Before the ceremony

Today marked one of the grandest events the Qingyun Sword Sect had seen in decades — the Head of the Talisman Peak, a Golden Core True Person, was taking in a new disciple.

Naturally, the entire sect was in an uproar of excitement.

The ceremony was held in the Sword-Hiding Valley, which only inner sect disciples were permitted to enter.

However, the thousands of outer sect disciples, though unable to witness the occasion firsthand, were not forgotten by their sect.

From early morning, several outer sect halls were opened — and even though it wasn’t payday, long lines of disciples formed eagerly.

A few days earlier, word had already spread: the sect master’s kind-hearted junior sister was the one accepting a disciple today, and she had generously offered her own spirit stones as gifts for the entire sect.

Each disciple received at least one or two months’ worth of pay — not a fortune, but free spirit stones were free spirit stones.

Even if they couldn’t see the ceremony with their own eyes, holding a bulging pouch of stones made them feel part of the celebration.

Rumor had it that the new disciple being accepted today had, until recently, lived in the outer sect like them — in a humble hut halfway up the mountain, receiving a meager allowance.

Yet within a short span, after a single closed-door cultivation, she had soared from the chicken coop to the phoenix perch — becoming the personal disciple of a Golden Core master!

No one could help but feel envious.

To become a personal disciple of a peak lord meant unlimited resources — rare pills like candy, the freedom to study any technique, and daily meals of spirit beast meat.

Most importantly, a master never withheld teachings from their disciple.

Even a few casual pointers from a Golden Core cultivator could benefit a Qi Refining disciple for life!

After collecting their rewards, the disciples dispersed in waves.

Occasionally, streaks of light zipped overhead — no doubt inner sect cultivators riding their swords through the air.

The sect usually left the outer sect disciples to their own devices.

Those with talent and drive would eventually enter the inner sect; the untalented or lazy would leave the sect on their own after a few years.

But today’s ceremony — a Golden Core master taking a disciple — had lit a spark among them.

Even those who had just collected their spirit stones hurried back to their huts to meditate and cultivate, hoping to change their fates one day.

“This really happened…” muttered Deacon Song, the one who had once processed Cao Xueyan’s application to enter the inner sect.

His position let him hear some inside information, and once he confirmed the new disciple’s name — he nearly fell over.

That girl! The same one who had come to him barely a month ago, average aptitude, nothing special — and now she was a personal disciple of Peak Lord Xiao Menglan of Talisman Peak!

Truly, fate was unpredictable.

Even he received a generous reward — not only spirit stones and pills, but permission to select a free spell from the Sect’s Scripture Pavilion!

Normally, he could only look longingly at such treasures, unable to afford them.

Today, he could finally learn one without spending a single coin.

He grinned all the way to the Pavilion.

With this new technique, his cultivation would surely progress faster — and when his strength grew, he would, of course, pay a visit to congratulate the new disciple properly.

While the outer sect quieted down after the brief excitement, the inner sect was abuzz with anticipation.

Why?

Because all the major peak lords, elders, and even the sect master herself would attend the ceremony.

Even if it was organized hastily and kept simple, there would still be Golden Core experts preaching the Dao on the spot — a priceless opportunity.

For disciples, even one line spoken by such cultivators could be a revelation.

When Sword-Hiding Valley finally opened, crowds of inner sect disciples rushed in.

High above, an elder and several enforcers hovered midair, maintaining order.

“Get off your flying swords immediately upon entering the valley!” the elder thundered, his voice like rolling thunder.

“How many times must I repeat myself? Sword-Hiding Valley is sacred ground! The Sect Master herself has lifted the restrictions for you to witness the ceremony — if you break the rules again, don’t blame me for throwing you out!”

At once, several flying swords wobbled and descended hastily.

“Hmph. No discipline at all,” the elder snorted.

“If one of you crashes into a Peak Lord or the Sect Master, will you take responsibility?”

The disciples scrambled to apologize.

“Elder, please forgive us! We were just too eager to witness Peak Lord Xiao and her new disciple’s grace in person.”

“Spare me your flattery,” the elder barked.

“I know full well you just want a front-row spot to show your faces to the higher-ups! Forget shortcuts — if your talent’s not enough, cultivate harder instead of scheming all day!”

He wasn’t wrong.

Many disciples dreamed of catching the eye of a powerful master — one lucky connection could secure their future forever.

Still, no one dared argue.

They stowed their swords and proceeded on foot into the valley.

True to its name, the Sword-Hiding Valley exuded sword energy everywhere.

The moment they entered, the disciples felt sharp spiritual pressure swirling in the air.

The blades at their waists trembled, resonating faintly with the ambient sword intent.

Farther ahead stood a magnificent Daoist arena, quite different from ordinary ones.

At its center rose a tall altar, surrounded by eight massive bronze cauldrons filled with offerings — rare spirit herbs, minerals, and even slain spirit beasts whose bodies radiated powerful energy.

In the cultivation world, the bond between master and disciple was sacred — often stronger than blood or love.

Lovers could betray each other, but master and disciple rose and fell together.

The disciples halted before the arena; only the peak lords and elders would stand within.

There, dressed in ceremonial robes woven with phoenix feathers, stood Cao Xueyan — the focus of the day — nervous but composed under countless gazes.

Fortunately, her master Xiao Menglan stood beside her, radiating calm and dignity.

With that reassurance, Cao Xueyan bowed deeply and said clearly:

“Disciple Cao Xueyan greets all Peak Lords and Elders.”