Volume 1, Chapter 136 – The Disciples Return

Time flowed like water, and in the blink of an eye, two months had passed.

Against a backdrop of tranquility and faint stirrings in the outside world, Yaochi Immortal Palace welcomed its disciples home one after another.

When the first group rode their artifacts through the sect-protecting grand formation, every face showed heartfelt relief and a deep sense of belonging.

“Yaochi Immortal Palace really is the best…”

A disciple in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment turned excitedly to his companions.

“Exactly! I was away for more than two months, and my cultivation didn’t improve at all.”

Another disciple sighed, but his gaze drifted involuntarily toward the distant main hall. Lowering his voice, he asked,

“What do you think we should call the Palace Master now?”

At those words, the others exchanged glances, their expressions caught between uncertainty and excitement.

“Everyone outside is calling her the ‘Yaochi Empress’!”

A round-faced youth couldn’t resist chiming in, his eyes shining with admiration.

“My father told me that our Palace Master is the hottest topic in teahouses and taverns across every city in the Southern Region!”

“Countless independent cultivators are practically desperate to join our Immortal Palace!”

“Isn’t that the truth?”

A female disciple joined in, her cheeks flushed with pride.

“When I went home, all those cultivation-clan scions who used to look down their noses at everyone were incredibly polite whenever they saw me.”

“They even tried to sound me out about the Immortal Palace and get me to introduce them… Hmph. Where were they before?”

“So…”

The first disciple scratched his head.

“Doesn’t calling her Palace Master seem a little… inadequate now?”

“But wouldn’t calling her Her Majesty the Empress sound too formal?”

“And what if the Palace Master herself… doesn’t like it?”

“What do you mean, talking as if she’s old?”

The round-faced youth immediately objected.

“The Palace Master is a peerless beauty, the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen! It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call her the greatest beauty in the Southern Region.”

“Exactly!”

“But we really do need to think about how to address her.”

“Why don’t we try it among ourselves first?”

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“Forget it. Let’s wait until Senior Sister Liu and the others return before deciding!”

They continued debating as they hurried along, quickly passing through the gates and entering the Immortal Palace proper.

The moment they stepped inside, rich, pure spiritual energy washed over them. Their spirits lifted, and most of the fatigue from their long journey melted away.

Even more surprising was what they saw on the western side of the Immortal Palace, beside the Myriad-Phenomena Tower, in the plaza that had once stood empty.

An entrance had appeared there, wreathed in a hazy glow and emanating strange spatial fluctuations!

“What is that? A new building? Or…”

Everyone stared curiously.

Several disciples who had stayed behind and already learned something about it approached with mysterious smiles.

“That’s the Lingxu Blessed Paradise, a new secret realm bestowed by the Palace Master specifically for us to train in!”

“I heard the space inside is enormous, with lots of demonic beasts and precious natural treasures!”

“Really?!”

The returning disciples’ eyes immediately lit up. A secret realm!

A secret realm exclusively for training!

That was something only the three great sacred lands possessed.

Who would have thought they would have one now too?

As more and more disciples returned, the Immortal Palace gradually regained its former liveliness.

Sword qi crisscrossed the martial practice ground, fragrant medicinal aromas wafted from Danxia Peak, and the Spiritual Cuisine Hall buzzed with conversation.

Unlike before, however, the disciples now carried themselves with greater composure, and a subtle pride colored their expressions whenever they mentioned the outside world’s reverence for the “Yaochi Empress.”

The Lingxu Blessed Paradise, which had suddenly appeared on the western side of the Immortal Palace and emanated strange spatial fluctuations, also quickly became the hottest topic among the disciples.

After Deputy Palace Master Yun Yun formally announced the secret realm’s existence and its preliminary rules, everyone’s enthusiasm ignited!

“An exclusive secret realm! And the Palace Master herself obtained it for us!”

“Anyone in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment can enter? There are demonic beasts and ruins inside?”

“I heard it’s a genuine pocket dimension! Real-world training!”

“I’m going to cultivate in the Myriad-Phenomena Tower. I have to win a place!”

“Hey, wait for me. I’m coming too.”

“Me too, me too…”

………

For a time, the appearance of the Lingxu Secret Realm drove the disciples’ motivation to cultivate to new heights.

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Every one of them threw themselves into training, determined to stand out in the upcoming selection for entry into the secret realm.

While the returning disciples and the new secret realm filled the Immortal Palace with renewed energy…

Qingyang City, the Liu family.

Ever since Liu Ruyan had returned home, the entire Liu family had been immersed in boundless joy and glory.

Once the greatest beauty in Qingyang City, she was now a middle-stage Golden Core cultivator and a personal disciple of the Yaochi Empress.

She was also a peerless prodigy who had turned the tide in the secret realm and awed every sect with her might.

The Liu family’s standing had soared with Liu Ruyan’s return.

The various factions they had once needed to handle with care now treated them with unfailing courtesy, even a hint of ingratiation.

As Liu Beihai looked at his daughter, whose bearing had grown gentler and more composed while carrying a faint air of authority, his heart swelled with satisfaction.

At the same time, he kept the clan members under even tighter discipline, warning them never to become arrogant or overbearing.

Today was the day Liu Ruyan would return to the Immortal Palace.

Her parents, her second uncle, her younger cousins, and several clan elders had gathered in the courtyard to see her off.

“Yan’er, once you return, you must serve Her Majesty the Empress faithfully and cultivate diligently. Don’t squander this opportunity.”

Liu Beihai reminded her earnestly, as though afraid his daughter might not understand what was at stake.

“Rest assured, Father. I understand.”

Liu Ruyan answered with a smile.

Just then, a slender figure slipped out from behind her mother and tugged at Liu Ruyan’s sleeve.

It was Liu Ruyan’s younger sister, Liu Ruxue.

Liu Ruxue was only twelve, much younger than her sister. Her features bore a strong resemblance to Liu Ruyan’s, though they held more of a young girl’s innocent charm and liveliness.

“Sister… c-could you take me to see Yaochi Immortal Palace?”

Liu Ruxue’s voice was soft, her question cautious and tentative.

“I… I want to become as powerful as you too!”

She tipped up her face and gazed pleadingly at Liu Ruyan, her eyes filled with longing.

She knew her request was terribly presumptuous.

How could a minor cultivator at the fifth layer of Qi Refinement casually set foot in a sacred land like the Immortal Palace?

But she truly did not want to be separated from her sister again.

Ever since her sister had joined Yaochi Immortal Palace a year ago, the Liu family’s standing had risen dramatically, and Liu Ruxue had been happy for her.

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But after her sister left, the home that had once been so warm and lively suddenly seemed much emptier.

She cultivated day and night, not merely to catch up with her sister!

More than that, she kept wondering whether becoming stronger would allow her to visit the place where her sister lived.

This time, her sister had returned more than a hundred times stronger than when she had left!

Even though Liu Ruyan deliberately restrained it, the pressure of the Golden Core stage still inspired breathless awe and yearning in Liu Ruxue.

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

Liu Beihai’s expression turned stern.

“Yaochi Immortal Palace is a sacred land. Do you think you can go simply because you want to? Your sister is there to cultivate, not to play!”

“I’m not being ridiculous!”

Liu Ruxue puffed out her cheeks and clung tightly to her sister’s arm.

“I want to cultivate too! I want to become as powerful as Sister!”

“Father, Mother, please let Sister take me! I promise I’ll behave and won’t cause her any trouble!”

As she spoke, her eyes began to redden, making her look utterly pitiful.

Their mother’s heart softened, and she turned to Liu Ruyan.

“Yan’er, what do you think…?”

Liu Beihai sighed and looked at his eldest daughter as well.

He had not allowed his younger daughter to participate in the last spiritual aptitude test. If he insisted on stopping her again now…

Liu Ruyan lowered her gaze to the undisguised longing and dependence in her sister’s eyes, and her heart softened too.

Having endured the hardships of two lifetimes, she understood all too well the importance of opportunities and the sect one belonged to.

Yaochi Immortal Palace had a harmonious atmosphere and abundant resources. Although her Master seemed aloof, she was protective of her own and remarkably tolerant, while Deputy Palace Master Yun Yun managed everything capably…

If her sister truly could join, it would be a tremendous blessing.

However, the Immortal Palace had its own rules. Even as a personal disciple, Liu Ruyan could not bring someone into the sect on her own authority.

She would first need to report the matter to her Master or the Deputy Palace Master and obtain permission.

“Xue’er.”

Liu Ruyan gently stroked her sister’s head, her voice warm but firm.

“Although I’m the Palace Master’s disciple, the decision isn’t mine to make. We’ll need my Master’s or the Deputy Palace Master’s approval.”

“I can take you there, but you have to promise me several things.”

Liu Ruxue’s eyes instantly lit up, and she nodded eagerly.

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“Tell me, Sister! I promise!”

“First, you’re only accompanying me on a visit to the Immortal Palace. Whether you’re allowed to stay will depend entirely on your own opportunity. You mustn’t make a scene or pester anyone.”

“Second, once we reach the Immortal Palace, you must watch your words and actions and follow my instructions in everything.”

“Third, no matter the outcome, you mustn’t complain or throw a tantrum.”

“Can you do that?”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

Liu Ruxue nodded vigorously, her young face utterly serious.

“I promise I’ll behave!”

Liu Beihai and his wife exchanged a glance. Seeing that their eldest daughter had already made her decision, they no longer tried to stop her.

“Then I’ll have to trouble you, Yan’er.”

Liu Beihai spoke to Liu Ruyan.

“There’s no need to say that, Father.”

Liu Ruyan inclined her head, then took her sister’s hand.

“Let’s go.”

She summoned her flying sword and enveloped Liu Ruxue in a gentle current of spiritual power. Then the two became a streak of azure light and sped toward the Wanjue Mountain Range.

Aboard the flying sword, Liu Ruxue clung tightly to her sister’s waist, excitedly gazing down at the mountains, rivers, and cities racing past below while peppering her with questions.

“Sister, is the Immortal Palace really inside the Wanjue Mountain Range? Aren’t there lots of terrifying demonic beasts there?”

“The Palace Master… Oh, no, Her Majesty the Empress. Is her hair really as silver as snow? Is she really as incredibly, incredibly beautiful as the legends say?”

“Sister, is there really a chance they’ll let me stay?”

“Sister…”

Liu Ruyan patiently answered every question, a tender smile in her eyes.

She couldn’t help thinking of her First Senior Sister. If her younger sister truly managed to stay, First Senior Sister would probably love playing with her!

She lifted her gaze to the mist-wreathed Wanjue Mountain Range ahead, her heart filling with warmth and a sense of belonging at the thought of returning to her sect.

How many of her junior sisters had already returned? What was the Immortal Palace like now? And more than anything… had her Master been well lately?

The flying sword streaked through the air, carrying the two sisters toward the immortal sacred land now renowned throughout the Southern Region.

Meanwhile, in the skies above the Northern Region…

A lavish carriage, escorted by a contingent of female generals, was proceeding in grand procession toward the Southern Region.