Chapter 15

For newly admitted disciples, there was a three-day orientation period.

During this time, they learned various topics such as Yonglu Mountain’s disciple code of conduct, familiarized themselves with earning spirit stones and cultivation resources within the sect, practiced cultivation tailored to their spiritual roots, and essentially prepared for the upcoming selection ceremony after three days.

Similarly, these three days provided an opportunity for Inner Sect masters seeking apprentices to assess the candidates. Although insufficient to fully gauge someone’s character, any insight was better than none.

Originally, Yonglu Mountain followed suit with other sects, lacking any transitional phase. After testing one’s spiritual roots, interested masters would claim their chosen disciples immediately. Those unclaimed were initially assigned to the Outer Sect, with a second chance at apprenticeship during the annual disciple competition held a year later.

However, a particular Yonglu Mountain sect leader realized that hastily establishing master-disciple bonds without proper consideration was deeply flawed—a mistake he himself had suffered from. By focusing solely on aptitude and not personality, he blindly took on an apprentice who, despite reaching Primordial Infant stage at two hundred years old, still dared not venture beyond the mountain gates. This infuriated him to the point of nearly expelling the disciple. Having experienced the consequences firsthand, he instituted the three-day adaptation period to prevent similar mishaps.

“This is clearly absurd! A Primordial Infant True Monarch at two hundred years old? I suspect this sect leader devised the three-day rule just to boast about his exceptional disciple to outsiders!”

Wen Xu rarely admired anyone, but right now, he held Bian Chunzhou in high esteem. “Where did you hear all these things?”

“I just chatted with some shixiong, nothing special. Since I have dual Water-Fire spiritual roots—a combination no one’s ever seen before—I took the initiative to strike up conversations. Of course they were happy to talk back.”

In truth, many more people had come by to see Wen Xu, but since he wore a blindfold, though appearing approachable, rumors of his origins in the Mortal Realm made everyone wary of startling him. Afraid their teachers would blame them if anything went wrong, they dared not speak to him. Besides, given that he was already on Yonglu Mountain, there would be plenty of opportunities to get acquainted later.

“It’s only because you’re outgoing and likable that others are willing to share such information with you.”

Bian Chunzhou chuckled sheepishly. “To be honest, I know there are quite a few who gossip behind my back, saying I’m just jealous or that getting lucky enough to befriend you won’t help, since someone with dual Water-Fire spiritual roots will never make it into the Inner Sect anyway. They think I’m cozying up to you in hopes that you’ll take me under your wing and bring me along when you enter…”

Caught off guard by this frank admission, Wen Xu stammered, “They said…”

To be honest, due to his upbringing, Wen Xu wasn’t naturally inclined toward warmth or enthusiasm. However, Bian Chunzhou had helped him countless times, even saving his life on more than one occasion. Although blood restoration pills weren’t particularly valuable within the cultivation world—any random cultivator could produce them without issue—in the Broken Clouds Secret Realm, few others would have hesitated like Bian Chunzhou did to save him.

Later still, Bian Chunzhou rescued Wen Xu from the secret realm itself and aided him in ascending to the path of immortality. Wen Xu had even contemplated how he might discreetly support Bian Chunzhou if the latter faced discrimination at Yonglu Mountain due to his spiritual roots, helping him gain footing and advance his spiritual power.

“Who cares what they say? Besides, these spiritual roots are mine; I’ll cultivate however I damn well please!” Bian Chunzhou spoke earnestly. “Wen Xu, people who only gossip about others’ shortcomings behind their backs aren’t worth befriending.”

Warmth flooded Wen Xu’s heart. He began, “Chunzhou, there’s actually something I’ve always wanted to tell you.”

“What is it?” Bian Chunzhou leaned closer, eager to hear.

“After this year, I’ll be twenty-two by traditional age.” Wen Xu passed the imperial examination at eighteen, then observed three years of mourning for his parents. By solar age, he was already twenty—a clear elder compared to Bian Chunzhou.

The nineteen-year-old Bian Chunzhou was utterly taken aback. “No way! If you hadn’t mentioned it, I’d think you were still underage!” You really look too young!

“I’ve already come of age; Chunzhou should address me as his elder brother.”

Bian Chunzhou snorted softly. “No way!” Truthfully, he was so used to calling Wen Xu by name that it felt impossible to change.

“Besides,” Bian Chunzhou continued, shaking his head vigorously like a rattle drum, “if I call you my elder brother, wouldn’t I have to call Chen ‘Zuizui’ too?” He emphatically waved his hands. “Absolutely not—better to keep things as they are.”

“Eh? You didn’t know?” Wen Xu feigned surprise at just the right moment.

“Know what?”

“Among all the new disciples joining this year, Chen Zui is the youngest. As far as I’m aware, he’s barely turned eighteen.”

“What?! No way!”

Shocked, Bian Chunzhou sprang to his feet and dashed toward the figure practicing with a sword. “Are you really only eighteen?”

Chen Zui narrowly managed to sheathe his blade. “What else would you expect?”

“I’d believe eighty-eight more easily! Seriously, can’t you tidy up a bit? The mentor selection ceremony is tomorrow; at least make an effort with your appearance. If people don’t know better, they might think you’ve been scavenging trash… Wait, seriously?”

With a solemn expression, Chen Zui explained, “It’s just…I didn’t have spirit stones for an inn, so I slept outdoors.” At home, his mother had always reminded him about such matters, but after leaving, he forgot entirely. “Am I truly that disheveled? Why can’t I tell?”

“It’s true! Absolutely! Extremely sloppy! Don’t believe me? Ask others!”

Chen Zui glanced at those nearby and saw them all nodding in agreement. Realization dawned on him: “No wonder no one wanted to team up with me during the mountain trial. So that was why! My mom always said people out here dislike untidiness. Actually, I use cleaning spells every day.”

…But you look like you haven’t bathed in three years.

“Cleaning spells can’t replace bathing! No way! Go wash yourself immediately—right now! As someone with water and fire spiritual roots, I’ll heat the bathwater for you!”

The bystanders, watching with popcorn in hand, were speechless: Hey, dual water-fire spiritual roots aren’t meant for this kind of thing!

Bian Chunzhou forcibly pushed Chen Zui towards the baths. Perhaps accustomed to his mother’s insistence back home, Chen Zui surprisingly didn’t resist. After scrubbing thoroughly, when he emerged—

“Woah, who’s this handsome guy?”

“No way? That’s Chen Zui?”

“If he looked like this during the mountain trial, I would’ve instantly been like—hey, teammate!”

Dressed in Yonglu Mountain’s disciple uniform, Chen Zui stood exceptionally tall. With muscles well-developed from constant sword training, combined with his striking features—bold brows and expressive eyes—he exuded a rugged masculinity akin to what modern slang might describe as an overwhelming surge of testosterone.

It was still the same person, wielding the same blade and clad in the same attire, but…he seemed like an entirely different individual! How to put it—he looked even less eighteen than before.

“Chen ‘Zuizui,’ what exactly did you eat growing up?” After suppressing his curiosity for so long, Bian Chunzhou finally couldn’t resist asking.

Chen Zui, unfazed by the crowd’s attention, sat down with his sword in hand. “What did I eat? My mom isn’t much of a cook, so I grew up on Fasting Pills. Why do you ask?”

“How is that possible? I don’t believe it.” Bian Chunzhou gently touched his barely perceptible muscles, then sourly retreated to Wen Xu’s side. “Tell me,” he whispered, “how long would I need to train to achieve such a physique, one where even thick clothes can’t hide it?”

“Why would you want to build yourself like that? Are you interested in practicing with swords now?” Wen Xu, being a scholar, had the typical scholarly aesthetic; to him, burly physiques were reserved for military generals. Trying to imagine a muscular Bian Chunzhou, well—how should he say it—it just seemed quite odd.

“No way, every man dreams of having eight-pack abs!” Alas, all Chen Zui currently possessed was a single roll of belly fat.

Eight-pack abs? With no one else around to see them, Wen Xu found the aspiration incomprehensible. “As long as you’re happy,” he shrugged.

After all, Wen Xu had already decided to continue pretending to be blind. As long as he claimed not to see, it wouldn’t matter how Bian Chunzhou chose to train his physique—whether eye-catching or not, it would only catch others’ eyes.

“Wen Xu, is Wen Xu around? Someone from Pill Peak is here to see you.”

Pill Peak? Could it be Elder Zhan? Did he come to examine Wen Xu’s eyes?

Stepping outside, Wen Xu was promptly greeted by another figure. A gentle breeze blew past, devoid of any medicinal scent or fragrance of herbs; instead, there lingered traces of metal and fire elements. Instinctively, Wen Xu took a step back, but the newcomer swiftly materialized right behind him: “Little blind boy, you’re quite perceptive. My fault, really—I should have concealed my aura before approaching.”

“May I inquire who Your esteemed self might be?” Anyone appearing on Yonglu Mountain must likely be from within the sect.

Little Uncle Zheng smiled. “Me? I’m from Artificing Peak, here to deliver a small gift for you.”

Artificing Peak? Delivering a gift for him? Why?

“Here, this folding fan seems destined for you; consider it a gift.” With that, Zheng Jin thrust the fan into the little blind boy’s hands. “It’s just something I made on a whim, using no particularly fine materials. Originally intended to provide a cool breeze during summer, but I never ended up using it. If you come across better materials in the future, I can always reforge it for you.”

Wen Xu hesitated, reluctant to accept such a present. “This fan is too valuable. I fear…”

“I don’t like hearing that. If you don’t want it, simply discard it,” Zheng Jin interrupted, covering his ears childishly, hardly resembling a Primordial Infant True Monarch.

Wen Xu wondered if this was Yonglu Mountain extending goodwill towards him. Refusing again might not be wise. Truthfully, when he had handed over the folding fan earlier, he felt deeply torn and even asked the disciple receiving magical artifacts if there was any way to purchase it back.

“Does this fan have a name?”

“Now we’re talking! Of course, it doesn’t have one yet—you can name it yourself.” Naming personal belongings was customary, so naturally, there was no need to reveal its original name, Calm Seas.

Wen Xu pondered for a moment before suggesting, “How about ‘Zhe Feng’—‘Windfold’?”

“Windfold Fan, not bad, not bad. Who knows, this name might one day resound throughout the cultivation world.” Zheng Jin smiled but suddenly sensed familiar spiritual fluctuations behind him. He promptly leaped onto a cloud, exclaiming, “Little blind boy, gotta go now! I just escaped from the Hall of Discipline, and if I don’t run, they’ll catch me again!”

Wen Xu was taken aback… Escaped from the Hall of Discipline?! I handed over the fan too soon! he thought.

As Zheng Jin fled, Zhao Qi arrived hot on his heels. Spotting Wen Xu with the folding fan, he understood the situation yet feigned ignorance, asking, “Who gave you this fan? Did you see which way they ran?”

That voice… It belonged to Elder Zhao, overseeing the mountain trial. After a brief silence, Wen Xu replied, “Elder, respectfully speaking, I cannot see, and my cultivation is still weak.”

Zhao Qi paused, momentarily speechless.

Meanwhile, at the council chamber on Sect Leader Peak, Yonglu Mountain’s influential elders were holding a small meeting to discuss where the prodigy with the rare variant wind elemental spiritual root should be placed.