Taking a Disciple

Ye Ping had already confirmed it.

He must have run into one of those Hidden Sects—the kind that looked utterly ordinary on the surface, but where every single person was actually a Peerless Expert.

These sorts of people were tired of the mundane world, already standing at the pinnacle of the world, finding no more pleasure in it, so they pretended to be commoners just to seek a thrill.

But this was only a guess in his heart; whether it was true or not still needed careful investigation.

But this Senior Disciple Brother was definitely an expert.

If he wasn't an expert, then who was?

And sensing Ye Ping's barely concealed excitement, Su Changyu already understood that his bluff had worked.

"Alright, Ye Ping, come with me into the sect. Don't disturb your senior brother's meditation."

Grand Hua Daoist spoke.

Ye Ping nodded immediately, then respectfully bowed to Su Changyu.

After that, he followed Grand Hua Daoist toward the mountain gate.

Once Ye Ping had left.

Su Changyu finally let out a breath.

His tense nerves gradually calmed down.

Then he muttered to himself.

"Three million Sword Immortals in the heavens, all must bow their heads when they see me. Heh, that's enough to show off."

Su Changyu chuckled, and his immortal-bone, transcendent aura instantly vanished without a trace.

At Qingyun Dao Sect.

Ye Ping followed Grand Hua Daoist as they walked.

The dilapidated mountain gate, and the solitary stick of incense in the censer—everything screamed poverty.

Even Grand Hua Daoist couldn't help but look embarrassed when he saw it.

Yet when Ye Ping saw the environment of Qingyun Dao Sect, instead of showing any disdain, he revealed a look of delight instead.

This left Grand Hua Daoist a bit baffled.

A place like this, and you can still look happy?

Have you never cultivated before?

Grand Hua Daoist felt a little puzzled. He had even prepared himself for Ye Ping to turn around and leave on the spot, but he never expected Ye Ping to show delight. In this day and age, there was still such an innocent cultivation youth?

This kid has great potential.

Grand Hua Daoist thought to himself.

As for why Ye Ping showed delight, the reason was simple.

This was exactly the style of a Hidden Sect.

As a transmigrator, Ye Ping had read countless web novels, and the description of Hidden Sects always boiled down to two words.

Abnormal!

That's right, abnormal.

Other sects were resplendent and magnificent, practically carving "we're awesome" onto their mountain gates, but truly powerful Hidden Sects preferred to keep a low profile.

The lower the profile, the better. The more plain, the better. It gave people an illusion—at first glance, it looked like a trash sect.

But in reality, this was a test, a trial for new disciples of a Hidden Sect.

Just like in mythological stories, those immortals loved using this kind of trick to fool mortals. Guanyin Bodhisattva using a tattered robe to exchange for Tang Sanzang's wealth and glory—stories like that were everywhere.

Thinking of this, how could Ye Ping not understand?

So Ye Ping was even more certain that this was a Hidden Sect.

"Ye Ping, follow me."

Grand Hua Daoist spoke.

Ye Ping immediately nodded.

Then he followed Grand Hua Daoist into the main hall.

Although Qingyun Dao Sect looked extremely run-down, Ye Ping still keenly noticed one thing that set it apart—it was clean and tidy.

That's right, clean.

If it were a declining sect, how could it possibly be swept so clean?

Although the Sect Leader had emphasized before coming that Qingyun Dao Sect was a low-tier sect, Ye Ping could tell from this detail alone that this sect was definitely not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

Indeed, a single oversight.

Even though they tried their best to hide it, they still couldn't escape his sharp eyes.

Ye Ping couldn't help but silently applaud his own keen insight.

Just as the two entered the main hall.

Grand Hua Daoist's voice rang out.

"Ye Ping, now that you have come to the Dao Sect, I must say a few words. Do not rush to answer; first, listen to what I have to say."

Grand Hua Daoist did not refer to himself as "your master" but used "I" instead, lending a tone of gravity.

Ye Ping likewise responded with seriousness, looking intently at Grand Hua Daoist.

"The path of immortal cultivation is said to be harder than reaching the heavens. The journey of cultivation may appear a broad and smooth road, but in truth it is strewn with thorns. Not to mention the myriad dangers—merely the act of cultivating itself is measured in decades. So if you truly wish to tread this path, you must preserve a pure and sincere heart."

"Do not aim too high, nor give up halfway for lack of results. Without perseverance, great deeds are hard to achieve. This you must think over carefully."

Grand Hua Daoist spoke with utmost gravity, a hint of desolation in his words.

But the reason he said this was to set expectations in advance. After all, Ye Ping's aptitude clearly wasn't impressive. What if he trained for three to five months and couldn't even sense spiritual energy, then simply turned around and left? So he had to scare him a little first.

"Disciple understands. The path of immortal cultivation is inherently a lonely one. An immortal in seclusion may find the world has changed by the time they emerge. Since I have chosen this path, I will surely steady my mind and never stray into delusion or error."

Ye Ping agreed wholeheartedly with these words.

Having read so many novels, even if he hadn't eaten pork, he'd seen pigs run.

If immortal cultivation were that easy, everyone would be doing it.

"Very good."

Grand Hua Daoist nodded with satisfaction. Though Ye Ping's aptitude might be lacking, his mindset was quite commendable.

Unlike a few previous new disciples who, after only a few months of training, wished they could reach Qi Refining Perfection today, Foundation Establishment Perfection tomorrow, condense a Golden Core the day after, and become a Nascent Soul Ancestor the day after that.

Pure wishful thinking.

"Since you can endure solitude, I have nothing more to say. But Ye Ping, let me emphasize one last thing: during the probationary period of cultivation, the sect will not issue you any stipend. Only after you become a full disciple will you receive one. Can you accept this?"

Grand Hua Daoist asked even more seriously.

A trace of nervousness flickered in his eyes.

But it was hard to notice, and Ye Ping paid it no mind.

"Rest assured, Sect Leader. Wealth and possessions are external things. The sect teaching me immortal cultivation is already a great kindness. How would I dare ask for material rewards? As the saying goes, don't always think about what benefits the sect can give you; think more about what benefits you can bring to the sect."

Ye Ping spoke with fervent passion.

For a transmigrator, having someone teach him immortal cultivation was already a tremendous favor. Silver or no silver—that was far too shallow.

"Excellent!"

Grand Hua Daoist's spirits lifted dramatically upon hearing this.

Ye Ping's words struck a chord deep in his heart.

Don't always think about what benefits the sect can bring you; think more about what benefits you can bring to the sect.

Wonderful, wonderful.

Who said that? A kindred spirit, truly. We must have tea together sometime.

Grand Hua Daoist rejoiced inwardly.

He had picked up a real treasure.

But soon, he steadied his emotions and looked at Ye Ping.

"In that case, I will accept you as my disciple. However, for now you are only a nominal disciple. Once you become a full disciple, we will hold a formal apprenticeship ceremony."

Grand Hua Daoist said this.

"Thank you, Master. Disciple will not let down your kindness."

Hearing that he had been accepted into the sect, Ye Ping immediately bowed with excitement.

"Then I will take you to your quarters. Spend these few days familiarizing yourself with the sect's environment. In a couple of days, I will have your Senior Disciple Brother teach you cultivation. Remember, haste makes waste. On the path of cultivation, take one step at a time. Do not rush, understand?"

Grand Hua Daoist said earnestly.

"Yes! Disciple understands."

Ye Ping nodded solemnly.

His heart was full of hope for the future.