Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli led more than a hundred new Disciples to an elegant, secluded cluster of buildings.
Most of the structures were two stories tall, built from Spirit-Warming Wood and white jade, with upturned eaves and carved lattice windows.
Though not ostentatiously luxurious, every detail exuded refinement and spiritual grace.
Between the pavilions, small bridges curved over flowing water, exotic flowers and grasses dotted the scene, and spiritual mist drifted like a living painting.
Each Disciple received a private, compact room.
The space was small but arranged with great care.
Warm jade paved the floor; a meditation mat woven from Heart-Clearing Grass; a simple spirit-wood bed; a writing desk; a storage cabinet; and on the windowsill, a pot of Night-Orchid that gave off a faint, gentle light.
"Wow…"
Little Grass pushed open her door, saw the tidy, spirit-rich room, and couldn't help a soft gasp.
She stepped in carefully, running her fingers over the smooth bed.
She sniffed the fresh fragrance of the Night-Orchid on the windowsill, eyes stinging.
This was a thousand, no, ten thousand times better than the ruined temple she had lived in back in Qingyang City.
Zhao Linger and Wang Zhaojun had adjoining rooms.
Zhao Linger quickly stowed her few belongings, then pulled the still-shy Wang Zhaojun onto the balcony to gaze at the distant Jade Lake.
"Zhaojun, look—isn't that the island in the middle of the lake? Senior Sister Liu says it's the best place to Cultivate."
Zhao Linger pointed, longing shining in her eyes.
Wang Zhaojun nodded gently, her gaze calm.
She had always known she was different from other children, born with an innate affinity for plants.
The gentle-looking Elder who had glanced at her just now made her feel, faintly, that her future might be linked to that woman.
Elsewhere, Xiao Ya had also settled in.
Her room was unremarkable, but her mind was anywhere but here.
She spread several hand-written "research journals" across the desk.
Just as she was about to immerse herself, a soft knock sounded.
She opened the door—her grandfather, Supreme Emperor.
"Ya'er."
Supreme Emperor stepped in, surveyed the room with satisfaction,
"The Spiritual Qi is abundant and the surroundings quiet—an excellent place for Cultivation."
"Grandfather, don't worry. I'll Cultivate diligently."
Xiao Ya spoke softly.
Looking at the composure and wisdom in his granddaughter's eyes—so unbefitting her age—Supreme Emperor felt both proud and conflicted.
After a moment he said:
"Ya'er, I've decided not to leave for now."
Xiao Ya blinked. "Not leave?"
Supreme Emperor sighed, a rare gravity and stubbornness on his face:
"Though you tested as nine-star potential, you haven't formally been accepted by any Elder yet."
"Until that's settled, my heart cannot truly rest."
He paused, then continued:
"I'll stay for two reasons: first, to see you fully settled…"
"Second, your thoughts are clever, sometimes too unconventional—even shocking."
"If I'm here, I can guide you when needed, so your eagerness or unusual ideas don't break the palace's rules."
Xiao Ya instantly understood her grandfather's care; she was moved but also helpless.
She knew he worried for her and still bore the responsibility of stabilizing the Great Yan Dynasty.
"Grandfather, don't worry. I know my limits."
Xiao Ya promised earnestly.
"Very well."
Supreme Emperor nodded, the wrinkles on his face seeming to smooth a little.
"I've spoken with the Liu girl; she'll arrange a quiet guest house for me. Focus on your Cultivation and don't fret."
After seeing her grandfather out, Xiao Ya shut the door, leaned against it, and exhaled softly.
She felt both the heavy weight of responsibility and an exhilarating anticipation of diving into an ocean of knowledge and endless mysteries.
Once the excitement and awe ebbed, a deeper unease began to spread among the new Disciples.
"Senior Sister Liu says we won't be assigned to Elders for three days—who knows where I'll end up?"
A boy asked his companion nervously.
"I want the Pill Pavilion! Elder Yun looks so gentle, and Medicinal Pills help Cultivation the most!"
A girl interested in Alchemy said dreamily.
"I think the Formation Pavilion is amazing! Those Formations look so profound!"
Another boy chimed in.
"Elder Mo Lin and Elder Fu Shan are awesome too… if only I could follow them…"
"Do you think… maybe the Palace Master or Vice Palace Master might take a liking to us?"
Someone whispered; silence fell as longing deepened, though it felt unrealistic.
Each Disciple secretly wondered, hoped, and encouraged themselves, praying the upcoming "assignment" would turn out well.
Meanwhile, in the Main Hall.
Gu Han sat upright on a Cloud Bed, a System screen only she could see floating before her.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully recruiting 136 Disciples with five- to eight-star potential from both the human and Yao Beast races!]
[Immortal Prodigy Gift Pack x136 being distributed…]
[Congratulations, Host: 136,000 mastery value gained!]
[Congratulations, Host: 10 million Mid-Grade Spirit Stones gained!]
[Extra reward: 300 top-tier Yellow Rank and Profound Rank Magic Treasures each, freely selectable by Disciples.]
[Ding! 'Peerless Genius' gift pack (Xiao Ya) distributed!]
[Congratulations, Host: 4,000 mastery value gained!]
[Congratulations, Host: acquired the Myriad Phenomena Heavenly Craft Manual!]
[(This manual contains countless wonders, mechanisms, Formation principles, and crafting methods.)]
[Ding! 'Peerless Genius' gift pack (Wang Zhaojun) distributed!]
[Congratulations, Host: 4,000 mastery value gained!]
[Congratulations, Host: acquired the Hundred Herbs Compendium!]
[(This compendium records the properties, cultivation, and medicinal pairings of countless Spirit Medicines—an unparalleled Alchemy classic.)]
[Ding! Sect Disciple total detected >100; Scripture Pavilion filling condition met!]
[Special reward issued: Scripture Pavilion auto-filling complete!]
[Contents cover: 375 Cultivation Techniques from the Qi Condensation Stage to the Mahayana Stage for common attributes; 820 arts, sword spells, movement skills, etc.; 1,200 miscellaneous Jade Slips (spirit plants, ores, Yao Beast identification, etc.)]
[Note: Most of the above are Profound Rank and Earth Rank; higher-grade Cultivation Techniques must be added by the Host later.]
[Current total mastery value: 164,650!]
[Current total Mid-Grade Spirit Stones: 10.49 million!]
A string of System chimes rang like celestial music in Gu Han's mind.
Looking at the mastery value that had soared past 160,000 and the 10.5 million Mid-Grade Spirit Stones,
Gu Han couldn't help but smile.
This was… a sudden windfall!
For so long she had possessed late Ascendant Immortal cultivation yet felt like a child sitting on a mountain of gold with no idea how to spend it.
Advanced Cultivation Techniques in the System Shop cost tens of thousands of mastery value; her previous funds hadn't even covered the change.
Now she was suddenly flush and could finally consider her own Cultivation Technique.
As for the Primal Chaos Immortal Scripture she currently practiced, it was superb but belonged to A Yao.
Its core was "Primal Unity, boundless creation," emphasizing all-embracing evolution.
For A Yao, a being of purest immortal Origin, it was perfect.
But to Gu Han it felt incompatible.
"System, filter for the most suitable Cultivation Technique for me."
Gu Han sent her will into the System Shop and issued the command.
[Received! Beginning match analysis…]
[Analysis factors: Soul essence (transmigrator, male Soul), Physique: Immaculate Immortal Body, current cultivation: Ascension Realm Late Stage…]
On the screen, lists of Cultivation Techniques flashed by, countless texts and scroll-images of Daoist grandeur flowing in endless rotation.
Many treasures once hidden by their high prices now appeared.
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