Do you want to be there?

On the martial field of the Hidden Sword Valley, Lu Jiansheng finished his sermon.

Lu Jiansheng had invited everyone to spend a few carefree days in the Moon Palace before, and this time the sermon lasted a full three days and nights, which showed that it was truly substantial.

The disciples below felt the sound of Dao dwindling from their ears and opened their eyes one after another, their expressions showing both satisfaction and exhaustion.

The teachings of a Golden Core cultivator weren’t something everyone could fully understand.

Most of the time, the disciples were actually in a state of total confusion, yet they still had to pretend to listen carefully.

But even if one could understand just one or two sentences, that was already an enormous gain.

This Peak Lord Lu was not only unparalleled in formations, but his understanding of cultivation was also impeccable.

Considering that the inner disciples present came from different peaks and had varying specialties, Lu Jiansheng tried to explain things as simply and universally as possible.

Without prior preparation, one could never speak continuously for three days and three nights.

He clearly valued the cultivation of the sect’s disciples.

“This preaching ends here.
You may all return to digest what you have learned.”

Lu Jiansheng’s temperament was cold.

Or rather, at his level of cultivation, those who behaved frivolously like Qiu Qiandao or were deeply entangled in love like Meng Menglan were very few.

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure disappeared amidst a rain of flower petals, just as always.

The disciples reacted, and although the master had already left, they still stood up and cupped their hands: “We respectfully send off the Real Person!”

Hundreds of voices merged into one and echoed throughout the valley.

The stewards guarding the valley entrance opened the formation, and with a dazzling shift, the densely stacked forest parted, revealing a natural path.

As the disciples walked toward the exit, they began chatting.

Some looked discouraged, while others were full of excitement.

A handsome young disciple suddenly cupped his hands to several companions and said, “Senior brothers and sisters, during the sermon earlier, I felt something.
I may need to enter seclusion for some days.”

“So urgent?

To be honest, my fellow brothers and I plan to rest a few days first.

After some time, we’ll hold a banquet and try to invite the newly accepted personal disciple to attend.

It would be good for us all to get acquainted.”

“You mean that Junior Sister Cao?”

“Ai, yes yes yes, I misspoke.”

“There are many eyes and ears here.
You may have spoken without bad intent, but others may not hear it that way.
You should be more cautious in the future.”

“Is… that really necessary?
Aren’t we all disciples of the same sect?
It’s just a title difference, and I didn’t offend her personally.”

“Who knows?
From today onward, she and we are no longer on the same level!”

The disciple acceptance ceremony had concluded successfully.

News of it spread throughout the sect as the disciples left the Hidden Sword Valley.

Almost everyone spoke highly of Liao Feng and Cao Xueyan, master and disciple.

Their praises were so extravagant that one would think they were reciting poetry.

The high-ranking elders usually wouldn’t hear such talk, and even if they did, they wouldn’t care.

All of this chatter was mostly meant for the ears of that newly accepted personal disciple.

It was said that this Personal Disciple Cao was very young.

Which meant easy to impress, easy to flatter, and easy to befriend.

If one could become acquainted with a personal disciple, even the crumbs she carelessly dropped would be enough for an ordinary disciple to prosper.

However, several days had passed, and no one in the sect had seen Cao Xueyan.

Some even went near the Talisman Peak to eavesdrop, but she hadn’t appeared there either.

She was most likely staying in the Moon-Inviting Palace with Peak Lord Xiao.

And what kind of place was the Moon-Inviting Palace?

The residence and Dao field of a Peak Lord.

How could ordinary disciples even approach?

“Seriously though, girl, you are a genuine personal disciple now, acknowledged by so many elders.
Shouldn’t you at least show your face?”

Normally, after the disciple ceremony, those proud personal disciples would make their presence known everywhere in the sect.

Some even formed cliques and factions.

But this Lu Peak’s personal disciple did none of that, staying quietly in the Moon-Inviting Palace to cultivate with Real Person Xiao.

As time passed, Cao Xueyan’s reputation slowly improved.

Though no one had seen her, the fact that she showed no interest in petty social matters confirmed that she was truly dedicated to cultivation.

Her character appeared admirable.

Now the whole sect praised her, saying that this personal disciple was diligent and would surely become a pillar of the Qingyun Sword Sect.

As for Cao Xueyan herself—she knew none of this.

Not out of pretense, but simply because she truly didn’t know.

Living in the Moon-Inviting Palace, her world was small—so small that it contained only Xiao Menglan.

And with Xiao Menglan’s personality, she would never mention such rumors.

Over the past few months, Cao Xueyan had finally managed to barely grasp the Ice Soul Silver Needle technique.

Looking at the silver needle between her fingers, she felt a sense of hardship finally paying off.

Heavens knew how much effort she had put in.

Without being able to rely on stat points, her cultivation was especially grueling.

Every day, her hands and meridians were flushed with cold qi, again and again.

The pain was something most people could not endure.

Finally, she had made progress.

Cao Xueyan flicked the silver needle.

It shot into a nearby tree.

From the outside, nothing seemed unusual, but if one were to peel the bark, the inner wood was already decaying and soft.

One could imagine what would happen if this needle pierced a living body.

“You,” Xiao Menglan laughed helplessly, “ever since mastering this technique, you’ve been tormenting this poor tree every day.”

“Is Master not happy for me, but instead worried for this tree?” Cao Xueyan pouted.

“And I can’t test on living people—that would be demonic cultivation!”

Xiao Menglan rolled her eyes.

“You can test on demonic beasts.
Their blood and vitality are strong—far stronger than most cultivators of the same level.
Testing your ability on them is most suitable.”

“Master…
Do you mean you want me to participate in the Demon Beast Hunt Tournament?”

“You are now a personal disciple.
You’ve been cultivating in my palace this entire time.
No matter what, you should at least show your face to the others.
So yes—this time, you must perform well.
Not just for me.
But to earn your own face.”

Xiao Menglan spoke earnestly, and Cao Xueyan remembered every word.

In truth, she had already gone through this part in her simulations countless times.

The Demon Beast Hunt was like a grand athletic competition for the Qingyun Sword Sect.

There were rankings and rewards.

The beasts were all raised by the sect.

Any inner disciple with some ability wouldn’t struggle too much.

So she wasn’t worried.

But it would mean being away for several days.

And that was a problem for Xiao Menglan.

Without Xueyan beside her, who would soothe her through the long nights?

Thinking of this, Xiao Menglan suddenly didn’t want to let her go anymore.

Perhaps… this child should just stay in her embrace forever.

Xiao Menglan’s eyes lost their brilliance, drifting into longing.