“Hey, Senior Brother, didn’t you sign up too?”
Gantang stuck out her tongue playfully, then affectionately looped her arm through Lu Qiancha’s, continuing, “Senior Brother, hurry and summon a cloud, or we’ll be late.”
Lu Qiancha tugged at the corner of his mouth, feeling that this scene was oddly familiar.
Forget it, no need to argue with the junior sister.
Lu Qiancha raised his hand and summoned a white cloud, and both he and Gantang leapt onto it in turn.
On the cloud, Gantang seemed to recall something. She looked at Lu Qiancha’s profile and chuckled softly, a trace of anticipation in her eyes as she spoke, “Senior Brother…”
“Hm?”
Lu Qiancha turned to look.
Gantang’s cheeks were faintly flushed as she pursed her lips and quietly said, “Normally, you’ve never joined the sect’s outings for disciple trials. Are you this time… because you’re worried about me?”
“No.”
Lu Qiancha’s tone was light and clear as she quickly responded, “Please allow me to decline. You’re a good girl, and I’ve always regarded you as a younger sister.”
Hearing this insincere answer, Gantang’s forehead was covered in dark lines. She huffed angrily, “Hmph, fine then! So annoying! I’m not talking to you anymore.”
Lu Qiancha smiled calmly, but then suddenly heard a voice say, “I’m so mad, next time I’ll make sure to pull Senior Brother’s tail clean off.”
The smile on Lu Qiancha’s face froze instantly, and he subconsciously tightened the tail he had hidden.
Lu Qiancha brought Gantang down in front of the Wanxiang Hall, where hundreds of figures had already gathered.
From a distance, young men and women in Dao robes and long skirts were chatting and laughing.
The number of female cultivators here was not fewer than the men.
Most were beautiful with graceful figures, each with their own charm like orchids in spring or chrysanthemums in autumn, yet a few stood out exceptionally, like cranes among chickens, akin to stars and the bright moon.
For example, Gantang beside Lu Qiancha…
“Isn’t that Gantang from Tianquanfeng? She’s getting more and more beautiful. I heard her aptitude is quite good too.”
“Having been in the sect over ten years, she’s already at the mid Jindan Stage and will soon break into the Yuan Ying Realm.”
“I heard even the Taishang Elder is interested in recruiting her. We don’t have such good fortune.”
“Who’s that beside her?”
“Oh, probably her senior brother. I think there aren’t many on Tianquanfeng; his cultivation is only at the Yuan Ying stage.”
“I’ve never seen him ranked among the top three hundred in combat power. No impression at all…”
“I remember, his Dao name is Qiancha…?”
“Qiancha… a thousand ships? That Dao name is truly… plain and unadorned, but unique.”
“Don’t gossip about disciples from other peaks behind their backs. Mind your manners! If any elder hears, they’ll think our peak has no discipline.”
The whispers reached Lu Qiancha’s ears, but she acted as if she hadn’t heard, nor did she look around. Instead, she took Gantang inside to register, then found a quiet corner to wait.
The bell kept ringing, and more young cultivators flew in from all peaks.
Today was the Tianyuan Sect’s once-every-five-years disciple external trial conference, meant to let disciples see the outside world and deepen their cultivation insights.
Every formal disciple could freely sign up for this event, choosing from up to twelve destinations catering to different cultivation stages.
The Tianyuan Sect’s large-scale disciple recruitment cycle was two hundred years, meaning each generation spanned two centuries.
Among this generation, the fastest cultivators had reportedly reached the peak Hua Shen Realm, matching many older disciples who had trained for five or six centuries but had mediocre talent.
Like Gantang, who had taken a relatively unknown master within the sect—one not yet an immortal—and in just over ten years had already reached the mid Jindan Stage, naturally attracting much attention.
The senior brother and junior sister stood a person apart under a patch of shade, many eyes occasionally glancing their way. Most who saw them thought the pair didn’t get along well.
Troublesome.
Gantang tore off a few leaves and twirled them between her fingers, several times opening her mouth to speak but stopping.
Rule number two of the agreement: Don’t chat unnecessarily outside.
“Senior Brother, where are you going?”
“Guess.”
“You never say… I’ve been asking for half a month now.”
Gantang snorted lightly and muttered, “Wherever you go, I’m following. I’ll be keeping a close eye on you.”
Lu Qiancha smiled calmly, lips parting to send a voice directly into her ear: “Junior Sister, your cultivation is almost catching up to mine. It’s time to learn to face some difficulties on your own.”
Gantang retorted earnestly, “I’m following your orders from Master, to watch you and make sure you don’t get into trouble and disgrace Tianquanfeng!”
Lu Qiancha only smiled lightly and said nothing further.
After three bell chimes, figures flew out of Wanxiang Hall one by one. Some were white-haired and wrinkled, others looked like young women just entering their prime.
These seventy-two disciples subtly released their aura, silencing the hall completely.
These were immortals from various peaks, responsible for escorting the external trial.
Then came a crane’s call.
A red-crowned white crane spread its wings from the clouds, atop which sat a lean old man.
This was Tianyuan Sect’s Deputy Sect Master, Elder Heyu.
He did not deliver a long speech, just half-closed his eyelids, parted his lips, and his voice echoed across the main peak:
“During this trial, remember the sect rules. Uphold the dignity of our immortal sect. Do not do anything to disgrace our traditions.”
“There are fifteen destinations in total. I hope you will rid the world of demons and protect the Way, supporting your fellow cultivators.”
With that, Elder Heyu rode his crane and left without delay. The disciples bowed and sent him off.
An elder standing in front of the hall stepped forward after Elder Heyu’s departure, cupped his hands, and loudly announced, “Those heading to the Donghai Coast to slay demons and monsters, gather on the far left side.”
“Your cultivation must be at least mid Zhujijing! Rewards will be given based on the number of demons eliminated.”
The disciples immediately moved. Nearly half went to the left side of the hall, making the once spacious area somewhat crowded.
This was customary. Of the twelve trial locations, there was always one with relatively low difficulty but generous rewards.
Gantang watched her senior brother carefully and saw that he made no move.
As expected, Senior Brother wasn’t going for the rewards…
“Junior Sister, your cultivation is still shallow. Come with me. The rewards will definitely be useful to you.” Lu Qiancha transmitted this quietly.
Gantang curled the corner of her mouth and stood still beside him.