Although Hu Yan harbored some doubts about Li Qingqiu, Shen Yue's words made sense. This was the Qingxiao Sect—no one would openly target disciples in broad daylight.
Thus, Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan followed Li Qingqiu and Shen Yue up the mountain.
Li Qingqiu asked about the relationship between the two. Hu Yan answered honestly, while Duan Xiaojuan appeared innocent and carefree, believing she had not revealed her girlish thoughts. In reality, to Li Qingqiu and Shen Yue, her flaws were obvious at a glance.
'Youth is truly wonderful.'
Li Qingqiu sighed inwardly. He suddenly realized that in this life, he had yet to experience a romance.
However, he had already tasted such things in his previous life, so he was in no hurry.
The four walked up the mountain. Before long, they arrived at the Martial Platform halfway up. Zhu Qingling and the others were still watching the match, and Ye Nan had not left either.
Ye Nan was chatting with other disciples when his gaze suddenly caught sight of Li Qingqiu. His pupils dilated, but after hesitating for a moment, he did not run over, lest he appear overly eager.
Zhu Qingling also noticed Hu Yan, and her gaze shifted to Li Qingqiu and Shen Yue.
Li Qingqiu appeared so transcendent that she was momentarily dazzled by his bearing. As for Shen Yue, though elderly, he carried the air of an immortal sage. Walking together, the two were bound to attract attention.
Li Qingqiu did not stop. After a single glance, he continued onward.
Since he had come to Ziyang Peak, he naturally needed to see Xu Ning.
Zhu Qingling watched the four depart, and the Zhu clan disciples around her followed her gaze.
"Huh? Isn't that the Sect Master?"
A female disciple of the Zhu clan exclaimed softly, quickly covering her mouth in fear of being too loud.
The Sect Master?
Zhu Qingling looked at her in surprise. The girl lowered her voice and said, "When I visited an elder at the Heavenly Works Hall before, I happened to see him. He is the Sect Master of our Qingxiao Sect—Li Qingqiu."
Li Qingqiu!
To Zhu Qingling, that name was exceedingly familiar. To be precise, among the Zhu clan, the name Li Qingqiu was like thunder in their ears.
Because of Li Qingqiu, the Zhu clan had become one of the most powerful great families across Jiuzhou, elevated above the secular world. Zhu Yan had thus become the most prominent member of the clan. Every Zhu clan disciple sent to the Qingxiao Sect had been warned that upon arrival, they must not violate sect rules or bully others by relying on clan influence.
All Zhu clan members understood that Li Qingqiu held their life and death in his hands. Though the Zhu clan appeared powerful, if they displeased him, they could fall from the heights of Jiuzhou to dust in a single day.
Confusion filled Zhu Qingling's eyes.
Why was Hu Yan following the Sect Master up the mountain?
The other Zhu clan members were thrilled. They all admired Li Qingqiu, and merely seeing him was enough to excite them.
Walking up the mountain path, it was inevitable that someone would recognize Li Qingqiu. If he had been alone, disciples would surely have approached him. But with Shen Yue at his side, it was clear they had business, so the disciples only dared to bow from afar and did not approach.
Even though none came close, Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan could see their behavior, and they were secretly astonished. Just what identities did these two possess?
Not even a branch hall master of the Spirit Management Hall commanded such presence.
Hu Yan was delighted. Being able to take such a great figure as his master was undoubtedly a good thing.
Duan Xiaojuan was happy for him as well. She harbored no improper thoughts, only pure curiosity.
After nearly half an hour, Li Qingqiu led the three to the front of Xu Ning's cave abode. Upon reaching this area, everything suddenly became quiet. None of the branch halls dared to build towers or courtyards nearby, for fear of disturbing Xu Ning's cultivation.
As soon as they arrived before the cave abode, the stone door opened. Xu Ning stepped out and came before Li Qingqiu, bowing and saying, "Master, why have you come?"
If there had been no outsiders, she would not have come out to receive him. But with others present, she had to observe proper etiquette.
Li Qingqiu smiled. "I came to see you. May we enter?"
"Of course."
Xu Ning nodded and turned to lead the way.
Li Qingqiu stepped into the cave abode, Shen Yue following closely behind. Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan exchanged a glance before entering as well.
Hu Yan looked around the tunnel with bright eyes, thinking to himself, 'Is this what the other disciples call a cave abode?'
Duan Xiaojuan was even more obvious—her eyes were wide open, and faint gasps escaped her lips.
The group entered the inner chamber. Xu Ning invited Li Qingqiu and Shen Yue to sit, then began preparing tea. She looked at Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan curiously and asked, "These two disciples are…?"
"This boy is the disciple I just accepted—your sixth junior brother, Hu Yan. The girl beside him is his friend, Duan Xiaojuan."
Li Qingqiu introduced them with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Xu Ning's eyes lit up. Under her gaze, Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan grew visibly nervous.
Xu Ning's presence was far too strong. If Zhu Qingling was like an immortal maiden from the heavens, then Xu Ning was like the foremost among immortal women. In terms of beauty, she was no less than Zhu Qingling. In terms of presence, however, the two were on entirely different levels.
Sixth junior brother?
I have five senior brothers and sisters?
Hu Yan could not help but grow tense, wondering how those senior brothers and sisters would regard him.
Xu Ning looked at Hu Yan and smiled. "You need not be nervous. I am your eldest senior sister. If you have any matters regarding cultivation in the future, come to me at any time."
Hu Yan hurriedly replied, "Thank you, Eldest Senior Sister…"
Shen Yue sat on a stool, observing Hu Yan. He felt that Hu Yan was somewhat introverted. He lacked Zhao Zhen and Jian Du's spirited confidence, was not as steady as Yuan Li, and did not possess Ji Ya's visibly evident talent.
It seems he really did choose based on first impression.
Shen Yue had to admit that he found Hu Yan rather pleasing to the eye as well.
"Senior Sister, what exactly is Hu Yan's master's identity?" Duan Xiaojuan could not help asking.
Her question made Xu Ning glance at Li Qingqiu in surprise. She had not expected that he still had not revealed his identity.
Li Qingqiu smiled. "Since she asked, you may answer her."
Understanding his meaning, Xu Ning looked at Duan Xiaojuan and asked, "Why don't you guess who he might be?"
"A hall master? Or an elder?" Duan Xiaojuan asked curiously, unafraid.
"Too low."
"Too low? What identity could be higher than a hall master?"
"Who is the most powerful person in the sect?"
"Of course it's the Sect Master—the number one hero under heaven, Li Qingqiu!"
Duan Xiaojuan's expression brightened as she clenched her fist. Clearly, she admired Li Qingqiu as well.
Xu Ning only smiled without speaking, causing Duan Xiaojuan to freeze.
Hu Yan was likewise stunned, as if struck by lightning. He stared blankly at Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu smiled. "Tomorrow someone will come to fetch you. You will move to Qingxiao Mountain."
At these words, Hu Yan became instantly excited and hurriedly bowed in thanks to Li Qingqiu.
The Sect Master actually wanted to take him as a disciple!
Was he dreaming?
Hu Yan looked up at Li Qingqiu and cautiously asked, "Why me?"
From childhood to now, he had never experienced kindness without reason, so this felt unreal. Fortunately, he had not sensed any malice from the three before him, which steadied his heart somewhat.
"I was in a good mood today and wanted to take a disciple, so I wandered around. The moment I saw you, I felt a sense of affinity. It may sound unreasonable, but that is the truth—I chose you at first sight."
Li Qingqiu took the teacup Xu Ning handed him and said softly with a smile.
Cultivators truly brewed tea quickly.
Shen Yue nodded. "I can testify. That was indeed his plan. I originally thought he had taken a fancy to some peerless genius."
Hu Yan knew full well that he was no peerless genius; otherwise, he would not merely be a Registered Disciple.
His heart surged with excitement. He had countless things he wanted to say, yet did not know how to express them.
Suddenly, he caught sight of Duan Xiaojuan beside him. The smile had vanished from her face, and she looked somewhat dejected. His excitement quickly faded.
If he went to Qingxiao Mountain, he and Duan Xiaojuan would inevitably drift apart. They had only known each other for 2 days; their bond was not yet firm, and they were already about to separate.
Hu Yan quite liked Duan Xiaojuan—not romantically, but as a friend. She was the first friend he had made since arriving at the Qingxiao Sect.
The changes in their expressions did not escape the notice of Li Qingqiu and the other two. They exchanged glances, finding it rather amusing.
The feelings of youth were indeed simple and difficult to conceal.
"Duan Xiaojuan, in the future I will personally guide your cultivation. Though I cannot accept you as a disciple, you will have plenty of opportunities to see Hu Yan. You don't expect to cling to him every day, do you? If that were the case, he would not be qualified to be the Sect Master's disciple. Every disciple of the Sect Master must become a genius acknowledged by the entire sect."
Xu Ning looked at Duan Xiaojuan as she spoke.
Hearing this, Duan Xiaojuan was overjoyed and quickly bowed in thanks.
"I wouldn't cling to him. As long as I have the chance to see him again in the future, that's enough," she added.
Upon hearing that Duan Xiaojuan would receive guidance from his Eldest Senior Sister, Hu Yan's face lit up with a smile.
Li Qingqiu praised, "This is how a disciple of our Qingxiao Sect should be. Not only Hu Yan—you must also cultivate diligently. Perhaps one day, you will stand shoulder to shoulder with him in battle."
These words stirred Duan Xiaojuan's blood with fervor, and she nodded vigorously.
After that, Li Qingqiu and the other two began chatting about other topics. Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan listened carefully, hearts filled with excitement and anticipation.
Even though it was merely casual conversation, the world of cultivation described in their words filled the two with longing.
…
That evening, Li Qingqiu, Shen Yue, and Xu Ning returned to Lingxiao Courtyard to celebrate the festival. The name Hu Yan quickly spread among the upper echelons.
They silently memorized the name. After hearing from Shen Yue that Hu Yan was merely a Registered Disciple with no outstanding talent, the upper ranks were puzzled.
They still could not believe that Li Qingqiu had truly chosen a disciple based solely on first impression.
Yet no matter what, Hu Yan had become Li Qingqiu's sixth disciple. That was a fact.
Hu Yan was destined to become famous within the Qingxiao Sect and would also become someone they sought to win over.
They believed in Li Qingqiu's discernment and trusted in his methods. Even an ordinary talent could be cultivated into greatness in his hands.
The lively Spring Festival night passed.
Early the next morning, Hu Yan was taken to Qingxiao Mountain, causing a sensation in the courtyard of Registered Disciples where he had lived. The other disciples had no idea why he was able to go to Qingxiao Mountain.
Qingxiao Mountain, within the Heavenly Works Hall.
Zhu Qingling followed a group of Zhu clan disciples into a courtyard. They stood in a row, waiting nervously and expectantly.
Soon, Zhu Yan arrived, and the Zhu clan disciples hurriedly bowed to her.
Zhu Yan swept her gaze over these younger members with relatively outstanding aptitudes, then personally explained the sect rules to them.
She did not wish for Zhu clan disciples to grow arrogant. She laid down strict words in advance—if anyone violated the sect rules, she would personally expel them from the sect.
At the same time, she hoped these disciples would bring honor to the Zhu clan.
"Yesterday, the Sect Master accepted a disciple named Hu Yan. He entered the sect in the same batch as you. He will become someone you look up to. If you encounter Hu Yan in the future, try to build a good relationship with him—though, of course, do not be overly deliberate."
When Zhu Yan spoke Hu Yan's name, Zhu Qingling's beautiful eyes widened in shock, her expression stunned as she wondered if she had misheard.