Since Lin Xiao and the others had planned for the new disciples to build their own accommodations here, they decided to give them the right to name the area as well.
Having brought this up, Liu Yunan naturally informed the new disciples that they would need to build their own homes.
"As I mentioned earlier, the straw huts you're staying in are only temporary. However, our Lingxian Sect has a tradition—your living quarters must be built by yourselves! So starting tomorrow, after you've completed your lessons in the Cultivation Hall and had an hour to rest and digest, everyone will work together to build the houses where you will live in the future."
Though their own residence, Guiyuan Mountain Manor, was built by Brother Xiao, they had all contributed to the materials and other buildings, so technically, this counted as tradition! No problem with that logic!
Upon hearing this, many of the hundred or so people below were left stunned, especially the younger ones from more well-off backgrounds.
They exchanged bewildered glances.
Who knew that joining a sect meant they had to build their own houses?
Liang Zhonghuai, Yuan Jinsheng, and Feng Xuanye from the Shangyang Sect all wanted to explain to the others who hadn't seen other sects: "Actually, other sects aren't like this."
At least, they had never seen it happen.
But they didn't dare say anything.
Didn't Elder Liu just say this was tradition?
What did tradition mean? It meant that everyone in the sect had gone through this.
Building a house wasn't that hard, right?
There were over a hundred of them, so it shouldn't be too difficult.
One bold new disciple raised his voice to ask:
"Elder Liu, is there a specific requirement for the size or style of the houses?"
Liu Yunan shook his head.
"There's no specific requirement. It's up to you. However, there is one condition: everyone's house must be roughly the same in size and quality. You can decorate the interior however you like, but the basic structure must be of uniform quality."
After explaining this, Liu Yunan moved on to the final topic in his agenda for the day:
"In addition, over the next month, you are free to explore the sect's different areas. I've already mentioned that you can earn contribution points by taking up roles within various departments of the sect. Keep that in mind."
"But aside from work, there's another important matter—choosing a master."
With that, he pulled out a stack of white papers from his storage pouch.
"Here, I have a list of elders who are accepting disciples, along with the specific skills they teach. I'll distribute this to you now."
With a wave of his hand, Liu Yunan used his control over objects to distribute a sheet of paper to each disciple.
"Let me make this clear: you can't bite off more than you can chew. Each of you can only choose one skill to learn from one master for now. Once you've decided, circle the master's name and hand your paper to Baishu. A month from now, we'll hold the formal apprentice ceremony."
"Of course, once you've advanced in your cultivation and have the time and ability, you'll be allowed to learn more skills if you wish. Don't worry about that."
With that, the new disciples' immediate future in the sect was settled.
After explaining everything for the day, Liu Yunan left them with some pens, ink, and paper on a nearby shelf, allowing them to sort out the details on their own.
Since this was their first day in the sect, he had fulfilled his role as their guide, but it was time to give them space to explore and familiarize themselves with the sect on their own.
Not long after Liu Yunan left the Cultivation Hall, many of the new disciples, who had been quietly sitting in their seats, quickly grabbed their pens and papers and gathered around Baishu.
"Hey, little brother, your name is Baishu, right?"
"You were the first one among us to pass the Path of Heart—impressive!"
"Baishu, I already thought of a name for our mountain! I'll write it down now!"
"I have a good name too. Everyone, help me see what you think of it!"
…
Surrounded by people, Baishu's ears turned red, and he felt as though his heart was overflowing with emotion.
He quietly took a deep breath, then smiled brightly at everyone and responded to each of them.
After some lively discussion in the Cultivation Hall, a few disciples called out to each other, planning to explore the halfway point of the mountain together.
Didn't Elder Liu tell them to explore and familiarize themselves with the sect?
Starting tomorrow, they'd be busy with lessons in the morning and building houses in the afternoon. After that, they'd be learning new skills or taking on sect tasks to earn contribution points.
There likely wouldn't be much time for leisurely exploration in the future.
Meanwhile, back at the Law Enforcement Hall, Yang Jinshu had been anxiously pacing and watching the sun inch toward the horizon ever since the new disciples had left. When the sun was finally about to set, she rushed to the Miscellaneous Hall.
Seeing that Liu Yunan was already busy inside, she knew the new disciples' schedule for the day was complete.
Without hesitation, Yang Jinshu marched over and yanked up Liu Yunan, who had been engrossed in writing something.
"Let's go! We're going to pick up your sister!"
Before Liu Yunan could register his confusion, she dragged him out at lightning speed to the Spirit Dining Hall, where they picked up Liu Shengsheng, who had been assisting Jiang Youfu.
Then, without stopping, she whisked the two of them toward the new disciples' living area.
The fiery urgency in her demeanor was a stark contrast to her usual composed and dignified manner, leaving Liu Yunan and Liu Shengsheng utterly bewildered. They exchanged glances behind their mother, communicating through their eyes.
'What's up with mom?'
'I have no idea! She just pulled me out too!'
'So where are we going?'
'Could it be that mom's taken a liking to one of the new disciples and wants to adopt them?'
'Why couldn't she want to adopt a daughter?'
…
This confusion persisted until they reached a secluded corner behind the new disciples' straw huts.
Then, after telling her children, "Stay here and be good," Yang Jinshu used a concealment technique and disappeared into the straw huts.
Time passed. A long time.
It wasn't until the moon was high in the sky that Liu Yunan and Liu Shengsheng finally saw their mother again. She emerged from the small grove behind the huts, supporting an elderly woman with graying hair.
Both of them noticed that their mother's eyes were red and slightly swollen, as if she had been crying.
At the same time, the sharp-eared siblings overheard their mother speaking gently and tenderly to the elderly woman:
"Mother, you've suffered all these years… These are my children. My son is called Yunan, and my daughter is called Shengsheng."
Yang Jinshu then turned to her children and commanded,
"Hurry up and greet your grandmother."
Looking at the elderly woman who had approached with a kind smile on her face, the two siblings were completely stunned!
Their mouths hung open wide enough to fit an egg.
"Grandmother?!"