Yunlushan, Xifeng Pavilion.
This is one of the places where the Qingxuan Sect handles affairs for outer disciples.
"Linglong Fairy, the registration of this young brother has been properly processed. Please keep this bronze mirror and this transmission jade slip."
Inside the Xifeng Pavilion, an elderly man with gray hair handed a wooden box containing a bronze mirror and a white jade transmission slip to Linglong.
"Taiping, keep this bronze mirror well. It is not only proof of your status as an outer disciple but also a magical tool for listening to the teachings of the elders within the sect."
Linglong first handed the bronze mirror and the jade slip to Taiping.
"That's right. Unlike inner disciples who receive personal guidance from their teachers, outer disciples can only observe the elders' teachings through this bronze mirror on the first and fifteenth of each month."
The old man in the Xifeng Pavilion added with a smile.
"What about this jade slip?"
Xu Taiping nodded and then picked up the jade slip to ask.
"This is a transmission jade slip, containing a cultivation method for refining qi. When using it, you just need to focus your mind and place it on your forehead."
"That's correct. The usage of the bronze mirror and some important rules to follow after joining the sect are all detailed in the jade slip. You can use it after settling in."
"Pavilion Master Liu, do you have any medicinal gardens that need to be managed?"
Linglong turned her gaze to the Pavilion Master of Xifeng Pavilion.
Pavilion Master Liu's expression stiffened.
In the outer sect, the easiest place to earn merit is undoubtedly the spiritual herb garden, where the work is light and the merit earned is substantial.
"Pavilion Master Liu, this child is a distant relative of mine. If you can help with this matter, I, Zhao Linglong of the Seventh Peak, will owe you a favor."
Zhao Linglong said earnestly.
Hearing this, Pavilion Master Liu's eyes suddenly lit up.
He knew Zhao Linglong's identity—she was the personal disciple of the Seventh Peak's Peak Master, and her future was bound to be bright. Her favor was very valuable.
"Since Fairy Linglong has spoken, I will certainly help."
Pavilion Master Liu nodded after a moment's thought.
Hearing this, Zhao Linglong breathed a sigh of relief.
Xu Taiping, standing to the side, gave Zhao Linglong a grateful look, silently remembering this kindness in his heart.
"To be honest, in the western mountains of Yunlushan under the jurisdiction of our Xifeng Pavilion, there is indeed a medicinal garden that needs to be managed."
Pavilion Master Liu pointed to a map on the wall and stroked his beard, saying, "It is located in Yunxi Valley, three thousand miles from Xifeng Pavilion, called Qingzhu Residence. Besides the three acres of spiritual herb garden, there is also a small courtyard for you to live and cultivate."
At the entrance of Xifeng Pavilion.
"Pavilion Master, didn't a cultivator report that there were evil spirits in Qingzhu Residence? If something happens to that young man, we won't be able to explain it to Fairy Linglong, right?"
Looking at Fairy Linglong and Xu Taiping riding away on a celestial crane, a steward of Xifeng Pavilion looked worriedly at the old Pavilion Master.
"It's just hearsay. A few disciples from the Fourth Peak have already checked it out, and there was nothing unusual."
Pavilion Master Liu shook his head dismissively.
"Besides, even if something does happen, it's just a disciple from outside the mountain. If he dies, so be it. Out of the new outer disciples who join each year, only half survive in the mountains. If I had to be responsible for every death, I wouldn't be able to be a Pavilion Master."
He then glared at the steward.
"You're right, Pavilion Master. I was overthinking it."
The steward retreated with a sullen expression.
Another half an hour later.
"Fairy Linglong, we have arrived at Qingzhu Residence."
The celestial crane, speaking in a human voice, flapped its wings gently, allowing Linglong and Xu Taiping to land steadily on the ground.
After standing firm, Xu Taiping looked up.
He saw a small courtyard with mud walls nestled quietly in a lush bamboo grove, with bamboo leaves scattered on the ground almost covering the threshold.
"Little Taiping, from now on, you'll have to rely on yourself."
Linglong looked at the sky and said to Xu Taiping with some reluctance.
The time she had agreed with Elder Black Dragon had arrived.
"Thank you, Sister Linglong. I will work hard to cultivate and strive to reach the Seventh Peak as soon as possible."
Xu Taiping's young face showed a determination that belied his age.
"Sister believes in you."
Linglong smiled and patted Xu Taiping's little face. Then she took out a bone flute and a money bag from her sleeve and handed them to Xu Taiping, saying:
"This bone flute can summon nearby spiritual birds. The money bag contains thirty merit coins given to each new disciple by Xifeng Pavilion. If you need something urgently, you can spend one merit coin to have a nearby spiritual bird take you to buy it. However, unless absolutely necessary, don't misuse these thirty merit coins. Your backyard's medicinal garden is likely to be abandoned, so you'll need to use this money to buy seeds and food."
"I won't misuse them, Sister Linglong."
Xu Taiping nodded and took the bone flute and the money bag.
"Little Taiping, may we meet again. Take care."
Linglong, already back on the celestial crane, waved to Xu Taiping with a smile.
"Goodbye, Sister Linglong."
Xu Taiping also waved to Linglong.
As soon as she spoke, the celestial crane flapped its wings, stirring up a strong wind and soaring into the sky.
"Little Taiping, I hope we meet again."
Linglong, riding the celestial crane, sighed as she watched the figure below grow smaller and smaller.
Having grown up in the Qingxuan Sect, she knew very well that among the outer disciples with only white spirit bones, only one in a thousand would eventually be accepted into the seven peaks, and most would fail to pass the selection within the three-year period.
As soon as Linglong left, Xu Taiping pushed open the courtyard gate and walked in, stopping only when he reached the medicinal garden in the backyard.
"Just as Sister Linglong said, this medicinal garden is indeed abandoned."
Looking at the overgrown weeds and the desolate garden, Xu Taiping muttered to himself.
However, he had rushed to the garden not to confirm this.
Xu Taiping carefully took out a wooden box from his chest, then a small porcelain bottle from the box, and finally a soybean seed from the bottle.
Yes, this was the soybean seed left to him by his grandfather.
"Grandfather said that once I plant this seed on the immortal mountain, I will gain another great opportunity."
He said softly, then squatted down and dug a hole in the soil of the medicinal garden, planting the soybean seed.
"Since the pill was real, this seed must also be real."
Xu Taiping said, then carefully covered the soybean seed with more soil.