Chapter 18 Exception Made

Elder Zhou and the others could only watch helplessly as the Sect Master departed, not even having time to speak. Once Qingyun saw his own master leave after giving instructions, he turned to face the assembled elders and said, “Honored elders, since my master has entrusted this matter to me, please compile a list of your recommended candidates and submit it to me as soon as possible. I will make the necessary arrangements.

If there is nothing else, you may all take your leave now.”

Hearing this, the others could only disperse. Yet Elder Zhou remained rooted to the spot, clearly unwilling to accept the situation. Qingyun noticed and asked, “Is something the matter, Elder Zhou? Ah, and don’t forget—your son, Zhou Yichen, was personally disqualified by the Sect Master. There’s no need to submit his name to me and waste a spot.”

Though Qingyun’s words seemed light, they weighed heavily on Elder Zhou’s heart. His gaze, filled with murderous intent, locked with Qingyun’s calm and unflinching eyes. With a cold snort, Elder Zhou finally turned and left.

Qingyun then stepped out of the great hall, addressed the inner disciples gathered there to calm them, and sent them away for the time being. As for Lin Hao, Qingyun didn’t speak to him in front of everyone. After all, he had already made an exception for Lin Hao, and showing further favoritism would only breed resentment among the others. Instead, Qingyun sent someone to inform Lin Hao and escort him to the inner sect to select his magical weapon and cultivation technique.

This, Qingyun thought, was as much as he could do for now. After all, it was not yet the time to openly break with Elder Zhou. Everything else would have to be left to Lin Hao to handle on his own. With that, Qingyun returned to his cultivation quarters.

Qingyun worked efficiently; by the afternoon, the list of candidates had already been posted. When Lin Hao saw his name on it, he was completely stunned.

By then, word had spread: something strange had occurred at Tianyu Mountain—a riot of spirit beasts. Everyone guessed that inner disciples would be sent to investigate, but certainly not new initiates like them. After all, for disciples at their level, Tianyu Mountain was still perilous.

So Lin Hao had never imagined he might be chosen for the mission. What’s more, Qingyun hadn’t sought him out to discuss it. When Lin Hao heard the news, his thoughts immediately turned to conspiracy. Was this the doing of Zhou Yichen and his father, deliberately putting him in harm’s way again?

The more Lin Hao considered it, the more plausible it seemed—especially after seeing Elder Zhou’s murderous expression outside the hall that morning. Lin Hao became convinced this was Elder Zhou’s doing.

Yet even so, Lin Hao was not afraid. In fact, he’d been hoping for an opportunity to temper himself and improve his cultivation. He even regretted that Zhou Yichen wasn’t going as well; if he were, Lin Hao could carry out the mission assigned by his system.

After the mission candidates were announced and the group was told they would depart the following afternoon, everyone dispersed. Lin Hao also left the hall.

As he was leaving, one of Qingyun’s subordinates stopped him. “Senior Brother Lin Hao, please wait.”

Lin Hao looked at the man, puzzled.

“It’s like this,” the man explained. “The Sect Master has granted you special permission to enter the inner sect tomorrow morning to select a magical weapon and cultivation technique. Senior Brother Qingyun asked me to inform you.”

“Really? Thank you, I understand. I’ll go first thing tomorrow morning,” Lin Hao replied.

The messenger nodded and left. Lin Hao thought to himself, This must be thanks to Senior Brother Qingyun. His curiosity about these so-called magical weapons and cultivation techniques grew, and with mixed feelings, he returned to his quarters to prepare for the journey ahead.

The next morning, Lin Hao rose early. The man who had notified him the previous day arrived to escort him to choose his weapon and technique.

However, Zhou Yichen, having learned the details the day before, flew into a rage. Knowing that Lin Hao would be coming to select his weapon and technique, he hurried to the Armory Pavilion ahead of him.

At the Armory Pavilion, the elder in charge sat at the entrance, poring over the register. As Zhou Yichen approached, the elder glanced up and asked, “What brings you here? Entry to the Armory Pavilion requires the Sect Master’s authorization and registration.”

“My father has a request, Elder,” Zhou Yichen replied quickly, producing the token his father had given him.

This token signified Elder Zhou’s status. In the Clear Wind Sect, while ordinary disciples required the Sect Master’s authorization to enter the Armory Pavilion, elders enjoyed special privileges and could enter with their own tokens.

Seeing the token, the elder’s demeanor softened. “So Elder Zhou sent you. What do you need?”

Though called an elder, the one in charge of the Armory Pavilion held little real authority—he was more like a caretaker. Given Zhou Yichen’s background as the son of a prominent elder and a favorite for the next Sect Master, the caretaker held him in high regard. His attitude shifted immediately upon seeing the token.

Zhou Yichen’s eyes flashed with arrogance as he smiled and said, “Here’s the thing: today, someone named Lin Hao will come to select a magical weapon. He has offended my father. My father wishes that you not offer him any fine or noteworthy weapons. Just give him something ordinary and inconspicuous—he’s just a clueless youngster, after all.”

“But, the Sect Master…” the elder hesitated.

“You needn’t worry about the Sect Master. If anything comes up, my father will take responsibility. Should you handle this well, my father will put in a good word for you with the Sect Master, and perhaps secure you a more prestigious position as an elder,” Zhou Yichen waved dismissively.

The elder’s eyes lit up with delight at these words.

“Is Elder Zhou truly willing to speak on my behalf to the Sect Master?” The caretaker had served in the Armory Pavilion for a long time and had long hoped for a transfer. Day after day surrounded by these weapons, with no perks and little status, he’d longed for a new post but lacked the opportunity.

Now, tempted by the promise of Elder Zhou’s recommendation, he was moved.

“Of course. Just see this done, and my father will keep his word,” Zhou Yichen assured him.

“Don’t worry, Young Master Zhou. I’ll take care of this matter for Elder Zhou,” the caretaker promised immediately.

Satisfied, Zhou Yichen nodded with a smirk and left.

Thus, when Lin Hao arrived at the Armory Pavilion, the caretaker was staring down at his register, not even looking up as he recited, “Name? Entry requires the Sect Master’s authorization and registration.”

“I am Lin Hao. The Sect Master sent me to select a magical weapon,” Lin Hao replied.

At the mention of his name, the elder looked up, recalling he was the very one Elder Zhou had mentioned. He stood and said, “So you’re Lin Hao. Register here.”

Lin Hao obediently entered his details. Afterward, the elder led him upstairs, to a remote, neglected corner.

There, he produced a so-called sacred weapon for Lin Hao.

The weapon resembled a dagger—its entire surface dark and tarnished, appearing thoroughly dilapidated and distinctly unremarkable.

Lin Hao eyed the weapon with suspicion.

The elder curtly said, “Here you go. This is your life-bound weapon from now on. It’s called the Cloud-Swallowing Sword.”

“What?! Elder, you’re not joking, are you?” Lin Hao stared in disbelief at the Cloud-Swallowing Sword.

Was this battered thing really supposed to be his life-bound weapon?

Impossible—unless he’d lost his mind!

Lin Hao, keeping his manners, politely suggested, “Elder, perhaps you could let me choose another?”

“Young man, this is it. Take it or leave it. If you know what’s good for you, take it and go—I have other things to do,” the elder said impatiently.

“What do you mean by that? Must I really take this one today?” Lin Hao pressed.

“If you refuse, you’d best watch your back. I’ve dealt with plenty of ingrates like you,” the elder threatened.

Only then did Lin Hao realize something was wrong. The elder’s tone had been cold and dismissive from the start, but Lin Hao had assumed this was just his way. Now, he understood—the caretaker was deliberately targeting him.

Life-bound weapons could only be chosen once in a lifetime. Everyone knew that picking a growth-type weapon was best, though such treasures were rare. Lin Hao hadn’t expected to find such a rare weapon, but at the very least, he’d hoped for something reputable or at least not so shabby.

Yet the elder had forced this unknown, battered Cloud-Swallowing Sword on him, expecting him to accept it as his life-bound weapon.

Impossible! This was clearly intended to harm him.

Anger flickered in Lin Hao’s eyes. He took a deep breath and was about to refuse again when a sudden chime echoed in his mind.

“Ding. Chaos Weapon fragment detected. New mission for host: Take possession of this fragment,” the system intoned.

Startled, Lin Hao stared at the Cloud-Swallowing Sword in his hand.

“System, are you sure there’s no mistake?” he asked inwardly.

“Host, do not question this system. This system is never wrong. Complete the mission as soon as possible,” the system replied coldly.

Hearing this, Lin Hao, though still baffled by the dilapidated sword, realized he had no choice but to accept it now that the system had issued a directive.