Promotion to Personal Disciple

Bai Yiren’s sudden announcement stunned the inner sect disciples. It was an extraordinary event for a faction to take on a personal disciple, especially one promoted directly from the outer sect, a precedent rarely set.

Even in the past, Ximen Xue and Luo Yuyan had first become junior inner sect disciples, slowly distinguishing themselves before catching Bai Yiren’s eye, only then being accepted as personal disciples.

Moreover, according to the rules, if a faction leader wished to take a personal disciple, they should first choose from among the inner sect disciples. Of course, exceptions were made if an outer sect disciple possessed exceptionally rare talent.

Yet, even Ximen Xue, with her Ice Spirit Body, had risen from a junior inner sect disciple to a personal disciple. This direct promotion was bound to displease many inner sect disciples.

Opportunities for personal disciples were scarce; each faction leader was permitted to take only three per generation. This meant that if Bai Yiren accepted Bai Lan, the inner sect disciples would lose their chance entirely.

“This? Master, isn’t this inappropriate? It’s rare for an outer sect disciple in our Luoshen Sect to be directly promoted to a personal disciple. This disciple admits that Junior Sister Bai possesses remarkable talent in the Way of the Sword, but even with her exceptional aptitude, could she truly surpass our Senior Sister in her prime?” A senior inner sect disciple stepped forward.

Their future was at stake, so silence was not an option. They stood on principle, and thus, they argued their case with reason. As soon as the female disciple spoke, several other inner sect disciples also voiced their objections.

Bai Lan watched the surrounding inner sect disciples oppose her direct promotion, feeling a touch of surprise.

It seems things aren’t quite so simple, Bai Lan mused inwardly.

Bai Yiren observed the protesting disciples without anger, understanding that their opposition was reasonable, grounded in both logic and sect regulations.

“But have you forgotten? The sect rules also state that an outer sect disciple of exceptional talent may be granted a special promotion to personal disciple,” Bai Yiren reminded them.

At her words, the dissenting disciples paused, taken aback.

They soon seemed to grasp her meaning, and their gazes, filled with astonishment, turned towards Bai Lan.

“Master, are you implying that Junior Sister Bai possesses a special physique? Is it even superior to Senior Sister’s Ice Spirit Body?” someone inquired.

Cultivation physiques were categorized into Spirit Bodies, Divine Bodies, Sacred Bodies, Immortal Bodies, and Dao Bodies. Among these, Spirit Bodies were the most common, though still one in ten thousand. Next were Divine Bodies, often inherited, meaning a descendant with the bloodline of an ascended ancestor could awaken that ancestor’s physique.

Then came Sacred Bodies, Immortal Bodies, and Dao Bodies. These three awakened randomly, their order of superiority depending entirely on luck. However, those with an Immortal Body were destined for immortality, provided they did not perish.

For instance, Xue Linglong possessed an Immortal Body, specifically the Linglong Immortal Body. Bai Lan’s Chaos Body, however, was a unique, supreme physique that transcended these standard classifications, fitting into none of the categories while potentially encompassing elements of all.

“Precisely. In truth, Bai Lan was my designated personal disciple long ago; I merely sent her to the outer sect for some experience. I cannot disclose her specific physique to you, but I can reveal that her physique surpasses even that of your Senior Sister,” Bai Yiren explained.

Upon hearing this, everyone understood. Among all special physiques, only Spirit Bodies did not require strict secrecy. Spirit Bodies were known for their specialized nature; for example, Ximen Xue’s Ice Spirit Body was only suitable for cultivating ice-attribute techniques, limiting other paths.

Incidentally, Bai Yiren also possessed a special physique, though only she, Luo Yan, and their master knew its true nature; it remained a secret to everyone else.

“So that’s how it is. If that’s the case, then it must have already received the Sect Master’s approval. In that event, this disciple has nothing further to say.” The inner sect disciples reluctantly conceded.

They could not demand Bai Yiren disclose Bai Lan’s unique physique. Physiques above the Spirit Body level were generally kept secret; even inherited Divine Bodies were not casually revealed to outsiders.

“Good that you understand. Zhou Hui, go to the entrance and relieve your Second Senior Sister, then bring her in. Take your Third Junior Sister to complete the entry procedures for a personal disciple of the Immortal’s Abode,” Bai Yiren instructed.

Soon, a girl with a youthful face, dressed in the attire of a senior inner sect disciple, rose from her seat.

“Yes, Revered Master,” the disciple named Zhou Hui replied respectfully.

Only personal disciples were privileged to address the faction leader as ‘Master,’ while other disciples could only use the more formal ‘Revered Master.’ The former implied a closer relationship, while the latter conveyed profound respect.

Bai Lan waited for a moment. Soon, Luo Yuyan happily rushed in, greeted Bai Yiren, then took Bai Lan’s hand and led her out of the Sword Pavilion.

“Ah! It’s finally over. The sect always insists on these superficial formalities. It would be so much simpler to just let us in directly, but they have to make it so troublesome,” Luo Yuyan grumbled about the Luoshen Sect’s regulations the moment they exited the Sword Pavilion.

Bai Lan heard her words and couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“Senior Sister, every power needs formal procedures to manage its disciples. If everything were straightforward, how would the Sect Master and our Masters establish their authority? Without authority, how could anyone be expected to obey?” Bai Lan reasoned.

Luo Yuyan rolled her eyes.

“You’re just like Senior Sister, always spouting grand philosophies. Really, you’re no different from Senior Sister now, not cute at all. You were much cuter three years ago,” Luo Yuyan complained.

“Eh? I…” Bai Lan was momentarily speechless.

“Hmph! I don’t care. Master is a block of ice, and Senior Sister is a block of ice. I won’t allow you to be one too! I’ve decided, I’m going to properly train you to be a normal person, not a giant iceberg,” Luo Yuyan declared righteously.

Indeed, apart from Luo Yuyan, the other three were all icebergs, each more aloof than the last.

This coldness wasn’t expressed through actions or words, but primarily through their personalities and temperaments—they were taciturn and distant.

Fortunately, Bai Lan hadn’t reached Ximen Xue’s level; Ximen Xue was famously sparing with her words.

“Alright, alright, let’s go handle the initiation procedures first,” Bai Lan sighed, cutting off Luo Yuyan’s complaints.

Luo Yuyan nodded, then led Bai Lan to the Inner Sect Disciple Management Office. While faction disciples nominally belonged to their faction, they were, more accurately, under dual management.

They had to obey both the faction leader and the Sect Master.

A short while later, they arrived at the Inner Sect Disciple Management Office.

“Junior Aunt Ye, my Master has taken on a new personal disciple! Could you help her with the entry procedures?” Luo Yuyan called out to a busy purple-robed woman inside the moment they entered the office.

Soon, a seemingly amiable female cultivator emerged. This was Ye Yuyan, a Luoshen Sect deacon at the early Nascent Soul realm, responsible for inner sect disciple entry inspections, uniform distribution, and cultivation technique allocation.

“Oh, Yuyan. Your Master has taken another personal disciple?” Ye Yuyan looked at Bai Lan with some curiosity.

“Yes, she has. Junior Sister, this is Junior Aunt Ye Yuyan,” Luo Yuyan introduced Ye Yuyan to Bai Lan.

Bai Lan, understanding the custom, promptly stepped forward to bow in greeting.

Deacon Ye Yuyan’s gaze lingered on Bai Lan, a strange expression on her face. She likely found Bai Lan and Bai Yiren remarkably similar, as if they were cast from the same mold.