Taking a Disciple

Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain.

Xue Yang's most hated things were, firstly, refining Human Pill, and secondly, managing his household.

They often venture down the mountain to refine Human Pill.

Upon returning home, one must resume managing the household and handling various affairs.

Xue Yang was extremely annoyed.

Fortunately, I haven't needed to refine Human Pill recently, which has made managing the household much easier.

The elders in the clan who were most fond of abusing their seniority were all killed by the patriarch.

The rest were terrified.

For the first time, Xue Yang felt a sense of liberation and clarity when managing his household affairs.

Unfortunately, before Xue Yang could even feel happy for a moment, more trouble came knocking.

"Seventeenth Uncle," Xue Changfeng called out first.

Following behind was Xue Changling, who looked haggard.

Xue Yang sighed, feeling a headache coming on, and frowned, saying, "Why are you here again?!"

Xue Changfeng was clearly dissatisfied, but ultimately feared Xue Yang, and explained, "Grandfather died under mysterious circumstances; there must be an explanation! They say it violated clan rules, but which rule?!"

Another one who's come to give an explanation.

Xue Yang ignored Xue Changfeng, looked at Xue Changling, and asked, "You think so too?!"

After hesitating for a moment, Xue Changling nodded under Xue Changfeng's urging. "My grandfather has treated me kindly, I... I should do something."

Xue Yang let out a long breath.

Several clan elders were killed by the patriarch that day.

However, this matter cannot be made public.

Finally, the clan chief gritted his teeth and admitted to the matter, announcing that he had given the order to kill the traitor within the family and rectify the family's conduct.

The truth will come to those who need to know.

Only two hotheads were arguing with him.

wrong.

He's a hothead.

Xue Yang knew that Xue Changling was exceptionally talented and had been praised by the patriarch several times; he was definitely not a stupid or foolish fool.

Judging from the fact that all the clan's high-ranking members were as quiet as chickens, and that Xue Yang held absolute power with no one daring to stand in his way, it should be clear that it must have been the ancestor who had taken action, hence such domineering and decisiveness.

Perhaps only Xue Changfeng, who grew up under the protection of his genius older brother Xue Changling, could have developed such a personality.

Hearing Xue Changfeng continuing his nagging, Xue Yang suddenly said, "Because he deserves to die."

"What?" Xue Changfeng was stunned, wondering if he had misheard. "Who deserves to die?"

Xue Yang sighed, looked at Xue Changfeng, and said, word by word, "I said, your grandfather, my ninth uncle, deserves to die."

Xue Changfeng heard clearly this time, and his eyes instantly reddened. "You... you... how could you say that about my grandfather?!"

"Did I say something wrong?!" Xue Yang, having been pestered repeatedly, grew impatient and simply stated bluntly, "He is of low intelligence. In his early years, while managing the Rogue Cultivator and became a laughingstock."

"Later, he was abandoned by his Lineage and went on to bully men and women in the mortal world, committing all sorts of evil deeds and ruining the Xue Household's reputation."

"As for cultivation, it was even worse. He wasted countless Spirit Stone from the clan and died at only the Second Level of Qi Refining. It was no easy feat."

"The only thing worth mentioning is that among his thousands of descendants, Changling produced one with the potential to reach the Foundation Establishment stage."

"It's only natural for a grandfather to rise in status because of his grandson. Out of respect for Changling, the clan turns a blind eye, pretending that his past misdeeds never happened."

"But he's tactless; he really thinks he's an elder of the clan, constantly interfering in clan affairs."

"What I find particularly intolerable is that his talent for cultivation is extremely poor, he never reads Daoist scriptures, his Daoist wisdom is comparable to maggots in a latrine, yet he loves to plan the Daoist Dao Path for Changling."

"Today we're entering the secret realm, tomorrow we're practicing Secret Method."

"The most laughable thing is that they asked for the soil beneath the [Zhaoyao Four Seasons Cauldron], saying they wanted to borrow the Law Artifact's fortune."

"[Wu Earth] represents the lineage of the [Human Emperor], how could it possibly reside beneath a mere object?"

"If Changling truly takes the imagery of the cauldron beneath the earth, and in future conflicts, if the opponent presents a cauldron-like magical Law Artifact, wouldn't Changling have no choice but to turn and flee?"

"If it weren't for the Ancestor's protection, and the fact that Changling still had some sense, a promising talent for cultivation would have been ruined by him."

"If you ask me, he deserved to die, and he died a good death."

"The only bad thing is that he died too late, making me feel disgusted for so many years for no reason."

Xue Changfeng felt as if the sky was about to fall.

The grandfather, whom she saw as kind, generous, and always responsive to her needs, was described in this way by her respected seventeenth uncle.

Unable to resist turning back to look at Xue Changling, she urged him with a mixture of anticipation and fear, "Big brother, say something!"

Xue Changling sighed and lowered his head in silence.

Xue Changfeng stood there, stunned, as if struck by lightning.

I don't believe it!

Xue Changfeng's eyes were bloodshot as he glared fiercely at Xue Yang and Xue Changling: "One day, I will avenge Grandpa!"

Having said that, he turned and left.

Xue Changling wanted to give chase, but Xue Yang stopped him, saying, "Let him go. He's not a child anymore; he should grow up."

Xue Changling, however, was somewhat worried and said with a wry smile, "Changfeng is reckless and stubborn. I'm afraid he'll go his own way and cause a major disaster."

"To cause such a great disaster requires skill," Xue Yang said coldly, lowering his head. "If one day he can topple Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain and shake down the secret realm, it will prove that my Xue Household has a worthy successor, which would be a great joy."

As they were talking, a myriad of rays of light shone down on Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain.

Xue Yang's heart skipped a beat, and he was utterly astonished. "Could it be her?"

She glanced at Xue Changling and said, "Let's go, let's go take a look together. There's no reason why Xue Household Lingxia only likes outsiders and isn't close to the younger generation of the Xue Household."

Hua Chunning emerged from the [Wu Earth Secret Realm], radiating a vibrant energy that drew the mountain's rosy glow closer.

Upon reaching the secluded cave abode of the Xue Household patriarch, Hua Chunning bowed respectfully. "Thank you, senior. This junior has already Qi Ingestion and entered the path."

I will never forget the kindness I received in attaining enlightenment.

"When I achieve success in my spiritual practice, I will never forget the kindness shown to me by Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain."

The Xue Household patriarch remained silent for a long time.

Hua Chunning waited a moment, bowed again, and then walked down the mountain.

Those few wisps of spiritual light transformed into various birds and beasts, crowding around Hua Chunning, vying for the overflowing [Lesser Yang Qi].

The most spiritually potent ray of light had already marked Hua Chunning's forehead, seizing the best spot. It transformed into a palm-sized long-tailed bird, perched on Hua Chunning's head, pacing back and forth with a smug look on its face.

When Xue Yang and Xue Changling arrived, they saw a mysterious scene.

A stunningly beautiful female cultivator, dressed in gorgeous robes and exuding the fragrance of flowers, held a peach blossom in her hand. She was surrounded by colorful clouds and birds and beasts, and with each step she took, tender green shoots sprouted beneath her feet, making her seem incredibly magical.

Xue Yang stopped, somewhat surprised and uncertain. "[Fragrance of a Hundred Flowers], isn't that [Lesser Qi]? How can it be so miraculous just from practicing Qi Ingestion?"

"Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on your attainment of the Dao through Qi Ingestion control. May your path to immortality be everlasting." Xue Changling had received instructions from Xue Yang before his arrival, and bowed again, saying, "Xue Changling greets the seniors."

The few wisps of light paused for a moment, then scattered in a flurry, whistling as they flew back to the mountaintop.

Xue Changling's face stiffened.

Xue Yang sighed, somewhat disappointed, but still remembered the host's etiquette. "Now that you have entered the Dao, why not stabilize your realm first? We'll send you back to Supreme Mystery Mountain in a few days."

Hua Chunning nodded with a smile, "Thank you, senior."

As soon as we reached the foot of the mountain, we saw a person hiding behind a large rock by the roadside.

Xue Yang and Xue Changling were both Middle Stage of Qi Refining cultivators with keen spiritual senses. They had already discovered it, but pretended not to see it.

Hua Chunning, still immersed in the joy of attaining Qi Ingestion, suddenly noticed a person jumping out from the roadside and bowing down to her. "Junior Hu Yueqiu, I humbly request Senior Hua to accept me as your disciple!"