Lan Ling'e had a dream.
In her dream, she was accepted as a disciple by an old immortal. He brought her to the immortals' abode, where she saw a dashing senior brother leaping from the water.
Umm… That seemed to be not just a dream. It was what had just happened.
While she was in a daze, Lan Ling'e heard her master's voice. Surprisingly, he sounded a little fierce, different from the kind old deity she thought he was.
"Rascal! You don't listen to me now that you've grown up, isn't it? How dare you scheme against me!?"
Afterward, Lan Ling'e heard a gentle and calm voice.
"Ease your anger, Master. I am only taking precautions. Since I was planning on practicing the Water Escape technique, I set this trap for any possible burglars before going to the lake. I did not know that you would come back today all of a sudden, and hence did not have time to tear down those traps. Please, forgive me, Master."
Her senior brother spoke at a comfortable pace, making people want to lean in to listen on.
Soon after, Lan Ling'e heard her master heave a long sigh.
The old Daoist priest was sitting beside the bamboo bed. He clapped his hands and complained reluctantly, "Changshou, we are in the sect mountains. Is there a need for this kind of trap?
"Guarding against burglars? Our Little Qiong Peak could almost change its name to Little Poor
Changshou? Senior Brother's name is Changshou?
It was an ordinary Dao name. At the same time, it showcased his rustic and pure aspirations.
Lan Ling'e suddenly discovered that although she could hear the commotion outside, she could not open her eyes at all. Her eyelids weighed like bricks, and her energy seemed to be sucked out of her body.
Her senior brother started talking again. His voice was warm and made her feel as though her mother was there.
"Master, this is not true. There could still be dangers within the sect mountains.
"In recent years, the competition between different peaks has been intensifying, yet the elders in the sect are not concerned about this. I am the only—no, one of the two—disciples in our line of succession. It is a must that I remain vigilant.
"We do not have much presence in the sect, to begin with, and we do not have any backing either. Who knows? Maybe someone could be devising plans to steal our plot of land."
After her senior brother finished speaking, Lan Ling'e heard her old master complain.
"The Immortal Du Sect has strict sect rules. How could that happen?
"Forget it! I am in no position to criticize you! You and your weird logic! Why aren't you improving on your cultivation instead?
"You will wait here until Ling'e wakes up. This is my identity token. Bring her to the main peak for registration and collect her identity token and monthly allowance as an official disciple!
"This is really getting on my nerves!"
The old Daoist priest waved his sleeve and stood up from the bamboo chair. He staggered a little because of the effects of the medicinal scent—that made his face flush.
"Getting on my nerves!"
"Take it slow, Master."
"Hmph! I shall be in secluded cultivation to comprehend the miraculous Dao technique!"
The Daoist priest, Qi Yuan, stomped his feet on the ground fiercely and transformed into a wisp of smoke as he vanished from the straw hut.
In the blink of an eye, a string of clanking noises was heard from the opposite straw hut. The Daoist priest had lost his balance again after reversing the Dharma spell.
The young man standing at the door sighed softly.
As he sighed, the little girl, who was lying on the bamboo bed, opened her eyes slightly and saw the silhouette that had his head held low and was in deep thought.
'Senior Brother looks so tall.'
"Master's cultivation base is still too weak, and his soul is not powerful enough. I doubt he can make it past the Heavenly Tribulation during Immortal Ascension."
Those words, what do they mean?
A wave of fatigue swept her, and Lan Ling'e closed her eyes unconsciously. Very soon, she heard footsteps approaching.
Even though she was only nine years old, Lan Ling'e had gained awareness of her surroundings from a young age. Moreover, she had been born in a powerful and wealthy family in the world where ordinary human beings lived. At a young age, she had learned about ceremonial formalities and the laws. She had partial knowledge about all kinds of stuff.
The current situation she was in was considered disregarding ceremonial formalities and the laws to Lan Ling'e. She was alone in a room with a man, and the unfamiliar man was gradually approaching her.
However, if that man was her senior brother, she could treat him like a blood-related brother in the future. That seemed… acceptable…
"Junior Sister Lan, I am your senior brother, Li Changshou. I am going to alleviate the effects of the Immortal Enervating Scent for you now. If you can hear me, please do not treat me as a pervert. I am a morally upright man.
Umm… what nonsense am I saying? She has just started on her cultivation. How could she withstand the medicinal effects?
Pervert? Morally upright? This cultivation language is so hard to understand. Senior Brother is a Qi Refinement cultivator, indeed!
Lan Ling'e tried her best to respond to avoid being too disrespectful in front of her senior brother. However, she did not have a hint of energy left in her. The only thing she could control was her thoughts.
All of a sudden, she felt a huge hand resting gently on her forehead. Wisps of cool and refreshing air entered from her forehead and circulated throughout her entire body. That made her feel especially comfortable.
Senior Brother is healing me…
Lan Ling'e's head was in a mess. Her thoughts were scattered. The situation she was in felt surreal and real at the same time.
Li Changshou looked at the little girl lying flat on the bed. He creased his eyebrows and thought it through.
Even though his master had said that he wanted to accept another disciple for a long time and he was mentally prepared to welcome a new junior sister or brother, Li Changshou was still a little concerned about it.
I should take this chance to check her soul.
Li Changshou emitted a cooling stream of air and touched Lan Ling'e's life source gently.
Yes. The soul is perfectly compatible with the body. There is nothing inconsistent in her body. It is very unlikely that she had been possessed. She seems to be pretty talented and has a close affinity with the Water and Wood Elements.
However, Li Changshou did not know how her personality was.
Lan Ling'e's personality should have been developed at this age. Li Changshou merely hoped that she wasn't someone who would cause trouble everywhere.
However, Li Changshou could tell from her looks that she would become a beautiful woman when she grew up. Since ancient times, beautiful women had been the reasons for war. This was a potential reason for conflicts, so he had to try his best to avoid it.
I should also check if she is hiding any demon seedlings or something of that sort.
Yes. That was also a vital thing to check. Although there was not a high probability of that happening, he should not leave it to chance. It was always good to take necessary precautionary measures.
At the same time…
Ay?
While Lan Ling'e was unconscious, she felt the huge hand leave her forehead and start sliding all over her body. Her face turned a little red.
Senior… Senior Brother… Isn't this way too… This is way too inappropriate…
Not long after, Li Changshou nodded his head. After the thorough check that he had conducted, there seemed not to be any problems with his junior sister—she was not possessed, there were no demon seedlings planted in her, and she was not under the influence of any Gu poison or curse. Moreover, she indeed had talent in cultivation.
Lan Ling'e had officially passed the entrance check!
After that would be regarding his junior sister's training courses, and Li Changshou had to prepare for that thoroughly.
It would be best if his junior sister were not someone who would create troubles. In that case, his chances of being affected by karma, later on, would be similar to how his chances were now.
Li Changshou was in a daze as he sat on the edge of the bed. Afterward, he laughed dryly and muttered, "I can somehow understand why there were so many people who were obsessed with lolitas in his previous life. How could anyone withstand their cuteness?"
Obsessed with lolitas? Cute? Previous life?
Although Lan Ling'e did not understand what he said, she felt that her master's words were indeed right. Her senior brother was a little weird.
Maybe because of the effects of the cooling streams of air, Lan Ling'e felt that she had recovered some of her energy. She could not resist the urge to open her eyes. Her lips parted slightly, and a groan was produced from her throat.
Her vision turned from blurry to clear. Lan Ling'e could finally have a good look at her senior brother up close. He indeed possessed defined features. The more she looked at him, the more handsome he seemed. He was even more charming than her mother's personal guards.
However, this senior brother's expression now—made her a little fearful!
Senior Brother's stare looks so terrifying!
Gulp!
Lan Ling'e gulped down her saliva. She looked weak, helpless, and pitiful.
She heard the teenage cultivator sitting on the edge of the bed, asking, "Did you hear everything that I said just now?"
Lan Ling'e was instantly a little nervous. Her voice trembled as she replied, "N… no… yeah…"
What's wrong with Senior Brother? Did I do anything to upset him? From Senior Brother's expression, he seems unsatisfied with me?
"Senior Brother…"
The teenager on the edge of the bed stood up slowly. He lowered his head and looked down at the beautiful little girl. His gaze had a little hesitation in it. However, very quickly, he spoke with a low-pitched voice.
"Look at me. Do not mention what I had said to anyone."
"Oh, okay," Lan Ling'e answered softly. Her face was flushed, and she was at a loss.
Afterward, she saw her senior brother shake his head and walk towards the window. He stared outside the window and seemed to be in a daze.
His name was Li Changshou. When he had been being accepted as a disciple, he had insisted on keeping Changshou as his Dao name.
The reason was similar to Lan Ling'e's guess. Li Changshou wanted to live
At that instant, Li Changshou was recalling the information that he had exposed when talking to himself.
'The biggest slip should be the words 'previous life.' F*ck!'
Li Changshou had been extremely cautious these few hundred years. He did not expect that he would expose his secret to this new junior sister of his! He had kept the secret in his heart for too long and could not resist the urge to talk to himself!
Li Changshou rubbed his chin as his gaze swept to the little girl that was attempting to leave the bed.
He must indeed kill her to shut her up. Kill her to shut her up!
Lan Ling'e took a lot of effort to sit up straight on the bed. She saw her senior brother's cold stare coincidentally and could not help but shiver.
"Senior Brother?"
"Do not tell anyone about what I had just said!"
"Yes! Ling'e will remember this!"
"You must not mention this to anyone, including Master!"
"Okay, Senior Brother…"
"Good. Make an oath in the name of the miraculous Dao!"
"Umm? Umm…"
Under the sunlight, parallel black vertical lines appeared on the forehead of the little girl sitting on the bed. With the technical guidance—or rather, supervision—by the person beside her, she raised her petite hand and started reciting the thousand-word long Dao oath that considered various possible situations and listed the various preconditions.
Was the paragraph Lan Ling'e recited really the Dao oath for keeping secrets?
When she left the straw hut, Lan Ling'e's eyes that originally shone like black pearls immediately lost their color. Her body was wobbling as she walked, and her steps were faltering.
"Here." A hand from beside her was suddenly held out in front of her. There was a light green pill on the palm.
Li Changshou said warmly, "Qi Cultivation and Condensation Pill. It does not contain any poison, and its medicinal effects are very gentle. Those who have not started on their cultivation can use this to restore their energy."
Lan Ling'e answered timidly, "Thank you, Senior Brother." She took the pill, turned her body around, and placed the pill into her mouth.
The pill melted immediately when it came into contact with her saliva. It tasted like sweet and clear spring water. A soft 'mmmh' slipped out of her mouth. She was energized immediately.
This Junior Sister is indeed a little cute.
Li Changshou's huge hand reached out from the sides and caressed her head as he spoke warmly.
"In the future, you will be a member of the Little Qiong Peak. I will first bring you around to familiarize yourself with the environment. After the effects of the medicinal scent wear off—cough—after Master has finished a round of Qi circulation, he will teach you the entrance-level cultivation method. If you have any questions regarding your cultivation, feel free to find me."
"Thank you, Senior Brother." Lan Ling'e held her hands behind her back and squeaked.
Li Changshou held his hands behind his back and walked towards the lake. "Let us first look at the spiritual fish in the lake. These are all good stuff, and they are also an integral part of our Little Qiong Peak's capital."
Lan Ling'e caught up to him hurriedly. She stepped on the soft grass, tiptoed, and looked into the lake.
The lake water was abnormally clear. The fish inside were all playing around without any troubles in their mind.
"Look." Li Changshou pointed at some spiritual fish with colorful scales. "Aren't they pretty?"
"Yes!" Lan Ling'e nodded violently. The spiritual fish mesmerized her, and gasps of awe escaped from her mouth.
She heard her senior brother's gentle voice from beside her.
"Once you have cultivated your first breath of Qi, we will organize a spiritual fish buffet. This species of spiritual fish with colorful scales are called snakeheads. Not only are they delicious, but they could also be served pan-fried, steamed, roasted, or fried. What's even rarer is its ability to improve the quality of the spiritual energy that cultivators produce for the first time."
Two parallel black vertical lines hung on Lan Ling'e's forehead. "Are… are you going to eat them?"
"Otherwise, why would I breed them?"
Li Changshou waved his left hand, and his left sleeve followed his movement. He scattered a handful of rice grains and shouted, "Feeding time!"
Many spiritual fish swarmed from all directions, and the lake was instantly flooded. Lan Ling'e's eyes lit up.
"Here." The huge hand handed over a delicate canvas bag. "This is fish feed. If you like it, I'll hand you the mission of feeding the fish daily."
"Yes! Thank you, Senior Brother!" Lan Ling'e answered happily and took the canvas bag over. She took some rice grains out and scattered them on the lake.
Ling'e seemed extremely cautious, as though the fish feed could hurt the spiritual fish's beautiful scales.
Li Changshou smiled calmly beside her.
Now, he had fewer chores to do daily and could spend that time on his cultivation!
From that perspective, having a junior sister sounded like a good idea.
Lan Ling'e waved her hand and scattered the fish feed a handful at a time. The spiritual fish in the water swarmed around her. She was having a great time playing with the fish.
Li Changshou waited for a while beside her. He flicked his finger slightly, and two small streams of water exploded on the lake's surface. Two snakeheads were thrown out of the water. He summoned them over using telekinesis, wrapped them in a ball of water, and placed them in his sleeve.
Lan Ling'e was dumbfounded by what she saw. "Senior Brother, why did you put the fish in your sleeve?"
"To give them away," Li Changshou answered nonchalantly. "The Immortal Du Sect might be an immortal cultivation sect, but we still observe the social norms that ordinary humans follow. I will be bringing you for registration later on. I can't possibly go there empty-handed, can I?"
Lan Ling'e blinked. Although she did not really understand what he said, she nodded obediently and said, "Thank you for your efforts, Senior Brother."
"It's no big deal. Come here once you have finished playing with the fish."
Li Changshou held his hands behind his back and drifted to the herb garden near the lake. Lan Ling'e looked at the school of fish in the lake, waved to them, and followed behind Li Changshou hurriedly.
While they were by the herb garden, Li Changshou briefly described the hundreds of spiritual herbs in the garden and their effects.
Lan Ling'e tried her best to memorize everything he said. She did not know that her senior brother was attempting to assign her the role as the new gardener. As she listened to her senior brother's warm voice, Lan Ling'e could not help but think of her mother, whose voice was equally warm and gentle.
The scenery at the Little Qiong Peak was beautiful, but there was not much that needed introduction.
Li Changshou circled the surroundings of the straw hut twice with his new junior sister and assigned a region to build her new straw hut. He used his Dharmic power to summon a white cloud and flew to the middle of the mountains with Lan Ling'e.
Lan Ling'e could not contain her question. "Senior Brother, can you fly on the immortal cranes as well?"
"Yes. As long as one knows how to maneuver on objects." Li Changshou tapped the white cloud with his foot. The white cloud suddenly emitted a soft sheep and transformed into a gigantic immortal crane. The immortal crane extended its wings and flew them forward.
Lan Ling'e's huge eyes instantly sparkled. She dragged her senior brother's Daoist robe with her tiny hands and expressed her amazement.
"These are just simple illusion techniques. As compared to this, there are some other things that you have to remember when flying around in the sect."
"What are those, Senior Brother?"
Li Changshou cleared his throat and sorted through the lessons that he had prepared beforehand in his head. He decided to start teaching his junior sister the little details.
Therefore, he said sincerely, "Firstly, you have to take note of the altitude you are flying at in the sect. You mustn't fly too high or too low. Many seniors and powerful cultivators fly at a high altitude. It is very easy to offend them if you meet them.
"You must remember this, Junior Sister. If you are noticed by a senior or powerful cultivator, there is a 50% chance of you leaving a good impression, and there is also a 50% chance of you leaving a bad impression.
"You might not receive any benefits if you leave a good impression on them. However, there will definitely be potential risks if you leave a bad impression on them.
"Therefore, the best solution is to prevent them from noticing you. If you meet them, it is enough that you greet them and behave as you are supposed to."
"Oh! Ling'e will remember this!"
"Furthermore, you cannot fly at an altitude that is too low either. If you fly too low, there is a high possibility of you flying past some buildings on the mountain peaks.
"Although the sect seems peaceful on the surface, there is still a lot of competition beneath that. Many people are concerned about the lame rankings. If you fly too low, you will likely be targeted by them.
"Therefore, after testing it out for 100 years, I have concluded a suitable altitude to fly within the sect—300 to 500 feet above our accommodation. It is very unlikely that you'll meet other disciples in the sect at this altitude, much fewer seniors or powerful cultivators."
Lan Ling'e tried her best to ingrain the huge chunk of words that her senior brother said in her heart. While doing so, she could not stop herself from lifting her head and looking at her senior brother's distinct features.
'Senior Brother is indeed very handsome. He is very thoughtful, as well.'
…
Even though her senior brother reminded her endlessly while they were moving, Lan Ling'e soon arrived at the main peak in the Immortal Du Sect.
That mountain peak was at the center of all the mountains in the sect. It was also the tallest and straightest mountain. It looked similar to a sword that pointed at the heavens and pierced through the clouds.
Therefore, it was also known as the Heaven-Breaking Peak.
There was an immortal palace at the summit of the Heaven-Breaking Peak. That was where the Sect Leader, Elders, and Peak Leaders held their meetings. It was a region that normally prohibited flying. The disciples and others in the sect were prohibited from going near this place without permission. At the hillside of the Heaven-Breaking Peak, there was a pavilion and palace built on the slope. Many people would go in and out of that place daily.
After hearing her senior brother's introduction, Ling'e learned that this was the 'office' in the Immortal Du Sect where matters within the sect were handled. The disciples from the various peaks would come here every month to receive their monthly allowance and report their cultivation progress every once a while.
As Lan Ling'e was walking on the bluestone path, to her surprise, she found out that she and her senior brother were seemingly 'invisible'. There were many fellow disciples in the sect, but no one paid attention to them.
Even if people's gaze swept across them, they would look away without stopping.
Li Changshou's voice sounded near Ling'e's ears. He was still teaching her persistently. "Ling'e, you have to remember this. Do not attract attention to yourself. Do your best to reduce your presence. This is the best method to avoid dealing with karma. I have modified a Dao technique to conceal one's aura. I'll teach it to you once you start on your cultivation."
"Yes! Thank you, Senior Brother."
Li Changshou replied with smiling eyes, "No need to thank me. This is what I should be doing as your senior brother." He brought Li Changshou to the sidewalk and entered a building that had a plaque with 'Hundred Mortal Hall' written on it.
In the building, Lan Ling'e saw her senior brother take the two spiritual fish out and chat passionately with the middle-aged Daoist who was in charge of registration within the sect.
'Senior Brother seems so mature…'