Entering Qingyun Sect (2)
Upon arriving at Qingling Peak, I naturally took in the surroundings. It felt entirely different up close than from afar. The entire peak was cloaked in deep green. Spirit fields stretched along the valley, dotted here and there with wooden pavilions and halls. And I could see disciples bustling about, tending to them diligently.
Cheong Nan-seo walked ahead without a word. I followed quietly in her footsteps.
Moments later, we reached a hall situated midway up the peak. A plaque above the entrance read Qingling Hall.
Cheong Nan-seo halted before the doors. With a light raise of her hand, they slid open on their own. I hesitated for a second before stepping inside after her.
The interior of Qingling Hall was far more spacious than I'd imagined. The floor was smooth polished stone, and a faint herbal fragrance lingered in the air. At the center stood a raised dais, where Cheong Nan-seo settled gracefully. I stood before it and bowed deeply.
"Your disciple Ryu Yeon-hwa greets Master."
Cheong Nan-seo nodded faintly.
"Sit."
I carefully lowered myself onto the cushion placed before the dais. To be honest, I was a bit tense. An elder of the sect—and a Core Formation cultivator at that. She was on a whole different level from anyone I'd met so far.
I couldn't help but glance up at Cheong Nan-seo on the dais once more. She was a beauty with flowing black hair tied neatly down to her waist, her face exuding an air of perfect composure and serenity. She looked to be in her early thirties at first glance, but gauging a cultivator's age by appearance was pointless.
Core Formation... she could be at least a few hundred years old.
Even without a word, an aura emanated from her that made me feel I shouldn't move carelessly. Cheong Nan-seo watched me with a quiet gaze, as if she could read my thoughts.
After a moment, she lightly shook her sleeve. A small jade box emerged from the end of it. She placed it before me.
"Take a look."
I cautiously opened the jade box. Inside were three items: a thin jade slip, a small jade vial, and several spirit stones glowing with a subtle green light.
Cheong Nan-seo spoke. "As my direct disciple, you deserve gifts befitting that status."
I first picked up the faintly glowing green spirit stones. Mid-grade wood spirit stones, similar to the ones I'd seen before. Five in total—equivalent to two years' worth for an ordinary disciple.
Next, I took the jade slip and channeled a bit of qi into it. Words materialized:
Qing Mu Zhen Jue.
Cheong Nan-seo said calmly, "You should be able to cultivate it smoothly up to mid-Foundation Establishment."
She indicated the jade vial last. "It contains cultivation pills."
I opened it to find ten small pills inside.
"Spirit Gathering Pills. They're suitable for your training."
I carefully stored the gifts in my spatial pouch. She paused briefly before adding, "These are not from the sect's standard allocation. They're my personal gift to you, so you'll still receive the sect's provisions separately."
I nodded. "Understood."
She continued. "New disciples can also select one manual from the Scripture Pavilion. Since you've received a cultivation method from me, you might choose a spell instead."
I bowed my head again. "Understood, Master."
"One more thing about inner sect disciples."
I looked up.
"Finally. Qingling Peak disciples are generally divided into inner and outer disciples. Outer disciples handle spirit field management and sect chores. Inner disciples typically oversee them."
I nodded. That structure was common in most sects.
"Good." She turned toward the hall's entrance. "Are you outside?"
A female disciple in a blue robe entered. She was at mid-Qi Condensation stage. She immediately cupped her hands in salute.
"Greetings, Elder."
Cheong Nan-seo pointed at me. "Escort this child to the cave abodes."
Cheong Nan-seo said no more. She closed her eyes, as if her interest had already waned. I rose quietly and followed the disciple out of Qingling Hall.
The moment we exited Qingling Hall, a breeze from Qingling Peak brushed my face. I took a deep breath, and my mind settled.
The female disciple ahead turned to me and cupped her hands lightly.
"Pleased to meet you, Senior Sister."
She had long black hair cascading to her waist. Dressed in the blue robes of Qingling Peak inner disciples, she gave off a calm vibe. Not a flashy beauty, but with snow-white skin, soft eyes, and a gentle expression. Just looking at her eased my tension somehow.
She spoke again. "I'm Han Seol-a from the Affairs Hall."
The name suited her perfectly. I returned the salute.
"Ah... I'm Ryu Yeon-hwa."
Han Seol-a smiled faintly. "By the way, when the sect bell rang today... it caused quite a stir. And you ended up at Qingling Peak."
I chuckled. "I was a little surprised myself."
Honestly, I hadn't expected such a commotion.
Han Seol-a said, "The cave abodes are this way."
She pointed up the valley and started walking. I followed.
For a while, we walked in silence along the valley path. It was longer than I'd thought, and I naturally scanned the surroundings. Qingling Peak was much vaster up close. Spirit fields terraced in layers, with disciples hurrying between them. Some transported herbs, others inspected fields.
That's gotta be worth a fortune.
Every one of those fields produced pill ingredients. They were essentially the sect's resource vaults.
Then Han Seol-a ventured cautiously, "I heard it's been fifty years since a One Spirit Root appeared in Qingyun Sect."
I shrugged lightly. "Just good luck."
But inwardly, I thought differently. Luck... yeah, sure. If Father hadn't been a cultivator, I might have died back then.
Han Seol-a's eyes sparkled. "Still, Senior Sister, you're amazing. Elder Cheong Nan-seo never took disciples before."
I tilted my head. "Oh... really?"
She nodded. I felt a slight pressure.
Perhaps sensing it, Han Seol-a added, "But don't worry. I've rarely seen the Elder, but I've heard she's kind."
I smiled faintly. "Is that so?"
I recalled her demeanor from earlier. I wasn't sure yet, but Cheong Nan-seo definitely had a calm, cool presence. Not frightening, though.
The issue is... why she accepted me as a disciple. I hoped there were no ulterior motives.
We continued along the valley path. Soon, Han Seol-a pointed ahead.
"There. Almost at the cave abodes."
Cave abodes lined the cliffside. Cave-like, but entrances were neatly carved, inscribed with small formations. From afar, I hadn't noticed, but up close, they were well-maintained.
Better than I expected.
As I admired inwardly, she said, "Most Qingling Peak inner disciples live here. Richer in spiritual qi than the outer disciples' quarters."
I nodded. "Nice place."
The tension I'd felt earlier eased a bit.
We stopped before one cave. A small stone plaque hung at the entrance: Qingling Peak Cave Abode 32.
Han Seol-a pulled out a jade token. "This is the cave abode restriction token. Infuse it with your qi, and no one else can enter without permission."
I took it and slowly channeled my qi. Moments later, the formation at the entrance glowed faintly.
Srrrr— The stone door slid open slowly.
I peered inside. More comfortable than expected, with a separate sleeping area and cultivation space.
This is... pretty good. By my past life's standards, like a three-room officetel. No electricity or water, of course.
Han Seol-a said, "The cultivation environment here is top-notch. Lower numbers mean denser qi—usually from the 30s onward for Foundation Establishment seniors."
I nodded. "Thank you for the guidance. Looking forward to working with you."
She saluted politely. "Likewise, Senior Sister."
"Oh, and if you have questions about sect life, come to the Affairs Hall next to Qingling Hall."
"Got it."
With that, Han Seol-a turned and descended the valley path. I saw her off, standing at the cave entrance, feeling the Qingling Peak breeze. Leaving the distant disciples tending fields behind, I stepped inside.
Silence settled in the cave. I sat cross-legged and began circulating qi. I drew in a slow breath. The spiritual qi seeped deep, gently enveloping my body.
Definitely... different. Nothing like the village I'd lived in before.
I took out the jade slip from my pouch and infused it with qi. Words appeared in my mind:
Qing Mu Zhen Jue.
I read slowly.
Wood is life. The origin of all things, the root of vitality. Circulation never ceases, life never halts.
Closing my eyes, I recalled the circulation method and drew qi into my dantian.
Srrrr— Warm energy flowed into my lower abdomen. Layer by layer, qi accumulated in my body.
Thus, my first day on Qingling Peak passed.