30: Chapter 30 Apprentice Recruitment Ceremony

Hum!

Su Ye only felt a buzzing in his mind.

Immediately following, his previously pitch-black vision suddenly erupted with a blinding white light.

As the light faded, in that instant, Su Ye felt as if his Soul had broken free from the shackles of his physical shell, soaring ninety thousand miles straight up.

Passing through the roof of Listening to Rain Pavilion, through the layers of clouds and mist of Purple Bamboo Peak, eventually hovering ten thousand meters above the Taichu Holy Land.

The wind howled, the sea of clouds churned. A sense of Gods Eye View, of controlling everything, welled up spontaneously.

This is... Gods Eye View!

The perspective zoomed in. Su Ye's gaze first locked onto a massive immortal boat traveling through the sea of clouds.

That was no ordinary flying Magic Treasure, but a purple bamboo leaf nearly a hundred zhang in size!

The bamboo leaf was crystalline and translucent throughout, radiating a terrifying pressure that made one's heart palpitate.

Wherever it passed, the surrounding clouds retreated, as if making way for a king.

This was the Lifebound Treasure of the Peak Master of Purple Bamboo Peak, Su Ye's cheap Revered Master, Nangong Li—the purple extreme immortal leaf.

There were not many Disciples accompanying on the immortal leaf.

Purple Bamboo Peak had always been sparsely populated, taking the elite route.

At this moment, standing at the very front of the immortal leaf was a figure of peerless elegance.

A purple-gold palace gown wrapped around her graceful figure perfectly.

Three thousand strands of dark hair cascaded like a waterfall, held up only by a seemingly ordinary wooden hairpin, yet it exuded a nobility and coldness that could not be profaned.

Nangong Li.

The youngest Tribulation Transcendence Stage Great Power of the Taichu Holy Land.

She was also the white moonlight in the hearts of countless male cultivators across the Eastern Wasteland, a goddess who could only be viewed from afar and never profaned.

And half a step behind her, two figures, one red and one cyan, were standing respectfully.

They were none other than Liu Ruyan and Jiang Nian, who had just climbed out of Su Ye's bed.

Liu Ruyan had changed back into her signature bright red flowing immortal dress.

With fiery red lips and alluring eyes, yet in those eyes that should have been filled with wildness, there was now a hint of deep... satisfaction?

As for Jiang Nian, she still maintained the appearance of a harmless little white rabbit.

With lowered eyes and hands folded over her lower abdomen, she looked incredibly obedient.

Who could have imagined that just half an hour ago, this girl was sitting on Su Ye, spouting terrifying remarks about planting her love rival in the soil as fertilizer?

Through Gods Eye View, Su Ye watched this "harmonious" scene with great interest.

"This scene is truly pleasing to the eye."

"If outsiders knew that the three great beauties of Purple Bamboo Peak each had more hidden schemes than the last, their jaws would probably drop in shock."

Just as Su Ye was grumbling in his heart, the silent Nangong Li suddenly turned around.

On that cold and stunning face, there was a trace of the majesty of one who had long held a high position, but between her brows, there was a faint hint of weariness.

Su Ye's heart trembled. It was coming. Revered Master's questioning.

Nangong Li's gaze first swept over Jiang Nian, then landed on Liu Ruyan.

That look was extremely penetrating, as if it could pierce straight to the heart.

"Yaner."

Nangong Li's vermilion lips parted slightly. Her voice was cold and clear, like pearls falling onto a jade plate, devoid of any worldly aura.

"These past few days, I have been in seclusion to comprehend the Dao and was unable to look after your Senior Brother."

"Over at Listening to Rain Pavilion..."

"How is his condition?"

As her voice fell, the atmosphere on the purple extreme immortal leaf seemed to freeze for an instant.

Even through the screen, Su Ye could feel that inexplicable low pressure.

Upon hearing this, Liu Ruyan's body trembled slightly.

She did not answer immediately, but first bowed slightly, performing a standard Disciple's salute.

Then, she raised her head, and a perfectly appropriate look of "sorrow" and "strength" appeared on her enchanting face.

"Reporting to Revered Master."

"Senior Brother, he..."

Liu Ruyan paused, as if weighing her words.

"Over these three days, Junior Sister and I have taken turns looking after him, not daring to be negligent in the slightest."

"Perhaps Heaven has shown mercy, or perhaps Senior Brother is blessed with good fortune."

"The Life Qi within Senior Brother's body seems much more stable than before."

"The originally chaotic Qi has also gradually calmed down."

At this point, the corners of Liu Ruyan's eyes welled up with tears at just the right moment.

Those were tears of being moved, and also... pride in the results of her own "hard work".

"It's just that..."

Liu Ruyan changed the subject, her tone becoming somewhat dejected.

"Senior Brother's Divine Soul was too heavily damaged, and there are still no signs of him waking up."

"This Disciple is incompetent..."

"I have failed to awaken Senior Brother."

Su Ye, from his Gods Eye View, couldn't help but exclaim at her expertise.

What acting! If this Oscar statuette isn't awarded to you, it's simply a loss for the acting world!

If I hadn't just been tortured to death by that "Desperate Survival Card" of yours, I would have almost been fooled by this appearance of a filial Disciple!

When you say these things, could you please hide that piece of "ten-thousand-year black iron chain" hidden in your sleeve?

Hearing Liu Ruyan's answer, Nangong Li's originally tense expression relaxed slightly.

She sighed softly. Extending a hand like white jade, she grasped gently at the void, as if trying to catch the passing quicksand.

"As long as the Life Qi is stable, that is good."

"As long as the Life Qi is stable..."

Nangong Li murmured to herself.

Afterward, her gaze became somewhat complex, carrying a hint of deep guilt.

"Back then, if I hadn't arrived a step too late..."

"If not for..."

She did not finish her words, but the self-reproach within them was overflowing.

Su Ye's heart skipped a beat. It seems there is a hidden story behind what happened back then?

In the original work, it only said that Su Ye was severely injured while trying to save the female lead, Ji Wanshuang.

But now it seems... this high and mighty Revered Master is also involved?

"Revered Master, please do not blame yourself."

Jiang Nian, who was beside her, spoke up at the right moment.

She stepped forward and gently held Nangong Li's arm, her voice soft and sweet, like a spring breeze brushing against one's face.

"If Senior Brother were awake, he certainly wouldn't want to see Revered Master so distressed."

"Besides..."

Jiang Nian blinked, saying with an innocent face: "Didn't Second Senior Sister say that Senior Brother's condition is improving?"

"Perhaps..."

"Today at the Disciple Acceptance Ceremony, Senior Brother might sense the joyous atmosphere of the Sect and wake up?"

As Jiang Nian spoke, she secretly added in her heart: 'It would be best if he wakes up.'

'Once he wakes up, Nianer can hide Senior Brother away.'

'And never let those outside vixens see him again.'

Watching these two sensible Disciples, a warm current surged in Nangong Li's heart.

She reached out and gently stroked the top of Jiang Nian's head.

"Nianer is still the best at speaking."

"Oh, right."

Nangong Li seemed to suddenly remember something, her gaze sweeping around, and her brows furrowed slightly.

"Where is Wan Shuang?"

"Today is a grand event for the Sect, and the Personal Disciples of all the Peak Revered Masters are required to attend."

"As your Fourth Junior Sister, why is she nowhere to be seen?"

Mentioning the name "Wan Shuang", the previously harmonious atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point.

The tenderness in Liu Ruyan's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by an undisguised disgust and mockery.

The smile on Jiang Nian's face also stiffened, and she immediately lowered her head, fiddling with the hem of her clothes, seemingly quite repulsed by that name as well.

Ji Wanshuang.

Fourth Junior Sister of Purple Bamboo Peak.

A top-grade Ice Spiritual Root, a favored daughter of heaven.

She was also... the "culprit" who caused Su Ye to end up in a vegetative state.

In the plot before Su Ye awakened the Villain System, this Ji Wanshuang was that standard "cold female lead".

Su Ye, this Senior Brother, had blocked a fatal blow from the male lead, Lin Feng, to save her, which resulted in his Divine Soul shattering and him becoming a useless person.

Yet the Junior Sister only believed Lin Feng's one-sided story and was slandered by him.

However, after the incident, this Fourth Junior Sister, apart from sending a few Medicinal Pills, had remained in seclusion.

Using the excuse: I must become stronger to avenge Senior Brother.

In reality... in the eyes of Liu Ruyan and Jiang Nian, this was ingratitude! This was being an ungrateful wretch!

"Reporting to Revered Master."

Liu Ruyan sneered, her tone filled with thick sarcasm.

"Fourth Junior Sister is a very busy person."

"Ever since the day Senior Brother met with the accident, she has locked herself in the 'Ice Cold Cave' behind the mountain."

"Claiming she wants to undergo a death-seclusion, and will not come out until she breaks through to the Golden Core."

"Even for a grand event like today..."

"She sent a message saying she has reached a critical juncture in her cultivation and cannot come."

As Liu Ruyan said this, a cold glint flashed in her eyes.

"Hmph."

"In my opinion, is she really in seclusion?"

"It's clearly just that she has no face to see anyone!"

"Senior Brother almost lost his life for her."

"And look at her, hiding in the Cold Ice Cave like a coward, refusing to even come and take a look!"

"Such a cold-blooded and heartless person..."

"Is she even worthy of being a Disciple of our Purple Bamboo Peak?"

Liu Ruyan grew angrier as she spoke, her spiritual power surging, and her red hair moved without wind.

It was clear she hated Ji Wanshuang to the bone.

If Ji Wanshuang were present at this moment.

Su Ye did not doubt for a second that Liu Ruyan would draw her sword and slash at her.

Nangong Li fell silent for a long time after hearing this.

She looked at the churning sea of clouds in the distance, her gaze becoming deep and distant.

"In seclusion, are we..."

"Very well."

"Everyone has their own Dao."

"That child Wan Shuang has a cold personality and is not good with words."

"The suffering in her heart might be far greater than ours."

Nangong Li sighed softly and did not dwell on this topic further.

But Su Ye could tell.

This protective Revered Master seemed to have developed a hint of resentment toward her fourth Disciple.

"It is just as well that she did not come."

Nangong Li flicked her sleeve.

The purple extreme immortal leaf suddenly accelerated, turning into a streak of purple light, and dived toward the Outer Sect Square of the Taichu Holy Land below.

"Since she is not coming."

"Then the heavy responsibility of selecting Disciples today..."

"Shall be shared by you two sisters on my behalf."

"Remember."

"Better to have nothing than to accept the inferior."

"My Purple Bamboo Peak does not accept useless people."

"And certainly not..."

Nangong Li's voice paused slightly, a sharp, cold light flashing in her eyes.

"Those with crooked minds!"

Boom!

As Nangong Li's words faded.

The purple extreme immortal leaf, carrying an earth-shattering momentum, broke through the last layer of clouds.

Taichu Holy Land.

Outer Sect Square.

We have arrived!

...

Su Ye's Gods Eye View instantly switched to panoramic mode as the purple extreme immortal leaf descended.

Hiss—

Even though he had seen countless grand scenes in the novel's setting.

But when he truly witnessed the Disciple Acceptance Ceremony of the Taichu Holy Land with his own eyes.

Su Ye still couldn't help but gasp.

Magnificent!

Too magnificent!

He saw the white jade square, which was large enough to hold a million people.

It was already packed with people, shoulder to shoulder.

Tens of thousands of young men and women, dressed in various attires, were craning their necks and looking up at the sky in anticipation.

Their faces were filled with excitement, nervousness, expectation, and an infinite yearning for the path of immortality.

And at the very front of the square.

Nine huge floating islands were suspended.

On each island stood a resplendent palace.

Representing the nine main peaks of the Taichu Holy Land.

Various lights intertwined, and Auspicious Beasts flew through the air.

Countless Inner Sect Disciples, deacons, and Elders in Daoist robes were standing on their swords, maintaining order.

The spectacle was a hundred times more shocking than any special effects blockbuster Su Ye had seen in his past life!

"Now this is what you call an Immortal cultivation world!"

Su Ye couldn't help but curse in his heart.

Just then.

A deafening sword hum suddenly came from the sky.

Clang—

He saw a thousand-foot-long golden sword light cut through the sky from the west, arriving in an instant.

The sword light dissipated.

Revealing an old man with an ancient sword on his back and white hair and beard.

He stepped on the Void Realm, and with every step, a Sword Qi lotus flower bloomed beneath his feet.

"It is 'Elder Jue Jian' of Heavenly Sword Peak!"

"Good heavens! Even he has come?"

"I heard that Heavenly Sword Peak is the peak with the strongest combat power. If one could become a Disciple under Elder Jue Jian, it would truly be a step into the heavens!"

The crowd in the square instantly boiled over.

However.

Before the crowd's exclamations had died down.

A sea of fire suddenly ignited in the southern sky.

A giant flaming gourd, carrying a red-faced man, roared toward them.

"That is 'Immortal Master Huoyun' of Danxia Peak!"

"An eighth-grade Alchemy Grandmaster!"

Immediately after.

Beast Taming Peak, Heaven Array Peak, Profound Talisman Peak...

The various Peak Revered Masters each displayed their Divine Abilities and appeared one after another.

Every entrance triggered a tsunami of cheers.

Su Ye watched these scenes and nodded inwardly.

Not bad, not bad.

This turnout is grand enough.

This aura is high enough.

However...

Compared to my Purple Bamboo Peak, it still lacks something.

Su Ye's mouth curled up slightly, locking his perspective back onto the purple bamboo leaf that was plummeting at high speed.

"It is time..."

"To let these bumpkins see what it truly means to outshine everyone with beauty."

Just as the various Peak Revered Masters had sat down and were preparing to exchange pleasantries.

Rumble!

A terrifying and suffocating pressure descended from the sky without warning.

The strength of that pressure.

Actually caused the air in the entire square to freeze.

The once noisy crowd instantly fell silent.

Even those few Peak Revered Masters who were laughing and chatting just a moment ago changed their expressions drastically, standing up one after another and looking up at the sky in horror.

"This aura..."

"Is it her?!"

"She actually came?!"

Under the gaze of everyone.

A huge purple bamboo leaf, like a meteorite from beyond the heavens, slowly broke through the clouds.

On top of the bamboo leaf.

Nangong Li stood with her hands behind her back, her clothes fluttering.

Her peerless face seemed to be coated with a layer of holy golden light under the sun.

And behind her.

Liu Ruyan wore a red dress, enchanting like fire.

Jiang Nian wore green clothes, pure and beautiful like an orchid.

The three Revered Master and Disciples.

One cold, one enchanting, one pure.

Like a beautiful painting, instantly stealing all the color from the world.

Gulp...

In the square, someone didn't know who swallowed their saliva first.

Immediately after.

There were gasps one after another.

"Holy..."

"A fairy! A real fairy!"

"Is that Peak Master of Purple Bamboo Peak, Nangong Li? She is too beautiful! If she could look at me just once, I would be willing to die!"

"Who is that in red? So cool! I want to be stepped on by her!"

"I like the one in green, she looks so gentle, like a little girl next door..."

The crowd completely exploded.

Countless male Disciples' eyes shone, wishing they could rush up and kneel.

Even some female Disciples were dazzled and felt ashamed of themselves.

Su Ye, through his Gods Eye View, listened to those "rebellious" comments below.

Not only was he not angry.

Instead, he felt a strange sense of superiority.

"Heh."

"A bunch of ignorant Mortals."

"You want to be stepped on?"

"You want to see a little girl next door?"

"Sorry."

"These..."

"Are all my personal customizations!"

"That 'gentleness' and 'cruelty' can only be shown to me."

Su Ye felt so satisfied in his heart.

This feeling of having everything while hiding one's merit and fame was even more exciting than showing off directly!

"Junior Sister Nangong."

Just then.

Elder Jue Jian of Heavenly Sword Peak stroked his beard and walked up with a smile.

"It has been ten years, Junior Sister, and you are as graceful as ever."

"I didn't expect you to come out personally for this Disciple Acceptance Ceremony."

"It seems..."

"You have high hopes for this batch of seedlings?"

Nangong Li, with her two Disciples, landed slowly on the floating island belonging to Purple Bamboo Peak.

She just glanced at Elder Jue Jian indifferently and nodded slightly.

"I had nothing to do, so I came to take a look."

Her voice was cold, keeping people at a distance.

Elder Jue Jian was not embarrassed; he was clearly used to Nangong Li's temper.

He smiled, his eyes sweeping over Liu Ruyan and Jiang Nian, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes.

"These are your two high-achieving Disciples, right?"

"Truly dragons and phoenixes among people."

"I heard..."

"That your eldest Disciple Su Ye..."

Bringing up the sore spot.

As soon as Elder Jue Jian said this.

The ears of the surrounding Peak Revered Masters instantly perked up.

Su Ye was a prominent figure in the Taichu Holy Land back then; who didn't know him?

Now that he has become a useless person, he is naturally a topic of conversation for everyone after tea and meals.

Nangong Li's expression instantly turned cold.

An invisible chill spread from her as the center.

Even the surrounding temperature dropped by several degrees out of thin air.

"Senior Brother."

Nangong Li turned her head, her gaze like a sword, piercing directly at Elder Jue Jian.

"The Disciple Acceptance Ceremony is about to begin."

"Instead of caring about my Disciple."

"You might as well care more about..."

"Whether your Heavenly Sword Peak's protective formation can withstand a single sword strike from me!"

"How could my Ye'er be someone you ants are qualified to discuss?"