Zhang Miaoyu felt as if she were in a dream. Her heart was pounding so fast that she could barely recall what Bai Xuanling had said or how she had responded. It seemed she had answered a few words absentmindedly before inexplicably finding herself seated in a chair.
Taking a few deep breaths, she watched as Li Yingling retrieved a pile of candied fruits from her spatial ring and handed them to Chen Baiqing.
Though Chen Baiqing appeared young, she was undeniably a beauty in the making.
Faced with the gift from her senior sister, she smiled warmly and appropriately, her eyes sparkling with delight. She took Li Yingling’s hand and said in a soft, pleasant voice,
"Thank you, Senior Sister."
After receiving the candied fruits, Chen Baiqing opened one package and first offered some to Chu Xingchen before distributing them to everyone else.
Though Zhang Miaoyu was new, since their master had referred to her as a guest elder, she was at least one-tenth part of their own. Chen Baiqing saw no reason to be stingy with a few sweets.
Thus, Zhang Miaoyu now held a handful of candied fruits in her palm, her nervousness easing slightly—at least enough to keep her from stuttering.
Truth be told, Zhang Miaoyu had never imagined in her wildest dreams that she would one day meet Bai Xuanling in the flesh.
Bai Xuanling was nothing like the legends described—where opening her eyes meant death and closing them meant heads would roll.
There was no murderous aura radiating from her, no crimson-red pupils, and certainly no perpetual cruel smirk plastered across her face.
Moreover, she wasn’t unreasonable either. Noticing Zhang Miaoyu’s tension, Bai Xuanling had softened her tone, clearly making an effort to put her at ease.
On the contrary, as Zhang Miaoyu recalled Bai Xuanling’s presence now, she realized—
Bai Xuanling’s aura was steady, her gaze calm and free of any crimson hue. There was no sinister grin, and she was, in fact, strikingly beautiful.
Just standing there, she exuded an unmistakable air—the presence of a true expert!
Yet she blended in effortlessly, without putting on airs, almost as if… she was surprisingly easygoing.
Zhang Miaoyu cautiously glanced around and noticed that nearly everyone wore smiles.
Chen Baiqing seemed to have prepared gifts for Li Yingling as well—or rather, she had gifts for almost everyone present.
Except for Zhang Miaoyu and the only outer disciple she was responsible for—Zhou Ping.
However, perhaps to make up for it, Chen Baiqing gave them extra candied fruits.
Thus, the amount in Zhang Miaoyu’s hand doubled.
Zhou Ping, meanwhile, was happily munching away as if he had never tasted anything so delicious.
Chu Xingchen’s gaze swept across the room as he savored the candied fruits Chen Baiqing had given him.
Unconsciously, nearly everyone in the sect had gathered here once again.
Relationships were like tightening ropes, drawing closer all those who valued them.
Now, everyone’s eyes inadvertently turned toward Zhang Miaoyu once more.
Chu Xingchen glanced at Bai Xuanling and, seeing her slight nod, stood up. Raising a cup of tea in place of wine, he announced:
"To celebrate Lingyu’s successful breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage, I hereby declare the commencement of Zhuji Peak’s first-ever gathering!"
Qinghe reacted the most enthusiastically. If not for Bai Xuanling’s imposing presence, he might have climbed onto the table.
Still, he swiftly sidled up to Chen Baiqing, grinning brightly as he declared,
"No matter what game we play, I’m teaming up with Baiqing!"
Li Yingling observed everything calmly. When it came to games, she had never backed down—except when losing to her master.
Cui Hao also responded eagerly, flashing a confident smile.
However, Bai Xuanling’s expression suddenly cooled for a moment as her gaze shifted toward the courtyard gate.
There stood Lv Xuan, smiling gently, with Yanyun trailing behind him.
"Zhuji Peak’s first gathering?" Lv Xuan asked in a soft voice. "Mind if we join?"
Yanyun, upon seeing Bai Xuanling, couldn’t help but shudder. After taking a deep breath, she clasped her hands and greeted,
"Greetings, Elder Bai."
Chu Xingchen immediately recognized them as the two who had been watching him from Tianyan Peak earlier. He had never seen them before—could they have followed him here?
Bai Xuanling narrowed her eyes. "Yanyun… it’s been a while. What, did you miss me?"
A chill ran down Yanyun’s spine, and she instinctively took two steps back, hiding slightly behind her master before replying,
"It has been some time. Since I’ve returned, it’s only proper to pay my respects, especially since you once mentored me for quite a long period."
Yanyun really didn’t want to recall the days of Bai Xuanling’s tutelage.
It was the first time she had ever felt despair toward cultivation.
The first time she truly tasted the bitterness of the path.
And the first time she questioned whether she was a genius or just a fool.
"Is that so? I never expected you to still remember me. At least my teachings weren’t wasted," Bai Xuanling said with a faint, enigmatic smile.
"Care to stay a while longer? I could refresh your memory."
Though she knew her master wasn’t entirely reliable, Yanyun still instinctively shifted further away before forcing a calm tone.
"Elder Bai’s teachings are etched in my mind. I wouldn’t dare trouble you further."
Bai Xuanling didn’t press Yanyun further, instead turning her gaze to Sect Leader Lv Xuan.
"And here we have an even more distinguished guest. The esteemed leader of Tianyan Sect, gracing my humble abode in person—what an honor."
Lv Xuan’s smile stiffened slightly, but he pressed on.
"Ah, my apologies. The sect’s affairs have kept me occupied these past years. Otherwise, I would have visited much sooner."
Bai Xuanling let out a light scoff, clearly unimpressed. Propping her chin on one hand, she asked,
"No one visits without a reason. Out with it—what brings the great sect leader here in person?"
Lv Xuan adopted a serious expression. "Truly, nothing urgent. Yanyun just returned and wished to see you, given how pivotal your guidance was in her cultivation journey. She’s always been one to cherish bonds."
As he spoke, he subtly shifted position, once again exposing Yanyun to Bai Xuanling’s gaze.
Yanyun’s eyes widened as she stared at her master. Never before had she seen a master so readily sacrifice a disciple as a shield.
You didn’t visit all this time not because you were busy—it’s because you were scared!
And she certainly hadn’t dared to come visit either—lest she walk in standing and be carried out lying down.
This entire trip was her master’s idea, insisting on seeing this gathering of prodigies for himself, wondering where Bai Xuanling kept finding so many geniuses.
He had joked about locating the "nest of talents" so he could try his luck too.
And of course, he had dragged her along, claiming that having a junior present would lower the chances of Bai Xuanling resorting to violence.
Before setting out, he had even promised to shield her from any danger.
Now? Barely a few words in, and he was already throwing his poor disciple to the wolves!
No wonder the Punishment Elder couldn’t stand him—this man sold out allies without a second thought.
If this were anywhere else, Yanyun would have smashed such a teammate’s head in without hesitation.
But alas… she had chosen this master herself.
She could only accept it.
Taking a deep breath, Yanyun clasped her hands again.
"...Yes. It was me."
Sect Leader Lv Xuan turned to her with moved eyes.
What a fine disciple I’ve raised!