Over there, the master and disciple pair chatted merrily, hitting it off instantly—a sight that was downright grating to the eyes.
Sword Venerable Changyuan sneered and turned his head away.
Utterly nonsensical!
No matter how talented one was, choosing the wrong master to guide them would only doom them to mediocrity.
On the other side of Cloudsea Sect Leader, Elder Juyang had been ready to "steal" the disciple, only for those two to reach an agreement so effortlessly!
One could only wonder whether Shen Huaizhuo had stumbled upon incredible luck or Yu Lanqing was just that blind.
But the matter was settled, leaving no room for outsiders.
Outside, on the Ascending Stairway, new disciples were still sweating through their assessments.
One after another, they completed the ten thousand steps and arrived in the hall.
With Yu Lanqing's outstanding performance five years ago during the last mountain-opening disciple recruitment, this batch of newcomers paled in comparison.
Not that there weren't any worth cultivating, but none stood out enough to spark competition among the elders...
Thinking this, several elders at the head of the hall couldn't help but regret not pressing harder earlier.
Where else could they find a disciple so talented and hassle-free?
Shen Huaizhuo really lucked out this time...
Noticing the occasional glances directed toward his seat, Shen Huaizhuo frowned slightly, his drowsiness vanishing instantly.
He straightened up, resting his hands on the thick armrests of his chair, then used spiritual energy to adjust its position, blocking most of Yu Lanqing from view.
Still, with one seated and the other standing, complete concealment was impossible.
After a moment's thought, he waved his hand and retrieved a white jade cushion from his spatial ring. The cushion itself was a silk-wrapped soft pad, but its surface was overlaid with small jade plaques stitched together, exuding a cool aura and dense spiritual energy—clearly a luxurious item.
At the front, Sect Leader Cloudsea was discussing with the elders the placements of the top three disciples from the Ascending Stairway.
In the corner, Shen Huaizhuo laid the cushion beside his seat and beckoned Yu Lanqing over.
Seeing that fair, slender hand waving up and down like a sea otter's paw, summoning her to sit, Yu Lanqing couldn't help but suppress a smile.
Her new master was far more interesting than her previous life's master!
Beside her, now fully shielded from view, Shen Huaizhuo also allowed himself a faint smile.
Did they think he hadn't noticed? Those elders were green with envy over his excellent disciple. Since his little disciple had the discernment to choose him, he wasn't about to let them snatch her away!
...
The master and disciple sat comfortably, watching the new disciples' induction like detached observers.
A full quarter-hour had passed since the last disciple was assigned.
Now, out of the seventy-three new disciples joining Profound Heaven Sword Sect this year, only one remained on the Ascending Stairway.
The water mirror reflected this stubborn yet bedraggled figure.
Zooming out, she had barely crossed the halfway point.
The Ascending Stairway wasn't just a set of steps—it tested a disciple's resolve and willpower.
Normally, someone this slow would be relegated to the outer sect without a second thought.
But this time...
The straggler was, after all, Sword Venerable Changyuan's personally chosen disciple.
At her pace, even another hour wouldn't get her to the hall.
The atmosphere grew awkward.
When the woman in the mirror twisted her ankle and tumbled down a few steps under the stairway's pressure, the discomfort thickened.
In the next instant, Sword Venerable Changyuan—previously seated beside Sect Leader Cloudsea—appeared in the water mirror.
With a flick of his sleeve, he deactivated the stairway's formation.
Then, gripping the fallen disciple's arm, he brought her straight into the hall.
"Since her placement is decided, the remaining trials are unnecessary."
Sect Leader Cloudsea frowned but nodded in concession.
Given Sword Venerable Changyuan's cultivation and status, few in the sect would oppose him unless his demands were truly unreasonable.
What followed mirrored Yu Lanqing's memories.
Supported into the hall by Sword Venerable Changyuan, Ji Fuyao was all gratitude and confusion. Upon learning her "savior" was the renowned Sword Venerable Changyuan—and that she was to become his disciple—she nearly fainted from joy.
She promptly called out "Master" several times in a crisp, delighted voice.
Sword Venerable Changyuan made no effort to hide his favoritism, presenting her with a sword talisman passed down from his master, the legendary Canghuan Sword Venerable.
He called it a "welcoming gift," though his first disciple—Yu Lanqing—had received nothing.
Having sat in the hall for two to three hours, Shen Huaizhuo was thoroughly bored.
Were it not for maintaining face in front of his new disciple, he'd have long since slipped back to Green Bamboo Peak.
Just as he stifled a yawn, eyelids drooping, he sensed a ripple in his little disciple's aura.
Following her gaze, he saw the newly cleaned-up disciple gratefully accepting the sword talisman, chirping, "Thank you, Master!"
His eyes lingered on the talisman for a split second before understanding dawned.
His little disciple must be envious!
Yu Lanqing was mentally rolling her eyes, berating her past self for not seeing through this sooner, when a voice transmission reached her ears, clear and bright, like spring sunshine.
"Nephew Changyuan's sword talisman was drawn by your grandmaster. The old man didn't leave many behind, but I still have a few tucked away. Once we're back at Green Bamboo Peak, I'll dig them all out for you!"
"And that cushion you're sitting on? Also, his handiwork. Worth more spirit stones than the talismans. Take it with you later—consider it my welcoming gift!"
Yu Lanqing hadn't realized the cushion beneath her held such significance.
Shen Huaizhuo's master, Sword Venerable Changyuan's grandmaster, the former Profound Heaven Sword Sovereign Canghuan Sword Venerable, had been a legend—the closest to ascension in Eastern Continent history.
Though he fell over two centuries ago, his name still commanded awe. His artifacts and talismans were treasured relics, and his personal sword, the Profound Heaven Sword, was hailed as the sect's supreme treasure.
This was the first time Yu Lanqing had received such a lavish gift.
"Thank you, Master!" Her gratitude was solemn.
"Think nothing of it. Your master's got no shortage of artifacts—no need to envy others!"
Only then did Yu Lanqing grasp why he'd suddenly offered her treasures. Her lips twitched, eyes crinkling with amusement.
So her master thought she was jealous of Ji Fuyao.
Being cared for felt wonderful.
Forget the gifts—this master-disciple bond was already worth it.
Her new master wasn't just a good man; his seniority was nothing to scoff at.
Her new master's teacher, Canghuan Sword Venerable, was Sword Venerable Changyuan's grandmaster.
By extension, she was now Canghuan Sword Venerable's grand-disciple—Changyuan's equal in seniority.
From now on, she wouldn't need to bow to Sword Venerable Changyuan.
As for Ji Fuyao? She'd have to call her "Martial Aunt"!