Listening to Yuan Qingqing’s tragic description.
The two gatekeeper disciples also listened with tears streaming down their faces, likely recalling their own past hardships.
“Sniffle, brother, when we were just miscellaneous disciples, we had it so rough too…”
“Yeah…”
Seeing that the two were moved, Yuan Qingqing seized the moment and pressed on, “Senior Brothers, I really want to reunite with my brothers and sisters inside the sect as soon as possible. Can you please let us in first?”
Yuan Qingqing felt secretly proud.
She didn’t believe her reasoning wouldn’t sway these two seemingly dull fellow disciples.
Just as the two gatekeepers wiped their tears, and Yuan Qingqing felt they were about to nod and let them through.
“No!”
The two spoke in unison, the sympathy on their faces vanishing instantly as they resumed their stern gatekeeper demeanor.
“Why not!”
Wu Qingqing looked incredulous, her voice full of disbelief—they were clearly moved, after all.
“Cut it out. Today, you’re not the only ones who lost their identity tokens coming up the mountain, but guess what? No exceptions. Everyone just wants to sneak in and freeload!”
Hearing this, Yuan Qingqing gritted her teeth in fury. Who was so shameless!
Shen Le snorted.
Feeling touched is one thing, but whether they believed it was another.
They certainly didn’t want to get punished for letting people in indiscriminately.
“Xia Jie, it seems like she’s trying to fool us. How are we going to get her to confess that ‘face money’ later?”
Wang Hao leaned close to Hu Qiao’er, lowering his voice, though Yuan Qingqing still overheard.
But Hu Qiao’er’s reaction was nothing like Wang Hao’s.
Her expression remained indifferent, as if nothing had happened.
“Forget it, just let’s say we got fooled by a scammer. Haozi, let’s find a place to crash for the night.”
“Okay.”
Wang Hao responded reluctantly.
Yuan Qingqing was probably the most uncomfortable with Hu Qiao’er’s reaction.
It felt like being despised without the chance to fight back.
Just as she was thinking of more ways to trick Shen Le and Shen Yue.
“Shu—!” A sharp whooshing sound suddenly tore through the silence at the mountain gate!
Everyone instinctively looked up and saw a streak of blue light flashing across the distant horizon, moving so fast it was just a blur. In the blink of an eye, it landed steadily in front of the stone steps of the gate.
The newcomer had a stern face, wearing the robes of an Inner Disciple.
Shen Le and Shen Yue were instantly surprised.
The arrival was none other than their Shenfu Peak Inner Disciple—Xu Yan.
“What’s going on here?”
Xu Yan asked calmly, eyes scanning the crowd.
Shen Le and Shen Yue immediately bowed with lowered heads, “Greetings, Senior Brother Xu!”
Hu Qiao’er watched the scene in fascination, but her gaze wasn’t on the person—it was fixed on Xu Yan’s clothes.
“Qiao’er, what are you staring at? Don’t you want my Master anymore?”
Wang Hao noticed Hu Qiao’er’s stare and, thinking she was attracted by the handsome guy, teased her.
“Go away, what would a kid like you understand?”
Hu Qiao’er shot Wang Hao a reproachful glare.
Wang Hao’s mouth twitched—who was the real kid here? He’d lived two lifetimes, even if not that long last time.
Meanwhile, as an Inner Disciple, Xu Yan politely returned the salute to Shen Le and Shen Yue.
“Senior Brother Xu, what are you doing here?”
“I went down the mountain to buy some things, just got back.”
Xu Yan answered simply. He did go down the mountain to buy something, but it was secretly to get wine for Senior Brother Wan.
“Junior Brothers, who are these people?”
Xu Yan asked curiously.
Without hesitation, Shen Le quickly explained the situation:
“Senior Brother Xu, these people want to come up the mountain. This one claims to be Yuan Qingqing, an Outer Sect Disciple of Shenxiao Sect, but she lost her identity token, so their identity is hard to verify. We’re not sure whether to let them pass…”
“Yuan Qingqing…”
Xu Yan muttered quietly, seeming to recognize the name.
He glanced at those in front of him.
One was dressed in tattered clothes, hair messy and unkempt. Yuan Qingqing even waved to him, a crescent moon smile on her face.
“Hello, Senior Brother! Your robes look so nice! You must be an Inner Disciple. I’m Yuan Qingqing from the Outer Sect!”
“So you’re a Senior Sister of Lingjian Peak, pardon me for the oversight.”
Xu Yan now showed a respectful gesture, stunning everyone present.
Including Yuan Qingqing.
What? Senior Sister? Am I really that well-known?
Xu Yan didn’t notice Yuan Qingqing’s reaction. He turned to Shen Le and Shen Yue.
“This one must indeed be a disciple of Shenxiao Sect. I vouch for her. I’ll escort these few up the mountain.”
Seeing Xu Yan say this, Shen Le and Shen Yue couldn’t argue and nodded, opening the mountain gate’s barrier.
“Please, Senior Sister.”
Yuan Qingqing was still in shock, forcing an awkward smile as she followed Xu Yan.
Wang Hao tugged Hu Qiao’er.
“Qiao’er, let’s go. What are you thinking about?”
“Oh, okay.”
Hu Qiao’er had been momentarily dazed, her mind lingering on the words “Lingjian Peak.”
……
Xu Yan walked steadily ahead, still carrying his unique aura even at this moment.
“Senior Brother Xu… why did you call me Senior Sister? And how do you know me?”
Yuan Qingqing voiced her confusion.
Being recognized when out alone is rare and precious. When you leave your parents, your family, your original circle of life, it can be very painful…
Her feelings flickered, and she looked at Xu Yan’s back.
“Hm… As far as I know, in Shenxiao Sect, the only Yuan Qingqing is an Outer Sect Disciple of Lingjian Peak, who joined about five years ago.
Although only an Outer Disciple, given Lingjian Peak’s current situation, she’s bound to be promoted to Inner Disciple eventually.
Since you and I are both Inner Disciples, you should be my Senior Sister.”
“Oh.”
Yuan Qingqing nodded knowingly.
“But Senior Sister Yuan, what’s your situation?”
Xu Yan stopped and turned to appraise Yuan Qingqing.
Yuan Qingqing pretended to choke up, sniffling.
“That’s a long story…
By the way, how do you know the names of sect disciples? Shenxiao Sect isn’t small…”
“It’s like this. I want to contribute more to the sect, so I looked through the Roster of Sect Disciples. Also, Lingjian Peak disciples are now scattered and few, so I remember those a bit better.”
Yuan Qingqing chatted with Xu Yan, while Hu Qiao’er listened. This Xu Yan was surprisingly strict with her, and Hu Qiao’er, who had thought he was a decent person, started feeling uneasy. But she kept it to herself.
Shenxiao Sect has six peaks, with Lingxiao Peak at the center, connected by suspension bridges to the other five.
After bidding farewell to the group, Xu Yan flew toward his Shenfu Peak.
“Let’s go! My Outer Sect Disciple dormitory is a bit secluded, but I can’t bring you up. I can’t ignore the rules. You’ll have to make do with the woodshed here. Tomorrow morning, just follow the crowd, and you’ll find the Recruitment Trial place.”
Yuan Qingqing said.
“Trial again? But we’re all ordinary people!”
Hu Qiao’er immediately felt worried.