Chapter 22

“Good, what spirit!”

Fudao Shanren’s eyes shone with admiration, thinking to himself, This is truly the kind of disciple only I can cultivate!

Thinking of the useless bunch back at Yashan, he felt a sense of comfort and smiled.

“Since your mind is made up, go ahead. This is a path every Yashan disciple must take.”

Jianchou nodded, took a deep breath, and finally stepped into the depths of the clouds.

At this moment, about 300 feet above the mountain’s cliffside path.

A grand hall.

The intricately carved beams and painted rafters went without saying.

Inside the hall, eight large bronze censers with ancient, unadorned patterns burned fiercely, their flames roaring as if they had been alight since the dawn of time.

In the hall, a slightly plump man dressed in gold-woven robes stared intently at the clouds below.

A long suspension bridge stretched from the opposite shore of the river.

Watching the two figures drawing nearer, he was moved almost to tears!

“My ancestors, Uncle Fudao has finally returned! I can’t handle this mess anymore!”

The four white-haired elders behind him exchanged helpless glances at this lament.

This fair-skinned, plump man was none other than the highly praised leader of Yashan—

Zheng Yao!

Ah, everyone spoke highly of Yashan, but they knew…

The leader of Yashan was utterly unreliable!

An unreliable leader, pinning his hopes on an unreliable Fudao Shanren—could Yashan even survive like this?

Worried, the four elders glanced at the clear sky outside and sighed deeply.

The heavens might just collapse.

“By the way, what’s the background of that new disciple Uncle took in?”

After celebrating inwardly for a long time, the Yashan leader finally remembered to ask about the important matter.

One of the elders stepped forward.

“I heard she’s an ordinary woman from the Mortal’s Lonely Island, once married. Uncle Fudao said they were fated, so he took her as his disciple. She’s now Yashan’s Eldest Senior Sister.”

“Oh…”

Zheng Yao, the Yashan leader, nodded and said nothing more.

The elder was stunned.

He had expected the leader to ask more, but it ended just like that.

After a long pause, he managed to squeeze out a question: “Leader, isn’t this… inappropriate?”

“Where’s the inappropriateness?”

“A newly accepted disciple, barely at the Qi Refining stage, is absurdly placed as the Eldest Senior Sister. Even you, Leader, will have to address her as ‘Eldest Senior Sister’ from now on. This… this…”

In truth, the elders had been baffled when they first heard the news.

Yashan was perfect in every way—except for Fudao Shanren.

Yet Fudao Shanren was currently the highest-ranking elder in Yashan, having taken in several disciples.

Counting their seniority, they were on par with the current leader and elders!

Now, with an “Eldest Senior Sister” in the mix, wouldn’t they all have to address her as such?

Originally, the elders had wanted to discuss this with the leader—how could they call a mere Qi Refining youngster “Eldest Senior Sister”?

Wouldn’t that be utterly humiliating for them, the old-timers?

To their surprise, the leader remained unmoved!

The lofty and mysterious leader of Yashan, in the eyes of outsiders, waved his hand dismissively, utterly indifferent.

“Why do you care so much about empty titles? I’d be thrilled if everyone in Yashan outranked me. Ah, whatever you do, don’t offend Uncle Fudao. Otherwise, who’s going to take over this mess of a leadership position from me? Shut up, all of you! If anyone ruins my ‘abdication’ plans, I…”

The leader seemed to ponder for a long time before his eyes lit up with a brilliant idea.

“Whoever ruins my plans, I’ll pass the leadership position to them!”

The four elders broke out in cold sweat, not daring to utter another word.

The leadership position?

Pah!

A life of endless toil! Whoever took it would be cursed!

Watching the leader gaze eagerly at the suspension bridge below, the four elders exchanged another glance, hearts filled with trepidation: Poor Uncle Fudao!

“Achoo!”

On Yashan’s cliffside path.

Fudao Shanren sneezed so violently that the swirling clouds beside the stone path were disturbed.

Jianchou, who had just stepped onto a rock, was startled by the sudden noise and slipped!

“Whoosh!”

The rock beneath her foot loosened from her misstep and tumbled straight down!

Jianchou nearly screamed, her heart leaping into her throat.

At the critical moment, she twisted her foot, borrowing some momentum, and quickly grabbed onto a protruding rock on the cliff face to steady herself.

The stone path carved into the cliff was extremely narrow—wide enough in some places to resemble a smooth walkway, but in others, it was as thin as a sheep’s gut, barely wide enough for a single foot.

Sunlight only reached the outer edges of the path, while the inner side was covered in relief carvings of Yashan’s founders, past leaders, elders, and outstanding disciples.

The sight was majestic.

Jianchou panted heavily, her stiff back pressed tightly against the relief carving of some past patriarch, cautiously peering down.

Beneath the sheer cliff, only layers of drifting white clouds were visible.

The few rocks that had just fallen pierced a small hole in the clouds.

As the wind blew, the clouds slowly shifted, filling the thin gap.

Only the missing chunk at Jianchou’s feet served as a reminder of the danger moments ago.

“Really, a sneeze scared you that much? Was it necessary?”

The mocking remark came from beside her.

Fudao Shanren rubbed his reddened nose, wondering who had been badmouthing him behind his back to make him sneeze.

Jianchou felt the urge to dump a basin of dog’s blood on his head.

“It’s all your fault!”

Gritting her teeth, her fingers clutching the protruding rock tightly, she gnashed out, “Master, I regret it now.”

“Regret?”

Fudao Shanren’s eyes widened indignantly.

“Hey hey! Where’s your perseverance? Your master’s been talking nonstop this whole way to train you! Climbing a mountain—especially a cliff—requires mental fortitude. Distracting you was to prepare you for fights, so you won’t be easily disturbed. It was all for your own good!”

“I almost died!”

Jianchou had never encountered such a twisted definition of “for your own good”!

Throughout the climb, she had been subjected to Fudao Shanren’s incessant noise.

Surviving this far was nothing short of a miracle.

“Please, Master, stay away from me.”

“You’re such an ungrateful disciple.”

Fudao Shanren started up again.

“Just now, you were all ‘this is my path, I chose it so I’ll see it through,’ weren’t you? And now you’re saying you regret it? Do you think you can back out now? Girl, take one step back, and you’ll plunge into this bottomless abyss!”

“I regret not gagging you earlier!”

Jianchou was on the verge of a breakdown.

And she should have been the 368th ungrateful wretch!

“In any case, please be quiet for a while.”

She’d settle accounts with him after crossing Yashan’s path.

“No, no, and no!”

Fudao Shanren walked with ease, as if strolling on flat ground.

A closer look would reveal his straw sandals weren’t even touching the ground.

He followed leisurely behind Jianchou, admiring her struggles.

“Back when I walked this path, it was much worse. There was a blizzard outside, and all these rocks under your feet were buried under snow. Over time, they turned into solid ice—now that was treacherous! You’ve got sunlight now, making it easy. Count your blessings!”

Jianchou closed her eyes.

Fine beads of sweat rolled down her forehead, landing on the dry stone and vanishing instantly, evaporated.

She adjusted her breathing, calming herself.

When she reopened her eyes, she faced the narrowest section of Yashan’s path she’d encountered so far.

The edges showed signs of collapse, with cracks between the rocks.

Stepping here now would surely send her tumbling down.

Five feet beyond this treacherous stretch lay solid, thick stone ground.

If she could cross this, the path ahead would be easier.

Jianchou fell silent, thinking.

Fudao Shanren, seeing her stand still for so long, grew curious.

“You’re not actually too scared to move, are you? Cliff climbing is all about daring to take risks. If you hesitate any longer, I’m afraid you’ll become the first disciple to die falling off Yashan’s path!”

The thought seemed to delight him immensely, and he nearly burst out laughing.

“Well, haha, how about you tell your master what kind of tombstone you’d like? I’ll prepare—”

Fudao Shanren was mid-laugh when his eyes suddenly bulged.

Jianchou, who had been motionless, suddenly let go of the rocks and leaped forward!

A thousand feet sheer cliff!

A headlong jump!

In that instant, Jianchou’s cascading black hair was whipped into wild disarray by the fierce mountain wind!

The endless layers of clouds filled her vision.

A mad act.

Yet Jianchou’s mind was eerily calm.

As her body began to fall, the clouds below seemed to come alive, surging up to swallow her!

This was the moment!

A flash of snowy light!

A ten-foot-wide battle disk bloomed beneath her.

Jianchou stepped lightly onto a protruding part of the cliff, borrowing just enough force to send her slender body soaring like a feather.

In the next moment, she flipped midair and landed gracefully!

Her hands lightly braced against the ground, dissipating the impact.

Finally, she exhaled slowly and stood, turning back.

Across the five-foot gap, Fudao Shanren stood slack-jawed, looking as if he’d seen a ghost.

The whole sequence had happened in the blink of an eye—Fudao Shanren hadn’t even had time to react!

Only now did he stammer, “Y-you… you…”

“Master, no need to prepare that tombstone for me.”

Jianchou wiped the sweat—whether from cold or heat—from her brow with her sleeve, her voice crisp.

“But if you’d like, your disciple will prepare a coffin for you first.”

She smiled with utmost sincerity.

“You!”

Fudao Shanren was instantly furious.

He took a step forward, his figure blurring as he appeared beside Jianchou.

“Enough nonsense! Tell me, how did you do that just now?”

“There was a minor technique in the booklet you gave me, about borrowing spiritual energy to lighten the body. I remembered it just now and tried it on a whim. Didn’t expect it to work.”

Jianchou shuddered at the memory, but she was satisfied with the experiment.

Fudao Shanren was speechless.

“On a whim… You’re only at Qi Refining… Outrageous! Do you know how to respect your elders?!”

“Huh?”

Jianchou was confused.

What did this have to do with elders?

Fudao Shanren scolded, “Do you know how dangerous that was? You could’ve given this old man a heart attack! My poor heart can’t take it!”

“…Really?”

Jianchou’s gaze swept over Fudao Shanren’s indignant face.

She had meant to tease him, but her words came out differently.

“Your disciple only dared to try because Master was here. Even if I fell, you’d have saved me.”

“…”

Fudao Shanren froze.

Meeting Jianchou’s faint smile, he actually felt his old face heat up.

“Ahem. Of course.”

Yes, I’m just that responsible of a master!

He cheered himself up inwardly.

Beside him, Jianchou had fully relaxed.

Yashan’s path circled the mountainside.

When they’d first arrived via the suspension bridge, they’d taken the right fork.

Now, as they walked further, Jianchou could sense the path curving left.

Fudao Shanren said, “Yashan’s front mountain only has this path and the Moonview Hall at the top—just for show. The back mountain is the real Yashan. Once we pass the Stargazing Platform ahead, we’ll be there.”

That was their destination.

Jianchou nodded and continued forward.

Soon, a small platform came into view around a bend, extending from the path like a plank road with endless clouds at its end.

Stargazing Platform.

“A tower a hundred feet high, where one can pluck the stars with hand.”

Jianchou couldn’t help pausing, imagining the starry nights one could enjoy here.

No wonder it was named so.

A steady-eyed young man in plain gray robes stood by the platform, peering down the path.

The sound of Jianchou’s light footsteps reached him.

He looked up immediately, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Jianchou and Fudao Shanren.

“Master, you’re really back!”

Fudao Shanren, walking beside Jianchou, froze mid-step, his lofty expression crumbling.

Jianchou could practically feel his body stiffen.

The young man hurried over, lifting his robe to kneel and kowtow respectfully.

“Disciple Qu Zhengfeng pays respects to Master!”

Fudao Shanren, hugging his white goose, coughed.

“Ah, it’s only been three hundred years. Look at you! Get up already, don’t embarrass yourself in front of your Eldest Senior Sister.”

“Yes.”

Qu Zhengfeng rose quickly, his eyes oddly misty.

Jianchou was impressed.

She stole a glance at Fudao Shanren.

As a master, he was utterly irresponsible—gone for three hundred years, and his disciple was this emotional?

Clearly, they hadn’t spoken or met in all that time!

Qu Zhengfeng, now standing, heard Fudao Shanren mention “Eldest Senior Sister” and turned to Jianchou, finally taking a proper look.

“So this is Eldest Senior Sister?”

After a brief glance, he immediately bowed deeply.

“Zhengfeng pays respects to Eldest Senior Sister!”

“…”

E-Eldest Senior Sister!

You look older than me!

The words Fudao Shanren had said outside Qingfeng Temple secret realm echoed in her mind:

“You’re in your twenties, already married. Those idiots of the 36th generation all joined younger than you. Of course you’re the Eldest Senior Sister!”

So this “junior brother” had joined at a younger age.

But…

Three hundred years without seeing his master… just how old was this “young man” really?

The thought made Jianchou’s scalp prickle.

If others like Fudao Shanren—too lazy to maintain youthful appearances—showed up, she might have a bunch of old men calling her “Eldest Senior Sister”!

Jianchou felt she’d stepped into a pit.

It took her a long moment to collect herself.

Stiff-faced, she managed the standard reply: “Junior Brother Qu, you’re too kind.”

Qu Zhengfeng straightened, studying Jianchou’s expressionless face with a strange admiration.

How composed!

He’d heard this “Eldest Senior Sister” was a new disciple, young and barely at Qi Refining.

Yet upon arriving at Yashan and meeting him for the first time, she showed no trace of fear or surprise.

“As expected of Eldest Senior Sister!”

His gaze held a peculiar sincerity, sending another chill down Jianchou’s spine.

His tone carried inexplicable emotion.

Jianchou was baffled.

What did that mean?

Was he upset about her becoming Eldest Senior Sister right away?

She hurried to clarify: “Junior Brother Qu, don’t misunderstand. This Eldest Senior Sister position is really just—”

Before she could finish, Qu Zhengfeng continued fervently.

“Eldest Senior Sister is the most composed new disciple I’ve ever seen! Only someone as outstanding as you could conquer a picky old scoundrel like Master and bring him back to Yashan after three hundred years of wandering! Eldest Senior Sister, on behalf of all Yashan’s disciples—past and present—I thank you!”

With that, he bowed deeply again!

Jianchou was stunned.

Utterly stunned.

Qu Zhengfeng’s words echoed in her ears, making her feel like she was dreaming.

Picky old scoundrel… three hundred years of wandering… thanking her on behalf of Yashan…

She slowly turned to Fudao Shanren.

His face had darkened to the shade of a burnt pot.

Clutching the goose’s wings, he glared at Qu Zhengfeng.

“Who. Are. You. Calling. An. Old. Scoundrel?!”

Qu Zhengfeng showed no fear.

He straightened, answering solemnly and breezily: “Not me, of course. The leader said it. Please don’t blame me, Master. Three hundred years away, neglecting your duties as Central Region’s Law-Enforcement Elder… I heard all sects of the Left Three Thousand went to Kunlun to complain about you. The leader also said you’re an old slippery—”

“Shut up!”

Fudao Shanren felt faint.

Clenching his fists, he growled, “No, no, after three hundred years away, my authority’s gone! That bastard Zheng Yao dares badmouth me behind my back? Fine, fine!”

Murderous intent radiated from him.

Jianchou was dumbfounded.

What kind of place was Yashan?

From the sound of it, her master and this Zheng Yao, Yashan’s leader, didn’t get along.

Yet there was something oddly… familiar about their dynamic.

She hesitated, wondering if she should intervene to prevent a fight or disaster, when—

Smack!

Fudao Shanren slapped his forehead, his anger vanishing instantly.

“Hah! Damn it, almost fell for that brat’s trap! Why would I go looking for Zheng Yao? The moment I do, he’ll dump the leader’s mess on me! Close call, close call! Good thing this old man’s sharp…”

He burst into laughter.

Qu Zhengfeng’s face fell in disappointment.

Jianchou was thoroughly lost.

As Fudao Shanren cackled and strode ahead, she finally couldn’t take it anymore and whispered, “Junior Brother Qu, what… is going on?”

Qu Zhengfeng glanced ahead, then leaned in conspiratorially.

“You’re new, so you wouldn’t know. No one at Yashan wants to be leader. The current leader’s desperate to pass the mess to someone else. Tch, I thought Master would take the bait.”

He shook his head, looking world-weary.

Jianchou vaguely understood.

But…

It still felt like a dream.

Her mind was sluggish.

Unable to make sense of it, she let it go for now.

Qu Zhengfeng gestured.

“Eldest Senior Sister, after you.”

Past the Stargazing Platform, the path ahead revealed pavilions and terraces in the distance.

Jianchou nodded.

“Thank you, Junior Brother Qu.”

She walked forward, catching up to Fudao Shanren.

Beyond the platform, Yashan’s path shed its menacing appearance.

The rough cliffside carvings gave way to exquisite murals.

Auspicious clouds, cranes, distant mountains, fierce beasts, ancient swords…

All unfolded before her.

The vibrant paintings, some fragrant, adorned the walls.

Even the ceiling was covered in intricate circular patterns.

The ground smoothed into mirror-like flatness, as if sliced by a blade, with intersecting lines resembling a battle disk, dotted with embedded spirit stones.

From floor to ceiling, the grandeur was breathtaking.

Jianchou marveled, slowing her steps to take it all in.

After another hundred paces, she stopped dead.

Yashan’s back mountain spread clearly before her.

Now standing on the cliffside path, she looked out to see a vast circular plaza, about 30 feet lower.

Stone staircases connected the path to the plaza on either side.

Buildings surrounded the plaza, with a nine-feet-wide spring pool at its center.

At the far end stood a massive platform, seemingly suspended 90 feet in the air.

“They’re here!”

A stranger’s voice rang out from below.

Jianchou, still mesmerized, turned to see nearly a hundred people gathered in the plaza, all looking up at her.

“It really is a female disciple!”

The crowd erupted.

“Yashan’s century-old shame is finally washed away! Who says Yashan has no female cultivators? Step forward!”

“Punch Baiyue Valley, kick Wuwang Pavillion, annihilate Jianzhu Sect—it’s within reach!”

“Pah! Don’t disgrace Yashan! We’re not annihilating them—we’re stealing their disciples!”

“Right, right! Senior Brother is wise!”

…

The crowd was entirely male.

The atmosphere was electric.

Jianchou, listening to the chaotic chatter, stiffly turned to Fudao Shanren, who was hugging his goose and grinning.

“Master…”

What was happening?

Why was Yashan so… different from what she’d imagined?

Below, all the Yashan disciples stared at her like a rare specimen.

They’d received news that morning—Fudao Shanren was returning with a female disciple.

Skeptical, they’d gathered to see for themselves.

And here she was!

Many were ecstatic.

Fudao Shanren was overjoyed.

After three hundred years, returning to such admiration felt fantastic!

Clearing his throat, he waved grandly.

“Ahem, ahem!”

The plaza quieted briefly before erupting in cheers.

“I almost didn’t recognize him—it’s Grandmaster!”

“Grandmaster’s back!”

“Praise the heavens, the leader might go easy on us now!”

“To witness this in my lifetime…”

…

This was getting out of hand!

Fudao Shanren, alarmed by Jianchou’s cracking composure, raised his hands.

“Three hundred years apart, and you’ve forgotten this old man? Look at you! Is an Eldest Senior Sister really so exciting? Never seen a woman before?”

The crowd sensed his reprimand, but…

They couldn’t help it!

Someone muttered, “I’ve been at Yashan for decades, and I really haven’t!”

Laughter exploded.

Fudao Shanren, seeing Jianchou’s expression, knew—

It was over.

He might as well go all in.

Pointing at Jianchou, he announced, “Enough! From today, Yashan has female disciples!”

Cheers resounded.

He continued, “This is my new disciple, ranked first—Jianchou!”

As one, the crowd clasped their fists and bowed, their voices shaking the heavens.

“Greetings, Martial Auntie Jianchou!”

Their enthusiasm was overwhelming.

Jianchou, about to return the courtesy, froze.

Martial Auntie… Jianchou?

She stood dumbfounded before whirling on Fudao Shanren.

“Master…”

“I’ll explain later!” Fudao Shanren whispered urgently, shielding his face.

“Return the greeting first!”

He gestured downward.

The disciples below remained bowed.

The setting sun bathed them in crimson light.

Jianchou wanted to strangle him.

But she maintained her poise.

Curving her lips slightly, she bowed.

“Greetings, my… dear Martial nephews.”

“Alright, enough formalities! Rise!”

Fudao Shanren, sensing her discomfort, hurriedly waved them up.

The crowd straightened but lingered curiously.

Jianchou, oblivious for now, turned to Fudao Shanren with a sweet smile.

“Master, you seem to have omitted many things.”

“Many? Nonsense! How can you bully an old man?”

Fudao Shanren slapped his head, eyes darting.

“Ah! I just remembered—the ginseng I planted three hundred years ago must be ripe! I must go harvest it! Your junior brothers will fill you in on Yashan!”

With that, he bolted, goose in arms, vanishing in a blur.

“Third—no, fourth disciple! Handle the rest! Now!”

His voice faded into the distance.

Jianchou was speechless.

Before she could react, a snow-white figure soared up on the sunset’s glow, landing gracefully before her.

Handsome and poised, he clasped his hands and bowed with a smile.

“Fourth disciple under the Fudao Shanren, Shen Jiu, pays respects to Eldest Senior Sister Jianchou.”

His voice was mellifluous, like flowing water.

Straightening, he gazed at her warmly, almost affectionately.

“Tell me, Eldest Senior Sister… do you have a Daoist partner?”

Jian Chou: “……”

Are all cultivators in the Nineteen Continents this direct?!

Before she could answer, the crowd below erupted.

“Cheater!”

“Uncle Shen, you shameless—”

“This is too much!”

“How could you?”

“We agreed to court her together! He’s cheating!”