Hearing that Ian Song still insisted on staying in the Jade Maiden Sect, Lena Ling felt both relieved and frustrated. She frowned and said, "Second Fool, listen to me. The Jade Maiden Sect is a sect made for women cultivators. There aren't any cultivation arts here that suit you. If you stay, you'll only waste your talent. But the Prime One Church is the top sect in the Tang Dynasty, super powerful. If you go there, with your Spirit-Link Body, they'll definitely value you. You might even get a shot at forming a Golden Core or reaching Nascent Soul!"
"I don't care! I'm not going to the Prime One Church. I'm staying right here in the Jade Maiden Sect!" Ian Song retorted stubbornly.
"You little brat! Why can't you just listen? Want me to smack you?" Lena Ling snapped, raising her hand threateningly.
"Even if you beat me, I'm not going!" Ian shot back.
"...You...!"
Lena Ling was so mad, she nearly wanted to slap this little rascal into next week.
"Forget it, I'm done arguing with you. For now, just take care of Redfeather Crane, okay? I'm leaving!"
Watching Lena Ling stomp off in a huff, Ian Song secretly felt a bit guilty. Lena really did have his best interests at heart, but—thanks to the system's mission—he had no choice. He had to join the Jade Maiden Sect.
Lena Ling hurried all the way to the sect master's courtyard.
"Master, disciple requests an audience." Lena Ling called out from outside the courtyard.
"Come in," came Lana Snow's gentle voice.
"Yaner, what brings you here in the middle of the night? Is something wrong?" Inside the side room, Lana Snow sat cross-legged on a jade cushion, smiling warmly.
A look of hesitation flashed across Lena Ling's face. Should she tell her master about that rascal having a Spirit-Link Body? If she did, Lana Snow would definitely keep him in the Jade Maiden Sect. After all, someone with a Spirit-Link Body could bring huge benefits to the sect. Letting such a treasure go just because of the ancestral rules—that's not being honest, that's just being dumb!
"Well? What's got you so tangled up?"
Lana Snow kept asking, her voice even softer. She knew her disciple was usually carefree, so something big must have happened to make her this conflicted.
After hesitating for a long while, Lena Ling still didn't mention Ian Song's Spirit-Link Body. If she said it now, that rascal would never get to leave. She decided that if, after two more months, he still refused to change his mind, she'd spill the secret then.
As for the Jade Maiden Sect not having a suitable cultivation method for him—well, she could just go out and find one for him herself.
With her mind made up, Lena Ling stopped worrying and said, "Master, it's nothing. Oh, and the errand you gave me is done. I just came to report!"
"If nothing's wrong, that's good." Lana Snow nodded, though she didn't quite believe Lena's words.
In a flash, another ten days passed. Every day, Redfeather Crane came to the canteen to eat Ian Song's cooking. Ian soon realized just how much the Jade Maiden Sect valued Redfeather Crane, so—for now—he gave up on trying to lure Blackflame Tiger and Jade-Eye Toad as well.
If, when the time comes, the Jade Maiden Sect still refuses to let him join, Ian plans to just steal all their spirit beasts and force their hand.
Thanks to Redfeather Crane, the canteen is livelier than ever. Nearly all the second- and third-generation disciples come here to eat, and even Sect Master Lana Snow has stopped by a few times.
Tonight, after dinner, Redfeather Crane didn't leave as usual. Instead, it called out to Ian Song.
Its cry rang out loud and clear, piercing the roof. Then, to everyone's shock, Redfeather Crane actually crouched down in front of Ian.
"Huh?"
Elder Shayne Snow happened to be eating here tonight. Seeing this, her jaw dropped and her eyes went wide with disbelief. "Is Redfeather Crane really choosing Second Fool as its new master?"
When Redfeather Crane crouches, it means it's inviting someone to ride on its back.
But Ian just pretended not to get it, standing there with a blank look, staring at Redfeather Crane.
"Yoo yoo!"
Redfeather Crane let out two urging cries.
"Second Fool, Redfeather Crane is inviting you to get on its back! Hurry up!" Shayne Snow called out when she realized what was happening.
"Uh... um..." Ian Song put on an indecisive act.
"Go ahead, this is Redfeather Crane's invitation—no one will blame you!" Shayne Snow said gently.
"Alright!"
Ian Song nodded hard, then climbed onto Redfeather Crane's back.
Suddenly, a streak of fiery red light shot out of the canteen and soared into the sky.
"Help! Somebody help!"
A desperate cry echoed down from above. Hearing it, Shayne Snow couldn't help but smile knowingly and mutter, "What a lucky kid, to win Redfeather Crane's favor."
By that afternoon, news that Redfeather Crane had carried Second Fool around Jade Maiden Peak was all over the Jade Maiden Sect. Tons of disciples were green with envy.
Many disciples even grumbled openly, saying Second Fool was a nobody—why should he get Redfeather Crane's favor?
That night, Matron Lana Snow once again called the seven elders together.
"Sisters, I assume everyone knows about Redfeather Crane and Second Fool by now. What are your thoughts?" Matron Lana Snow asked calmly.
"Why not let Second Fool stay in our Jade Maiden Sect? If Redfeather Crane is willing to carry him, that means it already recognizes him!" Elder Shayne Snow said.
As soon as Shayne finished, Yara Snow's voice rang out, firm and cold: "No! The Jade Maiden Sect can't let any adult man stay. That's an ancestral rule, and it can't be broken!"
Shayne Snow argued back, "Sure, ancestral rules can't be broken, but it's fine to make some adjustments. Besides, Second Fool isn't really an outsider—he's grown up on Jade Maiden Peak, everyone knows him.
Not to mention, Redfeather Crane loves his cooking, and even us disciples can't get enough. Keeping Second Fool is all gain, no loss!"
"Ancestral rules can't be broken!" Yara Snow said icily.
Shayne Snow retorted, "When the founder made that rule, she couldn't have predicted this. Ancestral rules shouldn't stay unchanged forever!"
"Shayne, are you trying to betray the sect?" Yara Snow snapped.
That made Shayne Snow angry. "Yara, don't pin that 'traitor' label on me! Take it back!"
"Hmph!" Yara Snow snorted. "Bottom line, I won't allow Second Fool to stay in the Jade Maiden Sect!"
"And what if I insist on keeping him?" Shayne Snow shot back.
"Then I'll just kill him myself!" Yara Snow's eyes flashed with icy intent.
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Just watch me!"
"Enough!"
Lana Snow slapped the table. "Let's set this aside for now. We need to discuss our upcoming trip to Myriad Spirits Island!"