Truthfully, the old-young man hadn't done much other than bring Ryu to safety. As for the healing process, Ryu's own body dealt with that.
However, strictly speaking, he was saved. If his half-dead corpse was left in that location, then he would have ended up being ravaged by the next beast that came across him. There was definitely something to be said about that.
There was only so much protection Little Silk could have given him. He still wasn't even very familiar with the little one's abilities. The little butterfly was basically a glorified seamstress. Though, now that Ryu thought about it, Little Silk would make an elite Spiritual Seamstress. Or, at the very least, a very sought after familiar for someone in the profession.
Ryu didn't know what changes his mother had made to Little Silk, but since Himari had gone out of her way to give the little one back to Ryu, it definitely couldn't be simple.
"Why did I save you? Hoho, isn't it because you'd be useful to me?"
Ryu's gaze narrowed. That was always the reason, no one would do something for no reason or the mere kindness of their heart, especially not in the cultivation world. There were many cultivators who didn't even care about their own families after enough generations had passed, Ryu had experienced such a thing personally with his great grandfather.
Ryu opened his mouth to speak again, but this time, Old Wan cut him off.
"I am a man who loves to take advantage of my juniors, and you will be no different. Don't ask questions, just do as I say. If you want to know a little bit more, go become an Inheritor Disciple first, then maybe I can let know a little bit more."
Ryu's hand snatched something out of the air again, catching a badge. His frown deepened as he sent his Spiritual Sense forward.
Inner Disciple badge?
Even seeing this, he wasn't happy. If he passed the disciple selection, he would have been an Outer Disciple and he would have to work his way up, passing from Outer, to Inner, to Core, and then Inheritor. The fact that this badge said Inner Disciple right from the very beginning was akin to putting a huge target on his back.
Ryu didn't care at all if he was the one who personally chose to place himself in the spotlight. He didn't care for the thoughts and opinions of others and did as he pleased. However, being thrust into the spotlight by someone else left a bad taste in his mouth.
What would the disciples do when they realized that a newbie like him, not even in the Path Extinction Realm, had suddenly become an Inner Disciple? He would almost instantly become public enemy number one.
Did Ryu care about the ire of others? Of course not. What he cared about what the fact this Old Wan had clearly done this on purpose.
Not only did he want to test Ryu, he wanted to make sure the difficulty was as sky high as possible. Ryu already abhorred being tested by others, and this left him even more disgusted.
"Ah, ah, ah, none of that." Old Wan laughed. "You owe me for saving your life, right? And you also owe me another favor for giving you that headband. That's two favors. Now, be obedient."
Old Wan's laughter rumbled, he seemed to be having a great time. He understood people as arrogant as Ryu very well. Since he had been seeking out a person with exactly this sort of disposition, how could he not be ready to deal with them?
Ryu's expression became several shades colder. But, without a word, he wrapped the headband across his forehead.
"Selheira!"
Old Wan's voice boomed. It took several moments, but a large bird appeared on the horizon. It was a gorgeous, snow owl with only the slightest flecks of black around its crown of feathers. Even from a distance, its coat looked like a bed of soft clouds.
On its back, a woman stood. A veil fluttered, covering her face, leaving only a pair of gentle and large blue eyes for others to see.
Her hair was as black as night and done up in a simple, but elegant bun. Despite the harsh winds whistling around her, her domain around her was actually still unmoved, her dress only slightly fluttering from time to time, barely capable of showing off her figure.
She was extremely tall for a woman. If she and Ryu stood face to face, she would only be an inch or two shorter. And yet, her graceful baring was no different from a petite housewife.
The snow owl's wings gently flapped as it slowed.
"Senior." Selheira respectfully called out.
Hearing such a voice, Ryu felt that all his pent up rage suddenly vanished. It was so gentle, too gentle, even. It reminded one of the floating clouds and the soft current of a spring.
"Oh, Selheira, dear, didn't I already tell you to stop calling me that."
Selheira smiled lightly. "I must give senior his due respect."
"Never mind, never mind. This is—"
Old Wan suddenly realized he didn't know Ryu's name. But, Ryu ignored him, having no intention of saying a word to this shameless old man.
Seeing such a thing, Old Wan coughed awkwardly. Youths these days were truly too willful.
"—Anyway, this a new Inner Disciple of our Radiant Star Sect. Please take him around and help him get acquainted. Then, you can leave him to his own devices, no need to bother so much."
"Yes, senior!"
Despite being given such a task, Selheira didn't seem dissatisfied at all.
"Please come along," Selheira turned a gentle gaze toward Ryu before realizing that he was blind. "Oh, I am sorry. Please don't mind, you can feel free to release your Spiritual Sense around me if it helps you feel more comfortable."
Ryu nodded lightly, but he didn't intrude on Selheira as she suggested. He simply stepped forward and fluttered onto the snow owl's back.
Selheira had been prepared to appease her steed, but to her surprise, her partner didn't seem enraged by the new passenger at all. She couldn't help but give Ryu another glance.
"Don't you dare bully that gentle little girl, brat!" Old Wan's voice shouted as the snow owl began to soar into the skies once more.
Ryu ignored the old man again, his mind on other things as though he was oblivious to the beauty right by his side.
Since this old man wanted to piss him off, he'd be sure to flip this Sect upside down.
Rules? Why would he follow them? In fact, he wouldn't mind breaking every single one so long as he got the chance.
Testing him didn't come without its consequences.