First Lesson Upon Joining

First Lesson Upon Joining

Was that really a Great Dao Oath about keeping secrets just now?

As she walked out of the thatched cottage, the color seemed to have drained from Lan Ling'e's black-pearl-like eyes. Her whole body swayed unsteadily, and even her steps were weak.

"Here," a hand appeared beside her, its palm holding a pale green pill.

Li Changshou said gently, "A Qi Nurturing Breath Condensing Pill. It isn't toxic at all, and its medicinal properties are quite mild. Even ordinary people who haven't begun cultivating can use it to replenish their Vital Energy."

"Thank you, Senior Brother..."

Lan Ling'e replied timidly, took the pill, and turned slightly to place it in her small mouth.

The pill melted the instant it touched her saliva, like a sweet, clear spring flowing into her mouth. She could not help letting out a soft hum, and immediately felt more alert.

This little junior sister really is rather cute.

Li Changshou's large hand reached over and gently stroked the top of her head as he said warmly:

"From now on, you're also part of Lesser Qiong Peak. I'll take you around the area first so you can familiarize yourself with the surroundings.

"Once Master gets over the effects of his medicine—cough—once Master finishes meditating, he should teach you the introductory cultivation method. If there's anything you don't understand about cultivation, you can come ask me anytime."

"Thank you, Senior Brother," Lan Ling'e answered in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, her hands behind her back.

Li Changshou walked toward the lakeside with his hands behind his back. "Let's first take a look at the spiritual fish raised in the lake. They're all good things, and an important part of Lesser Qiong Peak's assets."

Lan Ling'e hurried after him. Stepping onto the soft grass, she rose onto her tiptoes and peered into the lake.

The lake water was exceptionally clear. Fish swam within it, playing freely and carefree.

"Look." Li Changshou pointed at several spiritual fish with brilliantly multicolored scales. "Aren't they beautiful?"

"Mhm!" Lan Ling'e nodded heavily. She, too, was captivated by the spiritual fish and kept letting out soft cries of admiration.

Then her senior brother's gentle voice came from beside her:

"Once you cultivate your first breath of Qi, we'll hold a spiritual fish feast. These spiritual fish with multicolored scales are called Mandarin Fish. Not only are they delicious, whether pan-fried, steamed, roasted, or deep-fried, they're first-rate delicacies. Better yet, they can improve the quality of a Qi Refiner's first breath of spiritual energy."

Two black lines immediately appeared across Lan Ling'e's forehead. "W-We're going to eat them?"

"Why else would we raise them?"

Li Changshou raised his left hand and waved his sleeve, scattering a handful of rice grains as he called out, "Time to eat!"

Spiritual fish swam over from all directions, and the lakeside immediately became lively. Lan Ling'e's eyes shone brightly as she watched.

"Here," that large hand reached over again, this time holding a small cloth pouch. "There's fish food inside. If you like it, I'll leave the glorious duty of feeding the fish to you every day from now on."

"Mhm! Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Lan Ling'e happily replied, took the pouch, poured out some crushed rice, and scattered it over the lake's surface.

She was so careful, as though the fish food might smash the spiritual fishes' beautiful scales.

Li Changshou smiled calmly beside her.

Ah, that was one less chore every day. He could spend more time cultivating...

From that perspective, having a junior sister was actually quite nice.

Lan Ling'e raised her little hand and scattered handful after handful of fish food. The spiritual fish in the water swam about in groups, having the time of their lives.

After waiting for a while, Li Changshou flicked his finger. Two small columns of water exploded from the lake's surface, launching two Mandarin Fish into the air. He then drew them over through the air, wrapped them in lake water to form Water Spheres, and sent them into his sleeve.

Lan Ling'e stared blankly for a moment before asking softly, "Senior Brother, why did you put the fish into your sleeve?"

"As gifts," Li Changshou replied calmly. "Don't be fooled by the fact that Du Xian Sect is an immortal cultivation sect. Human relationships here are much the same as in the Mortal World. I'll take you to register later, and we can't exactly go empty-handed."

Lan Ling'e blinked. Though she did not quite understand, she obediently said, "I've troubled Senior Brother."

"It's nothing. Come over when you've had enough fun."

Li Changshou floated away with his hands behind his back toward the Herb Gardens nearby. Lan Ling'e glanced at the school of fish gathered by the lake, waved lightly at them, and hurried after him.

Beside the Herb Gardens, Li Changshou briefly introduced the varieties and effects of the several hundred Spiritual Medicines within.

Lan Ling'e tried hard to remember everything. Unaware that her senior brother had already designated her as a newly appointed gardener, she listened to his warm voice and could not help thinking of her mother, who had always spoken so gently...

Lesser Qiong Peak had pleasant scenery, but there was not much else to introduce.

Li Changshou took his newly arrived junior sister around the thatched cottage twice, marked out an area for her to build a new cottage, then summoned a white cloud with a spell. Riding the cloud, he took Lan Ling'e flying among the mountains.

Lan Ling'e could not help asking, "Senior Brother, can you also fly through the air while standing on an Immortal Crane?"

"Mhm. As long as you can use Object Manipulation, you can," Li Changshou said, lightly tapping the white cloud beneath their feet. The cloud suddenly let out a soft cry, transforming into a massive Immortal Crane that spread its wings and carried them steadily onward.

Lan Ling'e's large eyes immediately sparkled. Her little hand clutched her senior brother's Daoist robe as she looked down and exclaimed in admiration.

"It's just a simple Illusionary Technique. More importantly, there are a few things you must remember when flying through the sect in the future."

"What things, Senior Brother?"

Li Changshou cleared his throat and organized the teaching plan he had prepared earlier. He still decided to start with the small details and guide his junior sister through the little things first.

Thus, he said earnestly, "First, when flying through the sect, you must not fly too high or too low. Elders and experts of the sect often pass through the higher altitudes, and running into them head-on can easily cause offense.

"Junior Sister, remember this: if you draw the attention of these senior experts, there's a fifty percent chance of leaving a good impression and a fifty percent chance of leaving a bad one.

"Leaving a good impression may not necessarily bring any benefits, but leaving a bad impression will certainly create some Hidden Dangers.

"So it's best not to attract their notice. If you do encounter them, offer a greeting. Just do your own duty well, and that is enough."

"Oh, Ling'e will remember!"

"Also, you must not fly too low, because then it is easy to pass over mountain peaks where buildings are located.

"Though the sect appears peaceful on the surface, there is competition beneath it. Many people also care about pointless rankings. If you fly too low, it will be easy for them to target you.

"Therefore, after a hundred years of exploration, I have concluded an appropriate flying altitude within the sect. Starting from our residence, rise thirty to fifty zhang into the air. At that height, you will rarely encounter fellow disciples, let alone senior experts..."

Listening to her senior brother's long lecture, Lan Ling'e tried hard to commit every word to memory. Yet she could not help raising her head to look at his sharply defined face.

Senior Brother really is handsome, and he considers everything so thoroughly...

Accompanied by her senior brother's endless instructions, Lan Ling'e was brought to Du Xian Sect's main peak.

This mountain stood at the very center of Du Xian Sect's range of peaks. It was also the most upright and tallest peak, like a sword that shattered the heavens and pierced into Yunxiao.

Thus, it was also called Sky-Breaking Peak.

At the summit of Sky-Breaking Peak stood an immortal hall, where the sect master, elders, and peak masters discussed matters. It was ordinarily a no-fly zone, and disciples could not approach without special permission. Halfway up Sky-Breaking Peak lay a cluster of pavilions and halls built along the mountainside, where countless figures moved about each day.

From her senior brother's introduction, Ling'e learned that this was Du Xian Sect's office for handling Sect Affairs. Disciples from every peak came here to collect their monthly allowances and periodically report their cultivation progress.

Walking along the Green stone path, Lan Ling'e discovered in surprise that she and her senior brother seemed to be invisible. There were all sorts of fellow disciples here, yet not a single gaze fell upon them.

Even when someone occasionally looked in their direction, their gaze would simply glide past them...

Li Changshou's voice rang in Ling'e's ears, still tirelessly instructing her. "Ling'e, remember: avoiding attention and reducing your own presence is the best way to avoid becoming entangled in karma.

"I improved a Daoist art for concealing one's aura. Once you have begun cultivating, I'll teach it to you."

"Mhm, thank you, Senior Brother."

"No need. This is what a senior brother ought to do," Li Changshou replied with a smile. He led Lan Ling'e along the roadside to a hall bearing the plaque, "Hall of Hundred Affairs."

Inside the hall, Lan Ling'e watched her senior brother take out the two spiritual fish and warmly chat with a middle-aged Daoist priest responsible for sect registration. She could not help blinking.

Her senior brother...

He was so mature.