Volume 1, Chapter 41 – Initial Recognition

As Gu Han entered meditation, Yaochi Immortal Palace once again fell into silence. Only the waters of Yaochi shimmered while spiritual mist drifted through the air.

After leaving the main hall, Yun Yun walked slowly along the white jade path.

Although she had received the basic information transmitted by the Palace Master upon arriving here, seeing everything with her own eyes still made every corner seem novel.

In the distance, a surge of sword intent from Snow Moon Peak caused her expression to grow slightly solemn. It was a Sword Dao aura at the same level as her own, yet entirely different in nature.

“Grand Elder, Li Hanyi…”

She silently committed the name to memory.

At the same time, she sensed several powerful demonic auras faintly emanating from different parts of the palace, as well as the vast fluctuations of the spirit vein deep underground.

“Palace Master… Gu Han.”

She softly repeated the name. The image of that peerlessly graceful, calm, and profound face remained fixed in her mind.

The position of “Deputy Palace Master” that Gu Han had granted her represented both trust and a heavy responsibility.

Although her memories were incomplete, the instincts and sense of responsibility belonging to a manager were quietly awakening at this moment.

She needed to familiarize herself with everything here as soon as possible.

Just then, she sensed several auras approaching.

Yun Yun stopped beside a spiritual plant and looked toward the newcomers.

They were Liu Ruyan, Gu Luoli, and little A-Yao, whose hand Liu Ruyan was holding.

The three had originally been preparing to return to their respective residences. Liu Ruyan, in particular, had been thinking about returning home the next day, leaving her thoughts somewhat unsettled.

None of them had expected to encounter an unfamiliar, breathtakingly beautiful woman at the edge of the square outside the main hall.

The woman was tall and graceful, dressed in a plain white gown, with her black hair arranged in an elegant bun. Her bearing was refined and otherworldly.

A dignified grace belonging to someone long accustomed to authority faintly emanated from her.

She merely stood there in silence, yet she seemed to form a world of her own, blending perfectly with her surroundings.

What shocked Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli even more was that they could not see through this woman’s cultivation at all!

She emitted no pressure whatsoever, yet she gave them an unfathomable impression.

The feeling was even somewhat similar to that given off by Grand Elder Li Hanyi!

This was yet another existence beyond their understanding!

A-Yao blinked her large eyes and looked at Yun Yun curiously. She thought this older sister was very beautiful, but she also seemed… a little cold.

Liu Ruyan quickly composed herself and stepped forward, respectful without losing proper etiquette.

“This junior is Liu Ruyan. Together with my junior sister Gu Luoli and our Eldest Senior Sister A-Yao, I greet you, Senior. May I ask who you are…?”

Yun Yun’s gentle gaze swept across the three of them. It lingered briefly on Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli, and an almost imperceptible hint of approval flashed in her eyes.

Their foundations were solid, and spiritual charm was concealed within them. Both were excellent seedlings.

As for that little girl… she gave Yun Yun an even more unfathomable feeling.

“My name is Yun Yun.”

Her voice was warm and mellow, like jade lightly striking jade, carrying a reassuring steadiness.

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“By order of the Palace Master, I currently hold the position of Deputy Palace Master.”

“You must be the Palace Master’s personal disciples. As expected, every one of you is a rare talent.”

Deputy Palace Master?!

Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli exchanged a glance, both startled.

Yaochi Immortal Palace had only just established its framework, yet it already had a Deputy Palace Master?

And she was such an unfathomable existence!

Liu Ruyan’s thoughts moved swiftly. She immediately recalled what her Master had said earlier about sending a new elder to accompany her home.

Could it be… this Deputy Palace Master?

Suppressing her shock, she hurriedly bowed again.

“Disciple Liu Ruyan greets the Deputy Palace Master!”

“Luoli greets the Deputy Palace Master.”

Gu Luoli also bowed properly.

A-Yao imitated them and spoke in her childish voice.

“A-Yao greets Deputy Palace Master Big Sister!”

A trace of amusement flashed through Yun Yun’s eyes when she heard A-Yao’s form of address. She nodded slightly.

“There is no need for such formality.”

“I have only just arrived and am not yet familiar with the palace. I will need your assistance in the future.”

Her tone was calm and carried no sense of distance. Instead, it possessed a natural warmth.

This allowed Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli to relax slightly.

“Deputy Palace Master, you are too courteous. Should you have any instructions, this disciple will certainly do her utmost.”

Liu Ruyan hurriedly replied.

Yun Yun looked at Liu Ruyan and recalled the Palace Master’s instructions.

“The Palace Master has already spoken to me. Tomorrow, I will accompany you home.”

Warmth filled Liu Ruyan’s heart. As expected, this had been arranged by her Master.

With the Deputy Palace Master accompanying her, there would be no concern for her safety. It would also be an immense honor for the Liu family.

“Thank you for the trouble, Deputy Palace Master! This disciple… is deeply grateful!”

Liu Ruyan thanked her sincerely.

“It is part of my duty.”

Yun Yun smiled faintly.

“I still need to look around and familiarize myself with the palace, as well as make some preparations for tomorrow’s journey.”

“Please, Deputy Palace Master.”

Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli stepped aside to make way.

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Yun Yun nodded slightly to them and gave A-Yao a gentle smile.

Only then did she walk calmly toward the depths of the palace, her figure gradually disappearing into the spiritual mist.

It was not until Yun Yun had gone far away that Liu Ruyan finally let out a long breath. She exchanged a look with Gu Luoli, and both saw the shock in the other’s eyes.

“Deputy Palace Master Yun…”

Gu Luoli murmured softly.

“Even my double pupils cannot see through her realm in the slightest.”

Liu Ruyan nodded, her expression complicated.

“Master’s friends truly are extraordinary, every single one of them.”

“Deputy Palace Master Yun is at least an existence on the same level as the Grand Elder. With her overseeing matters, the palace’s internal and external affairs will surely become even more orderly.”

Her reverence for her Master deepened, and she felt even greater anticipation toward tomorrow’s journey home.

“Let us go back first. Luoli, cultivate well. Eldest Senior Sister should rest too.”

“Mm.”

The three then went their separate ways.

Gu Han had already informed the others that Yun Yun had assumed the position of Deputy Palace Master, and the news quickly caused a stir throughout the palace.

Mo Lin and Fushan had sensed her almost the instant she appeared.

“The Tribulation Transcendence realm?”

Fushan scratched his head and looked toward Mo Lin.

“Old Mo, did you feel it? This Deputy Palace Master’s aura… is so powerful.”

Mo Lin nodded solemnly.

“I felt it.”

“Of the ‘four old friends’ the Palace Master mentioned before, the one who has arrived now is probably one of them.”

“Every one of the Palace Master’s old friends is unfathomable…”

Mo Lin sighed softly, then felt a trace of relief.

His decision to submit back then had truly been the correct choice.

At the Formation Pavilion, Diewu withdrew her divine sense. Light flowed through her multicolored eyes.

“I cannot see through the depths of this Deputy Palace Master at all…”

“Still, with her handling affairs, Palace Master can focus on cultivating. That is a good thing.”

At Snow Moon Peak, Li Hanyi paused slightly in the middle of practicing her sword.

She looked toward the main hall. There was little emotion in her cold eyes as she murmured only one sentence.

“Yun Yun… Deputy Palace Master.”

A moment later, sword light rose once more, aloof and transcendent.

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She had no objection to this newly arrived Deputy Palace Master, who also seemed skilled in the Sword Dao.

She had never liked dealing with mundane affairs in the first place. Now that someone else had come to handle them, she was naturally pleased.

Elsewhere, after leaving the main hall, Yun Yun walked slowly toward the eastern side of the palace, where the spiritual energy was at its densest.

Before long, an ancient and elegant pavilion appeared before her. The plaque above it bore the words “Alchemy Pavilion.”

At that moment, Yun Miaoyi was standing beside a medicinal garden, holding a jade slip in her hand as though recording and calculating something.

Sensing someone approaching, Yun Miaoyi raised her head. When she saw that the newcomer was an unfamiliar woman with an extraordinary bearing, surprise flashed through her eyes.

It was quickly replaced by a gentle smile.

She had already learned of “Deputy Palace Master Yun Yun” through the Palace Master’s message.

“Yun Miaoyi greets the Deputy Palace Master.”

Yun Miaoyi bowed gracefully, respectful yet composed.

“Pavilion Master Yun, there is no need for such formality.”

Yun Yun stopped walking. Her voice was gentle as her gaze passed over the jade slip in Yun Miaoyi’s hand and the small medicinal garden.

“You are still working so late at night. You have worked hard.”

“It is merely my duty. There is no hardship to speak of.”

Yun Miaoyi straightened, put away the jade slip, and smiled faintly.

“The Myriad-Phenomena Medicinal Garden that the Palace Master intends to establish is profoundly wondrous. I naturally must devote myself to it so that I may lay the foundation for Yaochi Immortal Palace’s alchemical lineage.”

Her gaze settled on Yun Yun with a trace of discreet curiosity and appraisal.

This Deputy Palace Master’s aura was as deep as the ocean. Yun Miaoyi could not see through her at all. Her realm was likely no lower than that of the Grand Elder.

“The Myriad-Phenomena Medicinal Garden… It can simulate countless environments and cultivate spiritual herbs.”

Yun Yun nodded slightly, approval appearing in her eyes.

“This is of vital importance to the Alchemy Pavilion and even to the entire palace. Since Pavilion Master Yun has earned such trust from the Palace Master, your attainments in the Alchemical Dao must be extraordinary.”

“Deputy Palace Master, you praise me too highly.”

Yun Miaoyi replied modestly. She stepped aside and made an inviting gesture.

“The night is pleasant, and the Deputy Palace Master has only just arrived. Would you care to walk through the Alchemy Pavilion with me?”

“That was precisely my intention.”

Yun Yun readily agreed and walked beside Yun Miaoyi along the cobblestone path bordering the medicinal garden.

“Deputy Palace Master, will you be accompanying that child Ruyan home tomorrow?”

Yun Miaoyi changed the subject and asked.

“Yes. First, I can ensure her safety. Second, I can use the opportunity to understand the situation in the outside world.”

Yun Yun nodded, then looked at Yun Miaoyi.

“Pavilion Master Yun seems quite concerned about Ruyan?”

“That child is strong-willed and has endured a difficult fate. Being able to enter Yaochi Immortal Palace is her good fortune.”

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Yun Miaoyi sighed softly, her tone carrying the kindness of an elder.

“Her family is located in Qingyang City on the border of the Southern Region. It is only a small cultivation clan.”

“With the Deputy Palace Master accompanying her, not only will her safety be assured, but it will also serve as a deterrent to the outside world. The Palace Master has considered the matter thoroughly.”

Yun Yun appeared thoughtful.

“A deterrent… It seems the Palace Master intends to use this opportunity to begin revealing the name of Yaochi Immortal Palace to the world?”

Yun Miaoyi smiled faintly without confirming or denying it.

“The Palace Master is far-sighted. Since Yaochi Immortal Palace has been established, it cannot remain hidden from the world forever.”

“An appropriate display of strength and foundation is not necessarily a bad thing.”

“However, the proper measure must be maintained. Determining that measure will likely require the Deputy Palace Master’s careful judgment.”

The two exchanged smiles, and a certain tacit understanding formed between them in silence.

Inside the main hall, although Gu Han cultivated with her eyes closed, part of her consciousness remained connected to the System.

It was like an invisible sensory network covering the entirety of Yaochi Immortal Palace.

She was fully aware of Yun Yun’s movements after leaving, as well as everyone’s subtle reactions.

[Ding! Sect member Yun Miaoyi’s initial impression of Deputy Palace Master Yun Yun has been detected: calm and reliable. Evaluation: recognition.]

[Ding! Sect member Mo Lin’s perception of Deputy Palace Master Yun Yun’s aura has been detected: unfathomable. Evaluation: awe mixed with relief. He believes the Palace Master’s origins are mysterious.]

[Ding! Sect member Fushan’s instinctive impression of Deputy Palace Master Yun Yun has been detected: extremely powerful and not to be provoked. Evaluation: absolute obedience to her arrangements.]

[Ding! Sect member Diewu’s observation of Deputy Palace Master Yun Yun has been detected: dignified and graceful, with completely unfathomable depths. Evaluation: pleased with the development.]

[Ding! Sect member Li Hanyi’s perception of Deputy Palace Master Yun Yun has been detected: sword cultivator of comparable strength. Evaluation: satisfied that mundane affairs will cause less interference.]

A series of System notifications sounded in Gu Han’s mind.

Although their contents were unremarkable, everyone’s reactions caused the corners of Gu Han’s lips to rise slightly.

Good. Very good.

Yun Yun’s first appearance could be said to have achieved the perfect effect Gu Han had expected.

Not only had Yun Yun quickly settled into her role and established good communication with Yun Miaoyi, one of the palace’s current core members, but more importantly, her bearing and strength had already earned everyone’s initial recognition.

“Now I can finally be a Palace Master with some free time…”

Gu Han breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, as though a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

The core structure of Yaochi Immortal Palace had finally, truly been established.

“Still, I cannot become a completely hands-off leader.”

Gu Han’s thoughts shifted.

“I cannot neglect cultivation, and I should occasionally inspect and guide my disciples’ studies.”

“And… the valuable items in the System Shop require more Master Dao Points.”

“Perhaps I can have Ruyan recruit a group of disciples in Qingyang City…”