Apprentice Recruitment Ceremony, Lin Qianxue

Time flies, like a white horse passing a crevice.

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

Purple Bamboo Peak, deep within the Cold Jade Palace.

Within that perennially unmelting icy Aura, there was now a faint, indistinct heat mixed in.

The curtains hung low, concealing the amorous scenes upon the couch, yet they could not hide the charm and heaviness permeating the air.

Su Ye sat cross-legged on a nearby prayer mat, spiritual power surging throughout his body.

Visible golden air currents were docilely entering his Dantian and Purple Mansion, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea.

That was Grand Yin Qi.

After being converted by the Yin Yang Dragon Phoenix Creation Scripture, it had become the purest nourishment for his Supreme Bone.

“Whew...”

Su Ye slowly opened his eyes; deep within his pupils, two golden beams flashed and vanished.

His originally somewhat flighty Aura had now become as deep as an abyss and as steady as a mountain.

Eighth Heaven of the Golden Core Stage, thoroughly consolidated.

Not only that, but under the repeated washing of the Grand Yin Qi, his Physical Body had become crystal clear, faintly shimmering with a precious luster.

“Thank you, Revered Master, for your fulfillment.”

Su Ye stood up, a characteristic gentle smile playing on his lips as he looked at the curled-up figure on the couch.

Yun Yuzhen's face was deathly pale, and her once rosy lips were now completely bloodless.

She leaned weakly against the cold jade pillow, her beautiful eyes bloodshot as she stared fixedly at Su Ye.

That gaze looked as if she wanted to eat his flesh and sleep on his skin.

But over these past three days, she had almost exhausted even the strength to curse.

The so-called “healing” was nothing more than one-sided taking.

Whenever she recovered slightly, this Rebellious Disciple would use “suppressing the Cold Poison” as an excuse to once again drain the Grand Yin spiritual power from her body.

How was this healing?

This was clearly treating her as an inexhaustible humanoid great medicine!

“Rebellious Disciple...”

Yun Yuzhen's voice was weak, like a flickering candle in the wind. “Are you not afraid... of heavenly retribution?”

Hearing this, Su Ye chuckled and slowly walked to the bedside.

He reached out and gently smoothed Yun Yuzhen's messy hair at her temples.

His fingertips brushed against her delicate skin, causing Yun Yuzhen to shudder.

“Revered Master, you overstate things.”

Su Ye's voice was so gentle it seemed as if it could drip water. “Your Disciple is saving you.”

“If your Disciple hadn't worked day and night to neutralize the extreme cold in your body with masculine Qi, Revered Master, you would have likely died from the Cold Poison attacking your heart long ago.”

“Look, although your complexion is a bit poor now, at least your life is saved, isn't it?”

Shameless!

She had never seen such a brazenly shameless person!

Yun Yuzhen's chest heaved with anger, but she could only weakly close her eyes as a single tear of humiliation fell from the corner of her eye.

Su Ye turned a blind eye to this.

He turned and walked to a nearby stone table.

On the table lay a greaseproof paper package.

It was a spirit chicken he had specifically picked up from the Outer Sect Dining Hall before coming up the mountain; half of it had already been eaten over the last few days.

Su Ye leisurely tore a leg off the remaining half of the roasted chicken, took a bite himself, and then pushed the rest to the bedside.

“Revered Master, your Disciple has important matters to attend to today and must head down the mountain.”

Su Ye wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth, his tone carrying a bit of “filial” concern.

“This half of a roasted chicken was specially saved for you by your Disciple.”

“Although it's a bit cold, the meat of this Five-Colored Spirit Chicken is delicious and can barely help replenish some strength.”

“You must take care of your Phoenix body, after all...”

Su Ye leaned down and whispered into Yun Yuzhen's ear, his tone like a demon's murmur:

“Your Disciple's path of cultivation is still long, and I still need... a lot of support from you, Revered Master.”

Having said that, he no longer looked at Yun Yuzhen's eyes, which seemed ready to spit fire.

Su Ye straightened up and adjusted the moon-white robe he wore, which symbolized his status as a True Disciple.

His hair was bound by a jade crown, and a jade pendant hung from his waist.

If one ignored the trace of evil deep within his eyes, at this moment, he was simply a refined Young Master of the world, appearing otherworldly.

“Your Disciple takes his leave.”

Su Ye gave a respectful salute, then with a wave of his sleeve, he turned and left.

As the heavy palace gates shut with a boom.

Complex Formations and Restrictions lit up once more, completely sealing off the Cold Jade Palace.

Leaving behind only the once-lofty Peak Master of Purple Bamboo Peak, trembling in despair in the darkness before half a cold roasted chicken... as he walked out of the Cold Jade Palace.

The morning sunlight spilled over him, carrying a trace of long-lost warmth.

On Purple Bamboo Peak, clouds and mist swirled.

Stretches of purple bamboo forests rustled in the breeze, like a purple ocean.

Though the scenery here was beautiful, it felt exceptionally lonely due to the sparse population.

Su Ye stood with his hands behind his back at the edge of the cliff, his gaze piercing through layers of mist toward the foot of the mountain.

From there, the sound of clamor faintly drifted over.

Today was the annual Disciple Recruitment Ceremony of the Taichu Holy Land.

It was also an important node where the original plot officially began.

“The plot should be rewritten.”

Su Ye muttered to himself, a playful curve hooking the corner of his mouth.

He tapped his toes lightly.

Buzz!

A Flying Sword flowing with pale green light appeared out of thin air, hovering beneath his feet.

That was his natal spirit sword—Qingming.

Although not as famous as Lin Qianxue's “frost brilliance,” it was still ranked as a top-tier Earth Rank item, a rare treasure among Golden Core Stage Cultivators.

“Rise!”

Su Ye gave a soft cry.

The Qingming sword let out a clear chime and transformed into a green rainbow, carrying him into the sky, instantly piercing the clouds and speeding toward the outer sect.

The Taichu Holy Land had a vast territory.

The thirty-six peaks of the inner sect surrounded the central main peak, Taichu Peak, like stars surrounding the moon.

The seventy-two peaks of the outer sect were arranged orderly further out, each mountain rising ten thousand fathoms high with a majestic Aura.

Su Ye flew through the air on his sword, looking down at the magnificent mountains and rivers below.

It had to be said that the scenery of this Xuanhuan world was indeed a hundred times more shocking than those so-called 5A-rated tourist attractions from his previous life.

Countless jade pavilions were hidden among the green mountains and clear waters.

From time to time, immortal cranes could be seen dancing and Spirit Beasts galloping.

Countless streaks of sword light and treasure light shuttled between the peaks—those were the busy Disciples of the Holy Land.

As the Eldest Senior Brother of Purple Bamboo Peak.

Su Ye naturally attracted many side-glances as he traveled along this path.

“Look! That green rainbow... it's the Eldest Senior Brother of Purple Bamboo Peak, Su Ye!”

“It really is Senior Brother Su! So handsome!”

“I heard that Senior Brother Su not only has a profound cultivation level but is also gentle with people; he's a well-known warm-hearted man in our Taichu Holy Land.”

“Yeah, last time I was injured in the Mission Hall, it was Senior Brother Su who gave me a bottle of healing pills, and he left without even leaving his name.”

“This is a role model for our generation!”

Below, several Outer Sect Disciples flying on artifacts stopped when they saw Su Ye, their eyes full of worship and admiration.

How sharp was Su Ye's Divine Sense? These discussions naturally reached his ears without missing a single word.

He didn't show the slightest hint of arrogance.

On the contrary, he deliberately slowed his sword's speed and nodded slightly to the Disciples below, revealing a smile as refreshing as a spring breeze.

This smile immediately made several female Disciples blush, nearly causing them to fall off their Magical Artifacts in excitement.

“Heh, foolish Mortals.”

Su Ye sneered in his heart, but on the surface, he became increasingly gentle and refined.

He had worn this hypocritical mask for over a decade; it had long since become like an instinct.

Before possessing absolutely invincible power, this “good person” persona was his best camouflage.

Who could have imagined?

That Eldest Senior Brother who usually wouldn't even bear to kill a rabbit.

Was actually a peerless villain who imprisoned his Revered Master and cultivated a Demonic Technique in secret?

...After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Su Ye's figure slowly landed on the high platform of Taichu Square.

By this time, the square was already packed with people.

Looking around, there was a dense mass of people, likely no fewer than a hundred thousand.

Most of these people were boys and girls from various cultivation families, or lucky ones from the Mortal world who had been detected to have Spiritual Roots.

They all raised their heads, looking at the god-like figures on the high platform, their eyes filled with longing and awe.

That was the yearning for longevity.

And the worship of power.

In the center of the square stood a white jade pillar a hundred fathoms high.

The pillar was carved with intricate dragon and Phoenix patterns, emitting a faint fluorescence.

This was the spirit testing pillar of the Taichu Holy Land.

Anyone who wished to join the Holy Land had to pass this test first.

Spiritual Roots were divided into nine grades.

Grade one was the lowest, grade nine the highest.

Above grade nine were the legendary Saint Spiritual Root, Sovereign Spiritual Root, Emperor Spiritual Root, and even the once-in-an-eternity Immortal Spiritual Root.

“Nephew Su, you've come.”

Just as Su Ye had stood firm, a slightly aged but energetic voice came from the side.

Su Ye turned around to see an old man dressed in a crimson Daoist robe, with red hair and beard, looking at him with a smile.

This old man exuded a scorching Aura, and the surrounding air slightly distorted due to the high temperature.

The Grand Elder of Heavenly Fire Peak, Immortal Master Chiyan.

A powerhouse of the fifth level of the Soul Transformation Stage.

He was also one of the hosts of this Disciple Recruitment Ceremony.

“Disciple Su Ye greets Junior Martial Uncle Chiyan.”

Su Ye hurried forward and gave a respectful salute, his etiquette perfect and beyond reproach.

“Mhm, not bad, not bad.”

Immortal Master Chiyan stroked his beard and nodded, his eyes full of admiration. “I heard your Revered Master is in seclusion; will you be recruiting Disciples on her behalf this time?”

“Indeed.”

Su Ye bowed slightly, his tone humble. "Revered Master's seclusion is of utmost importance. This Disciple is untalented and can only reluctantly share Revered Master's burdens."

"It is Junior Sister Yun's blessing to have such a sensible Disciple like you in Purple Bamboo Peak," Immortal Master Chiyan sighed.

"Unlike those little rascals of mine at Heavenly Fire Peak, who only know how to cause trouble all day long. Not a single one of them puts my mind at ease."

"Junior Martial Uncle overpraises me. My fellow Junior Brothers are simply men of character," Su Ye smiled, smoothing things over.

"Hmph, what 'men of character'? They're just a bunch of boors!"

Although Immortal Master Chiyan cursed, the smile on his face couldn't be hidden.

Clearly, he was very protective of his own Disciples.

"By the way, Nephew Su."

Immortal Master Chiyan changed the subject, lowering his voice and speaking mysteriously.

"In this Recruitment Ceremony, a few incredible prospects have arrived."

"Oh?"

Su Ye's brow arched slightly, feigning curiosity. "To earn such an evaluation from Junior Martial Uncle, their Aptitude must be extraordinary."

"Naturally."

Immortal Master Chiyan pointed to a group of youths at the front of the square, his eyes flashing.

"Especially that little girl in white. It's said she comes from the Lin Family of the Northern Cold Region."

"I heard from the deacon in charge of the preliminary selection that when this girl was born, a celestial phenomenon occurred—snow fell in June for a hundred miles around."

"If this old man isn't mistaken, she's likely a rare Ice-type Variant Spiritual Root, or even... possibly a Saint Rank Spiritual Root!"

Su Ye looked in the direction Immortal Master Chiyan was pointing.

At the very front of the bustling crowd, there indeed stood a girl dressed in white.

She was about fifteen or sixteen years old.

Though young, her figure had already begun to take shape.

She stood there alone, as if an invisible barrier within three feet of her isolated the noise and the crowd.

On that face, as exquisite as a porcelain doll, there was no expression whatsoever.

Cold.

That was Su Ye's first impression of her.

Like a piece of ice that wouldn't melt for ten thousand years, she radiated an indifference that kept everyone at a distance.

Lin Qianxue.

Su Ye's pupils contracted slightly.

Even from this distance, he could feel the pure, extreme chill within her body.

It was a power of ice even purer than his Revered Master Yun Yuzhen's Taiyin Body.

Supreme Grade Ice Spirit Root!

Innate Sword Heart!

In the Late Stages of the original novel, she even awakened the legendary "Grand Cold Immortal Body."

She was a Genius born for the Dao of the sword.

She was also the cold goddess who had tormented "Su Ye" to death in the original story.

"Indeed a fine prospect."

Su Ye withdrew his gaze and licked his dry lips, a trace of imperceptible greed flashing in his eyes.

"Thank you for the tip, Junior Martial Uncle."

"If such a Genius could enter my Purple Bamboo Peak, it would be a stroke of luck for Revered Master."

Hearing this, Immortal Master Chiyan laughed heartily and patted Su Ye's shoulder.

"Nephew Su, you'd better be prepared."

"The old fellows from the other peaks all have their eyes on such a fine piece of jade."

"Especially that Elder Li of Heavenly Sword Peak. I heard that to snatch this Disciple, he even brought out his most prized treasures."

"It won't be easy for your Purple Bamboo Peak to take her."

Su Ye smiled slightly and didn't argue.

Easy?

Since he, Su Ye, was here, it wasn't a matter of whether it was easy or not.

Rather, this piece of meat had to end up in the pot of Purple Bamboo Peak.

"The time has come!"

Just then.

A resonant bell toll echoed through the clouds, drowning out all the noise in the square.

Immortal Master Chiyan stopped smiling, straightened his robes, and stepped forward, his figure instantly appearing in the center of the high platform.

A terrifying Aura belonging to a Soul Transformation Stage expert swept across the field like a tide.

The once-noisy square instantly became silent.

Everyone held their breath, looking at the god-like figure on the platform with awe.

"I am the Grand Elder of Heavenly Fire Peak of the Taichu Holy Land, Chi Yan!"

"Today is the day my Taichu Holy Land opens its gates to recruit Disciples."

"Enter my Holy Land, sever Mortal ties, Cultivate the immortal path, and seek longevity!"

"All those under the age of eighteen who possess a Spiritual Root may step forward for testing."

"Now... let the ceremony begin!"

As Immortal Master Chiyan's voice fell.

A thunderous cheer erupted in the square.

Countless youths with fervent eyes scrambled toward the spirit testing pillar.

Su Ye stood quietly to one side of the platform.

With his hands tucked in his sleeves, he looked down indifferently at the scene of ants fighting for food.

He was waiting.

Waiting for the true protagonist to appear.

"Next, Lin Qianxue!"

About an hour later, the deacon in charge of testing shouted the name loudly.

The noisy crowd suddenly quieted down a bit.

Everyone's eyes focused simultaneously on the white-clothed girl slowly walking out of the crowd.

Lin Qianxue had a cold expression and a calm gait.

She walked to the spirit testing pillar and, without hesitation, reached out her slender, fair hand and pressed it lightly against the cold stone pillar.

Boom!

The moment her palm touched the pillar.

A blinding white light suddenly erupted from the base of the pillar.

The brilliance was so intense that it even eclipsed the sun in the sky!

Immediately after.

The white light climbed at an alarming speed.

First Grade... Third Grade... Fifth Grade... Seventh Grade... in just the blink of an eye, it broke past the Ninth Grade mark!

However, it didn't stop there.

Within that dazzling white light, an ice-blue Phoenix phantom slowly emerged, letting out a clear cry as it circled the pillar.

Crack! Crack!

It was the sound of air being frozen.

The Taichu Square, which was originally warm as spring, was now filled with heavy snow.

A terrifying chill swept through the field, leaving countless low-level Disciples shivering.

"A celestial phenomenon! The Harmony of the Ice Phoenix!"

"This is... a Saint Grade Ice Spirit Root!!"

On the platform, the Elders and Peak Masters who had been seated all stood up abruptly, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Even Immortal Master Chiyan's beard trembled with excitement.

"Good! Good! Good!"

"Heaven blesses my Taichu Holy Land!"

"This girl must enter my Heavenly Fire Peak... no, enter my Taichu Holy Land!"

An uproar broke out in the crowd.

Everyone was shocked by this terrifying Aptitude.

Only Su Ye.

He remained as calm as ever.

Only his hands, tucked in his sleeves, were clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white.

"Saint Grade Ice Spirit Root..."

"This is practically a supreme grade Cauldron tailor-made for my Yin Yang Dragon Phoenix Creation Scripture."

The demonic nature that Su Ye had suppressed for so long grew wildly at this moment.

He looked at the girl bathed in the wind and snow, his gaze no longer disguised but filled with naked possessiveness.

"Lin Qianxue."

"In this life, you won't escape."

"You are destined... to be mine!"

Just then.

An inappropriately arrogant voice suddenly came from the side.

"Hahahaha! Excellent!"

"This girl has an Innate Sword Heart, which perfectly matches my Dao of the sword!"

"Who else but my Heavenly Sword Peak is qualified to teach such a Genius?"

A middle-aged man with a long sword on his back strode out, his eyes fixed on Lin Qianxue as if looking at a peerless treasure.

Elder of Heavenly Sword Peak, Li Qingyun.

He was also Lin Qianxue's first Master in the original story.

Su Ye glanced at him, a mocking arc curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Li Qingyun?"

"Just a waste who couldn't even protect his own Disciple."

"This time."

"I, Su Ye, am definitely going to intercept her!"

"Junior Martial Uncle Li is mistaken."

Su Ye straightened his collar and slowly stepped forward.

His voice wasn't loud, but with the enhancement of spiritual power, it spread clearly throughout the field.

"This girl's constitution is extremely cold. If she Cultivates the fierce Dao of the sword, I'm afraid it will damage her foundation."

"Only the Grand Yin Lineage of my Purple Bamboo Peak can help her perfectly control this power."

As soon as these words were spoken.

The whole field fell silent.

Everyone's gaze instantly shifted from Lin Qianxue to this gentle young man who had suddenly stepped out.

Li Qingyun snapped his head around, staring intently at Su Ye, a flash of anger in his eyes.

"Su Ye, what do you mean?"

"Do you think that as a mere Golden Core Stage Disciple, you are worthy of competing with me for a Disciple?"

Su Ye smiled slightly, meeting Li Qingyun's oppressive gaze without being humble or arrogant.

"Junior Martial Uncle misunderstands."

"This Disciple is not trying to compete with you."

"It's just..."

Su Ye paused, his gaze passing over Li Qingyun and falling directly on the girl in the wind and snow.

"I want to give this Junior Sister a better choice."