Chapter Sixty-Seven: Under the Gate of Mount Hua

Jiang Yan gazed intently at Ning Qian, and the transparent information interface flickered before displaying Ning Qian’s details:

Name: Ning Qian
Sect: Mount Hua
Position: Second-generation disciple
Cultivation: Third level of Qi Refinement
Weapon: None
Technique: First-grade Intermediate “Greenwood Technique”
Merit points: —
Innate Talent: 90

“Ninety?” Jiang Yan’s brows almost shot up in surprise. After taking the Bone-refining Pill, Junior Brother Nan’s innate talent had only reached 105; after the same pill, Junior Brother Mu’s was merely 93. Yet this newly accepted disciple, without the benefit of any Bone-refining Pill, already possessed an astonishing score.

It could be said that Ning Qian was almost born for cultivation. With an innate talent of 90, reaching the Foundation Establishment and Core Formation stages would be a simple feat. Now, with Jiang Yan’s guidance, it was not impossible for Ning Qian to attain the legendary realm of powerful cultivators in the future.

As for the Bone-refining Pill, Ning Qian no longer had any need for it. Although taking the pill would certainly allow him to reach the level of Junior Brother Nan, Jiang Yan had his own considerations. With Ning Qian’s current talent, his future prospects were already boundless—there was no need to push for more.

Ning Qian respectfully bowed to Jiang Yan. “Master, I would like to return to the training ground to cultivate. If you have no further instructions, may I take my leave?”

Jiang Yan waved his hand, signaling Ning Qian to go. As Ning Qian departed, Jiang Yan’s gaze turned to the still-pensive Zisu. When it came to comprehension, Zisu was a bit behind Ning Qian; he wondered how their innate talents compared.

Name: Zisu
Sect: Mount Hua
Position: Second-generation disciple
Cultivation: Sixth level of Qi Refinement
Weapon: Violet Condensation Sword
Techniques: First-grade Advanced “Water Transformation Technique,” First-grade Intermediate “Water Arrow Technique”
Merit points: —
Innate Talent: 84

Zisu’s innate talent was also quite good. Although somewhat inferior to Ning Qian, it was still considered outstanding among her peers. Coupled with her steadfast nature, her future achievements would likely not fall much short of Ning Qian’s.

“I understand, thank you for your guidance, Master,” Zisu finally said, lifting her head, her delicate face still carrying a faint cold sternness.

Jiang Yan was unconcerned and smiled. “Good, as long as you understand. I know you harbor hatred, and I can comprehend that, but you must not force things beyond reason. Otherwise, inner demons will arise, and even I may not be able to save you then.”

A trace of fear flickered across Zisu’s face. She obediently lowered her head and bowed. “Your disciple accepts your teaching.”

Having offered his admonition, Jiang Yan suddenly thought of Zisu’s junior sisters and asked, “Zisu, how are your junior sisters? Has Lin Ke recovered from her injuries?”

A hint of unease appeared on Zisu’s face, and she answered anxiously, “Master, my second junior sister—no, Master—Lin Ke’s injuries have fully healed. She wanted to thank you in person, but you’ve been busy with sect affairs, so she hasn’t had the chance.”

Jiang Yan waved dismissively. “That’s unnecessary. As long as she’s recovered, that’s all that matters. I’m not concerned with her gratitude. By the way, where are you all living now?”

“At Yiya Residence,” Zisu replied respectfully.

Jiang Yan looked at Zisu in puzzlement. The entrance to Yiya Residence was protected by the sect’s grand formation; without a disciple’s identity token, one could not enter. Now that the women of the Violet Garment Sect were living there, Jiang Yan was a bit surprised.

“Senior Aunt Wan moved to the alchemy house on the back mountain a few days ago. Yun Ying—uh, Senior Aunt Ying—also insisted on moving there with her. Before leaving, Senior Aunt Wan gave me her identity token, which I’ve temporarily borrowed for myself and my junior sisters,” Zisu explained respectfully.

The news that Tang Wan and Yun Ying had moved to the alchemy house astonished Jiang Yan. It seemed Junior Sister Wan was quite dedicated to alchemy, even relocating there. He ought to pay a visit soon—having just instructed his disciples to practice moderation in cultivation, it wouldn’t do for Junior Sister Wan to run into trouble in her eagerness to become an alchemist.

As for Zisu’s awkwardness in addressing Yun Ying, Jiang Yan wasn’t surprised. Anyone would feel odd the first time they had to call a girl much younger than themselves an elder. So he didn’t mind her slip of the tongue.

With a flick of his wrist, four pristine disciple identity tokens appeared in Jiang Yan’s palm. Wrapped in spiritual power, the tokens floated to Zisu. Jiang Yan said calmly, “Zisu, for your sake, I’ve arranged for your junior sisters to join Mount Hua. Here are four identity tokens. After a drop of blood, they’re ready for use—take them. Return your senior aunts’ tokens as soon as possible.”

Hearing Jiang Yan’s dispassionate words, Zisu’s expression changed slightly. It seemed Master really did value the junior aunts. Thankfully, she hadn’t called them by name, or who knew how he might have punished her.

Taking the tokens, Zisu examined them with curiosity. It was strange that such a small token could grant entry through the formation that could slay a seventh-level Qi Refiner. After glancing at Jiang Yan, who had closed his eyes, Zisu bowed, retreated a few steps, and left the main hall, heading for Yiya Residence. As she walked, she pondered—it was time to return after days at the training ground, and with her master’s instructions, it was also time to have an honest talk with her junior sisters.

…

Mount Hua, Yiya Residence

Zisu placed the four pristine identity tokens on the table and slowly sat down.

Duo’er approached in amazement, picking up one of the tokens. “Identity tokens! Blank identity tokens, Senior Sister—where did you get these?”

Lin Ke, her face veiled in black, stepped forward, poured Zisu a cup of tea, and gently chided Duo’er, “Junior Sister, Senior Sister hasn’t been back for days. If she’s returned today, she must have something important to announce. Sit down properly.”

Zisu glanced at Lin Ke’s veiled face, a shadow passing through her eyes. “Second Junior Sister, your injuries…”

Lin Ke smiled softly as she handed the tea to Zisu. “Please have some tea, Senior Sister. The fact that I’m still alive is already a miracle. After being thrown from that high cliff, it feels as if I’ve been reborn in another world. How could I still care about my appearance? You needn’t worry for me.”

“Senior Sister, did you bring back these four tokens tonight after gaining Mr. Jiang’s permission, allowing us to join Mount Hua?” Lin Ke quickly changed the subject, noticing her sisters’ eyes growing red.

The sadness on Zisu’s face eased a little. She said to her sisters, “Master has agreed—you can all join Mount Hua. I came today to hear your own wishes.”

Tears welled in Ding Ning’s eyes, and suddenly she started crying, “Senior Sister, I don’t want to leave the Violet Garment Sect. I don’t want to join Mount Hua…”

Duo’er looked at her senior sister with anxiety, unsure what to say. After a while, she turned her gaze to Lin Ke, hoping for guidance.

Seeing her sisters’ attention, Lin Ke sat down beside Zisu and spoke gently, “The Violet Garment Sect is gone. For us women, wandering the world might mean hardship, but if our reputations are ruined, regret will come too late.”

She paused, looking at her two junior sisters. Ding Ning had stopped crying, and Duo’er was deep in thought. Lin Ke continued, “In my view, Mount Hua is far stronger than our old sect. You all saw Mr. Jiang’s character in Linqing Prefecture. Now that we can join Mount Hua, you two should follow Senior Sister and become his disciples.”

Ding Ning lowered her eyes in sorrow, considering Lin Ke’s words.

Duo’er frowned deeply, pondering her second sister’s advice. After several brushes with death, now faced with a decision about her future, even her carefree nature had grown cautious.

Time ticked by, and the sun was setting outside the window.

Finally, Ding Ning stood, walked to Zisu, knelt down on both knees, and declared resolutely, “Senior Sister, I wish to follow your example, to become Mr. Jiang’s disciple and sweep away the Tianshan menace!”

Zisu hurried to help Ding Ning up, her own eyes misty with tears. “Don’t worry, Junior Sister. I’ll petition Master again to take you under his personal tutelage.” Although Jiang Yan had agreed to admit the three women into Mount Hua, he hadn’t said under whom they would study. So for Ding Ning to become his direct disciple, Zisu still needed to ask him.

With Ding Ning’s decision made, it was Duo’er’s turn. Under the gaze of her three senior sisters, she grew nervous and stammered, “I—I don’t like fighting and killing. I want to be Mr. Mu’s disciple and go into business.”

Duo’er had spent many days wandering Mount Hua, becoming quite familiar with Sun Yang, a second-generation disciple, and knew all about the ambitions of Sun Yang and his master.

Zisu hesitated, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, she held back.

With both her sixth junior sister and Duo’er having made their choices, Zisu turned her attention to Lin Ke to hear her thoughts.

Lin Ke, under her sisters’ gaze, poured herself a cup of tea, tasted it slowly, and then said softly, “Senior Sister, does Mount Hua have an alchemist? If so, I’d like to become one. I don’t wish to fight anymore—after what happened, I’m truly afraid.”

A trace of sadness crossed Zisu’s face—her second junior sister too wished to avoid avenging the sect’s destruction. But she still said, “Wait here. I’ll go and ask Senior Aunt Wan for you.”

…