Chapter 12: A Farewell in the Mortal Realm, Ascending to Truth Upon a Crane's Back

She looked at Old Madam Cui, her expression solemn. "Father once said that the Siqing Yangshen Decoction you used on me that day was very expensive. Once I receive my monthly stipend, I will offer all the spirit stones to you as a token of my filial piety!"

Old Madam Cui could not help but chuckle, patting Jiang Youling’s shoulder with affection.

"You have yet to enter the Dao; your monthly stipend is but one spirit stone and one Heart-Clearing Pill. How could I possibly take what little you have?

You are still young, and this is the perfect time for cultivation. Keep these spirit stones for yourself and practice diligently. It will not be too late to repay your grandmother once your cultivation realm improves and your monthly allowance becomes more generous."

Jiang Youling’s eyes grew warm, and she whispered her agreement.

When she returned home, firecrackers were popping thunderously, and the surroundings were filled with joyous chatter—a truly festive and lively scene.

Neighbors heard the commotion and, upon learning that Jiang Youling had passed the examination on her first attempt, felt a complex mix of emotions.

"Old Madam Cui has such good fortune! She adopted a granddaughter, and now she’s off to the Taixuan Sect to cultivate immortality!"

"The Chen family has a successor! That girl Jiang Youling is sharp. If we had known she would have such a destiny, we should have had Jiang Mingyu marry into our family when the father and daughter first arrived in Fuyao City."

"Pah! Hindsight is 20/20. Although Jiang Youling is clever, she couldn't have passed this exam without Old Madam Cui’s cultivation. Could you have produced something as precious as the Siqing Yangshen Decoction?"

"Heh, I was just saying it off the cuff..."

Regardless of what outsiders said, the Chen family had truly held their heads high this time.

The past whispers mocking Old Madam Cui for her wishful thinking had completely dissipated, replaced by praise for her capacity for tolerance and her keen eye for talent.

Over the next few days, Old Madam Cui would pick out various rules of the Taixuan Sect or common knowledge about the cultivation world to share with Jiang Youling.

"Although the Taixuan Sect is a place of immortals, the world has its yin and yang, its good and its bad, its gentlemen and its villains.

When you are out in the world, always keep your guard up. It is better to offend a gentleman than to offend a villain."

Jiang Youling listened intently. "I have taken your teachings to heart, Grandmother."

For the remainder of the time, aside from her daily routine of hard work, Jiang Youling spent every moment keeping them company.

Learning that Jiang Youling was going to the immortal sect, Chen Yu felt both admiration and envy.

"Youling, I knew you could do it!"

Jiang Youling thanked her sincerely. "Sister Yu, thank you. If you hadn't recommended me to Grandmother, I would never have had this day."

Chen Yu’s round eyes crinkled into crescents. "Why thank me? I only spoke the truth. It is because you have genuine talent that Mother and Grandmother value you.

If it were me, even if I took the exam a hundred times, I might not pass!"

Jiang Youling smiled and said nothing more, but she kept the other girl’s kindness and favor close to her heart.

On the day of departure, everyone in the Chen family set aside their work to see Jiang Youling off to the mountain.

They walked the mountain path, one stretch after another, with Grandmother, Father, and Mother offering advice, one sentence after another.

Jiang Youling smiled and agreed to everything, then glanced at the sky. "Grandmother, Father, Mother, let us stop here. The path down the mountain is getting longer; please do not see me off any further."

Old Madam Cui stopped. "Very well. I recall you arranged to return to the sect with your fellow disciple, yes?"

Jiang Youling nodded, catching a glimpse of Shen Yingshu and her family appearing not far away. "She is here."

Old Madam Cui and the others also noticed the movement behind them. The two families exchanged a few pleasantries and then each gave final instructions to their own young ladies.

"Once you are at Taixuan, respect your teachers and follow the path. Cultivate well, and do not get into conflicts with your fellow disciples!"

"When you ride the paper crane later, sit properly and remember not to fidget. If you are afraid, just close your eyes."

"If you encounter any difficulties, do not hesitate to send word home. Although Taixuan is an immortal sect, it is not a place that lacks reason..."

"I know, I know!"

Shen Yingshu pointed at her ears exaggeratedly. "I’ve heard these words a hundred times at home. If I listen any longer, my ears will grow calluses!"

Everyone laughed.

The young girl’s cheerful voice diluted the atmosphere of parting.

Jiang Youling and Shen Yingshu exchanged a look and each took out a paper whistle, blowing it hard.

A clear, bright crane cry echoed from the clouds, and then two cranes appeared, one after the other, spreading their wings and landing gracefully beside them.

Their feathers were as white as fresh snow, their posture elegant and bright; their legs were slender and dark as ink-jade; a single spot of red on their crowns burned like cinnabar.

As they flapped their wings in the wind, they possessed a floating, transcendent air—truly immortal birds.

Jiang Youling’s eyes widened, staring at the cranes in amazement.

Had she not known beforehand, she would never have guessed that these lifelike cranes were actually transformed from paper by an immortal.

Shen Yingshu was also incredibly excited, looking the crane up and down and subconsciously reaching out to touch the snow-white feathers.

The crane held itself with pride; seeing Shen Yingshu reach out, it turned away with a graceful movement, avoiding her touch.

Shen Yingshu missed, but she wasn't annoyed in the slightest. Instead, her eyes shone bright, thinking: *It won't be too late to touch it once I'm sitting on its back.*

The cranes paced for a moment, then crouched down, letting out a few cries as if urging them on.

The two girls dared not delay, climbing onto the cranes' backs with great care and wrapping their arms tightly around the cranes' necks.

The cranes flapped their wings and took flight, rising several fathoms off the ground in an instant, stretching their necks as they flew toward the immortal mountains.

Jiang Youling’s heart pounded, feeling the wind of the heavens whistling past, cold against her face, her sleeves fluttering like butterfly wings.

Looking down at the mortal world, the mountains and forests were like a painting, and human figures were like mere dots;

Looking up at the firmament, the sun and moon felt close enough to touch, and the flying clouds seemed within reach.

The crane’s cry was clear and resonant, piercing the clouds and tearing the silk of the sky. As the birds soared through the nine heavens, the riders felt as if they had left the world behind to ascend to immortality, their hearts and souls cleansed, no longer knowing what age it was in the mortal realm.

More than an hour later, the cranes landed on a certain mountain peak and dissipated into specks of flowing light.

Jiang Youling regained her senses and began to look at the unfamiliar mountain peak before her.

Shen Yingshu followed close behind and spoke up, "I imagine this must be the Reception Peak."

"Indeed."

A man in his twenties, dressed in gray, walked out from the Reception Hall not far away and smiled at the two of them.

"Are you two the new junior sisters joining the sect this time? Please, follow me."

The two had no reason to doubt him and quickly followed.

The man in gray led them to a neighboring peak and pointed to a simple dwelling. "This will be your residence from now on."

Jiang Youling and Shen Yingshu pushed the door open and saw that although the house was humble, it was kept spotlessly clean. All kinds of daily necessities were provided, and there was even a small, independent courtyard, which brought them a sense of joy.

The gray-clad senior brother reminded them, "It is getting late. Put down your luggage quickly; I will take you to the dining hall for a meal. If you miss the time, you will go hungry."

The two quickly put down their bundles and followed the senior brother, walking briskly toward the dining hall.

On the way, people greeted the man from time to time. The senior brother nodded in response to each, his pace as swift as the wind.

When they reached the dining hall, it was crowded but orderly.

Everyone filed in, taking their food in sequence without a sound of clamor; only the faint, rhythmic clinking of chopsticks and spoons against bowls could be heard.

The newcomers also consciously lined up at the end of the queue, waiting quietly without speaking.

Jiang Youling followed the senior brother and stood at the end of the line with Shen Yingshu, looking at others' trays with curiosity.

She saw that on the trays, there was only a small bowl of black rice, accompanied by nothing but mountain leeks and rock ear fungus—not a hint of meat or fish to be seen.

(End of chapter)