Chapter 145 Danque Peak Undergoes a Great Transformation: New Disciples Enter the Peak
"Are you accepting new recruits? Let me think about it."
Song Yin sat in the peak master's seat, deep in thought, while Ruan Chaoxue stood awaiting the outcome. Despite her calm demeanor, Ruan Chaoxue's inner thoughts were actually quite active.
Senior Sister has become the acting peak master! How amazing!
My goodness! Dressed in the elder's robes, our new elder looks so imposing! Majestic, dignified, and grand—she looks stunning from every angle. No wonder she's the senior elder!
Song Yin pondered deeply: what should be done with the new disciples after they entered the peak? Should she take on a personal disciple herself?
Ordinary disciples are different from personal disciples. It doesn't matter how many ordinary disciples you take in; you can just give them a few pointers on a daily basis. Personal disciples, on the other hand, require more effort; you have to take care of them in every aspect... Hmm, that's a bit troublesome. Maybe it's better to just take in some ordinary disciples instead.
Ruan Chaoxue and her two companions have been at Danque Peak for quite some time now, so their treatment definitely needs to be improved. New disciples shouldn't be treated the same as newcomers. After all, she's different from her master; she won't do everything herself, and many things will need to be delegated to them in the future.
Song Yin: "After the new disciples enter the peak, the three of you will still be needed to help manage and take care of them."
Ruan Chaoxue: "So the elders have agreed to let the new disciple enter the peak?"
Song Yin nodded. "I will personally select the candidates. This matter is settled. Go and give them a reply. Also, prepare some accommodations for the new disciples after they enter the peak. You don't need to prepare too much."
She would slowly select a few of these ordinary disciples each year, accepting them if they were suitable, and not accepting them if they weren't.
Ruan Chaoxue: "Yes."
After Ruan Chaoxue left, someone else came shortly afterward.
Xia Xining swaggered in, then stopped in front of Song Yin and deliberately said, "Greetings, Elder Song."
Song Yin coughed lightly twice, "No need for formalities."
Xia Xining smiled and leaned closer, asking, "How does it feel to be an elder?"
"I have less time for cultivation, so I have to devote more energy to other things." Song Yin recalled her feelings over the past few days, "It has suddenly reduced my time for sword practice and alchemy."
She had originally planned to try refining a ninth-grade pill, but with the heavy responsibility of Danque Peak falling on her shoulders, she didn't have much time to challenge herself with ninth-grade pills.
The inheritance she received from the Nine Heavens Secret Realm was only enough to learn; a deeper understanding would require time. She would focus most of her energy on the two inheritances, striving to master them.
Song Yin: "In a few days, I will select some new disciples to join the peak. At that time, the Danque Summit will be much more lively."
Xia Xining recalled the time when she was a child and sent spirit herbs to Spirit Herb Peak, and couldn't help but laugh, "I guess Danque Peak will be filled with the sound of exploding furnaces every day now."
"Perhaps." The two laughed incessantly upon meeting.
Indeed, the sound of exploding furnaces will be heard every day from Danque Peak in the future, but it will be someone else who is causing the explosion.
...
Not long after, the Foundation Establishment Competition began, and Song Yin sat in the elders' seats to watch the new disciples compete.
After sitting down, Song Yin thought to herself, "So this is where my master watched me participate in the Foundation Establishment Competition back then."
The disciples in the water mirror fought bravely to kill the monsters, and some disciples even teamed up to cooperate.
Elder Xin's gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Song Yin, and he couldn't help but sigh once again.
Shen Yuzhu asked Song Yin, "Junior Sister, how many people do you plan to recruit?"
"We'll see. If it's suitable, we'll take it." Song Yin took a liking to several promising young cultivators in the water mirror.
They must either be proficient in fire-based magic or master wood-based magic. If they meet either of these conditions, they can be recruited into Danque Peak as long as they are willing to pursue the path of alchemy.
"This year, there are several promising sword cultivators. Duan Zhuyun has wind and fire spiritual roots and has diligently cultivated the sword path since he entered the sect. Many people have witnessed his performance over the years in the outer sect," said Elder Xu of the Spirit Sword Peak in the outer sect. He had taken in a few disciples in the past, and now, on a whim, he wanted to take in some new disciples to teach from scratch. "Xue Peiyan is also quite good, with wood and earth spiritual roots. She killed a Foundation Establishment stage demon beast at the very beginning of the competition."
Elder Xu's words caught Song Yin's attention, and she brought up the images of the two disciples. Bold yet meticulous, with a solid foundation in swordsmanship, they were indeed promising sword cultivators.
Elder Pei of Spirit Beast Peak said, "I also need to take on a personal disciple this year. Last time I brought back a lot of demon beast eggs from the Nine Heavens Secret Realm, and now they've all hatched and are causing a ruckus. I need to take on a disciple to help me take care of them."
Elder Feng asked, "Don't you already have two direct disciples?"
Elder Pei waved his hand: "Those two are not so easy to fool now. They refuse to help me take care of the demon beasts no matter what I say."
"I see you just want someone to help take care of the young monsters," Song Yin asked. "Why doesn't Elder Pei post a task about taking care of spirit beasts in the Task Hall?"
Elder Pei: "You don't understand. The batch of demonic beasts I personally take care of are extremely precious. If you just post the task anywhere, people will come, but they won't be careful enough. My demonic beast cubs are much more precious than them. Who will compensate if they get bumped or scratched? So why not take on a new disciple? I will teach the disciple the techniques. After learning for a month or two, they will be able to help me."
Song Yin: "I see."
Elder Pei asked curiously, "Speaking of Song Yin, you've only just taken over Danque Peak and you're already recruiting people. Aren't you afraid Elder Qi will come back and criticize you?"
Song Yin: "No, it was my suggestion that Danque Peak recruit people before."
Elder Pei raised an eyebrow, surprised that Song Yin had such power back then.
"Are there any disciples you've taken a fancy to?"
"We're still observing; we'll make a final decision after the competition ends."
Sect Master Yan was also present and said to Song Yin, "News just came yesterday that someone discovered a spacetime turbulence, but it won't last long. Gu Tongguang is someone you know; he has chosen to settle in Xianxiao City. You can go and see him if you have time."
Gu Tongguang had helped them a lot back then, and the Xianxiao Sect had arranged a quiet place for him in Xianxiao City. The Xianxiao Sect had also invited Gu Tongguang to join them, but he declined.
Where does the spacetime turbulence occur?
"Eastern border."
Song Yin: "I see."
This year's Foundation Establishment Competition of the Immortal Firmament Sect concluded amidst the elders' casual conversation.
The top three are all promising talents for swordsmanship, and several elders are quite interested in them.
Song Yin held the roster and discussed with Shen Yuzhu: "The first place is Xue Peiyan, the second place is Duan Zhuyun, and the third place is Gong Wantang. All three of them have spiritual roots suitable for alchemy, especially Gong Wantang, whose fire and wood spiritual roots are perfect for alchemy. Do you think they would be willing to be recruited to Danque Peak?"
Shen Yuzhu pointed to the third name and said, "I'm not sure about the others, but Gong Wantang herself is inclined towards alchemy, so she would probably be very willing to join Danque Peak. The other two are inclined towards swordsmanship, so they should choose to join the peak that focuses on swordsmanship."
The two didn't talk much, and the other elders didn't pay any attention.
The discussion ceased once all the disciples had entered the main hall.
As these disciples entered, they bowed respectfully, just like Song Yin and her group back then, not daring to turn their heads. Some of the bolder ones, however, secretly observed the elders sitting on either side.
Xue Peiyan was the top performer in this year's Foundation Establishment competition. Standing at the very front, she dared not move, yet she couldn't help but search for that figure she admired. When the sect leader's voice rang out from above, she immediately became still and dared not look away.
"...Do any of the elders have the intention to take on disciples?" Sect Master Yan said a lot, and finally got to the point, which was also the part that these newly recruited inner disciples were most looking forward to.
Elder Xu then spoke up, "Lingjian Peak plans to take in two personal disciples this year, Xue Peiyan and Duan Zhuyun. Are you two willing?"
Hearing that the top two had been named by the elders, the other disciples were filled with envy. The fourth-place disciple, in particular, thought to herself that she was just a hair's breadth away from making it into the top two. As for Gong Wantang, who came in third this year, she envied the top two for being accepted as personal disciples, but not for their entry into Spirit Sword Peak; her biggest goal was to enter Danque Peak.
"Elder, this disciple wishes to learn alchemy and pursue the path of alchemy."
Xue Peiyan's voice rang out, startling the disciples behind her, who all opened their eyes wide. Several of them looked up directly at Xue Peiyan at the front.
What was she thinking, refusing to become an elder's personal disciple! That's a personal disciple!
"Elder, this disciple also wishes to pursue the path of alchemy," Duan Zhuyun replied.
In an instant, all eyes in the hall fell on the two of them.
Even Sect Leader Yan was amazed; it was extremely rare for someone to refuse to become an elder's personal disciple. No, to be precise, this was the first time she had ever seen such a thing.
Want to refine pills? Song Yin's eyes lit up slightly as she flipped through the two people's files. Xue Peiyan and Duan Zhuyun both came from ordinary families in the cultivation world, without any powerful clans behind them.
She did want to take them into Danque Peak, but would they be willing to just be ordinary disciples?
Elder Xu of Lingjian Peak thought she had it all figured out, but both men refused her.
A calm voice rang out from inside the hall: "You all don't want to follow the path of the sword, but instead want to follow the path of alchemy?"
"yes."
"I don't like to force things. Since you're unwilling, then forget it."
Taking on apprentices was just a spur-of-the-moment decision, and my enthusiasm has been interrupted. Perhaps today is not the right day to take on apprentices; let's wait until later.
Xue Peiyan and Duan Zhuyun's palms were sweating; they were genuinely afraid of angering an elder for refusing one.
The atmosphere froze for a moment.
Elder Pei suddenly spoke up: "Liao Wu, would you be willing to enter the Spirit Beast Peak and become my personal disciple?"
Another invitation to mentor!
Liao Wu stepped forward from the ranks, saying, "This disciple is willing to pay respects to Master."
Liao Wu's ranking in this year's Foundation Establishment Competition was not high, but Elder Pei valued his attitude towards demonic beasts during the competition.
Apart from Elder Xu and Elder Pei, none of the other elders offered to take on disciples. These unselected disciples will live in the inner sect and can cultivate on their own or choose to join a peak of their choice.
Xue Peiyan was disappointed when she didn't hear about the man's plan to take on a disciple, but she quickly regained her confidence.
After the apprenticeship ceremony concluded, Xue Peiyan and the others left the main hall.
At this moment, Song Yin also walked out of the main hall and called out to the three people in front of her, "Xue Peiyan, Duan Zhuyun, and Gong Wantang, would you three be willing to join Danque Peak? Not as personal disciples, but as ordinary disciples."
The three turned around and saw Song Yin standing at the entrance of the main hall. The surrounding disciples also subconsciously stopped and looked back.
"This disciple is willing!" Xue Peiyan was the first to react.
Immediately afterward, Duan Zhuyun and Gong Wantang also hurriedly said, "This disciple is willing!"
Shen Yuzhu walked out of the main hall and stopped beside his junior sister: "Congratulations, junior sister, all three of the people you chose have entered Danque Peak."
Song Yin was quite surprised. Her main target was Gong Wantang, and Xue Peiyan and Duan Zhuyun were just incidental. She didn't expect that all three of them would be successfully recruited.
Song Yin: "Since you're both willing, come back to Danque Peak with me."
Ruan Chaoxue and Yu Lin sat together, cracking sunflower seeds that Han Changyu had personally roasted, waiting for the newcomer to join the peak.
Ruan Chaoxue: "How many people do you think Senior Sister will bring back?"
In private, the three of them still preferred to call Song Yin "Senior Sister" to show their closeness, while calling her "Elder" would feel a bit too formal.
Han Changyu: "I don't know, but the news that Danque Peak has become like other peaks and is recruiting people on an ongoing basis has spread, and many inner disciples want to join. The applications in my hands are piling up like a small mountain. It's a pity that this year, Senior Sister is only choosing from the disciples who participated in the Foundation Establishment Competition."
Yu Lin, sporting the same dark circles under the eyes as the other two, said, "It doesn't matter how many people come, as long as they don't cause trouble for Senior Sister or bring shame to Danque Peak."
Ruan Chaoxue slammed her hand on the table and stood up. "That's right! If any of the newcomers cause trouble for Senior Sister or make her angry, I, Ruan Chaoxue, will be the first to not let them off the hook."
Han Changyu noticed several figures flying in from the sky. "Senior Sister is back."
Song Yin, accompanied by three newly recruited disciples of Danque Peak, flew with her sword to the foot of Danque Peak.
"Greetings, Elder." Ruan Chaoxue and the other two bowed in unison.
Song Yin slightly turned to the side, revealing three new faces behind her, two women and one man. "From today onwards, these three are newcomers of Danque Peak. Xue Peiyan, Gong Wantang, and Duan Zhuyun are also the top three in this year's Foundation Establishment Competition."
Wow! Senior Sister brought the top three back to Danque Peak with just one move! Ruan Chaoxue looked on with admiration.
Song Yin then said to the three newcomers, "They are all veterans of Danque Peak. You can ask them if you have any questions, and you can also tell them if you encounter any trouble."
She gave the three elderly people a raise, and whoever did a good job would be promoted to be in charge of Danque Peak.
Gong Wantang mustered her courage and asked, "Elder, should we also consult with senior sisters and brothers about problems related to alchemy?"
Song Yin: "That's right. I will personally teach you from time to time, but most of the time Ruan Chaoxue and the others will be in charge. Their alchemy skills are among the best in the inner sect, so you can rest assured."
Ah! Senior Sister praised their alchemy skills! The three old men of Danque Peak revealed mysterious smiles.
"Anything else you want to ask?" Song Yin asked the three newcomers.
Xue Peiyan asked nervously, "Elder, may I learn swordsmanship from you?"
Song Yin: ?
"Elder, I also want to learn swordsmanship," Duan Zhuyun said firmly.
Song Yin is very famous, and many people want to become her disciples. Some want to learn alchemy from her, while others want to learn swordsmanship from her.
Gong Wantang wanted to learn alchemy from Song Yin, while Xue Peiyan and Duan Zhuyun wanted to learn swordsmanship from Song Yin.
Song Yin was once the only direct disciple of Danque Peak, and now she is the acting peak master of Danque Peak. If you want to learn swordsmanship under her, you must first become a disciple of Danque Peak.
Xue Peiyan and Duan Zhuyun were both very fortunate that their spiritual roots were suitable for alchemy; otherwise, they wouldn't even have had the chance to join the Danque Peak.
Song Yin was stunned by their words, "So your purpose in joining Danque Peak is to learn swordsmanship?"
To become a disciple of Danque Peak and learn swordsmanship?
Xue Peiyan has always been the type to boldly pursue what she wants. She knelt before Song Yin and said, "This disciple has always wanted to learn swordsmanship from the elders, so I can only join Danque Peak under the pretext of alchemy, so that I may have a chance to be taught by you."
Duan Zhuyun knelt down as well, "Please forgive us for deceiving you, Elder. There are many disciples who share our thoughts, but most of them do not have wood or fire spiritual roots, so they cannot join Danque Peak."
Not only was Song Yin shocked, but the people around her were equally shocked.
Ruan Chaoxue transmitted her voice to Han Changyu and the other person: "I've never heard such an outrageous statement before, that Danque Peak, the master of alchemy, only wants to learn swordsmanship."
Han Changyu transmitted his voice: "You know what, they're quite clever. After all, it's very difficult to learn swordsmanship from Senior Sister. First of all, there's no way to do it. Senior Sister teaches at the academy only a limited number of times, and she basically only teaches alchemy. Disciples who want to learn swordsmanship from her have even less hope."
Song Yin: "Get up first, everyone." The two of them reminded her.
Song Yin said to Ruan Chaoxue, "Could you go and find Elder Shang of the Inner Sect Academy for me? Tell him that I will be teaching swordsmanship at the academy next time, and that we will take turns teaching alchemy and swordsmanship in the future." Although she doesn't go to the academy very often, it still amounts to more than ten times a year.
“Yes,” Ruan Chaoxue replied.
Song Yin: "If you two want to learn swordsmanship, you can. I will designate a training ground at the foot of the mountain."
"Thank you so much, Elder!" the two exclaimed excitedly. They had succeeded!
Everything was fine, except that she felt a little bad for Elder Xu for bringing her promising student to Danque Peak to learn swordsmanship. Song Yin felt embarrassed just thinking about it.
Song Yin: "Leave the rest to Han Changyu and the others. Just let us know if anything comes up."
After returning to the mountaintop, Song Yin planned her own Langhuan Cave Heaven.
The Brahmathorn had already been transplanted, and the spirit herb field behind the thatched hut had been replanted with seeds. She also cleared away the collapsed thatched hut, rebuilt a new house, and placed various precious items such as the Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill inside. She gave one of the two Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pills to her master and the others, and kept one for herself.
Song Yin arrived in front of the Brahma Thorn and channeled wood-attribute spiritual energy.
"Once I learn how to refine ninth-grade pills, I will be able to refine the Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill myself."
After channeling wood-attribute spiritual energy, Song Yin dug a small pond on the other side and planted water-loving spiritual herbs. She also planted various flowers in the somewhat monotonous Langhuan Grotto.
The Crystal Armored Giant Elephant had always guarded the spirit herb field and didn't eat anything indiscriminately, but Song Yin couldn't let this big guy suffer. So she specially designated an area and planted various fruit trees and herbaceous plants.
Song Yin gently patted the trunk of the crystal-armored giant elephant, "From now on, the leaves, fruits, and grass that grow in this area will be your food."
Upon hearing this, the crystal-armored giant elephant affectionately nuzzled against the other elephant with its trunk.
After doing all this, Song Yin clapped her hands, then cast a dust-removing spell and went out.
After leaving, Song Yin didn't rest; she began to comprehend the two inheritances.
Nothing major happened in the days that followed, and for Song Yin personally, the word "peaceful" could be used to describe it. Her daily routine was also very regular.
Gu Tongguang lived in Xianxiao City, and Song Yin also visited him. When Gu Tongguang learned that the Xianxiao Sect was still searching for information about the spacetime turbulence for him, he was very grateful, especially to Song Yin.
Shen Hao, the disciple of Elder Niu of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, also came several times. Song Yin agreed to help him comprehend the state of unity between man and sword. She repeatedly beat Shen Hao severely, then healed him with pills. While being beaten, Shen Hao began to doubt whether Song Yin had truly broken through to the state of unity between man and sword through fighting.
Song Yin: It's a package, my brother made it.
Although he hadn't reached the state of perfect harmony between man and sword, at least his swordsmanship had improved, and Shen Hao comforted himself that the beatings he had endured weren't in vain.
Every few years thereafter, Song Yin would go to Danque Peak to recruit people, including alchemists and sword cultivators.
People's impression of Danque Peak gradually changed, from one of the six inner peaks mainly focused on alchemy to one of the six peaks mainly focused on both alchemy and swordsmanship. Those disciples who entered the inner sect to choose sword cultivation also had another option: Danque Peak was more difficult to enter than the other peaks.
Decades passed, and Song Yin never saw her master and mistress return. Fearing that something might have happened to them, she made several trips to check on the soul lamp. Only when she saw that the soul lamp was normal did she feel relieved.
Just when Song Yin thought there would still be no news from the two of them, a letter arrived for her.
The letter was sealed and could only be opened by Song Yin.
Song Yin asked Gong Wantang, who brought her the letter, "Do you know who sent the letter?" It only said "Song Yin" on it, and the handwriting was illegible.
Gong Wantang shook his head: "This disciple does not know."
Song Yin: "Okay, you can go now."
"yes."
After Gong Wantang left, Song Yin opened the letter. "There's even a restriction..." When she took out the letter, Song Yin was stunned.
The few pages of paper were all letters written to her by her master and mistress.
The letter mentioned that they were both well, but they wouldn't be returning to their clan for a long time, and asked her to take good care of herself.
As she read to the end, Song Yin unconsciously clenched the letter.
[...From the moment you entered the sect, I taught you to prioritize the sect and Danque Peak above all else. I forgot to tell you this when I left: from now on, you must prioritize yourself. Between the sect and you, I wish you peace and safety.]
"You've been away on your training for so long without coming back. You must be having such a good time that you don't even want to go back home," Song Yin complained after reading the letter. Then she carefully put the letter away in the Langhuan Cave.
After receiving the letter, Song Yin flew to Wujian Peak.
"Greetings, Elder Song."
"Greetings, Elder Song."
Some of the Wujian Peak disciples who encountered Song Yin bowed to her.
Song Yin approached Shen Yuzhu and immediately asked, "Senior Brother, have you received the letter?"
Shen Yuzhu held up the unopened envelope in his hand. "How did you know? Do you have one too?"
Song Yin: "I've read the letter. It was sent back by my master and the others. They haven't come back for so long, and they've only sent us one letter in decades."
“Cultivators can be in seclusion for decades or even centuries, and the same goes for those who go out to gain experience.” Shen Yuzhu knew it was a letter from his master, so he carefully opened it and read on.
Knowing that they were all well brought me a great deal of relief.
Song Yin: "When they come back, we must have a good talk with them."
Shen Yuzhu put the letter away and then said, "I heard that there are always sounds of exploding furnaces coming from the top of Danque Peak, and the noise is quite loud?"
Song Yin blushed slightly, "It's a well-known fact that ninth-grade pills are difficult to refine!"
She finally understood why the Nine Heavens Secret Realm's alchemy inheritance test only required her to refine an eighth-grade pill, instead of a ninth-grade pill.
Even with the cultivation technique in hand, it is still difficult to refine a ninth-grade pill.
Song Yin: "If only my master hadn't gone into seclusion, I could have asked her how she refined the ninth-grade pill."
Shen Yuzhu: "Old Ancestor Lou refined a ninth-grade pill with the cultivation of the Mahayana stage. Unlike you, who used the inherited cultivation method to refine pills beyond your level, you still need to practice slowly."
Song Yin: "And you're still talking to me! Have you learned the sword technique I passed down to you? Have you grasped its deepest level?"
Faced with two fatal questions, Shen Yuzhu surrendered, "It was me who practiced slowly, it was me."
However, Song Yin still listened to Shen Yuzhu's advice to practice slowly.
However, she put the idea out of her mind a few days later.
Shi Heming would come to Danque Peak to see Song Yin every few days.
He came as usual today, and after chatting for a while, he suddenly said, "I have broken through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm."
Mid-stage Nascent Soul?
"Your cultivation speed has actually surpassed mine?!" Song Yin was stunned for a long time.
How did I fall behind when I was always in the lead? Why? Aren't I supposed to be invincible?
"Yinyin is always busy with the affairs of Danque Peak and teaching disciples, which is why her cultivation time is shorter. It's not your fault."
Song Yin rubbed her forehead, then a fierce fighting spirit ignited in her eyes, "What do you mean by practicing slowly? I want to start cultivating now, day and night!"
Shi Heming: "Take your time, take your time."
Song Yin: "Let's go into seclusion for a while."
Shi Heming: ...I won't be able to see Yinyin for a long time again.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Today's topic: Let's investigate how a group of sword cultivators appeared on the peak where a group of alchemists once lived.
After Qi Zibo returned, he saw many sword cultivators inside Danque Peak: ...6
Upon learning that Shi Heming had surpassed her, Song Yin thought: "Huh? Aren't I a genius? Why, why, have I been overtaken?"
Cherish Shi Heming's current comeback, because it won't be long before Yinyin catches up again and even surpasses him successfully. [Noob]
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[Empty bowl]
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