Sorry but I only accept female disciples!

Pearl City should have been bustling with representatives from different kingdoms, sects, and even rogue cultivators, all vying for a chance to witness or compete for the inheritance.

Jin Wei playfully pouted her lips and nudged her shoulder "Oh, come on, Zin\'er, you\'re always so cautious. It\'s good to be on guard, but we\'re here for a grand occasion, not for war. Besides, we can ask around. Maybe there\'s been a change in plans."

Both of them quickly walked to a vegetable store nearby "Um..."

The shopkeeper, a middle-aged woman with a warm smile, greeted them as she noticed their approach. "Good morning, ladies! What can I get for you? All the vegetables are fresh, straight from the farm this morning. Very healthy and perfect for cultivation meals."

"They are all healthy."

Jin Wei waved her hand politely, shaking her head. "No, no, thank you. We aren\'t here to buy vegetables. Actually, we were hoping you could help us with something."

The shopkeeper tilted her head in confusion. "Oh? What is it you need help with, then?"

"The festival for the Phoenix Sovereign Inheritance," Jin Wei began, her tone curious but still uncertain. "When is it supposed to begin?"

For a moment, the shopkeeper stood frozen, blinking at them as though they had asked the most ridiculous question in the world.

Then, without warning, she burst into uncontrollable laughter. Her chuckles echoed through the street, drawing the attention of a few passersby, who glanced curiously in their direction.

"BAHAHAHAHA! Oh, dear heavens!" the shopkeeper gasped between fits of laughter, clutching her sides as tears of amusement formed in her eyes.

"Phoenix... Phoenix Sovereign... HAHAHA! Oh, I haven\'t laughed like this in ages!"

Eh? Jin Wei was taken aback "Was it that funny?"

\'Maybe it is a joke around here?\'

For a split second, she wondered if it was some sort of local joke, a custom she wasn\'t familiar with in Pearl City.

Maybe asking about the Phoenix Sovereign was something that people here found funny?

Feeling a bit awkward, but not wanting to seem out of place, Jin Wei awkwardly joined in the laughter, chuckling along even though she had no idea what they were laughing about.

"Hahahaha… yes, so funny!" Jin Wei forced herself to laugh, although her face betrayed her bewilderment.

Eventually, the shopkeeper wiped her eyes, calming down from her laughing fit. "Oh, bless you," she said, her voice still filled with amusement. "You two must be new here, huh?"

"Uh, yes," Jin Wei admitted, still smiling awkwardly as she stopped her forced laughter.

"We\'ve just arrived for the Phoenix Sovereign Inheritance Festival."

The shopkeeper chuckled again, though this time it was more controlled. "Oh dear, there\'s no Phoenix Sovereign Inheritance happening in Pearl City today, or tomorrow, or next week for that matter."

Hearing this, the two of them were dumbfounded and looked at each other "Huh?"

"They won\'t open it? Why? Wait... it is supposed to open by itself."

With a nod, the shopkeeper spoke "Yeah, its has already been opened and the festival is finished."

"It is almost been a week since then..."

(⚆ᗝ⚆)

Gah! Jin Wei\'s jaw dropped upon hearing this "We were.. late?"

"U-Um... Zin\'er…" Jin Wei stammered, her voice shaky as she prepared to explain herself. But before she could get a word out—

"Kyaah!" she squealed, startled by the furious, blazing eyes of Chen Zin fuming with anger.

"You dumb clumsy Master..." Chen Zin\'s voice was dripping with anger as she stormed forward, grabbing Jin Wei\'s neck in both hands and shaking her with frustration.

"See what you\'ve done, Jin Wei?! Because of your clumsiness, we were late and missed the Phoenix Inheritance!"

Chen Zin growled, her frustration boiling over. She shook Jin Wei like a ragdoll, her eyes nearly popping out.

(≧□≦) Jin Wei began to cry "Forgive me... Zin\'er. Waaaahhhh... I didn\'t know we were late... Maybe... maybe I saw the date wrong?

It was an accident, I swear!"

Chen Zin\'s lips twitched in frustration "You damn Master... I already had a bad feeling about this..."

"You and your dumb brain. You are not doing anything clearly... See, now we lost Phoenix Inheritance."

"Wahahaha.... sorrrryyyyy.... Zin\'er."

The shopkeeper was dumbfounded to see the Master getting bullied by the disciple.

What the hell?

At this time, the shopkeeper noticed the badge dancing on Jin Wei\'s waist and frowned slightly.

"Miss," the shopkeeper called out, her tone curious, "are you from a faraway kingdom?"

Chen Zin stopped mid-shake, her hands still around Jin Wei\'s neck as she turned her head toward the shopkeeper. "Urgh... yeah. We\'re from the Hohshaku Empire."

The frown on the shopkeeper\'s face deepened "Silver hair... blue ocean eyes... Are you the new Sword Saint?"

The moment Jin Wei heard this, her tears immediately dried up, and she perked up in excitement.

Her eyes sparkled as she hurriedly nodded, eager to be recognized. "Y-Yes, that\'s me!"

ahem

With a light cough, Jin Wei puffed up her chest proudly, trying to regain some dignity despite being shaken like a leaf moments ago.

"Allow me to introduce myself formally… I am Jin Wei, the new Sword Saint of the Hohshaku Empire!" She struck a pose, trying to exude grace and strength.

The shopkeeper raised an amused brow. "Hmm, I\'ve heard a few things about you from travelers passing through here."

Chen Zin, rolling her eyes and scoffed under her breath. "The only thing this dumb woman is good at is wielding a sword," she muttered.

"She\'s hopeless at everything else."

Jin Wei\'s face instantly fell, her lips pouting as she glanced away. "Hmph..." she sulked.

Seeing her acting cute like this, Chen Zin again grabbed her neck and shook her for good measure. "Stop pouting and take this seriously, Jin Wei!"

"Wawawawa! Zin\'er, stop shaking meeee!"

The shorekeeper laughed seeing their banter "You can\'t do anything.... You can only wait a few more years for the Phoenix Sovereign Inheritance to open."

They were still not aware that the Phoenix Sovereign will not open anymore in the future.

Chen Zin sighed deeply, releasing her grip on Jin Wei, who was now swaying slightly, dazed from all the shaking.

"Ugh, I\'m hungry. Come on, Master, let\'s go grab some breakfast. I need to fill my stomach before dealing with your mess."

...

Later, at a local restaurant, Jin Wei and Chen Zin sat across from each other, a hearty breakfast laid out before them.

Jin Wei happily stuffed her face with dumplings, noodles, and rice, her chopsticks moving like lightning.

Chen Zin, on the other hand, sat there watching her master eat, her eyebrow twitching in frustration.

She sighed in her heart \'This dumb woman... I have to take care of my master like she\'s my child... How did I end up with such a carefree Sword Saint?\'

Jin Wei paused between bites, glancing up at her disciple. She tilted her head, noticing the troubled look on Chen Zin\'s face. "Zin\'er, aren\'t you going to eat? This food is delicious!"

Chen Zin gave her master a blank stare before finally shaking her head with a deep sigh. "I swear, Master... one day you\'re going to be the death of me."

However, at this time a loud howl shireked the entire place...

"GUUUUUUUAAARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!\'

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I hope you guys liked this chapter!