Chapter Thirty-Three: Watching the Old Man, Not Me

Thinking about it, before he took me as his disciple, Violet Lotus lived alone in the Azure Luan Palace, solitary and isolated. During meals, no one was there to share jokes with him or pour wine and serve dishes; at bedtime, there was no one to lay out his covers, warm his bed, or heat his feet. And today, just like before, when gathering outside the palace gates, he faced the hundreds in Elder Yuanxu's hall alone. My heart ached for him.

How pitiful, my Violet Lotus. How pitiful, my master.

"Master."

I truly couldn't hold back anymore. I lifted my head, eyes brimming with tears, gazing at him. At that moment, his gaze wandered somewhere unknown—perhaps he sensed I was looking at him, for he suddenly turned his head and shot me a glare, mouthing the words, "Shut up."

What was that about? Had he seen through me so easily? Did he already realize I was pitying him?

This suspicion made me uneasy. For such a noble immortal as Violet Lotus, I imagined he would find it humiliating if he knew I thought him pitiable.

The sound of bells and drums echoed, resonating from within the palace gates.

The white-bearded Third Elder, clad in flowing robes, slowly stepped forward, his face adorned with a kindly smile. He stroked his waist-length beard, surveyed the crowd, and nodded slightly.

Judging by his appearance, the Third Elder hadn't cultivated as long as Violet Lotus—at most three hundred years. I really couldn't understand why, with so little cultivation, he could become a master of Lingyun Mountain. That old man Yuanxu in his green robes had only two hundred years, yet he was elevated to High Elder. Meanwhile, my Violet Lotus, a true Upper Immortal, was only made the sect leader. My heart was filled with indignation, and I glared at Yuanxu, that wretched old man. Surely, he relied on having more disciples than Violet Lotus.

On Lingyun Mountain, Violet Lotus was the immortal with the longest cultivation. Judging by Third Elder's bearing, the day of his ascension was not far off—sooner or later, he'd pass away and soar to the celestial realm to join the ranks of the immortals. When that day came, would my Violet Lotus be promoted to Elder? Even then, he'd still have only me as his disciple, but perhaps many grand-disciples.

I smiled brightly at Violet Lotus, but he still refused to even glance at me.

Why couldn't he care for me, just once?

I stared at him resentfully, fingers tugging at my sleeve, muttering inwardly, "How annoying, how annoying! You have only me as your disciple—if I decide to ignore you, won't you feel lonely?"

"Yuge, come forward."

Suddenly, someone called my name.

"What? What is it?"

Lost in thought, I was startled by the call, frowning as I looked around to find the culprit. I vowed to find an opportunity to get back at them.

"Yuge."

Violet Lotus's expression darkened, his voice cold.

Seeing his angry face, my heart skipped a beat. Was it him who called me during my daydream? If so, I feared I'd be in trouble this time.

"Yes, Master."

I replied with a miserable face, full of anxiety, slowly stepping forward. When I was still three steps away, I hurriedly stopped and dared not go further.

"Master, what is it?"

I looked up at him, but he turned away to gaze at the white-bearded Third Elder.

What? Ignoring me?

Standing before him, seeing his indifference left me at a loss.

Third Elder smiled and nodded, then turned to me, stroking his long beard.

"This matter, you must decide for yourself."