"This newcomer trial has concluded successfully. All new students have performed exceptionally... Luo Qingyao achieved first place..."
The newcomer trial sparked three major discussions.
First, Luo Qingyao reached the unprecedented one thousandth step on the Long Stairs of the Immortal Path at the Eternal Immortal Sect. Even at the final step, she seemed completely at ease, facing no obstacles. People speculated that it wasn't because her Heart and Nature could only reach the one thousandth step, but rather that the Long Stairs of the Immortal Path only had a total of one thousand steps.
The second topic was about Fan Wubing from Enlightenment Peak, who had long been criticized. He cooked excellent meals and, somehow, appeared at the highest point of the Long Stairs of the Immortal Path.
The third topic was about Sun Xiuming, who placed fourth in the entry test and inexplicably fainted on the Long Stairs of the Immortal Path. After some treatment, he was temporarily sent back to Weiri City for recuperation.
Interestingly, the subjects of topics one and two were unexpectedly partners during this trial.
...
"Senior Brother, you're alive, it's so great, so great, so great, so great!"
Luo Qingyao followed behind Fan Wubing, her face beaming like a flower, repeatedly uttering "so great."
"Did you think I was dead?" Fan Wubing asked.
Luo Qingyao blushed,
"I didn't want to think that, but... at that time, we drained the entire poisonous water pool, and still didn't see you. I thought you... thought..."
"Thought my body was gone without a trace?"
Luo Qingyao denied it,
"No. Look, I still kept half of your arm here."
She pulled out a half arm that had broken off from Fan Wubing earlier. The arm, devoid of flesh and blood, had turned into dry bones. As she smiled, she caressed the bone,
"I'll make sure to keep this preserved well."
Fan Wubing's brow twitched, and he shouted,
"Throw it away, throw it away right now!"
"No, I want to keep it forever!"
"Who knows what you'll do with my bones, throw it away now!"
"No, I won't."
In this matter alone, Luo Qingyao was resolute in ignoring Fan Wubing.
Fan Wubing was about to speak again when a sudden cough interrupted him.
A tall, handsome middle-aged Daoist, wearing a Purple Gold Daoist Robe and a Purple Gold Hair Bun on his head, appeared before them at an unknown time. Not far behind him stood a young girl who seemed to be about Luo Qingyao's age.
Fan Wubing recognized the middle-aged Daoist and bowed,
"Disciple Fan Wubing greets the Sect Leader."
Luo Qingyao was a bit more casual with her manners, only nodding slightly.
Mei Jinqiu didn't speak immediately but scrutinized Fan Wubing. He thought to himself, this boy looks ordinary except for his somewhat resilient aura, so how did he cause such a stir during a trial? He cleared his throat,
"Fan Wubing, Luo Qingyao, you both performed excellently in the newcomer trial."
Mei Jinqiu looked at Luo Qingyao and asked,
"We each have an understanding of your identity. However, since you are now a disciple of the Eternal Immortal Sect, you must act according to its rules. Previously, on the Heart and Nature Pass platform, you called upon a flying sword to threaten Sun Xiuming, which was against the rules. Since it was your first offense and caused no substantial harm, no punishment will be meted out.
"With your performance, you may choose any peak and any master. If you wish, you may even join my tutelage."
Without hesitation, Luo Qingyao said,
"I want to go to Enlightenment Peak."
Fan Wubing was not surprised by this choice.
Mei Jinqiu paused slightly,
"I can understand. However, Enlightenment Peak currently has only one elder, the Peak Master Yushan Daoist. He is in seclusion at the moment and may not be able to take you as a student."
Luo Qingyao laughed and said,
"No master is fine, as long as I have a senior brother."
Mei Jinqiu seemed a bit troubled. Given Luo Qingyao's identity, if she couldn't even find a master in the Eternal Immortal Sect, it might give rise to gossip. He didn't want to become the subject of rumors,
"This may... not conform to the rules."
Luo Qingyao complained,
"Why are there so many rules?"
She glanced at Fan Wubing, noticing that he was looking at her with a strange expression... uh-oh, if Senior Brother thinks I'm unreasonable and bossy, it won't be good! She quickly stood a bit more primly and spoke gently,
"Qingyao will follow the Sect Leader's arrangements."
Mei Jinqiu looked at the two of them, considering the situation... If he placed Luo Qingyao on another peak, she might not be easy to handle there either. If she committed an offense, would they really punish her according to sect rules? What if it was misunderstood as bullying? After all, as Sect Leader, he had to consider all aspects thoroughly. He thought, since Luo Qingyao would only listen to Fan Wubing, why not have him supervise her... He said somewhat sternly,
"Our sect has always been open-minded and not bound by strict dogmas. We respect the wishes of our disciples. Since you sincerely wish to join Enlightenment Peak, then... Wubing, you shall accept her as a disciple on behalf of the master."
Fan Wubing's mouth twitched,
"Sect Leader, even if it's on behalf of the master to accept an apprentice, it should be done by the eldest senior sister of Enlightenment Peak with the highest seniority, right?"
"Your senior sister only has eyes for you, you doing it is like her doing it. No worries."
Looking at Mei Jinqiu's demeanor, Fan Wubing instantly understood in his heart, so this is about passing the hot potato that is Luo Qingyao to me.
"Senior sister…" Luo Qingyao blinked at Fan Wubing, "Senior brother, you have a senior sister as well?"
Fan Wubing didn't say much,
"Since it's so, I will, on behalf of my master Yushan Daoist, accept Luo Qingyao as the current term disciple of Enlightenment Peak."
"Yay!"
Fan Wubing felt someone was looking at him. He followed the gaze and saw the young girl not far behind Mei Jinqiu immediately look away. He vaguely had some impression, but since they hadn't interacted before, he wasn't sure.
Mei Jinqiu looked at Fan Wubing again... originally wanting to ask how he left the poison pool and recovered so quickly, but thought better of it. On the path of cultivation, who doesn't have their own secrets? As long as it's not something crooked or dishonest, let it be. Moreover, this child has a senior sister named "Fu Ming", so it's not strange to exhibit some unusual traits.
He exhaled softly and asked,
"Wubing, lately, do you have any important matters?"
Fan Wubing thought for a moment,
"No important matters."
Luo Qingyao widened her eyes,
"Senior brother, didn't we agree to go out and have fun for a day before! How is that not an important matter!"
Fan Wubing looked at her and said,
"If you're so free, just go back, pack your things, and move to Enlightenment Peak first."
"I—"
"Go on."
"Okay."
Luo Qingyao drooped her head and went back to her place.
Seeing this scene, Mei Jinqiu couldn't help but twitch his mouth, feeling puzzled. How could this Luo Qingyao, a noble child of Changsheng Continent, be so obedient to Fan Wubing?
Fan Wubing then asked,
"Sect Leader, may I ask if there is anything?"
Mei Jinqiu, with his hands behind him, exuded an invisible aura of authority,
"You can cook celestial food, right."
Fan Wubing slightly paused, thinking to himself, it seems that his previous performance in the Peach Branch Small Profound Realm was noticed, which he wasn't too worried about as he had already prepared a reason. What he wasn't certain about was whether his matter with Flying Sword Peach Blossom was also seen.
"Reporting to the Sect Leader. From a young age, Wubing was weak. Over the years, Senior Sister worked to nurture Wubing's health, traveling everywhere, discovering that enhancing with celestial food worked amazingly, so she found methods to cook celestial food for Wubing."
"I see. Since it's Fu Ming, that makes sense."
Yes, this was a "small bug" that Fan Wubing discovered in Eternal Immortal Sect; anything peculiar could become perfectly reasonable as long as it was connected to Senior Sister Fu Ming.
Mei Jinqiu said,
"You presumably know that not long after the new disciple trial, Eternal Immortal Sect will hold the grand sect opening ceremony. In the past, the banquet for this sect opening ceremony was handled by Peak Master Elder Weiyu of Nourishing Spirit Peak, who could cook celestial food. However, Elder Weiyu is now in seclusion. After discussions with several elders, it's been decided that you will take on the role of head chef for the banquet."
"Ah?!"
Fan Wubing knew that being a Profound Sect, the grand sect opening ceremony of Little South Continent Profound One Spirit Marsh always invited heroes from all over. Heads of sects, patriarchs of families, mundane monarchs... all would be invited, all were important figures.
He was flattered and a bit alarmed,
"Disciple is weak, making celestial food that can please ordinary disciples is already hard enough, I'm afraid I cannot handle such a grand occasion as the sect opening ceremony."
Mei Jinqiu shook his head,
"You could use a weakened version of the Barbaric Blood Pig to make celestial food that helps Foundation Establishment Stage disciples improve their realm, your skills are indeed remarkable. You don't need to feel much pressure. For the banquet food, controlling the taste is enough; the effect is not crucial. I will have the lead senior sister of Nourishing Spirit Peak contact you for specific matters. Moreover, taking on this role, you surely won't be treated poorly afterwards."
Judging from his tone, it left no room for refusal. Fan Wubing had to agree,
"Disciple will do his best."
Mei Jinqiu nodded, then turned to the girl standing to the side and said,
"Manman, let's go."
Manman?
Fan Wubing's mind suddenly conjured the image of a five-year-old Ying Huo leaping for food, the little girl carved from jade beyond the wall crack. He remembered she liked rabbits.
Fu Manman glanced at Fan Wubing, then left with Mei Jinqiu.
Fan Wubing thought that she probably didn't remember him. After all, she is a princess of a country and the Sect Leader's direct disciple in Eternal Immortal Sect; she was completely out of his league, so forgetting was normal.
He didn't pay much mind, and turned his thoughts to the banquet for the grand sect opening ceremony.