bookbashuk Chapter 104 Under Yuhua Mountain
Chapter 104 Under Yuhua Mountain
The month-long period will soon be over.
On the eve of his departure, Zhao Fan packed everything up in the courtyard.
The medicine furnace in the alchemy room, the futon in the cultivation room, and all the bottles and jars he had used for a year and a half were all put into his storage bag.
Xiao Er seemed to sense the atmosphere of parting, and stayed by his feet all night, occasionally glancing up at him before silently lowering his head again.
The next morning, as dawn broke, Zhao Fan pushed open the courtyard gate.
There were five people on the mountain path: Su San, Su Ziyan, Su Zixin, Su Ziyun, and a young man Zhao Fan was not very familiar with, named Su Ziqiu.
Su Ziyun's eyes were slightly red, clearly from crying. When she saw Zhao Fan come out, she quickly walked over and stuffed a small bundle into his hands.
"Brother Zhao, this is the first batch of Rejuvenation Pills I've ever refined. Although they're not of high quality, I'll keep them as a memento."
Zhao Fan took the bundle and nodded slightly.
"Study hard, and you will be able to join the Suyang Sect in the future."
Su Ziyun nodded vigorously, but tears kept falling down her face.
Su Zixin stood to the side, her expression indifferent, and simply nodded slightly to Zhao Fan as a greeting.
She recently broke through to the seventh level of Qi Refining and will also participate in the disciple recruitment meeting this time. However, she does not need a recommendation quota and will enter the meeting based on her own strength.
Su Ziyan, on the other hand, was all smiles, showing little sign of sadness at parting.
He studied weapon crafting in Zhoujiafang Market for over a year, and his temperament became much calmer than before, but the free-spiritedness in his bones was still there.
"Brother Zhao, from now on we're fellow disciples, so we'll have to look after each other."
Zhao Fan nodded.
"nature."
Su Ziqiu, on the other hand, remained silent and stood alone to the side, not saying a word.
Su San stood at the back, watching this scene unfold, without urging anyone on, simply waiting quietly.
He didn't speak until Zhao Fan walked up to him, his voice as steady as ever.
"Let's go, or we'll be late."
The five of them descended the mountain, and Su San released the flying boat, carrying everyone towards the southeast.
As the flying boat ascended into the air, Mount Fuling gradually shrank behind them.
Zhao Fan leaned against the ship's railing, looking at the mountain where he had lived for a year and a half, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
The waiter lay down at his feet, seemingly sensing something, and became unusually quiet.
"Fellow Daoist Zhao."
Su San's voice came from behind him. Zhao Fan turned around and saw him standing on the other side of the ship's railing, looking into the distance.
"When you arrive at the Suyang Sect, there are a few things you should remember."
Zhao Fan nodded and listened attentively.
"Although the Suyang Sect is a prestigious and righteous sect, with a large sect and many people, open and covert struggles are inevitable."
Su San's tone was flat.
"Once you're inside, don't easily trust anyone, and don't easily offend anyone. Be careful in everything you do, and be tolerant and forgiving when you can."
Zhao Fan silently noted it down, then asked another question.
What if someone deliberately makes things difficult?
Su San glanced at him, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"Then make it as clean as possible."
Zhao Fan nodded thoughtfully.
Su San said no more and turned to look ahead.
Zhao Fan was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked.
"Fellow Daoist Su, why are we going to Jade Flower Mountain? Isn't the Suyang Sect's disciple recruitment ceremony held in Nanjun?"
Su San didn't turn around, but simply said calmly.
"Within a radius of several thousand miles, the Zhou family is the largest family. All families that want to go to Nanjun to participate in the apprentice recruitment meeting must first gather at Yuhua Mountain and follow the Zhou family. This is a rule set by the Zhou family."
Zhao Fan suddenly realized.
From this perspective, the Zhou family's power is far greater than he had imagined.
After flying for most of the day, a majestic mountain finally appeared ahead.
The mountain soars into the clouds, with mist swirling around its waist, where pavilions and towers can be vaguely seen. At the foot of the mountain, a tall stone archway stands majestically, inscribed with the three large characters "Yuhua Mountain" in vigorous strokes, seemingly radiating a spiritual light.
Su San piloted the flying boat to a slow descent. A considerable number of people had already gathered in front of the mountain gate, standing in twos and threes, mostly disciples from various families who had come to participate in the apprenticeship ceremony.
Some were dressed in fine clothes and had an extraordinary demeanor, while others were simple, low-key, and taciturn. Zhao Fan glanced over and found that there were dozens of them.
On either side of the mountain gate stood two cultivators dressed in light blue, tight-fitting clothes, with a golden "Zhou" character embroidered on their chests. Their sharp eyes scanned everyone who approached, their attitude neither warm nor cold.
Su San led the four men forward and clasped his hands in greeting.
"The Su family of Fuling Mountain have come to attend the meeting."
The cultivator on the left looked them up and down, his gaze lingering on Su San for a moment before sweeping over Zhao Fan and the others, a look of disdain on his face.
"The Su family? A first-tier family?"
His tone was as casual as if he were dismissing a beggar.
"Go wait over there, we'll set off together once everyone's here."
He casually pointed to a secluded corner on the left side of the mountain gate, where there were only a few rough stones and not even a shady place.
On the right side of the mountain gate, several teams that were clearly from second-level families had been invited into the pavilion inside the mountain gate to rest.
Su Ziyan's expression changed, and he was about to speak when Su San grabbed him and stopped him.
"Thank you, fellow Daoist."
Su San smiled slightly, took out a small storage bag from his sleeve, and quietly stuffed it into the cultivator's hand.
"It's just a small token, for you to have some tea, fellow Daoist."
The cultivator weighed the storage bag in his hand, and his expression softened somewhat. He glanced at Su San, a smile playing on his lips.
"Fellow Daoist Su, you are too kind. Although it is a bit simple over there, it is quiet. Please go and rest first. Someone will come to inform you when everyone has arrived."
Su San smiled and nodded, then turned and led the four of them toward that corner.
Su Ziyan followed behind, his face ashen, and said in a low voice.
"Third Uncle, why are you giving him bribes? He's just a gatekeeper, and he dares to look down on people like that!"
Su San didn't turn around, but simply said calmly.
"Even if he's just a servant, he's still a servant of the Zhou family. If you offend him, he can't do anything to you openly, but he can sabotage you behind your back. Provoking him won't do us any good."
Su Ziyan was unconvinced.
"But there are clearly still empty seats in that gazebo..."
"That's for second-tier families."
Su San spoke calmly, as if she were stating something perfectly natural.
"Our Su family is a first-class family. Being given a corner to rest in is already a great honor."
Su Ziyan opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing more.
Zhao Fan followed behind and saw everything. Sure enough, in the cultivation world, strength is still the most important thing. If you are not strong enough, even the servants will not give you a good look.
The group sat down in a corner. Su San closed her eyes to rest, Su Zixin sat cross-legged to regulate her breathing, and Su Ziyan leaned against a rock, sulking.
Zhao Fan did not sit down, but stood to the side, his gaze sweeping over the various cultivators in front of the mountain gate.
He saw several elegantly dressed young people chatting and laughing together. The magical artifacts on their bodies shone with spiritual light, and it was clear at a glance that they were very wealthy.
They also saw several rogue cultivators standing alone in a corner, silent and unassuming. They were dressed simply, their aura was restrained, but their eyes held a sharp edge.
These people may become his fellow disciples in the Suyang Sect in the future.
They could also become his rivals.
Zhao Fan withdrew his gaze, let out a soft breath, and, imitating Su San, closed his eyes and sat in meditation.