Youth must be seized early, for one cannot remain young forever. Chapter 131: Initiation Ceremony

The Immortal Ascension Assembly was held right on schedule. To ensure the local residents of the Flying Snake Sect would be more receptive to the Profound Yang Sect, the event was held in Shaqi Province, one of the three provincial capitals controlled by the Flying Snake Sect.

Consequently, not only did the commoners from the other two provinces under the Flying Snake Sect have to travel to Shaqi, but even the commoners from the Profound Yang Sect’s own three provinces were no exception. With so many people gathering in Shaqi, the scene was one of immense bustle and excitement.

Bai Qingzhou, however, did not follow them this time; he remained at the sect, waiting for the conclusion of the assembly. Ever since he learned he would soon become a Deacon of Instruction, he had immediately gone to the Library Pavilion to borrow and read numerous books, focusing on reviewing the local customs, traditions, and geography of Li Province. Now, he spent every day in the courtyard pavilion, reading and constantly enriching his cultural foundation.

"Immortal Master, the meal is ready," came the voice of Ji Nian.

Ever since Bai Qingzhou returned, Li Er had sent someone to notify Ji Nian in Ningshui Province to have her return and attend to his daily needs. She had just arrived back at the courtyard today.

"Bring it over. I shall eat in the pavilion today," Bai Qingzhou said, setting aside his book and smiling at her.

Ji Nian respectfully agreed, and within moments, she brought three dishes and a soup to him. It was the usual spread of two small side dishes and one main dish. Bai Qingzhou was pleased; having eaten out for so long, he found the food at home far more appetizing.

He picked up a piece of green vegetable, ate it, and after savoring the flavor, praised her: "Not bad, your skills haven't regressed at all."

"Thank you for your praise, Immortal Master!" Ji Nian performed a graceful curtsy, a hint of pride in her eyes.

"By the way, I heard from Li Er that you have started a family in the mortal world?"

Ji Nian lowered her head, a flush rising to her cheeks, and replied obediently, "Yes... I married my husband half a year ago."

"I see." Bai Qingzhou paused, then retrieved a vial from his storage bag and handed it to her. He smiled and said, "I didn't attend your wedding, so let this bottle of Vitality Elixir serve as my wedding gift to you."

Ji Nian was overjoyed. She immediately knelt to offer her thanks and respectfully accepted the vial, saying with emotion, "Thank you, Immortal Master, for this immortal gift!"

Bai Qingzhou picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of food, laughing, "Though this Vitality Elixir is only a refined liquid, it is still too potent for you mortals. Remember to divide this bottle into ten doses, or you might end up with underlying health issues."

"Yes! This servant understands!"

After a few more casual words, Bai Qingzhou dismissed her and began to enjoy his meal. Since the sect’s supply of spirit stones had become more abundant, even their daily diet had improved significantly. All three dishes now contained small portions of monster beast meat, a rarity in the past, which indirectly signaled that the overall strength of the Profound Yang Sect was steadily rising.

Soon, Bai Qingzhou finished his meal quickly. After instructing Ji Nian to clear the table, he returned to his reading.

Time flowed slowly. Suddenly, Li Er walked in from outside, bowed with hands joined, and said with a smile, "Immortal Master, Deacon Dai from the Outer Sect has sent word for you to attend the disciple initiation ceremony."

"Oh?" Bai Qingzhou put down his book and asked, "Have the brothers in charge of the Immortal Ascension Assembly returned?"

"Yes, the Immortal Masters have all returned. And when I came back just now, I saw that they had brought quite a few new disciples with them..."

Bai Qingzhou laughed heartily. "Very well, I shall go at once."

With that, he summoned his Immortal Wind Carving and flew toward Clear Heart Hall. Just as he flew out of the courtyard gate...

"Junior Brother Bai!" a voice called out.

Bai Qingzhou turned to see Ji Heng approaching. He turned and immediately bowed, "Senior Brother Ji."

After exchanging greetings and learning that they were both heading to the initiation ceremony, they traveled together.

"Time passes so quickly..." Ji Heng sighed with emotion. "I can still vaguely remember when you first joined the sect. It seems like it’s been seven or eight years now."

Bai Qingzhou looked up, lost in thought, and sighed as well: "Indeed. I was fifteen when I joined, and now I am twenty-three. It has been eight years."

From a youth in a remote mountain village, eight years had transformed him into a tall, refined young Immortal Master.

"By the way," Bai Qingzhou looked at Ji Heng and asked, "Are you preparing to reach the Foundation Establishment stage?"

He could sense that Ji Heng had already reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, only a step away from Foundation Establishment.

To his surprise, Ji Heng waved his hands helplessly. "Not yet. I have yet to sense the breakthrough opportunity, and I have no idea when I will be able to advance. I’m planning to go out and travel, hoping that increasing my experience will help me break through."

"I agree. Bitter cultivation is not always the answer..."

The two exchanged insights on cultivation as they flew, soon arriving before Clear Heart Hall. They stowed their artifacts and walked slowly into the grand hall.

Many disciples had already arrived, standing scattered around the perimeter and leaving a large open space in the center. Standing in the middle were four children, aged seven or eight—three boys and one girl. Their eyes were wide as they looked at their surroundings, one of them showing a hint of fear.

Bai Qingzhou studied the four children closely; after all, they would be his students. One boy was very dark-skinned, likely from a farming family, and stood cowering with his head down. Another looked fair and clean, his eyes wide with curiosity as he watched the surrounding Immortal Masters, showing no sign of shyness. The third boy was quite handsome and stood quietly, possessing a natural air of composure.

The lone girl had skin so fair it seemed translucent, clearly a sheltered young lady from a wealthy family who rarely saw the sun. She looked quite delicate, and at the moment, she was twisting the corner of her clothes, head bowed and visibly nervous.

"Bai Qingzhou, look, we recruited four disciples this time," Qin Yihan whispered, leaning in triumphantly. Qin Yihan had accompanied Li Xian to the assembly and had just returned with the main group.

"That’s not a large number," Bai Qingzhou said calmly. "Last time, we recruited three disciples from just three provinces, but this time we had six provinces and only recruited four..."

"Oh, you can't compare it to last time!" Qin Yihan shook his head. "But there were so many people this time! Shaqi Province was so packed you couldn't even squeeze in. Many people had to stay outside the city gates..."

"Outside the city gates? Aren't there many wild beasts there?"

"Indeed. We had to take turns patrolling, fearing they might be attacked. But unfortunately, a few unlucky ones were killed by a tiger..." Qin Yihan said with a helpless sigh.

The two chatted quietly on the side. Not long after, a shout went out: "The Sect Master is here!"

Everyone fell silent. As the words faded, Nie Fang and Han Aoyu flew into the hall, landing lightly in front of their seats, where they stood and looked quietly at the four disciples below.

The four children had been instructed beforehand. Seeing Nie Fang in the center, they immediately knelt and reported their names one by one.

"Disciple Cao Mo."
"Disciple Zhu Xin."
"Disciple Zhou Tao."
"Disciple Ying Chu."

The four of them shouted in their childish voices, "Greetings, Sect Master!"