Heavenly Pivot Peak's Cloud Abode

The two of them followed the white jade stairs, passing through the side corridor of the main hall.

Inner sect disciples came and went along the path.

Everyone who saw Chu Fan would normally nod in greeting.

But when they saw Su Yun walking in front—dressed in simple clothing and being led respectfully by Chu Fan—they all froze in their tracks.

One by one, they lowered their voices, whispering to each other.

"Who is that youth?"

"Since when has Chu Fan been so polite to a newcomer?"

"I think I just heard... Chu Fan call him Senior Brother?"

"Is he crazy? Chu Fan is a veteran of the inner sect, a great Foundation Establishment cultivator!"

"How could a newcomer who just arrived on the mountain outrank him?"

The fragmented rumors drifted into their ears.

Chu Fan remained expressionless.

As they walked, he lowered his voice to introduce the sect's rules to Su Yun.

"Senior Brother Su, I will first take you to the Internal Affairs Hall to collect your supplies."

"The standard white robes for personal disciples, your identity jade token, a storage bag, monthly spirit stone stipends, and Body Tempering Pills—everything is provided at the highest grade."

"Heavenly Pivot Peak is the exclusive mountain of the Sect Master. Very few people approach it, so it is quiet and peaceful, with no one to disturb you."

"The peak is equipped with two maidservants specifically responsible for cleaning, meals, and managing the chores of the cave dwelling, so you need not worry about any trivial matters, Senior Brother."

Su Yun listened quietly, silently committing it all to memory.

He had seen the lives of the wealthy in his past life.

But today, he finally witnessed the treatment afforded to the big shots of the cultivation world.

An exclusive mountain, an independent courtyard, maidservants to serve him, and limitless resources.

This was the privilege of a Heavenly Spirit Root, the prestige of being the Sect Master's personal disciple.

They continued on their way.

Many inner sect disciples along the road stole glances at Su Yun.

Yet, not a single one dared to show a look of disrespect.

Everyone understood.

To be personally escorted by the Sect Master and addressed as Senior Brother by an inner sect disciple—this youth would undoubtedly become a top-tier figure in the Azure Cloud Sect in the future.

He was someone they could not afford to offend.

A moment later, they arrived at the Internal Affairs Hall.

Chu Fan produced the Sect Master's verbal decree. When the elder in charge saw the order, his eyelids twitched, and he dared not show any negligence.

He handled the entire process himself, not daring to let his subordinates touch the items.

A snow-white personal disciple robe, a jade token engraved with the seal of Sect Master Qin Yun, a storage bag, ten bottles of Body Tempering Pills, and two hundred low-grade spirit stones.

Everything was neatly laid out one by one.

The jade token was cool and translucent, engraved with four characters: Su Yun · Personal Disciple.

Those few simple characters represented the most prestigious status in the Azure Cloud Sect.

"Senior Brother Su, all supplies are prepared. The courtyard on Heavenly Pivot Peak has already been cleaned and is ready for you to move in at any time."

Su Yun reached out to take the storage bag and tucked away his robes and token.

From this moment on.

He was no longer that lonely, frail youth from the mortal world who struggled to afford three meals a day.

He had stepped into the immortal gate.

With the Sect Master as his backer.

Possessing a peerless spirit root.

The path ahead was wide open, and the Great Dao was within reach.

Chu Fan stood to the side and asked softly, "Senior Brother Su, shall I escort you to the Heavenly Pivot Peak courtyard to rest now?"

"Very well."

Meanwhile.

The events that transpired in the Azure Cloud Main Hall seemed to have grown wings.

In just a short moment, the news that the Sect Master had made an exception to take on a disciple and that the youth possessed a Heavenly Spirit Root spread instantly throughout the entire Azure Cloud Sect.

Outer sect, inner sect, the Hall of Chores, the Hall of Alchemy, the Hall of Artifact Refining...

Every mountain peak and every disciple was in an uproar.

The sound of discussion was everywhere.

"Have you heard? The Sect Master just took on a disciple at the recruitment ceremony!"

"He hasn't taken a disciple in a hundred years; he actually made an exception this time?"

"It's more than just an exception! That youth has a Heavenly Spirit Root, something seen only once in a millennium!"

"My god! A Heavenly Spirit Root? Isn't that a peerless talent that only exists in books?"

"The four great elders were fighting over him like madmen, only for the Sect Master to snatch him away!"

Along every mountain path, training ground, and cultivation platform, disciples could be seen gathered in groups, discussing the event.

Some were amazed, some were stunned, and others were filled with envy.

Within the sect, as long as one was a cultivator, no one failed to understand the value of a Heavenly Spirit Root.

The innate spirit root was pure, allowing for the absorption of spiritual energy without obstruction.

One day of cultivation was equivalent to ten days of hard work for others.

Such a monster, as long as he did not die prematurely, was guaranteed to reach Foundation Establishment and Golden Core.

At the very least, his future held the status of a Nascent Soul True Lord.

Nascent Soul!

That was a top-tier figure who could look down upon the entire Spirit Province.

Ordinary disciples couldn't even touch the hem of such a status in their entire lives.

And that youth named Su Yun, young as he was, already had his future mapped out by everyone.

Everyone remembered this name.

Su Yun.

The newest, and most heaven-defying, personal disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect.

On the other side.

Chu Fan led Su Yun across the stone bridge of clouds, heading all the way toward Heavenly Pivot Peak.

Heavenly Pivot Peak stood isolated among the mountains.

The peak was not particularly wide, but it was tall and steep, its summit shrouded in thin mist year-round.

The spiritual energy between the mountains was so thick it was visible to the naked eye, with faint white mist lingering among the vegetation.

The further they walked up the mountain, the sweeter and fresher the air became.

Reaching the halfway point, an elegant courtyard appeared before them.

The walls were snow-white, the roof was covered in black tiles, and the courtyard gate was ancient and heavy.

Above the lintel hung a black wooden plaque.

Carved upon it were three characters: Cloud Abode.

Chu Fan stopped and turned to the side, his tone respectful.

"Senior Brother Su, this is the courtyard where you will reside and cultivate from now on."

"The entire Heavenly Pivot Peak belongs exclusively to the Sect Master's lineage."

"It is also the place with the densest spiritual energy, the quietest environment, and the strictest restrictions in the entire Azure Cloud Sect."

"Apart from the Sect Master, only the Sect Master's personal disciples are qualified to live here."

Su Yun looked up to examine the gate.

The courtyard walls were not high, the plants inside were neatly arranged, and the bluestone path was clean and dust-free.

There were no noisy voices around, only the soft rustle of wind through the leaves.

He subconsciously took a deep breath.

A stream of cool, sweet spiritual energy surged into his lungs.

His whole body felt comfortable, and his mind became clear.

Su Yun swept his gaze toward the left and right sides of the courtyard.

Not far away, there were two other identical, elegant courtyards.

The walls were uniform and the layout was the same, but the entrances were desolate, showing no signs of human presence.

Su Yun asked casually, "Who lives in these two courtyards?"

Chu Fan answered truthfully, "Reporting to Senior Brother, the one on the left is the residence of the Eldest Senior Brother, and the one on the right is the residence of the Second Senior Sister."

"They are the Sect Master's first two personal disciples."

"The eldest senior brother is away traveling and training year-round, and the second senior sister is cultivating in the sect's secret realm, so the two of them rarely return to the mountain."

"That is why it is exceptionally quiet here on most days."

Su Yun nodded gently.

So those two places were the residences of the eldest senior brother and the second senior sister.

He was ranked third, the youngest junior brother.

Chu Fan pushed open the wooden door.

The layout of the courtyard was simple and elegant.

There were three main rooms, with two side rooms on the left and right.

The main room was spacious and bright, fully furnished with tables, chairs, and screens.

The furniture inside was all crafted from warm, natural wood; devoid of extravagant decorations, it was simple, clean, and exuded an atmosphere of tranquility and refinement.

Spiritual herbs were planted in the corners of the courtyard, mountain spring water was stored in a stone vat, and the ground was spotless.

Long before Su Yun arrived on the mountain, the Internal Affairs Hall had already sent people to finish cleaning.

Inside the courtyard gate.

Two young people dressed in light cyan cloth garments stood straight by the entrance.

One was a young girl, the other a young boy.

The girl had gentle features and a delicate appearance; the boy had a tall, upright stature and a respectful demeanor.

Seeing Su Yun approach, the two bowed simultaneously, their tones filled with respect.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Su."

These were the servants and maids specifically assigned by the sect to attend to personal disciples.

They were responsible for cleaning the courtyard, preparing meals, and managing daily trivialities.

Chu Fan looked solemn as he instructed the two.

"Remember this well."

"This Senior Brother Su Yun is the third personal disciple newly accepted by the Sect Master."

"His status is noble, and his position is extremely high."

"From now on, within Cloud Abode, you must not be negligent or disobedient."

"Handle his daily life, diet, and cultivation chores with the utmost care. Do not be lazy, do not be gossipy, and do not disturb Senior Brother's cultivation without cause."

The two lowered their heads in a hurry and replied in unison.

"We will keep this in mind and would never dare to neglect Senior Brother!"

Having made the arrangements, Chu Fan turned to look at Su Yun.

"Senior Brother Su, the staff, supplies, and daily necessities in the courtyard are all complete."

"It is getting late today, so Senior Brother may rest here and familiarize yourself with the environment."

"Tomorrow morning, I will come to pick you up to head to the main hall to meet the Sect Master and receive your introductory cultivation technique."

Su Yun nodded slightly and returned the gesture politely.

"Thank you for your hard work, Junior Brother Chu."

Chu Fan quickly stepped aside, not daring to accept the courtesy.

"You are too kind, Senior Brother; it is my duty."

Having said that, Chu Fan did not linger. He turned and exited Cloud Abode, closing the courtyard gate behind him.