Chapter 49: Returning to the Immortal Sect, Family Precepts Still Heard

The note contained detailed instructions on how to use the Solar Spirit Pearl.

Through a process of refinement, the Solar Spirit Pearl prevented the solar energy from leaking out; one only needed to keep it on their person to use it.

During the early stages of Qi Refinement, if one used the Solar Spirit Pearl for cultivation daily, the duration must not exceed half an hour. Otherwise, it would damage one's bodily fluids, causing solar heat to float externally while true yin becomes deficient, which would ultimately be detrimental to cultivation.

Furthermore, Hong Dengyuan had specifically instructed that sensing the two energies of Camp and Guard and causing them to diverge was not an achievement that could be accomplished overnight, urging her not to become complacent upon her return.

As for the pastries, they were provided to stave off her hunger.

Feeling hungry, Jiang Youling swallowed the pastries in a few gulps, stowed away the Solar Spirit Pearl, and hurriedly rose to return to Baina Peak. It was already noon on the second day.

Realizing she had missed her shift, she thought to herself, *This is bad,* and rushed toward the Talisman Academy.

However, upon arriving at the Academy, she was not only not blamed, but Senior Sister Ruan even spoke to her with a pleasant expression.

"Is Junior Sister Jiang here? Master Hong already sent word to say you had matters to attend to today and didn't need to work. I didn't expect you to be so diligent as to come anyway."

Master Hong had sent word?

Jiang Youling breathed a slight sigh of relief. She was no longer surprised by the change in Senior Sister Ruan's attitude and simply asked, "Has my transfer order been issued?"

Hearing this, Ruan Ziqin became even more certain that Junior Sister Jiang had struck gold.

After following her on a demon-hunting trip, not only had she unexpectedly caught the eye of the True Disciple Senior Brother, but even Master Hong, who had previously disliked her, had undergone a massive change in attitude.

Of course, the most important basis for this conclusion was that Senior Brother Zhao, who had made things difficult for Junior Sister Jiang in every possible way, had received thirty lashes yesterday and was still lying in bed!

She heard that his flesh and skin were all battered, and even after applying medicine, the wounds had failed to heal.

He wouldn't be able to get out of bed for at least ten days.

Thinking of this, Ruan Ziqin's expression became increasingly attentive.

Although she was a supervisor and held a higher status than Jiang Youling, neither the True Disciple Senior Brother nor Master Hong were people she could afford to offend.

"Rest assured, Junior Sister. The matters Senior Brother Xie instructed were certainly handled first thing this morning. Here is your transfer order. You may now stay in the Yunjian Pavilion with peace of mind; you only need to submit ten pieces of green elm bark each month."

Jiang Youling, however, said, "Collecting green elm bark is too simple for me. Are there any other tasks that can be assigned to me?"

"This... after new disciples enter the sect, they naturally start with the most basic tasks and cannot take on other duties until three years have passed."

Ruan Ziqin hesitated at first, but then spoke up boldly, "However, since your transfer order was issued by the True Disciple Senior Brother and does not specify particular duties, I might be able to mediate a little. What kind of matters are you interested in?"

"Anything is fine, as long as I can learn something, but the difficulty shouldn't be too high, lest I fail to complete the tasks."

Ruan Ziqin thought carefully for a moment. "You can participate in the production of Spirit Summoning Talismans. If you cannot adapt, I will arrange other duties for you."

Hearing this, Jiang Youling accepted the transfer order in a good mood, accepting Senior Sister Ruan's gesture of goodwill.

Although Ruan Ziqin had made things difficult for her before, it was mostly due to Zhao Cheng's coercion, and she had also repeatedly given her tips, advising her to keep a low profile.

Even though those tips hadn't been much use to her.

Still, having a supervisor sister who was on her side certainly made things much more convenient.

Thus, Jiang Youling did not dwell on the past.

"I have important matters and wish to return home. Could Senior Sister help me request leave?"

"Requesting leave so soon?"

Ruan Ziqin was slightly stunned, but she didn't think much of it. "It's fine. Laborer disciples may request leave once every three years, for no more than ten days at a time. How long does Junior Sister wish to stay?"

Jiang Youling thought about it. Since she had not yet succeeded in diverging the Camp and Guard energies, staying at home was essentially no different from staying on the immortal mountain.

However, she had to go to Danyang Mountain to attend a lecture in five days, so she would request five days of leave.

Ruan Ziqin handled the relevant procedures for her and then handed her a paper whistle.

"Fearing that Junior Sister might have an emergency and cannot return in time, I have applied for ten days of leave for you. If you return early, just let me know."

Jiang Youling nodded, took the paper whistle, and blew it. Shortly after, she mounted a crane and flew toward the outskirts of the mountain.

Looking at the overlapping mountains and the rolling clouds beneath her feet, Jiang Youling felt an infinite sense of emotion.

When she first entered Taixuan, she saw only the towering immortal gates and the swirling clouds, as if she had ascended to the ninth heaven.

Her heart was full of longing and trepidation, and she had vowed to cultivate well so as not to disappoint the earnest expectations of her elders and kin.

Who would have thought that in just two short months, through several ups and downs, she would realize that this immortal mountain was not as pure and stainless as she had imagined.

With a crisp crane cry, Jiang Youling landed at the foot of the mountain and headed straight home.

She had originally thought that after her entry into the sect, her grandmother's teachings to her mother and uncle would be much more lenient, but before she even reached the courtyard gate, she heard reprimanding voices coming from within.

"Back straight as a pine! Knees must not pass the toes! To collapse your waist and bend your legs after only half an incense stick's worth of time—what kind of conduct is this!"

As Grandmother Cui's stern voice rang out, a ruler struck a back with a loud *slap*. Chen Yong could no longer maintain his posture and began to scream like a slaughtered pig.

"Mother! Lighten up, lighten up! I am your own son! If you cripple me, you'll be the one feeling the heartache in the end!"

Grandmother Cui snorted coldly. "Don't worry, I know my strength. This much force is just to loosen your skin; it won't break you."

As she spoke, the ruler continued to strike Chen Yong.

Just as Chen Yong was about to beg for mercy, he caught sight of movement at the courtyard gate out of the corner of his eye and cried out in surprise, "Eh, Youling is back!"

Grandmother Cui's hand paused. She looked back, and no joy appeared on her face; instead, she subconsciously frowned.

She had only been in the sect for two months; why was Youling back so soon? Surely nothing had happened?

With worry in her heart and anxiety on her face, she managed a forced smile and nodded in greeting, "Ling-jie'er."

"Grandmother. Mother, Uncle..."

After greeting everyone in the courtyard, Jiang Youling turned to look around. "Where is my father?"

Chen Ling's expression was somewhat grim. "Ever since you entered Taixuan, your father has been working like a madman to earn spirit stones. He won't listen to anyone. He's currently down in the mines; I'll go call him back."

Chen Ling hurried out, while the others dropped their stances and swarmed around her.

"I haven't seen you in two months, and you've grown quite a bit. You've reached your uncle's chin."

"Youling, is the Taixuan Sect fun? Are the Immortal Masters very serious when they discipline people?"

Jiang Youling tilted her head and thought. "It's alright. When you first start practicing, it might feel boring, but gradually you can find some enjoyment. Some Immortal Masters are serious, while others are very approachable..."

After answering a long string of questions, seeing that her granddaughter showed no sign of stopping the inquiries, Old Lady Cui finally spoke up.

"That's enough. Youling has just returned and is likely quite exhausted; stop pestering her with questions."

Only then did Chen Yu stop, though the curiosity in his eyes as he looked at Jiang Youling remained unabated.

Old Lady Cui dismissed the others and called Jiang Youling into the room alone, her expression solemn.

"Ling-jie'er, tell me the truth. Did you encounter any difficulties in Taixuan?"