Taking a Master

Seeing the green-robed man appear in the courtyard like an immortal descending to earth, Li Xiangping felt a bitter taste in his mouth and thought in dismay, *Damn it, could the owner of that mirror have tracked us down?!* Terror seized him at once. The newcomer seemed profoundly mystical, his depth unfathomable. Glancing up at Li Chijing and Li Tongya, he saw that while both wore composed expressions, panic lingered deep in their eyes; they were almost certainly harboring the same thought. "I am the Peak Master of Qingsui Peak of the Qingchi Sect." Si Yuanbai offered a faint smile. Noting that the members of the Li family were on high guard rather than falling to their knees in worship like ordinary folk, he felt even more convinced of his earlier assessment, and said with an easy grin, "You need not be so tense. This Guli Road belongs to my Qingchi Sect. Now that you cultivate the immortal path, you naturally fall under our governance." Realizing this man had not come seeking the bronze mirror, Li Tongya and the others breathed a collective sigh of relief, their hostility toward Si Yuanbai waning considerably. Cupping his hands, Li Tongya spoke with deep respect, "We are merely ignorant folk from the wilderness. Having attained Xuan Scenery by sheer chance, we know nothing of your noble sect's great standing, and must ask your forgiveness for our neglectful welcome, Envoy." Si Yuanbai paused in surprise, then immediately understood. For hundreds of years, no one from the sect had come to inspect Guli Road, so it was hardly strange that these villagers did not recognize the name of the Qingchi Sect. Forming an incantation gesture, he manifested a vivid, lifelike projection of the State of Yue before them. This demonstration stunned the Li brothers. Though Li Chijing and the others had learned techniques and could channel magical power, shaping it into recognizable forms was a struggle, let alone manipulating it with such exquisite precision to craft a full map. "This is the State of Yue." With a thought, a patch of azure bloomed across the southern portion of the projected state, occupying roughly a quarter of its territory. "And this is my Qingchi Sect." "So it is the immortal Qingchi Sect," Li Mutian said, cupping his hands. "In my youth, this old man followed General Yang on the campaign against the Shanyue. The talismans issued back then must have come from your immortal sect." "We hardly dare claim the title of an immortal sect." Si Yuanbai waved his hands dismissively, then addressed the three brothers. "Since you have stepped through the gates of Xuan Scenery, the few villages bordering Guli Road will fall under your management. You need only remember to submit the required tribute of resources to the sect each year. "There are a few other families along Guli Road. Your roots are shallow, so yield where you can and avoid unnecessary strife. Every five years, the sect sends emissaries to recruit disciples up the mountain. If an exceptional talent emerges from your clan, it will bring immense benefits to your family." Li Tongya's expression shifted slightly, and he asked in a low voice, "Dare I ask what tribute is required...?" "Once every five years: ten Baiyuan fruits and two hundred jin of spirit rice." Si Yuanbai took on a solemn tone. "These resources must never be short. It is best to have a disciple enter the sect as well; otherwise, the collectors will inevitably skim off their share..." Having heard him speak so plainly, how could Li Tongya fail to grasp his implication? The family members exchanged glances, and Li Mutian thought to himself, *He didn't come early, nor did he come late, but showed himself right when Jing'er broke through. Most likely, he wants Jing'er to enter the Qingchi Sect.* *Still, this is no bad thing. Jing'er possesses exceptional talent, and remaining in these deep mountains would only hold him back. Better for him to spread his wings in that immortal sect; having one of our own inside will also give our family support both within and without.* With that thought, Li Mutian gave Li Chijing a gentle nod. Reading his father's intent at once, Li Chijing bowed deeply to Si Yuanbai and said with utmost deference, "Chijing is dull and lacking in talent, yet I deeply admire the Peak Master's peerless bearing. I beg to enter your peak as a sweeping boy to heed your immortal teachings." "Good, good. You were meant for my Qingsui Peak." Si Yuanbai dropped all pretense of ceremony and smiled with a nod. Patting his waist with his left hand, two bundles—one large, one small—appeared upon the ground. Seeing their astonished looks, he explained, "This is a storage bag. Once you condense the Yujing Wheel, you will be able to use it as well. "Of these two bundles, the larger contains seeds of spirit rice, and the smaller holds seeds of the Baiyuan fruit." Flipping his hand, Si Yuanbai produced several wooden slips and continued, "There is no need to speak of being a sweeping boy. Since you have entered my tutelage, you should know my name. Your master is surnamed Si, given name Yuanbai. As a peak master in the Qingchi Sect, I naturally will not treat you unfairly. "These three scrolls contain cultivation methods of rogue cultivators from the State of Yue, which your family may consult and draw upon. The other scroll details the cultivation methods for spirit rice and Baiyuan fruit. You must study it diligently!" The family members murmured their compliance. Si Yuanbai smiled and asked, "No need to be so anxious. What method do you cultivate?" Li Xiangping and the others tensed as though confronting a mortal enemy. They exchanged several wary glances, and for a moment, none dared speak. Seeing them hem and haw, realization dawned on Si Yuanbai. He waved his hand repeatedly. "I understand, I understand. That senior must have left strict instructions." Having only achieved Foundation Establishment the previous year, Si Yuanbai naturally regarded the cultivator from ten years ago as a senior. Hearing this, Li Mutian gave a dry cough, stepped forward from behind his sons, and said in a low voice, "More than ten years ago, this old man saved a senior. That senior nursed his wounds in my home for a few years, left behind this technique, and sternly warned me never to divulge it before departing like the wind..." "Indeed!" Si Yuanbai nodded gently, secretly pleased with his own sharpness. He mused, *It is merely a wheel nourishing method after all; could it really be some divine art that takes in solar essence and absorbs moon essence? There is no need to press them and sour the bond with my new disciple.* Casting a look of pity upon the old man, Si Yuanbai flipped his palm to reveal a pale-green jade seal. Stroking it lightly, the seal began to glow with golden radiance, and several large golden characters surfaced upon it: *Governed by Qingchi*. Looking at the family, Si Yuanbai said, "This is proof of your subordinate status beneath the Qingchi Sect. I have already infused it with my dharmic seal. With this, you can demarcate boundaries with neighboring clans, or summon aid from the sect in times of peril. Guard it well." Supporting it with an upturned palm, he sent the jade seal floating gently into Li Tongya's hands. Seeing Li Tongya stow it safely away, Si Yuanbai turned to Li Chijing with a smile. "Good disciple, bid your family farewell." With reddened eyes, Li Chijing embraced his two older brothers, then knelt before Li Mutian and kowtowed several times. Weeping softly, he said, "Your unfilial son can no longer serve at your knee. Father, please take care of your health." Li Mutian coughed a few times and hurriedly helped Li Chijing to his feet, instructing, "Your two brothers will look after things at home, so do not worry. Cultivate diligently in the sect and become the pillar our Li family can rely on." After exchanging farewells with his brothers once more, Li Chijing walked reluctantly back to Si Yuanbai's side and reported, "Master, this disciple has bid farewell to my family." Si Yuanbai nodded repeatedly. Paying no heed to Li Tongya and the others as they bowed low, he let out a hearty laugh and muttered to himself, "Having taken such a fine disciple today, I shall spare that boar demon's life!" With that, he took Li Chijing by the hand and waved gently. A flying shuttle materialized before him. With another pinch of an incantation gesture, the shuttle abruptly lengthened several times over. The two stepped onto it, shooting northward like a falling star.