Free Web NovelThe entrance ceremony concluded.
The emergence of two Geniuses who ascended the Ascension Stone Steps was undoubtedly an unprecedented event in the Qingyuan Sect's history.
The news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching everyone within the Sect.
Qingyuan Mountain Main Peak, Inner Affairs Hall.
“We have four new True Disciples this year.”
“I heard that he hasn't accepted a Disciple in fifty years. Could it be that he's grown restless and is considering cultivating an heir?”
“You weren't there, but that girl is as beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal... cough, that's not the point. The main thing is that she ascended the Ascension Stone Steps in just a few dozen breaths! She's truly a Prodigy.”
“Didn't someone else also reach the summit?”
“Oh, that person became a Disciple of Elder Shang Wu.”
“Hiss!”
Several Inner Sect Disciples in the Inner Affairs Hall were enthusiastically discussing while drinking tea.
When they heard that someone had joined the Ninth Peak, they all leaned back tactically, their expressions odd, with a hint of pity in their eyes.
This child is doomed.
“Alas, if he hadn't been in the same generation as that girl, he might have been cultivated as a Sect Leader candidate.”
“He has good talent but bad luck.”
Someone sighed.
The other Inner Sect Disciples nodded, deeply agreeing.
As they were speaking, they suddenly put down their teacups, stood up straight, and respectfully greeted:
“Hello, Elder Qian.”
The short, stout old man nodded:
“I've brought a few newly inducted True Disciples to collect their things.”
“Also, the first month's stipend should be issued in advance, according to the standards set by each peak.”
The short, stout old man's name was Qian Bufan, the Inner Affairs Elder of the Qingyuan Sect.
He was considered one of the highest-ranking Elders within the Sect.
Because Inner Affairs also included finances.
'This counts as doing a favor, mainly because of Ying Bing...' Li Mo understood in his heart, yet he still bowed to Qian Bufan:
“Thank you, Elder.”
“Ah, you don't need to thank me.”
Qian Bufan turned sideways, not accepting the bow.
Li Mo was puzzled.
But he quickly understood the reason.
The entrance items were quickly distributed: two sets of exquisitely made cloud-patterned robes and a waist token cast from red copper. These were uniformly issued by the Sect.
The monthly stipend, however, was different.
“Murong Xiao, residing on Shenbing Peak, five hundred taels of silver per month, one hundred-refined forging hammer, and two bottles of Jade Bone Pills.”
“Lin Ye, residing on Ruyi Peak, three hundred taels of silver per month, and two bottles of Serenity Pills.”
A Disciple from the Inner Affairs Hall brought over two trays.
Then he looked at Ying Bing, his expression becoming much more respectful:
“Ying Bing, residing on Qingyuan Main Peak, one thousand taels of silver per month, one top-grade cold iron sword, two bottles of Pure Yang Pills, ten stalks of Marrow Cleansing Grass...”
The Inner Affairs Disciple rattled off a long list.
Other Disciples passing by looked envious upon hearing this.
The treatment of a Sect Master's True Disciple sounded mouth-watering.
It wasn't over yet.
The Disciple continued:
“The Sect Master has ordered that you may choose another detached courtyard as your residence, exclusively for Junior Sister's use. You may select it yourself.”
A private detached courtyard!
This was a privilege only enjoyed by stewards.
And not just any stewards, but those who had made significant contributions to the Sect.
Besides providing an excellent martial arts training environment, it was also a symbol of status.
“Autumn Water Pavilion.”
Ying Bing said without hesitation.
“Uh, alright, I'll record that for Junior Sister right away.” The Inner Affairs Disciple was stunned for a moment, then nodded.
“What about me?”
Li Mo pointed to himself, thinking he had been forgotten.
“Junior Brother is from Qunyu Peak. Hmm, your peak's preparations for True Disciples...”
The Inner Affairs Disciple pulled out a thick ledger and handed it over.
'Could it be Supreme martial art Secret Manuals or something? This is too thick...'
Li Mo opened it in confusion, then saw written on it:
“Jingtai Year 162, February, Qunyu Peak advanced 3000 taels of silver.”
“Jingtai Year 162, March, Qunyu Peak advanced 10 jars of apricot blossom wine.”
“Jingtai Year 164, September, demolished Zhenshou Peak's beast cages, causing the escape of exotic beasts, with a total loss of 52 exotic beasts.”
.....
It was densely packed, all indeed bills and IOUs.
Li Mo: “?”
A bunch of question marks appeared above Xiao Li's head.
“Did you get the wrong one?”
“No mistake.”
Elder Qian Bufan sighed and said, “The resources for True Disciples of each peak are provided by the peaks themselves, not uniformly distributed by the Sect.”
“Qunyu Peak has not provided any resources to its True Disciples.”
“Not only that, Junior Niece Shang Wu has also advanced many things from the Inner Affairs Hall. When you have time, take this bill to her and have her settle the outstanding debts as soon as possible.”
“This thick book, it's all bills?”
Xiao Li's mouth twitched slightly.
So everyone else gets benefits, but I get to carry debt?
Qian Bufan nodded, offering a friendly reminder: “Oh, there shouldn't be a place for you to stay on Qunyu Peak. You'd best make plans early, perhaps build yourself a straw hut or something. The Materials... you can ask the Inner Affairs Hall for them.”
“A straw hut?”
Li Mo fell into deep thought.
He never imagined that after joining the Qingyuan Sect and becoming a True Disciple, he would end up homeless.
I'm probably a fake True Disciple!
“Stay at my place.”
Suddenly, Ying Bing's red lips parted slightly.
Li Mo's body trembled, and he turned his head blankly, unable to discern any unusual emotion from her cold face.
Is this still the Ice Cube I know?
“The Autumn Water Pavilion has an excellent environment. It would be good for you two to be a pair of immortal companions.” Qian Bufan stroked his belly, a hint of an aunt's smile appearing on his face.
Our Elder Qian is actually a shipper.
“Uh, Elder Qian, you're overthinking it.”
Li Mo shook his head.
“Ah? You two youngsters, aren't you a couple?”
Old Qian was stunned.
He heard that the two were childhood sweethearts, entered the Qingyuan Sect together, both became True Disciples, and today Ying Bing even specifically told Li Mo to stay at her place. They were already cohabiting.
In this day and age, how could people with ordinary relationships share a room?
“Uh...”
Li Mo hadn't even spoken.
Ying Bing's voice already sounded beside him:
“No.”
Her tone was casual, but it made one feel cold.
“You misunderstood.”
Li Mo waved his hands repeatedly.
Then both of them fell silent.
The atmosphere in the hall became somewhat strange for a moment.
“I'm old, I like to gossip, please forgive me, forgive me.” Qian Bufan chuckled, smacking his lips, looking a little disappointed.
Li Mo gave a wry smile, withdrawing his gaze from Ying Bing.
Is the Ice Cube beautiful?
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe her as devastatingly beautiful.
But... she's too cold.
Cold in both personality and physically.
Thinking of this, Li Mo couldn't help but sigh.
Compared to admiration, pity was more fitting for this cold Junior Sister he had known since childhood.
In his memory, she wasn't like this at first; it was after a change in her family that she became this way.
Putting himself in her shoes, Li Mo admitted he couldn't be optimistic and gentle either.
Across from him.
Ying Bing subtly shook her head.
Heaven and Earth are unkind, and the Dao of martial arts is long and arduous.
In her previous life, countless Dragons and Phoenixes pursued her.
But if she hadn't severed her emotions and desires, focusing entirely on going against the current in the long river of martial arts, she wouldn't have reached the pinnacle.
In this life, she also maintained a firm heart devoted to the Dao.
......
......
Autumn Water Pavilion is located not far from Qunyu Peak.
Nestled by mountains and water, the scenery is beautiful.
The pavilion is three stories high, with an attached courtyard, a clear spring flowing through the middle, ancient and elegant yet not losing its natural beauty, standing out among the other pavilions.
At this moment, the gate of Autumn Water Pavilion was opened.
Two people walked in, one after the other, the young man carrying large and small bags.
“This house is well built.”
Li Mo was very satisfied with the new living environment and felt a bit emotional.
Before, Ying Bing had stayed at the Li Residence, depending on others.
Now, it was the other way around.
He turned his head, only to see Ying Bing looking at the courtyard, lost in thought.
“It seems like no one has lived here for a long time. Let's clean it up first.”
Li Mo looked around.
He walked around, but couldn't find any cleaning tools.
Ying Bing suddenly said, “The broom is under the stone bench in the flower garden.”
Li Mo bent down and indeed found a broom.
“You «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» go boil some hot water.”
Ying Bing tied up her black hair with a hair tie and naturally said.
As if she had lived here for a long time, seamlessly becoming the mistress of Autumn Water Pavilion.
She didn't do it on purpose.
But her gestures while sweeping revealed a certain calm and composure of someone who had long held a high position.
Alright, I've become a diligent little nanny.
Li Mo pouted and saluted: “Obeying orders from above.”
Although he knew the Ice Cube was always like this, why did he still feel a little unwilling inside?
Well, as a male with strong self-esteem, this is normal.
......
Steaming hot water was boiled and poured into a large redwood tub by Li Mo.
【Congratulations, Host, for successfully investing in a bucket of bathwater, helping the investment target clean their body.】
【Received investment feedback: One gold bar.】
The gold bars returned by the System were all very substantial.
Li Mo was silent for a moment, then shouted towards the courtyard:
“One bucket of bathwater isn't enough, is it? I'll boil some more for you!”
......
......
Night fell.
The next day.
Li Mo woke up as usual. He glanced at the frozen room next door and then went into the kitchen to make breakfast.
His widespread investments recently had given him a lot of strange feedback, including quite a bit of food that could be eaten after simply heating it up.
By the time the sun was fully up, Li Mo came out with soy milk and steamed buns. The Ice Cube was already sitting there.
Her lips were still pale, and her face was as white as snow.
Describing her as 'beautifully frozen' couldn't be more fitting.
Not long after breakfast, a loud, clear voice came from outside:
“Is Junior Niece Ying Bing in?!”
The door opened.
An old man sat on a simple yet grand carriage. The four eaves of the carriage were carved with the Four Symbols, exquisite and skillfully crafted.
“I am the Sect Master's coachman.”
The old coachman said with a beaming smile, “By the Sect Master's order, I am to escort Junior Niece up the mountain. From now on, I will also be the one to pick you up. There are many buildings on Qingyuan Peak, so I'm afraid you might not find your way.”
Oh, the Sect Master's carriage.
Li Mo thought, no wonder it looked so grand.
See, that's the treatment of a True Disciple. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
He probably had to walk up the mountain.
“Thank you.”
Ying Bing nodded. After getting into the carriage, she lifted the curtain and said:
“Li Mo, before you go to Qunyu Peak, you might want to prepare a few good jars of wine.”
Leaving these words, the carriage sped away.
