Chapter Twenty-Seven: Encounter

“Ling Xiao, Guang Chengzi, Su Ye, Shen Qingyun. From this day forward, you are inner disciples of the Cangyun Sect. Are you willing to abide by the Cangyun precepts, vanquish evil and monsters, and uphold justice?”

Within the ancient hall of the Cangyun Sect’s inner gate, five elders sat cross-legged in a line upon meditation cushions, gazing at Shen Qingyun and the other three.

“We are willing!” the disciples responded in unison.

Upon hearing their reply, the atmosphere within the hall shifted at once, becoming solemn and reverent.

The elders nodded with gentle smiles. Four young attendants came forward, each carrying an oil lamp engraved with intricate, enigmatic patterns.

“Drip your essence blood,” Bai Yiran commanded.

At her words, Shen Qingyun and the others extended their index fingers and forced out a drop of their own essence blood, letting it fall into the lamps. As the blood touched the oil, a faint blue flame flickered to life within each lamp, dancing atop the wick.

“These lamps are your life lamps. If you die, the lamp goes out!” another elder spoke gravely. “So long as your lamp burns, you shall ever remain disciples of Cangyun.”

As his words faded, the attendants withdrew, bearing the lamps away.

The ceremony concluded; next came the choosing of masters.

Ordinarily, elders would select disciples to join their respective schools. Today, however, was different—not only had one disciple’s bell rung for five breaths, but another had set a new record for the Cangyun Sect!

“Our inner gate is comprised of Flower Valley, Pill Hall, Flame Valley, Bamboo Peak, and Formation Peak,” Bai Yiran explained. “Except for Flower Valley and Bamboo Peak, the other three cultivate specialized talents. Let our five elders each introduce their domains.”

“I shall begin,” said an elder wielding a horsetail whisk, whose white beard and dignified bearing gave him the air of a true immortal.

“I am Xie Yuan, elder of Pill Hall. The Pill Hall trains alchemists. I trust you all know how vital pills are to us cultivators.”

When he finished, the red-robed man beside him spoke next: “I am Huo Qing, elder of Flame Valley. All spiritual tools used in Cangyun Sect are forged in Flame Valley.”

“I am Xue Yun, elder of Formation Peak. As the name suggests, Formation Peak specializes in the study of formations,” he said with a kindly smile.

“I am Bai Yiran, elder of Flower Valley.” Her gaze lingered on Shen Qingyun as she spoke. “Our valley master accepts female disciples, and a few male disciples as well.”

“Lastly, I am Xu Lingfeng of Bamboo Peak,” said the white-robed elder with a smile. “Bamboo Peak accepts all.”

The introductions were brief.

With the elders’ introductions complete, it was time for the disciples to choose their peaks.

“I choose Flower Valley.”

“I choose Bamboo Peak.”

The two voices rang out simultaneously, prompting the speakers to glance at each other—Guang Chengzi had chosen Flower Valley, while Su Ye opted for Bamboo Peak.

That left Shen Qingyun and Ling Xiao. Ling Xiao glanced repeatedly at Xu Lingfeng, the Bamboo Peak elder, as if wanting to speak, but swallowed his words for reasons unknown.

All five elders now fixed their gazes upon Shen Qingyun; for a moment, no one noticed Ling Xiao. Such is the disparity—those who shine always draw the eye.

Shen Qingyun felt the elders’ attention and grew a little embarrassed. He replied languidly, “I’ll choose Bamboo Peak.”

His tone was offhand, as casual as Xu Lingfeng’s earlier introduction.

Upon hearing Shen Qingyun’s choice, the other four elders’ eyes flickered with disappointment. What they coveted was not merely Shen Qingyun’s status as a disciple, but his original identity. Only by drawing near him might they learn more. Now, Xu Lingfeng had seized the advantage.

Xu Lingfeng too, though striving to keep his composure, could not help but let the corners of his mouth curl upward—a smile that looked almost like a twitch.

Finally, it was Ling Xiao’s turn. Xu Lingfeng noticed Ling Xiao’s gaze and felt a vague sense of familiarity. He pondered, and a memory surfaced.

“It’s you!” Xu Lingfeng said with a smile. “You haven’t given up yet?”

Ling Xiao lowered his eyes and shook his head gently.

Seeing this, Xu Lingfeng sighed lightly and said, “You too have passed the Path to Heaven. How can you not understand?”

“The Path to Heaven is a trial of the heart. She only understood her own desires after crossing it. You are in the same position now—have you not yet discovered your heart’s true wish?” Xu Lingfeng’s words were earnest, almost pleading.

The other four elders clearly knew the story, but as it concerned Bamboo Peak, they refrained from interjecting and listened quietly.

Ling Xiao was silent for a long time, his hands gradually clenching tight. A low voice emerged from his throat: “Elder Xu, may I ask—does she have a Dao companion?”

Xu Lingfeng, seeing the boy still so clueless, sighed deeply and shook his head.

Upon seeing Xu Lingfeng’s gesture, Ling Xiao’s eyes lit up. “Then, Elder, may I join Bamboo Peak?”

“Oh, foolish child!” Xu Lingfeng exclaimed.

He sighed, “Since your feelings run so deep, you may join us.”

Ling Xiao was overjoyed, offering repeated thanks to Xu Lingfeng.

Shen Qingyun glanced sideways at him; from his conversation with Elder Xu, he surmised the issue was likely one of the heart, and could not help but feel a certain fondness for Ling Xiao.

The ceremony and selection were complete. The elders led their new disciples to their respective domains—or so it was said, for of the four new disciples, three had chosen Bamboo Peak.

This year, Flower Valley and Bamboo Peak had gained the most!

“Perhaps the sect master should expand the quota for the Path to Heaven,” the other three elders mused silently. With so few disciples to begin with, most had been snatched up by Bamboo Peak and Flower Valley.

...

Inside the halls of Bamboo Peak, Xu Lingfeng distributed inner disciple robes to each of the three.

These white robes differed greatly from the elders’—with tailored cuffs and waists for ease of movement during training and sparring.

The elders’ robes lacked such features.

Moreover, the cut and style were markedly different as well.

“From today, you are disciples of Bamboo Peak. I hope you will continue to strive!” Xu Lingfeng encouraged.

“We understand!” the disciples replied.

Xu Lingfeng then handed each a pouch. “This is a Qiankun Bag, standard issue for inner disciples. Inside you’ll find spirit stones for the month, as well as a handbook noting important matters within the inner gate—study it well!”

“We will!” came the united reply.

...

After finishing his instructions, Xu Lingfeng sent them off to seek their own dwellings.

Though he longed to question Shen Qingyun immediately, such matters could not be rushed—the days ahead were long.

On the mountain path of Bamboo Peak, the three walked side by side.

Suddenly, Su Ye turned, smiling at them. “From now on, we are fellow disciples, entering together. Brothers, let us look out for one another!”

Ling Xiao’s face broke into a faint smile, nodding, “Of course!”

But his smile froze upon his lips.

Su Ye looked at him curiously. “Brother Ling?” He then noticed Shen Qingyun gazing ahead as well, and followed their eyes—only to see three female inner disciples of Bamboo Peak descending the mountain path toward them.