Chapter 1
Regarding Liu Yue's departure, the boy showed no reaction at all; he merely stared blankly at the ground before him, his entire body trembling in the fierce mountain wind.
However, as soon as the boy laid eyes on the girl before him, he was immediately filled with a profound sense of disappointment. He could not believe that this little girl, who was not much older than himself, could teach him anything. The feeling of disappointment made him let out a deep sigh, and he helplessly lowered his head.
"Hooray, long live Senior Sister! Oh, how wonderful!" Kisaragi performed a somersault in mid-air and then dashed out of the performance hall like the wind
Liu Yue suddenly stood up. She could no longer tolerate it; even a clay figurine would become angry in front of this stubborn block of wood who wouldn't budge. After three days of incessant persuasion, all she received in return was this one sentence. Liu Yue maliciously thought to herself: "To hell with you, if I don't feed you, let's see how long you can kneel." Having made up her mind, Liu Yue ignored him and walked straight back to the reception room.
In the final battle of that year, the Great Demon Iron Army, in a moment of regret, used the Heavenly Demon Disintegration, turning into ashes on the spot. The entire Demon Realm was reduced to rubble, and the power of the Heavenly Demon Disintegration even caused the four islands of Japan to rupture from the continental plate. At that time, three individuals were present: Ye Zhendong, the Holy Master of the Xianyin Sect, the former Sect Leader Ye Ruying, and the mechanical legion's deity, Meixue, who went missing. In truth, everyone knew in their hearts that the three could not have survived. The terrifying power that could even shatter the continental plate would make it difficult for even a god to escape the fate of being reduced to dust. However, because all three were exceptionally powerful beings and their bodies were not found, both the Xianyin Sect and the mechanical legion of the little fool were unwilling to admit that they had perished.
Kisaragi originally intended it as a joke, but upon seeing the boy's battered face, the joke became her decision. Once Kisaragi makes a decision, she will see it through no matter what. When she saw the boy bowing his head in respect, Kisaragi waved her small hand and concluded, "Alright, from today onwards, you are my apprentice. Get up."
How can you establish your own sect by yourself? This is truly absurd
Liu Yue had received many individuals from various backgrounds, yet she had never hosted an ordinary person, for no ordinary person could traverse that exceptionally perilous mountain path on their own two feet. Not only was the path narrow and difficult to navigate, but the fierce winds at high altitudes were enough to blow an ordinary person into the abyss. However, upon seeing the boy's bloodied hands, Liu Yue surmised that he had climbed up. The boy's first words left Liu Yue in a state of shock: "Please take me as your disciple." This was what the boy said at that moment.
Liu Yue was greatly alarmed, not expecting the boy to end up in such a state. At that time, when he came up, she had used magic to heal his wounds. How could he have become like this now? She did not know that an ordinary mortal, exposed to the mountain winds at an altitude of over 3,000 meters for a full three days and nights, would hardly remain human.
After listening to Liu Yue's narration, Xu Yue chuckled and said, "Hehe, interesting." As soon as she finished speaking, her figure flickered and she appeared beside the boy at the door. Liu Yue widened her eyes and murmured, "Teleportation? Could it be that Master Uncle has mastered teleportation?" In Liu Yue's mind, teleportation was a legendary and profound spell. In the past, only those two legendary saints and the founding master of the Xianyin Sect had mastered this technique. It is said that once one masters teleportation, they can traverse the skies and the earth at will, reaching thousands of miles in an instant. However, despite having heard about it countless times, she had never seen anyone use it in reality. Could it be that Master Uncle Xu Yue has truly mastered it?
Liu Yue's heart skipped a beat, and she was about to dissuade him, thinking it was impossible. The rules set by the ancestral master three hundred years ago could not be easily changed, even by Master Uncle Ruyue. Moreover, the methods of the Xianyin Sect were fundamentally unsuitable for men to cultivate. Forcing him to practice could very well turn this boy into a genderless being.
"Nonsense, if you listen to the master, then you don't need to listen to me, the senior sister!" Li Xuan slammed her hand on the armrest and shouted loudly, determined to suppress this ridiculous suggestion, even if it meant invoking the authority of the senior sister.
"Why?" Kisaragi asked with a smile. Although she had little experience, she was not foolish and had long anticipated that Li Xuan would ask this question. She had also made up her mind to respond with a counter-question.
Sister, that little fellow is very pitiful, yet also very strong. The sect cannot accept male disciples, but Master has not forbidden us from establishing our own sect; this is merely superficial. I am still your little sister! This way, I am not violating Master's orders, and I can help that little fellow. Isn't that wonderful? Moreover, this way I won't be too bored. What do you think, Sister!
His first words, though loud, were accompanied by a dry voice and cracked lips, suggesting that he had not had a drop of water for several days. His body was frail and emaciated, likely having gone without food for many days as well. This startled Liu Yue, who quickly used her magic to heal his wounds and brought him some food to fill his stomach. Watching him devour the food ravenously, Liu Yue felt an inexplicable pang of heartache, wondering what kind of hardships could have tortured a person to such a state. She was also curious about the kind of willpower it took for him to endure until now. Seeing his bloodshot eyes, Liu Yue thought that if it weren't for the fact that the sect was filled with female disciples, she would have been unable to resist inviting him to her room for a good night's sleep.
The newcomer is a young girl of about eighteen or nineteen years old. Despite her youthful appearance, her age and background are quite astonishing. She is one of the last eight first-generation disciples of the Xianyin Sect and also one of the seven elders, known as Ruyue.
Kagetsu curiously observed the small boy in front of her, who had his head lowered. Upon hearing the elder speak of his deeds, Kagetsu could hardly wait to witness for herself how he managed to ascend to the summit of Tianlai Peak with the strength of a mere mortal. Although she was not entirely clear on the details, she understood that it was a formidable challenge. It was said that he had crawled his way up, and by the time he reached the top, his hands and knees were left bloodied and raw. Upon hearing this, even Kagetsu couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration. She was very curious about what had motivated this boy to complete such a daunting journey.
Ruyue, however, did not notice the boy's expression and continued to speak to herself: "So I will create my own sect, I will be the founder, and I will set the rules myself. From now on, it shall be called... let's call it Ruyue Sect. Hehe, Ruyue Sect." Ruyue seemed quite pleased with the name she had come up with, chuckling a couple of times before turning to the boy and saying: "Listen well, you will be my first disciple in the Ruyue Sect from now on. I am your master, do you hear me?"
So he really knelt here for three days and three nights? He didn't move at all?
Although this is the only path to Tianlai Peak, every disciple of the Xianyin Sect is highly skilled. A narrow goat path is no different from a broad avenue; those with profound abilities would not take such a small road, but would fly directly with their swords, moving freely up and down. Therefore, although this small path is the only route to the summit, it is rarely used. However, a few days ago, a man appeared on this path.
You..." Kiyoshi said, so furious that she could not speak, stamping her foot hard, her arms crossed over her chest as she huffed in resentment
"Thank you, Master Xie." The boy hurriedly bowed his head again and stood up from the ground. Fortunately, Ruyue had healed his injuries; otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to stand up from the ground by his own strength. However, despite this, maintaining the same position for an extended period still caused his blood circulation to be obstructed, leading to a bout of dizziness. He swayed several times before managing to steady himself.
Time flies like a shuttle; in the blink of an eye, two hundred years have passed
"I am not asking about that; I am asking what your name is." Kisaragi thought the boy hadn't heard clearly and involuntarily raised her voice.
As Ru Yue remained in a daze for a long time, she suddenly seemed to recall something and jumped up. One hand formed a hand seal while the other hand traced a circle in the air. Soon, a ball of white light gathered between her hands, enveloping the boy and healing his wounds. As the white light dissipated, the boy's injuries were completely healed
The boy suddenly raised his head and immediately saw a lovely little girl with her hands on her hips, looking at him with pride. It was evident that the injuries he had sustained were healed by her, and she was also the girl who had just offered to take him as her disciple. He had thought this little girl was merely a junior disciple, but he did not expect her to possess such high cultivation. The fact that this girl was willing to accept him as her disciple left the boy trembling with excitement, and he hurriedly bowed his head to Ruyue, saying: "I pay my respects to my master"
Liu Yue anxiously said to Ru Yue: "Master Uncle, this is not acceptable, is it? It is the Grandmaster's rule not to accept male disciples, and I fear the Sect Leader will not agree." She did not expect Ru Yue to actually take this boy as a disciple, which would likely not be accepted by all the elders.
"Please accept me as your disciple." The boy seemed to be able to say nothing else.
Indeed. Liu Yue was certain that for these three days and nights, the boy had not moved at all; she truly did not know how he had managed to endure. From the tone of her master, Shizuzu, it seemed she was quite interested in this boy. What could she be planning? Surely she wouldn't want to play tricks on him? That seems unlikely, as although Shizuzu enjoys teasing others, she has a kind heart and might actually want to help this boy. With this thought in mind, Liu Yue hurriedly recounted in detail everything that had happened when she encountered the boy. She felt a deep sympathy for this strong little boy, but due to the restrictions of the rules, she could not assist him. However, Shizuzu might be able to help, given her status and cultivation; she should have a way to assist this boy.
Li Xuan felt a wave of dizziness; whenever this technique of Ruyue was used, she found herself at a loss. She had never had the heart to refuse any request from this junior apprentice. With a helpless sigh, she said, "Alright, alright. I really have no way to deal with you. Do as you wish; from now on, your Ruyue Sect will be considered a subordinate sect of our school, and you will still be an elder of our sect. As for the rest, you can handle it however you like." Li Xuan said wearily.
With a swoosh, a figure darted through the air behind her, curiously asking, "Oh, Liu Yue, is that the little boy the elder mentioned who wants to join our sect?" The voice was crisp and melodious, like the sound of silver bells. Upon hearing it, Liu Yue immediately recognized who it was, and in a fluster, she stood up and respectfully replied, "Reporting to you, Master Ancestor, it is indeed that boy."
"Children, please go back; our sect does not accept boys." Liu Yue did not know how many times she had said this, but no matter what she said, the boy always responded with the same phrase: "Please accept me as your disciple"
Please accept me as your disciple
The boy looked at his hands in disbelief. Originally, his hands were dry and cracked, with almost all the nails fallen off. However, a burst of white light enveloped him, and he felt a tingling sensation. His hands were completely healed, as if he had just taken a bath, with smooth and elastic skin, completely unlike the state of being battered by the mountain winds for three days and nights. The prickly, dry, and painful sensation on his face had also vanished entirely. Tentatively, he touched his face with his hands and found it smooth and even, with not a single scar in sight. Moreover, he felt invigorated all over, completely free from the fatigue that had nearly caused him to faint just moments ago. It was as if he had just taken a bath, with smooth and elastic skin, completely unlike the state of being battered by the mountain winds for three days and nights. The prickly, dry, and painful sensation on his face had also vanished entirely. Tentatively, he touched his face with his hands and found it smooth and even, with not a single scar in sight. Moreover, he felt invigorated all over, completely free from the fatigue that had nearly caused him to faint just moments ago.
Originally, Liu Yue had treated his wounds from climbing, which he found quite miraculous. However, during the treatment, the searing pain from the wound nearly caused him to faint. This time, though, he felt no pain at all, and the healing was remarkably swift; it was as if a white light enveloped him, and he was healed instantly. It was truly astonishing.
Li Xuanniu shot a glance at Ruoyue, as if to say: Just know it.
He is so strong, Liu Yue sighed inwardly. She is the seventh generation disciple of the Xianyin Sect, having joined the sect at the age of three. Now at thirty-one, she has been cultivating for twenty-eight years, yet she has only reached the Integration Stage. Progressing further will be increasingly difficult. In her helplessness, her master had no choice but to assign her to the reception department for reception duties. Although Liu Yue's cultivation level is not high, she has her own perspective on cultivation. Ultimately, it boils down to two words—persistence. When it comes to talent, Liu Yue believes she is not inferior to other disciples in the sect, but she lacks perseverance. During her training, she often works hard for three days and slacks off for two, unable to calm her mind. If she could maintain her efforts consistently, she believes she would not be any worse than the other disciples in the sect. However, despite knowing where her problems lie, she constantly reminds herself to persist, yet she can only hold on for a few days before losing focus again. In the end, having talent alone is not enough; one must also have perseverance. If this boy could cultivate, his achievements would surely be remarkable. As Liu Yue thought of this, she couldn't help but want to appeal to the elder, to see if there was any way to allow him to join the sect. However, recalling the elder's resolute tone, Liu Yue sighed helplessly.
"Please accept me as your disciple." The boy's expression remained unmoved, staring blankly at the ground before him, and he said in a hoarse yet resolute voice
Liu Yue looked at the excited Ruyue and shook her head with a wry smile, realizing that the situation was escalating; her master uncle was actually planning to establish a sect.
Liu Yue is a disciple at the reception of the Xianyin Sect, specifically responsible for welcoming various visitors. Three days ago, a boy walked up the mountain path, and the first person he encountered was Liu Yue. At that time, he was already exhausted, his youthful face marked by fatigue, as if he might collapse at any moment. The fierce mountain wind made him shiver, but when he saw the gate of the Xianyin Sect, he suddenly became invigorated, quickly walking up to the gate and kneeling down with a thud.
"Why not? The master has never said that disciples cannot establish their own sects," said Xiyue, pouting slightly.
After Ru Yue left the performance hall, a new regulation was immediately announced: disciples of the Xianyin Sect who reach the Dividing Spirit stage and obtain unanimous consent from the elders within the sect may establish their own sect, creating a subordinate sect under the Xianyin Sect, which will be governed by the Xianyin Sect. The regulations will be established according to the standards of the main sect.
Liu Yue felt a surge of frustration in the reception room, her gaze inevitably returning to the boy outside the window. Three days ago, this boy had arrived at the door, utterly exhausted, with his hands and knees scraped and bloodied. He wore a blue shirt and black pants, both tattered and torn, and his face bore bruises of various colors. One can only imagine the hardships he endured on the way here.
Liu Yue was about to say something when she noticed the boy's entire body tremble. He suddenly raised his head, looked at Ruyue with excitement, and eagerly asked: "Really?"
Liu Yue was on the verge of losing her mind, wishing she could throw this guy into an abyss. Do not blame her for being cruel; if it were someone else, after three days of incessant and earnest persuasion, receiving the same response would lead anyone to harbor such malicious thoughts. Fortunately, Liu Yue only thought about it in her heart; in reality, she was a woman with a kind heart. Regarding the matter of the boy, she even personally sought the counsel of the elders in her faction, and the response she received was a resolute "No."
She tilted her head and smiled. If she were to call out, "Hey, little guy, what’s your name?" it would not be inappropriate for someone of Koyuki's age to refer to the boy in front of her as 'little guy.' However, hearing such a delicate and clear voice using such an old-fashioned tone to address a boy who appeared to be only slightly younger than Koyuki gave an impression of incongruity. Liu Yue covered her mouth in an attempt to stifle a laugh.
Because ... ... because ... ... Li Xuan was momentarily at a loss for words, wondering why ... ? The sect rules do not stipulate that disciples cannot establish their own sects. Back then, Master Ruying never said it was forbidden, but ... ... ... but? ... how should I put it? Li Xuan felt that this idea was simply too absurd. How could an elder of the sect establish a new sect on their own? What would happen to the Xianyin Sect? "In short, it is unacceptable. This is too absurd, and I absolutely will not approve it." Li Xuan, at a loss for words, ultimately had to take a firm stance.
Upon hearing her words, the boy's heart sank once again. Ru Yue nonchalantly said, "Of course, Senior Sister would not agree, and I also will not go against Master’s rules..." Upon hearing Ru Yue say the same, the boy's expression changed dramatically, and he lowered his head in dejection
Suppressing the anger within her, Liu Yue bent down and tried to persuade gently, "Little friend, do you know that our sect absolutely does not accept male disciples? This rule was established by our founding ancestor three hundred years ago, and it cannot be broken for you. Moreover, the techniques practiced in our sect are extremely yin and gentle, which are simply not suitable for boys like you to cultivate. Forcing yourself to practice would lead to you becoming neither male nor female. Surely, you wouldn't want to become a person..." This term was indeed too ambiguous, and despite Liu Yue's lifelong commitment to purity, she still felt embarrassed to say it out loud.
Liu Yue was very troubled, and what troubled her was the boy kneeling in front of her. No, it would be more accurate to say he was a boy, with a childish face and a frail body, seemingly not yet fifteen years old. He had delicate features and a slender, fragile frame, as if he could be blown away by a gust of wind. It was truly hard to imagine how such a frail body could traverse that small mountain path, which seemed like a heavenly ladder to an ordinary person.
She also knew it was unlikely, because since its founding three hundred years ago, the Xianyin Sect had never accepted a male disciple. The sect rules were established by the founding ancestor, Master Ye Ruying, and no one dared to violate them. Therefore, despite her deep sympathy for the boy and her admiration for his resolute will, all she could do was persuade him to leave this place
Equally bemused was Li Xuan, who sat in the performance hall watching as Ru Yue stood in the center of the hall, excitedly engrossed in her own ideas and laughing to herself. The other six junior sisters were also seated in their respective places, exchanging wry smiles as they looked at Ru Yue. They had always found this quirky junior sister to be quite a handful, so they collectively turned their gaze towards their senior sister, as only her words seemed to resonate with Ru Yue.
As Ru Yue turned her eyes, she smiled slightly from an angle unseen by the crowd, then raised her head and approached Li Xuan. She linked her arm with Li Xuan's and said: "Senior sister, please don't be angry. How could Ru Yue not listen to your words? You are our most esteemed senior sister."
However, upon further reflection, it does not seem strange at all. The one with the highest cultivation in the sect is indeed Master Ruyue, so it is only natural that she would be the first to master any technique. Suppressing the shock in her heart, she also rushed out the door and came to stand behind Ruyue.
Liu Yue watched anxiously from behind, knowing that this Shizuzu Koyue would not play by the rules. If she were to anger him, he might really throw the little boy down from here. This was not impossible, as Liu Yue had once felt such an impulse herself
"Yes, Elder." Liu Yue replied respectfully. After all, she is an Elder and a first-generation disciple. Although Ru Yue appears merely as a little girl, Liu Yue still feels a genuine respect for her.
Why? A glimmer of cunning flashed in the eyes of Ruoyue
The entire Tianlai is steep and perilous, making it difficult for birds to cross. To reach the summit, there is only a narrow man-made path, which in many places can only accommodate one person at a time. The path winds and twists; on the left is a steep mountain wall, and on the right is an abyss of unimaginable depth. Walking on it, even the slightest carelessness could lead to a fate of being shattered into pieces.
Despite the presence of cultivators like Liu Yue and Ru Yue, they were taken aback upon seeing the boy's face. The boy's skin was cracked and dry, resembling a parched earth surface, with fissures exposing the raw, bloody flesh beneath. His lips were also dry and split, with two deep gashes running through them, causing his lips to nearly separate into four parts. The blood vessels were exposed beneath the flesh, and with every word he spoke, the flesh would writhe, making it evident how much pain he endured with each utterance.
Ruyue, with her hands on her hips, leaned forward slightly and said loudly, word by word: "I am not talking about this; I am asking what your name is!" The last few words were almost shouted, and she was very angry that the boy treated her words as if they were just a breeze passing by.
However, as the expression on Ruyue's face changed, she revealed a pitiful look, pouting her small lips and saying: "But, Senior Sister, I am so bored. I feel suffocated from practicing all day long, and there is no one in the sect to play with me. They all call me 'Senior Uncle' or 'Great-Granduncle,' and everyone is afraid of me. When I ask them to play, they always make excuses. You are all busy every day, and no one keeps me company. I want to chat with you, but I can't find the time. Senior Sister, I am so bored." As she finished speaking, Ruyue's big eyes were misted with tears, making Li Xuan and the other senior sisters feel deeply guilty. Indeed, over the years, there have been too many mundane matters, and no one has been able to spare some time to accompany their little junior sister. They have not had the time to care for her, and now, even though she is over two hundred years old, she still has the mentality of a child. For this, Li Xuan and the other senior sisters felt a profound sense of guilt towards Ruyue. Li Xuan sighed deeply in her heart, gently stroking Ruyue's soft hair, wondering if she could really spare some time to properly care for this lovely little junior sister amidst the entanglements of worldly affairs.
Please accept me as your disciple
The Tianlai Peak of the Lanyao Mountain Range, a steep peak with an elevation of nearly 3,000 meters, presents a uniform slope of 45 degrees and is exceptionally perilous. This location is the site of the Xianyin Sect, hence it is named Tianlai Peak
Two hundred years have passed since the shift. Under the mutual pressure of the fractured Japanese island plate and the continental plate, the topography of eastern China has undergone significant changes. A massive mountain range has risen from within the original Shandong Province to the original Jiangxi Province, forming a continuous range of mountains stretching for thousands of miles. This mountain range has been named the Lanyao Mountain Range
As the enchanting eyes of the moonlit water sparkled, it seemed as if she had thought of something, and with a decisive nod, she waved her small hand and said firmly: "Alright, I accept you as my disciple"
As the excitement of Ruyue diminished slightly, Li Xuan straightened her face and said: "Ruyue, you are being too reckless"
Hehe, the Kisaragi Gate is so much fun, just like that. Kisaragi, who was suddenly excited about her brilliant idea, clapped her hands and jumped up in front of her first disciple, disregarding her demeanor.
Like the month of February two hundred years ago, she has not changed at all, still resembling a young girl with slender willow-leaf eyebrows, round and bright eyes, and delicate cherry lips that move playfully, just as adorable as a girl next door. Do not underestimate her; she is the foremost expert of the current Xianyin Sect, with cultivation that surpasses that of the sect leader, Li Xuan, having already reached the Spirit Division stage. However, this elder is the most amusing figure in the entire Xianyin Sect. Despite her high cultivation, her years of secluded practice have left her mentality at the level of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old, leading her to act in ways that defy common sense, often leaving others in a state of both laughter and tears. Moreover, her seniority is astonishing; aside from the sect leader and the other six elders, no one dares to reprimand her. However, the sect leader, Li Xuan, is very fond of her. Although she has given her many warnings, she has never punished her, which has made her increasingly reckless. Fortunately, she spends most of her time in seclusion and rarely comes out; otherwise, the Xianyin Sect would have been thrown into chaos long ago. One wonders what kind of trouble she will stir up this time upon her return from seclusion
I heard that when he arrived, his knees and hands were a bloody mess. He crawled up, didn't he?" Kisaragi looked at the boy outside the door with her clever eyes, asking curiously
Kagetsu covered her small mouth with her hand, staring in shock at the boy whose face was marred with scars, unable to utter a word. It must have hurt terribly for his face to look like this, yet he could still kneel here, enduring the pain while responding to her words. How much suffering had he truly endured? Kagetsu thought to herself, and her kind heart was filled with deep sorrow. What was initially meant to be a playful prank on the boy instantly transformed into a resolute decision.
The boy, who was already extremely disappointed, felt greatly moved upon hearing that Kisaragi was still willing to take him as a disciple and even create a sect for him. He excitedly replied, "Yes, Master"
It is well known throughout the world that the Xianyin Sect never accepts male disciples. Among the sect's seventy-eight thousand disciples, all are female. This is not due to the Xianyin Sect's discrimination against men, but rather because the sect's cultivation methods are extremely yin and gentle, making them unsuitable for male practitioners. However, this boy has gone through countless hardships to come here to seek a master.
As they watched the figure of Ru Yue recede into the distance, the seven senior sisters exchanged silent, bitter smiles with one another