Published: August 27, 2025
Chapter 411: Cultivating the Bamboo
“This is the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo?” Han Li asked with a face full of uncertainty.
Inside the box was merely a short section of ordinary withered bamboo, only about two inches long, as thick as a little finger, with some obviously shrunken roots attached.
No matter how he looked at it, it was no different from any other bamboo!
Han Li, still puzzled, couldn't help but glance expressionlessly at the immortal maiden Zi Ling.
The young girl clearly understood Han Li’s doubts. She chuckled softly, holding the half-yellow, half-green withered bamboo between her jade-like fingers. Then, with a flick of her hand, another hand appeared holding a crystal-clear, radiant dagger.
With a sharp “clang,” Zi Ling swiftly struck the bamboo with the dagger. At the moment the blade touched the bamboo, a slender arc of electricity flickered on its surface, instantly repelling the dagger.
Seeing this, Han Li’s suspicion vanished. He carefully placed the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo back into the box and stored it away.
Afterward, Zi Ling handed Han Li a waist token from an elder of the Miaoyin Sect. The two chatted for a while, then Han Li took his leave.
Not long after Han Li left, Madam Fan and Zhuo Ruting returned to the inn together. Upon hearing Zi Ling’s account, the two exchanged glances for a long moment.
“Junior Sister, this isn’t quite what we originally agreed upon. Aren’t we losing out? Just based on the reputation of this Heavenly Thunder Bamboo, we could have found other foundation formation cultivators. Why do we have to cater to this one?” Madam Fan complained a little.
Though Zhuo Ruting said nothing, her brows furrowed, showing equal confusion.
“You two senior sisters don’t understand. When I first suggested making him an elder of our sect, his expression was very unpleasant. From his eyes, I could tell his will was extremely firm. He wouldn’t agree to the matter even if he didn’t want the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo. Besides, Sister Fan also said that he’s not afraid of our charming techniques,” Zi Ling calmly explained, unbothered.
“As for using the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo to entice other cultivators, you overestimate the value of this rubbish. You know, although this bamboo is one of the three great divine bamboos in the immortal cultivation world, very few can truly use it. Who would use it as material except to refine top-tier wood-type magical artifacts? And those who understand how to refine such magical treasures, our little piece of Heavenly Thunder Bamboo is simply useless to them. Also, you know that Heavenly Thunder Bamboo itself is divided into grades. Ours is just a few thousand years old white thunder bamboo; even if refined into a magical artifact, its power wouldn’t be great. It’s better to use this item to build a good relationship with him first. Moreover, since he agreed to become an elder, as long as we treat him respectfully and offer tributes every year, if the sect ever faces a great enemy, would he dare refuse to help?” Zi Ling said leisurely, completely unruffled.
“Even if others are attracted to this bamboo and want to become elders, would our sect dare to accept them in our current situation? That would be like rejecting tigers at the front gate while letting wolves in through the back! My mother was only able to keep the two elders, Zhao and Meng, honest by relying on her own foundation formation cultivation base to balance them. After all, relying solely on charming techniques to control advanced-stage cultivators can easily backfire!” The young girl smiled wryly.
After hearing this, Madam Fan and Zhuo Ruting fell silent.
In light of the recent mass defections in the sect, they had begun to doubt the effectiveness of their charming techniques. Zi Ling’s words seemed to make sense.
“From now on, the affairs of the sect will be handled by the three of us together. For now, we won’t appoint a sect master. We can wait until one of us or a junior sister reaches foundation formation before making that decision,” Zi Ling declared resolutely.