C12 Elder Separation

"Do you have any food with you? I'm getting quite hungry after all this walking."

Dongfang Menghuan gazed at Bai Yu patting his stomach and eagerly replied, "Yes, absolutely, as long as you agree to take me on as your disciple."

She signaled to the servants in the distance, and several came forward, leading their horses.

The horses carried two bags filled with an assortment of fine goods.

She pulled out a lotus leaf from one of the bags and laid it before Bai Yu, "Roast chicken, and there's fine wine too."

The wine was placed atop the carriage, as she fretted over the possibility of the jar breaking, which would be a regrettable loss.

Bai Yu's eyes lit up at the sight of Dongfang Menghuan's carriage, brimming with treasures, and he couldn't help but grin. "Haha, had I known, I wouldn't have bothered asking Dust Taoist to host a meal."

If Dust Taoist knew Bai Yu was still turning up his nose at his hospitality, he'd probably be livid.

"Don't worry, Master, there's more," she reassured him.

On another horse, there were flatbreads stuffed with meat, an absolutely delectable combination.

Bai Yu wondered where Dongfang Menghuan had acquired such a spread of mouthwatering dishes.

The Mountain Sect Disciples watched Bai Yu relishing his meal at the mountain gate, each of them salivating with envy.

Despite Dongfang Menghuan's kindness towards Bai Yu, she was significantly harsher with the Mountain Sect Disciples.

"What are you staring at? Don't interrupt my master's meal, or I'll have my soldiers level this place."

Before the Mountain Sect Disciples could respond, Bai Yu interjected, "They're here on sect orders. Let's not give them a hard time. Come back."

He gestured to a nearby seat, signaling Dongfang Menghuan to ease up on them.

Having already indulged at the base of the mountain, Bai Yu's stomach was full. After just a few bites, he lost his appetite.

He wrapped the remaining roast chicken in the lotus leaf and tucked it into his Storage Bag, planning to savor it the next time a craving struck.

Regardless, Dongfang Menghuan considered him her master, but Bai Yu had never intended to take on a disciple. All these claims were solely from Dongfang Menghuan's perspective.

Just as they had finished stowing items in the Storage Bag, an elderly man with a white beard and hair approached and stood before them. Bai Yu recognized him from the testing platform; it seemed his name was Elder Separation.

Elder Separation watched the two indulging at the mountain gate with a look of concern and asked, "Do you two know each other?"

The Star Cloud Sect was known for its hospitality. If Bai Yu had a friend visiting, they would undoubtedly extend the highest standard of treatment. However, Elder Separation had never heard of Bai Yu having any friends around, so the likelihood of them knowing each other seemed slim.

Bai Yu glanced at Dongfang Menghuan beside him and shook his head, "I don't know her."

Dongfang Menghuan had assumed Bai Yu would reveal her identity, but to her surprise, he remained silent.

Elder Separation could sense from Dongfang Menghuan's gaze that there was some untold story between them. Otherwise, such an incident would not have occurred.

With a clap of his hands, several Mountain Sect Disciples emerged. They had been nearby and were certainly aware of the events that had unfolded.

"Enlighten me about their situation," Elder Separation instructed the disciples.

Bai Yu knew that if his identity was disclosed to the Mountain Sect Disciples, Dongfang Menghuan would not spare him. He discreetly made his way to the side. Given what Bai Yu knew of Dongfang Menghuan, if she discovered he had deceived her, she might very well decide to end his life.

Dongfang Menghuan, however, was not watching Bai Yu's departure; her attention remained fixed on Elder Separation.

It was only after the Mountain Sect Disciples had clarified the matter between the two that Elder Separation had an epiphany.

"I see," he said, enlightened.

Dongfang Menghuan listened intently to the Mountain Sect Disciples' report, extracting what she deemed to be the most crucial information.

"Wasn't that person a grandmaster of the sect just now?" she questioned.

Elder Separation, noting Dongfang Menghuan's skeptical expression, couldn't help but clarify, "The Bai Yu who was just sitting beside you, he's from the same group of disciples as you, isn't he?"

Dongfang Menghuan arrived too late to be accepted into the sect.

Once the Isolated Elder clarified the situation, Dongfang Menghuan realized what had happened. She quickly turned to look for Bai Yu, only to discover he had fled.

He had stashed all the fine wine from the carriage into his Storage Bag, and even the roast chicken and flatbreads from the horses were gone.

The Isolated Elder stood firm at the gate: "You gave those items willingly; I don't recall him agreeing to accept you as his apprentice."

Bai Yu was merely a disciple of the Star Cloud Sect; it was inconceivable for him to take on his own disciples.

"I'm going to kill you!"

Observing Dongfang Menghuan's demeanor, the Isolated Elder lamented, "Another one driven to madness. I truly wonder who is behind Bai Yu."

Even the Grand Upper Elder wouldn't consent to keep Bai Yu, a decision that baffled them all.

Had it been up to them, they would never have hesitated to agree.

Dongfang Menghuan, pointing towards Bai Yu, yelled, "Bring out Bai Yu who just entered. I'm going to kill him!"

Several elders within the Star Cloud Sect were debating whether to ingratiate themselves with Bai Yu, given that he had no official master yet.

Should Bai Yu choose one of them, that elder's status would soar, making them a sought-after figure within the Star Cloud Sect.

To protect Bai Yu from harm, the Isolated Elder gave explicit instructions to the Mountain Sect Disciples: "You must secure the entrance and ensure no outsiders are allowed in."

The elders were preoccupied with training their disciples and had no time to oversee the entrance, leaving the Mountain Sect Disciples in charge.

Hearing the Isolated Elder's warning, the disciples readily agreed.

As the Isolated Elder and Bai Yu departed, Dongfang Menghuan called out, "Hold it right there! Do you think I won't have my soldiers kill you?"

Several household servants came up behind her and restrained Dongfang Menghuan.

The Star Cloud Sect was an immense presence on the continent, hardly concerned with the soldiers of a mere dynasty.

Should they provoke the Sect's inner powers, their own dynasty risked being collectively overthrown.

"Please leave the sect immediately, or we'll have no choice but to show no leniency."

The disciples brandished their weapons, seemingly eager to demonstrate the skills they had learned.

Dongfang Menghuan regarded the disciples before her and instinctively retreated a few steps.

Her weapons lay shattered, rendering her unable to wield them and effectively stripping her of any means to resist.

The Grand Upper Elder caught up with Bai Yu, his expression one of resignation: "Why can't you just stay and cultivate properly within the Star Cloud Sect? We have many elders with deep cultivation levels here."

Though the Grand Upper Elder didn't spell it out, Bai Yu grasped the underlying message. He smiled lightly and responded, "I appreciate the reminder, Elder. I'll take my leave now."

Bai Yu paid no mind to the Grand Upper Elder. After all, the Dust Taoist's prowess far exceeded that of the Grand Upper Elder.

And if Bai Yu held the Dust Taoist in such disregard, the Grand Upper Elder, with his lesser strength, was hardly a concern.