CHAPTER 31 Presently, we sleep together—separated by a wall.

Having said these words, it made Fu Changling somewhat anxious. However, he insisted on holding on to his stance and closed his eyes as he meditated. After his momentary silence, Qin Yan finally said, “Absurd.”

Then, having added nothing else, he turned and left.

Fu Changling let out a breath of relief after Qin Yan left. He rushed out in a hurry to the rear of the mountains to harvest the Moonlight Herbs, placing a dozen stalks into the Zhenlong Ring. Then, he redid his appearance anew using the Thousand-Faces Elixir, changed into the clothes he’d previously worn, and scampered towards the examination area.

The sky had gradually begun to brighten at that moment. The examinees had already arrived one after another at the gate, leaving Fu Changling the last one to make it. Yun Yu was glimpsing over the terrain from a high place as he worriedly said, “Did something happen to Shen Xiufan?”

Xie Yuqingsaid nothing. She closed her eyes and initiated a scan using her spiritual consciousness, seeing Fu Changling rushing his way to the road. Her eyes flickered open and she said, “He’s safe.”

At the last second before the incense was completely burned, Fu Changling finally made it. Yun Yu announced, “Time’s up!”

Holding the Heavenly Fire Herb in his hand, Fu Changling hollered loudly upon hearing Yun Yu’s words, “I’m coming! I’m coming!”

Everyone’s gaze was turned on him, meeting the sight of Fu Changing gasping for breath as he made his way there, taking in heavy breaths upon arriving at the destination stage. He placed all his spiritual plants onto the counter and panting, he said, “I’m here. I wasn’t late, am I?”

“You made it.”

Shangguan Mingyan, who stood at the side, broke into a smile. He glanced at him up and down. “Where has Brother Shen been that you’ve only made it now?”

“The Heavenly Fire Herb?” Before Fu Changling could answer, Yun Yu bawled, “You went searching for the ice crystal beast?”

Hearing these words, everyone lifted their heads. Not all of them might know what the Heavenly Fire Herb was, but they were all familiar to what a third-grade ice crystal beast was. Fu Changling found himself bathed in their suspicious gazes and couldn’t help cracking an awkward smile. “I just had good luck. How embarrassing.”

“You’re just too humble.” Yun Yu placed a hand on Fu Changling’s shoulder. “This manner of behaviour would only get you beaten up.”

“I’ve been left with no options,” Fu Changling sighed. “Someone as outstanding as I would simply find it difficult to fit in. I’m already making huge efforts to blend in with everyone.”

These words of his made Yun Yu choke on his own saliva. He had never seen someone so thick-skinned before.

Shangguan Mingyan walked up to him as they exchanged their experience of being in the Spiritual Mountain while the disciples on the side categorized all the spiritual plants they’d brought in and began counting their scores. After a while, their marks were announced.

Xie Yuqing took a look at the marks. By simply having the Heavenly Fire Herb in possession, Fu Changling had already taken the lead. Xie Yuqing gathered all their marks and then she said, “Let us go.”

Before everyone could understand what she meant, enormous white cranes screeched as they descended from the sky, falling right in front of the rest of the examinees. Shangguan Mingyan had stayed in the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng for quite some time, so he knew what these white cranes meant. He climbed onto the back of one and patted its head. The white crane happily squawked and lifted them into the skies, bringing Shangguan Mingyan towards a beautiful palace hovering in the sky.

The other disciples followed his lead and one by one, they were also lifted towards the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng. Fu Changling raised his head to look, then turned to Yun Yu next to him and said, “Are we going to meet the elders?”

“Just go and you’ll find out.” Yun Yu hovered on his sword. “Let’s go.”

Speaking, Yun Yu lifted himself into the sky and left. Fu Changling got up on the white crane and sprawled on its back. He patted its head and said, “Take it easy when you’re flying, I want to take a rest.”

Trembling, the white crane flew steadily and slowly. Lying on its back, Fu Changling took one pellet of the medicine that Shen Qingzhu had made for him to conceal the existence of his golden core, then clung onto the white crane as he rested himself.

Disciples continuously arrived at the heavenly palace one after another. Some of these white cranes were bad-tempered to begin with and had taken their riders into sharp loops across the sky. Hence, some of the disciples sprawled onto the ground and vomited shortly after they’d landed.

Shangguan Mingyan was a little better off, although he wasn’t feeling very good after he’d landed. After all, a special set of skills that came from training were needed to maneuver these cranes.

A group of people lingered there for a while before they came back to their senses. Seeing that everyone was almost prepared, Yun Yu said, “Where is Shen Xiufan?”

Most of the people stared dazedly before Shangguan Mingyan spoke up, “Brother Shen is on his way. He’s not far back, just over there!”

Everyone’s gaze turned to the direction where Shangguan Mingyan was pointing to and saw, not far off, a young man wearing green robes with embroidery of peacocks, lying on the back of a white crane, holding the crane’s neck with his arms, sleeping soundly. The white crane was flying at a slow and steady pace, perhaps even slower compared to elderly folk of seventy to eighty taking a stroll. They were not even a hundred zhang away, but it seemed to be taking its time.

“Is that white crane too old?” One examinee blurted out, “Why is it flying so slow?”

“That’s one of our wildest.” Yun Yu, too, found it strange. “What’s wrong with it today?”

Most of the people were puzzled. While Fu Changling, having rested himself, lifted his gaze up to see the rest of the people waiting for him at the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng. He felt a little embarrassed, so he straightened his back and lightly patted the rear of the crane, quietly saying, “Go.”

The white crane seemed to have endured the humiliation of the century having its rear touched, but it didn’t dare to infuriate its rider after having sensed his soul. It swiftly flew across the air to the landing spot steadily then flew off before Fu Changling could thank it.

Yun Yu looked at the white crane, then back at Fu Changling, and asked, “Let some of the people from the veterinarian take a look at Xiao Hong. It seems to be behaving strangely today.”

Yun Yang agreed with him. Xie Yuqing, upon seeing that everyone had arrived, placed her hand onto her sword, turned and said, “Go.”

She hadn’t said much. Yun Yu then quickly added, “Form a queue in pairs and follow Xie Shijie. Don’t create a disturbance.”

This was the fourth sector. Everyone was nervous. Fu Changling and Shangguan Mingyan stood in a row behind Xie Yuqing as they made their way in.

The outermost perimeter of the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng was a long corridor made of wood lined with balusters as it reached inside. A few people were sitting on their sides, dazedly reading books or committing themselves to trivial matters.

There were considerably fewer people on the platform where the cranes had landed. But as they turned a corner, more and more people showed up wearing palace uniforms of the disciples of the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng as they wandered to and fro. Some of them were engaged in a discussion, and some of them were laughing and playing. A hive of activity was taking place, creating a very rowdy and lively atmosphere.

After passing through the outermost corridor was a multitude of little courtyards, terrace pavilions, and gardens. They were walking for almost half a shichen when everyone finally stopped before a grand palace. Xie Yuqing stopped and Yun Yu turned to the rest of them and said, “Sort yourself out and don’t go in disheveled.”

With these words, everyone began to adjust their attire with their heads low. At this moment, their gazes were distracted by the sight of Fu Changling taking out a bronze mirror from his spiritual pouch as he began fumbling with his hair.

It was at that split second that everyone knew that they'd lost.

Yun Yu looked at him, astonished, “How could you have even brought such a thing?!”

Fu Changling gave him a bashful smile. “These are times of need.”

“Brother Shen’s ‘times of need’,” Shangguan Mingyan eyed him and said, “Seem to come far too often.”

As the group of people chatted, Xie Yuqing walked up and knelt on a single knee. She raised her sword in front of her and bowed in greeting. “This humble disciple, Xie Yuqing, has brought twenty examinees before the palace.”

Hearing these words, everyone fell into silence. After a while, a cold and lonesome voice came from the inside, “Enter.”

Xie Yuqing got to her feet and straightforwardly entered while everyone sank into nervousness as they followed behind her. None of them uttered a word.

Fu Changling was still containing himself but Shangguan Mingyan’s hand had already begun to tremble. All twenty of them entered the great hall and none of them had dared to lift their heads. Fu Changling briefly observed his surroundings and saw a person sitting in front of them. He wore azure robes with a jade guan—none other than the Palace Lord of the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng, Jiang Yebai. He had three people sitting on his left.

The first was a person wearing white inner robes and an outer blue robe and a taiji-clothed guan[1] on his head, who looked in his early thirties with a smile that looked like the calm winds of spring. It was difficult to tell any sort of emotions from his expression.

“The Elder of the Daoist Sect, an immortalization stage cultivator, Yuqiong Zhenjun.”

Fu Changling recognized the other person as he turned his gaze southward.

Sitting below the Elder of the Daoist Sect was a young man in a green-blue robe. He wore a frosty expression and had a sword with a greenish-blue sheath by his side. This was the Elder of the Sword Sect, Sanggan-Jun.

Below the Elder of the Sword Sect was a middle-aged man wearing robes as vibrantly beautiful as the colour of the moon. He wore a calm expression and looked like just any ordinary scholar-bureaucrat from the mortal realm. This was the Elder of the Scholarly Sect, Liu Shuzhen.

There were four more cattail futons on Jiang Yebai’s right, and yet only three of them were occupied. Those three people looked very young and they were all eccentrically dressed.

The first was a woman who wore strange makeup on her face, a little doll sitting on her shoulder. She was most likely a member of the Yue Clan, the Elder of the Yue family, Yue Mingming.

The second was a young man with white silk over both his eyes, wearing a white robe with embroideries of spider lilies. This was naturally the Elder of the Su Clan, Su Zhiyan.

The last one was a young man wearing black robes and a golden guan, his thin lips curved into a smile as he tapped his little golden fan on his palm. Curiously, he observed all the disciples down below. Fu Changling knew this man—it was his Third Uncle, an immortalization stage cultivator over two hundred years old, the Elder of the Fu Clan, Fu Yulan.

The cattail futon next to Fu Yulan was empty. Although it was not stated apparently, Fu Changling knew that this empty cattail futon was specifically reserved for members of the Lin Clan.

They were born with a sword bone in their backs. They were born prodigies. The Venerate Sword Ye Lan was originally a member of the Lin Clan himself. Even though they had not shown up, it was necessary for the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng to reserve a position of an Elder for them.

After Fu Changling recalled every face in his mind, Jiang Yebai, who sat aloft, spoke, “Let us first test your spiritual roots.”

Speaking, he lifted a hand. A sphere of vibrant light materialized from his palm. Jiang Yebai delivered the spherical ball of light towards his front and watched as it descended unto the center of the great hall. Everyone watched it nervously, and then heard Jiang Yebai say, “Come forth according to your sequences.”

After speaking, Yun Yu gestured and allowed all the examinees to take their turns stepping forwards. Everyone placed a hand onto the spherical ball of light, watching as it emitted a galore of different brightness and colours. When it came to Fu Changling, the ball burst into silver light when he placed his hand onto it. Everyone sitting above them straightened their backs as they watched. Fu Changling withdrew his hand and heard Fu Yulan say, “A heavenly spiritual root of the thunder element. I’ve only seen such a breed on my little grand-nephew back in my clan.”

Fu Changling, “...” He really wanted to shut him up.

If a member of the Fu family wasn’t extraordinarily talkative, then they were extraordinarily untalkative. This Fu Yulan was obviously the first. After he pointed out Fu Changling’s breed of spiritual root, he lifted his head to look at Fu Changling and said, “Not even are your spiritual roots the same, even the way you dress strongly resembles the Fu Clan. This little friend, what’s your name? How old are you? Did you enroll to be a sword or a daoist cultivator…”

“Elder Fu.” Jiang Yebai calmly spoke, “Silence.”

These words failed to make Fu Yulan feel even a little bit embarrassed. He all but turned his head, waving his fan, and took the teacup from the servant who stood behind him to take a sip.

All twenty of them finished the test somewhat quickly. Then, Yun Yu led them out. After the gates of the great hall closed, Xie Yuqing submitted all twenty examinee’s previous scores, test papers, and documents.

Fu Yulan wanted to take a look at Fu Changling’s documents first. After taking a look, he astonishingly said, “He got all 天! The Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng has never had a student who scored full marks in the literacy test. Although this person is young, he is truly well-read.”

Speaking, Fu Yulan unfurled the scroll and saw Fu Changling’s painting. “Such craftsmanship is truly ingenious. Without more than ten years of practice, this could never be done…”

“What about A-Yan?”

Jiang Yebai asked Xie Yuqing, who stood in front of him, softly when the scroll was passed to him.

Without a flicker of emotions, Xie Yuqing bowed and said, “He’s gone to the rear of the mountains and hasn’t returned.”

Jiang Yebai momentarily froze. He lifted his head and a crease deepened between his brows. “What’s he doing at the rear of the mountain?”

“Forbidding the examinees from wandering out of the examination area.”

Xie Yuqing explained word by word. Jiang Yebai said nothing. He held the scroll for a very long time and after a while, he nodded and said nothing.

After all Seven Elders and Jiang Yebai saw their scores, they began making arrangements. The Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng categorized their disciples strictly—disciplines of varying spiritual roots would be allocated to corresponding shifus. After every elder had picked their own disciples, the only one left was none other than Fu Changling.

“Having obtained 天 for all four sectors,” Fu Yulan sighed, “If a person of such test results were to pick the Daoist cultivation path, he would have best suited to me. What a pity.” Fu Yulan turned to Jiang Yebai. “The best teacher of the sword is none other than you, Palace Lord, as well as Sanggan-Jun. This person, Shen Xiufan, is an excellent breed. What does the Palace Lord think?”

Jiang Yebai said nothing. He turned his gaze to Sanggan-Jun, who was adjusting his robes. At Jiang Yebai’s gaze, Sanggan-Jun immediately said, “He is far too talented and I have far too many disciples, I cannot take him.”

In the last few years, Sanggan-Jun did receive a multitude of sword cultivators in the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng.

After a momentary thought, Jiang Yebai said, “Then he will be mine.”

Hearing these words, the rest congratulated him, but Jiang Yebai had said, “He will be an indirect disciple.”

Although he was an indirect disciple, everyone knew that Qin Yan was Jiang Yebai’s only direct disciple. Shen Xiufan would become the second disciple of Jiang Yebai from all those years. Whether he was direct or indirect, his qualification was already worlds ahead compared to ordinary disciples of the other elders.

Fu Yulan sighed and after Jiang Yebai finished writing the name list and passed it to Xie Yuqing, he said, “Go make the announcement.”

Xie Yuqing took the name list, bowed, and took her leave.

Since coming out of the great hall, Fu Changling never spoke. He had been resting himself against the balusters with his eyes closed.

On the contrary, Shangguan Mingyan and the other disciples were in the heart of discussion. A group of people blathering about everything that had happened just now. Fu Changling desultorily listened, but after a while, Xie Yuqing walked out. Everyone fell into silence. Even Fu Changling was slowly opening his eyes, looking at Xie Yuqing who stood on the stage.

When Xie Yuqing spoke, she made her words precise, “The name list has been released. Those who were called, follow your respective shifus. Those who aren’t called, follow Yun Yang Shixiong down the mountain. To the Sword Sect’s Sanggan-Jun, Shangguan Mingyan.”

Hearing these words, Shangguan Mingyan happily walked forward. He bowed at Xie Yuqing. After she nodded back, Yun Yu waved at him, “Mingyan, follow me.”

“To Yu Qiong Zhenjun, Yang Yi.”

“To Elder Liu, Zhang Zhiqi.”

……

Name after name Xie Yuqing called out, until finally, she said Fu Changling’s name, “To Palace Lord Jiang, Shen Xiufan.”

Hearing these words, Fu Changling froze on the spot. Only after a while did he come back to his senses. “I’m following Palace Lord Jiang?”

Envious gazes lingered on him. After being momentarily dazed, Yun Yu rushed up to Fu Changling and held his hand and appreciatively said, “This is too great! After so many years, finally, someone has come to fill in my position!”

“What… What does this mean?”

Fu Changling felt a little afraid. Yun Yu appeared to want to say something, but Xie Yuqing interrupted, “Follow your own Shixiongs back to your respective peaks now. As for the rest of the disciples, you will all receive a letter of reference from the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng. Although your paths may not intersect with the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng, there will be a place for you among the hundred sects out there. I hope you will all not abandon the path of immortals, and may we need again in the future.”

Speaking, Xie Yuqing placed her hands in front of herself and bowed to the rest. A few disciples’ eyes had brimmed red as they returned the bow and followed Yun Yang back down the mountain.

Everyone followed their own Shixiongs and Shijies back to the peaks which they belonged to. Leading Fu Changling and Shangguan Mingyan, Yun Yu said, “Dashixiong isn’t here, so Xiudan, you can follow me. Yuqing Shijie,” Yun Yu called after Xie Yuqing who was prepared to leave. Xie Yuqing stopped on her tracks and heard Yun Yu said, “Are you going back to Bright Mulberry Peak? Could you help me take Mingyan back as well?”

Xie Yuqing’s gaze turned and fell upon Shangguan Mingyan. Shangguan Mingyan felt intimidated by those phoenix eyes of hers and instantly said, “I will go back on my own. It’s not a problem.”

“Let us go.”

Xie Yuqing impassively spoke, then she turned. Shangguan Mingyan was frozen on where he stood for a moment. Seeing him pacing off, Yun Yu gave him a push and urged, “What are you doing here, pacing out? Go on.”

Only then did Shangguan Mingyan return to his senses. He quickly chased after Xie Yuqing as they departed. Yun Yu turned to Fu Changling, and told him, “Let’s go. I will deliver you to the Lasting Moon Peak.”

“Thank you, Shixiong.”

Fu Changling smiled with squinted eyes. Yun Yu eyed him and said, “Do you know how to fly on your sword?”

“I know a little bit.”

Fu Changling nodded. Yun Yu summoned his sword and flew upwards. Fu Changling didn’t fall behind as he caught up to Yun Yu.

The both of them were flying in the air when Yun Yu eyed him and said, “In the past, you must have trained yourself quite frequently at home.”

Being asked about his past, Fu Changling believed that the less he spoke, the less plot holes he would dig himself. “En.”

Yun Yu nodded and looked towards the high peak in the distance. “The Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng is separated into the main palace and eight small peaks. The Seven Elders and the Palace Lord himself lived on the eight small peaks, and the peak which Palace Lord Jiang lives in is the Lasting Moon Peak. Only accepted disciples and those of above that rank are permitted to live in their respective peaks. Normal disciples would have to be living in the main palace. Usually, all exams and practices would also be taking place in the main palace, understood?”

Fu Changling nodded. “Understood.”

“There wouldn't be too many disciples who are formally accepted by each peak, but there wouldn't be too few in number. Per the norm, there would usually be twenty, give or take. One disciple would be elected from each of them to take care of any trivial matters taking place in the peak. Originally, the direct disciples would be taking on these roles but it's a pity that regardless of whether it's Dashixiong or Xie Shijie, they see nothing else but their swords, so these matters usually…” Yun Yu had a pained expression on his face. “Fall upon my responsibility. I alone have been taking care of two peaks for so many years. At such a young age, how great a burden I've been carrying! Thankfully, you're here now so in the future, all the Lasting Moon Peak's affairs will depend entirely on you! Best if you don't seek me out at all, understood?”

“Un...Understood.”

Fu Changling was a little speechless at that plaintive tone from Yun Yu. He quickly replied, “Rest assured, I will be taking good care of the Lasting Moon Peak.”

As the both of them spoke, they gradually landed on the Lasting Moon Peak.

It has been a long time since anyone had sorted out the Lasting Moon Peak. It looked infested with vegetation. Yun Yu led Fu Changling as they beelined through it and arrived at the foot of the peak. There was a palace sitting aloft and as Yun Yu stopped before its gates, he told Fu Changling, “This is Reaching Moon Palace, an abode which Dashixiong alone lives in. In the sky,” Yun Yu pointed above and Fu Changling lifted his head to see a floating residence. Yun Yu pointed at the little house in the courtyard and said, “That’s the Inquiry Moon Palace, the abode of Palace Lord Jiang.”

“Palace Lord Jiang isn’t living in the Lasting Moon Peak?”

Fu Changling found this odd. Yun Yu shook his head. “No. Only Dashixiong lives in the Lasting Moon Peak, and now, there’s you.”

“Then,” Fu Changling looked around him, his heartbeat rising. He pointed at the Reaching Moon Palace and said, “Then now, am I going to live with Dashixiong?”

“Dream on.”

Yun Yu gave him a disgusted look. “Reaching Moon Palace was solely built by Palace Lord Jiang for Dashixiong. If you want a place to live in, build it yourself.”

“Build it myself?” Fu Changling blurted out.

Yun Yu nodded and said, “That’s right. The entire Lasting Moon Peak is yours. You can build anything you please. Wake up early tomorrow for the graduation ceremony. I will tell you something: After the ceremony, I will be bringing the accounts to you. In the future, don’t come seeking for me about matters in the Lasting Moon Peak.”

“Wait, wait.” Fu Changling caught Yun Yu when he heard it. “Then where will I be sleeping tonight?”

“You should ask Dashixiong about that.”

“Then where is Dashixiong?”

“How would I know? It’s not like Dashixiong tells me where he goes.”

Yun Yu brushed off Fu Changling’s hand from his sleeve, and smiled. “Goodbye.”

Having said his part, Yun Yu turned into a ray of brilliant light and vanished into the horizon.

Fu Changling stood in front of the Reaching Moon Palace. He took a look at the colour of the sky, then at his surroundings. He needed to think of where he would be sleeping tonight.

After a moment of thought, he brazenly waltzed into the Reaching Moon Palace. It was exactly the same as he remembered it; there were its large marble grounds, the moon-arch door, and every single item of display inside, every object, was more or less identical to his memory.

He took a full saunter in Qin Yan’s living place and found an empty room at the side. He searched out a jade bed, a blanket, and all sorts of daily necessities from his spiritual pouch…

It only took him a while to decorate the entire room. At this moment, the moon was already hanging aloft in the skies. Qin Yan hadn’t returned. He gave it some thought and decided not to wait for Qin Yan any longer. Falling onto the bed, Fu Changling pulled the blankets over himself.

After he’d pulled the blankets over him, as he gripped tightly onto it, his heart was beating fast. He was both eager for the future, as well as afraid.

Just as he was mulling over it, a series of staggering footsteps sounded from the outside.

Qin Yan has returned!