"Tian Ge, are you that... disciple that Uncle-Master took in outside?"
Mo Tiange swore that when Luo Fengxue asked her this question, she definitely had ill intentions, but her ill intentions were too blatant, appearing completely without malice, more like playful banter between friends.
This left her somewhat at a loss. Since childhood, she had only experienced the friendship of little girls with Tian Qiao when she was young; apart from that, she had never had a close friend. And this Luo Fengxue was just too enthusiastic, too familiar. They had just met, yet she was already so intimate—even Murong Yan hadn't been like this when they first met.
"Senior Sister Luo, I..."
"I already said not to call me Senior Sister Luo, just call me Fengxue!"
"But, those disciples earlier all called you that..."
"Because they're not close to me!"
I'm not close to you either, okay... Mo Tiange swallowed those words back in time.
Luo Fengxue leaned in again, her expression full of curiosity: "I just heard Uncle-Master call you Junior Brother Ye? What's going on?"
"..." How could she explain the connection behind this to others? But facing Luo Fengxue's curious and harmless expression, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.
"Because, Senior Brother Qin..."
"Ah!" Luo Fengxue let out a loud cry, startling Mo Tiange so much her hand shook, nearly dropping the newly received sect token.
Luo Fengxue had already grabbed her, exclaiming loudly: "Senior Brother Qin?!"
She had shouted too loudly; people passing by turned to look. Seeing this, Luo Fengxue pulled her into a corner and asked in a low voice: "Did Uncle-Master go to some sect?"
Mo Tiange nodded. Seeing Luo Fengxue's reaction, she chose her words carefully: "I was originally in East Kunwu, entered a sect through the Immortal Platform Assembly, and it was there that I met Senior Brother Qin."
"Oh..." Luo Fengxue calmed down a bit, then asked again, "Uncle-Master called you junior brother, did you disguise yourself as a boy the whole time?"
"Yes." There was nothing to hide about this. In the Xuanqing Sect, there was Perfected Lord Shoujing who knew most of her secrets, and Qin Xi who had heard her story. These things would become known sooner or later.
Luo Fengxue thought for a moment, temporarily accepting this explanation: "Then... why did Uncle-Master bring you back?"
"Because... Senior Sister Luo, it's a bit complicated to explain. Can we talk about it later?"
Luo Fengxue was taken aback, looked at her expression, and smiled: "I forgot, you've come from far away. We should finish the formalities and let you rest first. The registration is done, let's go get your clothes, then ask about where you'll be staying. Come on!"
Mo Tiange secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She really didn't know how to interact with someone so overly enthusiastic, and... she always felt something was off about this.
However, although this Senior Sister Luo was a bit long-winded, she was quite capable at handling affairs. Following her, the entry procedures were handled smoothly and properly. No wonder she could serve as a managing disciple.
"These are your clothes. As Qi Refining disciples, we must wear them. But, you're about to reach Foundation Establishment, right? After Foundation Establishment, you can get new styles or make your own, as long as you embroider the sect's emblem on them. Of course, if you ever form your Core one day, you can wear whatever you want."
Mo Tiange took the clothes, listening to Luo Fengxue's chatter.
The Xuanqing Sect was an orthodox Daoist sect, so the sect attire was naturally Daoist robes—white robes with blue overgarments, very plain and simple. However, the fabric was unknown; it felt smooth and soft to the touch, yet very tough, with a faint trace of Spiritual Qi. Compared to the green robes of the Yunwu Sect, these seemed more like spiritual artifacts.
"Our Xuanqing Sect's Daoist robes are woven from the unique Cloud Brocade of Tai Kang Mountain, tempered by Primordial True Fire. They're quite beneficial in battle when worn, so you could say they're also a type of spiritual artifact."
So that was it. Mo Tiange stroked the fabric and sighed: "Truly extraordinary."
Luo Fengxue smiled: "This isn't unique to our Xuanqing Sect. The Tiandao Sect, Ancient Sword Sect, and Biyun Sect—these sects do the same."
Luo Fengxue didn't find it remarkable, but Mo Tiange knew it was rare. Indeed, the work of a major sect. Not only was the mountain gate's spiritual vein excellent, but even the small details revealed the sect's strength. Every disciple had several sets of robes that needed regular replacement. With at least several thousand disciples in the sect, all crafted into spiritual artifacts—what ordinary sect could bear such an expense?
After collecting the miscellaneous items, Luo Fengxue was about to take her to inquire about accommodation arrangements when someone came with a message.
"Fengxue, Uncle-Master Xuanyin asks you to come—bring the newly entered junior sister." The messenger was a youth of seventeen or eighteen, indeed calling her directly by name.
"Understood." Luo Fengxue turned back and said, "It seems Uncle-Master has already reported to Grandmaster, and a decision has been made about your arrangements. Let's go."
"Yes." Mo Tiange responded, feeling somewhat nervous inside.
Seeing her expression, Luo Fengxue comforted her: "Don't worry. My master is currently Grandmaster's top disciple. His wanting to see you shows he values you highly. At the very least, he'll make you an entry-level disciple."
That made sense. Mo Tiange thought for a moment and asked: "Senior Sister Luo, is Perfected Lord Shoujing also here on Qingquan Peak?"
When this question came out, Luo Fengxue's expression turned a bit odd, but she quickly smiled: "Of course. Uncle-Master Shoujing is Grandmaster's blood relative and also his direct disciple, so naturally he's on Qingquan Peak. Why do you want to know?"
Mo Tiange said: "The reason Senior Brother Qin could bring me to the Xuanqing Sect is because my late father had some connection with Perfected Lord Shoujing..."
"Oh, I see." Luo Fengxue's eyes shifted, then she said, "But, you might not be able to see Uncle-Master Shoujing right now. Among all the uncles and masters on our Qingquan Peak, Uncle-Master Shoujing cultivates the most diligently. He rarely even comes out for lectures—either in seclusion or wandering outside—oh no, traveling. Even we, the personal disciples of the Core Formation elders, rarely get to see him."
Mo Tiange wasn't disappointed: "Being accepted into the Xuanqing Sect is already very good. Whether I can see him or not isn't important. Thank you for telling me, Senior Sister Luo."
"You're too polite. I said just call me Fengxue..."
Seeing Luo Fengxue getting familiar again, Mo Tiange quickly said: "Senior Sister Luo, why do all the Core Formation grandmasters in the sect only use their given names, not their surnames?"
"Huh?" Luo Fengxue was puzzled for a moment before understanding. She smiled and explained: "Not exactly. Our Xuanqing Sect is an orthodox Daoist sect, so naturally we follow Daoist customs. Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment disciples, whose cultivation is not yet complete, don't have titles. However, once they form their Core, the sect grants them a Daoist name, and they are addressed by that name from then on. Their original names are only used by close acquaintances. For example, my master's Daoist name is Xuanyin, his original surname is Ma, people call him Ma Xuanyin. His real name? No one knows anymore."
"So that's how it is..."
"Also, the title for Core Formation is Perfected One. If one advances to Nascent Soul, they are called Dao Lord. My master's external title is Perfected One Xuanyin, while Grandmaster is Dao Lord Jinghe."
This form of address was something Mo Tiange had never encountered before, so she asked: "If I form my Core one day, can I no longer be called Mo Tiange?"
A flicker of surprise passed through Luo Fengxue's eyes, and she smiled: "If you form your Core, the sect elders will naturally bestow a Daoist name upon you. From then on, disciples in the sect will address you by that name—but, Tian Ge, you're really confident. I suppose your natural talent must be extraordinary?"
Mo Tiange shook her head: "It's just an example. I haven't even reached Foundation Establishment yet, let alone Core Formation? That's too far away."
As they spoke, the two had arrived at their destination.
This place had green mountains and clear waters, with Spiritual Qi swirling around—truly an excellent spot to open a cave abode.
Luo Fengxue used her token to open the restriction and led her directly into the cave abode.
Bypassing the protective formations and pushing open the stone door, Luo Fengxue hadn't even entered before calling out loudly: "Master!"
Following Luo Fengxue into the main hall, Mo Tiange saw a Daoist who appeared to be in his forties, with a dignified and imposing face, sitting inside.
Seeing Luo Fengxue, the Daoist glared: "What's all this noise?"
Luo Fengxue wasn't afraid, giggling: "Isn't it because your disciple missed you, Master? How can you blame me?"
Seeing her cheeky expression, the Daoist was both annoyed and amused: "You're the only one with a glib tongue! Alright, step aside."
With serious business at hand, Luo Fengxue didn't dare fool around. She obediently stepped to the side and reported: "Master, this is the newly arrived junior sister Mo Tiange. You asked me to bring her. Are you going to take her as a disciple?"
The Daoist didn't answer, instead turning his gaze to Mo Tiange.
Mo Tiange knew this was Perfected One Xuanyin. She bowed and performed a Daoist salute: "This junior Mo Tiange pays her respects to Senior Xuanyin."
"No need for formalities." Perfected One Xuanyin was very amiable, speaking gently: "Come closer."
Although it wasn't her first time seeing a Core Formation senior, it was her first time facing one directly. Mo Tiange was somewhat nervous but still calmly approached.
Perfected One Xuanyin reached out, grasped her wrist, and a gentle yet substantial stream of Spiritual Qi poured into her meridians.
A moment later, Perfected One Xuanyin showed slight surprise: "Your Spirit Roots..."
Mo Tiange's heart skipped a beat. Was it because her Spirit Roots were poor that he didn't plan to accept her into the sect?
"All five Spirit Roots present, and their strengths are uniform. Could this be the legendary Hunyuan Spiritual Root?"
Mo Tiange's heart stopped, and she froze. Hunyuan Spiritual Root? Did Perfected One Xuanyin know about it?
Seeing her expression, Perfected One Xuanyin smiled slightly and released her hand: "It seems you know about the special nature of your Spirit Roots. Can you tell me, how did you come to know?"
Although Perfected One Xuanyin's attitude was friendly, he was still a Core Formation cultivator. Mo Tiange didn't dare deceive him: "My family produced cultivators thousands of years ago. That ancestor cultivated to the Nascent Soul stage but failed to advance further before his lifespan ended. Before his death, he left a wisp of his primordial spirit within the family. When this junior manifested Spirit Roots, the restriction left by the ancestor was triggered, and he passed down a cultivation method, informing me that my Spirit Roots were of the Hunyuan type."
"So that's how it was..." Perfected One Xuanyin stroked his beard and nodded: "Your ancestor lived thousands of years ago, no wonder he knew about the Hunyuan Spiritual Root."
Mo Tiange carefully observed Perfected One Xuanyin's expression, thought for a moment, and asked: "Since stepping onto the immortal path, this junior has always wanted to know about the Hunyuan Spiritual Root. Since Senior knows this is a Hunyuan Spiritual Root, do you know what mysteries this Spirit Root holds?"
Perfected One Xuanyin looked at her and regretfully shook his head: "The matter of the Hunyuan Spiritual Root was something my master mentioned by chance many years ago. It seems to have some special characteristics, but what exactly they are, I do not know."
Not getting an answer, Mo Tiange couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Perfected One Xuanyin smiled again: "Let's set that aside for now. Mo Tiange, I asked Fengxue to bring you here to discuss the matter of your entry into the sect."
Hearing him bring up the main issue, Mo Tiange immediately composed herself and said respectfully: "Please speak, Senior."
Perfected One Xuanyin straightened his expression, looked at her, and asked seriously: "Mo Tiange, you wish to enter our Xuanqing Sect. Dao Lord Jinghe of Qingquan Peak intends to accept you as a named disciple. Are you willing?"
"Ah!" The one who cried out involuntarily was Luo Fengxue, who was standing guard to the side. She stared at Mo Tiange in astonishment. She had always thought that since it was Uncle-Master Shoujing who brought her back, some uncle or master would probably take her as a disciple. She never expected it would be Grandmaster!
Mo Tiange was even more shocked. She was just an ordinary little cultivator. Not to mention an identity like a Nascent Soul cultivator's named disciple, she had never even dreamed of being an elite disciple. Coming to the Xuanqing Sect this time, given Perfected Lord Shoujing's face, it would already be very good if the Xuanqing Sect accepted her. She never expected... Could it be that the Xuanqing Sect still had designs on her?!
"Mo Tiange!"
"This junior is here." She gathered her thoughts but couldn't hide her unease.
Seeing her expression, Perfected One Xuanyin smiled again and said gently: "Don't overthink it. Master is only accepting you as a named disciple out of consideration for Junior Brother Shoujing. Before you form your Core, I will oversee your instruction. Your seniority will be the same as my disciples. Only if you one day form your Core will Master formally accept you as an entry-level disciple."
This explanation calmed Mo Tiange. This made sense. Her status would be the same as Luo Fengxue's; they were just giving her a brighter future. If she really formed her Core in the future, being accepted as a disciple by a Nascent Soul cultivator would be normal.
But she also knew that being a Nascent Soul cultivator's named disciple was already a great honor for a mere Qi Refining disciple like her. Immediately, she brushed her sleeves, knelt down, and said solemnly: "Senior, acting on your master's behalf to accept a disciple, please accept this junior's bow of apprenticeship."
Perfected One Xuanyin watched with a smile. After she respectfully kowtowed three times, he helped her up: "From now on, you will be with Fengxue. As for how to address me, call me Uncle-Master—I hope one day you can call me Senior Brother."