Third Personal Disciple

The third personal disciple, Li Mofan, looked toward Su Yun and said in a clear voice.

"Disciple, follow me."

As his voice fell, he flicked his wide sleeves casually.

An invisible spiritual energy instantly enveloped Su Yun's entire body.

Before Su Yun could react, the ground beneath him vanished.

His entire body lifted off the ground into thin air.

He felt weightless, his body no longer under his own control.

It was as if a pair of invisible, giant hands were gently cradling him.

"Ah!"

Su Yun felt a subconscious jolt of alarm, his body stiffening slightly.

This was his first time leaving the ground and soaring into the sky.

The sensation of weightlessness was distinct, and the sound of the wind whistled softly in his ears.

After the initial panic, a marvelous feeling welled up in his heart.

A flash of spiritual light flickered beneath Li Mofan's feet as his figure rose into the air.

His white robes fluttered, his posture elegant as he flew toward the depths of Azure Cloud Mountain.

Wrapped in spiritual energy, Su Yun followed closely by his side.

Behind them.

The four elders watched helplessly as the Sect Master took Su Yun and ascended into the sky.

The impatience they had shown while competing moments ago vanished from their faces, replaced only by resignation.

The First Elder sighed, shaking his head with a bitter smile.

"Forget it."

"With the Sect Master making a move, we cannot compete."

The Second Elder's expression was cold; he glanced at the youths still lining up below, having lost all interest.

"There is no need to watch the rest."

"Unless they have a high-grade spiritual root or better, there is no need to spare them a glance."

Having just seen a Metal-type Heavenly Spiritual Root, he truly could not muster the slightest interest in these ordinary talents.

The Third Elder nodded and remarked casually, "A mid-grade spiritual root would have been considered a genius in previous years."

"But now? It doesn't catch my eye."

The Fourth Elder stroked his chin, his face full of regret.

"What a pity. If that child had joined my sect, I would have poured all the best resources into him."

The four of them exchanged a few casual words, having no desire to remain at the Spirit Testing Plaza any longer.

One after another, they turned and drifted away from the high platform.

The remainder of the recruitment ceremony was now completely meaningless to them.

Only the outer sect deacon, Liu Qing, remained on the high platform.

Liu Qing watched the two figures receding into the horizon, his heart unable to calm down for a long time.

Even now, his fingertips were still tingling.

Today's recruitment ceremony had completely overturned everything he had known in previous years.

A Metal-type Heavenly Spiritual Root.

This single event alone was enough to be recorded in the century-long history of the Azure Cloud Sect.

Even if everyone tested afterward lacked a mid-grade spiritual root, this year's recruitment ceremony could still be considered unprecedentedly successful.

He was the one who had personally tested Su Yun's spiritual root.

For this contribution alone, the sect would surely reward him heavily.

Spirit stones, medicinal pills, cultivation resources—his share would not be lacking.

Liu Qing took a deep breath, turned to look at the crowd below, and his voice regained its stern tone.

"Continue the testing."

High above.

The wind whistled.

Li Mofan carried Su Yun as they streaked across the high mountains.

Su Yun looked down instinctively.

The field of vision stretched infinitely outward.

The Spirit Testing Plaza below, packed with a sea of people, became as small as a chessboard.

The dense crowd looked like ants.

Bluestone steps wound around the mountain, and dense forests spread out in a continuous expanse of emerald green.

Mountain streams looked like silver threads, and strange rocks hung upside down from the cliffs.

In the distance, clouds surged, and jagged mountain peaks stood scattered about.

Immortal mist swirled, and the view was magnificent.

This was scenery a mortal would never see in a lifetime.

Li Mofan glanced sideways at the curious boy beside him and asked softly.

"Are you afraid?"

Su Yun clenched his fists, the wind ruffling the hair on his forehead, his eyes bright.

"I am not."

Not only was he not afraid.

He was even faintly excited.

This was immortal cultivation.

Treading on air, overlooking the mountains and rivers.

Li Mofan nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"We will arrive at the main hall shortly."

"I will arrange for someone to handle the miscellaneous matters for you."

"Your exclusive cave dwelling, clothing, and personal disciple token will all be taken care of."

"You should wash up, rest, and familiarize yourself with the environment first. Once everything is settled, come to the main hall to see me."

Su Yun lowered his head obediently.

"Yes, Master."

The two flew at an incredible speed, the airflow parting silently around them.

In the blink of an eye, they passed through layers of clouds and landed before a magnificent white jade hall.

Azure Cloud Main Hall.

The hall was constructed entirely of white jade rock, with vermilion pillars standing tall against the sky.

The glazed tiles on the roof reflected a soft light under the sun, and the eaves were carved with cloud patterns and spirit beasts, solemn and imposing.

In front of the hall was an even wider white jade plaza.

On the plaza, many inner sect disciples sat cross-legged in meditation or practiced sword techniques.

Their robes were neat, and their breathing was steady.

Every disciple was full of vigor, far beyond what the mortal youths down the mountain could compare to.

The Sect Master's landing made little noise, yet it instantly drew everyone's attention.

The meditating disciples opened their eyes, and those practicing sword techniques stopped.

Everyone's gaze fell squarely on Su Yun, who stood beside Li Mofan.

Whispers spread, low but dense.

"Who is that kid?"

"He doesn't look very old, and his clothes are plain."

"To think the Sect Master would bring him along personally? I've never seen the Sect Master personally escort a newcomer."

"Strange! How strange! The Sect Master hasn't taken a disciple in over a hundred years, could it be..."

"No way, right? Could he be a newly accepted personal disciple?"

Gazes of curiosity, doubt, and scrutiny were all pinned on Su Yun.

Su Yun's expression remained calm; he felt no unease.

Having transmigrated into this life, his temperament was already far beyond that of his peers.

Ignoring all the surrounding gazes, he followed quietly behind his master.

Li Mofan's expression remained unchanged as he walked straight into the hall.

The interior of the hall was vast and spacious, the floor as smooth as a mirror.

Several thick red pillars supported the roof, ancient lamps hung within, and the air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood.

Several disciples on duty stood straight, and upon seeing the Sect Master enter, they immediately bowed in salute.

Li Mofan's gaze fell upon a young inner sect disciple with clean features.

"Chu Fan."

The disciple hurried forward. "I am here, Sect Master."

"This is Su Yun, the third personal disciple I have newly accepted."

A simple, straightforward sentence.

The disciple named Chu Fan shuddered, a tempest of shock rising in his eyes.

A personal disciple of the Sect Master?

The third one?!

He suppressed the shock in his heart, not daring to show the slightest loss of composure.

Li Mofan continued his instructions. "Take him to the Internal Affairs Hall."

"Exchange his attire for the exclusive garments of a personal disciple, and issue his identity token and sect waist medallion."

"Assign him a cave dwelling on Heavenly Pivot Peak, the best independent courtyard on the peak."

"Ensure he is fully equipped with daily necessities, bedding, clothing, basic medicinal pills, and spirit stones."

"Yes! Sect Master!"

Chu Fan lowered his head to accept the order, his voice carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling.

He watched Li Mofan walk into the inner hall.

Only after the Sect Master's figure vanished did Chu Fan quietly lift his head to steal a glance at the Su Yun standing before him.

He looked frail, dressed in coarse, old clothes, appearing entirely unremarkable.

Yet, it was this very youth who had become the Sect Master's personal disciple.

Chu Fan screamed internally.

My god.

The Sect Master hasn't taken a disciple in a hundred years.

What kind of heaven-defying talent does this kid have?

Could it be a high-grade spirit root?

Or something even more exaggerated, like a heavenly-grade?

Envy, shock, and curiosity tangled in his heart.

Chu Fan composed himself, straightened his posture, and bowed respectfully to Su Yun.

"Senior Brother Su, please follow me."

In the world of cultivation, the hierarchy was strict, and rules were paramount.

Even though Chu Fan was a senior inner sect disciple, six or seven years older than Su Yun.

Even though Su Yun had just entered the sect and possessed not a shred of cultivation.

Once one was accepted under the Sect Master, their seniority was immediately elevated.

Chu Fan had to address him as: Senior Brother.

There was no room for negotiation.

In cultivation sects, lineage outweighed cultivation, and seniority crushed everything else.

The status of an elder's personal disciple was already above all inner sect disciples.

Not to mention a personal disciple of the Sect Master.

That was the highest-ranking member of the younger generation in the entire Azure Cloud Sect.

Even the chief of the inner sect would have to honestly lower his head and bow upon seeing Su Yun.