Chapter One: Reluctantly Taking on a Disciple

Early morning.

The first rays of dawn spilled across the entrance to Cloudmist Mountain.

A young girl of sixteen or seventeen sat with her chin cupped in her hands atop a stone that shimmered with verdant light. She was dressed in a pale yellow celestial robe, her jade-like arms draped in a white shawl embroidered with golden patterns. Her eyes, clear and bright as autumn water, trembled ever so slightly with emotion—her beauty was so fresh and spirited it was enough to steal the breath.

Circling beside her was a small white snake, its body adorned with two delicate wings. Astonishingly, it spoke in human tongue.

“Why aren’t you going in? What’s weighing on your mind, just sitting here?”

The girl cast a sidelong glance at the snake and sighed deeply. “How long has the Immortal Lord Fengyang been dead?”

The little snake flicked its tongue, replying, “Didn’t you say so yourself? Over three hundred years.”

“Over three hundred years… then his son should be at least that old by now.”

“Naturally. Otherwise, how could he be his son?”

The girl rolled her eyes at the snake. “Three hundred years old—surely he must be at least an elder or a master in the Clear Ripple Sect by now.”

“He ought to be a peak lord, at the very least. The son of Immortal Lord Fengyang couldn’t possibly amount to so little.” The white snake tilted its head, pondering, then added, “With such a bloodline, perhaps he’s long since left the Clear Ripple Sect and ascended to the upper realms for further cultivation. Who can say?”

Hearing this, the girl sighed again and flicked the snake’s head with her finger. “You and your crow’s mouth! Can’t you say something more hopeful? If he really has gone up to the heavens, there are thirty-seven layers of realms—how would I ever find him?”

“Hiss… be gentle!” The snake coiled its tail, rubbing its head. “You’re the only one who dares to bully me like this. Why do you wish failure upon him? A young lady should have a more positive outlook.”

The girl was on the verge of striking the snake again when, not far away, a flash of golden light erupted—a teleportation array had been activated.

A young man, followed by a group of boys and girls about the same age as the girl, appeared before them.

Both parties were startled.

The young man in the lead cast a cautious look at the girl, then prepared to lead his group up the mountain.

“Hm?” An abrupt voice broke the silence.

The girl looked down at the snake, displeased. “What are you ‘hm’ing about?”

The little snake’s eyes gleamed as it flicked its tongue. “A bone age of over three hundred years, phoenix bloodline—what a coincidence.”

At the snake’s words, the girl’s head snapped up, her gaze fixed on the young man.

He, too, had clearly heard the snake, and stopped, turning back to look at the pair, astonished that the beast could speak.

“Is your name Feng Qinghe?” the girl asked first.

Feng Qinghe’s brows knitted slightly as he regarded her warily. “I am Feng Qinghe. May I ask who you are, fellow cultivator?”

Receiving confirmation, the girl’s eyes sparkled even brighter than the little snake’s. In a flash, she was before Feng Qinghe, drawing herself up with pride. “My name is You Xiyue, and I am to be your master.”

“Outrageous!” Before Feng Qinghe could respond, the youths behind him erupted in indignation. “Where did this wild girl come from, daring to claim to be master to the third young lord of the Feng clan’s main line?”

“That’s right! Brother Qinghe is a candidate for future clan leader—who do you think you are, to speak so boldly?”

You Xiyue frowned in irritation. “I was speaking to him, not to you. Such noise.”

At her words, the senses and even the spiritual perception of the young men and women were instantly sealed, their bodies frozen in place.

Feng Qinghe stared at the girl in shock. She was no older than her bone age suggested—how could she wield such power?

You Xiyue didn’t so much as glance aside, her gaze trained on Feng Qinghe, as if awaiting his answer.

Feng Qinghe bowed with formal respect, his tone grave. “Your cultivation is unfathomable, fellow cultivator, but I have no intention of taking another master.”

You Xiyue looked at him, troubled. “I think it’s an intention you must have.”

The little snake, which had been coiled on the stone, instantly flew to Feng Qinghe’s side and whispered urgently, “Hurry and accept her as your master! If she gets angry, even I’m afraid.”

Feng Qinghe’s expression darkened. What reason was there to force someone into apprenticeship? “I am of the Feng clan, with a powerful family behind me. I truly have no need of a master…”

“Sigh… just as stubborn as I once was,” the snake said sympathetically, shaking its head. It vanished with a flick, leaving only a parting remark behind: “Call me back when you’ve settled this.”

You Xiyue’s face betrayed her annoyance. She cut off Feng Qinghe’s words with action. Suddenly, it was as if a mountain of a thousand weights had dropped on Feng Qinghe’s shoulders, each moment growing heavier.

He struggled to remain upright, sweat beading on his brow as he forced out, “Senior, why… must you… press me so… relentlessly…”

You Xiyue snorted and turned away, her spiritual pressure undiminished, not bothering to explain herself, until Feng Qinghe could no longer endure.

With a dull thud, he dropped to his knees.

Only then did You Xiyue turn back with a bright, mischievous smile. “That’s better. A formal apprenticeship begins with a proper kneeling salute.”

Feng Qinghe’s face was ashen as he looked at her with resentment. “Senior, this is oppression.”

The little snake, hearing the commotion, reappeared in a flash. “I thought you were going to lose your temper and flatten the mountain, but you only bullied him? You should have said so earlier.”

With that, it returned to the stone, eager to watch the spectacle.

“If you’d just bowed to her, you wouldn’t have suffered. I’m telling you, this is nothing—when I was rebellious, I…” The snake was still gloating when it caught You Xiyue’s glance and immediately fell silent, plastering on an innocent, adorable expression.

You Xiyue turned to Feng Qinghe again. “Are you truly unwilling to become my disciple?”

By now, Feng Qinghe’s head was nearly touching the ground, his teeth gritted as blood welled at the corner of his mouth.

The little snake kept its mouth shut, shaking its head, unable to fathom why Feng Qinghe persisted—what was wrong with having a powerful master? It, for one, knew when to yield.

Finally, as his forehead hit the dirt, You Xiyue heard the answer she wanted: “I accept!”

Her smile bloomed instantly. “That’s more like it.”

As her mood lightened, the spiritual pressure on Feng Qinghe vanished.

He remained kneeling, straightening his back, wiping the blood from his lips, fists clenched tightly. He still had vengeance to seek—he couldn’t die now. After gathering his composure, he looked up at You Xiyue. “Master, please accept your disciple’s formal salute.”

With that, Feng Qinghe knocked his head three times against the earth, each resounding with determination.

You Xiyue nodded in satisfaction. “Good child, you may rise.”

Feng Qinghe stood, cast a cleansing spell to remove the dust from his clothing, and turned to You Xiyue with respectful formality. “Master, I was sent to the lower realm to escort the younger generation of my clan into the depths of the Cloudmist Secret Realm. Do you have any instructions for me?”

He waited for her reply, but none came for some time. Looking up, he found You Xiyue rummaging through her storage pouch.

After much searching, she finally looked up and stuffed a pile of items into Feng Qinghe’s arms.