Senior brother, senior brother, senior brother-

The boy's figure soon vanished from the courtyard.

The two young attendants stopped waving their feather fans. "Your Highness..."

Ji Lianyi tossed the Lychee in his hand back into the Ice Chamber. Expressionless, he gazed out the window in the direction the boy had disappeared, then narrowed his eyes and lazily lay back down.

"What did you two think of that disciple with the Cicada Song Pavilion Token?"

"Your Highness, that disciple's Spiritual Power was pure, and his spiritual root aptitude should be quite good. However, his cultivation was still shallow, only at the Qi Refining stage. He must have practiced a decent movement art, which made him faster than most people."

A dark gleam flashed through Ji Lianyi's eyes. "Sect Master Lu would not give out a Cicada Song Pavilion Token lightly. Investigate him."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Shen Leyan ran off to sleep in a private room at the Restaurant for the night. The next day, he asked the instructor responsible for assigning housing where his new quarters were, then happily used the hundred-tael banknote the crown prince of Great Xia had given him to buy everything he needed and furnish his new room.

At lunchtime, he packed up several desserts, drinks, and two bowls of Mala Xiangguo, then headed for the Cicada Song Pavilion.

Along the way, he saw plenty of young people—and elderly people—who had come for the Apprenticeship Ceremony.

They ranged from five-year-old children to eighty-year-old elders, with every age in between.

Perhaps because the Cicada Song Pavilion was so famous, many first-time visitors to the Cloud Radiance Sect wanted to see it. Although the formation kept outsiders from entering, climbing the mountain to take a look from outside was still worthwhile.

It was probably much like modern people visiting viral tourist spots to check in.

And so, what Shen Leyan had expected to be a dull mountain climb turned into a grand outing with a whole crowd.

"Do you think we'll get to see Sect Master Lu when we visit the Cicada Song Pavilion?"

"Probably not. They say that a thousand years ago, even several great demons of the Demon Clan at the Mahayana Stage couldn't break through the pavilion's formation together. How could we possibly get through it?"

"I hope I can stay in the Cloud Radiance Sect after this Apprenticeship Ceremony."

"Hey—look, that person over there is wearing the robes of an Outer Sect disciple of the Cloud Radiance Sect. Why don't we ask him about the sect?"

Shen Leyan trudged miserably up the mountain. Since almost nobody around him was using any techniques, he didn't quite dare use the Azure Shadow Profound Art to travel either. It would draw too much attention.

As he climbed, several boys and girls suddenly gathered around him, nudging one another as though too embarrassed to speak to him. Only after a long while did they squeeze out a few words.

"Um, senior brother."

It was Shen Leyan's first time being called "senior brother." He blinked at the novelty. "Hmm?"

"This is our first time visiting the Cloud Radiance Sect. We came for the Apprenticeship Ceremony... Could we trouble you to tell us a little about the sect's elders and the Inner Sect?"

Shen Leyan considered it.

And came up with a tremendous business opportunity.

"The sect has over a dozen elders, and they have plenty of personal disciples. It's hard to explain everything in a few words."

The boys and girls looked a little disappointed. "Thank you, senior brother..."

"Still, if you're willing to take the time, there is a way to learn about them before the Apprenticeship Ceremony." Shen Leyan changed tack.

"Please tell us, senior brother! We'd definitely like to know!"

"Just go to the Law Enforcement Hall and ask the senior brothers and sisters there to sell you some newspapers."

"...Newspapers?"

"Yes. They record all the major events in the Cloud Radiance Sect over the past month. Most importantly... there's plenty of gossip about the elders."

The boys' and girls' eyes lit up.

Hearing their conversation, the others nearby couldn't resist edging closer to listen.

Shen Leyan smiled like a profiteer—no, a friendly fellow—and continued, "The newspapers aren't expensive, either. About one tael will buy you ten issues, and three taels will buy you a month's worth."

These innocent, trusting outsiders had no idea that the newspapers were actually distributed to Cloud Radiance Sect disciples for free.

They thanked the profiteer with heartfelt gratitude. "Thank you, senior brother! Once we've finished touring the Cicada Song Pavilion's mountain, we'll go buy newspapers at the Law Enforcement Hall!"

Shen Leyan chatted with them about all sorts of things for a while, and their tone grew warmer.

"Senior brother, are you going to the Cicada Song Pavilion for something—the food you're carrying smells amazing!"

He could hardly tell them he was visiting Chen Jing at the Cicada Song Pavilion and bringing Lu Yuanyi something tasty as a token of thanks.

After a moment's hesitation, he casually made up a lie. "I've never been to the Cicada Song Pavilion either. The weather's nice today, and it's lively... so I thought I'd have a picnic on the mountain."

"I see... Then do you know if there's a shortcut to the Cicada Song Pavilion, senior brother?"

They had climbed for over two hours and only made it halfway. The stone steps grew steeper the higher they went, and some people had already given up and sat down to rest in the shade.

Shen Leyan raised his sleeve to wipe the sweat from his forehead. "I really don't know. I have some water here. Have a drink first."

It seemed that, besides continuing to cultivate his Spiritual Power and practice the Azure Shadow Profound Art, he needed to learn Sword Flight as soon as possible. Otherwise, for every day Senior Brother Chen Jing remained in the Cicada Song Pavilion recovering, he would have to climb the mountain.

The weather was still hot now. What would he do when heavy snow sealed off the mountain in winter?

It was around early afternoon by the time their group reached the outside of the Cicada Song Pavilion.

Shen Leyan looked at the familiar courtyard gate, then at the Mala Xiangguo in his hands, which had long since gone cold. Since it was cold already, arriving a little later wouldn't matter.

He found an open spot and sat down, taking great gulps of the fresh mountain air.

Though he hadn't used the Azure Shadow Profound Art along the way, the Spiritual Power flowing through his meridians had actually sped up a little.

The boys and girls accompanying him were exhausted too, and sat on the ground to catch their breath. After resting for a while, one of them looked at the nearby courtyard gate and asked in confusion.

"Senior brother, isn't the Cicada Song Pavilion supposed to be protected by a formation? Why isn't there anything here?"

"The formation only appears when an outsider touches it. We haven't reached its boundary yet, so we can't see it."

After explaining, Shen Leyan saw their eager expressions and couldn't help chuckling, sighing inwardly.

Young people really are full of energy.

Unlike him, a seasoned old hand of the Cloud Radiance Sect. (◍ ´꒳` ◍)

"You can go over and try it if you want. But whatever you do, don't use Spiritual Power, or the formation might wipe you out in an instant, without leaving so much as a pinch of ashes."

"Got it, senior brother!"

A rather dim-looking chubby boy was the first to get up and stride toward the Cicada Song Pavilion's courtyard gate.

Just as his foot was about to step onto the pavilion's stone stairs, a flurry of snow appeared. Rings of almost transparent ripples emerged around the entire pavilion.

The snow formed several large words: [Come any closer and I'll beat you up.]

The sightseers around them burst into astonished cries, as though watching a street performance.

One troublemaker shouted, "Don't be scared, brother! Charge in and have a look!"

Shen Leyan said, "..."

This formation is both violent and polite, though not very polite.

That does seem like Lu Yuanyi's style.

Urged on by the crowd behind him, the chubby boy closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and edged another step toward the pavilion's stairs.

The snow instantly transformed into a long, thick club and an enormous snowy hand. The hand grabbed the boy by the back of his collar and hoisted him into the air. Then the club rained blows down on his backside!

The chubby boy shrieked in terror and frantically called to him, "Senior brother—help—senior brother—"

Shen Leyan could naturally tell that the formation wasn't being serious. It was merely making an example of him to warn these "tourists," lest every fearless visitor decide to try breaking into the pavilion. Otherwise, wouldn't the racket drive Lu Yuanyi mad inside?

At worst, the boy's backside would be swollen for a couple of days. With some anti-inflammatory pain relief ointment, he would be fine in two or three days.

After striking him a dozen or so times, the snowy hand tossed him back, and the formation disappeared once more.

The others hurried over to help the chubby boy up as he clutched his backside and groaned.

Shen Leyan asked leisurely, "Do you still want to challenge the formation?"

The chubby boy looked ashen, and the others immediately shook their heads.

He had thought that after this little incident, the "tourists" outside would settle down and gradually head back down the mountain, leaving him free to enter the pavilion and visit Senior Brother Chen Jing.

Yet mere seconds after the boy was tossed back, several onlookers nearby stepped forward, looking even more excited than before, with a hint of arrogance.

"He couldn't do it, so we'll challenge the formation! Who knows? If one of us gets through, Sect Master Lu might take a liking to us and accept us as his personal disciple!"

"If we get inside, we'll surely make a name for ourselves in the cultivation world!"

Shen Leyan said, "..."

It was a lovely idea, but based on his understanding of Lu Yuanyi, their chances of successfully becoming his disciples were roughly one percent. The remaining ninety-nine percent involved getting beaten even worse than the chubby boy.

He kindly advised them, "The Cicada Song Pavilion's formation is no joke. You'd better not..."

Their clothes were all quite luxurious. They were probably disciples from prominent families.

Perhaps they were so used to being celebrated prodigies that they had become as stubborn as mules.

"No! Since I said I would see inside the Cicada Song Pavilion today, I must do it!"

"...Why?"

"A gentleman never goes back on his word."

"...Even if the formation beats you so badly your mothers won't recognize you?"

"A true man does not cling to life and fear death!"

Fine. Not only were they as stubborn as mules, they had also read too many melodramatic adventure novels.

Shen Leyan rubbed the token hanging at his waist and asked hesitantly, "Are you sure you won't reconsider?"

"Thank you for your kind advice, senior brother. If the Cloud Radiance Sect holds us accountable after we challenge the formation, we will sincerely apologize, then seek another sect."

Seriously, what are you even getting out of this?!

"...May I ask what your cultivation levels are?"

"We've all just entered foundation establishment."

Reaching foundation establishment at their age did indeed make them geniuses. Besides, they had powerful families behind them. Letting them slip away would be a loss for the Cloud Radiance Sect.

Each additional disciple would improve the Cloud Radiance Sect's chances of surviving the future Immortal-Demon War.

I'm earning an Outer Sect disciple's wages and worrying like a sect elder. Next time I get the chance, I'm definitely telling Lu Yuanyi I want a raise!!!

"Promise me you'll stop making trouble after taking one look inside the pavilion—and don't shout or linger."

The mules stared at him blankly. "Huh?"

Shen Leyan removed his token and braced himself. "Follow me. Don't use Spiritual Power."

He walked ahead of them and pressed the token against the formation as he approached.

It was just like a modern worker scanning an access card.

"Come on, one at a time. Don't crowd."

The first person stepped onto the stone stairs skeptically. When the formation truly showed no reaction, the way he looked at Shen Leyan immediately changed.

His expression was thirty percent shock, thirty percent excitement, thirty percent admiration, and ten percent smug certainty that he had stumbled upon an extraordinary opportunity.

"Senior brother, could you be, could you be, could you be—" His voice cracked with excitement.

Shen Leyan certainly wasn't going to answer him. Expressionless, he said, "We agreed you'd only take one look. Next, next."

The young disciples from prominent families scrambled to be first.

"Senior brother, you're actually Sect Master Lu's personal disciple, disguised as an Outer Sect disciple to assess us, aren't you?"

I may have plenty of damn free time, but not that much!

"Senior brother, senior brother, what do you think of me? I have a water-and-wood dual spiritual root!"

Go get tested again and see if you have a stubbornness spiritual root.

"Senior brother, senior brother, senior brother—"

"Finished looking? If you have, off you go."

Tomorrow, I need to have the senior brothers and sisters from the Law Enforcement Hall put up a sign on the path to the pavilion saying, 'This path is temporarily closed. Violators will be expelled from the sect.'

"No, senior brother—senior brother, don't—don't do this—"

Stop saying things that could give Tomato's content reviewers the wrong idea.

Shen Leyan couldn't worry about anything else. Once he confirmed that they were outside the formation's range, he ignored their reluctant gazes, entered the pavilion's courtyard, and shut the gate.

Relying on his memories of yesterday's visit, he rounded a corridor and headed toward the Hundred Herbs Pavilion.

The Man-Eating Flower in the courtyard was still crunching away on willow branches. A stream originating in the mountain babbled through the Cicada Song Pavilion, pooling into a clear pond in the center of the courtyard. Several immortal cranes played and tussled in it, and every so often, a koi caught in the crossfire thrashed up out of the water.

As he neared the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, he spotted a couch beside the pond from afar. The silver-haired immortal reclined on it, holding a plain bamboo fishing rod whose line hung into the water.

Sunlight scattered flecks of gold, yet the immortal's silver hair, trailing across the couch, looked like a ribbon of pure moonlight.

Everyone appreciated beauty.

Shen Leyan stopped to admire him quietly for a moment, then quickened his steps and approached.

He leaned over to peer into the wooden bucket beside Lu Yuanyi. "Sect Master Lu, how many fish have you caught? Would you like some Crucian Carp Tofu Soup—"

Apart from half a bucket of clear water, there was nothing inside.

As he spoke, a golden koi poked its head out of the pond beside the fishing rod and gave them a contemptuous look.

Its eyes seemed to say: Idiots. Do you think I'm some ordinary fish that can't understand human speech? You want to stew me into soup?

Then the koi swiftly swam away.

Between this fish and that Man-Eating Flower, I honestly can't tell which is more terrifying...

Lu Yuanyi raised an eyebrow and put away his fishing rod. For some reason, Shen Leyan thought his expression seemed even colder than usual.

After a moment, he spoke in a low, lingering voice.

"Shen Leyan, compensate me for my fish."