Chapter231 – Take it!

“I did defeat him,” Lauren said calmly. “I almost killed him,” she continued evenly, “not because my master ordered me to win… but because of personal grudges.”

Wallace was full of questions. In his heart, his master had always been flawless.

She was a genius unseen in all of Cultivation, the direct disciple of Drake—the undisputed leader of the righteous path. In Wallace’s imagination, she should have been upright, noble, almost untouchable.

He had never expected her to admit to fighting over something as petty as a personal grudge.

Lauren seemed to read the doubt on his face. “The first time I saw Timothy,” she said lightly, “I really wanted to go up there and beat the shit out of him.”

Wallace blinked.

“But the gap between us was too big. So I stood below and watched him strut around like a peacock.”

She shrugged. “Later, when I went after him, it wasn’t because of my master’s order. It was because I was confident I could win. If I’d known I couldn’t beat him, I wouldn’t have rushed in like an idiot.”

Wallace’s ears turned red. He suddenly felt like a child who had just been scolded. He lowered his head and knelt straighter before her.

Lauren continued calmly, “Wallace, remember this. Unless it’s a matter of life and death, never fight with everything you have. Don’t expose your true strength. And don’t risk serious injury for a momentary victory.”

“The sect competition happens every few years. If not this year, then the next. But in a real life-and-death situation, winning or losing a temporary match means nothing.”

She looked at him steadily. “I want you to win. But I don’t want you to pay too high a price.”

Wallace nodded slowly.

After a pause, she asked, “You think Grandmaster was fearless, don’t you?”

Wallace didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

In their generation’s eyes, the Immortal Venerable of the past had been invincible. Even Upper Realm immortals had fled before him. What could someone like that possibly fear?

Lauren smiled faintly. “He was afraid too.”

Wallace’s head snapped up.

“He once told me—fear isn’t shameful. Retreating isn’t weakness. A stubborn fool who fears nothing won’t live long.”

She tapped her knee lightly. “Fear creates caution. Caution leads to hesitation. Hesitation leads to thought.”

“Humans are strong not because we’re the fiercest creatures—but because we think. We weigh pros and cons. When we face something terrifying, we don’t just throw ourselves at it.”

Wallace lowered his head again, absorbing every word. After a moment, he cupped his hands solemnly. “I’ve learned.”

Lauren nodded in satisfaction. “Good. Now—did you obtain Thor’s Sword?”

Wallace hesitated… then gently shook his head.

Lauren frowned. “You didn’t?”

“It recognized me,” he said quietly. “But the Sect Leader wouldn’t allow me to take it.”

Lauren: “…” Unbelievable. Knowing how much he loved hoarding treasures, was Gerald planning to keep Thor’s Sword locked away forever? You can’t even use it. Are you just going to let it rust in the Sword Tomb?

She swallowed her complaints. It wouldn’t do to badmouth the Sect Leader in front of a junior.

“Perhaps,” she said evenly, “the Sect Leader feels you’re still too young. He may worry you’ll lose it while traveling.”

Wallace replied, “But I checked the records. Grandmaster took Thor’s Sword after winning first place in the Qi Training competition as well.”

Lauren paused. Back then… Gerald hadn’t been Sect Leader. “The current Sect Leader is more cautious,” she said at last.

Wallace didn’t argue. “I will cultivate diligently,” he said firmly, “so that the Sect Leader can trust me with it as soon as possible.”

Lauren smiled faintly. “Good. Go rest.”

.....

After Wallace left, Lauren stood up and went looking for Gerald.

Gerald, who had already guessed why she’d come, avoided her.

Unfortunately for him, she wasn’t that easy to shake off. Spreading her spiritual sense across the peak, she quickly located him in the alchemy chamber.

He was refining pills when she walked in. He glanced at her once and snorted, continuing to control the flame. “You’re getting more and more unruly,” he muttered. “Not even announcing yourself.”

“The disciples outside said you weren’t here,” Lauren replied smoothly. “Sect Leader, you really should discipline them. How dare they lie to me?”

Gerald: “…”

She went straight to the point. “Wallace said you didn’t allow him to take Thor’s Sword. Is it because he’s young? Were you afraid he’d lose it while traveling?”

Gerald didn’t miss a beat. “Yes. Thor’s Sword is Thunder Sect’s most precious treasure. He’s still a child. If he loses it, what then? His cultivation is too low. What if someone steals it?”

Lauren watched him calmly spin excuse after excuse.

There was only one Thor’s Sword in the world. Anyone who dared steal it would be declaring war on the entire Thunder Sect.

The worst that could happen wasn’t losing it—it was dying while trying to take it. If every sect feared their geniuses being targeted, they might as well wrap them in sacks and hide them underground.

“I remember Master saying,” Lauren said mildly, “that a natal magic weapon should be nurtured from a young age, kept close to the body. When does the Sect Leader plan to give it to him?”

Gerald’s face darkened. “I’m refining pills. Don’t distract me.”

Lauren folded her hands behind her back. “How about this. Let him carry it while he remains within the sect. When he leaves the mountain, he can leave it in Starfell Hall. That’s safe enough, isn’t it?”

Gerald huffed. “We’ll discuss it after I finish refining.”

“Fine,” she said pleasantly. “I’ll wait.”

Gerald shot her a sideways glance. He slowed his refining process deliberately, dragging it out.

They waited each other out in silence. The smell of burning herbs gradually filled the room.

“It’s scorching,” Lauren observed calmly.

“It’s fine,” Gerald snapped. A moment later—

Bang!

The lid of the alchemy furnace exploded, shards scattering across the floor. Silence.

Gerald stared at the ruined furnace. Then he threw up his hands.

“Fine! Fine! Take it! If not him, then who else? Damn it.” He stormed out.

Lauren smiled faintly. She immediately sent Wallace a telepathic message. “Come to the Sword Tomb.”

......

Thor’s Sword still stood upright in the tomb. But it was different now.

The blade shimmered with sharp, restless lightning. Arcs of electricity flickered along its edge, as though it could no longer wait. It had sensed its master.

Footsteps approached. Wallace entered and bowed deeply. “Master.”

Lauren stepped aside. “Go,” she said calmly. “It’s been waiting for you.”

“Yes, Master.” Before he even reached for it— The sword let out a clear hum.

Then it leapt from its place and flew straight into Wallace’s hand. Lightning burst outward in a blinding flash.

Wallace was practically glowing after receiving the treasure. He couldn’t even hide the grin tugging at his lips.

That confidence suited him. He was a born genius—of course he would stand tall.

Lauren felt a quiet warmth in her chest. If her master were still here to see this, he’d be pleased. Starfell Summit finally had a successor worthy of its name. Now she could pursue ascension without lingering doubts.

“Go back and refine it properly,” she said.

“Yes, Master.”

Wallace returned first, Thor’s Sword cradled in his arms, while Lauren wandered the sect at an unhurried pace before entering seclusion once more.