Having become Ma Xuedong's third disciple, Ling Yun now held the status of a Sword Sect elite disciple. Although this meant he was exempt from participating in the remaining recruitment tests, the formalities still had to be observed.
Ling Yun sat with the elders, watching the duels of the new disciples being tested. Among them, one particular disciple caught his attention: Ji Wuyin.
This person had been tested with no special constitution, but her cultivation talent was terrifying. At just over thirty years old, she had already reached the second level of the Cave Heaven Realm, making her the most powerful among the new recruits. During the duels, her moves were ruthless. Her opponents were either left crippled or severely injured.
If not for the rule that forbade killing or permanently disabling opponents, it was likely none of her challengers would have survived.
In the end, she was accepted as the fifth and final disciple of Huo Yanyan, one of the elders.
"Ling Yun is truly a beauty," Ji Wuyin muttered as she stared at Ling Yun sitting among the elders, licking her lips.
Ling Yun sensed Ji Wuyin's menacing gaze but didn't pay it much mind. If she dared to stand in his way in the future, he wouldn't hesitate to send her to meet the King of Hell.
Soon, after the brutal duels, the recruitment finally concluded, leaving many disappointed souls. However, for those who had passed, a bright future on the path to immortality awaited.
After the trials, Ling Yun sat beside Ma Xuedong on a beautifully embroidered flying spirit mat. This mat was powered by inserting spirit stones into its corners, allowing it to fly. Since Ma Xuedong could already walk on air, the mat was gifted to Ling Yun for his use.
As they flew, Ma Xuedong explained the basics of the Sword Sect to Ling Yun.
The Sword Sect had a total of ninety-nine peaks, each ruled by a Peak Master at the Divine Soul Realm. Every peak had its own responsibilities, and Ma Xuedong's peak was called Spirit Grass Peak.
Spirit Grass Peak's primary duty was the cultivation and maintenance of spiritual herbs, a relatively laid-back job. Besides the ninety-nine peaks, there was also an Elder Hall, led by the strongest of the Peak Masters.
The most powerful among them was Mo Litian, the master of the Third Peak. It was said that she had already reached the Core Formation Realm. For years, Mo Litian had been pursuing Ma Xuedong, but it was more of a public pursuit than a private one.
On the surface, it seemed like a pursuit, but the two were practically inseparable, always one step away from becoming a couple. However, Ma Xuedong couldn't bring himself to commit. As a proud man, he didn't want anyone to think he had earned his status by relying on his looks or charm.
"What? You're only 14 years old?" Ma Xuedong was in disbelief.
Who in the world looks like that at 14?
"Maybe I matured early," Ling Yun replied with an awkward smile.
Ma Xuedong reached out to pinch Ling Yun's flawless, delicate face. "My dear disciple, how is your skin so perfect? What do you use to take care of it?"
Despite his cold demeanor and reputation for being ruthless, Ma Xuedong was exceedingly kind to those close to him.
"Care for my skin? Is there such a thing?" Ling Yun was puzzled.
In this world, there weren't any skincare products.
"Of course there are! Take the 3,000-year-old Purple Five Petal Flower, for example. While it's a potent detoxifier, you can grind it into a paste and mix it with Clear Spirit Water. Apply it, and your skin will be as soft as silk afterward."
Ma Xuedong was so passionate about the topic of skincare that he went on and on. Ling Yun couldn't help but cringe. He wondered why the Sword Sect had put Ma Xuedong in charge of cultivating spiritual herbs—it was likely that the spirit plants had suffered under his care.
"Master, do you know anything about the Glazed Fruit?" Ling Yun asked, getting back to the matter at hand.
"Glazed Fruit? Of course, we have plenty at the herb garden. They rot on the ground every year because no one uses them. If it weren't for the Sect Leader insisting we keep them, I would've replaced them ages ago," Ma Xuedong replied, clearly irritated by the mention of the Sect Leader.
Ling Yun was awestruck. This was the reality of sect life: resources rotting unused because they weren't allowed to be traded or shared with those who needed them. He might not need it, but others shouldn't have it either.
"Why do you ask?"
"I have a technique that requires Glazed Fruit for cultivation," Ling Yun explained.
"That's easy. I'll have some sent to you later," Ma Xuedong said without pressing further. Everyone had their own secrets, and it wasn't necessary to pry.
After flying for three hours, they finally reached the Sword Sect's gates. Upon presenting Ma Xuedong's elder token, the gatekeepers respectfully opened the gates.
Though it was already nighttime, the Sword Sect's grounds were as bright as day. Massive luminous pearls hung like lanterns, lighting the paths.
"Look! It's Elder Ma! Who's the person behind him?" one of the disciples asked.
"I don't know, but he looks incredibly handsome."
"Just look at those legs—I could admire them for a lifetime."
"Hmph, I still think Elder Ma is more charming."
"You've obviously never been on the receiving end of Elder Mo's anger. Hehe."
…
The disciples below gossiped as Ling Yun and Ma Xuedong flew past.
"You'll get used to it," Ma Xuedong said, not bothered by the chatter. "There are few male disciples in the Sword Sect, so this is something you'll experience often."
Ling Yun looked down at the female disciples, all of whom were fair-skinned and beautiful. In his previous life, each of them would have been a top-tier celebrity, yet here they were, considered ordinary.
After passing several towering peaks, Spirit Grass Peak finally came into view. Even from a distance, the fragrance of the spiritual herbs filled the air, refreshing and uplifting.
"We've arrived," Ma Xuedong said as he landed with Ling Yun.
Though called a peak, it was more like a small town. The Peak Lord's residence was at the top of the peak, lavishly decorated with ten floors in total.
"This is where I live. If you have any questions about cultivation, feel free to come and find me," Ma Xuedong said before shouting, "Jiu Mingming! Where are you? Get over here to the Peak Lord's residence now!"
His voice echoed across the entire Spirit Grass Peak.
Inside a nearby cave, a small figure suddenly opened her eyes, filled with dread.
"Oh no, Master is back!" she muttered, her large eyes brimming with fear.