The two of them followed the white jade steps and passed through the side corridor of the main hall.
Inner sect disciples came and went constantly along the way.
Whenever they saw Chu Fan, they would normally nod in greeting.
But when they saw Su Yun walking ahead in plain clothes, with Chu Fan respectfully showing him the way, they all froze in place.
One by one, they lowered their voices and whispered among themselves.
"Who's that young man?"
"Since when has Chu Fan been so polite to newcomers?"
"I think I just heard... Chu Fan call him senior brother?"
"Have you gone mad? Chu Fan is a veteran of the inner sect, a mighty Foundation Establishment cultivator!"
"What gives some newcomer who just arrived on the mountain the right to outrank him?"
The whispers kept drifting into their ears.
Chu Fan remained impassive.
As they walked, he quietly explained the sect's rules to Su Yun.
"Senior Brother Su, I'll take you to the Internal Affairs Hall first to collect your supplies."
"The standard white robes for a direct disciple, an identity jade token, a storage bag, monthly spirit-stone allowances, Body Tempering Pills—all of it is the highest grade."
"Heavenly Pivot Peak belongs exclusively to the sect master's lineage. Few people ever come near it, so it's quiet and peaceful, with no one to disturb you."
"There are two servant girls assigned to the peak. They'll handle cleaning, meals, and chores around your residence. You won't have to worry about any of the trivial matters, senior brother."
Su Yun listened quietly, committing everything to memory.
He had seen the life of the wealthy in his previous life.
But today was the first time he'd witnessed the treatment given to a great figure in the cultivation world.
A private peak, a secluded residence, servants at his beck and call, and resources without limit.
That was the privilege of a Heavenly Spirit Root—the prestige of being the sect master's direct disciple.
They continued on their way.
Quite a few inner sect disciples secretly sized Su Yun up as he passed.
But not a single one dared to show him any disrespect.
Everyone knew.
A young man whom the sect master personally welcomed, and whom inner sect disciples addressed as senior brother—
He was sure to become one of the Azure Cloud Sect's most powerful figures.
He was not someone they could afford to offend.
A short while later,
They arrived at the Internal Affairs Hall.
Chu Fan presented the sect master's verbal order. When the steward elder saw it, his eyelid twitched, and he didn't dare to slack off.
He personally handled everything from start to finish, not daring to let the servants touch a thing.
Snow-white robes for a direct disciple, an identity jade token engraved with Sect Master Qin Yun's seal, a storage bag, ten bottles of Body Tempering Pills, and two hundred low-grade spirit stones.
Everything was laid out neatly, one item at a time.
The jade token was cool and translucent, engraved with four characters: Su Yun · Direct Disciple.
Just those few simple characters represented the Azure Cloud Sect's highest status.
"Senior Brother Su, all your supplies are ready. The residence on Heavenly Pivot Peak has already been cleaned. You can move in whenever you like."
Su Yun reached out and took the storage bag, then put away his clothes and identity token.
From this moment on,
He was no longer the frail boy who had been alone in the mortal world, barely able to afford three meals a day.
He had entered the Immortal Sect.
He had the sect master to rely on.
He possessed an unparalleled spiritual root.
His path ahead was smooth, and the Great Dao was within reach.
Chu Fan stood to one side and asked softly, "Senior Brother Su, shall I escort you to your residence on Heavenly Pivot Peak to rest?"
"Good."
At the same time,
The events in Azure Cloud Hall seemed to have sprouted wings.
In a matter of moments, news that the sect master had made an exception to take on a disciple, and that the young man possessed a Heavenly Spirit Root, spread throughout the entire Azure Cloud Sect.
From the outer sect and inner sect to the servant quarters, the Elixir Hall, and the Artifact Refining Hall...
Every peak and every disciple was thrown into an uproar.
Voices discussing it were everywhere.
"Have you heard? The sect master just took on a disciple at the Disciple Recruitment Ceremony!"
"He hasn't taken a disciple in a hundred years. He made an exception this time?"
"That's not all! The young man has a Heavenly Spirit Root, something rarely seen in a thousand years!"
"My heavens! A Heavenly Spirit Root? Isn't that an unparalleled aptitude you only read about in books?"
"The four elders fought over him like mad, but in the end, the sect master snatched him away right from under their noses!"
The mountain paths, training grounds, and cultivation terraces were all dotted with clusters of disciples discussing the news.
Some were amazed, some stunned, and some looked envious.
Within the sect, anyone who cultivated understood the true worth of a Heavenly Spirit Root.
Its innate spiritual root was pure, allowing it to absorb spiritual energy without hindrance.
One day of cultivation was worth ten days of hard work for others.
As long as such a prodigy survived the journey, he was certain to reach Foundation Establishment and Golden Core.
At worst, he would become a Nascent Soul True Lord.
Nascent Soul!
That was the rank of a top-tier figure who looked down upon Spirit Province.
Ordinary disciples could spend their entire lives without even catching a glimpse of that level.
Yet the young man named Su Yun had already had his future decided for him by everyone, despite his tender age.
Everyone remembered that name.
Su Yun.
The Azure Cloud Sect's newest—and most astonishing—direct disciple.
Meanwhile,
Chu Fan led Su Yun across a stone bridge wreathed in clouds and made his way toward Heavenly Pivot Peak.
Heavenly Pivot Peak stood alone among the surrounding mountains.
It wasn't particularly broad, but its slopes were steep and imposing, and a thin mist shrouded its summit year-round.
The spiritual energy in the mountains was so dense it was visible to the naked eye, a faint white fog lingering among the plants and trees.
The farther they climbed, the sweeter the air became.
Halfway up the mountain, an elegant residence came into view.
Its walls were snow-white, its roof tiled in black, and its gate was old and imposing.
A dark wooden plaque hung above the gate.
Three characters were carved into it: Cloud Abode.
Chu Fan stopped and turned slightly, speaking with respect.
"Senior Brother Su, this is the residence where you'll live and cultivate from now on."
"All of Heavenly Pivot Peak belongs exclusively to the sect master's lineage."
"It also has the densest spiritual energy, the quietest surroundings, and the strongest protective restrictions in the entire Azure Cloud Sect."
"Besides the sect master, only the sect master's direct disciples are qualified to live here."
Su Yun looked up and examined the entrance.
The walls weren't high, and the plants in the courtyard were neatly arranged. The flagstone path was clean and dust-free.
There were no noisy voices nearby, only the soft rustle of leaves in the wind.
He drew in a deep breath without thinking.
A cool, sweet rush of spiritual energy filled his lungs.
His whole body felt refreshed, and his mind grew clear.
Su Yun glanced at the left and right sides of the residence.
Not far away stood two more elegant residences, identical to this one.
Their walls were orderly, and their layouts were the same, but their entrances were deserted, without a soul in sight.
Su Yun asked casually, "Who lives in those two residences?"
Chu Fan answered truthfully, "Replying to senior brother, the one on the left is the eldest senior brother's residence, and the one on the right is the second senior sister's."
"They're the sect master's first two direct disciples."
"The eldest senior brother spends most of his time traveling and gaining experience outside the sect. The second senior sister is cultivating in the sect's Secret Realm. Neither of them returns to the mountain very often."
"So it's especially peaceful around here most of the time."
Su Yun nodded lightly.
So those were the residences of the eldest senior brother and second senior sister.
He ranked third, the youngest junior brother.
Chu Fan pushed open the wooden gate.
The courtyard's layout was simple and elegant.
There were three rooms in the main house and two side rooms on either side.
The main room was spacious and bright, furnished with everything from tables and chairs to a folding screen.
All the furniture was made of warm-toned wood. There were no extravagant decorations; everything was simple and clean, with a serene, understated elegance.
Spiritual herbs grew in a corner of the courtyard, a stone basin held mountain spring water, and the ground was spotless.
The Internal Affairs Hall had already sent people to clean everything before Su Yun came up the mountain.
Just inside the gate,
Two young people in pale blue cloth robes stood straight at the entrance.
A young woman and a young man.
The young woman had gentle brows and a delicate appearance; the young man was tall and carried himself respectfully.
When they saw Su Yun approaching, they bowed in unison and spoke respectfully.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Su."
They had been specially assigned by the sect to serve the direct disciples—one as a servant and the other as a maid.
They were responsible for cleaning the residence, preparing meals, and handling everyday chores.
Chu Fan's expression turned serious as he gave them instructions.
"Remember this."
"This is Senior Brother Su Yun, the sect master's newly accepted third direct disciple."
"His status is distinguished, and his position is highly esteemed."
"From now on, while in Cloud Abode, you must not neglect or defy him."
"Take care of all his daily needs, meals, and cultivation-related chores. Don't slack off, don't talk too much, and don't disturb senior brother's cultivation without cause."
The two hurriedly lowered their heads and answered in unison.
"We'll remember. We would never dare neglect senior brother!"
After making the arrangements, Chu Fan turned to Su Yun.
"Senior Brother Su, the residence is fully staffed and stocked, and all the daily necessities are in place."
"It's late today, so you can rest here and familiarize yourself with the surroundings."
"Tomorrow morning, I'll come back and escort you to the main hall to meet the sect master and receive your cultivation method."
Su Yun nodded slightly and returned the courtesy.
"Thanks for your hard work, Junior Brother Chu."
Chu Fan quickly stepped aside, not daring to accept the bow.
"You're too kind, senior brother. It's my duty."
With that,
Chu Fan didn't linger. He turned and left Cloud Abode, closing the gate behind him.