Chapter 325 - 155: Arrangements

Liang Cheng was silent for a moment.

"Elder Huang, if you hadn’t intervened back then, I would have died long ago. I have never forgotten that kindness."

Hearing this, Elder Huang scoffed.

"Spare me the act."

"I saved you because you agreed to test my elixirs. We each got what we wanted, that’s all."

He paused and looked at Liang Cheng.

"I have to say, kid, I never expected you to improve so quickly."

"I thought it would take you at least three to five more years to reach Core Formation. But you’ve already achieved Breaking Mortality and Forming a Core. Among the entire Three Sects and Six Gates, you’d be considered a prodigy."

He shook his head.

"A pity. I was hoping to have you test a few more furnaces of Elixirs, but your results would be worthless as a reference now."

Liang Cheng gave a wry smile at his words.

"If you ever need me, Elder Huang, I can return at any time."

Elder Huang waved his hand dismissively.

"Alright, alright, stop being an eyesore."

"I’m about to start my Alchemy. Now, scram."

As he spoke, he picked up his cattail fan and fanned the Pill Furnace vigorously a few times, looking like he was shooing him away.

Helpless, Liang Cheng bowed.

"I’ll take my leave."

He turned to leave, but suddenly stopped.

He looked back.

"Elder Huang, there’s one more thing."

"Speak."

"I heard you had some past dealings with the Cold Pool Wanderer. Do you know why he disappeared all those years ago?"

The cattail fan in Elder Huang’s hand paused for another instant.

"Cold Pool Wanderer?"

"That’s all ancient history. I don’t remember."

Elder Huang suddenly chuckled.

"Why would a kid like you ask about him?"

He looked at Liang Cheng.

"I gained enlightenment on the Ice Soul Scripture on Profound Ice Island. Hearing that you knew him, I was hoping to find some clues, maybe look after his descendants and repay my karmic debt."

Elder Huang nodded.

"Profound Ice Island is only so big. If you want to go, then go."

After speaking, he started fanning the furnace fire again.

"Alright, off you go."

Liang Cheng said no more and turned to leave.

Behind him, the doors to the Alchemy Room slowly closed.

「Inside the Alchemy Room.」

Elder Huang put down his cattail fan and gazed at the closed doors, a complicated look flashing in his eyes.

"Cold Pool Wanderer..."

’You chose him too?’

「The next day.」

The morning light broke through the dawn.

The Cloud-Piercing Shuttle hovered outside the courtyard.

Lady Ning, holding Yang An, boarded the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle, followed by Yang Wei, Zhao Yuan, and Li Mu.

Liang Cheng stood at the courtyard gate, taking one last look at this院子.

When he first entered the Martial Arts Academy, this was where he lived.

Now that he was leaving, he didn’t know when he would be able to return.

He turned and stepped onto the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle.

The small craft trembled lightly and tore through the sky.

...

「Half a day later.」

「Four Islands Main Courtyard.」

Zhong Lishuo had been waiting for a long time.

Seeing Liang Cheng land, he hurriedly went to greet him and handed over a list.

"Liang Cheng, these are the preliminary candidates I’ve drafted. Take a look."

Liang Cheng took it and his gaze swept over it.

Leng Feng, Qin Wentian, Yun Jinghong...

There were six other names, all of them prodigies from the Main Courtyard’s Dragon and Phoenix List.

Zhong Lishuo said, "You can bring up to ten Followers with you. Naturally, the Main Courtyard hopes to fill as many of those spots as possible."

Liang Cheng nodded.

He looked at the list.

’Leng Feng is my second senior brother. No need to even think about it.’

’Yun Jinghong... the prodigy from Lin Wu City who always wanted to surpass me. We even fought side-by-side against the Fire Worship Sect back in the day.’

Liang Cheng picked up a brush and circled the names of Leng Feng and Yun Jinghong.

"I’ll take these two."

"As for the other six, the Dean can decide."

Zhong Lishuo took back the list, a satisfied look in his eyes.

"Good."

...

「Three days later.」

The Cloud-Piercing Shuttle broke through the sea of clouds, speeding towards the Penglai Sect.

「Inside the cabin.」

Lady Ning held Yang An, her face filled with shock as she watched the sea of clouds flash past the window.

Yang Wei sat cross-legged, regulating his breath and trying to adapt to the wash of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

Zhao Yuan, Li Mu, Leng Feng, Yun Jinghong, and the other disciples from the Main Courtyard each sat cross-legged in a corner, cultivating with their eyes closed.

Yun Jinghong opened his eyes and looked at the figure in the green robes at the front of the cabin.

He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the faintly visible Immortal Mountains in the distance.

’Back at the Spring Hunt competition, I could still fight Liang Cheng on even terms. Now, I can’t even catch up to his shadow.’

Yun Jinghong took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

’Even if I can’t catch up, I have to try.’

「Three days later.」

Ahead.

Nine Immortal Mountains towered into the clouds.

They had arrived at the Penglai Sect.

Liang Cheng flew straight to the First Peak.

At the peak, in front of Liang Cheng’s private courtyard.

The Cloud-Piercing Shuttle landed gently, and the cabin door opened.

Lady Ning, holding Yang An, was the first to peek her head out. She stared in a daze at the mist-shrouded Immortal Mountain before them.

Yang Wei followed close behind, his face also filled with shock.

"So this is the Penglai Sect?"

Zhao Yuan, Li Mu, Leng Feng, and Yun Jinghong disembarked from the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle one by one, staring at the sight before them, speechless for a long time.

A sea of clouds churned beneath their feet. The Spiritual Qi was so dense it was almost tangible. In the distance, immortal cranes flew past, their clear cries echoing.

This was the Penglai Sect.

A true Immortal Gate.

Liang Cheng was the last to get off. Seeing everyone’s expressions, he smiled faintly.

"Let’s go. Inside the courtyard first."

The courtyard gate was pushed open.

Everyone stepped into the private courtyard.

There were three main rooms, several side rooms, and a Cultivation Quiet Chamber.

In the center of the courtyard stood an old pine tree, its branches and leaves forming a canopy. Beneath it was a complete set of stone tables and stools.

Lady Ning looked around and murmured, "Cheng’Er, this is your courtyard?"

Liang Cheng nodded.

"Direct Disciples get their own private courtyard."

Lady Ning was speechless.

Yang Wei clapped him on the shoulder, saying nothing, but the pride in his eyes was impossible to hide.

An hour later.

By the stone table in the courtyard, Liang Cheng looked at the people before him and began to speak:

"Now that you have entered the Penglai Sect, there are some rules that must be made clear."

Everyone sat up straight, their expressions serious.

Liang Cheng said:

"You are now Outer Disciples of the Penglai Sect, but you are different from me."

"I am a Direct Disciple and can move freely between the Nine Peaks. Unless you are summoned, you can only be active in the Outer Sect’s area."

"The Outer Sect has an Instructor Hall, a Task Hall, and the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion. You can accept tasks, exchange for Cultivation Techniques, and seek guidance from the Instructor Elders on your own."

He looked at Zhao Yuan and Li Mu.

"You two have decent aptitude, but your progress was slow before due to limited resources."

"After entering the sect, you will have a monthly supply of Elixirs and be nourished by Spiritual Qi. Within three years, you should have a good chance of reaching the True Qi Realm."

Zhao Yuan nodded emphatically.

"Senior Brother Liang, rest assured, we will not bring you shame."

Li Mu nodded as well.

Liang Cheng looked at Leng Feng.

"Second Senior Brother, your aptitude is the best. You were held back by a lack of resources before. Now that you’re in the Penglai Sect, you should advance with courage and diligence."

Leng Feng was silent for a moment before nodding.

"Thank you, Junior Brother."

Finally, Liang Cheng looked at Yun Jinghong.

The prodigy who had always wanted to surpass him was now looking down, lost in thought.

Liang Cheng said:

"Junior Brother Yun."

Yun Jinghong looked up.

Liang Cheng looked at him.

"I may be a step ahead of you now, but this is hardly the end."

"The road is long."

"If you want to catch up, then do it."

Yun Jinghong stared at him blankly for a long while, then suddenly chuckled.

"Liang Cheng, are you trying to provoke me?"

Liang Cheng shook his head.

"I’m just telling you that the opportunity is right here."

"Whether you can seize it is up to you."

Yun Jinghong took a deep breath and stood up.

"Don’t worry."

"I won’t let you leave me too far behind."

Liang Cheng wasn’t very familiar with the others. After a few brief pleasantries, he personally escorted them down the mountain.

An Outer Sect Steward was already waiting in front of the mountain gate.

Seeing Liang Cheng arrive, he hurried to bow.

"Direct Disciple Liang."

Liang Cheng nodded.

"I’ll trouble you to arrange things for these ten people, Steward. It would be best if they were placed near Ye Zhiqiu, Xiao Qingxue, and the others."

The Steward said hurriedly, "It’s no trouble at all, no trouble at all. Rest assured, Direct Disciple Liang, I will make sure everything is arranged perfectly."

Liang Cheng looked at the ten of them.

"Go on."

"If you run into any trouble in the future, send word to me."

Zhao Yuan nodded emphatically.

Li Mu’s eyes were slightly red.

Leng Feng cupped his fist.

Yun Jinghong glanced at Liang Cheng, then turned and strode away.

...

「By evening.」

The side rooms in the courtyard had been cleaned and prepared.

Lady Ning, holding Yang An, moved into the East Wing.

Yang Wei took up residence in the West Wing.

There were also Servant Disciples to attend to them, so everything was settled.