Chapter Three: Entering the Azure Clouds

“Young Miss, Second Miss, just ahead lies the boundary of the Azure Cloud Sect.” Outside the carriage, the coachman’s voice rang out, “Young Miss, Second Miss, there’s an unwritten rule here: once you reach the sect’s territory, no ordinary means of transportation are allowed to enter. So I can only take you this far.”

Qiao Xinran replied with gentle understanding after a brief pause, “Alright, understood. Thank you for your trouble, sir.”

The coachman chuckled, “Not at all, I should be the one thanking your father for his care.”

Qiao Xinran didn’t linger in pleasantries, pulling Qiao Xinyu down from the carriage. “We’ll walk the rest of the way ourselves.”

The coachman agreed and turned his horse to head back.

“How beautiful!” Qiao Xinyu exclaimed in awe, causing Qiao Xinran to turn and look. Indeed, it was a sight mortals could hardly fathom—a range of towering peaks, half shrouded in mist, their height impossible to guess. In the distance, radiance danced along the horizon, painting the sky in shades of purple.

“But why aren’t there any buildings?” Qiao Xinyu wondered, standing on tiptoe.

“Well…” Qiao Xinran found herself unable to answer. This was a place of immortals—mortals could not hope to understand.

“That’s because the Azure Cloud Sect isn’t here,” Shen Qingyun spoke lightly, raising his hand to point toward the glowing radiance far away. “The sect is over there.”

“So far away!” Qiao Xinyu’s delicate face revealed fatigue. “If it’s still so far, why don’t they let carriages through? We’ll be exhausted!”

“If you seek the Way, you must be prepared to endure hardship,” Shen Qingyun replied serenely, striding forward. “Cultivation isn’t as simple as you think—eating, drinking, and playing every day won’t help you improve.”

“Cultivation is like treading on thin ice—a single misstep, and you’ll be lost. It’s like rowing upstream—if you don’t advance, you fall behind.” He cast her a sidelong glance. “If you can’t even endure this, how can you hope to seek the Way or immortality?”

“Hmph!” Qiao Xinyu pouted, glaring at Shen Qingyun’s back as she hurried to catch up. “You’re so mean, Qingyun—can’t you say something encouraging for once?”

“I’m not your brother, so there’s no need for useless words,” Shen Qingyun replied coolly.

Listening to their exchange, Qiao Xinran couldn’t help but smile. Ever since Shen Qingyun’s bloodstained robes had turned white in an instant, Qiao Xinyu had become fascinated with him, calling him “Qingyun” this and “Qingyun” that, pestering him to reveal how he’d done it. Even Qiao Xinran herself couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy at this.

“Master Shen, there’s something I’ve wondered: how do you know so much about the world of cultivators?” Qiao Xinran asked curiously.

Qiao Xinyu blinked, looking at Shen Qingyun with anticipation.

“The world of immortals…” Shen Qingyun let out a short laugh. “It’s not all that different, really. The only distinction is that the dangers in this world far exceed those in the mortal realm. One careless move, and you’ll be left with not even your bones. In this world, emotions are the least reliable thing—everyone only cares about profit. For the sake of gain, you’ll never know when the one you love most will stab you in the back.”

“And besides, there are many with strange habits in the cultivation world. Without exception, they all love beautiful women.” He glanced at the two sisters. “So, the first thing you must change in this world is your heart. If you hesitate in the face of an enemy, you’ll be the one lying on the ground. Killing is the main theme of cultivation. If you don’t kill, you’ll be killed!”

“Still, with your beauty, you’ll likely be carried off by the Black Mountain Demon to become his captive.”

At Shen Qingyun’s final words, both sisters started in alarm. Qiao Xinyu glared at him, “You’re just trying to scare us, Qingyun!”

“Heh, am I?” Shen Qingyun murmured as he walked on, his thoughts drifting back a thousand years.

…

The Azure Cloud Sect wasn’t as far as it seemed. After roughly half a day, they reached its entrance.

A line of people had already formed before the mountain gate, and the three joined the queue without a word. Though the crowd was large, the disciples handling registration were efficient. Each applicant simply placed a hand on a colored orb, and the disciple quickly judged their fate.

“Primary earth-type mixed spiritual root. Cultivation will be difficult and unrewarding. Not accepted.”

As they drew closer, they could hear the disciple’s pronouncements, each one sending another hopeful away in despair. Occasionally, a few would be allowed through, but most left dejected. Qiao Xinyu couldn’t help asking, “Qingyun, what are they doing?”

“Testing their talent,” Shen Qingyun answered. “That crystal orb can reveal whether you have a gift for cultivation, and how strong it is.”

“The most revered is the Heavenly Spiritual Root; next is the Mortal Spiritual Root. This is the threshold for cultivation. If you have a mixed root, it means you’re not fated for this path. Better to go home and be an ordinary person.”

“Dual water and metal mortal roots—accepted!”

Just then, the disciple’s voice called out again.

Qiao Xinyu tilted her head. “What does that mean?”

“It means she has two spiritual roots—though they’re both mortal types, pure dual roots can still cultivate. Their progress is just slower than those with a single, pure root,” Shen Qingyun explained.

“Oh…” Qiao Xinyu nodded uncertainly.

“Stop nodding, it’s your turn!” Shen Qingyun pointed out—the applicants ahead of Qiao Xinyu had already finished.

The disciple’s eyes lit up at Qiao Xinyu’s appearance, and his demeanor softened. “Sister, please place your hand on the crystal orb.”

Not even a disciple yet, and already treated as kin—all because of her looks. The world of cultivation certainly favored the beautiful.

Qiao Xinyu grinned and placed her hand on the orb. Instantly, a pillar of blue light shot upward, soaring three hundred feet into the sky!

The disciple’s mouth dropped open in astonishment, and even Shen Qingyun looked on with mild surprise.

“Senior brother, does that mean I’ve passed?” Qiao Xinyu asked with a giggle.

“Yes, yes indeed…” The disciple’s jaw hung open, enough to fit an egg. “A water-type Heavenly Spiritual Root!”

As the words left his mouth, a figure in white robes appeared before Qiao Xinyu, her arrival swift as a breeze. Though age had left its traces upon her face, her bearing still showed she must have been a great beauty in her youth.

Such was the benefit of cultivation: one aged more slowly, and lived much longer than ordinary folk.

The disciple immediately bowed respectfully, “Disciple greets Elder Bai!”

Bai Yiran nodded faintly in reply, then, a hint of impatience in her voice, asked, “Was there a water-type Heavenly Spiritual Root?”

Her gaze fell on Qiao Xinyu. “Little girl, is it you?”

Qiao Xinyu blinked. “Eh?”

The disciple hurriedly nodded, “It is indeed!”

Without hesitation, Bai Yiran said, “Little girl, would you like to become my disciple?”

Qiao Xinyu looked at her, puzzled. “Why should I become your disciple?”

“Do you know who this is?” the disciple whispered urgently.

“No, I don’t!” Qiao Xinyu replied.

The disciple was speechless. Such an opportunity, and you’d let it slip away…

“Accept her offer,” Shen Qingyun said coolly.

“Oh?” Bai Yiran was surprised, studying Shen Qingyun. His hands were clasped behind his back, and though he seemed to suppress it, a trace of spiritual energy still emanated from him. Even his clothing radiated the subtle power of a spiritual artifact—she couldn’t be mistaken.

With a touch more respect, Bai Yiran cupped her hands. “May I ask, are you her guardian?”

“Something like that,” Shen Qingyun replied, pointing to Qiao Xinran. “You may take her as your disciple, but wait until she’s also tested her talent.”

Only now did Bai Yiran notice the other girl who closely resembled Qiao Xinyu and nodded. “As you wish.”

Shen Qingyun nodded to Qiao Xinran. “Go ahead.”

…

When Qiao Xinran placed her hand on the crystal orb, another pillar of blue light burst forth—no less bright or tall than her sister’s.

Bai Yiran’s eyes shone with excitement as she murmured, “Two Heavenly Spiritual Roots—has Heaven truly bestowed this opportunity for the Azure Cloud Sect to rise?”

“Would you two be willing to become my disciples?” Bai Yiran asked, her gaze as if she’d stumbled upon two priceless uncut gems.

“If you do, you’ll be my last disciples. The Flower Valley will spare no effort in nurturing you!”

Seeing Bai Yiran’s enthusiasm, the sisters, though clueless, sensed the gravity of the situation and looked to Shen Qingyun in unison. Unconsciously, they had come to rely on him.

Bai Yiran also glanced at Shen Qingyun, nervous. Her instincts told her that the man before her was no lesser figure than the sect leader himself. If he disapproved, she could not force the matter.

Fortunately, Shen Qingyun, under the weight of their gazes, nodded slowly and held up three fingers. “Agreed—but you must promise me three things.”

“Yes!” Bai Yiran agreed at once. With two Heavenly Spiritual Roots, she’d promise not just three, but thirty—or three hundred—things.

“First, in your Flower Valley, they must never be wronged in any way.”

“No problem!” Bai Yiran nodded. “My last disciples—who would dare to bully them?”

Seeing her agreement, Shen Qingyun continued, “Second, in teaching them, you must show no leniency.”

Bai Yiran naturally agreed—she would have done so even without his request.

“Third, you must ensure they see clearly the harshness of the cultivation world.”

“Agreed!”

After nodding, Bai Yiran paused, uncertain. “But, sir, how should I go about fulfilling this third condition?”

“That’s your concern, not mine.”

“Very well…” Bai Yiran mused for a moment, then nodded. Helping them see the cruelty of this world—simple, yet not so simple.

“Alright, you may take them now.”

After a brief farewell, Shen Qingyun approached the registration disciple.

The disciple bowed deeply, “Is there anything else, senior?”

He had to be respectful—even Elder Bai addressed this man as “sir”; with a flick of his finger, he could crush him.

“I wish to join Azure Cloud.”

“What?”