Lan Ling'e was dreaming.
In that dream, an old immortal took her in as a disciple, led her back to his abode, and there she met a handsome senior brother who emerged from the waters like a figure from legend…
Wait. That wasn't a dream at all. It had just happened.
Half–awake, half–dazed, Ling'e heard her master's voice. Yet it was not the gentle, kind tone she remembered, but sharp, thunderous, and filled with anger.
"Scoundrel! So your wings have grown hard, eh? You dare plot against your own master now?!"
Immediately after, came a warm, refined voice that seemed to soothe the very air.
"Please, Master, calm your anger. This disciple merely wished to prevent mishaps. I happened to be practicing the Water Escape Technique, so I placed a warding formation around the lake. I did not know you would return today. If I have offended, I beg your forgiveness."
His tone was steady, unhurried. Just listening to it made Ling'e want to hear more.
Her master sighed long and heavy.
By the bamboo bed, the old Daoist clapped his hands, grumbling with helplessness."Changshou, this is within our own mountain gate! What use are such defenses here? Guarding against thieves? Our Little Qiong Peak is so poor, we may as well change the 'Qiong' (precious jade) into 'Qiong' (poverty)! What thief would bother with us?"
Changshou?
So that was her senior brother's name? Such a simple Daoist name, yet it revealed a humble, earnest wish to live long and steady.
Ling'e wanted to open her eyes, but her lids felt impossibly heavy. Her body, drained of strength, refused to obey.
Again, that warm voice, gentle as a mother's embrace."Master, your words miss the mark. Danger does not vanish simply because we are within the sect. In recent years, the peaks compete fiercely. The elders care little for such matters. I am one of only two disciples under your line… caution is necessary. Without a patron, with so little influence, our peak could easily become a target."
Her master snorted."Nonsense! With the sect rules as strict as they are, how could such a thing happen? Bah, enough! I won't argue with you. Always full of twisted logic, yet your cultivation barely progresses! Stay here. When Ling'e wakes, take her with my token to the main peak. Register her name, claim her disciple's identity plaque and monthly stipend. Hmph! You'll be the death of me!"
With a sweep of his sleeve, the old Daoist rose, still unsteady from medicine. His face flushed red as he nearly stumbled."Hmph! I return to seclusion to comprehend the Dao!"
He stamped his foot, transforming into a wisp of green smoke that drifted away only for the neighboring hut to erupt with a loud crash, betraying his clumsy fall as the spell wore off.
A sigh lingered in the silence.
Ling'e forced her eyes open just a slit, enough to see a tall figure, head bowed in quiet thought.
So tall… that must be her senior brother.
"The foundation of Master's cultivation is too frail," he murmured. "His soul force insufficient. I fear… he may not endure the tribulation of ascension."
Ling'e could not understand all his words, but the weight in them pressed on her heart. Her thoughts blurred, sleep pulling at her again.
Footsteps approached.
Though only nine years old, Lan Ling'e had been raised in a noble household of the mortal realm, taught from birth the rites of propriety. For a man and a young maiden to be alone like this… it was improper. Yet if it was her senior brother, her future kin within the Dao, perhaps it was not so unseemly.
A gentle voice reached her ear."Junior Sister Lan, I am Li Changshou. I'll help purge the effects of the Soft Immortal Fragrance from your body. If you can hear me, please don't mistake me for some degenerate—I am a man of upright principles."
…Degenerate? Upright principles? Such lofty cultivation terms were beyond her grasp. Still, he spoke with the air of a true immortal.
A large hand rested lightly on her forehead. Cool streams of spiritual energy flowed in, spreading through her body, soothing her fatigue. Healing.
Her cheeks flushed. Her senior brother was truly helping her.
Meanwhile, Li Changshou frowned in thought. His master had long spoken of taking another disciple. He had prepared himself for the arrival of a junior brother or sister, but still… a few matters concerned him.
Let me take this chance to check her soul.
A cool thread of energy probed her essence. No signs of possession. Her spirit aligned perfectly with her body. Affinity for water and wood good potential. Temperament still uncertain.
He examined further. No demonic seeds, no curses, no parasitic spells. A clean slate. A promising seedling of cultivation.
Initiation test passed.
At last, Ling'e stirred, slowly regaining strength. Her eyes fluttered open to behold him clearly for the first time.
Handsome. Refined. Too handsome, in fact handsome enough to be dangerous.
Yet his gaze at this moment was chilling, sharp enough to pierce bone.
"You…" he asked softly, "heard everything just now?"
Ling'e trembled."N-no… nothing…"
He leaned closer, voice low, commanding."What I said earlier—do not repeat it to anyone."
"I… I understand, Senior Brother."
"Not to anyone. Not even Master."
"…Yes."
"Swear it. By the name of the Great Dao."
"…Eh?"
And so, beneath the slanting light of dusk, a nine-year-old girl found herself solemnly reciting a thousand-word vow—painstakingly dictated and full of contingencies—while her overly cautious senior brother watched like a hawk.