Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

After crossing most of the Tianxing Sect, the group finally arrived at a certain building. It was a three-story wooden structure. From the outside, it even looked a bit run-down. Especially now, with the golden sunlight pouring down and covering the entire building, the weight of time seemed to press down from all sides.

Yunjin looked up.

At the top of the building, the words "Scripture Pavilion" gleamed with brilliance.

This was where the Tianxing Sect stored all its manuals and ancient texts. It was the foundation of the entire sect, the most important place of all. And corresponding to that level of importance was the pavilion's guardian.

A white-haired elder, frail with age, lounging lazily in a chair, eyes closed as if napping. He looked utterly harmless. But despite his relaxed posture, none of the Peak Lords dared move a muscle.

Lin Ya, fearing Yun Jin might choose this moment to act up, shot her a warning glare.

Yun Jin: "..."

"What was that supposed to mean?"

She wasn't some lunatic who lost her mind at every opportunity!

Her master's distrust cut deep.

"Elder Ming is resting. We wait here," Zhao Wuji said quietly.

No one dared speak. They stood in obedient silence.

The sun beat down mercilessly. These new disciples, still barely distinguishable from mortals, soon dripped with sweat after standing for hours.

Even Ye Danxia swayed on her feet. She glanced at Yun Jin, hoping she would be the one to complain.

But Yun Jin remained unfazed.

Please. She was at Foundation Establishment—a little standing was nothing!

Besides, this Elder Ming guarding the pavilion was no ordinary figure. Yun Jin liked to stir trouble, but she wasn't suicidal. Why provoke someone like him?

Rumor had it, Elder Ming favored composed disciples.

Today, she would be the epitome of composure! No one could outdo her!

After all, she was still hoping to get her hands on some of the Scripture Pavilion's texts!

Seeing that Yunjin showed no signs of "acting out," Ye Danxia gritted her teeth and held on for a while longer. She had taken a healing pill earlier, but her body hadn't fully recovered. Pain throbbed throughout her limbs, and it was becoming too much to bear.

She thought, "Master dotes on me so much. It shouldn't be a problem to ask, right?"

So she quietly stepped closer to Zhao Wuji and whispered, "Master... how much longer will Elder Ming sleep? If he doesn't wake up, do we just keep waiting?"

Zhao Wuji gave her a glance, frowning slightly. "It hasn't even been that long. You're already impatient?"

There was a subtle disappointment in his expression.

Ye Danxia's heart clenched.

She'd only asked! She hadn't even suggested waking Elder Ming! Why was her master so upset?

"Keep waiting," Zhao Wuji said coldly.

Ye Danxia swallowed her frustration and obediently stepped back.

Just then—

Elder Ming stretched and slowly opened his eyes. Though he appeared elderly, his eyes were startlingly sharp once they opened. By now, it was already past noon. It had been three whole hours since they'd been told to stand there. Many disciples' legs were shaking. They were hanging on purely by willpower. So when Elder Ming finally awoke, a collective sigh of relief seemed to ripple through the group.

"Elder Ming," Zhao Wuji greeted respectfully with a cupped fist. "These are the new disciples. Among them, Ye Danxia is a once-in-a-century Heavenly Spirit Root. The others may have average aptitude, but they're all diligent."

He specifically mentioned Ye Danxia by name. Even though she didn't know who Elder Ming was exactly, she could tell he must be someone important. Otherwise, her Master, the Sect Leader, would never bow to him so willingly.

Ye Danxia quickly stepped forward and greeted respectfully, "Disciple Ye Danxia."

But Elder Ming only gave her a passing glance. His gaze soon settled on Yunjin, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Now this girl is interesting. Clearly a Five-Spirit Root, yet already in the Foundation Establishment stage. Did you already have cultivation when you joined the sect?"

Elder Ming had taken the initiative to ask about Yunjin.

Zhao Wuji's expression immediately shifted.

Lin Ya looked delighted and kept making eye signals at Yunjin.

Yunjin wasn't stupid. She stepped forward and replied respectfully, "This disciple had no cultivation upon entering the sect. But the sect's foundational technique seemed to suit my Five-Spirit Root very well. I progressed swiftly and felt constant breakthroughs."

Elder Ming's interest was piqued. "Oh? The foundational technique? If I recall correctly, that attribute-neutral method is usually used for beginner disciples because it's easy to learn. But its biggest flaw is that it absorbs all five spiritual energies evenly, which makes it quite inefficient."

"But that's exactly why it suits me," Yunjin replied with composure. "Since I have all five roots, the technique's even absorption is actually an advantage."

Elder Ming looked even more intrigued. "Even so, it's just a low-tier Yellow-grade technique. There's no way you could advance this fast."

"Maybe the technique and I were simply fated," Yunjin said casually. "For instance, when I broke through to Foundation Establishment recently, I felt something shift... and somehow, I managed to evolve the technique to suit this new realm."

She had... evolved the technique?

Lin Ya was completely stunned. Why hadn't he heard about this?

Zhao Wuji's face darkened immediately. Seeing Elder Ming's surprised expression, he couldn't help rebuking, "Modifying a cultivation method? That's not something a new disciple should even think about! Yunjin, stop spouting nonsense!"

But Yunjin stayed calm and composed. "This disciple isn't sure if the sensation I had was accurate. That's why I was hoping Elder Ming could verify the technique. Just to make sure there's nothing wrong with it."

Elder Ming's eyes flickered. "Step forward, then."

Under everyone's watchful eyes, each with different emotions, Yunjin walked forward with a steady and composed pace, right up to Elder Ming's side.

Elder Ming couldn't help but nod approvingly.

"Regardless of the manual's validity, this composure was commendable!"

It reminded him of Lin Ya's eldest disciple, Yue Zhao.

"That boy had been similarly exemplary."

Elder Ming waved a hand and cast a sound-isolation barrier, then looked at Yunjin with warmth.

"Child, do you know Yue Zhao?"

Yunjin replied respectfully, "He is my senior brother."

Elder Ming's eyes lit up. "So the two of you are from the same lineage. No wonder you're both so steady. Remember this well, child. Keep this humble and steady nature. Only then can you go far in the cultivation world. Never be like those who flaunt their minor accomplishments."

"I will keep your teachings close to heart, Elder. I would never act in such a boastful manner," Yunjin said, still as respectful as ever.

Elder Ming was pleased.

"This was the kind of disciple Tianxing Sect needed!"

"Come, tell me how you interpreted the technique," he said.

Frankly, Elder Ming didn't really believe she had managed to evolve the technique to suit Foundation Establishment. Maybe she had just experienced a small insight.

But that was fine.

He liked this stable and humble child. At worst, he could help refine it for her himself.