Chapter 13
The moment the sword was grasped, she immediately sensed something subtly extraordinary.
Though this sword had not accompanied her for long, from the time Xie Chang’an personally sank it into the alchemy pool to its transformation and return—no longer a mere blade but a new sword—somehow, Xie Chang’an could faintly perceive the emotions within.
There was hardship and struggle, a fierce unwillingness to yield; there was the encounter with a new master and a shared resolve against a common enemy.
No matter what you faced before, from now on, follow me. As long as the sword remains, so will I. If you do not disdain me, I shall stand with you through thick and thin.
Xie Chang’an’s heart trembled, silently pledging her vow.
Whether it truly heard her or it was her clumsy attempt to soothe it with spiritual energy, the Ling Tian Sword gradually settled into quietude, ceasing its clear, sharp ringing.
At the same time, the scabbard flew out of the blood pool, precisely fitting onto the longsword.
“Congratulations to Junior Sister Xie on obtaining an immortal-grade magical treasure!” Zhang Fanruo chuckled, congratulating her with cupped hands.
His envy soon abated; after all, everyone has their own fate. It wouldn’t make sense for Master Zhu to take on disciples for the first time without offering a substantial gift as a token.
“When does Master Zhu plan to hold the disciple acceptance ceremony? I’d like to report back to Master to prepare accordingly,” Zhang Fanruo asked.
Zhu Xuanguang replied, “I will personally discuss it with the sect leader. Xie Chang’an, come with me.”
At Chishuang Mountain, Zhu Xuanguang was clearly not an affable figure with whom everyone could casually chat. The respectful disciples dared not show any disrespect. Once he took a step away, everyone visibly exhaled, relief flooding over them like the loosened tension after a long strain.
Zhang Fanruo sneered, “Look at you all—if you didn’t know better, you’d think Master Zhu might eat people!”
“Zhang senior brother, you’re no better!” teased a familiar junior brother. “I saw you just now itching to pounce and ask Master Zhu to make you an immortal-grade sword, but you didn’t dare move!”
Zhang Fanruo put on a serious face. “Don’t be ridiculous. Tianyi Peak has everything; I’m not that petty. Besides, Junior Sister Xie is the founding disciple of Chongming Peak. It’s only right she gets some good things.”
“Speaking of which, Master Zhu has never taken disciples before. Why break precedent this time?”
“I don’t see anything extraordinary about Xie Chang’an. Could it be some connection between her and Master Zhu in the mortal realm?”
“Don’t talk nonsense! Master Zhu cultivates the Path of Detachment, severing all ties and renouncing worldly affection. I thought that was why he never took disciples. Why change his mind now?”
“It must be because Junior Sister Xie’s talent is extraordinary. Looks like at the next Hundred Battles Mountain-Pushing Conference, we’ll have another formidable opponent.”
“Perhaps she won’t make it in time…”
Amid the noisy chatter, Zhang Fanruo’s head ached. He abandoned them and hurried toward Tianyi Peak.
If the rumors about the disciple acceptance were only thirty percent credible before, after witnessing Zhu Xuanguang personally forging the Ling Tian Sword for Xie Chang’an, the credibility skyrocketed. Zhang Fanruo felt he must quickly report back to his master.
Master Zhu taking a disciple was indeed a momentous event shaking Chishuang Mountain.
Zhu Xuanguang led Xie Chang’an to a peak—not the summit she had been on before, but still within Chishuang Mountain. The terrain here was somewhat lower, with several semi-hidden pavilions nestled in the nearby woods.
“Your comprehension is quite good.”
Hearing his words, Xie Chang’an quickly focused her gaze.
“Thanks to the treasure mirror granted by the Real Immortal. It was a stroke of luck,” she said.
Zhu Xuanguang was noncommittal. “You managed to break through and fully refine the Azure Flood Inner Core within a month. I should keep my promise and accept you as a disciple.”
Xie Chang’an was momentarily stunned, sensing there was more to come.
Sure enough, he continued, “However, there is a restless grievance lingering in your heart. I know you still have unresolved grudges in the mortal realm, making it hard to let go. Such a mindset makes it difficult for you to cultivate with me.”
Xie Chang’an pondered before respectfully asking, “Pardon my ignorance, Real Immortal, but does the path of cultivation require one to forsake all worldly attachments and sever familial ties?”
Zhu Xuanguang replied, “If one can do so, it is best. A focused mind reaches the great Dao more swiftly.”
Xie Chang’an said, “I see Senior Brother Zhang and others joking around without restraint. They spend years lingering around the alchemy pool, striving to refine something valuable. Such spirit could be called worldly attachment or ambition. Likewise, Real Immortal, although you pursue the great Dao wholeheartedly, isn’t this wholeheartedness itself a desire to ascend and seek the Dao? If such spirit can exist, why can’t my unwillingness?”
A faint smile flickered in Zhu Xuanguang’s eyes, but Xie Chang’an did not notice.
“Do you really think so?”
His tone suddenly grew cold, and an invisible pressure descended on her.
Yet she persisted, “Yes! I believe there is no truly heartless Dao in this world. Even a trace of desire to seek truth and the Dao is not heartlessness. I do harbor resentment toward my mortal experiences, but this spurs me to cultivate harder, which is not entirely bad. I beg your pardon for my humble opinion.”
Zhu Xuanguang slowly said, “I never said Chishuang Mountain would not accept you, only that your mindset does not align with mine. Tianyi Peak has many disciples and is the most prosperous. The views of Real Immortal Sheyun are similar to what you just said. If you wish to go, I can recommend you. With your talent, you will be valued and it would be no worse than staying here.”
Xie Chang’an was utterly confused.
Zhu Xuanguang had brought her here, given her a month’s trial, and dealt harshly—but when she survived the life-and-death test, he was clearly satisfied, even personally forging the precious Ling Tian Sword for her—yet now he wanted to send her to Tianyi Peak.
Xie Chang’an frowned. “Did I perform poorly? Have I disappointed you, Real Immortal?”
Zhu Xuanguang said, “You have never cultivated before, yet you grasped the entry secrets and passed the trial of the Devouring Spirit Mirror in such a short time. Although your constitution is average, your comprehension is excellent. In life and death, you maintained calm, so even the Devouring Spirit Mirror accepted you; otherwise, it would not merge with the Ling Tian Sword. If you cultivate diligently, one day you will ascend the great Dao. But your hidden resentment clashes with my sword path. I have never trained disciples before and fear it will be difficult to bring you to perfection. If you join me, your achievements may not surpass those at Tianyi Peak.”
Xie Chang’an did not know if this was a test or sincerity. After much thought, she earnestly asked, “If I do not wish to go to Tianyi Peak, can I still apprentice under you?”
Zhu Xuanguang replied, “Why not go?”
Xie Chang’an said, “You saved my life, Real Immortal. I vowed to serve you loyally; that is one reason. Secondly, I respectfully disagree with you. Because of my attachments, I can move forward without hesitation. Please give me a chance to prove you wrong.”
Zhu Xuanguang was silent for a moment.
“Being my disciple will be hard. If you regret it now, it’s not too late.”
Xie Chang’an smiled. “I have suffered countless hardships since childhood. Today, I am fortunate to glimpse the immortal path, all thanks to you. I cannot easily disappoint you. I have heard the path is long and arduous, but I fear no hardship.”
Zhu Xuanguang gazed at her deeply.
His look held much yet vanished like a shooting star, returning to silence.
“In three days, before the Crane Song Palace on Chongming Peak, the grand disciple acceptance ceremony will be held. I will personally crown you.”
…
During these three days, Xie Chang’an was far from idle.
Though Zhu Xuanguang took her as a disciple somewhat reluctantly, he did not abandon her. Following his orders, a young medicine assistant told her to soak in the medicinal pool behind Chongming Peak for two hours daily, said to improve her constitution.
“The Real Immortal said the pool cannot reverse fate but nourishes and aids, purifies bones and marrow. It will help your constitution. Come soak here whenever you have time.”
The medicine assistant was a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy, short and chubby, with smiling eyes that crinkled. He was cheerful by nature.
“I usually guard this place. Sometimes I go out to gather herbs or tend vegetables. If you don’t see me, just come in yourself. The pool is just behind, connected to a spring and separated by stones. Few come here, so it’s quiet.”
Xie Chang’an thanked him and asked his name.
“My surname is Pei. I’m the third child in my family. Just call me Pei San.”
He said his family was a farming and hunting clan in the nearby village at the mountain’s foot. Years ago, his grandfather rescued an injured Chishuang Mountain disciple, which forged their connection.
“My father said I was the sharpest in the family and sent me here. Unfortunately, I have limited talent and no immortal fate, so I’m just a little medicine assistant.”
“Do you like it here?” Xie Chang’an asked.
“Yes! I like playing with plants. There’s a monthly stipend, which I take home each year. My family is happy. Though there are few people on Chongming Peak, I don’t dare disturb the Real Immortal. Now that you’re here, it’s better!”
Pei San always spoke cheerfully, as if carefree by nature.
“By the way, there are vegetable gardens at the foot and mid-mountain. The Real Immortals and many senior brothers and sisters grow things there. If you’re interested, you can claim a plot too.”
Though cultivators have reached the stage of forgoing grain, many still prefer some food to sustain themselves, often eating simpler fare than ordinary people. With so many disciples, Chishuang Mountain naturally strives for self-sufficiency.
Xie Chang’an was curious, “Do the Real Immortals also farm? Does Master Zhu farm?”
Pei San nodded. “Yes! Master Zhu grows cabbage, the sect leader grows cherries, and Master Fang grows ginseng.”
Xie Chang’an was momentarily stunned. Could such different seasonal and geographic crops really be grown together?
Without his explanation, she quickly realized: this was an immortal mountain, brimful of spiritual energy and divine power. Unlike the mortal realm, even cherries and ginseng could be nurtured to bloom and bear fruit as soon as they were planted. They surely had their methods.
Pei San, fearing disbelief, enthusiastically took her to choose a plot mid-mountain after her medicinal soak.
The vegetable plots were neatly divided, crisscrossed with paths. Amusingly, each plot bore a small wooden sign with the owner’s name.
Xie Chang’an immediately spotted Master Zhu’s plot. It was on the front left, easy to recognize. Clusters of tender green cabbage sprouted, radiating vitality.
“Junior Sister Xie, if you like, take as many as you want.”
“Is it proper to take without asking?”
“No problem. Even without you, brothers and sisters from other peaks will take some. Though the signs are up, the plots are meant for disciples to freely harvest. We also have a small kitchen back here, so anyone can cook anytime.”
His words were full of everyday warmth, which Xie Chang’an listened to with genuine interest.
This was nothing like the cold, aloof sect she had imagined.
“Managing all this daily must be tiring?”
“I just check in occasionally. No need to do much. The Real Immortals and others tend their own plots. I only water if they’re busy.”
“Master Zhu and the others also get their hands dirty?”
“Of course! If they’re too busy, they simply don’t grow anything. Like many sisters at Zhaoxue Peak, who are busy refining pills all day, they have no time to spare.”
Xie Chang’an could not picture the aloof Master Zhu rolling up his sleeves to farm.
She walked around the plots with interest, seeing many familiar names.
Zhang Fanruo, Yu Chunshan, Xu Zhen—these were all from Tianyi Peak.
She had heard that Real Immortal Sheyun had a favored disciple, Shen Xi, with extraordinary talent rivaling Zhu Xuanguang in his prime, likely to be the first of their generation to attain enlightenment. Yet Xie Chang’an saw no plot bearing Shen Xi’s name and guessed he must be so absorbed in cultivation that he had no time to tend to a garden.
Suddenly, she stopped before a vacant plot.
“This is…”
An empty plot with no crops, the wooden sign’s name faded and blurred.
Pei San hurried over.
“This is Real Immortal Shen’s plot. He is Master Zhu’s master.”
Xie Chang’an knew the name from Zhang Fanruo—it was her ancestral master.
“Didn’t Real Immortal Shen ascend to the higher realms?”
“Yes. While alive—no, when he was still in the mortal realm—he loved tending flowers and plants. The farming culture here in Chishuang Mountain started with him. After he ascended, his plot was left empty.” Pei San wiped the sign clean. “There are plenty of empty plots, so no one disturbs it. It’s a memorial. No one knows how well he fares above. Immortals seem unable to visit the mortal realm freely. It’s been so long, yet no messages…”
Xie Chang’an noticed a small unclaimed plot nearby and pointed to it.
“I’ll take this one.”
“Great! What do you want to plant?”
“Since this is an immortal mountain, anything can grow regardless of region. Let’s plant some lychee. Do you have seeds?”
“We do! Last year, Senior Brother Liu from Zhaoxue Peak brought back many lychees. I saved the seeds in a spirit-infused container, ready to use anytime.”
They spent the afternoon turning over the soil and planting the seeds. By evening, the sky was tinged with blue and purple hues, the sun hanging low in the west.
Yu Chunshan from Tianyi Peak arrived.
She had come to deliver clothes to Xie Chang’an.
Chishuang Mountain had its own Daoist robes. Though not mandatory, most disciples wore them voluntarily, for the robes carried spiritual protection to defend against minor injuries and also identified the wearer’s affiliation, reducing conflicts when venturing out.
For a grand disciple acceptance ceremony, everyone naturally donned their formal robes to show respect.
Xie Chang’an still wore the clothes she had on when she left the palace. After all the upheavals and being new to Chishuang Mountain, she hadn’t thought much about new garments. She only had two sets, which she alternated and wore until the sleeves and elbows frayed.
If Yu Chunshan hadn’t appeared, she might have forgotten this matter altogether.
“Thank you, Senior Sister Yu. I should have visited you first.”
Yu Chunshan smiled, “No need for formalities. I know you just joined and have many things to learn. Surely you haven’t had time for such small matters. Fortunately, Junior Brother Zhang was quick to spread the news of Master Zhu taking a disciple, so I hurried to have robes made. Try them on. If the size doesn’t fit, I can have them altered in time.”
She brought several sets—both casual and formal—with subtle, tasteful colors, all clearly crafted with care.
Xie Chang’an thanked her repeatedly and went to change into the formal robes.
Yu Chunshan expected to wait at least half an hour and even brought a scroll of scripture to pass the time.
To her surprise, after just one incense stick burned, Xie Chang’an emerged, fully dressed.
A jade crown adorned her head, her robes elegant and radiant, her bearing graceful and refined.
Yu Chunshan’s eyes brightened.
Though her appearance was delicate, those long eyebrows and eyes bore no hint of dependence. Her smile was gentle, but when not smiling, she exuded a solemn, even piercing, austerity.
Having lived in the palace since childhood, Xie Chang’an had mastered etiquette perfectly, needing no instruction from Yu Chunshan. Her posture and salute complemented the garments flawlessly.
The news of Zhu Xuanguang accepting a disciple stirred the three peaks of Chishuang Mountain. Many desired to see this exceptional new disciple who had moved the greatest.
Not only within their sect, but other sects also caught wind and prepared to attend the ceremony.
Though the cultivation world honors strength, the ceremony would not showcase Xie Chang’an’s skills to prove Master Zhu’s discernment—that would be frivolous. A commanding presence from her appearance would suffice.
Cultivators were still human.
As humans, they had likes and dislikes, and most could not avoid judging by appearance.
Wearing these robes, with her impeccable bearing, she was flawless.
If there was any flaw, it was that she was newly apprenticed and unskilled in swordsmanship. But she had only recently embarked on the immortal path; no one was born knowing everything. What more could be demanded?
Yu Chunshan smiled, placing sect interests foremost. Naturally, she had grown fond of Junior Sister Xie and eagerly awaited the arrival of the acceptance ceremony.