Regarding Li Qingqiu's words, Shen Yue was half-convinced and half-doubtful. After all, the three Xiao brothers and Yun Cai also possessed strong talent, yet Li Qingqiu had never taken them as disciples.
"Then I'll accompany you for a look around. If I find a disciple who catches my eye, I'll make an exception and take them into the Sword Sect," Shen Yue said.
Although the sect had its rules, it was permissible for elders to exceptionally promote disciples, though not excessively. Chu Jing's Guardian Immortal Guard specifically supervised such matters.
"Speaking of the Sword Sect, aside from Jian Du, are there any other disciples worthy of the sect's key cultivation?"
Li Qingqiu asked casually as they walked up the mountain.
"Of course. There are quite a few good seedlings. However, none can compare with Jian Du. That boy is someone whose talent can stand alongside your disciples. His sword intent is truly extraordinary. In the future, he may not lack the hope of competing for the position of the sect's strongest disciple."
When Shen Yue mentioned Jian Du, he praised him repeatedly.
He believed Jian Du would become the sharpest sword of the Qingxiao Sect.
"He has already apprenticed under my third junior brother. Aren't you afraid that the master and disciple might join forces to cause you trouble in the future?" Li Qingqiu asked with a smile.
Shen Yue laughed. "What's there to fear? At worst, I'll admit defeat."
"Oh? You can truly admit defeat?"
"The future belongs to the younger generation."
Li Qingqiu did not believe him. This fellow loved to put on airs, but his competitive spirit was no smaller than anyone else's. Moreover, he possessed the fate [Number One Under Heaven], destined to pursue being number one in the world throughout his life.
Trust between people was truly declining. As an elder, he was not sincere even before the Sect Master. The times were indeed deteriorating.
Li Qingqiu sighed inwardly, though on the surface the two chatted and laughed as if they were on excellent terms.
Ziyang Peak was equally lively. As the second peak of the Qingxiao Sect, the name of Ziyang had already spread far and wide.
Xu Ning's cave abode was located on Ziyang Peak, and she was the strongest beneath the Sect Master. Thus, all the disciples of Ziyang Peak felt honored by association.
Ziyang Peak was also adorned with lanterns and colorful decorations. Many disciples had set up stalls along the mountain path, within the woods, and even on cliff edges, bartering goods. Several Martial Platforms had been arranged in open spaces as well, drawing attention.
Wherever there were crowds, Li Qingqiu would stroll through, all the while searching for Hu Yan.
He had already memorized Hu Yan's appearance, but Ziyang Peak was crowded. Finding him would take time.
Elsewhere.
Around a Martial Platform halfway up the mountain, Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan stood among the crowd watching a sparring match. On the platform were two disciples at the 3rd layer of the Nurturing Essence realm. They had already mastered basic spells, and their fight was extremely exciting, drawing continuous exclamations from the audience below.
Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan watched with great excitement as well.
"So impressive. With such skill, they're still not True Disciples. Just how powerful must True Disciples be?" Duan Xiaojuan exclaimed.
Hu Yan thought of the disciple who had saved him and wondered whether that person was a True Disciple.
After the two on the platform determined victory and defeat, they saluted each other with great courtesy.
Once they stepped down, another disciple ascended the platform, once again stirring cries of surprise from the crowd.
"It's Senior Brother Ye Nan from the Spiritual Treasury Hall!"
The disciple standing on the platform was Ye Nan, who possessed the fates [Born Hero] and [Sudden Enlightenment]. The reason he had joined the Qingxiao Sect was because his master had gone up the mountain seeking a Qilin, which brought him into the Sect Master's sight.
Now, relying on his Fair Cultivation Aptitude, Ye Nan had already risen to prominence within the sect. His cultivation might not be especially outstanding, but he was righteous and frequently helped fellow disciples, earning him excellent popularity.
Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan had never heard of Ye Nan, but judging from the reactions around them, he was clearly no simple figure.
Soon, they learned about Ye Nan's past from the surrounding disciples.
Ye Nan had actually met the Sect Master—that was truly remarkable.
For Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan, not to mention the Sect Master, even the 8 Hall Masters were transcendent figures beyond their reach.
The disciple facing Ye Nan was at the 4th layer of the Nurturing Essence realm, yet it was obvious he was no match for Ye Nan.
After watching for quite a while, Hu Yan took a deep breath and said, "Let's go. We'll see such sparring often in the future. We should hurry to familiarize ourselves with the sect and begin our path of cultivation as soon as possible."
Duan Xiaojuan withdrew her gaze and nodded.
These matches had ignited a fighting spirit within them. They wished they could begin cultivating immortality immediately.
However, new disciples could not cultivate whenever they pleased. They first had to contribute labor. They understood this as well. The fact that the sect guaranteed them food and clothing without worry already delighted them.
After only 2 days in the Qingxiao Sect, they were already filled with gratitude and anticipation. The Qingxiao Sect was far better than they had imagined.
The two continued down the mountain path.
As they walked, they suddenly encountered more than a dozen disciples. At their head was a female disciple wearing a crown ornament, her features delicate, like an immortal maiden surrounded by stars.
Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan recognized her. She had entered the Qingxiao Sect together with them yesterday. They had not expected her to already be surrounded by so many disciples.
However, when they first saw her yesterday, they had already felt that she was different from the other new disciples.
Hu Yan remembered her name—Zhu Qingling.
The two intended to pretend they had not recognized her and were about to detour.
"It's you, Hu Yan, right?"
Zhu Qingling suddenly stopped and looked at Hu Yan as she asked.
Hu Yan inwardly cried out that things were not good. He instantly sensed the malice from the disciples surrounding Zhu Qingling. Ever since childhood, he had possessed such intuition—he could judge whether others harbored ill will toward him.
He quickly replied, "May I ask what matter Senior Sister Zhu has?"
Zhu Qingling was 1 year older than him. Addressing her as Senior Sister was proper etiquette.
Zhu Qingling sized him up and said, "If you encounter any difficulties in the sect in the future, you can come to me."
Hu Yan did not sense any malice from her, yet reason told him it was best to stay far away from this girl. Their statuses were far too different. Even if she did not target him, the people around her would suppress him.
Duan Xiaojuan could not help asking, "We are both new disciples. How can you speak with such confidence?"
As soon as she said this, a male disciple behind Zhu Qingling could not suppress a laugh and sneered, "Junior Sister, don't you know the status of the Zhu clan within the sect?"
The Zhu clan?
Duan Xiaojuan frowned. She truly did not know. Before entering the Qingxiao Sect, she had merely been a commoner. How could she have known about the Zhu clan?
Zhu Qingling also frowned and turned her head to reprimand him in a low voice, "Do not speak nonsense. Say less of such words. Within the sect, everyone is equal, understand?"
The male disciple curled his lips and did not retort. The others likewise revealed unconcerned expressions.
"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Sister Zhu. We'll be leaving now."
After speaking to Zhu Qingling, Hu Yan pulled Duan Xiaojuan down the mountain.
Once the two had gone far, a female disciple of the Zhu clan could not help asking, "Qingling, what's that boy's background? Aside from being somewhat good-looking, I can't see anything impressive."
Zhu Qingling replied, "There is a sense of righteousness about him. During the disciple assessment, he even spared effort to help other disciples who made mistakes. I feel he is not simple. One day, he may achieve something."
The other disciples exchanged glances, feeling she was overthinking it. What kind of righteousness was that supposed to be?
Hu Yan had no idea of Zhu Qingling's evaluation of him. In any case, he kept a respectful distance from her.
Walking beside him, Duan Xiaojuan grinned and asked, "That Senior Sister Zhu is quite pretty. Did she stir your heart?"
Hu Yan rolled his eyes at her. "Nonsense. My heart is set on cultivating immortality. I will not be moved by women."
"Really?"
"Of course."
"Then that's good. How about we make a pact? Before attaining longevity, we shall not let mortal feelings arise. What do you think?"
"No problem."
Hu Yan agreed without hesitation. It was exactly what he wanted.
Duan Xiaojuan's large eyes curved like crescents as she smiled. The two chatted and laughed while walking down the mountain path.
After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, they encountered Li Qingqiu and Shen Yue.
Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan had never seen Li Qingqiu or Shen Yue, but the bearing and presence of the two were clearly extraordinary. After a single glance, they lowered their heads, afraid of offending them.
Shen Yue paid no attention to Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan. He was discussing sword techniques with Li Qingqiu.
As Li Qingqiu brushed past Hu Yan, he suddenly stopped and said, "What is your name?"
Hu Yan froze in fright and halted. He hesitated, unsure whether the question was directed at him.
Duan Xiaojuan instinctively turned her head and happened to see Li Qingqiu turning around as well.
She was stunned.
What a handsome man.
She had never imagined someone could be so good-looking. The closer she stood, the more perfect his features appeared—especially those eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through one's heart.
Seeing her turn back, Hu Yan also turned around and met Li Qingqiu's gaze.
"Are… are you asking me?" Hu Yan asked cautiously.
He did not sense any malice from the two, yet his intuition told him their identities were not simple.
Shen Yue sized up Hu Yan and Duan Xiaojuan but did not see anything special about them.
Hu Yan's vast and righteous energy would only awaken after cultivation.
Li Qingqiu looked at Hu Yan and asked with a smile, "I am asking you."
Hu Yan hurriedly cupped his fists in salute. "This disciple is named Hu Yan. May I ask what instructions the two seniors have?"
"A new disciple? Have you taken a master?"
"I just entered the sect yesterday and have not yet taken a master. I am only a Registered Disciple."
Hu Yan did not consider himself a genius, because true geniuses could directly become Outer Disciples or even Inner Disciples. Zhu Qingling, for instance, was an Outer Disciple.
The smile on Li Qingqiu's face widened. "In that case, become my disciple."
As soon as these words were spoken, Hu Yan froze. Duan Xiaojuan's eyes widened, and even Shen Yue was surprised.
So hasty?
Shen Yue had accompanied Li Qingqiu the entire time, and having just heard Hu Yan's self-introduction, he could conclude that Li Qingqiu had truly only just met Hu Yan before proposing to take him as a disciple.
Could it be that Li Qingqiu really chose disciples based on who caught his eye?
"I… I can?" Hu Yan's heart began to race as he asked cautiously.
Duan Xiaojuan snapped back to her senses and said, "Who are you? You should at least explain your identity to him."
Li Qingqiu looked at her and found a good impression of the girl as well. Though not particularly pretty, she dared to speak up for Hu Yan—a good seedling.
"As for my identity, I won't tell you for now. Follow me, and you'll naturally find out," Li Qingqiu said mysteriously.
Duan Xiaojuan hesitated.
Shen Yue said irritably, "What? Within the Qingxiao Sect, do you fear someone would harm you? There are Law Enforcement Hall disciples everywhere, and Sword Sect disciples patrolling as well."