Was that… truly a Heavenly Dao Oath about secrecy just now?
Stumbling out of the hut, Lan Ling'e's pearl-like eyes had lost their luster. Her steps wavered, her body light as though hollow.
"Here."A hand appeared beside her, palm cradling a light-green pill.
Li Changshou spoke gently, "A Nourishing Qi Pill. Harmless, mild in effect. Even ordinary mortals can take it to restore vitality."
"Thank you, Senior Brother…" she whispered timidly, accepting it and slipping it into her mouth.
The pill melted instantly, like a stream of sweet spring water flooding her body. Ling'e let out an involuntary hum of comfort as warmth surged through her limbs.
This junior sister really is quite cute, Li Changshou thought, patting her head with that calm, reassuring tone."From today on, you are part of Little Qiong Peak. I'll show you around to get familiar. Later, once Master recovers… cough, once Master finishes his meditation, he'll pass on the introductory cultivation method. If you have questions, you can always come to me."
"Thank you, Senior Brother," Ling'e murmured, voice as small as a mosquito's buzz.
Hands clasped behind his back, Li Changshou led her toward the lake."Let's take a look at the spirit fish. They're precious to our peak and one of our most valuable assets."
Ling'e followed quickly, tiptoeing on the grass, peering into the crystal-clear waters. Schools of fish darted about, scales shimmering.
"See those?" Changshou pointed at several rainbow-scaled fish. "Aren't they beautiful?"
Ling'e nodded eagerly, eyes wide with wonder.
"When you've refined your first breath of spiritual qi," he said warmly, "we'll hold a feast of spirit fish. These rainbow-scaled liwei are delicious no matter how you cook them: fried, steamed, grilled. And better yet, they strengthen a cultivator's first breath of qi."
Two black lines slid down Ling'e's forehead. "W-we… eat them?"
"Of course. Why else raise them?"
With a sweep of his sleeve, he scattered grains over the water, calling, "Dinner time!"
The lake rippled alive as fish swarmed to the surface, sparkling under the sun. Ling'e's eyes shone with excitement.
"Here." Changshou handed her a small cloth pouch. "Fish feed. If you like them, you can take over the task of feeding them every day."
"Mm! Thank you, Senior Brother!"
Beaming, she carefully sprinkled crumbs into the water as if afraid of bruising their gleaming scales.
Changshou smiled faintly to himself. One less chore each day. More time for cultivation. Truly, having a junior sister isn't so bad.
After she'd had her fun, he flicked his fingers. Two rainbow-scaled fish shot from the water, wrapped in a sphere of water, and slipped into his sleeve.
"Why did you put them in your sleeve, Senior Brother?" Ling'e asked softly.
"A gift," he replied calmly. "Even in cultivation sects, etiquette and favors matter. When we go to register you, it would be rude to arrive empty-handed."
Ling'e blinked but obediently bowed her head. "You've gone to such trouble for me, Senior Brother."
"It's nothing."
He led her next to the herb garden, naming each sprout and bloom. Ling'e struggled to memorize them, unaware she had already been assigned as Little Qiong Peak's newest gardener.
At last, Changshou summoned a white cloud, carrying her aloft.
"Can Senior Brother also ride a crane through the skies?" she asked curiously.
"Anything can be used as a vessel if one can control it." He tapped the cloud beneath them. It shifted form, feathers spreading, transforming into a great white crane. With a resonant cry, the crane bore them forward between the peaks.
Ling'e's eyes sparkled as she clutched his robe, marveling at the view.
Changshou, however, was lecturing. "When flying within the sect, remember: never too high, never too low. High above, you may cross paths with seniors. If noticed, there's a fifty percent chance they'll think well of you and fifty percent they'll dislike you. The former may bring no benefit, the latter always brings trouble. Best to remain unnoticed. Greet politely if encountered, then pass on."
"Oh, Ling'e understands!"
"And too low is no good either. You may fly over another peak's territory. Rivalries are fierce. If they think you're slighting them, they'll find reasons to make trouble. After a century of testing, I've determined the safest altitude is between thirty and fifty zhang. Few pass there, not juniors, not seniors."
Ling'e listened with wide eyes, tucking every word into her heart, sneaking glances at his sharp yet handsome features.
Truly, her Senior Brother was careful, thoughtful… and very impressive.
By the time they reached the towering main peak, known as Breaking Sky Peak, Changshou's voice had become a steady stream of instructions. Ling'e learned this was where disciples came to collect stipends, register progress, and report duties.
Walking the stone roads, Ling'e realized with awe, no one even looked their way. Disciples of all ranks bustled past, but their eyes slid off as if her and her brother were invisible.
Changshou's soft voice reached her ear again."Remember, Junior Sister: the less you are noticed, the fewer karmic entanglements you'll draw. I've improved a concealment technique. I'll teach it to you once you've begun cultivation."
Ling'e nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Senior Brother."
With a smile, Changshou led her into the Hall of Affairs. There, with the ease of a seasoned mortal merchant, he pulled out two glittering fish, chatting warmly with the registrar as if they were old friends.
Ling'e blinked in astonishment.
Senior Brother… is so mature.