After Liu Ruyan left, Ye Linger stepped into the courtyard and let out a soft sigh of relief.
In just a few short days, her life had been turned upside down.
She had taken a powerful and beautiful Master, and gained the qualification to Cultivate that she had once dreamed of.
All of this felt like a dream too beautiful to be real.
She walked to the window and pushed it open.
In the distance, the waters of the Yaochi shimmered. On the island in the center of the lake, there was an unknown large tree; just one look at it brought an extraordinary peace to her mind.
She took out the Jade Slip containing the Taiyin Treasure Codex and pressed it to her forehead.
The vast information of the Cultivation Technique flooded into her mind again, clearer than before.
"The Way of Supreme Yin is the ultimate in softness and cold, evolving into myriad forms, creating and transforming living beings..."
She sat cross-legged on a prayer mat and began to slowly circulate her spiritual power according to the technique's guidance.
Pure Spiritual Qi flowed along specific Meridian routes; with every completed cycle, her control over her own power deepened by a fraction.
She lost track of time while Cultivating.
Until a gentle knock came from the door, followed by Liu Ruyan's warm call:
"Fourth Junior Sister, it's time for dinner."
Ye Linger slowly withdrew her power and opened her eyes.
An icy blue light flashed briefly in her eyes, and her aura became more refined.
She stood up and opened the door, offering Liu Ruyan a faint smile:
"Second Senior Sister."
The dining hall of the Yaochi Immortal Palace was spacious and bright, and at this hour, it was quite lively with people eating.
Over a hundred new Disciples from both the Human Race and Yao Race gathered here in small groups, talking in low voices in a harmonious atmosphere.
When Liu Ruyan led Ye Linger inside, many eyes immediately turned toward them.
With her icy blue hair and cold, outstanding temperament, Ye Linger instantly became the center of attention.
"Look, that person next to Senior Sister Liu..."
"Is she the new Disciple the Palace Master took in? I heard her name is Ye Linger?"
"Her hair is blue! So unique!"
"Her aura is so strong; I feel she's not weaker than Senior Sister Murong and the others..."
"The Palace Master brought her back personally, she must be extraordinary!"
Low whispers rose, as gazes of curiosity, envy, and scrutiny intertwined.
Ye Linger remained calm, long accustomed to such attention.
In the past, she had endured far more unpleasant looks because of her reputation as a 'useless person'.
Now, although these gazes still held scrutiny, they lacked the former disdain and pity, replaced by curiosity and a faint respect for a 'fellow Disciple'.
Liu Ruyan led her to a relatively quiet table and sat down.
Soon, Gu Luoli also came over, holding A Yao's hand.
"Fourth Junior Sister, sit here."
Gu Luoli pointed to the empty seat beside her.
A Yao plopped down next to Ye Linger, leaning her small head in with bright, sparkling eyes:
"Fourth Junior Sister, Fourth Junior Sister, let me tell you!"
"Even though the Spirit Chefs who cook here are two little monkeys, the Spirit Rice they make is delicious!"
"And the soup made from Silver Fish in the Yaochi is especially fresh!"
Ye Linger was amused by her and nodded:
"Alright, since Eldest Senior Sister recommends it, I must try it."
At that moment, Zhao Linger, Wang Zhaojun, Xiao Ya, Wang Teng, Li Zhiwei, Murong Xue, and other Personal Disciples of the Elders arrived one after another.
They greeted Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli, then curiously sized up Ye Linger.
Liu Ruyan took the Opportunity to introduce both sides.
"This is Junior Sister Ye Linger, the new Disciple Master took in."
"Fourth Junior Sister, these are all your Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters: Zhao Linger, Wang Zhaojun, Xiao Ya, Wang Teng, Li Zhiwei, Murong Xue..."
Ye Linger stood up and greeted each of them in turn.
The others returned the greetings one by one.
Although Zhao Linger's name was similar to Ye Linger's, her personality was the exact opposite; she took the initiative to start a conversation.
Wang Zhaojun nodded quietly; Xiao Ya's gaze lingered on Ye Linger's hair, appearing quite interested.
Wang Teng, having been tempered, was much more composed and gestured with cupped fists.
Li Zhiwei and Murong Xue nodded slightly, their temperaments cold and carrying the sharp edge of a Sword Cultivator.
After the simple introductions, the atmosphere quickly became lively.
After all, they were all young and belonged to the same Sect.
The topics quickly shifted from cultivation insights to interesting events inside the myriad phenomena pagoda, and then to their expectations for the trip to the Rules Secret Realm.
Ye Linger listened quietly, occasionally answering a few questions about herself.
She could feel that while these Senior Brothers and Sisters were curious about her,
they held no ill will; instead, there was a sense of closeness between fellow Disciples.
This feeling filled her heart with warmth.
After dinner, everyone dispersed, returning to their quarters to Cultivate or rest.
Ye Linger also returned to her own courtyard.
She didn't start Cultivating immediately; instead, she carefully processed everything that had happened today in her mind.
The gentle protection of her Master, the elegant efficiency of the Vice Palace Master, the care from her two Senior Sisters, the friendliness of her fellow Disciples, and the grandeur and peace of the Immortal Palace... all of this made her even more determined to Cultivate hard.
The next morning.
A melodious bell rang through the Immortal Palace, signaling for the Disciples to gather.
All Disciples, whether Human Race or Yao Race, stopped their Cultivation and rushed to the square in front of the Main Hall.
Ye Linger had also changed into the white uniform of an Immortal Palace Disciple. Her icy blue hair was simply tied back as she followed the crowd to the square.
At this moment, the square was a sea of people. Over a hundred Disciples were arranged by their respective peaks, orderly and solemn.
Upon the high platform, Gu Han sat in the center, with Yun Yun seated on the other side.
Li Hanyi, Yun Miaoyi, Butterfly Dance, Ink Scale, Fu Shan, and Golden Peak—the five Outer Sect Elders—were lined up on either side.
A Yao, Liu Ruyan, and Gu Luoli stood at the very front of the Disciple ranks.
Gu Han's gaze swept over the youthful, expectant faces below.
After the accelerated Cultivation in the myriad phenomena pagoda, the progress of these Disciples had far exceeded expectations.
"I have gathered you all today to announce one thing."
Gu Han's clear and resonant voice reached everyone's ears distinctly.
"In eight months, the 'Rules Secret Realm' of the Southern Region will open."
"Within the Secret Realm, Opportunity and danger coexist. It is also a stage for you to temper yourselves and make a name for yourselves."
The Disciples below immediately perked up, their eyes bursting with fervent light!
The Rules Secret Realm!
They had already heard about it from their respective Masters or Senior Brothers and Sisters!
It was the highest-level grand event for the younger generation in the Southern Region, a battlefield to test one's cultivation results and fight for Opportunity!
"The Immortal Palace has just been established, and this is our first time officially participating in such a grand event."
Gu Han continued, her tone calm yet carrying an unquestionable majesty.
"My requirements are not high—"
She paused, her gaze like lightning as it swept across the field:
"I want you to make the name of 'Yaochi Immortal Palace' resound throughout the Southern Region within the Secret Realm!"
"Let everyone know exactly what kind of elegance and talent the Disciples of my Yaochi Immortal Palace possess!"
Gu Han's words were like sparks igniting hot blood, instantly burning fiercely in the chests of all the Disciples!
"Uphold the prestige of our Immortal Palace!"
Someone shouted first, and then, a mountain-shaking roar of shouts resounded across the square!
Youthful blood, high spirits!
Even the Yao Race Disciples couldn't help but roar along, their eyes filled with Battle Intent!
Gu Han lightly raised her hand, pressing down the boiling waves of sound.
"Anyone can shout slogans. But strength is forged through sweat and blood."
"From tomorrow until the Secret Realm opens, the myriad phenomena pagoda will be fully open to all Disciples! Resources will be doubled!"
"But if anyone is lazy or slack..."
Her gaze suddenly turned sharp:
"They will be severely punished without leniency!"
"Yes! We will follow the Palace Master's teachings! We will not fail the prestige of the Immortal Palace!"
The Disciples roared in unison, their voices shaking the clouds.
"Very good."
Gu Han nodded slightly and looked at Yun Yun.
Yun Yun understood and stood up to announce the specific procedures and resource allocation.
"Starting tomorrow, all Disciples whose cultivation meets the requirements can enter the myriad phenomena pagoda to Cultivate using their identity Jade Slips."
"At the same time, the monthly Spirit Stone allowance for all Disciples will be doubled, the Medicinal Pill quota will increase by thirty percent, and the Elders of each peak will be required to enter the pagoda to accompany you."
As her voice fell, the sound of uncontrollable gasps and low exclamations instantly erupted below!
The myriad phenomena pagoda fully open!
All the Elders entering the pagoda?
No more limits on cultivation time!
Doubled resources!
What did this mean?
It meant that before the Secret Realm opened, they would have ten times more cultivation time than Disciples of other Sects!
It meant they could use massive amounts of resources to build an incredibly solid Foundation and hone their techniques to the absolute limit!
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"