Preaching and Instruction

This girl, Li Yunxi, had also passed the assessment, possessing a Wood Spirit Root.

Xue Linglong had extended her help the previous day. Without Xue Linglong’s intervention, Li Yunxi likely wouldn’t have been able to join the Luoshen Sect at all.

Consequently, a profound gratitude blossomed within her heart for Xue Linglong. As for Bai Lan, her presence was merely incidental.

“Oh, it’s you, Sister,” Xue Linglong said, immediately rising to greet her.

“Yes,” Li Yunxi replied, introducing herself. “My name is Li Yunxi. Please take care of me.”

Bai Lan and Xue Linglong promptly introduced themselves in turn. Once the introductions were complete, Li Yunxi settled down beside Bai Lan.

However, after taking her seat, she found herself at a loss, unsure how to initiate conversation with either Bai Lan or Xue Linglong.

A wave of awkwardness washed over her, a sentiment silently echoed in her thoughts.

Yet, Li Yunxi’s inner awkwardness was entirely perceptible to Xue Linglong. Xue Linglong cast a puzzled glance at Li Yunxi, realizing she could hear others’ thoughts.

This was an entirely new phenomenon, a peculiar ability that seemed to have manifested only after the previous night.

Had something happened to me? she wondered. For now, however, there was no one who could provide an answer.

“Sister Yunxi,” Xue Linglong suddenly suggested, “the three of us are likely thorns in that princess’s side now. Where are you currently residing? Why not move in and stay with Sister Bai Lan and me?”

Xue Linglong’s suggestion stemmed from observing Li Yunxi continuously glancing at Chen Xuan in the distance, a clear ripple of fear evident in her inner thoughts.

Since all three of us have incurred Chen Xuan’s displeasure, it would be beneficial to live together for mutual support, she reasoned.

Bai Lan, however, was not in the least concerned with such matters at the moment.

As long as it didn’t directly impact her, she remained indifferent. She merely kept her eyes closed, uttering no words unless someone explicitly addressed her.

As the majority of outer sect disciples began to arrive, the platform rapidly filled, becoming almost entirely occupied.

A moment later…

“Has everyone arrived?” A gentle female voice suddenly resonated in the ears of the assembled disciples.

The sound was as enchanting as a lark’s song—crisp, luminous, and incredibly soothing, as if a soft, small hand were tenderly caressing their very souls.

The voice preceded its owner, yet instinctively, everyone’s gaze drifted towards the preaching platform ahead. Moments later, a graceful woman, adorned in a magnificent lotus-colored gown, descended from the distant sky, landing with poised elegance upon the rostrum.

This arrival was none other than Qiu Hanyun, the Transmitting Elder and Pavilion Master of Tianyin Pavilion, who was tasked with instructing the outer sect disciples today.

Qiu Hanyun was a cultivator in the late Nascent Soul stage. In fact, even the least formidable elders of the Luoshen Sect were at least at the late Nascent Soul stage.

Having cultivated the art of musical harmony, she possessed the gentlest disposition among all the elders.

Naturally, the outer sect disciples did not recognize this figure. However, Qiu Hanyun was accompanied by several inner sect disciples from Tianyin Pavilion, who would undoubtedly introduce her identity to the newcomers.

“This is the Inner Sect Third Elder, Pavilion Master of Tianyin Pavilion, Qiu Hanyun,” one of the Tianyin Pavilion disciples announced, prompting them. “Why do you not rise and pay your respects?”

Upon hearing this, the disciples immediately rose to their feet and bowed respectfully to Qiu Hanyun.

“Disciples pay respects to Third Elder!” they chorused in unison.

Is that Qiu Hanyun? Bai Lan mused, observing her. Master’s junior sister? She appears to be a beauty entirely opposite to Master, radiating an aura of gentle grace and dignity.

Gazing at the outer sect disciples before her, a number almost double that of previous occasions, Qiu Hanyun offered a faint smile before speaking.

“Please, all of you, be seated,” she instructed. “As this teaching session occurs only once a month, let us not waste any time. Let us begin.”

Upon hearing her words, the disciples immediately settled down in unison, awaiting Qiu Hanyun’s instruction.

Once seated, Qiu Hanyun adjusted her attire before retrieving a booklet detailing the cultivation methods of the Hundred Flowers Technique. She then opened it to the first page.

The other disciples, similarly, produced their own copies of the Hundred Flowers Technique and turned to the initial page.

“The Hundred Flowers Technique serves as the foundational cultivation method of the Luoshen Sect, a compulsory study for all,” Qiu Hanyun began. “Our sect differs from others in this regard.”

“While other sects might directly promote exceptionally talented disciples to the inner sect, the Luoshen Sect treats everyone equally. We conduct an inner sect disciple test every three years.”

“This means that in three years, you may undergo assessments within the four major factions of the Luoshen Sect. Those who pass will directly become inner sect disciples of their chosen faction.”

“Alternatively, if you achieve Foundation Establishment, you may also choose to join a faction. However, you are granted only a century. Should you fail to reach Foundation Establishment within that hundred-year period, you will be required to leave the Luoshen Sect. Therefore, you must cultivate with utmost diligence.”

Qiu Hanyun’s words served as a stark reminder to all present.

This particular rule was already well-known among the disciples.

Having conveyed these instructions, Qiu Hanyun proceeded to elaborate on the Hundred Flowers Technique. This method necessitated cultivation in conjunction with the Luoshen Sect’s Hundred Flowers Pills.

Naturally, practicing in areas abundant with blooming flowers and plants could also yield excellent results. The Hundred Flowers Technique primarily harnessed the power of various blossoms to achieve a remarkable youth-preserving effect.

Of course, merely absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth would result in a very slow cultivation speed. But what exactly was this ‘spiritual energy of heaven and earth’?

It was, in essence, the amalgamated energy derived from the essence of mountains, rivers, flowers, plants, sun, and moon.

This energy was indispensable for cultivators; without it, cultivation would be utterly impossible.

Qiu Hanyun began by imparting the techniques and mental cultivation methods for absorbing spiritual energy. Following this, she instructed them on the proper way to cultivate the Hundred Flowers Technique, highlighting crucial taboos and precautions.

Regarding the Hundred Flowers Pills, all outer sect disciples were entitled to receive a monthly allocation of thirty pills. Each pill could accelerate the cultivation speed of the Hundred Flowers Technique by one hour.

Additionally, they would receive thirty spirit stones. These constituted the monthly provisions for outer sect disciples, to be distributed to them once the teaching session concluded.

Naturally, relying solely on the monthly stipends provided by the Luoshen Sect would prove insufficient. Should outer sect disciples desire more spirit stones or Hundred Flowers Pills, they would need to undertake tasks assigned by the sect.

By completing these missions, they could earn sect contributions, which could then be exchanged for desired items at the Outer Sect Contribution Pavilion.

Tasks could be claimed at the Outer Sect Mission Hall. However, failing to complete an accepted task would incur penalties, emphasizing the importance of assessing one’s capabilities before committing.

The tasks assigned to outer sect disciples were typically straightforward. For instance, they might be required to gather pollen from the myriad flowers on Eternal Blossom Island—an essential ingredient for crafting Hundred Flowers Pills.

Another common task involved capturing spirit insects found on Eternal Blossom Island. These insects, of which there were many varieties, often aided the Luoshen Sect in acquiring more pollen and Hundred Flowers Nectar.

During this inaugural teaching session, most of the disciples listened with a bewildered air, as it was their first exposure to such instruction.

However, Bai Lan and those who already possessed a foundational understanding of cultivation grasped the concepts immediately, destined to progress at a swifter pace.

There was one notable exception: Xue Linglong. She, too, comprehended everything instantly. She couldn’t explain why she understood so swiftly, but her thoughts were remarkably clear.

She instinctively knew what to do, remembering all the techniques and mental cultivation methods after merely observing and listening once.

This teaching session spanned nearly three hours. Beyond imparting cultivation methods, it also included several demonstrations of the Luoshen Sect’s fundamental technique, the Luoshen Sword Art.

However, only one inner sect disciple performed the demonstration, repeating it three times. Those who managed to commit it to memory would naturally find its cultivation straightforward.

For those who couldn’t remember, there was simply no recourse. Furthermore, any other cultivation methods similarly required disciples to exchange them using their sect contributions.

“Very well,” Qiu Hanyun announced, rising to her feet. “Today’s teaching session concludes here. The Hundred Flowers Pills and spirit stones will now be distributed. We shall meet again next month. I shall take my leave.”

With a graceful motion, she ascended into the air and departed.

“We respectfully see off the Elder!”

The disciples bowed once more. After Qiu Hanyun’s departure, the inner sect disciples began calling out to the crowd, instructing them to come forward and collect their monthly stipends.

The scene grew somewhat chaotic, yet thankfully, no incidents occurred.