Invitation

Cao Xueyan soon received her own share of the monthly stipend.

It was not much — a few jin of spirit rice, a pouch of spirit stones, and some ordinary pills.

Because she was a disciple of the Talisman Peak, the steward at the counter, after glancing at her token, also gave her a few sheets of pre-cut talisman paper and a small oil-paper-wrapped bundle.

Cao Xueyan sniffed the faint fragrance of ink drifting out and realized that the bundle contained ink sticks.

Once soaked in water, the sticks could be ground into the kind of ink used for drawing talismans.

Drawing talismans was not the same as painting pictures.

It required very high standards for the paper, the brush, and especially the ink.

The ink had to be made from materials capable of carrying the spiritual energy of heaven and earth as well as the cultivator’s own power.

Usually the main ingredient was a special mineral ground into powder, or the ash of a certain spiritual wood, mixed with the blood of a demon beast.

After cooling and solidifying into sticks, it needed only to be mixed with water to release the proper ink.

Some high-ranking talisman masters preferred so-called “aged ink,” ink that had been stored for a long time.

Cao Xueyan did not understand why that was so.

In any case, Xiao Menglan had never used that sort of antique-looking ink when drawing talismans.

Having collected her stipend, Cao Xueyan did not linger.

The Azure Cloud Sword Sect was vast, and it took quite some time to go back and forth.

If she were delayed, she might be scolded by Xiao Menglan.

To be fair, Xiao Menglan had kept her promise this time and had not bullied her to the point that she could not get out of bed again.

But the little daily teasing and playful touches never ceased.

Over time, it left Cao Xueyan feeling neither able to go willingly nor able to stay away — a frustrating in-between state.

On the way back, Cao Xueyan passed by many lively scenes.

It was because the sect’s grand disciple tournament was approaching.

Many disciples, eager to test themselves, seized this chance to challenge others and measure the depth of their cultivation after ten years.

And in keeping with human nature since ancient times, wherever there was a contest, there would naturally be an audience.

On the platform, blades and swords clashed in dazzling displays.

Below the stage, cheers and applause rang out.

Everyone was busy with their own part, and the atmosphere seemed harmonious and lively.

It was worth noting that those bold enough to set up an arena for open duels were usually at least in the Foundation-Building stage.

Foundation-Building cultivators possessed far more powerful means than those in the Qi-Refining stage.

Their techniques and spells were dazzling, full of radiant lights and colors, utterly unlike the crude, low-grade effects of Qi-Refining novices.

Cao Xueyan was only passing by.

Still, she could not help but pause for a while to watch before forcing herself to move on.

Some senior brothers and sisters took their fights into the air on flying swords.

Cao Xueyan craned her neck to watch but could not make much sense of it and ended up with a sore neck, so she turned her eyes away.

Stopping and starting along the road, she finally returned to the Moon-Inviting Palace.

Upon entering the room, Cao Xueyan saw Xiao Menglan writing something with a brush.

At first, she thought it was a talisman.

But when she leaned closer, she realized it was not.

“Master, are you writing invitations?” she asked.

“Exactly,” Xiao Menglan replied without pausing her brushwork.

“Isn’t our important day coming soon?

I thought it best to send the invitations out early.

There aren’t many people we need to invite — the most important is your Uncle-Master Qin, then the peak lords of the various peaks, and a few elders.

Oh yes, do you remember that Senior Li we met at the entrance of the Scripture Pavilion last time?

Don’t be fooled by his unassuming appearance.

He has been there since long before I even joined the sect, and his seniority is extremely high.”

Cao Xueyan nodded.

Of course she remembered the old man napping by the entrance of the Scripture Pavilion.

He clearly looked like one of those aloof, world-weary sweeper-monk figures whose true strength was immeasurable.

“Don’t we need to invite some of the disciples as well?” Cao Xueyan asked.

If they only invited the people Xiao Menglan mentioned, the number of guests would seem rather small.

According to what she had read in the simulation, this was a grand event for the whole sect, with many disciples participating.

Xiao Menglan smiled faintly and explained, “Once we send out these invitations to the peak lords and elders, they will bring their disciples and juniors along.

And those juniors will bring their friends to join the bustle.

Gradually, by the time the day arrives, half the sect will have heard and come.”

When Xiao Menglan finally finished writing the last of the invitations, she put down the brush and stretched her fingers and shoulders.

To show sincerity, it was not enough merely to write words on ordinary paper.

After all, Xiao Menglan was the only third-rank talisman master in the entire Azure Cloud Sword Sect, and she would never be careless about something as important as accepting a disciple.

Not to mention that the packaging of the invitations was exquisite, even the words inside were written using a special technique.

When first opened, the invitation appeared blank.

But once a little spiritual power was infused into it, the writing would appear, accompanied by a faint, melodious Daoist chant.

Moreover, Xiao Menglan’s calligraphy was naturally superb — as graceful as a startled swan, as lively as a swimming dragon.

If one looked closely, the characters on the paper seemed to move ever so slightly.

It was no illusion but a deliberate effect, carefully crafted by Xiao Menglan.

From the invitations alone, one could see how much importance Xiao Menglan placed on this ceremony of accepting a disciple.

“In a few days, you will come with me to deliver these invitations in person,” Xiao Menglan said as she gently took hold of Cao Xueyan’s soft hand.

“You hardly know anyone in the sect, so this will be a good opportunity to meet some faces.

Not to mention your Uncle-Master Qin, even the other peak lords and elders are usually busy with their cultivation and the sect’s affairs — they are not people you can meet whenever you like, unlike me.

So this time, delivering the invitations is mainly for you to get acquainted with their juniors.

Now that you have become my personal disciple, you stand at the same rank as them, even a little higher.

Although your cultivation is still shallow, you must never show timidity before them.

You are my direct disciple, and the future of the sect rests in the hands of people like you.

Even if others do not accept you at first, you must make them do so.

That is how you will establish your footing in the sect.

Do you understand?”

How could Cao Xueyan not understand?

The cultivation world revered strength, but within a sect, seniority and rank also mattered greatly.

As Xiao Menglan’s personal disciple, Cao Xueyan’s status was naturally high.

At least before Sect Master Qin Ximo accepted any personal disciples of her own, Cao Xueyan’s rank was among the highest of all the disciples.

This was not like a mundane clan where being young but of high rank might provoke resentment — no one in the sect would stoop to quarrel with a mere child over such matters.

But cultivators were different.

Every one of them had ambitions as high as the heavens.

In this place, identity, status, and seniority meant access to countless cultivation resources.

Why should Cao Xueyan, of all people, enjoy these privileges?

Would others not envy her?

What Xiao Menglan was doing was paving the way for Cao Xueyan, helping her forge connections and build her network.

The cultivation world was not all about fighting and killing — there was also the matter of human relations.

Cao Xueyan listened carefully.

She knew Xiao Menglan would never harm her.

This was her most beloved master — and the person she cherished most.

As she listened, she could not help but step forward, wrap her arms around Xiao Menglan’s waist from behind, and gently press her cheek against her back.

Xiao Menglan’s brush paused, and she laughed softly.

“Was the trip down the mountain so tiring for you?” she asked.

Cao Xueyan said with a hint of playful complaint, “If only your disciple could ride a flying sword.”

Xiao Menglan held her hand and replied, “Once you reach Foundation-Building, I will teach you myself.

By then, whether it be the highest heavens or the deepest underworld, I will accompany you to see it all.”