Ordinary Bone

Yunlu Mountain, Westwind Pavilion.

This was one of the locations in Qingxuan Sect responsible for handling outer disciples' affairs.

"Fairy Linglong, the registration for this young man has been completed. Here is a copper mirror and a jade slip for passing on techniques. Please take them."

Inside Westwind Pavilion, an elderly man with graying hair handed a wooden box containing the copper mirror and a white jade slip to Linglong.

"Taiping, keep this copper mirror safe. It serves not only as proof of your status as a registered outer disciple but also as a tool for listening to the lectures of the sect elders in the future," Linglong explained as she handed the items to Xu Taiping.

"That's correct," the elderly steward of Westwind Pavilion added with a smile. "Outer disciples do not receive the direct guidance of teachers as inner disciples do. Instead, on the first and fifteenth of each month, they can use this copper mirror to watch the lectures of the sect elders."

"And what about this jade slip?" Xu Taiping asked as he picked it up.

"That's a jade slip for passing down techniques. It contains a basic Qi Refining cultivation method. To use it, simply calm your mind and press it to your forehead," the elderly man explained.

"Yes, and the jade slip also includes instructions on how to use the copper mirror, as well as the rules and guidelines you need to follow as a disciple. Once you've settled in, you can go through it carefully," Linglong added.

"Understood," Xu Taiping nodded.

"Pavilion Master Liu, do you have any herb gardens under your supervision that still need caretakers?" Linglong asked, turning to the Pavilion Master.

"Well..." Pavilion Master Liu hesitated, his expression stiffening.

In the outer sect, herb gardens were undoubtedly the easiest way for disciples to earn merits. The work was light, and the rewards were plentiful.

"Pavilion Master Liu, this child is distantly related to me. If you can help with this matter, consider it a favor. The Seventh Peak's Zhao Linglong owes you one," Linglong said sincerely.

Hearing this, Pavilion Master Liu's eyes lit up immediately.

He was well aware of Linglong's status—she was the direct disciple of the Seventh Peak's master and had a bright future ahead of her. A favor from her was worth a great deal.

"Since Fairy Linglong has asked, I'll naturally help," Pavilion Master Liu said after a moment of thought, nodding his head.

Hearing his response, Linglong breathed a sigh of relief.

Standing nearby, Xu Taiping cast a grateful glance toward Linglong, silently noting this debt of gratitude in his heart.

"To be honest, Fairy Linglong, there is indeed an herb garden under our jurisdiction that currently lacks a caretaker. It's located in Yunqi Valley, about three thousand li from Westwind Pavilion. The place is called Green Bamboo Residence. It includes half an acre of spiritual herb garden and a small courtyard suitable for living and cultivation," Pavilion Master Liu explained as he pointed to a map on the wall.

Half an hour later.

At the entrance of Westwind Pavilion.

"Pavilion Master, wasn't there a report about evil spirits haunting Green Bamboo Residence? If that child ends up in trouble, how will we explain this to Fairy Linglong?" one of the Westwind Pavilion stewards asked worriedly, watching as Linglong and Xu Taiping flew away on a spiritual crane.

"Those were just baseless rumors. A few disciples from the Fourth Peak investigated recently and found nothing unusual," Pavilion Master Liu replied dismissively with a wave of his hand.

"Besides, even if something does happen, he's just an outer disciple from beyond the mountain. If he dies, so be it. Each year, only half of the new outer disciples who enter the mountain manage to survive. If I had to take responsibility for every single death, how could I continue being Pavilion Master?" he added, shooting the steward an annoyed glance.

"You're right, Pavilion Master. I was overthinking it," the steward said, retreating with an embarrassed expression.

Another half-hour later.

Green Bamboo Residence.

"Fairy Linglong, we've arrived at Green Bamboo Residence," said the spiritual crane, speaking in human language. With a gentle shake of its wings, it landed Linglong and Xu Taiping steadily on the ground.

Once Xu Taiping found his footing, he looked ahead.

Nestled within a verdant bamboo grove was a small courtyard with mud walls. The ground was littered with fallen bamboo leaves, nearly covering the threshold.

"Little Taiping, from now on, you'll have to rely on yourself," Linglong said, glancing at the sky. She seemed reluctant to leave.

The time she had agreed upon with Elder Black Dragon was almost up.

"Thank you, Sister Linglong. I'll work hard in my cultivation and strive to reach the Seventh Peak as soon as possible," Xu Taiping said, his youthful face showing a determination beyond his years.

"I believe in you," Linglong said with a smile, patting Xu Taiping's cheek. She then pulled a bone flute and a coin pouch from her sleeve and handed them to him.

"This bone flute can summon nearby spiritual birds. The coin pouch contains thirty merit coins provided by Westwind Pavilion for every new disciple. If you urgently need anything, you can use one merit coin to have a spiritual bird fetch it for you. But unless it's absolutely necessary, don't waste these coins. Your herb garden is likely abandoned, so you'll need these coins to buy seeds and food supplies."

"I won't waste them, Sister Linglong," Xu Taiping promised, carefully accepting the bone flute and coin pouch.

"Little Taiping, take care. Until we meet again," Linglong said with a smile as she mounted the spiritual crane.

"Goodbye, Sister Linglong," Xu Taiping replied, waving at her.

"Whoosh!"

With a powerful flap of its wings, the spiritual crane stirred up a gust of wind and soared into the sky.

"Little Taiping, I hope we meet again," Linglong murmured softly as she watched his figure grow smaller and smaller from above.

Having grown up in Qingxuan Sect, she knew all too well that outer disciples with White Bones rarely succeeded in joining the Seven Peaks. Most failed to pass the selection within the three-year deadline.

"Creak..."

After Linglong left, Xu Taiping pushed open the courtyard gate and strode inside, heading straight to the herb garden in the backyard.

"Just as Sister Linglong said—the herb garden is indeed abandoned," Xu Taiping muttered, looking at the overgrown, desolate patch of land.

But he hadn't come to the garden just to confirm this fact.

Carefully, Xu Taiping took out a wooden box from his robe. From the box, he retrieved a small porcelain bottle and poured out a single yellow bean-like seed.

Yes, it was the seed his grandfather had left him.

"Grandfather said that if I plant this seed in an immortal mountain, I'll gain a great fortune," Xu Taiping murmured as he crouched down and dug a small hole in the soil with his hands. He gently placed the yellow seed into the hole.

"Since the pill he gave me was real, this seed must be real too," Xu Taiping said to himself as he carefully covered the seed with soil, packing it gently with his hands.

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