Chapter Nine

Rui Shi's friendly smile falls and her eyes flare with an unconcealed glare toward the person who said this. She didn't bother hiding her hostility and scowl, pretty vases?! This person dared to call sister Wang a vase?! They actually called our senior brother a vase as well?! Gao Chang's expression stays the same and he acts as if he heard nothing even if the faces of the Golden Cloud sect disciples go red with embarrassment. "We will not bother the Golden Cloud sect any longer, our master has arranged rooms outside of your tower. This disciple merely came to greet you as per master's orders, now that the job is done. Until the Àn Xīng ceremony, Senior BiaoLan."

But his eyes were distant and sharp as well as the unfriendly tone of his voice betrayed what he truly felt. Hearing this the Golden Cloud sect shows obvious panic in their expressions. Gao Chang raised a hand for all of them to follow as he walks away coldly from the Golden Cloud sect members who tried to insist that they stay in the tower. "Wait wait brother Gao Chang please hold on! Our Patriarch has specifically told us to welcome the Azure sect disciples into the tower! We have rooms prepared for all of you and your other Azure sect members are waiting inside for you to arrive as well!"

The group of twelve beside the four, Gao Chang, Fuqing, Lan Biyu, and Da Chuanli almost simultaneously snort and roll their eyes. As if they would stay with such snobs and ruin their experience even more, what did they think the Azure sect was? A pushover countryside sect full of children who could be easily placated? To spite them Rui Shi even turns to Chun Hua to converse loudly without a hint of respect in her voice. "Uwah, to think that the Golden Cloud's hospitality was so low to gossip in front of their guests. I suppose since their standards are so low ours can also drop to that level. After all, they are known as the most peaceful, kind, and harmonious sect. What do you think Chun Hua?"

Chun Hua giggles but the giggle was as vicious as her next words, she even gave the panicking golden-robed people behind her a mocking look. "Sister Rui jokes! How can we lower ourselves to their level? Obviously master taught us better than that." Rui Shi pretends to think about her words before nodding with exaggeration. "Master told us not to disgrace our Azure sect by gossiping like commoners. Sister Hua is right! This humble one will do her best to not lower herself to their standards!" The Golden Cloud sect was already afraid of the consequences of that foolish disciple's words.

But now they were downright embarrassed to death by the words Rui Shi and Chun Hua spoke out loud without restraint. The girl called, Wu Minglan stares at Da Chuanli's back full of longing and regret. To think she had made the effort to look this beautiful and that handsome guy did not even spare her a glance. She glares at the already cowering golden sect member who tried his best to hide in the crowd but he had no luck as no one wanted to shield such a trouble maker. It was all this idiot's fault!! If not for him I could have already been introduced to him!! She raises her whip and stepped forward angrily. "You-!!"

But before she could take out her anger on him Chu BiaoLing quickly stepped forward to stop her, "Junior sister calm yourself." It was not the time to make another scene after the blunder that had just occurred. If she were to show her bad temper in front of this already growing crowd it was sure to become even worse. BiaoLing felt frustrated and embarrassed enough after being blatantly disrespected by the Azure sect. Although he knew he could not afford to offend them again, he did not think the meeting would go this badly. To think his master had entrusted him with this task as well. He starts to sweat in fear of the punishment awaiting him back in the sect.

Wu Minglan looked around and saw the people whispering around them and sent the terrified disciple a glare that promised pain before stomping inside with a huff. "Look and see how Master will deal with you once I report to him what you have done!!" Leaving with this threat she quickly went to cry wolf while BiaoLing massages his temples feeling a headache coming along. "Senior brother, what do we do now? When master finds out that sect leader Wang's disciples refused to stay in the golden tower, arent we finished?!" His junior brother Zhang Hai Bo's serious and alert expression quickly became panic after what had just occurred.

There was nothing he feared more than being kicked out from the sect and shamed in all of Golden city with no way to recover. Although Wu Minglan and Chu BiaoLing would get away with less punishment he had yet to truly wiggle his way into his master's good graces again after the stunt his younger brother had pulled. If it was made known that sect master Wang's students did not accept their invitation under their watch he was surely finished this time!! Knowing his thoughts, Chu BiaoLing felt a bit of sympathy for HaiBo so he reassured him. "Master will not blame you for this." But Zhang HaiBo was not convinced and sent the one who put him in this desperate situation a dark glare, BiaoLing put a hand on his shoulder.

"Go get some rest, I will handle this mess. Let me talk to master first." HaiBo gave BiaoLing a nod of thanks reluctantly but his expression was still dark and full of worry for himself. Biao Ling was helpless and could only put on a strong front while clearing the crowd and having the disciple who ruined their meeting punished. That was the best he could do to try and control the damage that had already been done. He gave the pale-faced disciple a dismissive glance, someone who was tactless and did not know how to hold their tongue did not deserve any words from him. They had done this to themselves.

~

Gao Chang did not bother stopping Rui Shi and Chun Huas' actions, also quite miffed himself at how disrespectful their Azure sect was treated. The Azure sect members were all in their own way independent and level-headed when it came to speaking with others. Even if they were hot-headed the hot-headed ones knew there were consequences if they spoke up and only spoke in tongues with venom laced in each syllable without really insulting others.

"Is this truly alright?" Fuqing asks Gao Chang subtly, Gao Chang shot Fuqing a look full of hidden disdain. "Our master is the highest-ranked cultivator at late stage Nascent Soul besides the sect leader. You tell us if we should be forced to yield under such disrespectful circumstances. Not only gossiping once but twice in front of our faces. Are we so weak that we must lower our heads and let them smear crap on our robes?"

Fuqing sighs but seeing his point agrees, "Then shall I report to master?" Gao Chang finally snorts. "Is Master our mother? He let us come alone as a test of our skills and capabilities. Why the need to tell him of such a minor matter right before the Àn Xīng ceremony? If anything those Golden Cloud sect members should consider it a bigger deal they had offended us." Da Chuanli who was listening in on the side was approving of Gao Chang's decision once more, although Gao Chang had an easily annoyed personality he was logical and patient.

There was no harm towards the Azure sect walking away and refusing hospitality from the Golden Cloud sect. But there was harm to the Golden Cloud sect's reputation, known as a welcoming and peaceful sect that had a reputation to uphold. Now that their disciples not only offended another sect's disciples at the front doors but what they had done was enough to make the other disciples set up living chambers outside of the tower. There was room for more than just malicious rumors against the Golden Cloud sect after this event, especially considering the reputation of Azure sect cultivators who usually stay out of worldly affairs and do not descend from their mountains a lot.

This Gao Chang is vicious and holds grudges, but that is a good thing. Azure sect is smaller than Golden Cloud but they are not pushovers, that needed to be made clear. Lan Biyu observes as Da Chuanli's approval basically oozed from his small smile. She slowly lowers her gaze and continues walking in silence. As they settle in a lavish inn where the owner's respect for them is obvious and he gives them the best services possible Gao Chang finally eased up his expression.

"Master Wang has already told me of your arrival, allow this lowly one to show the young masters and young misses to your rooms. If they are not to your liking please do tell us and we will have your rooms switched as the young master likes." While Gao Chang spoke with the inn owner he sent a glance towards Fuqing who leads the group inside. Although it wasn't as grand as the tower would have been, it was clear how much effort was put into making the disciples feel at home and welcomed. Not a single servant was in sight allowing them privacy. The inn was shaped in a circle so the door to each room slides open to the inner outdoor courtyard.

Simple but livable. Of course, there were one or two pompous people like Mianyang who shot the inn a look of disappointment. But otherwise, the majority of them were satisfied. Gao Chan came in with them and assigned the disciples their rooms and when he gets to Lan Biyu and Da Chuanli he hands them both keys to the bottom floor. "Senior Ling and Junior sister Wang's rooms are on the first floor with your own backyards to practice alone if you wish. Master specifically told the inn owner to hand these two rooms to you two. He also left a message for Senior Ling."

When Lan Biyu receives her key she heads towards her room quickly wanting some time away from all the noise. "Junior sister, curfew here is at half an hour before midnight." The girl doesn't respond but assuming she heard Gao Chang looks at Da Chuanli who was still reading through the letter left to him from their master. Gao Chang saw the older boy's smile jerk upwards with a helpless look in his eyes as he folds it back up placing it safely into his sleeve. Looking back at Gao Chang he nods his head.

"Master has instructed us to stay still till he sends word to fetch us. We are allowed to wander around the city but since we have already provoked the Golden Cloud sect try not to cause any more trouble. He has also mentioned an auction house nearby known to sell rather rare material should we seek it." Gao Chang took the orders with a pondering look and sent Da Chuanli away with a bow. "This junior brother will bear that in mind, thanking Senior Ling for his advice." The older teen hums lightly in response and strolls away towards his room seemingly lost in thought.