Wan Lei could also see that Qi Heng, while greedy for money, was truly righteous. When Wan Lei entrusted him with a matter that could cost him his head, Qi Heng handled it without a second thought.
Suixiao Hang had once told Wan Lei something:
When you ask someone to do a favor, never be stingy with money. Don't be afraid of them asking for money; be afraid if they *don't* ask for money. Because then they might rigidly stick to their principles and refuse to help you, or they might make excessive demands, asking for this and that, making things difficult for you.
If they are willing to take money, it means the matter is easier to handle.
In the past, Wan Lei was so proud he dismissed these words. Now, he deeply understood their truth; money truly made the world go round.
He was also fortunate that he had taken the accumulated savings of the Three Strange Hermits of Jingshan, otherwise, arriving at the Immortal Realm penniless, he wouldn't have had the funds to get things done.
They parted ways, Qi Heng returning to the Five Elements Hall from the South Mountain Gate, and Wan Lei from the North Mountain Gate.
Looking furtive, not like a good person.
Returning to his own... cave, Wan Lei sat down cross-legged again, reviewing his plans for what came next.
But after thinking it over, he felt he truly couldn't do anything and could only passively wait.
Wait for the sect to assign him introductory missions to earn a pittance of merit points.
Wait for an opportunity to meet the Hall Masters, though it was highly likely they wouldn't see him. After all, as a mere Tai Xu realm disciple, he couldn't even get an audience with his own Thunder Hall Master, let alone the masters of other halls.
And then, wait for another year.
Fortunately, he had confirmed that Fang Xiaoyu was not in mortal danger, nor was she being beaten or humiliated. Coupled with Qi Heng's looking out for her, he didn't need to worry about her for the time being.
What struck Wan Lei as strange was that the matter Lei Xin had mentioned, of elders scrambling to take him as a disciple, had not materialized. He had been here for over half a month, and it seemed the people of the Thunder Hall had forgotten him, with no one coming to seek him out.
Anything would be fine, even a trivial task, as long as it made him feel like he was treated as an ordinary disciple.
His thoughts continued to wander.
The Thunder Saint was due back soon. If he could become the Thunder Saint's disciple, perhaps he could ask him to help him meet the other Hall Masters, or even to help get Fang Xiaoyu out and clear her name.
He just didn't know what kind of temper the Thunder Saint had, or if he would be easy to get along with...
Days passed one by one, and Wan Lei's mood grew increasingly restless. Life in the Five Elements Hall was too monotonous, and it was too quiet here, quiet to the point of maddening.
He ran out of cigarettes and went out to buy more.
The cave he lived in didn't have good ventilation, and with protective formations all around, not a bit of air could circulate. This resulted in increasing amounts of smoke inside his cave.
So much so that when Little Jin arrived, he almost choked and was blown out.
"Cough, cough, Senior Brother Wan, are you refining pills? Why is there so much smoke?"
Little Jin waved his hands, dispersing the smoke slightly, and finally saw Wan Lei sitting inside.
"My apologies. Why have you come?"
Wan Lei flicked his sleeve, and a surge of spiritual energy expelled all the smoke outside the cave.
Seeing that the chair he had sat on last time was still there, Little Jin walked over and sat down casually. He looked at Wan Lei with a joyful expression.
"Of course, I've come to bring you good news. Guess what good news?"
"The matter I asked you to inquire about last time?"
"That's right! My friend just told me that the Water Hall Master is currently in the Water Hall."
Wan Lei's eyes lit up at this, and he immediately got up to leave.
"Whoa, whoa, don't rush,"
Little Jin pulled him back.
"He's busy right now. The Water Hall is currently undertaking a large-scale mission to the Northern Sea, and the Water Hall Master is personally arranging it. He also needs to notify the Heavenly Court of the Northern Sea to enlist the help of the demon races there. It won't be finished anytime soon.
Normally, after finishing his work, the Water Hall Master will spend a few hours at the back cliff of Water Peak to handle matters for disciples and resolve any troubles they encounter on their journey.
This is when you can go."
Wan Lei nodded, thinking that the Water Hall Master, Xi Sha, was indeed a good person. How many of the other Saints were willing to meticulously guide their disciples?
Wan Lei, having nothing else to do, offered Little Jin a cigarette. They sat and waited while smoking.
They chatted about gossip, such as which beauty in the Five Elements Hall had recently come out of seclusion, which female disciple had her partner snatched by her best friend, how many levels a newly emerging dark horse had cleared in the Creation Tower, and which two Hall Masters had fought again.
The Hall Son was the strongest disciple within a Hall in the Tai Xu or Tai Heng realm.
After a long chat, feeling that the time was about right, they set off for the Water Hall.
The Sword Hall and the Thunder Hall were adjacent. To get to the Water Hall, one had to go further east,绕过the Earth Hall and the Fire Hall, and then one would arrive at the Water Hall.
They traveled all the way to the summit of the back mountain of the Water Hall and landed from afar.
On a lush forest path, a disciple stood, reading a book intently.
"Greetings, Senior Brother."
Wan Lei and Little Jin clasped their fists in greeting.
The disciple reading the book saw them and smiled kindly.
"Are the two of you here to seek advice from the Hall Master?"
"Indeed. We hope Senior Brother can help us inform him."
"Mm, please wait a moment. The disciple who just went up should be coming down soon."
As he spoke, a young man descended the steps in the greenery, a happy expression on his face and excitement in his eyes.
Seeing this, the youth who was conversing with Wan Lei smiled.
"It seems the Goddess answered your questions well."
"Of course. With the Goddess's help, all my doubts were resolved, and everything became clear. I won't chat anymore, I'm going back to cultivate."
After taking a couple of steps, the youth on the steps suddenly said,
"The Goddess said that any disciples who need answers should come up quickly, as she will be leaving soon."
With that, the person flew away.
Seeing Wan Lei's confused look, the disciple proudly explained,
"The Hall Master is the Goddess to everyone in the Water Hall, and that's not to be disputed. Alright, hurry up and go up."
Wan Lei nodded, slightly bewildered, and then stepped onto the stairs, wondering if such an important figure could be seen without prior notification.
Little Jin stayed behind and did not follow.
Wan Lei walked up leisurely, taking several turns on the winding path, and arrived at this elevated area.
Beside the highland, there was a river that flowed down a cliff, forming a spectacular waterfall.
Next to the waterfall, there was a pavilion. Inside the pavilion sat a woman dressed in white gauze. Her features were as beautiful as a painting, and her temperament was gentle, making anyone who looked at her feel involuntarily happy.
The Water Hall Master of the Five Elements Hall, one of the Four Beauties, Xi Sha.
"Disciple pays respects to the Hall Master."
Wan Lei walked to the front of the pavilion and bowed with clasped fists.
"Come in and sit."
Xi Sha, without lifting her head, pointed to a cushion in front of her.
Wan Lei respectfully sat down on the cushion, then looked at Xi Sha.
"What is it?"
Xi Sha's voice was exceptionally clear and pleasant, like a babbling brook that soothed the heart.
Wan Lei sneered inwardly.
"Put on a show, keep pretending. Don't you know who I am?"