The surroundings erupted in an uproar—was there truly a disciple willing to attend the East Sea Myriad Immortals Assembly? Setting aside the vastly different cultivation styles between the mountain and sea sects, the East Sea Myriad Immortals Assembly was separated from the Central Land by tens of thousands of miles. How could she bear to leave her homeland and travel so far alone at such a young age?
Ye Ye and Baili Changyue’s faces turned ashen. Changyue stepped forward to stop her, but unexpectedly, Shen Xiansheng glanced back at her. Though his features were handsome, his expression was icy and severe, causing Baili Changyue to retreat several steps under his gaze.
Zuoqiu Xiansheng spoke up from the side, "The disciple selection must not be disturbed by outsiders. All of you, step back."
Though the children were unwilling, they had no choice but to retreat a few steps.
Shen Xiansheng’s piercing gaze fell upon Baili Gelin. That same gaze had made Changyue shrink back, but it did not make Gelin retreat. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead, yet she struggled to maintain her composure, refusing to show fear under his intimidating stare.
After observing her for a moment, Shen Xiansheng suddenly laughed. "This little girl has admirable courage. According to your rules here, new disciples must pass my test, correct?"
He looked around and pointed at a stone puppet not far away. "Cast the five elemental basic spells on it. Let me see."
Baili Gelin answered with a "Yes," stepping forward to focus and form hand seals. A flash of cold light dazzled everyone’s eyes as the Frost Condensation Technique encased the entire puppet in ice—astonishingly fast. Her hand seals were swift, and her Immortal Techniques were unleashed even faster. In the blink of an eye, flames devoured the puppet, followed by a dazzling golden light. Within moments, she had flawlessly executed all five basic elemental Immortal Techniques.
A Jiao exclaimed in surprise, "How did your basic Immortal Techniques improve so much?"
Baili Gelin lowered her head and replied, "This disciple practices diligently every day."
Shen Xiansheng smiled at her before turning to Zuoqiu Xiansheng. "I never expected to actually find a suitable disciple during this visit to the Academy! To be honest, Zuoqiu Xiansheng, I had held no hope at all."
Zuoqiu Xiansheng smiled faintly. "To earn Shen Xiansheng’s favor is also her good fortune."
Shen Xiansheng laughed heartily and gave Baili Gelin a heavy pat on the back, nearly knocking her off balance. He declared loudly, "Your name is Baili Gelin? I like you! From today onward, you are a disciple of the East Sea Myriad Immortals Assembly!"
Baili Gelin answered crisply with a "Yes," ignoring the clamor around her.
Only then could the children swarm forward. Baili Changyue stepped up and slapped her across the face, coldly saying, "This time, you’ve gone too far! Even willfulness has its limits. Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?"
Baili Gelin rubbed her stinging cheek and gave a bitter smile, but then grinned again. "Sis, I just thought it looked really fun how they could ride monsters and fly. I wanted to try riding a monster too! I never thought I’d actually be accepted—it feels like a dream right now!"
Baili Changyue’s face darkened further, and she raised her hand to strike again, but Li Fei quickly stopped her. Gelin’s reasoning was so childish that even she couldn’t bear to listen.
"Gelin, choosing a sect isn’t a joke. You… you’re really going to the East Sea Myriad Immortals Assembly!" Li Fei looked at her anxiously. "Should we go ask Zuoqiu Xiansheng if you can still back out?"
"The disciple selection is a matter of utmost importance—how can it be treated so lightly!" Ye Ye’s brows furrowed deeply as he glared at Baili Gelin, barely suppressing his anger. He said gravely, "The East Sea Myriad Immortals Assembly is extremely far from the Central Land. Once you leave, who knows how long it will be before we see you again. Won’t you regret it?"Baili Gelin giggled and pointed at the enormous Centipede demon in the corner of the Martial Training Field: "Look at that! I want to ride a Centipede demon too and see how it feels."
Ji Tongzhou had a phobia of Centipede demons and frowned. "What's so fun about that? It looks disgusting!"
Baili Gelin laughed. "If I ride a Centipede demon back someday, will you refuse to see me?"
Ji Tongzhou imagined the scene, his expression turning grim. "Then don't bring it anywhere near me!"
Baili Gelin burst into laughter.
The selection of new disciples for the major Immortal sects finally concluded amidst the patter of rain.
All sixteen Academy disciples had found their respective sects. Ye Ye and Baili Changyue went to Earth Treasury Gate, Lei Xiuyuan and Li Fei to No Moon Court, while Ji Tongzhou was accepted into Star Rectitude Hall. Lan Ya Junzhu failed to be chosen by Star Rectitude Hall but was instead taken in by Dragon Serenity Lord of Fire Lotus Temple. Though extremely reluctant, she had no choice but to accept.
As for Ji Tongzhou's lackeys, none were selected by Star Rectitude Hall either—they were scattered among other sects, with one even going to Long Mingzuo. However, likely due to the recent conflict in Duantu, Zongquan, the elder of Five Zhang Mountain from Long Mingzuo, along with Zhen Yunzi, declined to attend the disciple selection.
A banquet was now underway in the Academy's main hall, with Immortals from various sects gathered together in continuous laughter and chatter. Compared to the cheerful conversations among the Celestial elders, the disciples seated at the same table seemed somewhat melancholic.
After the banquet, they would each follow their new Masters to their respective sects. Only now did they understand why the Academy had given them fifteen days off in advance—after the disciple selection, they would depart for their new sects immediately, with no time to return home.
Lan Ya Junzhu clung persistently to Ji Tongzhou's sleeve. The young noblewoman remained deeply resentful about not being chosen by Star Rectitude Hall, her face streaked with tears as she sobbed, "Your Highness, you mustn't forget Lan Ya. Please find time to visit me when you can."
Ji Tongzhou dreaded seeing girls cry—it gave him a splitting headache. He frowned immediately. "Once we enter our sects, we'll be too busy cultivating to come and go as freely as in the Academy! Besides, I don't even know where Fire Lotus Temple is!"
Lan Ya wailed, "Then Lan Ya will visit you at Star Rectitude Hall!"
Ji Tongzhou was at a loss for words. He cast a pleading glance at the others. Ye Ye, who had been silently drinking, finally showed a faint smile and spoke up. "Junzhu, there's no need for sorrow. His Highness has already made a ten-year duel pact with Xiu Yuan. After ten years, they'll face off to determine the winner. You'll have plenty of chances to meet then."
Ji Tongzhou was stunned. "When did I agree to a duel—"
Suddenly, Lei Xiuyuan chuckled softly and looked at him. "You need ten years to master your skills? How weak."
Ji Tongzhou flared up instantly. He had been competing with Lei Xiuyuan all along—from Immortal Techniques to swordplay. Though he had never lost, he had never won either. The thought of parting ways for different sects now filled him with indignation. Though Ye Ye had fabricated the duel excuse to comfort Lan Ya, it unexpectedly ignited his fighting spirit.
"Six years from now, at the Academy's Martial Training Field—don't be late!" He immediately issued the challenge, even specifying the location.
Hearing it was set at the Academy's Martial Training Field, everyone couldn't help but laugh. Baili Gelin was so amused she knocked over her wine cup.Ye Ye laughed, "Do you think we'll still be Academy disciples in six years? Let's pick somewhere else! Aren't duels always held on mountain peaks? Find us a tall one!"
Li Fei suggested, "How about Lu Gongzhen? That's where we all met. I think there's a small hill there."
A hill?! Ji Tongzhou was about to object when everyone else clapped and cheered. Ye Ye finally reached out to tap Baili Gelin on the forehead: "You're coming too! No matter how far, you'll fly there for me!"
Baili Gelin had been laughing nonstop, as if attending the East Sea Myriad Immortals Assembly had fulfilled all her wishes. She was impossibly happy, nodding eagerly to whatever anyone said to her.
None of them mentioned Long Mingzuo or Zhen Yunzi, as if those people had never existed. Though they spoke of meeting again in six years, each would soon face formidable enemies alone. Whether they'd truly reunite remained uncertain. Perhaps it was precisely this anxiety about the future that made them chat even more animatedly, repeatedly making plans for six years later—as if doing so could bolster their hope and courage.
Before she knew it, Li Fei had drunk too much. Leaning against the wall, she stumbled out of the main hall, intending to return to the Disciple Room for a nap. But the chill wind and rain at the door reminded her—the Disciple Room was long locked, never to be entered again.
A sudden melancholy gripped her as she leaned against the wall, gazing at the dark night sky. Soon, footsteps approached—Hu Jiaping emerged from the main hall, dragging the black-veiled woman with him. Probably, like her, they sought a moment alone before parting, taking advantage of the wine's warmth to share some words.
Spotting Li Fei, Hu Jiaping exclaimed, "Eh? What are you doing here alone?"
Not wanting to intrude, Li Fei shook her head and turned to leave, but Hu Jiaping laughed, "Little girl, now that you're my junior sister, won't you even call me 'senior brother'?"
The wine-fog in her mind cleared abruptly, jolting her with the memory of this crucial matter. She spun around urgently: "Right! My eldest senior brother—"
"Mmm, that 'eldest senior brother' sounded nice." Hu Jiaping roared with laughter, ruffled her hair, and started to leave with the black-veiled woman.
Li Fei grabbed his sleeve: "Sir, now that I'm a disciple of No Moon Court, can I look for my eldest senior brother myself?"
Hu Jiaping smiled faintly: "Haven't you already found him? You just called him that."
Li Fei froze: "I—I wasn't joking... This 'eldest senior brother' isn't that senior brother—" She couldn't even articulate it clearly, her tongue and mind both muddled by drink.
"Xiao Bangchui." Hu Jiaping suddenly used her old name, his tone careless. "Master was a renowned Celestial of his generation—how could he be hunted to death? Instead of worrying about him, focus on yourself. Master asked me to tell you: 'Grown-up matters are none of your concern. Stop looking for him.'"
With that, he sped off with the black-veiled woman. Li Fei, already unsteady from drink, staggered after them on her sword. By the time she reached a floating island, her spiritual energy faltered, sending her tumbling off the stone sword and rolling several times across the grass.Li Fei gasped for breath, lying flat on the damp grass. Hu Jiaping's words had just stirred a tempest in her heart—was he really the eldest senior brother? Was he joking or serious? Or was he just brushing off this little girl who kept pestering him about the eldest senior brother? But he knew her old name. She had changed it before coming to the Academy. If Master hadn’t told him, how could he have known?
Had he recognized her all along? Back when she first asked about Master, why didn’t he tell her then? Why didn’t he acknowledge her? He said Master was a renowned Celestial—how could that be? That old man who only knew bits and pieces of arcane arts! He just didn’t want the trouble of saving Master, didn’t he?
Li Fei abruptly sat up from the grass, only to slump back down again.
The whole world seemed to blur into confusion. Memories of her life with Master replayed over and over in her mind. She should have noticed the clues long ago, shouldn’t she? How could Master have been just a fraud who knew a smattering of arcane arts? She was already halfway into the immortal path, no longer the ignorant little Xiao Bangchui from back then.
Hu Jiaping had warned her not to speak of Master’s affairs. Just now, he’d said Master had left a message for her, telling her to stop searching. Did Master not want to acknowledge her? Leaving her a letter to come to No Moon Court—was it just to entrust her to Hu Jiaping’s care? Did he no longer want to be her Master? Had he gone back to being his renowned Celestial self? Who was he, really?
Soft footsteps approached from behind. Li Fei didn’t turn around. Soon, the hem of red-and-white robes entered her field of vision. Lei Xiuyuan looked down at her, expressionless.
Li Fei forced a smile. “I drank too much. Came up here for some air.”
Lei Xiuyuan neither agreed nor disagreed. He sat down gently beside her, the fine drizzle dampening his hair and face. He pressed a hand to her wet forehead, his voice as light as the wind and rain. “That’s an ugly smile. Stop it.”
Li Fei was silent for a long moment before suddenly murmuring, “Xiu Yuan, back in Green Mound, did you already guess that Master was…”
She couldn’t finish. She didn’t need to ask to know the answer. He was so clever—how could he not have guessed that Master was no mere charlatan? Yet he, too, had told her nothing. All of them—none had told her anything.
His hand remained on her forehead, his voice still soft. “Don’t cry either. It’s even uglier when you cry.”
Li Fei’s voice was hoarse. “Can’t you say something nice?”
He seemed to smile faintly, flicking her forehead lightly with his fingers, but said nothing.
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