Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Novice Protection Period

Several hours later, the Red-crowned Cinnabar Crane descended onto Limitless Peak. Jun Xiu Ran buoyed Rong Shu and Yu Ruan Ruan with spiritual energy so they could hop down lightly. When they touched ground, an unoccupied courtyard lay right before them.

Jun Xiu Ran turned to Rong Shu and said in an even voice: “This will be your residence on Limitless Peak. Few people live here; aside from several registered disciples who handle chores, there are only this honored one and four personal disciples.”

He added: “You and Ruan Ruan are about the same age, so for everyday matters you may ask her first; if there is anything in cultivation you do not understand, you may come ask this honored one.”

Rong Shu answered softly: “Yes, Master.”

Yu Ruan Ruan smiled and chimed in: “Yes, junior sister, if you have any questions, you can ask me anytime.”

Pouting her rosy lips, Yu Ruan Ruan complained with mock grievance: “Master and the three senior brothers are all men; I was the only girl here, just a little one, which was so dull.”

She brightened: “But it is good that you have come, junior sister.”

Jun Xiu Ran warned her with a single word: “Ruan Ruan.”

At that, Yu Ruan Ruan stuck out her tongue and fell obediently silent.

Jun Xiu Ran turned back to instruct Rong Shu: “You have not yet reached Qi Induction. Tomorrow, take the identity token this honored one gave you and go to the Outer Sect’s Library Pavilion, Pill Treasury Pavilion, and Spirit Stone Pavilion to receive Introductory Basics: Qi Induction, the sect handbook, three sets of personal disciple robes, ten Qi Induction Pills, as well as spirit stones and contribution points.”

He continued: “When you are able to achieve Qi Induction, remember to come see this honored one.”

Rong Shu ventured to ask: “Master, must I wait until tomorrow?”

Jun Xiu Ran’s expression tightened as he reassessed the ordinary twelve-year-old girl before him. Twelve is an age fond of play and mischief, yet the girl in front of him showed no impatience at all, only docile steadiness. The chill on his face eased a shade as he replied: “If you can spare the time, you may also go today.”

He reminded her: “New disciples have a ten-day adaptation period; cherish these ten days and adapt quickly to life within the sect.”

Rong Shu nodded: “This disciple will remember.”

Half teasing and half acting spoiled, Yu Ruan Ruan said: “Master, when I first entered, I do not recall you being so thorough with your reminders.”

As she spoke, she affectionately hooked her arm through Jun Xiu Ran’s, showing not the least fear of his authority.

Jun Xiu Ran gave a helpless smile, his tone carrying a hint of indulgence, and said: “When have I not cared for you with all my heart?”

Watching this scene, Rong Shu felt a little strange: [Something about this feels off.] Even so, she did not dwell on it.

Rong Shu pointed to the Red-crowned Cinnabar Crane they had ridden and asked: “Master, may I borrow this spirit beast as a mount? Limitless Peak is too high; if I go down on foot, I fear I will not reach the bottom before nightfall.”

Jun Xiu Ran agreed: “Yes.” Seeing how earnest Rong Shu was about cultivation, he could not help adding a few more words: “During the ten-day adaptation period, the sect’s basic resources are freely open to new disciples, and that includes riding spirit beasts. After ten days, if you still wish to use a riding beast, you will need to exchange spirit stones or sect points for the privilege.”

Hearing this, Rong Shu’s eyes brightened: [This novice protection period is pretty great.] She bowed and said: “Thank you for the reminder, Master.”

After offering her thanks to Jun Xiu Ran, Rong Shu swung onto the Red-crowned Cinnabar Crane and flew off from Limitless Peak.

In less than the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, Rong Shu arrived before the Library Pavilion on the Outer Sect’s Spirit Gathering Peak. After landing, the Red-crowned Cinnabar Crane crouched of its own accord so she could dismount more easily. Rong Shu gave the crane a polite thanks: “Many thanks,” then turned and entered the Library Pavilion.

The Outer Sect’s Library Pavilion had three floors, storing the cultivation methods required by cultivators below the Foundation Establishment stage. Row upon row of shelves stretched before her, packed full of manuals.

A youth in the attire of an Outer Sect disciple approached Rong Shu with a smile and said: “Junior sister, did you just enter the sect?”

Given Rong Shu’s young age and the ordinary clothes of the mortal world she still wore, she was clearly a freshly admitted disciple. She nodded and answered: “Yes, senior brother, I am here to receive the items the sect issues to new disciples.”

The youth said: “Junior sister, I am in charge of receiving new disciples; may I see your identity token?”

Rong Shu took the token she had tucked inside her robe and handed it over. When the youth saw it was the identity token of a personal disciple of Limitless Peak, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes as he said: “Junior sister, you are the first new disciple to come to the Library Pavilion to collect your things. So diligent; no wonder you are someone esteemed by Immortal Venerable Ze Yu.”

After confirming her identity, the youth bundled together the Qi Induction manual, the sect handbook, and three sets of personal disciple robes, then handed the bundle to Rong Shu in its entirety.

Rong Shu reached out to take it, offering a shy smile as she said: “My aptitude is not high, so I can only follow the saying that the clumsy bird flies first; please do not laugh at me, senior brother.”

The youth blinked in mild astonishment, finding it hard to imagine such words coming from a twelve-year-old child. With a temperament like this, it was no wonder Immortal Venerable Ze Yu had taken notice of her.

After exchanging a few more polite words and asking for the locations of the Pill Treasury Pavilion and the Spirit Stone Pavilion, Rong Shu left the Library Pavilion.

She found the Pill Treasury Pavilion first and received ten Qi Induction Pills. As the name suggests, Qi Induction Pills help one sense spiritual energy more readily and increase the success rate of achieving Qi Induction. The sect provides ten pills for free; if one uses them up without managing Qi Induction, then one must exchange spirit stones or contribution points for more Qi Induction Pills.

After that, Rong Shu hurried to the Spirit Stone Pavilion, where she received the new disciple benefit of fifty spirit stones and one hundred points. The fifty spirit stones were stored in a palm-sized storage pouch, while the one hundred points were recorded under Rong Shu’s name; when she wished to use them, she had only to present her identity token.

For the next half year, she could come each month to receive the same amount of entry benefits.

After learning all this, Rong Shu suddenly felt an impulse to thank Senior Sister Yu: [Senior Sister Yu is such a good person~]

At that very moment, the so-called “good person,” Yu Ruan Ruan, had avoided everyone and returned to her own quarters. Once she shut the door tight, a trace of viciousness slid across her pure and lovely face.