Chapter 342: Chapter 342 - Silent Vow
After completing the pill refinement, I had no desire to rest and headed straight toward the Pavilion Master’s residence.
The Pavilion Master’s dwelling sat in the furthest depths of the Divine Alchemist Pavilion.
Originally, the Divine Alchemist Pavilion had been built within a vast canyon, with the Pavilion Master’s home positioned directly above it on the canyon’s peak.
From this elevated position, it commanded a view of nearly half the city, like a tower reaching into the heavens.
Even more striking, the area above was beautifully adorned with landscapes of hills, streams, and pools. The residence exuded timeless elegance.
I reached the base of the residence and launched myself upward toward the pavilion with a single bound.
But the instant I began ascending, a tremendous force smacked me down!
This power was utterly dominating, swatting me to the earth like an insect.
The one who struck was the Pavilion Master herself.
Positioned atop the pavilion, she gazed down at me and spoke coldly, "Who gave you permission to ascend?"
I pulled myself up from the ground, silently cursing her in my mind.
This cursed woman changes moods faster than lightning!
"Pavilion Master, I have a matter to discuss," I said with respect.
The Pavilion Master glanced at me and snorted, "Remember, next time you cannot ascend without my consent."
"Understood, Pavilion Master," I replied with a bitter smile.
Then, the Pavilion Master turned and vanished from view.
I scratched my head, wondering to myself, "Does this mean she’s allowing me up?"
After thinking it over, I tried leaping up to the pavilion once more.
This time, the Pavilion Master didn’t strike me down.
Instead, she sat beside the pond, leisurely drinking her tea.
As I approached and prepared to speak, I caught the distinctive aroma of the tea leaves.
"Pavilion Master, this tea... is quite remarkable," I said, staring at the teacup.
"Enlightenment Tea," she answered indifferently.
Hearing those three words, my body went rigid with shock!
Enlightenment Tea! The Pavilion Master possessed Enlightenment Tea too!
"You..." I started to speak, memories of my father flooding back!
Could it be... The Pavilion Master knew my father as well?
"What, quite shocked?" the Pavilion Master glanced at me.
I shook my head, choosing not to pursue the matter further.
"Lord Pavilion Master, I have a request," I said seriously.
"You wish to improve your standing and enter closed-door cultivation?" the Pavilion Master sipped her tea and effortlessly guessed my intention.
I was somewhat surprised and asked, "How did you figure that out?"
The Lord Pavilion Master disregarded my question. She replied casually, "I’m afraid you won’t have the luxury of closed-door cultivation."
"No time for seclusion?" I was stunned.
I voiced my bewilderment, asking, "What do you mean by that?"
The Pavilion Master rose, gazing at the pond before her and said slowly, "You should rush to Capital City and spend time with your little girlfriend."
"Spend time with little girlfriend... Are you talking about Mabel Sean?" My expression shifted.
I asked anxiously, "Lord Pavilion Master, has something befallen Miss Sean?"
"Something befallen her?" A hint of disdain crossed the Pavilion Master’s face.
"She’s the princess of the Sean family, Duane Sean’s treasured daughter... what could possibly befall her?"
I frowned and asked, "Then, what did you mean by..."
Her face grew frigid, and she answered sharply, "You ask too many questions; do you need others to spell everything out for you?"
After these words, the Pavilion Master swept her wide sleeve, and a fearsome force immediately launched me off the pavilion.
This power was overwhelmingly terrifying, burying half my body into a stone wall.
It took enormous effort for me to pull my head free from the stone.
This damned woman, her temper changes faster than storm clouds!
But... what was she getting at with those words?
I mulled over this question as I walked toward my own residence.
The dwelling that once belonged to the Third Elder had been cleared out and was now my home.
Just as I reached the entrance, a sharp pain shot through my heart again.
The feeling was brief, but deeply disturbing.
Throughout the entire day, I didn’t leave my residence.
My thoughts were consumed with the Pavilion Master’s words.
"What does she mean by that?"
When evening came, I stood on a small bridge in the Divine Alchemist Pavilion, gazing into the still waters of a lake.
"Splash!"
A carp burst powerfully from the river and leaped over the dragon gate.
But at that very instant, the carp turned belly-up, its eyes going white, and it perished.
Its body silently descended into the river.
I knitted my brows, my eyes fixed on the fish.
"This fish spent its entire life striving to leap the dragon gate," a voice spoke from behind me.
I turned to see the Pavilion Master.
I immediately bowed, saying, "I greet the Pavilion Master."
Ignoring my gesture, she pointed at the lake and asked, "Do you know how it perished?"
I looked at the lake, considering for a moment, then answered, "From old age?"
"Right, it seems you’re not completely dense." The Pavilion Master stretched lazily.
She yawned, saying "I’m weary. Time to sleep."
She vanished instantly after speaking those words.
"From old age..." I whispered quietly.
My expression suddenly transformed, as if I had grasped something.
"Could it be... Jerry Sean?" I seemed to comprehend what the Pavilion Master was implying!
Jerry Sean had reached his life’s end. Combined with the hints from the Lord of the Medicine God Pavilion, I finally understood!
"Jerry Sean..." I murmured softly, a dull ache rising in my heart.
I looked toward the lake once more, then leaped and landed on the water’s surface.
I swept my powerful hand, lifting the dead carp from the river.
Then, I placed my palm on the fish’s body, a stream of qi flowing from my hand into the creature.
The carp, previously lifeless, began to slowly revive!
I returned the carp to the lake, a flash of resolve clear in my eyes.
Though I spoke no words, it was as if I had made a solemn vow.
——
This scene didn’t escape the Pavilion Master’s watchful gaze.
She silently observed Mason’s departing figure, murmuring, "He truly resembles his father."
——
The following day.
I gathered my possessions, preparing to depart from the Divine Alchemist Pavilion.
"Mason, you’re departing so soon?" Mya Winona, having learned of my leaving, appeared somewhat confused.
I nodded, saying "Yes, there’s a matter I must handle, so I won’t be staying much longer."
At this moment, the Fifth Elder also came over.
He couldn’t help but remark, "Leaving right after becoming an elder, what a personality you have."
I gave a rueful smile, "Fifth elder, once I’ve accomplished my purpose, I’ll certainly return."
"Excellent!" The Fifth Elder clapped my shoulder.
"Before departing, visit the Pavilion Master," the Fifth Elder advised.
I nodded, saying, "Yes, that was exactly my plan."
