They first gathered at Little Green Peak, then Nie Qingzhu led everyone to Cloud-Reaching Peak.
You arrived at the Hall of Stillness a quarter-hour early, as agreed.
Unexpectedly!
A graceful figure was already standing quietly before the hall.
Qi Ling stood in the wind in a flowing smoky-purple gauze dress. Her brows and eyes were picturesque, and a tiny cinnabar mole rested at the corner of her eye as she gazed at the couplet above the Hall of Stillness.
The first line read: "When every step is fraught with hardship, plant your feet firmly."
The second line read: "When standing amid the heavens, keep your heart still and level."
It was said that this couplet had been inscribed by one of Little Green Peak's patriarchs.
Misty spiritual fog curled around Qi Ling, while faint crimson spirit-light flickered within it. Like morning glow reflecting upon snow, it made her already radiant beauty all the more dazzling.
Her aura was rounded and lucid, and every gesture carried an innate Dao charm—she had clearly achieved Primordial Spirit Unification and reached the Early Dao Embryo Stage.
Over these past two years, Qi Ling's standing on Little Green Peak had made her the unquestioned senior sister, at one point even surpassing Lü Qingyu.
Sensing someone behind her, the girl suddenly turned around as the aura vanished from sight. Smiling, she greeted you, "Senior Brother Zhou, long time no see."
"Junior Sister Qi."
You were somewhat surprised—not only by her cultivation, but also because she still remembered you. Your last meeting had been two years ago.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, neither of you had anything more to say, so you quietly waited for the other fellow disciples.
Before long, three more disciples arrived one after another, two men and one woman.
Among them were two