"Yes, Master..." The handsome young man Zhou Xiantai had addressed responded promptly. He began directing the other Lingyue Sect disciples to pack up the testing equipment and informed the newly accepted initiates that they would soon depart.
Including Lin Feng, twenty-one individuals had passed the spiritual root test and were set to join the Lingyue Sect. Only five were mortals; the rest were cultivators. Many had family or friends present for farewells, and the air buzzed with hurried goodbyes.
Xia Xin had always dreamt fervently of becoming an 'immortal'. Since her acceptance, her excitement had bubbled over. Yet, the reality of leaving her parents behind and journeying alone to the 'immortal sect' for a long time suddenly hit her. She burst into tears, sobbing inconsolably. It took considerable soothing from Lin Feng and Xia Zhongshan to calm her down.
Lin Feng had assumed the group would travel to the Lingyue Sect on foot. However, once everyone was ready, he watched as Zhou Xiantai retrieved a miniature model boat from his storage ring. With a flick of his wrist, the elder tossed it into the air. It rapidly expanded, inflating like a balloon, transforming within moments into a vessel the size of a small house—a Cloudsoar Ship.
Lin Feng wasn't overly familiar with such magical artifacts. He wasn't sure how this ship's grade compared to the one Zheng Xulin had used previously, but it seemed slightly larger. Its size was clearly sufficient to accommodate everyone present.
"Let's depart."
With a wave of his hand, Zhou Xiantai released a surge of true essence that gently enveloped Xia Xin beside him. A light tap of his foot, and he effortlessly floated up onto the deck of the Cloudsoar Ship, bringing the girl with him. The few other mortal initiates were similarly assisted aboard by senior disciples.
"Lin Feng, I entrust Xin'er to your care." Xia Zhongshan watched his daughter ascend onto the ship, his eyes filled with profound reluctance. He turned to Lin Feng, his voice earnest with the request.
"Rest assured, Uncle Xia," Lin Feng nodded with a reassuring smile. "As the personal disciple of an Elder, Xin'er shouldn't face any mistreatment. And I certainly won't let anyone bully her." He glanced towards the waiting ship. "I must board now. Please head home safely, Uncle Xia. Xin'er will be able to visit you before too long."
"Mhmm, good, good..." Xia Zhongshan nodded repeatedly, waving at Lin Feng as the young man turned to join the others.
...
Once everyone was aboard, the Cloudsoar Ship shimmered with a cyan light. It rose from the platform, light as a feather, then accelerated into a streak of radiance shooting towards the distant horizon.
Lin Feng didn't retreat into the cabin. Instead, he stood on the open deck, captivated by the landscape rapidly shrinking below. This was his first experience with a flying artifact, and the novelty was exhilarating. Despite the ship's incredible speed, standing on the deck felt perfectly stable and comfortable. A shimmering cyan barrier enveloped the vessel, deflecting the roaring wind outside.
Several other new disciples shared Lin Feng's fascination. They milled about the deck, marveling at the view, some already striking up tentative conversations. Zhou Xiantai and the senior disciples observed this youthful enthusiasm with tolerance, making no move to stop them.
Roughly an hour later, a towering peak piercing the clouds appeared ahead. As they drew nearer, clusters of buildings clinging to the mountainside became visible—this was the Lingyue Sect's mountain gate.
The Cloudsoar Ship descended smoothly onto a wide platform carved into the mountainside. After everyone disembarked, Zhou Xiantai retrieved his ship. He addressed Di Xuan, the handsome young man from earlier: "Di Xuan, arrange their meals and lodging. Other matters can wait until tomorrow."
With that, Zhou Xiantai led Xia Xin away directly. The girl, clearly intimidated by the unfamiliar surroundings and longing to stay with Lin Feng, her only acquaintance, remembered the repeated admonishments from both Lin Feng and her father: 'Obey your Master.' She reluctantly followed the elder, casting frequent, longing glances back at Lin Feng.
Di Xuan stepped before the group of newcomers, his expression amiable. "Junior Brothers and Sisters, you must be tired after today. I will now assign your accommodations. For tonight, you will all stay together in the Outer Sect South Courtyard dormitory. Further arrangements will be made tomorrow."
He, along with several other Lingyue Sect disciples, then guided Lin Feng and the others towards a row of buildings nearby. Each initiate was assigned a room arbitrarily. Afterwards, they were led to the dining hall for the evening meal. Once dinner concluded, Di Xuan dismissed them, advising them to stay within the vicinity and get some rest. Night had fallen, and many, fatigued by the day's events, retreated to their rooms. Lin Feng, lacking the immediate desire to socialize, also returned to his own quarters.
...
"Senior Brother Di Xuan... Senior Brother Di Xuan!!"
Having settled the newcomers, Di Xuan was walking away when a voice calling after him made him pause. He turned to see a young man hurrying towards him.
"It's you?" Di Xuan asked, a trace of curiosity in his voice. He vaguely recalled this initiate; Xue Ziqi, he believed. "What is it?"
Xue Ziqi reached Di Xuan, his face breaking into an ingratiating smile. "Senior Brother Di Xuan, I am Xue Ziqi. I humbly request your guidance and care in the days to come..."
"Hmm," Di Xuan acknowledged noncommittally. "We are fellow disciples now. Naturally, I will look out for all of you."
Xue Ziqi glanced furtively left and right, ensuring no one else was watching. Satisfied, he carefully extracted a storage ring from his robe and presented it to Di Xuan. "A small token of respect, Senior Brother. Please accept it."
"Oh?" Di Xuan's interest was genuinely piqued by this gesture. He took the ring and swept it with his spiritual sense. His eyebrows arched slightly in surprise. The contents were substantial—dozens of various Grade 2 spirit herbs and a sizable pile of low-grade spirit stones. The total value likely exceeded a hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones. Such a generous 'token' stirred even Di Xuan's composure.
Masking his brief surge of satisfaction, Di Xuan smoothly pocketed the ring. He offered Xue Ziqi a warmer smile. "Junior Brother Xue is too generous. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, feel free to seek me out. I will assist as best I can." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Incidentally, tomorrow the sect will assign duties to all new initiates. I'll see to it you get a favorable position."
Xue Ziqi's face lit up with delight. "Thank you, Senior Brother Di!!" He then feigned hesitation for a moment before continuing, "To be honest, Senior Brother, there is one small, additional matter where I hoped you might lend your assistance..."
"Hmm?" Di Xuan's brow furrowed slightly. Having just accepted the valuable gift, outright refusal was impossible. "What is it?"
Xue Ziqi's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly towards a specific location within the dormitory complex behind him, a flash of malice hidden deep within. When he turned back to Di Xuan, his expression was pure deference once more. He lowered his voice conspiratorially, "Nothing major, Senior Brother, rest assured. You mentioned you'd be assigning our duties tomorrow? Well, I was hoping that when it comes to..."
"..." Di Xuan listened to Xue Ziqi's quiet request. A flicker of surprise crossed his features, but it vanished quickly, replaced by an indifferent smile. "Is that all? Heh. Consider it done, Junior Brother Xue. I'll make the necessary arrangements... Now, it's getting late. I must return to my cultivation. You should get some rest as well."
"My deepest gratitude, Senior Brother Di!! Safe journey back!!"
Xue Ziqi bowed respectfully, watching Di Xuan depart. Only when the senior disciple had completely vanished into the distance did the sycophantic smile melt from his face. A cold smirk twisted his lips as he turned and walked back towards the dormitory.
"Trash with low-grade fire spiritual roots like him, stumbling into the Lingyue Sect by sheer luck... But maybe this is better. I'll make sure he slowly, painfully understands the consequences of crossing me!"
His eyes narrowed, gleaming with venomous intent as he muttered under his breath, "His life... ends right here in the Lingyue Sect."