Chapter 7 (1/2)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

When Li Changshou and Ling’e landed in front of Bai Fan Hall, hundreds of other people were already gathered there.

From afar, Li Changshou saw that the young men and women dressed in Dao robes and long skirts were chatting and laughing happily. Few people among them were ugly.

In this place, there were as many female cultivators as males. Most of them were beautiful and had slim figures. One could say that they were all beautiful in different ways, but a few of them were particularly outstanding. They looked like cranes among a flock of chickens and the moon among ordinary stars.

Take Lan Ling’e, who was beside Li Changshou, for example…

“Isn’t that Little Qiong Peak’s Ling’e? She is really getting more and more beautiful. I heard that her qualifications are good, too. She only joined our sect ten years ago, but she’s already at the Eighth Stage of Qi Refinement. She’s about to break through into the Soul Formation soon.”

“I heard that even the Grand Elder is interested in recruiting her. None of the rest of us have that kind of good fortune.”

“Who is that next to her?”

“Oh, I guess it’s her Senior Brother. I don’t think there are many people on the Little Qiong Peak. This man seems to be among the top 300 people in the sect. I don’t have much of an impression of him.”

“I remember. His Dao name seems to be Changshou.”

“This Dao name is really… simple and ordinary, yet very unique.”

“Don’t discuss disciples from other peaks behind their backs! Behave yourselves! If the elders of the sect hear this, they’ll think that the people from our sect are ill-disciplined!”

The whispers entered Li Changshou’s ears, but he acted like he did not hear them. The corners of his lips curled up into a small smile. He did not bother scanning to size up the group. Instead, he led Lan Ling’e into the hall to report their attendance. Then, they went to an empty corner to wait.

The bell kept ringing. More and more young cultivators flew in from various peaks.

This was the Priming Meet that the Immortal Du Sect organized for their disciples every five years. The intention was to allow disciples to see the outside world so that they could improve their cultivation and comprehension.

Every sect’s official disciples would casually apply to take part in activities like this. What’s more, there were twelve destinations to choose from, which would cater well to disciples of various stages.

The Immortal Du Sect conducted ma.s.s-recruitment of disciples every 200 years. That meant that there were 200 years between each generation.

It was said that the fastest-progressing disciple in this generation of disciples was already at the Sixth Stage of Void Return Realm. He had already caught up to many other ‘oldies’ who had spent 1,000 years cultivating but had only average potential.

Qi Refinement, Soul Formation, Void Return, Dao Requital. These were the four main realms one had to go through before becoming immortal. They would also decide one’s skills and strength, as well as the upper limits of one’s cultivation and journey after becoming an immortal.

Lan Ling’e had only joined the sect ten years ago. The Master she looked up to was someone who did not have much fame and had not even become an immortal yet. Still, she was able to get to the Eighth Stage of Qi Refinement. Naturally, she attracted a lot of attention.

Li Changshou and Lan Ling’e kept three feet between them as they sat under the shade of a tree. Many people looked at them—most of these people thought that the relations.h.i.+p between the Senior Brother and Junior Sister was not good.

Lan Ling’e folded the shoot of a willow branch and then twirled it gently between her fingers. Several times, she wanted to speak. However, she held herself back each time.

The first term of their vow: they had to keep a three-foot distance between them in front of outsiders.

The second term of their vow: they could not engage in conversation in front of outsiders if there were nothing meaningful to discuss.

“Senior Brother, where are you going?”

“Guess.”

“You won’t tell me. I’ve been asking you for several days now.” Ling’e tutted. Then she softly mumbled to herself, “In any case, I’m following you wherever you go. I’m going to stick close to you.”

Li Changshou smiled nonchalantly, his lips parting. His voice traveled into Lan Ling’ e’s ears—he was using a method of voice transmission.

“Junior Sister, you have now achieved at least initial success in all areas of Qi Refinement. It’s time for you to learn to face difficulties independently.”

Lan Ling’e reb.u.t.ted indignantly, “I was sent by Master to keep an eye on you. He told me not to let you cause trouble, Senior Brother. You cannot destroy the Little Qiong Peak’s reputation!”

Li Changshou smiled slightly but did not say anything in response.

The bell rang six times. One by one, figures flew out of the Bai Fan Hall. In total, more than 60 cultivators lined up in the air.

Each of them looked different. Some had white hair and wrinkles, while others looked youthful, like 28-year-olds. However, most of them showed maturity and stability.

Each of the 63 people seemed to release a bit of their aura. The place in front of the Bai Fan Hall fell absolutely silent. A wisp of immortal light surrounded the figures in the sky.

Those were immortals from various peaks. They were in charge of ensuring security during this Priming Meet.

A crane cried. A red-crowned, white crane emerged from the clouds and landed on a thin, old man sitting cross-legged.

If one took a closer look at this old man, they would see that he had a faint cloud tagging along behind him. On either side of him were two green lotuses. The way he carried himself was extraordinary—not even a bit of his aura leaked, but people around him could feel his majesty.

He was the a.s.sistant Sect Lord of the Immortal Du Sect, Exalted Zhong Yu. It was said that he was a Heaven Immortal, among the top ten people in the Immortal Du Sect.

Exalted Zhong Yu did not give a long, draggy speech. His eyelids drooped as his lips parted, and his voice echoed throughout the main peak.

“All of you should remember the sect rules as you go out this time. Hold the name of our Immortal Du Sect high. Do not do anything that would bring us shame.

“There will be a total of twelve destinations during this Priming Meet. Recently, there have been reports of demon attacks in several sects in the Coast of the East Ocean. I hope that you can defeat these demons and protect the Dao, as well as our fellow men.

“Elder Ge, you may begin.”

Once he finished speaking, Exalted Zhong Yu ascended his crane and left. He did not stay a second longer than he needed to. The disciples all bowed down as he took his leave.

An elder standing in front of the hall cupped his hands to receive the orders. Then, he shouted, “Those who are heading to the Coast of the East Ocean to kill the demons, stand on the far left. You must be at least at the Sixth Stage of Qi Refinement! Those who are headed there will be rewarded according to the number of demons you kill.”

The disciples below quickly started moving. Nearly half of the disciples headed towards the left. Immediately, that area became crowded.

This was a common occurrence during each Priming Meet. Among the twelve destinations, one would always be relatively less dangerous and difficult but would offer generous rewards.

Lan Ling’e turned to look at her Senior Brother and noticed that his legs were not moving.

‘Indeed, Senior Brother was not hoping to reap material benefits…’

“Junior Sister, your cultivation level is quite low. Go with the majority.” Li Changshou tried to persuade her using voice transmission. The corners of Lan Ling’ e’s mouth curled downward, as she remained still with her Senior Brother.

They listened as Elder Ge continued to shout, “Those who are headed towards the south-east region of the Middle Continent to kill demons, go to the right side to wait. You must be at least at the Eighth Stage of Qi Refinement.”