Chapter 244: Shen Yue’s Astonishment

Shen Yue was skeptical of Li Qingqiu’s words; after all, The Three Xiao Brothers and Cloud Color also possessed great Aptitude, yet Li Qingqiu hadn’t taken them as Disciples.

“Then I’ll accompany you to look around. If there is a Disciple who catches my eye, I will make an exception and admit them into the Sword Sect,” Shen Yue stated.

Although the School had rules, it was permissible for an Elder to make an exception and promote a Disciple, but not excessively. Chu Jing’s Immortal Guard specifically oversaw this matter.

“Speaking of the Sword Sect, besides Sword Solitary, are there any other Disciples worth the School’s focused cultivation?”

Li Qingqiu asked casually as they ascended the mountain.

“Of course there are, quite a few promising talents. However, there are no Disciples comparable to Sword Solitary. That boy’s Aptitude is on par with your Disciples. His Sword Intent is truly extraordinary; in the future, he might even have hope of competing for the School’s strongest Disciple.”

Shen Yue praised Sword Solitary repeatedly.

He felt that Sword Solitary would definitely become the Qingxiao Sect’s sharpest sword in the future.

“He has already taken my Third Junior Brother as his Master. Aren’t you afraid the Master and Disciple pair will come looking for trouble with you later?” Li Qingqiu asked with a smile.

Shen Yue laughed and said, “Afraid of what? At worst, I’ll concede defeat.”

“Oh? You would really concede?”

“The future belongs to the younger generation.”

Li Qingqiu didn’t believe him. This fellow was putting on airs; his competitive spirit was second to none, and he also possessed the destiny of ‘number one under heaven,’ meaning he was destined to pursue being number one under heaven his entire life.

Trust between people was truly diminishing. An Elder being insincere toward the Sect Leader—the world was going downhill.

Li Qingqiu sighed internally, but outwardly, the two were laughing and chatting as if they had an excellent relationship.

Ziyang Peak was also bustling. As the Qingxiao Sect’s Second Peak, the name Ziyang had already spread far and wide.

Xu Ning’s Immortal Cave was located on Ziyang Peak, and she was the strongest person below the Sect Leader, which made all the Disciples on Ziyang Peak feel honored.

Ziyang Peak was also decorated with lanterns and streamers. Many Disciples had set up stalls along the mountain path, in the woods, or near the cliffs, trading goods. There were also many Martial Arts Stages set up in open areas, attracting attention.

Li Qingqiu would visit crowded areas, searching for Hu Yan at the same time.

He had already memorized Hu Yan’s face, but Ziyang Peak was too crowded, so finding him would take time.

On the other side.

Around the Martial Arts Stage halfway up the mountain, Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan were watching a fight among the crowd. On the stage were two Disciples at the Nourishing Origin Realm, Third Layer cultivation level. They had already mastered basic Spells and were fighting brilliantly, drawing continuous gasps from the Disciples below the stage.

Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan were also extremely excited watching.

“Wow, that’s amazing! With skills like that, they aren’t even True Disciples. How powerful must True Disciples be?” Duan Xiaojuan exclaimed.

Hu Yan thought of the Disciple who had saved him, wondering if that person was a True Disciple.

Once the two Disciples on stage determined the victor, they bowed to each other with great courtesy.

After the two stepped down, another Disciple went up, causing the Disciples below to exclaim again.

“It’s Senior Brother Ye Nan from the Spiritual Wealth Hall!”

The Disciple standing on the stage was none other than Ye Nan, who possessed the destinies of ‘Natural Great Hero’ and ‘Epiphany in a Morning.’ The reason he was able to join the Qingxiao Sect was that his Master had come up the mountain looking for a Qilin, which brought him into the Sect Leader’s view.

Now, Ye Nan had become famous within the School due to his relatively good Cultivation Aptitude. Although his cultivation level might not be outstanding, he was righteous and often helped his fellow Disciples, making him very popular.

Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan had not heard of Ye Nan, but judging by the reactions of the people around them, Ye Nan was extraordinary.

Soon, the two learned about Ye Nan’s past from the surrounding Disciples.

Ye Nan had actually met the Sect Leader—that was truly remarkable.

For Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan, let alone the Sect Leader, even the Hall Masters of the Eight Halls were transcendent existences beyond their reach.

The Disciple fighting Ye Nan was also at the Nourishing Origin Realm, Fourth Layer cultivation level, but was clearly no match for Ye Nan.

After watching for a while, Hu Yan took a deep breath and said, “Let’s go. We’ll see fights like this often in the future. We need to hurry up and learn about the School, and then embark on the path of cultivation as soon as possible.”

Duan Xiaojuan retracted her gaze and nodded.

These few fights ignited fighting spirit in their hearts, making them eager to start immortal cultivation immediately.

But new Disciples couldn’t just start immortal cultivation whenever they wanted; they first had to put in labor. They understood this; the fact that the School could guarantee they wouldn’t lack food or clothing was already a pleasant surprise.

Having only arrived at the Qingxiao Sect two days ago, they were already filled with gratitude and anticipation for it; the Qingxiao Sect was much better than they had expected.

The two continued walking down the mountain path.

As they walked, they suddenly encountered over ten Disciples, led by a female Disciple wearing a crown ornament, with delicate features, like a Fairy surrounded by stars.

Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan recognized the girl; she had joined the Qingxiao Sect with them yesterday. They hadn’t expected her to have so many Disciples gathered around her.

However, when they saw her yesterday, they already felt she was extraordinary and completely different from the other new Disciples.

Hu Yan remembered her name: Zhu Qingling.

The two tried to pretend they didn’t recognize her and prepared to take a detour.

“It’s you, Hu Yan, isn’t it?” Zhu Qingling suddenly stopped and asked, looking at Hu Yan.

Hu Yan inwardly cried out that things were bad. He immediately sensed the ill will of the Disciples surrounding Zhu Qingling. He had possessed this intuition since childhood, allowing him to judge whether others bore malice toward him.

He quickly replied, “May I ask what Senior Sister Zhu requires?”

Zhu Qingling was one year older than him, so addressing her as Senior Sister was proper etiquette.

Zhu Qingling sized him up and said, “If you encounter any difficulties in the School in the future, you can come find me.”

Hu Yan didn’t sense any malice from her, but logic told him it was best to keep his distance from this girl. The difference in their status was too great; even if she didn’t target him, the people around her would suppress him.

Duan Xiaojuan couldn’t help but ask, “We are both new Disciples, how can you speak with such arrogance?”

As soon as she spoke, a male Disciple behind Zhu Qingling couldn’t help but snicker, mocking, “Junior Sister, don’t you know the standing of the Zhu Clan within the School?”

The Zhu Clan?

Duan Xiaojuan frowned. She truly didn’t know. Before entering the Qingxiao Sect, she was just a commoner; how could she possibly know about the Zhu Clan?

Zhu Qingling also frowned, turned her head, and whispered a reprimand, “Don’t talk nonsense. Say less of such things. Within the School, everyone is equal, understand?”

The male Disciple pouted and didn’t retort, while the other Disciples also showed expressions of disapproval.

“Thank you for your kindness, Senior Sister Zhu. We will be leaving now.”

After Hu Yan finished speaking to Zhu Qingling, he pulled Duan Xiaojuan down the mountain.

After the two walked away, a female Disciple from the Zhu Clan couldn’t help but ask, “Qingling, what’s the deal with that boy? Besides being somewhat handsome, I can’t see anything special about him.”

Zhu Qingling replied, “He carries a sense of righteousness. During the Disciple assessment, he even managed to spare energy to help other Disciples who made mistakes. I think he is extraordinary and might become a talent someday.”

The other Disciples exchanged glances upon hearing this, feeling she was overthinking things. What kind of righteousness was that?

Hu Yan didn’t know Zhu Qingling’s assessment of him, but he intended to keep a respectful distance from her regardless.

Duan Xiaojuan walked beside him and asked cheerfully, “That Senior Sister Zhu is quite pretty. Are you tempted?”

Hu Yan rolled his eyes at her and said, “Nonsense. My heart is set on immortal cultivation; I won’t be moved by women.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course.”

“That’s good. How about we make a pact: we won’t let our mortal hearts be moved until we achieve longevity?”

“No problem.”

Hu Yan agreed without hesitation; this was exactly what he wanted.

Duan Xiaojuan’s large eyes curved like crescent moons as she smiled, and the two walked down the mountain path, chatting and laughing.

After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, they ran into Li Qingqiu and Shen Yue.

Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan had never met Li Qingqiu and Shen Yue, but the image and demeanor of the two men were clearly extraordinary. They glanced at them and immediately lowered their heads, afraid of offending them.

Shen Yue paid no attention to Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan; he was currently discussing swordsmanship with Li Qingqiu.

Li Qingqiu brushed past Hu Yan, then suddenly stopped and asked, “What is your name?”

Hu Yan was startled and stopped. He hesitated, worried that the other person wasn’t asking him.

Duan Xiaojuan subconsciously looked back, just in time to see Li Qingqiu turn his head.

She was stunned by the sight.

What a handsome man.

She had never imagined anyone could be so good-looking. The closer she got, the more perfect his features seemed, especially his eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through people’s hearts.

Hu Yan noticed her turning back and couldn’t help but turn around too, meeting Li Qingqiu’s gaze.

“Are you… asking whom?” Hu Yan asked cautiously.

He didn’t sense any malice from Li Qingqiu or Shen Yue, but his intuition told him that these two figures were not simple.

Shen Yue scrutinized Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan, but couldn’t discern anything special about them.

Hu Yan’s Vast Righteous Qi needed to undergo Cultivation before it could be Awakened.

Li Qingqiu looked at Hu Yan and asked cheerfully, “I am asking you.”

Hu Yan quickly bowed and said, “This Disciple’s name is Hu Yan. May I ask what instructions you two Seniors have?”

“A new Disciple? Have you taken a Master?”

“I just joined the School yesterday and do not yet have a Master. I am only a Named Disciple.”

Hu Yan didn’t consider himself a Genius, because true Geniuses could directly become Outer Sect Disciples, or even Inner Sect Disciples. Zhu Qingling was an Outer Sect Disciple.

The smile on Li Qingqiu’s face broadened as he said, “Since that’s the case, why don’t you take me as your Master?”

As soon as he spoke, Hu Yan froze, Duan Xiaojuan’s eyes widened, and Shen Yue also felt astonishment.

So casually?

Shen Yue had been accompanying Li Qingqiu the entire time, and combined with just hearing Hu Yan’s self-introduction, he could confirm that Li Qingqiu had genuinely just run into Hu Yan and immediately proposed the idea of taking him as a Disciple.

Could Li Qingqiu truly take Disciples based on who caught his eye?

“I… I can?” Hu Yan asked cautiously, his heart racing.

Duan Xiaojuan snapped back to reality and asked, “Who are you? You should at least clearly explain your identity to him, shouldn’t you?”

Li Qingqiu looked at her, finding his impression of the girl quite good. Although she wasn’t particularly pretty, she dared to stand up for Hu Yan; she was a promising talent.

“As for my identity, I won’t tell you for now. If you follow me, you will naturally find out,” Li Qingqiu said, feigning mystery.

Duan Xiaojuan hesitated slightly.

Shen Yue said irritably, “What’s wrong? Are you afraid someone will harm you inside the Qingxiao Sect? Law Enforcement Hall Disciples are everywhere, and there are Sword Sect Disciples patrolling.”