Chapter 37 Tang Hui’s Reputation Reaches the Elders

The problem with gaining recognition inside a cultivation sect was that eventually the elders started discussing you seriously.

Tang Hui discovered this horrifying fact approximately ten minutes after the Moonheart ceremony ended.

The central terraces had relaxed into smaller conversation groups beneath the drifting lantern light. Some disciples remained near the music pavilion while others wandered through the moon gardens overlooking the cliffs.

Tang Hui herself had been attempting escape.

A reasonable survival strategy.

Unfortunately, Elder Shen intercepted her halfway down the western terrace.

“Junior Sister Tang.”

Tang Hui stopped immediately.

Inner sect instincts activated automatically around elders.

“Yes, Elder?”

“Walk with me briefly.”

Those four words alone carried enough authority to spiritually destabilize ordinary outer disciples.

Tang Hui followed anyway while trying not to look suspiciously nervous.

Beside her, Moonheart Peak glowed beneath silver lantern arrays while distant clouds drifted slowly below the mountain cliffs. The festival atmosphere remained warm and relaxed around them.

Which somehow made the situation worse.

Formal conversations in peaceful settings always felt more dangerous.

Elder Shen led her toward one of the quieter stone paths overlooking the eastern terraces.

For several moments, neither spoke.

Tang Hui became increasingly concerned.

Finally, the elder glanced toward her calmly.

“You’ve changed the outer sect atmosphere considerably.”

Ah.

There it was again.

Tang Hui resisted the instinctive urge to deny everything immediately.

“I mostly give relationship advice.”

“You create spaces where disciples speak honestly.”

The correction landed more heavily than expected.

Tang Hui slowed slightly.

Elder Shen continued walking at an unhurried pace.

“Do you know why sect conflicts escalate so frequently among younger cultivators?”

Tang Hui considered briefly.

“Pride?”

“A factor.”

“Terrible communication?”

“A larger factor.”

Tang Hui snorted softly before stopping herself.

Because honestly—

that answer described nearly every consultation she handled daily now.

The elder’s expression softened faintly.

“Cultivators are taught discipline, restraint, ambition. But emotional honesty is often treated as weakness.”

Tang Hui followed his gaze toward the terraces below where disciples laughed together beneath floating lanterns.

“And then everyone suffers dramatically because nobody says what they actually mean,” she muttered.

“Precisely.”

The realization settled strangely in her chest.

Because she opened the matchmaking pavilion mostly trying to survive.

Earn spirit stones.

Avoid cultivation despair.

Yet somehow it evolved into something… larger.

Not grand.

Not world-changing.

But meaningful.

People genuinely felt happier lately.

Closer.

More open.

Tang Hui still struggled fully accepting that she helped create that atmosphere.

Before the conversation could grow dangerously emotional, Elder Shen suddenly asked:

“Have you considered expanding the pavilion formally?”

Tang Hui nearly missed a step.

“…What?”

“A permanent structure. Official sect recognition. Dedicated consultation areas.”

Tang Hui stared at him in horror.

“No.”

The elder looked amused.

“You answered quickly.”

“Because that sounds terrifying.”

“It sounds practical.”

“It sounds like responsibility.”

Correctly identified.

Elder Shen folded his hands behind his back calmly.

“The pavilion already functions unofficially as part of the outer sect social structure.”

Tang Hui physically closed her eyes briefly.

Those words should never exist in sequence.

Social structure?

She sold emotional guidance beside chestnut vendors three months ago.

How did her life evolve this far?

Before she could reject the idea more dramatically, footsteps approached from the terrace pathway ahead.

Luo Ming.

Of course.

The man appeared beneath hanging lantern shadows with entirely too much awareness in his eyes already.

Dangerous timing.

“Am I interrupting something important?” he asked pleasantly.

“Yes,” Tang Hui answered immediately.

“Cruel.”

Elder Shen merely looked between them thoughtfully before excusing himself toward another terrace gathering.

Tang Hui watched him leave with lingering dread.

Formal expansion.

Absolutely not.

The moment the elder disappeared, Luo Ming glanced sideways toward her.

“You look troubled.”

“They want to institutionalize my poor life decisions.”

“A significant achievement.”

Tang Hui groaned softly.

Moonlight washed silver across the quiet terrace path while distant festival music drifted upward through the gardens below.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Luo Ming unexpectedly asked:

“Why does recognition make you uncomfortable?”

Tang Hui blinked.

Simple question.

Dangerously direct.

She leaned lightly against the stone railing overlooking the clouds below.

“…Because I spent years being forgettable here.”

The honesty surprised even herself.

Luo Ming stayed quiet.

Tang Hui exhaled softly before continuing.

“No talent. No advancement. No special skills anyone respected.” She laughed once under her breath. “Most sect instructors barely remembered my name before the pavilion.”

Saying it aloud no longer hurt exactly.

But the memory lingered.

Five years of quietly existing at the edges of Qingyun Sect.

Watching others succeed while she barely maintained ordinary progress.

Luo Ming studied her silently for several moments.

Then:

“You say that as though being remembered now is undeserved.”

Tang Hui opened her mouth automatically—

and paused.

Because strangely enough…

she no longer fully believed that anymore.

Not completely.

The realization unsettled her slightly.

Before the conversation could deepen further, familiar footsteps approached from the upper terrace stairs.

Qin Yue.

Tang Hui immediately noticed Luo Ming straighten very slightly beside her.

Tiny movement.

Barely visible.

Still counted.

Professional observation remained undefeated.

Qin Yue stopped beside them beneath the lantern glow, crimson robes shifting softly in the night breeze.

“Elder Shen was looking for you earlier,” she told Luo Ming.

“Troubling.”

“You ignored three summons.”

“Less troubling.”

Tang Hui snorted before she could stop herself.

Qin Yue glanced toward her briefly—

and the corners of her expression softened faintly again.

There.

That subtle warmth.

Easy to miss unless someone paid attention carefully.

Tang Hui absolutely paid attention carefully.

The atmosphere between the two of them had changed steadily over recent chapters— weeks.

More comfortable now.

More instinctive.

Like people already accustomed to each other’s presence.

Ah.

This was becoming extremely entertaining professionally.

Tang Hui crossed her arms thoughtfully.

Luo Ming noticed immediately.

“That expression again.”

“I have no idea what you mean.”

“A lie.”

Qin Yue looked between them suspiciously.

Tang Hui smiled with complete innocence.

Which unfortunately only increased suspicion further.