Seeing the man in green, like an immortal, slowly appearing in the courtyard, Li Xiangping felt a bitter taste in his mouth, secretly thinking:
"Damn it, that Mirror's master must have come searching!"
Instantly he was panic-stricken and uneasy, feeling this man was strangely supernatural and unfathomable. Raising his head, he glanced at Li Chijin and Li Tongya—though both appeared calm, a deep unrest flickered in their eyes; they likely shared Li Xiangping's concern.
"I am the Qingsui Peak Master of the Green Pond Sect."
Si Yuanbai smiled faintly. Seeing the members of the Li Family so wary, unlike ordinary folk who'd fall to the ground in worship, he became even more certain of his judgment, smiling as he answered:
"No need to be nervous. This Gu Li Dao belongs to my Green Pond Sect. Since you cultivate the Immortal Path, you naturally fall under the jurisdiction of the Green Pond Sect."
Seeing this man wasn't here to seek out the Mirror, Li Tongya and the others relaxed at once, their hostility towards Si Yuanbai greatly lessened. Li Tongya cupped his fists respectfully and said:
"We are mere rural folk, ignorant and isolated, and stumbled into Xuanjing by accident. We know nothing of your esteemed sect, and have surely been discourteous to the envoy."
Si Yuanbai paused for a moment, then immediately understood. Gu Li Dao had not been visited for several hundred years, so these villagers didn't even know the name Green Pond Sect. He formed a spell, and a lifelike map of Yue Country appeared before them.
This trick immediately astonished the Li Family. Li Chijin and the others had learned spells and could use mana, but even creating crude shapes was barely possible for them, let alone skillfully forming a map.
"This is Yue Country."
Si Yuanbai willed his heart, and in his hand the southern part of Yue Country appeared as a patch of blue-green, taking up about a quarter of the country's territory.
"This is my Green Pond Sect."
"Ah, so it is the Green Pond Immortal Sect." Li Mutian cupped his hands and said:
"When I was young, I followed General Yang in the campaign against Shanyue. Those talismans must have come from the Green Pond Immortal Sect."
"I dare not bear the title of Immortal Sect."
Si Yuanbai waved his hands repeatedly, then addressed Li Xiangping and the other three:
"Since you've entered the Xuanjing, the villages on the edge of Gu Li Dao shall be under your management. Just make sure to deliver the provisions requested by the Upper Sect each year."
"There are several other clans on the Gu Li Dao. Your family is shallow in roots; where you can yield, do so. Don't get into needless disputes. Every five years, the Sect will send people to recruit disciples for the mountain. If your clan produces an outstanding talent, it will greatly benefit your family as well."
Li Tongya's expression changed slightly; he asked in a low voice:
"May I ask about these provisions…"
"Ten Yujing Fruits and two hundred jin of Spirit Rice each year."
Si Yuanbai spoke seriously:
"Those provisions cannot be lacking, or else deductions are inevitable. Best you have a disciple accepted by the Sect; otherwise, penalties will be unavoidable…"
With Si Yuanbai speaking so plainly, Li Tongya could not fail to grasp his meaning. The group exchanged glances, and Li Mutian thought to himself:
"This man didn't come sooner or later, but shows up just as Jing'er broke through—must be intent on taking Jing'er into the Green Pond Sect."
"In truth, that may be for the best. Jing'er is exceptionally gifted; life in these remote mountains would only stifle him. Better to let him display his talents in the Immortal Sect, with support inside and out for our clan."
Thinking this, Li Mutian gently nodded to Li Chijin. Seeing his father's signal, Li Chijin immediately understood, and made a deep obeisance to Si Yuanbai, respectfully speaking:
"Chi Jing's talent is dull, but I admire Peak Master's bearing. I hope to join your tutelage as a sweeper child, willing to heed immortal instruction."
"Good, you should indeed enter my Qing Sui Peak."
Si Yuanbai didn't stand on ceremony, smiling and nodding. With a pat on his waist, a large and small bundle appeared on the ground. Seeing the astonished faces of the group, he explained:
"These are Storage Bags. When you've cultivated the Yujing Wheel, you'll be able to use them."
"The larger bundle contains the seeds of Spirit Rice; the smaller holds the pits of Yujing Fruit."
Si Yuanbai flipped his left hand and revealed several wooden slips, then continued:
"No need to serve as a sweeper child. Since you are under my tutelage, you must know my name. As your teacher, I am Si Yuanbai, and I am indeed a peak master in the Green Pond Sect—it won't wrong you."
"These three scrolls contain cultivation techniques for loose cultivators in Yue Country, for your family to study and reference. The other scroll is the method for cultivating Spirit Rice and Yujing Fruit. You must study it diligently!"
The group replied softly in affirmation; Si Yuanbai smiled and spoke:
"No need to be so nervous. What magic technique do you cultivate?"
Li Xiangping and the others immediately felt as if facing a great enemy, glancing at each other; none spoke for a moment.
Seeing their hesitant manner, Si Yuanbai suddenly understood, waving his hands repeatedly:
"I understand, I understand—some elder must have instructed you."
Si Yuanbai had only completed Foundation Establishment last year, so the cultivator who did so ten years earlier was, in his eyes, a senior.
Li Mutian heard this and coughed, stepping forward from among the group, and said in a low tone:
"Over ten years ago, I saved a senior who nursed injuries at my home for several years. He left behind this cultivation technique and instructed me never to divulge it. Then, he departed without a trace…"
"Exactly!"
Si Yuanbai nodded lightly, feeling proud of his own wisdom, thinking:
"It's nothing but the Wheel Nurturing Technique, surely not some moon-harvesting or sun-refining immortal law? No need to force it—only damages the disciple's feelings."
Looking with compassion at the old man, Si Yuanbai turned his hand and brought forth a pale blue jade seal. He gently stroked its surface; the seal slowly lit up with golden light, displaying several golden characters:
"Under Green Pond's Rule."
Si Yuanbai looked at everyone and spoke:
"This is the credential under Green Pond Sect's authority. I've already placed the dharma seal on it. With this, you may mark boundaries with neighboring clans, and can seek help from the Sect. Keep it safe."
His left hand floated up, and the jade seal gently settled into Li Tongya's palm. Seeing Li Tongya stow the seal away, Si Yuanbai smiled and turned to Li Chijin:
"Good child, say your farewells to your family."
Li Chijin, eyes red, hugged his two elder brothers, knelt before Li Mutian and knocked his head to the ground several times, crying:
"Your child is unfilial; henceforth, I cannot serve at mother and father's knees. May you both take care of your health."
Li Mutian coughed a few times, hurriedly helped Li Chijin up, and exhorted:
"Family matters are handled by your two elder brothers; don't worry. Cultivate well in the Sect—become the Li Family's pride."
After bidding farewell to his brothers, Li Chijin reluctantly walked to Si Yuanbai's side and replied:
"Master, your disciple has already said goodbye to his family."
Si Yuanbai nodded repeatedly and, not bothering with Li Tongya and the rest bowing to him, laughed heartily, muttering to himself:
"Today I've gained an excellent disciple—let's spare that Pig Demon!"
With those words, he took Li Chijin by the hand, gave a gentle wave, and a Flying Shuttle appeared before them. With a swift spell, the shuttle stretched several times larger; the two stepped aboard, shooting north like a shooting star.