First Day Missing My Second Apprentice

Early morning, in his room, Cui Hao leisurely stretched his arms.

Now, he was finally...

What was it again?

Yesterday had been too nerve-wracking—he hadn’t even dared to ask the name of the sect.

But it wasn’t a big deal. After all, this was an officially recognized sect collaborating with the Xuanwu Kingdom.

Now, he, Cui Hao, had officially embarked on the path of cultivation.

Excited, Cui Hao pushed open the door and stepped outside, his gaze sweeping the surroundings until it landed on Third Senior Sister sitting on a stone bench by the pond.

She had placed a thick, lengthy book on the bench and was reading it with utmost focus.

Truly befitting an immortal cultivator—so diligent in her studies.

Cui Hao approached and cupped his hands in greeting toward the senior sister, who only reached up to his waist.

"Third Senior Sister, good morning."

Chen Baiqing glanced sideways and gave a slight nod.

"Mm, good morning. Would you like some candied fruit, Junior Brother?"

Without waiting for a reply, she picked up a piece from the side and handed it to Cui Hao.

"Ah...?" Cui Hao quickly accepted the treat.

After sharing the candied fruit with her junior brother, Chen Baiqing returned her attention to the book.

She was nearly finished with it and had already grasped most of its contents.

In the past, she had been ignorant, but now she realized just how perilous this world truly was.

Dragons soared through the clouds, and demons and spirits lurked, ensnaring the hearts of men.

It was impossible to guard against everything. As their master had said, this world was fraught with danger.

While reading, Chen Baiqing offered some advice to the newcomer.

"Junior Brother, if you have any questions about cultivation, you can ask me. If I don’t know the answer, you can seek out First Senior Sister."

Cui Hao nodded and pulled out the "Qi Refinement and Spirit Nurturing Art" from his robes.

"Third Senior Sister, there are some things I genuinely don’t understand. I’ve never encountered anything like this before."

Chen Baiqing gave him a slightly surprised look before taking the manual.

Wasn’t this the most basic technique? How could he not understand it?

Unless this seemingly ordinary cultivation method was actually one of their master’s secret teachings?

With a serious expression, she flipped to the first page and skimmed through it.

It was, in fact, just the most generic foundational Qi Refinement manual.

Its only advantage was that it allowed practitioners to switch to other techniques freely before reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.

In other words, it was a placeholder—something to practice when you didn’t know what else to cultivate.

Puzzled, Chen Baiqing studied Cui Hao and, confirming his genuine confusion, patiently explained the basics.

This manual was the very foundation of cultivation. Fortunately, Cui Hao had the "Gifted and Intelligent" trait, so after her detailed guidance, he quickly grasped the key principles.

A smile spread across Cui Hao’s face. "Thank you, Third Senior Sister. I’ll go practice right away."

"No need for thanks. But I’m not as clever as First Senior Sister—she might have better insights. You could try asking her." Chen Baiqing spoke earnestly, her small face serious. "Most of my foundational knowledge was taught by her."

Cui Hao cupped his hands again in gratitude and was about to leave when he turned and saw Lin Luoyu approaching with a book in hand.

To his surprise, out of all the candidates, only he and Lin Luoyu had been accepted into the sect.

He just hoped she wouldn’t expose his embarrassing past…

Otherwise, he’d be socially doomed in this sect too.

If only he hadn’t drawn those things—he should’ve just endured a few days of plain congee and pickles.

Stepping forward, Cui Hao greeted her with a smile. "Miss Lin, are you also struggling with the cultivation method?"

"Miss Lin?"

"Fourth Senior Sister…"

Lin Luoyu nodded in satisfaction. "Thank you for your concern, Junior Brother. I do have some questions and was hoping Third Senior Sister could clarify."

Cui Hao puffed up with confidence. "Ah, no need! I just had Third Senior Sister explain it to me. Let me help you instead."

"Really…?"

Lin Luoyu eyed him skeptically but still handed over her manual.

Confidently taking it, Cui Hao’s eyes immediately fell on the title:

"Nine Mysteries Righteous Qi Art"

Huh?

This wasn’t the "Qi Refinement and Spirit Nurturing Art"!

Just from the name alone, this technique sounded leagues ahead of his own.

He flipped through the first few pages, scanning the contents, before sheepishly returning it to Lin Luoyu.

Individually, he recognized the characters, but strung together, they made no sense to him.

The barrier to entry for cultivation was truly high.

Since this was a core technique, Cui Hao didn’t dare bluff. He quickly stepped aside to make way.

"My apologies for overstepping, Fourth Senior Sister. Please, go ahead."

Chen Baiqing, who had been listening nearby, rose from the stone bench and approached. She took the "Nine Mysteries Righteous Qi Art" from Lin Luoyu.

Their master had said that mutual support was what made a sect feel like home.

She carefully studied the manual.

The basic concepts weren’t hard to grasp, but some of the deeper principles, while understandable to her, were difficult to articulate for teaching purposes.

After a long pause, Chen Baiqing spoke.

"I’m not sure I can explain this well. Maybe we should wait and ask First Senior Sister or Master later."

Lin Luoyu nodded respectfully. "Thank you, Third Senior Sister."

"No need." Chen Baiqing used a wisp of spiritual energy to float a piece of candied fruit over and offered it. "Here, try one. They’re delicious."

"Thank you, Senior Sister." Lin Luoyu accepted it gratefully.

Cui Hao suddenly interjected. "By the way, Third Senior Sister, what’s the name of our sect?"

Chen Baiqing froze. She didn’t know either.

She had never thought to ask—to her, the sect simply felt like home.

And one didn’t usually ask for the name of their own home, did they?

She shook her head lightly. "Master picked me up out of kindness. I never asked. But First Senior Sister or Master would know if you’re curious."

Picked up out of kindness…?

Cui Hao immediately regretted his question. He really was the worst!

Not daring to linger, he hastily excused himself to practice his "Qi Refinement and Spirit Nurturing Art."

Judging by the content, his manual was undoubtedly inferior to Fourth Senior Sister’s "Righteous Qi Art."

But simplicity had its merits.

Who knew how long it would take her to master her technique and truly begin cultivating?

Meanwhile, he, Cui Hao, would soon take his first step on the immortal path.

In cultivation, even a single step ahead could make all the difference.

Besides, their master had said yesterday that this was just a starting point—there would surely be better techniques for him later.

With that thought, Cui Hao strode back to his room, ready to begin his practice.

Lin Luoyu, meanwhile, sat with Chen Baiqing on the stone bench, waiting for either First Senior Sister or their master to appear.

Today, it was Master who emerged first.

Chu Xingchen stepped out with an air of tranquility.

His gaze quickly settled on Chen Baiqing and Lin Luoyu by the pond.

Lin Luoyu’s traits were fairly decent.

Only that black trait—"Childhood Nightmare"—was a bit puzzling, but it still met the criteria for recruitment.

The day before, Chu Xingchen had pressed her about her family background, as childhood was often most deeply tied to one’s home.

But she had said that her entire family had already starved to death during the famine, leaving only herself alive.

This childhood nightmare… was probably a remnant from those desperate days on the road.

Whether it was true or not, there was no way to verify it now. Perhaps he could ask her again when the time was more appropriate.

Chen Baiqing spotted her master approaching and quickly waved him over.

"Master, you're here! Fourth Junior Sister has some questions about the cultivation technique she needs your help with."

Chu Xingchen froze for a moment.

Just as he was about to instinctively call out for Li Xingtian,

he suddenly remembered—his second disciple

had already left for the Xuanwu Kingdom.