Tieu Dao Mountain

While everyone was still arguing, one quick witted cultivator spread a cloth by the roadside, lit a lamp, and began calling out loudly:

“Spirit cakes! Fresh spring water! Medicinal powder for blistered feet! If you plan to keep going, prepare properly. If you plan to turn back, at least eat your fill before you leave!”

Hao Nhien turned toward the voice, and two words immediately came to mind.

A genius.

Tieu Dao Sect had not even appeared yet, but business opportunities had already arrived first. Pasted text

Less than fifteen minutes later, several more small stalls had appeared nearby. Some sold roasted cakes, others sold water pouches, and one person was even selling illumination talismans for twice their price in the city.

The debate about Dao hearts from only moments ago had somehow transformed into a temporary night market in the middle of the forest.

Tieu Lan suddenly tugged at Hao Nhien’s sleeve.

“Young Master, there are medicinal herbs over there.”

In a quieter corner, a sturdy young man had spread several potted plants and bundles of medicinal herbs across a rough cloth. Judging from his build, he likely focused on body cultivation. His hands and feet were calloused, and a large sack still rested across one shoulder.

Tieu Lan pulled Hao Nhien over.

The young man raised his head.

“You two interested in medicinal herbs?”

Tieu Lan crouched in front of a small clay pot.

Inside was a young plant less than a handspan tall. Its leaves were thick and dark green, while its stem was firmer than ordinary grass. At the top was a small bud shaped somewhat like a lotus, its outer petals still closed and carrying an unusual gray green hue.

Tieu Lan studied it for quite some time. Her expression was not the excitement of someone who had discovered something valuable. She seemed more concerned with the condition of the plant itself.

She touched the soil around the roots with one fingertip.

“How long ago did you dig this up?”

The young man seemed slightly surprised.

“About five days.”

“And it has stayed in this pot the whole time?”

“Yes.”

Tieu Lan examined the edge of one leaf.

“It is already beginning to weaken.”

The young man sighed.

“I noticed too. It is difficult to care for while traveling. I originally planned to take it to Thanh Van City and sell it, but since I have to go up the mountain today, I decided to set it out here instead.”

Tieu Lan asked:

“How much?”

“Thirty mid grade spirit stones.”

Hao Nhien said nothing.

That price was not low for most Qi Condensation cultivators, but compared with what he had already obtained, it was still acceptable.

Tieu Lan pointed to a small pouch of seeds beside the pot.

“Were these seeds collected from the same place?”

“Yes.”

“If you include them, I’ll buy it.”

The young man hesitated.

“Those seeds are very difficult to germinate. Sometimes even a hundred seeds will only produce one surviving plant.”

“I know.”

The young man studied her for another moment before finally nodding.

“Fine.”

Tieu Lan chose several additional medicinal herbs as well. The total came to forty two mid grade spirit stones.

Hao Nhien paid and stored everything inside his storage pouch.

After they had walked some distance away from the temporary market, he asked:

“What was that plant?”

“If I did not identify it incorrectly, it is an Iron Lotus Flower.”

“Is it valuable?”

“Quite valuable,” Tieu Lan replied. “Once mature, it can be used as an ingredient in certain pills that support Foundation Establishment cultivators. But this one is still very young. To use it as medicine, we need to wait until the flower fully blooms. By then, the petals will turn iron gray with a faint silver sheen.”

Hao Nhien asked:

“Does thirty mid grade spirit stones seem too cheap?”

“Not really.”

Tieu Lan shook her head.

“An Iron Lotus Flower is difficult enough to raise that a young plant is not necessarily worth the trouble to everyone. It needs suitable soil, clean wood qi, and very stable moisture. The seeds are even harder. For someone who has to keep traveling and does not specialize in medicinal herbs, exchanging it for spirit stones is more practical.”

Hao Nhien understood.

“You bought it because we have the Cave Dwelling?”

“Yes.”

Tieu Lan explained:

“The Cave Dwelling has clean spiritual qi, and the medicinal garden is stable. If we care for it properly, at the very least it will not die on the road.”

She paused before adding:

“I could already tell that it was weakening. If it stayed like that for several more days, the flower bud might have been damaged.”

Hao Nhien laughed.

“So you bought it because you felt sorry for the plant.”

Tieu Lan’s cheeks reddened slightly.

“That is not the only reason.”

“What else?”

She remained silent for a moment before answering:

“If Old Van really accepts me as his disciple like he said... then I think I should still have a proper gift when I formally acknowledge him as my master.”

Hao Nhien was somewhat surprised.

Tieu Lan continued:

“Old Van likes medicinal herbs. The Iron Lotus Flower is not so valuable that it would be excessive, but if we can raise it well before giving it to him, I think it would be more suitable than simply offering spirit stones or some other object.”

She gazed ahead.

“Besides, the plant has a better chance of surviving in our hands. If I give it to Old Van later, he will also know the best place to keep it.”

Hao Nhien smiled after hearing that.

“Then it was well worth buying.”

He rubbed her head.

“Having Tieu Lan beside me really is useful.”

Tieu Lan did not move away. She only smiled.

Behind them, Minh Nhan ultimately decided to return.

Several people left with her, while some who had wavered in their decision eventually chose to stay.

Hao Nhien did not judge who was right or wrong. He only watched as the figures gradually disappeared in two different directions.

One path returned to Thanh Van City.

The other continued deeper into the mountains.

Perhaps the examination had already begun from the moment they stepped through the city gate.

It was not a test of cultivation realm, nor was it about determining who was stronger. At its core, it first asked one very simple question.

Did you truly want to walk this path?

Hao Nhien turned forward again.

The mountain trail continued into the darkness of the forest, with no indication of how much farther it stretched.

Tieu Lan stood beside him, carefully holding the small pouch of medicinal herbs.

“Hao Nhien, shall we keep going?”

Hao Nhien glanced at her, then at the road ahead.

“Let’s go.”

The two continued into the night.

This time, neither asked how much farther Tieu Dao Mountain was.

Once they had chosen to keep moving forward, the answer no longer seemed quite so important.

The night gradually deepened.

Hao Nhien chose a secluded place near the edge of the forest. After confirming that no one nearby was paying attention, he summoned the Cave Dwelling form of the Cosmic Ark and had it take the appearance of an ordinary large tent.

The two entered to rest and regulate their qi.

Inside the Cave Dwelling, Tieu Lan immediately placed the Iron Lotus Flower beside the medicinal garden. She covered its roots with a small amount of clean soil and only sat down to rest after making sure it was stable.

Several hours passed, and dawn began to approach.

The two continued on their way.

The deeper they traveled, the quieter the mountains became.

Morning mist drifted between the trees. The forest leaves were soaked with dew, and drops of water fell as they passed. Mountain birds called from high above, while several blue green peaks appeared far in the distance through thin clouds. Yet they still had no idea which one belonged to Tieu Dao Sect.

Hao Nhien walked while keeping an eye out for the wooden signs.

From time to time, he glanced at the long road ahead and found the entire situation rather amusing.

In his imagination, joining a cultivation sect should have involved a Foundation Establishment cultivator flying on a sword, waving a hand, and carrying new disciples through the clouds straight to the mountain gate. At the very least, there should have been spirit beasts pulling carriages or some kind of artifact vessel leading the way.

Instead, reality involved walking.

A great deal of walking.

Enough walking to make people question their lives.

Hao Nhien shook his head, unable to hide his resignation.

Tieu Lan noticed and tilted her head toward him.

“Is Young Master regretting it?”

“No.”

“Then why are you sighing?”

“I only think our preparation was lacking. We should have asked Quan Nha for more details.”

Tieu Lan smiled.

“Young Master, this is exactly what it means to temper the state of mind.”

“Hm?”

She gestured toward the mountains and forest ahead.

Did you know this story is from NovelPhoenix? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Look. No one is forcing us to move quickly. No one said we had to arrive today. Those who want to hurry can hurry, those who are tired can rest, and those who want to return are free to turn back. We can simply travel at our own pace, enjoy the scenery, and breathe the mountain air. Would that not make us more like people of Tieu Dao Sect?”

Hao Nhien turned toward her.

Morning sunlight passed through the canopy and fell across her delicate face. Tieu Lan walked with a smile, her pale pink and white sleeves moving with the breeze. There was no complaint in her eyes and no impatience.

Hao Nhien could not help laughing.

“You’re right.”

Tieu Lan’s eyes brightened.

“Really?”

“Mm.”

Hao Nhien faced the winding mountain road ahead.

“Then there is no need to rush.”

After a moment, he added:

“We’ll climb the mountain our own way.”

The mountain wind passed through them, carrying the scent of wildflowers and wet grass.

The path still stretched deep into the forest, with no indication of how much farther remained.

But this time, Hao Nhien no longer felt helpless.

If Tieu Dao was the name of this path, then perhaps its first lesson was not to fly directly up the mountain on a sword.

It was to walk there with your own feet.

During the day, they crossed forests and streams and followed moss covered cliffs. At night, they found quiet places to rest and regulate their qi, then continued again the following morning. The farther they traveled from Thanh Van City, the fewer traces of civilization remained.

The crowd of applicants who had once filled the road like a festival gradually scattered. The faster ones went ahead, the tired ones slowed down, while others turned back while cursing Tieu Dao Sect.

Hao Nhien did not mock them.

This road had never forced anyone to walk it.

Those who wanted to continue could continue.

Those who wanted to return could return.

Precisely because no one forced them, every choice became clearer.

On the morning of the seventh day, the two passed through an ancient pine forest, and the white mist ahead suddenly seemed to part.

Tieu Dao Mountain appeared before them.

It was not a single isolated peak.

Instead, an enormous mountain range stretched layer after layer toward the horizon. White clouds drifted between the peaks, hiding and revealing dark green cliffs and ancient forests like a vast ink wash painting.

One mountain rose like a sword pointing directly at the heavens. Another was rounded and covered in lush greenery, resembling an enormous alchemical furnace lying among the clouds. Elsewhere, white waterfalls plunged from halfway up the mountains and dissolved into silver mist beneath the morning sun.

Tieu Lan stopped where she stood.

Her eyes widened.

“It’s beautiful...”

Hao Nhien also remained silent for a long while.

The spiritual qi here was far denser than outside Thanh Van City, yet it did not feel oppressive. It was clear, vast, and natural, as though it had existed here for countless years, neither increasing because someone arrived nor decreasing because someone left.

During the journey, they had spoken with several fellow travelers and learned that Tieu Dao Sect occupied an enormous region of mountains. The entire Tieu Dao Mountain range was said to be so vast that even long serving inner sect disciples did not dare claim they had explored all of it.

Seven great mountains surrounded one central peak.

Those seven mountains were the seven Peaks.

Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Sword, and Medicine.

Each Peak had its own inheritance, temperament, method of teaching disciples, and even somewhat different rules. The mountain at the center was Tieu Dao Main Peak, where the entire sect gathered for major events. The Sect Master and senior elders mostly lived in seclusion there, and even inner sect disciples rarely had the opportunity to meet them.

Hao Nhien took in the seven mountains half hidden by clouds and suddenly felt very small.

Compared with the Tieu Dao Mountains before him, Thanh Van Town was little more than a speck of ink beside the river.

Even the bustling Thanh Van City seemed like nothing more than a slightly larger ferry station.

This was what a true cultivation sect looked like.

Tieu Lan tugged at his sleeve.

“Hao Nhien, is that Medicine Peak?”

Hao Nhien followed the direction she indicated.

A mountain to the southwest was covered in gentle shades of green. Terraced gardens spread across its slopes, appearing from a distance like green ribbons wrapped around the mountain. Even through the clouds, a faint medicinal fragrance drifted through the air, refreshing the mind despite the distance.

“That probably is Medicine Peak.”

Tieu Lan gazed toward it, her eyes brightening.

Hao Nhien smiled.

“You already like it?”

Her cheeks reddened.

“It just... feels very comfortable.”

“Then it suits you.”

The two continued along the mountain path for some distance before finally reaching the reception area for registered disciples at the foot of the mountain.

It was completely different from the crowded and noisy square in Thanh Van City.

This place was unexpectedly peaceful.

A broad courtyard paved with white pebbles lay among ancient trees. Mountain wind carried the fragrance of pine leaves, wildflowers, and cool moisture from small streams flowing down the slopes. Clear water wound between stones in the distance, its quiet murmur blending naturally with birdsong from the forest.

Several temporary bamboo shelters stood around the courtyard, along with a few stone tables for resting and a small pavilion beneath an ancient tree. There was no towering gate ten zhang high, no majestic stone monument carved with imposing characters, and no rows of disciples standing rigidly like drawn swords.

Everything seemed to have been placed almost casually.

Yet somehow, it fit perfectly with the mountains around it.

Several Tieu Dao Sect disciples in pale blue robes were carrying out reception duties. A white crane spreading its wings among clouds was embroidered on their chests, outlined with pale gold thread.

Their bearing was much more relaxed than that of the new outer sect disciples. Some were registering arrivals, some were giving directions, while others leaned against the pavilion pillars drinking tea, only occasionally raising their heads to offer a reminder.

At first glance, all of them seemed easygoing.

Hao Nhien did not underestimate them.

These people were most likely inner sect disciples.

Their auras were well restrained, but the steadiness of their steps, eyes, and breathing was not something ordinary outer sect disciples could easily match.

Hao Nhien and Tieu Lan presented their tokens.

A reception senior brother around twenty five or twenty six took them, checked them, then smiled.

“Quan Hao Nhien, Tieu Lan. You are not late. Tonight, rest temporarily in the outer sect area at the foot of the mountain. Tomorrow morning, all new disciples will gather here to receive their assignments.”

He returned the tokens and pointed in two directions.

“Male disciples stay in the eastern area. Female disciples stay in the western area.”

Tieu Lan paused.

Her attention moved toward the western area, then back to Hao Nhien, and her fingers unconsciously caught his sleeve.

Hao Nhien smiled.

“It’s only one night.”

Tieu Lan pressed her lips together before turning toward the reception senior brother and giving a polite salute.

“Senior Brother, I would like to meet Senior Phong Van Tu. When we were in Thanh Van City, Old Van told me to report to him after arriving. Could Senior Brother help pass along the message?”

The moment he heard the name Phong Van Tu, the reception disciple’s expression became more serious.

However, after glancing around, he appeared somewhat troubled.

“I cannot leave my position right now. Too many newcomers are arriving today, and we have to inspect tokens and assign everyone to the proper areas. If Junior Sister really received instructions from Old Van, the elders or stewards of the various Peaks will be present at tomorrow morning’s gathering. You can report to him then.”

Tieu Lan understood that there was no reason to make things difficult for him, so she nodded.

“Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Hao Nhien deliberately teased her:

“Come on, it is only one night. Start getting used to it. Your Young Master has to learn to live independently too.”

Tieu Lan gave him a look.

In front of outsiders, she could not conveniently say much.

The reception senior brother heard the words “Young Master” and studied the two of them once more, but did not ask.

There were too many unusual people in Tieu Dao Sect, and relationships stranger than this were hardly rare. A young man traveling with a closely attached young girl might attract gossip elsewhere. In Tieu Dao Sect, it was worth no more than a second glance.

Hao Nhien became more serious and lowered his voice.

“Tonight, just focus on regulating your qi. We have only just arrived, and the spiritual qi here is excellent. Try to stabilize your third layer Qi Condensation further. Do not overthink anything. Once you wake up tomorrow morning, we will meet again.”

Tieu Lan nodded.

“All right.”

Even so, when they separated, she still turned back several times.

Only after Hao Nhien disappeared toward the male disciples’ area did she finally carry her small pouch toward the women’s quarters, visibly reluctant to part.

The male outer sect quarters lay east of the courtyard and consisted of several rows of simple but clean wooden rooms. Each contained only a wooden bed, a stone table, a meditation cushion, and a small water jar. The windows opened toward the forest behind the buildings, allowing cool mountain air to flow inside.

Compared with the guest rooms of the Quan family, this place was naturally far simpler.

But Hao Nhien was quite satisfied.

It was quiet, clean, and filled with spiritual qi.

That was enough.

After entering the room, he closed the door, set up a simple layer of restriction, then summoned the miniature Cave Dwelling form of the Cosmic Ark.

The space inside the room shifted faintly.

An entrance resembling a large tent appeared naturally, looking from the outside no different from an ordinary temporary dwelling artifact.

Hao Nhien stepped inside.

The Cave Dwelling was as peaceful as ever.

The medicinal garden remained lush within the spiritual qi. The wood qi here had grown much denser after repeated absorption of spirit stones and vitality.

The Iron Lotus Flower Tieu Lan had purchased along the road was still sitting in its small pot. Its leaves remained dark green, its flower bud tightly closed. There had been no major visible change, but its vitality had clearly stabilized compared with when they first bought it.

Hao Nhien went to the medicinal garden and chose a corner where the wood qi was densest, carefully setting the Iron Lotus Flower there.

Then he took out the remaining seeds.

The seeds were gray black and as hard as tiny stones, their surfaces covered in faint patterns resembling iron grain. Without knowing what they were beforehand, it would have been difficult to believe that such seeds could grow into valuable spiritual herbs.

Hao Nhien took clean soil from the medicinal garden, planted the Iron Lotus Flower seeds in a small wooden box, then covered it with a simple formation to retain moisture and spiritual qi.

He was nowhere near as knowledgeable about medicinal herbs as Tieu Lan, but he at least understood the importance of keeping the soil clean and the surrounding qi stable.

The Cosmic Ark remained mostly sealed. Although the Cave Dwelling could nourish medicinal herbs within the garden area, it was still unwise to leave too many living things outside the protected formation for extended periods.

The Iron Lotus Flower was particularly demanding. Until they found a stable place for it on Medicine Peak, keeping it inside a wooden box that preserved spiritual qi was safer.

By the time he finished, it was already late afternoon.

Hao Nhien withdrew the Cave Dwelling and sat on the meditation cushion in his room.

He took out several mid grade spirit stones, arranged them around himself in a simple circle, and began breathing cultivation.

The spiritual qi of Tieu Dao Mountain was already excellent. Combined with support from the spirit stones, the true qi within his body quickly entered a stable circulation.

His seventh layer Qi Condensation had not become unstable after several days of travel. On the contrary, it had settled even more firmly.

The meridians throughout his body felt like small streams being washed clean by spiritual qi little by little.

His dantian remained steady.

His Sea of Consciousness was calm.

Hao Nhien did not rush to push Soul Art too deeply.

He only allowed a trace of Divine Soul power to descend toward his chest, make brief contact, then withdraw again.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

With each attempt, the resonance between his body, true qi, and soul became a little clearer.

The road ahead was still long.

But at the very least, he had stepped onto a new mountain.

The next morning, the toll of a great bell echoed throughout the mountains and forests.

The sound was deep and far reaching. It was not harsh, yet the moment it rang out, the entire outer sect area at the foot of the mountain awakened.

Voices immediately erupted outside.

“Wake up! Wake up! It’s time to gather!”

“Damn it, I overslept!”

“Where are my shoes?”

“Brother, those are my shoes you’re holding!”

Hao Nhien opened his eyes, the corner of his mouth twitching.

Morning in Tieu Dao Sect was apparently still very Tieu Dao.

He washed his face, straightened the pale blue outer sect robes he had been given, then stepped outside.

As soon as he reached the entrance of the male disciples’ area, he saw a group of new male disciples gathered together, all staring in the same direction.

Some were fixing their hair, some were trying very hard to appear serious, while others whispered among themselves:

“Who is that junior sister?”

“No idea. Looks like she’s waiting for someone.”

“Who is she waiting for this early?”

Hao Nhien approached and immediately understood.

Tieu Lan was standing beneath a tree in front of the gate.

Today, she wore the pale blue outer sect robes of Tieu Dao Sect. The clothing itself was simple, but on her it carried an unusually clean and gentle feeling.

Her black hair had been tied more neatly than usual, with only a few soft strands falling beside her cheeks. She hugged a small pouch against her chest and looked somewhat uncomfortable, clearly having already endured more than a few attempts at conversation.

The moment she saw Hao Nhien, her eyes brightened as though she had found a rescuer.

“Hao Nhien!”

Hao Nhien walked over with a smile.

“Our Tieu Lan certainly attracts attention.”

Tieu Lan’s cheeks reddened.

“Hao Nhien, stop teasing me. I have been standing here smiling politely at people until my face almost hurts. You came at exactly the right time to save me.”

The surrounding male disciples heard that, and their expressions toward Hao Nhien immediately became somewhat complicated.

Some looked disappointed.

Some envious.

Some quietly evaluated him.

Hao Nhien acted as though he had noticed none of it. He handed Tieu Lan the wooden box containing the Iron Lotus Flower, and the two headed toward the courtyard together.

Only after leaving the gazes of those male disciples behind did Tieu Lan finally exhale.

“Hao Nhien, the outer sect is also... quite lively.”

“Lively is putting it mildly.”

Tieu Lan covered her mouth and laughed.

The two reached the white pebble courtyard.

Several hundred people had already gathered there. Compared with the enormous crowd that had set out from Thanh Van City, clearly only about half remained.

Some had probably not arrived yet. Some had turned back along the way like Minh Nhan. Others might genuinely have gotten lost.

People stood or sat wherever they pleased around the courtyard, but there was still some tension in the air.

No matter how casual Tieu Dao Sect appeared, everyone understood that from this day onward, their true life in the outer sect would begin.

Hao Nhien and Tieu Lan chose an empty meditation cushion in a corner on the left and sat down.

Not long afterward, Tieu Lan suddenly tugged at his sleeve.

“Hao Nhien, Old Van is over there.”

Hao Nhien followed her attention.

Phong Van Tu was approaching from the distance.

Today, he still wore the same old pale yellow Daoist robe, with white hair and beard and an easygoing manner. He was no longer carrying the Mystic Ginseng Flower, but he seemed much more cheerful than when Hao Nhien last saw him.

Several inner disciples from Medicine Peak walked beside him. Small alchemical furnaces releasing curling smoke were embroidered along the lower edges of their robes.

Tieu Lan immediately stood.

Hao Nhien rose with her.

The two approached and bowed.

“Greetings, Old Van.”

Phong Van Tu saw them and laughed, waving them closer.

“So you made it. Not bad, not bad. I thought the mountain road might scare the two of you into running away.”

Hao Nhien smiled.

“At least we managed not to get lost.”

Tieu Lan smiled as well.

Phong Van Tu turned toward her, his smile growing wider.

“Tieu Lan, you really do understand these things. I took that Mystic Ginseng Flower back and replanted it on a cliff at Medicine Peak. It has only been a few days, but it already looks completely different. The leaves are fuller, and even the flower seems more alive. You did very well this time.”

Tieu Lan’s eyes immediately brightened.

“Really?”

“Really.”

Phong Van Tu stroked his beard.

“Medicinal plants cannot speak, but whether they are thriving or merely surviving, whether they are comfortable in a place or not, someone who understands them can tell. Your judgment was correct.”

Tieu Lan lowered her head, somewhat embarrassed.

“I only read about it in books. I was fortunate enough to remember.”

Then she suddenly remembered something and hurriedly took out the carefully prepared Iron Lotus Flower from her storage pouch.

“Old Van, on the way here, I met someone selling medicinal herbs. I bought an Iron Lotus Flower. It has not bloomed yet, but I thought that if it is cared for properly, it may eventually become useful medicinal material. I wanted to give it to you as a gift of thanks.”

The moment the potted plant appeared, Phong Van Tu’s eyes lit up.

“Iron Lotus Flower?”

He bent down to inspect it.

Dark green leaves, a firm stem, and a tightly closed flower bud with a gray green color.

It was still young, but the vitality within it was unmistakably genuine.

Phong Van Tu raised his head toward Tieu Lan.

“You certainly know how to please people.”

Tieu Lan’s cheeks reddened slightly.

“I am not trying to flatter you. I only thought Old Van would be able to care for it better.”

Phong Van Tu’s smile deepened.

“Medicine Peak already has several Iron Lotus Flowers, but this plant is difficult to raise. If the flower does not mature properly, its medicinal properties will never form, and harvesting it would be pointless. One more plant means one more possibility.”

He thought for a moment before continuing:

“Consider this a contribution. I will inform the Mission Hall and have contribution points awarded to you.”

Tieu Lan quickly shook her head.

“That is not necessary.”

“Not necessary?”

“Yes.”

She held the flower pot with both hands, her voice quiet but serious.

“This is something I want to offer you out of respect. If Old Van does not dislike it... could it serve as my formal gift when I acknowledge you as my master?”

For a moment, the area around them fell silent.

Even the Medicine Peak disciples following Phong Van Tu turned toward her.

Hao Nhien was slightly surprised.

Then he smiled.

Tieu Lan might appear soft and gentle, but when the moment came to grasp an opportunity, she was decisive.

Phong Van Tu gazed at the Iron Lotus Flower in her hands for a long time.

Then he reached out, accepted the pot, and ran his fingers across one of its dark green leaves.

“Good.”

Only one word.

But the expressions of the Medicine Peak disciples behind him changed immediately.

Tieu Lan raised her head, her eyes already reddening.

Then she bowed deeply.

“Tieu Lan greets Master.”