Volume 1, Chapter 44 – First Disciple Recruitment

The hall was deathly silent. Everyone was still reeling from the staggering windfall that had descended upon them without warning.

Just then, an immense aura suddenly surged up from the depths of the Liu residence!

A moment later, a slightly weathered yet vigorous voice rolled across the estate like muffled thunder.

“Which senior has come… Hm? Yan’er’s aura?!”

Before the voice had even faded, a streak of azure light shot over from the secluded cultivation grounds in the rear mountain and landed outside the main hall.

The light dispersed, revealing a middle-aged man dressed in an azure robe. His features bore a fifty to sixty percent resemblance to Liu Beichuan’s.

He was Liu Ruyan’s father, Liu Beihai!

He had originally been in secluded cultivation, attempting to break through to the middle stage of Nascent Soul. However, after sensing an unusual aura, he had ended his seclusion and emerged.

The moment he saw Liu Ruyan being held tightly by Madam Zhou, delight flashed through his eyes.

But immediately afterward, his gaze was drawn to the storage pouch in Liu Beichuan’s hand, which was radiating astonishing spiritual fluctuations!

“Big Brother!”

At the sight of Liu Beihai, Liu Beichuan felt as though he had finally found someone to rely on. He hurried forward, his voice still trembling.

“Look! Ruyan brought this back… Her Master bestowed it upon the family!”

Liu Beihai stepped up to Liu Beichuan, took the storage pouch, and swept it with his divine sense.

Even with the composure of a Nascent Soul cultivator, the instant he saw what was inside, his breath caught sharply and his eyes blazed with disbelief!

His reaction was even more dramatic than Liu Beichuan’s because he understood far better what an earth-rank artifact represented!

It was absolutely not something that any force in Qingyang City, or even the surrounding regions of the entire Great Yan Dynasty, could possess!

He abruptly raised his head, his gaze sharp as lightning. First, he gave Liu Ruyan a long, searching look, as though he needed to acquaint himself with his daughter all over again.

Then his gaze moved past Liu Ruyan and settled on Yun Yun, who had been sitting quietly to one side all this time.

This time, Liu Beihai’s heart shook violently!

His attention had been drawn to the storage pouch just now. Only after sensing carefully did he realize that the white-robed woman’s aura was perfectly harmonious and natural, as though she had become one with heaven and earth.

When he extended his early-stage Nascent Soul divine sense toward her, it vanished like a clay ox sinking into the sea, without stirring even the slightest ripple!

He had only ever experienced such a feeling from a senior at the Body Integration realm!

“This senior is…?”

Liu Beihai suppressed the storm raging in his heart. His manner instinctively became more respectful than ever before as he cupped his hands and asked.

Yun Yun turned toward him and gave a slight nod.

“Yun Yun. I am one of Ruyan’s seniors. By the Palace Master’s order, I accompanied her home.”

“The Palace Master?!”

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Liu Beihai’s heart tightened.

To have an expert of this caliber accompany a disciple home as her senior…

The cultivation of that Palace Master had already surpassed the limits of their imagination!

“So it is Senior Yun! This junior is Liu Beihai. Forgive my discourtesy!”

Liu Beihai hurriedly bowed again, his attitude incomparably respectful.

“My daughter is unruly by nature. For her to have the fortune of entering your esteemed Immortal Palace is truly a blessing accumulated over three lifetimes!”

“Senior and your esteemed Palace Master have bestowed such generous gifts. The Liu family… truly feels unworthy of receiving them.”

His words were completely sincere and even carried a trace of unease.

Could the Liu family truly bear the weight of such a lavish gift?

Would there be some unimaginable price to pay?

Yun Yun seemed to see through his concerns and spoke gently.

“The Liu family may accept them without worry. Use them properly and develop the family well. Only then will you avoid disappointing the Palace Master’s intentions.”

Her tone was calm, yet she naturally possessed a bearing that inspired trust.

Hearing this, Liu Beihai felt somewhat reassured, though his reverence only deepened.

The Yaochi Immortal Palace could casually produce earth-rank artifacts?

He did not dare dwell on just how profound its foundations must be.

But he knew that from this moment onward, the Liu family’s fate was likely to change completely!

He solemnly put away the storage pouch, then bowed deeply to Yun Yun.

“Every member of the Liu family will remain forever grateful for the Palace Master’s immense kindness!”

“Should the Liu family ever be of use in the future, we will never refuse!”

Liu Ruyan watched her father and second uncle, both excited and awestruck, and countless emotions welled up within her.

She knew that from this day onward, the Liu family would soar to unprecedented heights.

They would no longer need to live at the mercy of the Lin or Zhao families. Even their status throughout the Great Yan Dynasty would become entirely different.

And all of this stemmed from what had seemed like a casual gift from her Master.

“Father, Second Uncle,”

Liu Ruyan said at the right moment as she took out the Heaven-Observing Stone.

“Master has another instruction.”

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Everyone in the hall turned their attention toward her once more.

“Master ordered me to recruit disciples for the Yaochi Immortal Palace from Qingyang City and the surrounding area.”

Liu Ruyan held up the stone, which radiated a profound Dao resonance, and spoke in a clear voice.

The stone itself was not particularly ornate. However, it gave off a strange sensation, as though it could see through the essence of all things and peer directly into the origin of the soul.

Everyone present felt their hearts tighten.

“This is the Heaven-Observing Stone. It can measure the potential of living beings and manifest the result in stars.”

Liu Ruyan’s voice echoed clearly through the silent main hall. Every word struck the listeners’ hearts like a heavy hammer.

“One star is the lowest. Ten stars, or anything higher, represents supreme talent.”

“Master has decreed that those rated five or six stars may enter the outer sect. Those rated seven or eight stars may enter the inner sect. Those rated nine stars may become core disciples.”

She paused and swept her gaze across everyone’s shocked faces.

“Second Uncle, Father, I want to establish an aptitude-testing site in Qingyang City and publicly select disciples for the Immortal Palace.”

A public aptitude test! A disciple selection!

Liu Beihai and Liu Beichuan exchanged a glance. Both saw the turbulent waves surging in the other’s eyes.

They understood even better than Liu Ruyan what this selection would mean!

The authority to organize it rested with Liu Ruyan, and therefore with the Liu family!

This was not merely a matter of prestige. It represented genuine, immeasurable favors and influence!

It was easy to predict that once the news spread, people would wear down the Liu family’s threshold with their visits!

The forces dependent upon or friendly with the Liu family would draw even closer to them.

Those forces that had originally been close to the Lin and Zhao families would likely react to the news as well, doing everything they could to establish closer ties with the Liu family!

This was yet another tremendous gift that the Yaochi Immortal Palace had granted the Liu family, an intangible asset capable of laying the foundation for a century of glory!

Liu Beihai drew a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the hot blood that was nearly boiling within him. He looked at Yun Yun and asked solemnly,

“Senior Yun, does the Immortal Palace have any specific rules for this matter? What scale should it be conducted on, and how long should it last?”

“Do we need to… avoid offending any particular forces?”

His questions went straight to the heart of the matter, and his considerations were far more comprehensive.

A public selection would inevitably affect the interests of certain nearby sects and cultivation clans.

They would never stand by and watch the Liu family do this without reacting.

Yun Yun sat upright in her chair, still poised and elegant. Hearing his questions, she merely shook her head gently.

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“Let matters proceed naturally.”

“Set up the aptitude-testing site in the square before the Liu residence. It will begin three days from now and continue for seven days.”

“Anyone interested may come and try, regardless of their background.”

“As for avoiding others…”

She raised her eyes and calmly swept her gaze beyond the hall, as though she could see through layer after layer of walls and take in every corner of the city.

“When the Yaochi Immortal Palace acts, why would it need to avoid anyone?”

Yun Yun’s voice remained gentle.

Yet the calm disdain in her words, born from absolute strength, shook Liu Beihai and the others to their cores. Not a trace of doubt remained!

“Yes! This junior understands!”

Liu Beihai bowed in acknowledgment, and the last of his concerns vanished like smoke.

With Senior Yun, who was suspected to be at the Body Integration realm, personally overseeing the matter, and the mysterious Palace Master who had bestowed earth-rank artifacts supporting them from behind…

What did the Liu family have to fear anywhere within the Great Yan Dynasty?

“Yan’er, you will have full authority over this matter. You may mobilize all of the family’s personnel and resources as you see fit!”

Liu Beihai made the decision immediately, his tone firm and decisive.

“Beichuan, give Yan’er your full assistance. Make certain this is carried out magnificently. Do not tarnish the reputation of the Immortal Palace!”

“Yes, Big Brother!”

Liu Beichuan was equally excited and hurriedly accepted the order.

The other clan elders in the hall were flushed with excitement and eager to begin.

It was as though they could already see the Liu residence bustling with visitors in the future, and the Liu family leaping into the ranks of Qingyang City’s leading cultivation clans, or even becoming one of the finest in the surrounding region.

Liu Ruyan took in everyone’s reactions, and a surge of ambition rose within her as well.

“Father, Second Uncle, the sooner this is handled, the better.”

Liu Ruyan composed herself and spoke seriously.

“I will go discuss the specific arrangements with Deputy Palace Master Yun now.”

“In addition, we need to draft a public notice regarding the aptitude test and post it as soon as possible so the entire city learns of it.”

“Good! Good! Yan’er, go and attend to your work!”

Liu Beihai nodded repeatedly. As he watched his daughter’s composed, capable manner and confident command of the situation, he felt immensely gratified.

His daughter had truly made something of herself, far beyond anything he had ever imagined.

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Liu Ruyan gave Yun Yun a slight nod. The two rose and, guided by Liu Beichuan, left the main hall.

Madam Zhou and Liu Ruxue had wanted to speak with Liu Ruyan for a while longer. However, seeing that she had important matters to handle, they could only suppress their excitement and watch her leave.

“Elder Sister… really does seem different now.”

Liu Ruxue stared at Liu Ruyan’s retreating figure until it disappeared at the end of the corridor and murmured softly.

“She does…”

Tears filled Madam Zhou’s eyes, but they were tears of joy.

“Your elder sister… has grown up.”

Liu Ruyan, the eldest young lady of the Liu family who had been missing for many days, had returned. Not only that, she had brought with her a mighty expert suspected to be at the Spirit Transformation realm.

Moreover, three days later, disciples would be publicly selected for the “Yaochi Immortal Palace” outside the Liu residence.

The news seemed to sprout wings, spreading throughout Qingyang City at astonishing speed!

At first, many people did not believe it.

The Liu family’s eldest young lady had vanished for many days, only to suddenly return with a senior at the Spirit Transformation realm?

And this “Yaochi Immortal Palace,” which no one had ever even heard of, intended to hold a public disciple selection?

However, as the Liu family began making preparations, more and more details were soon unearthed.

Rumor had it that Liu Beihai, who had been in secluded cultivation for years, had suddenly emerged and was personally overseeing matters. He was also said to be exceedingly respectful toward the white-robed woman who had arrived with Liu Ruyan…

Every sign suggested that all of it was probably true!

Qingyang City erupted into an uproar!

In every street and alley, teahouse and tavern, everyone was discussing the matter.

“Have you heard? The Liu family’s eldest young lady has returned, and she even joined a sect called the Yaochi Immortal Palace!”

“That’s not all! I heard she brought back a senior at the Spirit Transformation realm! The Liu family has latched onto an immensely powerful backer this time!”

“The Yaochi Immortal Palace… I’ve never heard of it. Could it be some hidden super sect?”

“Who cares? The important thing is that they’re publicly selecting disciples, regardless of background! This is an opportunity sent by the heavens!”

“My daughter is fifteen this year and at the first layer of Qi Refinement. I wonder whether she has any hope…”

“My son Wang Teng is nine and hasn’t started cultivating yet, but his grandfather says he has the makings of a Great Emperor!”

“A Great Emperor? What realm is that?”

“Hurry to the entrance of the Liu residence! They’ve posted the notice!”

The crowd surged like a tide toward the street where the Liu residence stood.