Chapter 20: Becoming a Disciple

As the green-clad man, who looked like an immortal, slowly materialized in the courtyard, Li Xiangping’s mouth suddenly turned bitter. He thought to himself

"Damn it, the owner of that mirror must have come looking for it!"

Panic instantly seized him. He felt this man was profoundly mysterious and unfathomable. He looked up at Li Chijing and Li Tongya; although they appeared composed, the unease in the depths of their eyes suggested they shared Li Xiangping's fears.

"I am Si Yuanbai, Peak Master of Qingsui Peak of the Qingchi Sect."

Si Yuanbai smiled slightly. Seeing that the Li family members were highly guarded rather than prostrating themselves like ordinary people, his judgment was further confirmed. He replied with a smile

"There is no need for tension. This Guli Dao belongs to my Qingchi Sect. Since you have entered the path of cultivation, you are naturally under the jurisdiction of the Qingchi Sect."

Seeing that this man was not there for the mirror, Li Tongya and the others immediately relaxed, and their hostility toward Si Yuanbai diminished significantly. Li Tongya cupped his hands and spoke respectfully

"We are merely simple folk from the countryside, ignorant and unlearned. We inadvertently became practitioners of the Mysterious Realm and did not know which great sect your Excellency belonged to. We have been disrespectful to the envoy."

Si Yuanbai was momentarily stunned, but he quickly understood. Since no one had been sent to manage Guli Dao for hundreds of years, these villagers no longer even knew the name of the Qingchi Sect. He then performed a hand seal, and a lifelike map of the Yue Kingdom materialized before everyone.

This display instantly stunned the Li family. Although Li Chijing and the others had learned hand seals to summon magical power, they struggled just to form a basic shape, let alone exercise the exquisite control required to mold a map.

"This is the Yue Kingdom."

With a thought from Si Yuanbai, a green patch appeared on the southern part of the Yue Kingdom map, occupying roughly one-fourth of its area.

"And this is my Qingchi Sect."

"So it is the Qingchi Immortal Sect," Li Mutian said, cupping his hands. "When I was young, I followed General Yang to attack the Shanyue. Those talismans should have been issued by the Qingchi Immortal Sect."

"I dare not claim the title of an Immortal Sect."

Si Yuanbai waved his hands repeatedly and said to Li Xiangping and the other two

"Since you have entered the gates of the Mysterious Realm, the villages surrounding Guli Dao shall fall under your management. You only need to remember to provide the resources required by the sect every year."

"There are several other families on Guli Dao. Your family's foundation is shallow, so try to yield whenever possible and avoid excessive disputes. Every five years, the sect will send people to collect disciples to go up the mountain. If an outstanding individual emerges from your clan, it will be of great benefit to the family."

Li Tongya's expression changed slightly as he asked in a low voice

"May I ask about these resources..."

"Once every five years: ten White Yuan Fruits and two hundred catties of Spirit Rice."

Si Yuanbai said solemnly, "These resources are absolutely indispensable. It is best if you can have a disciple officially join the sect; otherwise, the exploitation and skimming will be unavoidable..."

Having spoken to this extent, how could Li Tongya not understand his meaning? The group exchanged glances. Li Mutian thought to himself

"This man didn't come earlier or later, but chose to appear exactly when Jing'er was breaking through. He most likely wants Jing'er to join the Qingchi Sect."

"That is actually for the best. Jing'er has extraordinary talent; staying in these deep mountains would truly be a waste of him. It is better for him to go to an Immortal Sect to display his abilities; the family will have support both inside and out."

Thinking this, Li Mutian gave a slight nod to Li Chijing. Seeing his father's expression, Li Chijing immediately understood. He bowed deeply to Si Yuanbai and spoke with utmost respect

"Chijing's talent is dull, yet I admire the Peak Master's elegance. I hope to join your peak as a sweeping boy to listen to your immortal teachings."

"Very well, you are fit to join my Qingsui Peak."

Si Yuanbai was not polite and nodded with a smile. He tapped his waist with his left hand, and two bundles, one large and one small, appeared on the ground. Seeing their astonished expressions, he explained

"These are storage bags. You will be able to use them once you have cultivated the Yujing Wheel."

"The larger bundle contains the seeds for the Spirit Rice, and the smaller one contains the pits of the White Yuan Fruit."

Si Yuanbai flipped his left hand, revealing several wooden slips, and continued

"There is no need to be a sweeping boy. Since you have joined my sect, you should know my name. Your master's surname is Si, and my name is Yuanbai. I am a Peak Master in the Qingchi Sect, so I naturally will not mistreat you."

"These three scrolls of cultivation methods are for rogue cultivators of the Yue Kingdom; you may let your family study them for reference. The other scroll contains the cultivation methods for the Spirit Rice and White Yuan Fruit. You must study them diligently!"

The group responded in low voices. Si Yuanbai asked with a smile

"There is no need to be so tense. What cultivation method are you practicing?"

Li Xiangping and the others immediately reacted as if facing a great enemy. They exchanged glances, but for a moment, no one spoke.

Seeing their hesitation, Si Yuanbai realized something and waved his hands repeatedly

"I understand, I understand. Surely that senior gave you instructions."

Si Yuanbai had only successfully reached the Foundation Establishment stage last year, so in his heart, he naturally regarded the one from ten years ago as a "senior."

Hearing this, Li Mutian coughed, stepped out from behind the others, and said softly

"More than ten years ago, this old man saved a senior. That senior recovered from his injuries at our home for a few years, left behind this cultivation method, and instructed me not to reveal it. After saying that, he drifted away..."

"Indeed!"

Si Yuanbai nodded slightly, feeling quite proud of his own wit. He thought to himself

"It is nothing more than a Wheel-Nurturing Method. What else could it be? Some immortal art for gathering moonlight and absorbing yang essence? There is no need to force it, lest I damage the disciple's affection."

Looking at the old man with pity, Si Yuanbai flipped his palm to reveal a pale green jade seal. He lightly brushed the seal, which slowly glowed with a golden light, revealing several large golden characters

"Under the Jurisdiction of Qingchi."

Si Yuanbai looked at the group and said

"This is the token of my Qingchi Sect's authority. I have imprinted it with a dharma seal. With this, you can draw boundaries with neighboring families and use it to call for help from the sect. Guard it well."

With a slight gesture of his left hand, the jade seal slowly descended into Li Tongya's hands. Watching Li Tongya put the seal away, Si Yuanbai turned to Li Chijing with a smile and said

"Good disciple, say goodbye to your family."

With red eyes, Li Chijing hugged his two brothers and kowtowed several times before Li Mutian, sobbing

"Your son is unfilial. I will not be able to serve my parents at your knees in the future. I hope my parents take good care of their health."

Li Mutian coughed a few times and hurriedly helped Li Chijing up, instructing

"Your two brothers will handle the affairs at home; do not worry. Cultivate well in the sect and become a pillar of support for our Li family."

After bidding farewell to his two brothers, Li Chijing walked reluctantly to Si Yuanbai's side and replied

"Master, your disciple has bid farewell to his family."

Si Yuanbai nodded repeatedly, ignoring Li Tongya and the others as they bowed deeply. He laughed heartily and muttered to himself

"Having gained an excellent disciple today, I shall let that pig demon go!"

With that, he took hold of Li Chijing on the ground and gave a light wave of his hand. A flying shuttle slowly materialized before them. With another hand seal, the shuttle stretched several times its length. The two stepped onto the shuttle and sped northward like a falling star.