Inside the main hall of Qingyi Sect, Master Yumeng bowed deeply to the three sticks of incense in front of him with a solemn expression, saying, "Yumeng respectfully obeys the decree of the Ancestral Master."
A wisp of smoke rose, and a male voice gave a nonchalant "hmm," after which the room fell silent.
Yu Meng remained bent over for a long time before letting out a long sigh, straightening up, and slowly walking out of the small inner room.
As soon as the door closed, a disciple guarding the hall came to report that the disciple who had recently broken through had come to pay his respects.
Yu Meng froze, and it took her half a breath to come to her senses. She walked to the high seat in front of her and said, "Bring her in."
After the disciple accepted the order and withdrew, a light footstep approached from afar.
Yu Meng squinted at the graceful figure coming from behind the light. This was the person for whom the patriarch was willing to expend his magic power to send a decree from afar.
A glint flashed in Yu Meng's eyes as she watched her approach, a feeling she couldn't quite define as either a blessing or a curse.
Shi Lan arrived at the center of the main hall, bowed slightly, and respectfully said, "Outer disciple Shi Lan greets the sect leader."
Looking down at her head, which was only tied up in a bun, Yu Meng said, "Now that you have established your foundation, you will be an inner disciple."
Shi Lan smiled and said, "Yes."
Yu Meng lightly flicked her sleeve, and Shi Lan felt a gentle force lift her up from below, then it quietly dissipated.
Shi Lan was secretly surprised. Was this the power of a Nascent Soul cultivator?
Yu Meng looked her over in her simple black Taoist robe and said, "Shi Lan, do you know your crime?"
Shi Lan blinked, somewhat puzzled.
Yu Meng snorted coldly and said, "Do you know that since you established your foundation, the place where you were originally full of spiritual energy has become depleted of spiritual energy, and in the future it can only be used by Qi Refining disciples for meditation and cultivation?"
Shi Lan honestly shook her head.
As soon as she emerged from her seclusion, she received a message from Yu Meng and rushed over, completely unaware of anything unusual about the seclusion site.
Yu Meng snorted and looked at Shi Lan, saying, "The sect's losses are due to you, but since the sect accepted you as a disciple, this loss is still bearable. However, some disciples were in seclusion at the same time as you, and you intercepted all their spiritual energy, causing those disciples to suffer injuries while practicing their cultivation. How do you plan to make up for this mistake?"
Shi Lan blinked and said, "I was completely unable to control myself at that time, and it was not my intention to implicate others. If there is any way to make amends, please enlighten me, Sect Master."
Yu Meng nodded and said, "Those disciples were originally selected by the sect as candidates. Now they are injured and unable to go. If you take on their mission, it will be a way to settle the karmic debt. However, the mission is fraught with danger. One wrong move could mean the end of your life. Are you willing to do that?"
Shi Lan looked up at the sect leader, who was wearing a dharma crown and had a dignified expression, and said, "This disciple is willing."
Yu Meng nodded, knowing that she was responsible for the cause and was willing to bear the consequences. Such a person is admirable no matter where she goes.
"The Immortal Sect recently discovered an ancient ruin, and the sect intends to send disciples to explore it," Yu Meng said, looking down at Shi Lan. "No one has ever entered that ruin. You've only just established your foundation, and you're not yet proficient in using magic. Are you still willing to go?"
Shi Lan stepped forward and said firmly, "Yes."
“Alright,” Yu Meng nodded, her affection for Shi Lan growing even stronger. But then she recalled the gentle words of her ancestor, and after a moment’s hesitation, she asked, “This journey is fraught with peril, do you have any requests?”
Shi Lan said, "If I can return alive, I would like to ask the sect leader to accept me as your disciple."
Yu Meng was somewhat surprised. Knowing that the ancient ruins were fraught with danger, she didn't ask for magical artifacts, robes, or elixirs, but instead wanted an empty promise that had no effect whatsoever.
"Can."
Yu Meng had been in charge of the sect for many years, and even if her emotions fluctuated, she never showed it on her face.
She rose gently, flicked her sleeve, and instantly teleported out of the main hall.
The palace was empty. Shi Lan remained silent for a moment, then straightened up and slowly walked out of the magnificent palace.
The disciples guarding the hall were waiting outside the door. Shi Lan nodded to the person who came and prepared to leave.
The disciple guarding the hall stopped her and said, "At dawn three days from now, all disciples going to the secret realm must gather at the entrance of the Outer Affairs Hall."
Shi Lan gave a slight smile and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother."
The disciple guarding the temple looked at her with sympathy and said, "The secret realm is fraught with danger, junior sister, please take good care of yourself."
Shi Lan's lips curled up, and her smile finally became a little more genuine. "Okay."
The disciple guarding the hall watched Shi Lan's retreating figure, shaking his head. Why was she sent? This was a disciple who had exhibited extraordinary phenomena; her future achievements were limitless. He truly didn't know what the sect leader was thinking. Thinking that she had only just established her foundation, the disciple sighed. At this moment, she probably hadn't even become familiar with her magical power and true essence; how could she possibly fight against others?
Shi Lan descended the peak step by step and returned to her residence.
Time was too tight. She needed to adapt to the transformation of her true essence into a bronze-gold color as soon as possible, and she also needed to practice the various techniques that she could use during the Foundation Establishment stage. After all, the ancient ruins were dangerous, and she also needed to preserve her life to fulfill the original owner's wish.
Three days is not a long time. Shi Lan had just adapted to the circulation of true energy when a soft knocking sound came from outside the door.
The door opened, and there stood Yanling, who already had the air of a young woman.
Facing friends she hadn't seen for three years, Yanling felt a little awkward and uneasy.
Shi Lan looked at her calmly and asked, "Is there something you need?"
Three years ago, Shi Lan never saw the brother and sister again after that separation. She had heard from people in the courtyard that Elder Yu Ling on Qingling Peak had taken in a direct disciple, and that disciple's brother had also been taken in by the peak master, who was at the Golden Core stage.
Shi Lan tilted her head, recalling her feelings at that time.
She felt a sense of loss and disappointment. After all, the three of them had traveled together and gone through those chases and battles. She thought they were friends, and even if friends don't share happiness, they should at least share what they have.
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