Volume 1, Chapter 61 – Preliminary Arrangements

Just then…

“Buzz…”

The magnificent doors of the main hall, towering a hundred feet high, slowly swung inward.

An aura even more vast and ethereal than before, as though it stood level with heaven and earth, spread from within the hall.

Everyone, whether human disciples or demon race cubs, instinctively held their breath as their hearts pounded wildly.

Under countless gazes filled with awe, curiosity, anticipation, and nervousness, an incomparably graceful figure with silver hair as white as snow slowly emerged from the hall, holding the hand of a tiny figure.

Today, Gu Han was still dressed in a moon-white gown. Faint starlight seemed to flow across its surface, complementing her long, frost-white hair.

She merely stood there in silence, yet she seemed to become the center of the entire world.

All light, spiritual energy, and even Dao resonance naturally gathered around her and submitted to her presence.

Little A-Yao, whose hand she held, had also been dressed especially adorably today.

Her jet-black hair was styled into two small buns tied with pale pink ribbons, and she wore a little pink dress.

Her large eyes blinked curiously as she studied the crowd in the square and the oddly shaped “playmates” among them.

She seemed a little shy. Her small hand clutched Gu Han’s index finger tightly while half her body hid behind Gu Han, leaving only her little head peeking out.

Half a step behind Gu Han, two equally beautiful women with completely different temperaments walked out side by side.

On the left was Yun Miaoyi, dressed in a pale cyan gown. Her bearing was gentle and serene, like a piece of fine jade polished by the passage of time.

Her soft gaze swept across the new disciples in the square, lingering especially on the nervous children with a uniquely soothing warmth.

On the right was Die Wu. Her seven-colored robes shimmered with flowing radiance, her beauty was dreamlike and peerless, and the butterfly mark between her brows glowed with a dim, shifting light.

Her figure was graceful, and her bare feet made no sound as they stepped across the smooth white-jade paving stones. A faint aura surrounded her, intoxicating the minds of all who sensed it.

Her eyes, which seemed to contain every color imaginable, gently swept across the crowd as though they could calm all restlessness and unease.

The instant the four of them appeared, the square fell so silent that a falling needle could have been heard.

Whether it was Liu Ruyan, Gu Luoli, Xiao Ya, and the others who had experienced the turmoil in Qingyang City and witnessed Yun Yun’s methods;

the newly arrived disciples who were still overwhelmed by the magnificent sight of the Immortal Palace;

or the demon race cubs that Mo Lin and Fushan had just brought back, their wild and untamed natures still evident;

at this moment, everyone’s attention was firmly seized by that silver-haired figure.

It was an instinctive reverence born from the absolute disparity between their levels of existence.

No words were needed. No oppressive might was required.

Her mere existence was enough for everyone to understand the identity of the person before them.

The Palace Master of Yaochi Immortal Palace.

“Greetings, Palace Master!”

Yun Yun was the first to bow. Her clear voice broke the breathless silence.

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“Greetings, Master!”

Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli followed immediately, bowing deeply.

“Greetings, Palace Master!”

Mo Lin and Fushan, the two demon king elders, also saluted respectfully.

Their actions undoubtedly provided the clearest possible example for all the newcomers.

Thud! Thud!

More than a hundred human disciples and twenty demon race disciples in the square dropped to their knees together, instinctively and with a touch of panic.

“D-Disciple greets the Palace Master!”

“Greetings, Palace Master!”

Their voices were somewhat uneven, but they were filled with excitement and reverence.

For a moment, the sight was truly impressive.

Gu Han calmly swept her gaze across the entire square.

It passed from Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli, who had already formally entered the sect, to promising newcomers such as Zhao Ling’er, Wang Zhaojun, and Xiao Ya.

Then it moved across the young faces filled with excitement, anxiety, or curiosity, before finally settling on the twenty highly intelligent demon race cubs.

There was little change in her expression, as though everything before her had long been within her expectations.

“Rise.”

Her cool, ethereal voice was not loud, yet it clearly entered the ears of every person and every demon present.

A gentle but irresistible force lifted everyone from the ground.

The new disciples rose, but they still did not dare look directly at her. They could only steal reverent glances from the corners of their eyes at that incomparably elegant figure.

A-Yao seemed to find the scene rather interesting. She tugged at Gu Han’s hand and whispered,

“Master Mommy, there are so many people! There are little monkeys and little tigers too!”

Her childish words rang especially clearly in the solemn setting, yet they also eased the atmosphere in a strangely natural way.

Gu Han lowered her head and stroked A-Yao’s hair. A trace of a smile flashed through her eyes before she turned her gaze back to the crowd.

“The fact that you were able to enter Yaochi Immortal Palace today means that fate has brought you here.”

Her voice was calm, yet it carried a force that reached straight into the heart.

“Whether you are human or demon, whether your origins are noble or humble, and regardless of your past, none of it matters here.”

“From the moment you step through these gates, you may cast aside all that came before and look toward the future.”

“Yaochi Immortal Palace shall be your new beginning, as well as the place you call home from this day onward.”

Her clear words echoed above the square and imprinted themselves upon the heart of every new disciple.

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Many of them, especially the children from ordinary or even impoverished backgrounds, felt their eyes grow warm.

A new beginning… a place to call home…

To them, those words carried extraordinary meaning.

“Yaochi Immortal Palace has only just been established, but its rules must not be neglected.”

Gu Han continued, her tone gaining a measure of authority.

“From now on, you must remember the sect rules, cultivate diligently, and treat your fellow disciples with friendship and respect.”

“Anyone who violates these rules will be severely punished.”

“We shall heed the Palace Master’s teachings!”

The new disciples answered in unison, their voices much louder and more orderly than before.

Gu Han nodded slightly and turned her gaze toward Liu Ruyan.

“Ruyan.”

“Disciple is here.”

Liu Ruyan hurriedly stepped forward.

“For now, you will arrange accommodations for these new disciples and explain the sect’s rules and prohibitions to them.”

“Three days from now, they will be assigned to the various peaks and pavilions according to their temperaments and strengths.”

“Yes! This disciple will do her utmost!”

Liu Ruyan solemnly accepted the task, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on her shoulders.

Gu Han then looked toward Mo Lin and Fushan.

“Mo Lin. Fushan.”

“Your subordinates are here!” The two demon kings stepped forward.

“These demon race disciples will be one of the future foundations of the Immortal Palace. You must teach them well.”

“Yes! We shall obey the Palace Master’s command!”

Mo Lin and Fushan answered in unison. Their gazes toward the demon race cubs behind them held both expectation and sternness.

After arranging matters concerning the new disciples, Gu Han finally turned her attention to Yun Miaoyi and Die Wu.

“Miaoyi.”

“Palace Master.” Yun Miaoyi inclined her body slightly.

“The Alchemy Pavilion has only just been established, and countless matters still await attention. The Myriad-Phenomena Medicinal Garden must be completed as soon as possible, and the refinement of basic pills cannot be delayed.”

“With so many new disciples entering the sect, there will be considerable demand for foundational pills used to temper the body and nourish their vitality. You will need to devote more effort to this.”

“Also…”

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Gu Han paused.

“Wang Zhaojun has good potential in alchemy. Keep a close eye on her.”

Yun Miaoyi glanced at Wang Zhaojun among the crowd, and a trace of understanding flashed through her eyes. She then replied respectfully,

“Miaoyi understands. I will not fail the Palace Master’s trust.”

“Die Wu.”

“Palace Master.” Die Wu gave an elegant bow.

“You will oversee the daily maintenance of the Immortal Palace’s protective grand formation, as well as the arrangement of the basic formations in each hall and pavilion.”

“Additionally, you may select disciples with talent in formations and begin training them.”

“Yes. Die Wu accepts the command.”

Gu Han assigned each matter in an orderly fashion, her thoughts clear and her considerations thorough.

Everyone below listened with complete conviction while also feeling the responsibilities now resting on their shoulders.

Under the hands of this Palace Master, the framework of the Immortal Palace was gradually becoming fuller and more solid.

Finally, Gu Han’s gaze settled on Gu Luoli, who had been standing quietly to the side.

“Luoli.”

“Master!” Gu Luoli hurried forward.

“Your double pupils have only just awakened. Cultivation must be your foremost priority.”

“Beneath the Enlightenment Tea Tree on the island at the center of the lake, the Dao resonance is at its densest. It will benefit your comprehension, so you may often go there for secluded cultivation.”

“Should you encounter any difficulties, you may come and ask me at any time.”

“Yes! Thank you, Master!”

Warmth filled Gu Luoli’s heart as she respectfully accepted the instruction.

Once all the major matters had been arranged, Gu Han raised her eyes and looked at the lively, hopeful faces throughout the square.

“The future of the Immortal Palace does not rest upon me alone. It rests upon every one of you.”

“The Immortal Palace will provide you with the best cultivation environment and resources.”

“But the path of the Great Dao is ultimately one that you must walk, challenge, and comprehend step by step on your own.”

“I hope you will cherish the present, make the most of your youth, and remain true to your hearts.”

They were only a few simple sentences, without ornate rhetoric or impassioned encouragement.

Yet they rang like the morning bell and evening drum, imprinting themselves clearly upon the hearts of every new disciple.

Even mighty demons such as Mo Lin and Fushan, who had cultivated for ten thousand years, felt the blood that had long lain dormant within them begin to stir.

This was even more true for young people such as Liu Ruyan, Gu Luoli, and Xiao Ya, as well as the more than one hundred boys and girls below who had only just entered an immortal sect.

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“We will not disappoint the Palace Master!”

“We will not disappoint the Palace Master!”

The crowd shouted in unison. Their voices were orderly, thunderous, and filled with unwavering conviction.

Gu Han looked upon the flourishing Yaochi Immortal Palace before her, which was already beginning to show the bearing of a great power, and a sincere smile rose to her lips.

She nodded slightly, took A-Yao by the hand, and slowly turned back toward the main hall.

Yun Yun, Yun Miaoyi, and Die Wu gave the crowd slight nods before following close behind and entering the hall.

Only after the doors had completely closed did the suffocating pressure and solemn atmosphere in the square gradually fade.

Yet the excitement, passion, and unprecedented sense of belonging had already been deeply branded into the heart of every new disciple.

Liu Ruyan took a deep breath and calmed the surging emotions in her chest. Then she turned toward the new disciples and called out clearly,

“Junior brothers and sisters, follow me. I’ll first show you where you’ll be staying!”

“Elder Mo Lin, Elder Fushan, I will leave these junior brothers and sisters of the demon race in your care.”

“Haha, leave it to us!”

Fushan grinned broadly.

Mo Lin also nodded and looked back at the demon race cubs behind him.

“Follow closely. Do not wander off.”

Led by Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli, the new disciples began exploring their future “home” with excitement and curiosity.

Under Mo Lin and Fushan’s guidance, the demon race cubs dutifully formed a somewhat uneven line and made their way toward the area specially prepared for them.

Walking among the crowd, Xiao Ya glanced back at the tightly shut doors of the main hall. Her eyes shone with a brightness they had never possessed before.

“Yaochi Immortal Palace… the Palace Master…”

She murmured to herself, the corners of her lips rising unconsciously.

“This is the place I’ve been searching for all along.”

She clenched her fists, her heart brimming with boundless fighting spirit and anticipation.

Zhao Ling’er and Wang Zhaojun walked hand in hand, speaking softly to each other with hopeful expressions about the future.

Xiaocao followed closely behind them, hugging her small bundle as she gazed at the exquisite pavilions and halls around her. Her clear eyes showed how deeply she treasured everything before her.

Once Gu Han led A-Yao back into the main hall, the little girl immediately returned to her lively self.

She ran to the window and watched the crowd in the square gradually disperse, a delighted smile appearing on her small face.

“Master Mommy, our Immortal Palace is so lively! A-Yao will have so many junior brothers and sisters to play with from now on!”

Gu Han looked at A-Yao’s happy smile, her eyes filled with tenderness.

“Yes. It will only become livelier in the future.”