Lin Shimeng didn't expect Qin Xiao to ask this so abruptly, leaving her momentarily at a loss for words.
"A master-disciple relationship? How would I know? My cultivation all along has been personally guided by my father. I've never had another master, so how am I supposed to know?"
After thinking for a moment, Lin Shimeng could only admit that she had no idea.
"Yun Man, what do you think?"
Seeing that Lin Shimeng couldn't offer any real insight, Qin Xiao turned to Yun Man, who was steering the flying sword.
"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure either, but I once heard a saying: A teacher for a day is a father for life. I have no other family left, so Master is my only relative. No matter what Master does, I will unconditionally stand by his side."
Yun Man had no idea why Qin Xiao was asking this, but she simply voiced what she felt in her heart.
"Look at her perspective. It's clear the two of you have very different outlooks."
Qin Xiao was quite satisfied with Yun Man's answer.
"Then tell me your view. Exactly how do our outlooks differ?"
Lin Shimeng retorted, still somewhat unconvinced.
Qin Xiao knew she wouldn't be satisfied. Someone like her, who had grown up in the Sect surrounded by care and affection, never lacking for interpersonal relationships or attention, would naturally take the so-called master-disciple bond lightly when everyone else was constantly currying favor with her.
"My view is similar to Yun Man's, largely because our backgrounds are alike. We are both people with no one else to rely on. To us, a master is not merely someone who imparts knowledge and teaches skills; they are like family, a profound form of spiritual sustenance.
"Why do you think I chose to return to the Tianyuan Sect despite my current wealth? After all, the Tianyuan Sect never really gave me anything. During my three years on Seven Stars Peak, the Sect didn't even issue me a single spirit stone of stipend-though I suppose I can't say I received zero grace, since they at least provided regular meals.
"So, I do remember the Sect's past kindness, but the greater reason I stay is my master. He left behind Seven Stars Peak. Though we spent only a very short time together, I was his only Personal Disciple. If I were to leave, the Sect would undoubtedly take the peak back. Seven Stars Peak is the sole remaining link between my master and me. Without it, I would truly become a rootless wanderer."
Qin Xiao spoke at length, laying out the primary reason he remained within the Tianyuan Sect.
Truth be told, even he wasn't entirely sure how deep his affection ran for a master he had only known for three days. But he knew that Seven Stars Peak was his starting point, his emotional anchor, and a home he could always return to.
Brief though their time together was, his master had given him an identity, a place to belong, and a spiritual anchor, saving him from drifting through the world like rootless duckweed.
"Then everything Grandpa Qin has came from the Sect as well! Why aren't you grateful to the Sect?"
Lin Shimeng pressed on.
"From the Sect? The Sect never gives anything away for free. In my eyes, the Sect is much like a village-only when everyone contributes to building it does the village grow strong. If the village suddenly bestows benefits upon someone, it is invariably because that person can bring even greater returns to the community. Besides, how am I not grateful? Didn't I take you, the daughter of the Sect Leader, under my wing? I'm even expected to fight for secret realm quotas on the Sect's behalf."
Qin Xiao laid it out bluntly: his bond with Yun Man was built on genuine affection, whereas his arrangement with Lin Shimeng was largely an exchange of mutual benefits. Taking her as a disciple was his way of giving back to the Sect.
"What is that supposed to mean? You didn't accept me sincerely? It was just a return on investment?"
Lin Shimeng found it hard to accept. In what way was she inferior to Yun Man?
"I know you're unhappy, so let's talk this through properly."
Since he had already brought it up, Qin Xiao decided to lay all his cards on the table.
"I accepted you as a disciple for three reasons. First, you possess a Heavenly Spirit Root, and I needed your aptitude. Second, I remembered that during your initial spar with Yun Man in the courtyard, when an accident occurred, you stepped forward to protect me. Although nothing came of it in the end, it showed that you have good character. Third, it was an exchange of benefits between your father and me: he protects me, and I nurture you. Can you understand it in that light?"
Qin Xiao stated it plainly.
"So that's how it is... And Yun Man? Did you choose her just for her talent, or do you have other intentions?"
Hearing this, Lin Shimeng felt a wave of frustration. In Qin Xiao's eyes, she was merely part of a transactional exchange! Yet she remained unconvinced-she was no less talented than Yun Man; why did Yun Man command such absolute trust?
"Since you still don't quite grasp it, let me put it another way. Take earlier, when the Tian Family Ancestor suddenly moved to kill me-who was the one who stepped in front of me without a single second of hesitation? It wasn't you. It was Yun Man. I know you might have had the impulse to do the same, but you didn't act on it. She did. You hesitated.
"That is the first point. Second: suppose that one day, the Sect and I have a falling out and I am expelled. Yun Man would pack up and follow me away without a second thought. You, however, would not. You are the Sect Leader's daughter, raised within these walls from childhood. The Sect is your home. You might hesitate, but ultimately, you would choose to stay.
"Third, neither Yun Man nor I have worldly entanglements, so we cherish each other. Master and disciple on paper, but family in practice. You, on the other hand, have the Sect, a father, and countless martial brothers and sisters. You have no need for outside attachments. To you, our master-disciple relationship is nothing more than a formal arrangement for receiving instruction. That is the difference between you two."
Qin Xiao stated his three reasons in one breath. He didn't think Lin Shimeng's attitude was wrong; after all, they came from entirely different worlds and lacked any shared emotional resonance. As her master, he would naturally provide her with ample cultivation resources, but their relationship would never reach the level of true confidants.
He understood that Lin Shimeng and her father, Lin Tiancheng, were cut from the same cloth: both put the Sect above all else and practiced absolute, unyielding loyalty. That was why Lin Tiancheng had inherited the position of Sect Leader, and why Lin Shimeng had been indoctrinated with those exact ideals from youth. Realizing this, Qin Xiao had long since abandoned any thought of heart-to-heart intimacy. A clean exchange of benefits suited them just fine; each took what they required.
"I agree with Master's words. You and we are simply not the same. You are the Sect's Holy Maiden and the Sect Leader's daughter. Though I still don't care much for your attitude, since you have entered our sect, I will naturally ensure you receive your fair share of resources-but it stops at resources.
" Yun Man, who had remained silent throughout, finally spoke up.
At the very beginning, she hadn't thought much of Qin Xiao either; she had come purely for the promised cultivation resources. Over the past few months, however, she had seen that her master genuinely treated her well, prompting her to repay his sincerity with absolute loyalty.
In truth, her initial mindset had been identical to Lin Shimeng's: You give me resources, I help you safeguard Seven Stars Peak, and we are even. At most, I'll lend a hand within my capabilities later on. She still had her own blood debts to settle and would never have sacrificed her life for Qin Xiao lightly. But gradually, her heart had changed.
Perhaps, just as Qin Xiao said, she had come to view him as family. Her own family had been wiped out in clan turmoil, leaving her entirely alone. Experiencing the warmth of familial care once more through Qin Xiao made her cherish it all the more dearly.
Lin Shimeng opened her mouth to retort, but after uttering a single word-"I"-she stopped short. It seemed every word Qin Xiao spoke was the truth; she had no counter-argument to offer.
"Very well, there's no need to look so glum. Since you have acknowledged me as your master, I certainly won't treat you unfairly when it comes to cultivation resources. Whatever Yun Man enjoys, you will essentially have access to as well. Besides, didn't you become my disciple in pursuit of those very resources? Since you aren't losing out on anything, why dwell on the rest?"
Seeing the dejection on Lin Shimeng's face, Qin Xiao offered some mild words of guidance.
"Right, what am I even upset about? I originally just wanted his resources. Since the resources aren't lacking, what is there to fuss over?"
Her thoughts clearing up considerably, Lin Shimeng's mood lifted, though she still felt a lingering sense of vexation. Why on earth had she tried to compete with Yun Man over such meaningless things anyway? Was it her pride? Or simply a stubborn reluctance to lose?
Even she was confused. She had only been a disciple for a few days-why overcomplicate things? Let it be.
"Master is right. This disciple understands."
After a brief bout of internal contemplation, Lin Shimeng bowed her head in acknowledgment.
"Since you understand, let's head back to the Sect. I won't ride the flying sword this time; I want to test out my ability to walk through the air."
Seeing that she had finally worked through it, Qin Xiao said no more. Refusing a ride on the sword, he prepared to fly back under his own power.
By dusk, the three of them finally returned to the Tianyuan Sect.
"Qin Xiao! You have a lot of nerve! You actually took the Holy Maiden out for three days without a single word of notice! If something had happened to her, could you bear the responsibility? I am calling an Elder meeting immediately to punish you severely for this transgression!"
No sooner had they touched down than they ran into Great Elder Yao Tiansheng, who had just returned from Tianyuan City, and were met with an immediate, furious interrogation.