The sect's full roster had more or less gathered by now.
Only Li Xingtian remained absent, still out on his expedition. Ning Qianqian and Bai Xuanling were outside the Tianyan Sect, but everyone else was present.
Even those who hadn't come earlier had been called over to the deep pool.
Zhou Ping, the sect's sole outer disciple, along with the Green Snake, had both taken their places.
Zhou Ping still carried a faint medicinal scent about him, which wasn't particularly pleasant, so he had thoughtfully chosen a seat downwind.
The Green Snake had grown considerably larger. Its tail was still coiled around a spirit stone, actively absorbing its energy. It had been interrupted mid-cultivation to come here.
Over the years, it had worked just as hard as Li Xingtian.
By the stone seats at the deep pool, Chen Baiqing was already familiarly brewing tea for everyone.
Sandong's gaze darted back and forth — now checking whether Chen Baiqing's tea was nearly ready, now turning to watch Cui Hao deliver his self-criticism.
Both sides were equally riveting, and he couldn't bear to miss either.
Li Yingling stood with arms crossed, listening silently to Cui Hao's apology.
"It's all my fault for trying to cut corners..."
"I shouldn't have dumped every little thing on Eldest Senior Sister to handle."
"My contribution to this success was perhaps one part in ten thousand. The rest all belongs to Eldest Senior Sister."
"Without Eldest Senior Sister's tremendous support, I never could have accomplished this."
Cui Hao's expression carried a hint of grievance. Then, suddenly, he changed tack.
"But Eldest Senior Sister, back when we first met at that ruined temple, didn't you say I could come to you if I needed help?"
"Oh?" Li Yingling's lips curled slightly. "In that case, if Eldest Senior Sister needs your help with something, as a junior brother, you certainly wouldn't refuse, would you?"
Cui Hao found himself speechless. He was terrified that agreeing to this would mean his future status wouldn't be Fifth Junior Brother, but Fifth Slave.
A brief bout of physical pain now versus a lifetime of endless drudgery later — Cui Hao would choose the former every time.
He knew full well that the eldest senior sister would eventually forgive him. She was merely frustrated at the sheer amount of trouble he had caused her.
Still, avoiding being her punching bag was always the preferable outcome.
Cui Hao didn't rush to answer. Instead, he cast a pitiful look toward Chu Xingchen.
Master, I did all of this for your sake...
"It's fine. This time, Eldest Senior Sister has plenty of time to have a nice long chat with Fourth Junior Sister."
As Li Yingling spoke, she produced two candied fruits. She popped one into Lin Luoyu's mouth and tossed the other toward the rather quiet Zhou Ping.
Zhou Ping had already stepped onto the path of immortality, so he reacted swiftly and caught the candied fruit with perfect timing.
He held it and spoke with a touch of shyness. "It's been a while, Eldest Senior Sister."
Li Yingling gave a satisfied nod at his response.
"Talk more when you have the chance. Don't go refining pills until you've lost your mind."
"Understood, I'll listen to Eldest Senior Sister." Zhou Ping nodded gently in agreement.
Chu Xingchen chuckled and shook his head. Chen Baiqing promptly slid the first freshly brewed cup of tea in front of him.
Only after that did Chen Baiqing begin distributing teacups to the rest of the group.
Sandong gazed at Li Yingling with eager anticipation. Beyond their close relationship, he was desperately hoping she would organize a sect-wide activity — something that hadn't happened in far too long.
He was itching for some real festivity.
During Li Yingling's absence, sect activities had been few and far between. Most gatherings required someone to take the initiative to organize them.
Cui Hao, who loved a good time, was certainly willing to organize things. However, his gatherings always involved some unconventional novelty.
While nothing he did was outright offensive, opinions were divided — some found it amusing, others less so.
With the sect's numbers already small, having even a few people decline made the whole gathering lose its appeal.
So despite his enthusiasm, Cui Hao often found himself unable to rally enough people. Within the sect, his reputation was mostly that of a prankster.
Li Xingtian and Lin Luoyu's personalities meant they would never be the ones to initiate gatherings.
Sandong was somewhat reserved. He felt awkward about bothering so many people to attend his events, especially after experiencing the gatherings Li Yingling used to organize.
He felt that even achieving half of what Li Yingling could do would be difficult for him.
He was also embarrassed to have the sect members attend something so thoroughly ordinary.
As their master, Chu Xingchen certainly commanded enough respect. Had he chosen to organize something, every member of the sect would have shown up without question.
However, he believed that letting his disciples pursue what they enjoyed on their own terms brought them greater happiness.
Chu Xingchen rarely intervened.
The sole universally beloved organizer within the sect was Li Yingling.
Not only did she make activities genuinely fun, but she was also a master at reading the room and warming up the atmosphere. She always arranged gatherings with impeccable precision.
Sandong's hopes did not go unfulfilled.
Li Yingling had always enjoyed organizing gatherings to mark reunions or significant events.
After years away without a single return, she too was eager to spend quality time with everyone again.
No place was quite like the sect, and no company was quite like the people here.
Neither time nor distance could make her forget them, nor could it breed unfamiliarity.
"Is everyone free this evening?" Li Yingling rested her hand on Lin Luoyu's shoulder and looked around at the group. "Anyone who isn't can speak up now."
Sandong's hand shot up and stayed there. Hearing those words, he knew the gathering he had been dreaming of was finally at hand.
"Sandong is free!"
A smile lingered on Chu Xingchen's face as he raised his own hand.
"Your master is free as well."
"Qinghe is free too!" The ever-social Qinghe was a beat slower than Chu Xingchen this time.
The rest of the group all raised their hands in agreement. Even Xie Lingyu joined in.
Li Yingling nodded with evident satisfaction. Then she made her announcement.
"Although Second Junior Brother is out hunting again, I still want to make a formal declaration."
"The Sixty-Third All-Sect Assembly officially begins tonight!"
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