I fear that our meeting is but a dream.
"Master, are you resting?"
You Youju opened the door and let Chaolan in. Chaolan picked up the duster by the door and swept away non-existent dust.
“They all have protective robes now,” You Youju reminded her. Besides, Chaolan is no longer the child who used to play around with her disciples.
Chao Lan responded and took out a box from her bosom: "These are pills to strengthen the body. Master's cultivation has declined considerably, so I went to Feihua Peak to get one."
Seeing Chaolan say this, he must be afraid that he has some psychological burden.
You Youju took it: "Where have you been these past few days?"
Chao Lan replied, "I looked around."
You Youju took out another pill and placed it in her palm along with the pills in the box: "This is one that I refined myself. I originally wanted to give it to you, but since you're here, I don't need to make another trip."
He raised his hand: "Together?"
Together?
Chao Lan let out a soft "ah" and obediently went to get it, but You Youju was quick and nimble, grabbing one and putting it in his mouth.
?
You Youju coughed unnaturally.
"Chaolan, you need this elixir more than I do. I acted impulsively before. I didn't mean to blame you, I just didn't want to hurt you because of me. Once everything is over, you can do whatever you want."
Chao Lan was surprised but also deeply moved: "You knew?"
You Youju straightened Chao Lan's clothes and said earnestly, "Compared to Chao Lan needing Master, Master needs Chao Lan even more."
It's raining outside, a light drizzle.
The rain on the mountaintop is colder, and spring always arrives later than at the foot of the mountain. When Chaolan returned from the foot of the mountain, some tender buds had already begun to sprout. It will probably be after this rain that the buds truly burst forth.
Green shade spreads across the fields, bringing new light; a gentle breeze lengthens the early day.
On the day of Lixia (the beginning of summer), the recruitment fair at Chaoyun Mountain officially began.
Those who come to participate typically have to pass five trials. These trials come from Haoran Peak, Feihua Peak, Yushou Peak, Youyun Peak, and Yundi Peak, respectively, to select disciples with the necessary qualifications and destiny. Of course, the trials set by Yundi Peak are merely to create a sense of participation and give the many new disciples a sense of belonging.
Zhu Xun brought Zhao Hua with him this time, and Yao Guang became the guardian spirit beast of the temple. Zhu Xun didn't mistreat it, giving it the title "White Tiger King," and allowing it to do whatever it wanted, its status seemingly second only to itself.
Zhu Xun made many preparations for this recruitment event, including changing her appearance and lowering her cultivation level. However, as for Zhao Hua, she only concealed her demonic aura.
Zhao Hua's spiritual power was not outstanding, but with Zhu Xun's help, she barely managed to pass the first few trials.
This Cloud Emperor Peak is more famous than this Chaoyun Mountain, so many disciples who made it to the end were extremely nervous and eager to see what kind of difficult questions he would present.
At the foot of the five peaks lies a large open space. It's not used normally, but it's typically used for sect exchange meetings and recruitment ceremonies. The five elders sit above, and the disciples sit below to undergo assessments.
"Congratulations on passing the first four trials and reaching the fifth level! You've all worked hard! I am Chu Fei, the chief disciple of Flying Flower Peak!"
Everyone cupped their hands in greeting: "Greetings, Senior Brother Chu!"
"Actually, you've all basically entered the beginner level by now. This final trial is extremely simple and straightforward!
Everyone was intrigued and eagerly asked their senior brother to tell them what kind of trial it was.
Zhao Hua spat out, "Tch, these sects just love to do these attention-grabbing things. Are they going to tell us or not?"
Chu Fei seemed satisfied and said, "Then it's a martial arts competition! The premise is that spiritual power is not allowed! Our Elder Guichen believes that, in addition to immortal power, physical strength is also very important."
Zhu Xun rarely spoke up: "But some people are just talented but lack physical ability. Wouldn't it be a waste to pass these four levels? If you want to compete in martial arts, why come to Chaoyun Mountain?"
Quite a few people agreed with this statement.
Chu Fei chuckled: "When we opened the mountain gate, we said that entering wasn't just about talent, but also about fate. If you don't pass, then you're not destined to join Chaoyun Mountain. Now, one hundred people have passed the trial, and the four peaks plan to recruit sixty people, fifteen from each peak. Of course, it still depends on how many stay in the end."
Chu Fei wishes you all good luck! The final trial begins!
Zhao Hua rolled her eyes: "Shameless."
No matter what, these are the rules of Chaoyun Mountain, and no matter how unhappy they are, they have no choice but to follow them. Everyone handed in their name tags and sat in their seats to wait for the group assignments. During this time, the elders of the three peaks also arrived one by one.
"Two old men and a young woman? They don't look like much, do they? Don't you think so, Your Majesty?" Zhao Hua flattered. "Our Demon Realm can crush this leader of the immortal sects in no time!"
Zhu Xun did not answer, and it seemed as if he had not heard him at all.
Zhao Hua wasn't embarrassed at all. Instead, she started chatting with the people next to her: "It's one thing for Gui Chen to keep us in suspense and not come, but why are the people from Beast Taming Peak putting on airs?"
As everyone chatted and laughed, a person rode a flying beast and came flying through the air.
"Look! It's Elder Hua Heying of Beast Taming Peak!"
Upon hearing this, everyone stared intently at the flying beast. The beast stopped not far away, and a young girl dismounted from its back. She looked no more than twelve or thirteen years old, dressed in animal skin, and was petite and exquisite.
She first paid her respects to the three elders before walking to her seat, nodding to Chu Fei to indicate that the trial could begin. Her every gesture exuded a maturity beyond her outward appearance.
"Wow, he's become an elder at such a young age?" Zhao Hua wanted to chat with Zhu Xun, but found that Zhu Xun had already settled down to meditate as if it were none of his business.
A person nearby said, "Don't be fooled by the Fifth Elder's youthful appearance; she's actually 120 years old! It's said that she's been cursed by some demonic cultivator, which is why she looks like this. She's been searching for a way to break the curse all these years!"
Zhao Hua nodded, "I see." He hadn't expected the guy next to him to know more than he did. It seemed he was a hidden master.
The competition was in full swing, but Zhu Xun didn't care about achieving great results. His only goal from beginning to end was to enter Chaoyun Mountain and find the Purple Emperor Sword.
So throughout the several matches, he played calmly and kept himself well hidden.
Until the final match, a man came riding on a sword. When he heard the man's name, he almost fell off the stage.
"It's Senior Brother Huaijing!"
"So this is the God of War."
The announcement of the verdict was drowned out by cheers. Zhu Xun stood silently beside Zhao Hua, his expression grim: "Is he Huai Jing?"
Zhao Hua peeked out, eager to join the fun: "Of course! He's Cen Chaolan! Huaijing is the courtesy name his master gave him! The God of War is different from others, so he received his courtesy name early on." She stood on tiptoe, straining to see further: "Wow! He looks exactly like Your Majesty!"
Zhao Hua was greatly surprised and kept nudging the person next to her with her elbow. When she turned her head, she found that the man in front of her had a face that was as black as it could be. Zhao Hua couldn't help but think to herself, "No wonder he chased us all the way to Chaoyun Mountain. If he had offended this stingy guy, he would have chased us to the ends of the earth."
Tsk, so he used a disguise technique too. That annoying look hasn't changed at all.
In the end, only forty-five disciples advanced, and all forty-five disciples entered the Elder Hall to meet the elders for selection.
Zhu Xun's grades weren't outstanding, but they weren't bad either; they were average and didn't attract much attention. On the other hand, Zhao Hua was in the top ten and could choose first.
The elders took their seats one by one, but one seat remained empty.
After all the disciples took their seats, Chaolan finally managed to slip away from them and stand next to Yundi Peak.
"Chaolan, please take a seat." Cangzhou Shuidao asked, "Is Guichen still not awake?"
Chao Lan cupped her hands and replied, "Master has been unwell for the past two days, and his cultivation has been hindered. I hope my senior uncle will forgive him."
Cang Zhou Shui was always very pleased with Chao Lan, treating him even better than his own disciple, which often displeased the disciples on the main peak: "Chao Lan, tell your master to stop dawdling and come quickly. You children should go play or cultivate, you don't need to come here, it's boring!"
Chao Lan smiled helplessly, accepted the order and went back. She thought to herself that her senior uncle was really strange. He could transmit his voice but still said in public that his master was lazy and offended his master.
As expected, Master was still asleep. Chao Lan carefully woke him up and prepared some food for him before You Youju reluctantly went to get him.
Zhao Hua chose Fei Hua Peak, which is closest to Yun Di Peak, which was also Zhu Xun's idea.
There were probably two more people ahead of Zhu Xun, but the elder from Yundi Peak still hadn't arrived.
How arrogant!
"Oh, busy now? I'm late? You deserve to be punished. After this is over, all of you junior disciples, I, Yundi Peak, will give you all a newbie gift pack as an apology."
Everyone turned around at the sound of the question.
Zhu Xun was somewhat dazed upon hearing the voice. He seemed frozen in place, unable to turn his head for a long time. The familiar tone kept echoing in his ears.
Who is it?
Impossible, but it's too familiar.
He suddenly turned around.
A woman in green entered the hall, her flowing ribbons fluttering in the wind. Her familiar features were as they were the first time we met.
He couldn't spare a single glance for this fake nephew who had been guarding his cenotaph for him.
Was it him? No, how could he be so heartless? Why didn't he come looking for me?
If it was him, why were his eyes as still as a deep well, his ears deaf to cries of sorrow and grief, leaving him to wander aimlessly?
He was about to grind his teeth to powder and crush the cups and saucers.
Why did he become Cen Chaolan's master? Why did he keep it from her? And why him of all people?
Did he pretend not to know Cen Chaolan during his time in Fuzhen?
He wished he could overturn the palace and blow up the mountain on the spot!
But his momentary grievances and anger could not extinguish his longing.
Is it because I've become a demon? People fear and spit on demons. Is it because my uncle won't come back to see me that... because I've become something the righteous path despises?
This shame overwhelmed all his previous emotions; it was all his fault, but he didn't want to become a demon.
Even if he had a poisoned blade in his hand, he would only point the blade at himself, hoping to earn a single glance from him and melt the ice in his heart.
It's him. He wouldn't mistake it.
Since we parted, I have longed to meet you again.
How many times have my soul and dreams been with you?
Tonight, I'll light the silver lamp again, still fearing our meeting is but a dream.
The old friend bit his lip tightly, not uttering a word, his eyes red, staring intently at You Youju without blinking, as if afraid that it was just a fleeting moment of beauty in a dream.
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