When Gu Han stepped out of the rift holding A Yao and leading Ye Linger, standing once again on the White Jade Square in front of the Immortal Palace's Main Hall...
A familiar, thick Spiritual Qi that was almost palpable instantly enveloped them.
"We're back!"
A Yao cheered, spinning around on the square like a little butterfly, her skirt fluttering.
Although they had only been gone for a few days, to her, it felt like a long time.
Ye Linger took a deep breath, feeling the ubiquitous Dao rhythm and majestic Spiritual Qi of this world, her eyes filled with novelty and joy.
This would be her future home.
"Master!"
"Master!"
"Palace Master!"
Three voices rang out almost simultaneously.
Yun Yun, Liu Ruyan, and Gu Luoli walked over from the direction of the myriad phenomena pagoda, their faces filled with delight.
Clearly, as soon as Gu Han returned, Yun Yun had sensed her aura and specifically brought the two over.
"Second Junior Sister! Third Junior Sister!"
A Yao's eyes lit up, and she instantly pounced toward them.
Liu Ruyan caught her with a smile and rubbed her small head:
"Eldest Senior Sister, did you have fun on this trip?"
"I did! Master Mommy is so amazing!"
A Yao nodded vigorously, her little face full of pride, as she began to chatter about the trip to the Eastern Region.
"Master Mommy wiped out so many bad guys with just one slap! I also saw a sister dressed very beautifully."
"Um... many people bowed to her then and called her Her Majesty the Empress... and..."
While the three listened to A Yao's narration, they looked at Gu Han with concern.
Seeing Gu Han's steady aura and normal expression, the three of them felt relieved.
Then, their eyes fell on the girl behind Gu Han, who had a cold, ethereal temperament and ice-blue hair.
Remembering what Gu Han had said when she left, a look of realization flashed in Yun Yun's eyes.
"Palace Master, is this the newly recruited Disciple?"
Gu Han nodded slightly, looked at Ye Linger, and said:
"Linger, come and meet the Vice Palace Master and your two Senior Sisters."
Ye Linger quickly stepped forward and gave a respectful bow to Yun Yun:
"Disciple Ye Linger greets the Vice Palace Master."
Then, she turned to Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli, bowing as well:
"Ye Linger greets Second Senior Sister and Third Senior Sister."
She kept her posture humble and her tone sincere.
Although this new Junior Sister was somewhat special, the two immediately felt a sense of goodwill toward her upon seeing her sincerity.
Liu Ruyan smiled slightly and reached out to help her up:
"Junior Sister, there's no need for such formality. Since you've entered Master's tutelage, we are family."
Gu Luoli also nodded, "Welcome."
Seeing how quickly the two accepted Ye Linger, Gu Han felt very gratified.
"Alright."
"Linger has just arrived. Ruyan, take her to settle in, familiarize her with the Immortal Palace's environment, and explain the Sect rules."
"Yes, Master," Liu Ruyan replied.
Gu Han then looked at Gu Luoli and instructed:
"Luoli, your cultivation has initially stabilized. Next, you can try to break through to the Golden Core."
"But remember not to be impatient; it must happen naturally to forge the most perfect Golden Core."
"Yes! Disciple understands!"
Gu Luoli's expression turned solemn as she replied respectfully.
Golden Cores are divided into one to nine veins. Back then, she had only formed an eight-vein Golden Core, yet she had already become the most talented person in the Qingyun Holy Land in a thousand years.
Now that she was forming a Golden Core for the second time, she would try to condense the highest quality nine-vein Golden Core no matter what.
Gu Han's gaze swept across the Immortal Palace, noticing a more active Cultivation atmosphere than before.
"Yun Yun."
"Palace Master."
"The Rules Secret Realm is about to open. How are the Immortal Palace Disciples doing lately?"
Mentioning official business, Yun Yun's expression turned serious as she reported clearly:
"Palace Master, since the myriad phenomena pagoda opened, the Disciples' Cultivation progress has been significant."
"Currently, all Disciples in the palace have at least reached the fifth level of Qi Refining."
"Li Zhiwei and Murong Xue have initially formed their Sword Intent, Zhao Linger can stably refine first-grade Medicinal Pills, and Wang Zhaojun has been studying that ancient book you gave her..."
"Xiao Ya's cultivation has reached the ninth level of Qi Refining. Her creative ideas regarding Formations and illusions have been highly praised even by Elder Butterfly Dance."
"The Disciples of the other peaks have solid Foundations and are proficient in techniques."
"Overall, in a few more months when the Secret Realm opens, our Immortal Palace Disciples... will surely make a stunning debut."
Gu Han nodded slightly as she listened to the report.
"Very good."
A flash of satisfaction appeared in Gu Han's eyes.
"Resource supply must be sufficient, and practical combat drills must not be neglected. As for Ink Scale and Fu Shan..."
"Elder Mo Lin regularly leads Disciples into the Wan Jue Mountain Range for practical training."
"Elder Fu Shan has gone to several areas around the Wan Jue Mountain Range and cleared out many evil cultivator forces."
"Mm, you've arranged it well. No evil cultivators can be allowed to exist within the territory of our Yaochi Immortal Palace."
Gu Han gave Yun Yun an appreciative look.
With this Vice Palace Master who was not only beautiful but also good at managing the household, she indeed saved a lot of worry.
"Additionally..."
Gu Han suddenly remembered something and asked:
"Is there any movement recently from the Qingyun Holy Land or other Southern Region forces?"
Yun Yun pondered for a moment and replied:
"Since Elder Lu came to show goodwill last time, the Qingyun Holy Land has made no further moves."
"Some other Sects and clans have sent spies to peer from a distance, but they dare not approach, intimidated by the Immortal Palace's power."
"However... the neighboring 'Flowing Cloud Sword Sect' and 'Heavenly Fire Valley' had a bit of friction a few days ago."
"Flowing Cloud Sword Sect? Heavenly Fire Valley?"
Gu Han had some impression of these two names; they were both old, first-rate Sects in the Southern Region, each with several Mahayana Stage experts.
"As long as they don't affect the Disciples' training, it's fine. If they are blind enough to cause trouble..."
Gu Han's tone was calm but carried a hint of majesty.
"Then let Hanyi go out for a stroll and let them know who truly calls the shots in the Southern Region."
"Yes."
Yun Yun complied, understanding the situation.
The Palace Master wanted to provide a good training environment and safety for the Disciples.
After arranging the various matters, Gu Han waved her hand:
"Go about your business. Linger, go with your Second Senior Sister to settle in first."
"Yes, Master!"
Everyone responded in unison and then dispersed.
Ruyan led Ye Linger toward the "Chuyun Court" assigned to newly entered Disciples.
Along the way, she patiently introduced the various halls, pavilions, mountain peaks, and spiritual springs of the Immortal Palace, as well as the matters that needed attention.
Ye Linger listened carefully, her gaze occasionally drawn to the beautiful scenery along the way.
Every place left her heart shaken, filling her with anticipation for her future cultivation life.
"This is Chuyun Court."
Liu Ruyan pointed to an elegant and quiet courtyard ahead.
"You will live here from now on. It's very close to Yaochi, and the Spiritual Qi is the densest here."
"Thank you, Second Senior Sister," Ye Linger said gratefully.
"You're welcome."
Liu Ruyan smiled and took out two sets of True Disciple clothing, a Jade Slip recording the Sect rules and basic information, and a small Storage Pouch.
"Here are your clothes, the Sect rule Jade Slip, and this month's cultivation resources. The Medicinal Pills and Spirit Stones are all inside."
"Go in and familiarize yourself first."
"Later, I'll take you to have a meal and introduce you to the other Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters."
"Alright, thank you for the trouble, Second Senior Sister."
Ye Linger took the items and thanked her again.
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