Chapter Seven: Trial Gathering
When Li Changshou and Ling'e landed in front of the Baifan Hall, several hundred figures had already gathered.
From a distance, young men and women dressed in Daoist robes and long skirts were engaged in lively conversations, exhibiting rare appearances without any oddities or blemishes.
The number of female Qi cultivators here was not less than that of males. Most had delicate faces and graceful figures, reminiscent of various flowers in spring and autumn. However, a few stood out exceptionally, like cranes amidst chickens, shining like stars and moons.
For instance, Ling'e, who stood beside Li Changshou...
"Isn't that the Ling'e from Xiaojiong Peak? She's truly becoming more beautiful. Rumor has it that her aptitude is excellent, reaching the eighth stage of Qi refinement in just ten years and about to break into the Foundation Establishment realm."
"I heard that even the Elders are considering accepting her as a disciple. Unfortunately, we don't have such fortune."
"Who is the person beside her?"
"Oh, her senior brother, I guess. Xiaojiong Peak doesn't seem to have many people. This person doesn't seem to be in the top three hundred in the rankings, not very memorable."
"I remember now, his Daoist name is Changshou?"
"Is that Daoist name for real... plain and unique."
"Don't gossip about disciples of other peaks behind their backs! Show some manners! If the seniors of our sect hear about this, they might think our peak lacks discipline!"
The whispers fell into Li Changshou's ears, but he remained seemingly unaware. With a warm smile on his face, he didn't scan around and led Ling'e into the hall for registration. Afterward, they found a secluded corner and waited.
The bell continued to ring, and more young Qi cultivators from various peaks flew in.
Today marked the disciples' expedition, organized every five years by the Du Xian Sect. The purpose was to allow disciples to explore the world, gain insights, and enhance their cultivation.
This event allowed any formal disciple of the sect to sign up and offered twelve destinations catering to disciples at different stages of cultivation.
Du Xian Sect recruited disciples on a large scale every two hundred years, forming a new generation. Among them, some had progressed rapidly, reaching the sixth stage of Foundation Establishment, catching up with many 'elders' who had practiced for thousands of years.
Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Return to Void – these were the four major realms before becoming an immortal. They determined the strength after ascension and the potential for further cultivation.
Someone like Ling'e, who joined the sect just ten years ago and took an unnamed master who had yet to ascend, managed to reach the eighth stage of Qi refinement. Naturally, this attracted a lot of attention.
Li Changshou and Ling'e stood three feet apart under the shade of a tree. Many gazes fell upon them, and most observers assumed their relationship was not particularly good.
Ling'e twisted a sprout of willow in her fingers, hesitating several times before speaking.
Three Articles of Agreement, Article One: Maintain a three-foot distance in front of outsiders. Three Articles of Agreement, Article Two: Avoid idle chat outside unless necessary.
"Senior brother, where are you going?" "Guess." "You won't say. I've been asking you for days..." Ling'e snorted softly, muttering, "Anyway, wherever you go, I'll follow. I have to keep an eye on you." Li Changshou smiled calmly, slightly opened his lips, and his voice directly entered Ling'e's ears through a secret technique.
"Sister apprentice, you are now an accomplished Qi cultivator. Learn to face some difficulties independently."
Ling'e responded with conviction, "I'm keeping an eye on you at the command of Master, making sure senior brother doesn't cause trouble outside and tarnish the reputation of Xiaojiong Peak!"
Li Changshou smiled faintly and said no more.
As the bell rang six times, more young cultivators from various peaks flew to the scene.
Today was the Du Xian Sect's disciples' expedition, organized every five years to let disciples explore the world and deepen their understanding of cultivation.
Any formal disciple could sign up for this event, which offered twelve destinations tailored to different cultivation stages.
Du Xian Sect admitted disciples on a large scale every two hundred years, forming a new generation. Among them, some had progressed rapidly, reaching the sixth stage of Foundation Establishment, catching up with many 'elders' who had practiced for thousands of years.
Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Return to Void were the four major stages before becoming an immortal. These stages determined strength and potential after ascension.
Someone like Ling'e, who joined the sect ten years ago and took a master with no fame, even before ascending, had reached the eighth stage of Qi refinement, drawing significant attention.
Brother and sister stood three feet apart under the shade of a tree. Many gazes fell on them, and most observers assumed their relationship was not particularly good.
Ling'e twisted a willow sprout in her fingers, hesitating several times before speaking.
Three Agreements, First Article: Maintain a three-foot distance in front of outsiders. Three Agreements, Second Article: Avoid idle chat outside unless necessary.
"Senior brother, where are you going?" "Guess." "You won't say. I've been asking you for days..." Ling'e snorted softly, muttering, "Anyway, wherever you go, I'll follow. I have to keep an eye on you." Li Changshou smiled calmly, slightly opened his lips, and his voice directly entered Ling'e's ears through a secret technique.
"Sister apprentice, you are now an accomplished Qi cultivator. Learn to face some difficulties independently."
Ling'e responded with conviction, "I'm keeping an eye on you at the command of Master, making sure senior brother doesn't cause trouble outside and tarnish the reputation of Xiaojiong Peak!"
Li Changshou smiled faintly and said no more.
As the bell rang six times, more young cultivators from various peaks flew to the scene.
Today was the Du Xian Sect's disciples' expedition, organized every five years to let disciples explore the world and deepen their understanding of cultivation.
Any formal disciple could sign up for this event, which offered twelve destinations tailored to different cultivation stages.
Du Xian Sect admitted disciples on a large scale every two hundred years, forming a new generation. Among them, some had progressed rapidly, reaching the sixth stage of Foundation Establishment, catching up with many 'elders' who had practiced for thousands of years.
Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Return to Void were the four major stages before becoming an immortal. These stages determined strength and potential after ascension.
Someone like Ling'e, who joined the sect ten years ago and took a master with no fame, even before ascending, had reached the eighth stage of Qi refinement, drawing significant attention.
Brother and sister stood three feet apart under the shade of a tree. Many gazes fell on them, and most observers assumed their relationship was not particularly good.
Ling'e twisted a willow sprout in her fingers, hesitating several times before speaking.
Three Agreements, First Article: Maintain a three-foot distance in front of outsiders. Three Agreements, Second Article: Avoid idle chat outside unless necessary.