Ye Ping was already certain.
He must have encountered one of those hidden sects. They all looked utterly ordinary, but in truth, every one of them was an unrivaled expert.
People like that had grown weary of the mundane world. Having already stood at the pinnacle of the world, they found life far too dull, so they disguised themselves as ordinary people in search of some thrill.
Of course, this was only his own conjecture. Whether it was truly the case still needed to be slowly verified.
But this Eldest Senior Brother was definitely an expert.
If even this was not an expert, then who was?
And sensing the unconcealable excitement on Ye Ping’s face, Su Changyu also understood that his bluff had succeeded.
“Enough, Ye Ping. Come with me into the sect, and do not disturb your senior brother’s quiet cultivation.”
Daoist Taihua spoke.
Ye Ping immediately nodded, then respectfully bowed to Su Changyu again.
After that, he followed Daoist Taihua toward the mountain gate.
Only after Ye Ping had left
did Su Changyu finally let out a breath.
His nervous mood calmed down as well.
Then he muttered to himself.
“Of the three million sword immortals in the heavens, even they must lower their brows before me. Heh, heh. Pretentious enough.”
Su Changyu smiled, and his air of transcendent, Daoist elegance vanished in an instant.
Qingyun Dao Sect.
Ye Ping followed Daoist Taihua inside.
The dilapidated mountain gate, along with the lone stick of incense in the incense burner, thoroughly embodied the word “destitute.”
Even Daoist Taihua himself could not help but feel embarrassed when he saw it.
However, when Ye Ping saw the environment of Qingyun Dao Sect, not only did he show not the slightest disdain, he instead revealed a look of delight.
This left Daoist Taihua a little dumbfounded.
You can actually look pleased at a place like this?
Have you never cultivated before?
Daoist Taihua was somewhat puzzled. He had even prepared himself for Ye Ping to turn around and leave on the spot, but he had never expected Ye Ping to actually look happy. Were there still such simple and honest young cultivators these days?
This child has a great future.
Daoist Taihua thought to himself.
As for why Ye Ping revealed a look of delight, the reason was very simple.
This was exactly the style of a hidden sect.
As a transmigrator, Ye Ping had read countless web novels. Their descriptions of hidden sects could be summed up in two words.
Abnormal!
That was right—abnormal.
Other sects were splendid and magnificent, wishing they could carve the word “awesome” onto their mountain gates. But truly powerful hidden sects preferred to keep a low profile.
The lower-profile the better, the simpler the better, giving people the illusion that, at a glance, they were clearly some garbage sect.
But in truth, this was a kind of test—the hidden sect’s test for newly admitted disciples.
It was just like in mythological stories, where those immortals loved using such tricks to deceive mortals. Guanyin Bodhisattva taking a tattered kasaya to exchange for Tang Xuanzang’s riches and honor—stories like that were everywhere.
Thinking of this, how could Ye Ping not understand?
Thus, Ye Ping became even more certain that this was a hidden sect.
“Ye Ping, come with me.”
Daoist Taihua spoke.
Ye Ping immediately nodded.
Then he followed Daoist Taihua into the main hall.
Although Qingyun Dao Sect looked extremely run-down, Ye Ping still keenly noticed something different about it: it was clean and tidy.
That was right. Clean.
If this were a fallen sect, how could it possibly be cleaned so thoroughly?
Although, on the surface, the sect master had emphasized before they arrived that Qingyun Dao Sect was an unranked sect, based on this point alone, Ye Ping could sense that this Qingyun Dao Sect was definitely not as simple as it appeared.
As expected, even the most meticulous plan had its oversight.
Although they tried their utmost to conceal it, they still could not escape his discerning eyes.
Ye Ping could not help but praise his own sharpness and wit.
Just as the two of them entered the main hall,
Daoist Taihua’s voice rang out.
“Ye Ping, now that you have come to the Dao Sect, this poor Daoist still has a few words to say. There is no need for you to answer in a hurry. Listen to this poor Daoist first.”
Daoist Taihua did not refer to himself as “your master,” but instead used “this poor Daoist,” making him seem solemn.
Ye Ping immediately responded with solemnity as well, looking at Daoist Taihua seriously.
“As the saying goes, cultivating immortality is difficult—more difficult than ascending the blue heavens. The path of cultivation may seem like a broad and smooth road, but in truth, it is covered in thorns. Let us not even speak of the countless dangers. Just cultivation itself is often measured in decades. So if you truly wish to set foot on this path, you must maintain a pure and sincere heart.”
“Do not aim too high, and do not give up halfway simply because you have not seen results after a long time. Without perseverance, it is difficult to accomplish anything great. You must think this through carefully.”
Daoist Taihua spoke with incomparable seriousness, his words carrying an indescribable desolation.
But the reason he said this was still to give Ye Ping a precautionary warning in advance. After all, one look told him that Ye Ping’s aptitude was probably not very good. What if, after cultivating for three or five months, he still could not even sense spiritual energy and simply patted his backside and left?
So he had to intimidate him first.
“Disciple understands. The path of cultivating immortality is, by nature, a path destined for solitude. When an immortal enters seclusion, the world may already have changed beyond recognition by the time he emerges. Since disciple has chosen this path, I will naturally calm my mind and steady my heart. I absolutely will not indulge in wild thoughts or stray onto the wrong path.”
Ye Ping agreed with these words very much.
Having read so many novels, even if he had never eaten pork, he had at least seen pigs run.
If cultivating immortality were that easy, then everyone would go cultivate.
“Very good.”
Daoist Taihua nodded in satisfaction. Though Ye Ping’s aptitude might not be much, his mentality was quite good.
Unlike the previous few newly admitted disciples, who had not even cultivated for a few months before wishing they could complete Qi Refining today, complete Foundation Establishment tomorrow, condense a Golden Core the day after, and become a Nascent Soul ancestor the day after that.
Truly wishful thinking.
“Since you can endure loneliness, this poor Daoist has nothing else to say. However, Ye Ping, this poor Daoist will emphasize this one last time. During your probationary cultivation period, the sect will not issue you any stipend. Only after you become an official disciple will you receive a stipend. Can you accept this?”
Daoist Taihua asked even more seriously.
At the same time, there was a trace of nervousness in his eyes.
Only, that trace of nervousness was hard to notice, and Ye Ping did not pay attention to it either.
“Please rest assured, Sect Master. Money and wealth are external possessions. The sect teaching me to cultivate immortality is already a great kindness. How would disciple dare demand money? As the saying goes, do not always think about what benefits the sect can give you; think more about what benefits you can bring to the sect.”
Ye Ping said with incomparable fervor.
To a transmigrator, having someone teach him to cultivate immortality already made them a benefactor as vast as the heavens. Silver or no silver was far too superficial.
“Good!”
The moment Daoist Taihua heard this, his entire spirit was instantly roused.
Ye Ping’s words had simply spoken straight to his heart.
Do not always think about what benefits the sect can bring you; think more about what benefits you can bring to the sect.
Good, good.
Who said that? Truly a kindred spirit. They should drink tea together sometime.
Daoist Taihua rejoiced inwardly.
He had really picked up a treasure this time.
However, very soon, Daoist Taihua still steadied his emotions and looked at Ye Ping.
“In that case, this poor Daoist shall accept you as a disciple. However, for now, you will still be a nominal disciple. After you become official, we will hold a grand disciple-taking ceremony.”
Daoist Taihua said as such.
“Many thanks, Master. Disciple will certainly not let down Master’s great favor.”
Hearing that he had been accepted into the sect, Ye Ping immediately bowed excitedly.
“In that case, your master will take you to your lodging. Spend the next few days familiarizing yourself with the sect environment. In two days, your master will have your Eldest Senior Brother teach you how to cultivate. Remember, haste makes waste. On the path of cultivation, you must advance one step at a time. You must not be impatient. Do you understand?”
Daoist Taihua said seriously.
“Yes! This disciple understands.”
Ye Ping nodded solemnly.
He was also filled with anticipation for the future.