Before Shen Changlin could speak, Zhan Hongyuan asked, "Elder Ruan, you've been in seclusion for many years, what's this time?"

"It was my fault for not protecting him just now. Back in the mortal realm, it was also because I failed to eliminate the threat completely, which is why the Longevity Palace remains as a menace."

Ruan Qingan spoke in a low voice, his words carrying a chill.

Zhan Hongyuan frowned. He had originally intended to pair Shen Changlin and Ruan Qing'an together, but now that Shen Changlin was crippled, Zhan Hongyuan had his own plans regarding Ruan Qing'an.

Before he could speak again, Ruan Qing'an had already looked at Shen Changlin.

"Would you like to become my apprentice?"

"..."

Shen Changlin was stunned for a moment, frozen in place.

It wasn't until he saw Ruan Qing'an frown that Shen Changlin immediately realized that she was usually quiet, and it was already quite an achievement for her to speak up now—and he was even more reluctant to refuse her.

Shen Changlin quickly said, "I want to become your disciple!"

Zhan Hongyuan, who wanted to say something more, was speechless for a moment. After all, he had said those words himself and couldn't go back on his word.

Zhan Hongyuan paused for a moment: "Then you shall enter Yanlai Peak."

Upon hearing this, Shen Changlin cupped his hands in a salute and said, "Thank you, Sect Master."

At this moment, Ruan Qing'an also sheathed his long sword and stood up: "In that case, I will take him back to Yanlai Peak first."

Zhan Hongyuan nodded slightly. The next moment, Ruan Qing'an's slender and tall figure had already floated over. She landed lightly in front of Shen Changlin. Before Shen Changlin could speak, she stretched out her hand—grabbed his collar directly, tore open the void, and stepped in.

Shen Changlin, being lifted like a chick: ...

Ruan Qingan, who used to be frequently carried around: I got my revenge, yay!

After the two figures disappeared, various matters continued on the floating island. Zhan Hongyuan seemed to have a headache and waved his hand: "Continue, don't worry about them."

Soon, the elders continued selecting disciples from each peak.

However, no matter what happened afterward, the impact was far less than that of Shen Changlin before. After the entrance test ended, today's events quickly swept through the entire Wandao Sect.

After all, the aftershocks of the battle that suddenly broke out on the floating island could be sensed even by the Wan Dao Sect disciples who were not on the floating island.

Shen Changlin's actions also caused a huge uproar.

But—after all, a fallen genius is not a genius, and a genius who has lost his talent is not worth talking about. What truly shook the entire Wandao Sect was Ruan Qing'an's acceptance of disciples!

But whatever the attitude within the Myriad Paths Sect is, it has nothing to do with the two who have already arrived at Yanlai Peak.

Outside Yanlai Peak, the original owner had placed numerous restrictions on her. Once she began to cultivate in seclusion, she basically stayed out of worldly affairs. Apart from the sect leader Zhan Hongyuan, who could find her, the original owner never left Yanlai Peak.

Therefore, the entire Yanlai Peak is remarkably well-sealed.

After breaking through the void, Ruan Qing'an took a step forward, carrying Shen Changlin back to Yanlai Peak, and casually put the boy on the ground.

"Is this Elder Ruan's Yanlai Peak?"

Shen Changlin subconsciously looked up and around.

The mountains and plains are covered with forests, among which there are large peach groves. The vibrant colors spread across the entire mountaintop, seemingly reaching the horizon. With a gust of wind, showers of petals fall like rain—just as the saying goes, "Swallows come, spring returns, and flowers bloom for miles."

On the mountaintop sat a cave dwelling crafted from white jade, clearly the place where Ruan Qing'an secluded himself for cultivation, permeated with Daoist charm and sword intent.

The cave is very large, and a portion of it can be allocated to Shen Changlin.

Nguyen Thanh An nodded slightly: "You may stay here."

Shen Changlin subconsciously looked towards the cave, but then suddenly heard Ruan Qing'an's voice behind him. It was still cold and emotionless—regardless of whether his talent was destroyed or not, her attitude remained basically unchanged, which was reassuring.

“Chen Changlin”.

"exist."

He turned around and stood in front of Nguyen Thanh An.

The woman was half a head taller than the boy. She was looking down at him, her leaden gray eyes expressionless, yet she was truly looking at him, reflecting him in her eyes.

From the moment they met until now, she has been like the bright moon hanging high in the sky, never setting, aloof and noble, a moon that he could not even reach out to touch, as if even his gaze was a desecration to her.

But the vibrant peach blossoms behind her, with their boundless beauty, captivated whose eyes and stirred whose heart.

Ruan Qing'an opened his mouth and said, "In that case, let's become disciples."

Upon hearing this, Shen Changlin took a deep breath—he lifted a corner of his robe and knelt down on both knees, his posture upright and dignified, yet at this moment he raised his head and looked up at the woman with admiration in his eyes.

Beneath a cloud of emotions, an indescribable lust was suppressed.

He spoke softly and solemnly, each word deliberate and distinct, as if the heavens and earth were responding to each utterance.

"When drinking water, remember its source; when climbing a tree, remember its roots."

"Now I have been granted the opportunity to enter the Dao by my master's grace, in order to seek longevity, self-preservation, and the power that my heart desires. I will not fail him in this life."

"Please, Master, accept my bow—"

The boy's straight spine bent inch by inch as he performed the most solemn kowtow, his attitude devout and resolute. The woman stood with her hands behind her back, looking down at him, and finally—

A surge of spiritual energy welled up in her hands, and she helped him up.

"I don't have many rules, Shen Changlin, but there's only one rule for those who join my sect—if you betray your master and ancestors, I will personally cleanse your sect, and you will be annihilated, body and soul, no matter where you are!"

"...Chang Lin knows."

Shen Changlin paused for a moment, then answered softly.

At this moment, Ruan Qing'an made him stand up, and touched Shen Changlin's brow with her slender fingertips: "The Supreme Record of Forgetfulness is my cultivation method. It cultivates the path of ruthlessness. You may take a look."

"If you are unwilling to enter the Path of Ruthlessness, you can also learn the sect's supreme technique, the 'Return of All Paths to One Technique.' This technique is also the most advanced technique, enough to reach the Mahayana stage, making it difficult to match."

"I usually cultivate in my cave. I am not good at teaching disciples. If there is anything you don't know, you can write it on the communication jade talisman. When I see it, I will answer it for you. Otherwise, there is no need to disturb me unless it is important."

Ruan Qing'an paused: "I will keep an eye on your naturally damaged body, but you must not place all your hopes on it. Cultivation is based on oneself, and you must not slack off."

Shen Changlin cupped his hands in greeting: "Changlin will respectfully obey Master's orders."

Seeing this, Ruan Qing'an nodded slightly: "I still have things to take care of. You can try to guide the Qi into your body first. If you don't get the method right, I will teach you to enter the Qi Refining stage after I return to Yanlai Peak."

Shen Changlin nodded and sensed the cultivation technique that Ruan Qing'an had just transmitted directly into his sea of ​​consciousness.

After giving the instructions, the person in front of him disappeared again.

After seeing Ruan Qing'an disappear, Shen Changlin couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile: "My master is truly mysterious and unpredictable."

Perhaps because she had just become an apprentice and had many things to instruct her on, Ruan Qing'an said a lot. Shen Changlin originally thought that, given her personality, she would probably let him run wild after bringing him back.

However—it's not bad right now.

The boy subconsciously touched the spot on his forehead where she had just touched him, his smile unwavering: "Let's do our best from now on. No matter what, we can't let her down..."

If I'm not mistaken, drawing qi into the body is Ruan Qing'an's test.

His previously chaotic thoughts gradually calmed down, as if he had found a course in the fog, allowing Shen Changlin's heart to settle down little by little, with only the moon-like figure becoming clearer.

He thought—he really shouldn't have met her; though the bright moon wasn't as powerful as the blazing sun, it silently permeated the deep night.

In the blink of an eye, I've already fallen in love with it.

It's as if everything is preordained.