremony is over. Take them to receive their peak robes and disciple tokens.
"On the way, you may introduce them to the sect. As Inner Sect disciples, they should know more than the Outer Sect.
"Afterward, let them visit the Sutra Pavilion to choose their techniques, then select a cave-dwelling at one of the Seven Peaks.
"Tomorrow at dawn, all Inner Sect disciples will come to Tongtian Peak to cultivate with me.
"As for Yunqing and Yunhua—once they finish settling the Outer Sect and servant disciples, have them come see me."
Having made sure nothing was forgotten, Jiang Yan waved a hand.
"Go. Furina stays."
The disciples froze in surprise—especially Furina and Clorinde. Their recently calmed hearts grew tense again.
Yet Jiang Yan's tone seemed not unfriendly. Of course, the thoughts of a Void-Refining expert were not theirs to guess.
Furina steadied her breath and nodded.
Clorinde, though worried, dared not linger when she had not been named. She could only glance back at Furina again and again.
For some reason, Furina's figure seemed especially lonely in that moment.
Once the great doors of the sect hall shut with a resounding boom, Furina's feigned composure crumbled.
She looked cautiously at Jiang Yan.
He slowly opened his eyes and smiled lightly:
"No need to be so afraid. Am I truly so frightening?"
His easy tone made Furina exhale in relief. Curious, she asked:
"Sect Master, is there something you wished to speak to me about?"
Jiang Yan did not answer immediately. He studied her in silence, then spoke softly:
"Heart-Testing Array, Heavenly Spirit Root… such a gift, though not a divine body, is still extraordinary.
"Your future should not be dim."
He rose as he spoke, pacing slowly until he stood before her.
Furina, caught off guard by this sudden praise, could not help a flicker of pride.
"But…"
His tone shifted, and Furina froze, unease rising.
"Your spirit grid is incomplete. You lack something crucial.
"For now, it does not hinder you. But in the future…"
Jiang Yan turned, gazing out at the drifting clouds beyond the window.
"Do you recall what I once told Chongyun?"
Furina thought a moment, then nodded.
"Extreme yang becomes yin, extreme yin becomes yang. Yin and yang in harmony—thus the path to immortality may be grasped."
Jiang Yan nodded in satisfaction.
"All things under heaven appear complex, but their essence is nothing more than yin and yang.
"Yin and yang—the Dao of heaven. The principle of all things, the source of change, of life and death, the abode of spirits.
"Yang brings life, yin brings death. Never has there been life without death, or growth without decline.
"So under yin and yang, the seasons turn—spring birth, summer growth, autumn harvest, winter concealment. An endless cycle, eternal and unchanging.
"To transcend life and death, one must first follow yin and yang, align with the heavens, harmonize body and world. Only then may one ascend in light."
His words flowed like a Daoist scripture. As he spoke, his figure shimmered like moonlit water and appeared again before Furina.
A faint smile touched his lips as his eyes glimmered:
"How could there exist absolute yin or absolute yang?
"Yin alone cannot live. Yang alone cannot grow. Always opposing, always united, always clashing, always merging.
"That is the way of heaven and earth."
As his words fell, two fish appeared above his head—simple, yet resplendent.
One white, black-eyed, brimming with life.
One black, white-eyed, seething with death.
They chased one another in a circle, tail to mouth, his aura blending with heaven and earth.
"Do you understand my meaning?"
Furina lifted her gaze.
Above her head, there was only a single fish. Pure white, with only a tiny black speck in its eye.
Lonely. Out of place with the world.
"Sect Master, I…"
Her lips trembled, as if she could not voice the truth.
"You were born with an incomplete spirit grid. You may cultivate the immortal path without hindrance—yet at the final step, you will be stopped."
"This does not suit your unmatched talent."
Jiang Yan sighed, looking at her with rare regret.
"Fated… never to become immortal?"
Furina's face drained of color. She let out a bitter little laugh.
Then, biting her lip, she whispered:
"Sect Master, I know every Inner Sect disciple of Mount Shu seeks immortality.
"If I am doomed never to ascend, then I am unworthy.
"But I truly need this path…
"Please, grant me mercy. Once I reach late Refining Qi into Spirit, I will leave Mount Shu.
"I will never tarnish its name."
Her words left Jiang Yan momentarily speechless.
"You think I kept you to persuade you to quit?"
"Eh? Isn't it so?"
Furina blinked at him, bewildered.
He chuckled, shaking his head.
"If I did not wish to accept you, I would have sent you away before the Heart Trial.
"Why would I teach you immortal arts, take you as disciple?
"Did you think you could hide your condition from me? Do not underestimate a Void-Refining cultivator."
He tapped her forehead lightly, smiling.
"Your talent is among the best of Mount Shu. Naturally, I place high hopes on you.
"As for your spirit grid—you already know what must be done. I need not repeat it.
"But remember this…"
His gaze deepened, his words sinking like a stone into her heart:
"You are unique. An individual. You are no lesser than anyone.
"Your incomplete grid—I can help you mend it. For Mount Shu, that is but a trifle.
"This is not your burden to carry. I left you behind only to tell you this.
"You worry too much. You carry too much. Now that you have entered Mount Shu, you need not.
"All you should think of—is cultivating."
His voice softened further:
"All Mount Shu disciples are Mount Shu's own. And as such, the sect bears the duty to solve their troubles.
"Of course, we encourage disciples to face their own demons—that too is part of growth.
"But I know your worries. I see them all.
"Do not fear running out of time. If you falter, behind you stand I, and all of Mount Shu.
"Once you enter Mount Shu, you are no longer alone.
"Our disciples shed blood for the sect's glory—thus Mount Shu shields its disciples in return."
"So…"
"Furina. From this moment, begin to cherish yourself. Put your heart upon yourself.
"Your talent should not be wasted by worldly burdens. You are meant to soar far higher."
Furina stood frozen.
For five hundred years, every voice—
even the one in the mirror—
had told her the same thing.
You are the God of Water. You must put others before yourself.
You are the God of Water. You must love others more than you love yourself.
And slowly, she too believed it.
But all had forgotten—perhaps even Focalors remembered but could not act otherwise—
that Furina was, at her core, human.
A human with joys, sorrows, pride, laziness, fear.
For centuries, all had tried to sever her seven emotions, to mold her into a flawless Water God.
But today—
for the first time in five hundred years, someone told her: love yourself.
Compared to lofty words about saving the world, this sounded selfish.
But it was what she longed to hear most.
In the silence of the grand hall came the sound of water dripping.
Furina raised her hand to her cheek.
It was wet.
She—
the dignified Water God—
was crying?
A Water God, crying?
But why?
The prophecy's crisis had not yet come. She had already found a way to face it.
Jiang Yan had even encouraged her. There was so much to be happy about.
So why tears?
It must be Neuvillette's fault!
That crybaby dragon!
No wonder Fontaine rained so often—Neuvillette looked composed on the surface, but surely he spent his nights clutching a dragon-shaped pillow, rolling about and weeping!
Yes—his endless tears must have rubbed off on her, the mighty Water God!
Pouting, Furina tried to wipe her tears away. But the more she wiped, the more they flowed.
Soon her robes were soaked.
Feeling ashamed, she sniffled, glancing up at Jiang Yan with a pitiful look.
"Sect Master, I didn't mean to… I wasn't crying on purpose…
"I don't usually—"
Before she could finish, Jiang Yan chuckled softly, raising a hand to gently brush her tears away.
Unlike her own clumsy attempts, his touch eased them instantly.
Soon, she sniffed, the flow of tears stopping.
Through the haze of her tears, she looked at him.
Bathed in the golden Dao-light of the sect hall, Jiang Yan seemed to her like an immortal already ascending.
Perfect. Warm.
"I know."
He ruffled her hair, his voice tender.
"These five hundred years… you have suffered enough.
"From now on, live well. Love yourself."
Something inside her twisted, tightened.
At last—
Furina felt the most profound of human emotions.
At last—
she had found joy in being human.
To read 220+ future chapters, head over to Patreon:
patreon.com/WhiteDevil7554