Chapter 245: The Unfeeling Gong Caiyi

She had been talking about Jiang Fan for a full month. Her disciples, sitting nearby, had grown weary of hearing about him. Several times, she had considered inviting Jiang Fan to the Spirit Beast Sect. However, with the imminent beast tide, she couldn't spare the time and had to put the idea aside.

When Jiang Fan suddenly appeared before her, she couldn't help but be stunned.

Jiang Fan took two steps back, cupped his hands, and said with a smile, "The Sect Master asked me to massage her. I assure you, I meant no disrespect."

Only then did Gong Caiyi realize. She had been so absorbed in her thoughts that she had mistaken Jiang Fan, who had approached, for Yingtao and had ordered him around, making him pour tea and massage her shoulders. She was instantly caught between laughter and tears. "Why didn't you say anything?" she asked.

Jiang Fan replied, "The Sect Master was too focused; I couldn't bear to disturb you."

Gong Caiyi gazed at Jiang Fan, whose appearance had changed considerably, feeling as if an eternity had passed. Even though it had only been a month since they last met, it felt like ages. Suppressing her emotions, she revealed a long-lost smile and warmly said, "Please, have a seat." She gestured towards her spacious long chair. The chair, carved from top-grade spirit wood, was wide enough to sit on comfortably or even recline for a short nap.

Jiang Fan waved his hand, saying, "I wouldn't dare." After all, it was the Sect Master's personal seat. How could he, an outer sect disciple, casually occupy it?

Gong Caiyi, however, had an extraordinary fondness for Jiang Fan and didn't believe in adhering to too many formalities with him. She pressed down on his shoulders, guiding him to sit, and said: "With me, there's no need for excessive formalities."

Outside the hall, everyone collectively stared, wide-eyed in disbelief. The Sect Master was actually allowing Jiang Fan to sit on her exclusive throne?

Yi Lianxing shivered and asked, "Junior Sister Yuan, have you ever sat on that chair?"

Yuan Ziyu shook her head emphatically. "Are you kidding me?" she scoffed. "That's the Sect Master's seat! Would you dare to sit in it even if it were offered to you?" Watching Jiang Fan sit beside Gong Caiyi on the Sect Master's throne, Yuan Ziyu clicked her tongue in amazement: "Has Master spoiled Junior Brother Jiang rotten?"

Inside the hall, Jiang Fan felt as if thorns were poking him; no matter how he sat, he couldn't get comfortable. Compounding his discomfort, Gong Caiyi was overly enthusiastic. She ordered tea to be poured while propping her snowy cheek, staring intently at him without pause. This made him feel even more uneasy. He cleared his throat. "Sect Master," he asked, "do you have any other instructions for me?"

"Instructions?" Gong Caiyi paused, then realized she had forgotten to ask Jiang Fan why he was there. "Oh, right, what brings you to our sect? I thought you wouldn't dare to visit the Spirit Beast Sect." After all, Jiang Fan had repeatedly declined the invitation to become the Young Sect Master of the Spirit Beast Sect. Yet, here he was, having come on his own accord, without her extending an invitation.

Jiang Fan countered, "Didn't the Sect Master summon me?"

"I summoned you?" This confused Gong Caiyi for a moment before she exclaimed in surprise: "Could it be that you're the one who completed the Black Lotus bounty?" She had only heard the Mission Hall Deacon report that the person's surname was Jiang. She had wondered which sect had such a powerful disciple named Jiang. Unable to find an answer, she had decided to summon the person for a meeting. To her surprise, it was Jiang Fan!

"It is indeed me, junior," Jiang Fan said with a wry smile.

Gong Caiyi scrutinized Jiang Fan with an incredulous expression. "No way," she began, "in just one month, you gained the strength to slay Black Lotus?" She recalled that when he left, Jiang Fan had barely achieved the strength to defeat Cao Zhen, which was roughly equivalent to the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment. In such a short time, he could slay Black Lotus, who was at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment... No, wait. She had heard a rumor that Black Lotus had already broken through to the Core Formation realm!

At this realization, Gong Caiyi involuntarily stood up. Her gaze was burning as she scrutinized Jiang Fan. Previously, Jiang Fan's various talents had been astonishing, but his lack of spiritual roots had led him to be considered to have no future in martial arts. But now, it seemed, how could Jiang Fan possibly be without spiritual roots? He must possess an extraordinary, top-tier spiritual root! As this thought struck her, her breathing hitched.

Jiang Fan grew increasingly uncomfortable under her intense gaze. "Sect Master," he said, "I'm here to claim the Earth Phoenix Grass Marrow. When can I redeem it?" At this moment, all he wanted was to leave the Spirit Beast Sect as soon as possible.

Gong Caiyi finally came back to her senses. Suppressing the myriad emotions swirling within her, she calmly sat back down and said: "It's not often you visit, what's the hurry?" Her tone was light and relaxed. But in her mind, she was frantically devising a way to keep Jiang Fan there. A prodigy with simultaneous talents in sword dao, comprehension, alchemy, body refinement, and, most importantly, martial arts. If such a genius didn't belong to the Spirit Beast Sect, it would be more unbearable than death itself. Yet, she couldn't immediately come up with a good plan.

Noticing the atmosphere growing awkward, she pointed to the bamboo slips on the table and said, "Why don't you look at these books? Your comprehension is so exceptional; perhaps you can gain some insights from the Spirit Beast Sect's beast-taming techniques."

Jiang Fan felt a bit awkward himself. He then turned his attention to the bamboo slips. Upon opening the cover, he was astonished to discover that it was an Earth-grade cultivation technique called 'Spirit Taming Art'! He quickly closed it. "This is your sect's secret technique," he said, "I shouldn't be looking at it." He thought, among the Nine Sects, very few possessed Earth-grade cultivation techniques. Any sect that did held them as the absolute core of their secrets. How could an outsider like him be allowed to see it?

Gong Caiyi, however, smiled gently, reopened the slips, and said, "Go ahead and read it. This book has been passed down through several generations of Sect Masters, but its true meaning has been lost over time. Even in my generation, I haven't been able to comprehend it. If you can help our sect decipher it, you will be heavily rewarded."

Jiang Fan was caught between laughter and tears. "I don't want rewards," he said. "As long as the Sect Master can redeem the Earth Phoenix Grass Marrow as promised, that's enough."

Gong Caiyi instinctively nodded her snowy chin. "No problem at all," she affirmed.

With that assurance, Jiang Fan seriously began to read the 'Spirit Taming Art'. Unbeknownst to him, a hint of slyness flickered in Gong Caiyi's gentle eyes.

Outside the hall, Yuan Ziyu was dumbfounded, her eyes wide with disbelief as she covered her crimson lips. "Junior Sister Yuan, what's wrong?" Seeing her so surprised, Yi Lianxing asked, puzzled. Yuan Ziyu quietly pointed to the bamboo slips. "That... that's the Sect Master's secret scroll, only meant for successive Sect Masters!" she whispered. "Under normal circumstances, none of us disciples are even allowed to glance at it. Yet Master handed it to Jiang Fan to read!" She recalled Gong Caiyi's earlier jest about inviting Jiang Fan to become the Young Sect Master. In her heart, she murmured, unsure whether to be delighted or concerned: "Junior Brother Jiang, I fear he won't be leaving the Spirit Beast Sect anytime soon."

Yi Lianxing's beautiful eyes widened upon hearing this, and she gasped continuously. "Are you saying Jiang Fan is about to be instated as the Young Sect Master of the Spirit Beast Sect?"

Jiang Fan, completely oblivious to this whole discussion, was absorbed in reading the bamboo slips, explaining his insights to Gong Caiyi as he went. Initially, Gong Caiyi would alternate between secretly smiling at Jiang Fan and looking at the bamboo slips. She was quite unfocused. But gradually, as Jiang Fan delved deeper into his explanations, Gong Caiyi found herself listening with increasing focus. Furthermore, many doubts that she had been unable to unravel on her own slowly became clear with his guidance.

Two hours later, the sun began to set. The lingering twilight streamed in, casting its glow upon two intently focused faces.

Jiang Fan closed the last page, slumped his shoulders, and let out a long breath. "I'm finished explaining," he said. "Those are my insights. If the Sect Master has any questions, feel free to ask."

Gong Caiyi, however, remained immersed in thought. Many of Jiang Fan's insights resurfaced in her mind. As a Sect Master, her comprehension was naturally excellent. Soon after, she fully assimilated all of his explanations. She attempted to cultivate the technique according to these new insights. As she formed a hand seal, a complex Sanskrit character pulsed in her palm.

Gong Caiyi was so overcome with emotion that her words tumbled out incoherently. "It's Sanskrit! Beast-Taming Sanskrit!" she exclaimed. "I succeeded! After two hundred years, I have successfully cultivated the Spirit Beast Sect's top-tier technique, the 'Spirit Taming Art'!" She was overcome with inexpressible emotion. Forgetting herself, she passionately pulled Jiang Fan into a tight embrace, her voice thick with a choked sob: "Thank you, thank you... I have fulfilled the dying wishes of several generations of Sect Masters, and carried out my Master's final instructions! I haven't let them down..." she sobbed.

Jiang Fan was utterly bewildered. Feeling himself tightly enveloped in a soft, warm embrace, he was completely dumbfounded. Especially his arm, which was pressed firmly against her ample chest. He couldn't help but feel a stir of improper thoughts.

Outside the hall, everyone collectively stared, eyes wide, unable to believe the scene unfolding before them. Especially Yuan Ziyu. She watched the entire scene without blinking. "Is that... truly my Master?"