"You're back, and much faster than I expected."
On the high platform ahead, the Qionghua Sect leader, Su Yao, nodded repeatedly while speaking, making it clear to the four that they had successfully passed the trial and could now join the Qionghua Sect.
"Master, does this mean we've passed the trial?" Although Su Yao's words already indicated their success, Han Lingsha wanted to confirm.
"Indeed. From now on, you are disciples of the Qionghua Sect," Su Yao said with a slight nod. Then, turning her gaze toward Yun Tianhe, she continued, "Yun Tianhe, may I take a look at the sword you carry?"
"Uh, sure." Yun Tianhe quickly removed the Wangshu Sword from his back after hearing Su Yao's request. Just as he was about to walk forward and hand it to her, the sword suddenly flew out of his hands and floated toward Su Yao.
"Does the master recognize this sword?" Yun Tianhe asked as he noticed Su Yao's intense focus on the Wangshu Sword.
"Has this sword shown any unusual changes recently?" Su Yao's gaze shifted from the sword back to Yun Tianhe, and with a wave of her hand, the Wangshu Sword slowly floated back to him.
"Master, how did you know? One day, the sword suddenly glowed and its power increased significantly. It got so powerful that I nearly lost control. I even accidentally destroyed my parents' graves because of it," Yun Tianhe replied, looking astonished as he took the sword back.
"This sword is extraordinary. You must take good care of it. Our Qionghua Sect holds the sword in highest esteem, cultivating Immortality through sword refinement to achieve unity between man and heaven. You're just starting your journey, but having a divine weapon like this will surely make your cultivation much more effective." Su Yao then turned her attention to the side and called out, "Ziying, come in."
"Disciple Murong Ziying reporting as ordered," came the voice of a young man dressed in blue as he walked in from outside the hall. He approached the group and respectfully saluted Su Yao, not even sparing a glance at Daniel and the others, as if they didn't exist.
"Initially, I planned to assign a Xuan-level elder to personally guide you four. However, he is currently away, so this is Murong Ziying. By seniority, he is your uncle-master. For now, he will teach you the ways of cultivation and the Dao of Immortality," Su Yao explained as she shifted her gaze toward Murong Ziying.
"Ziying, these four are new disciples of the sect. You're one of the most outstanding cultivators of your generation, but you've never taught anyone before. This will serve as a good experience for you," Su Yao continued.
"I will do my utmost to guide them and live up to the master's expectations," Murong Ziying replied with utmost respect.
"Very well. Take them to settle in," Su Yao said with a wave of her sleeve, signaling them to leave.
"Understood. I will take my leave," Murong Ziying said. He then turned toward Daniel and the others, motioning for them to follow him.
"Wangshu, Su Yu..."
After Murong Ziying led the group out of the Qionghua Palace, Su Yao's previously calm expression turned dark. Her right hand, hidden behind her back, clenched tightly.
For years, Su Yao had considered herself one of the most gifted disciples in the Qionghua Sect. However, when the sect had chosen hosts for the Yihe Sword and the Wangshu Sword years ago, the then-leader selected her junior sister, Su Yu, over her. It was only then that Su Yao realized the elders of the sect did not see her as the most exceptional.
Her earlier request to examine Yun Tianhe's Wangshu Sword was not out of mere curiosity. She had hoped to activate the sword and prove to herself that she was no less capable than anyone else. If she succeeded, it would mean that the elders had been wrong about her all those years ago.
But reality dealt her a harsh blow. Despite channeling her spiritual energy into the sword, it showed no reaction. This outcome confirmed one thing—she would never surpass Su Yu. During her conversation with Yun Tianhe earlier, she had deliberately avoided mentioning Su Yu, focusing only on Yun Tianhe's father, Yun Tianqing.
"Not even a single mention of Su Yu," Daniel thought as he glanced back at the Qionghua Palace while leaving. He shook his head silently.
"Ziying, surprised? We're officially disciples of the Qionghua Sect now," Han Lingsha said with a grin as the group arrived at the sect's main square.
"Show some respect. Address me as Uncle-Master," Murong Ziying said sternly, correcting her.
"Alright, Uncle-Master, do you know my father? His name is Yun Tianqing. The master mentioned he was also a disciple here," Yun Tianhe asked eagerly, immediately adapting to the new title.
"I've never heard of him. As new disciples, your focus should be on cultivation. Don't concern yourselves with unrelated matters," Murong Ziying replied.
"Uncle-Master Ziying! Uncle-Master Ziying!"
Before Murong Ziying could say more, a familiar voice called out. Moments later, Huai Shuo and Xuanji came running toward them.
"Looks like you've passed the test! We're officially sectmates now," Huai Shuo said with a smile after greeting Murong Ziying.
"Really? That means I'm no longer the youngest. You all have to call me Senior Sister now!" Xuanji exclaimed, her excitement evident.
"Huai Shuo, you've come at the right time. These are new disciples. Take them to the dormitories and help them get acquainted with the sect's rules and facilities," Murong Ziying instructed before turning and leaving.
"I'll help too, Uncle-Master!" Xuanji called after him.
"Is he your master?" Huai Shuo asked the group curiously once Murong Ziying was out of earshot.
"No. The master assigned Uncle-Master Ziying to guide us temporarily," Liu Mengli explained, recounting what Su Yao had said earlier.
"Uncle-Master Ziying may not look very old, but his cultivation is on par with the elders," Huai Shuo commented before changing the subject. "It's getting late. Let me show you around the Qionghua Sect."
"This is Jianwu Platform, where disciples practice their sword techniques."
Under Huai Shuo and Xuanji's guidance, Daniel and the others quickly familiarized themselves with the layout and rules of the sect.
The sect's hierarchy included four main elder positions: Discipline Elder (to oversee disciples' conduct), Martial Elder (to guide in swordsmanship and Immortal techniques), Forging Elder (to teach sword-forging techniques), and Executive Elder (to manage various responsibilities). Above them all was the Chief Elder, who supervised the others. Below the elders were steward disciples who assisted them.
Additionally, there were retired elders in seclusion, only emerging for matters of life and death concerning the sect.
As new disciples, Daniel and his group were restricted from visiting many places. Huai Shuo only showed them areas like Jianwu Platform, the dormitories, and the dining hall. Other locations, such as the Five Elements Sword Pavilion, Sword Forest, Library Pavilion, Alchemy Room, and Reflection Valley, were only briefly introduced.
Huai Shuo paid particular attention to Reflection Valley, where disciples were sent for punishment and contemplation. He seemed to have a hunch that someone in their group would end up there eventually.
The Five Elements Sword Pavilion housed the sect's sword collection. Once disciples reached a certain level of cultivation, they could choose a sword for their personal use. The Library Pavilion contained texts on cultivation techniques, history, and other knowledge.
After the tour, Huai Shuo and Xuanji led the group to collect their supplies, including sect uniforms, practice swords for sword-flying, and a list of rules.
The dormitories for male and female disciples were separate, and each disciple had their own room. Yun Tianhe's luck seemed particularly good—his room had two stone lion statues at the entrance.
Daniel's room was next to Yun Tianhe's, while Han Lingsha and Liu Mengli's rooms were also adjacent to each other. It was clear that this arrangement was Huai Shuo's doing.
"Finally, we've made it in. Now it's just a matter of waiting for the Demon Realm to appear. That should take some time," Daniel thought as he lay on his bed, now dressed in the Qionghua Sect's uniform. In the game, the Demon Realm's appearance seemed quick, but considering the events in between, it would likely take at least six months here.
"The food here has no flavor at all," Yun Tianhe complained that evening in the dining hall, nearly refusing to eat the plain food provided.
The Qionghua Sect had hundreds of disciples, and while many practiced fasting, the dining hall was still necessary. Though the sect offered fasting pills, they were even less appetizing than the plain food.
"Grains are impure. As cultivators, we can absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to sustain ourselves," Huai Shuo explained as he and Xuanji joined the group for the meal, likely to help them adjust to the sect's rules.
"What are grains?" Yun Tianhe asked curiously.
Han Lingsha explained briefly.
"Then if we can't eat grains, can we eat meat?" Yun Tianhe's unexpected question made Xuanji burst into laughter.
Even Xuanji hadn't anticipated such a remark, leaving Huai Shuo momentarily speechless.
"Alright, Tianhe, let's focus on learning sword-flying for now. Think of using sword-flying to hunt wild boars," Han Lingsha said, managing to calm him down.
For Huai Shuo and Xuanji, their lives would likely revolve around the Qionghua Sect. However, Daniel and his companions each had their own goals. Once those goals were achieved, they would leave.
"Morning lessons... this guy's still sleeping."
The next morning, Daniel stepped out of his room and, sensing that Yun Tianhe was still asleep, pushed open his door and went in.
Daily morning lessons were mandatory for disciples, something Huai Shuo had emphasized the previous day. Yun Tianhe seemed to have completely ignored this.
"More wild boars… Qingluan Peak's wild boars will all be gone soon," Yun Tianhe murmured in his sleep. Daniel shook him awake.
"Morning lessons. What do we do for those?" Yun Tianhe asked groggily.
"I don't know either. We'll find out when we get there."
As they walked out, Yun Tianhe, now dressed in the sect's uniform, looked entirely different. The change in his demeanor was striking.
"Tianhe, I wasn't expecting this!"
When they arrived at Jianwu Platform, Han Lingsha and Liu Mengli were already there. Seeing Yun Tianhe's transformation, their eyes lit up. Han Lingsha circled him, nodding approvingly.
"You both look great in your uniforms," Yun Tianhe said, surprised by their appearance as well.
"Who looks better?" Han Lingsha asked.
"You both look equally great," Yun Tianhe replied, cleverly avoiding any missteps before changing the topic to breakfast.
"Still the same as ever—always thinking about food," Han Lingsha remarked. But then her attention was drawn to the far side of Jianwu Platform, where nearly a hundred Qionghua disciples were practicing sword techniques. All of them were flying on their swords at the same height, maintaining perfect synchronization.
The sight was awe-inspiring.
"Now that everyone's here, I'll teach you the Qionghua Sect's introductory cultivation techniques," Murong Ziying announced as he arrived. Without wasting time, he led the four to a secluded area of Jianwu Platform and began their lessons.
The Qionghua Sect's cultivation system had sixteen levels, from beginner to the highest level. According to legend, only the sect's founder had ever reached the sixteenth level and ascended to Immortality.
The sect firmly believed in this tale, though Daniel had his doubts. After all, in the world of "Legend of Sword and Fairy," nearly every sect founder was said to have ascended to Immortality. Yet he knew how difficult true ascension was in this world.
"Immortal cultivation really is something else," Daniel thought. Even the introductory techniques surpassed most martial arts techniques by far.
"When's lunch?" Yun Tianhe's question broke the silence as the lesson ended.
"Grains are impure. You're new disciples, and this period is critical. Here's a fasting pill. You'll need to focus on cultivation for the next week," Murong Ziying said, handing each of them a pill and shutting down Yun Tianhe's request for food.
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