Chapter 3: Beginner's First Lesson

Just now, was that really the Great Dao Oath about keeping secrets?

When Lan Ling'e walked out of the thatched cottage, her eyes, like black pearls, had lost some of their luster. Her whole body was unsteady, swaying as if she might fall over, and her steps felt light and unstable.

A hand reached out from beside her, holding a pale green pill in its palm.

Li Changshou said warmly:

“Peiyuan Ningxi Pill, it has no toxicity and is very mild in nature. Even ordinary people who haven’t started cultivating can use it to replenish their vital energy.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother…”

Lan Ling'e responded timidly, took the pill, and turned slightly to put it in her mouth.

The pill dissolved instantly upon touching the saliva in her mouth, like a sweet spring of fresh water, making her let out a soft hum and instantly feel more energized.

‘This junior sister is really quite adorable.’

Li Changshou’s hand reached over and gently stroked her head as he said warmly:

“From now on, you’re part of Xiaoqiong Peak. I’ll take you around the area first so you can get familiar with the environment. Later, once Master has recovered from his medicinal effects—cough, I mean, once Master finishes his meditation—he should teach you the entry-level cultivation techniques. If you have any questions about practicing, feel free to ask me anytime.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Lan Ling'e replied softly, her hands clasped behind her back.

Li Changshou walked toward the lake with his hands behind his back. “Let’s start by looking at the spirit fish in the lake. These are all valuable things and an important part of Xiaoqiong Peak’s assets.”

Lan Ling'e hurried after him, stepping on the soft grass and tiptoeing to peer into the lake.

The lake water was exceptionally clear, and the fish inside swam freely and carefree, playing without a worry.

“Look,” Li Changshou pointed at several fish with colorful scales, “aren’t they beautiful?”

“Mhm!”

Lan Ling'e nodded vigorously, completely captivated by the spirit fish, and kept letting out soft sighs of admiration.

From beside her, her senior brother’s gentle voice continued:

“Once you cultivate your first breath of spiritual energy, we’ll have a spirit fish banquet. This type with the colorful scales is called Pi Wei. Not only is it delicious, whether fried, steamed, roasted, or fried, it’s top-notch, and more importantly, it can improve the quality of a cultivator’s first breath of spiritual energy.”

Two black lines appeared on Lan Ling'e’s forehead. “We have to eat them?”

“What else would we raise them for?”

Li Changshou raised his left hand, his sleeve fluttering as he scattered a handful of grain, calling out: “Time to eat!”

The spirit fish swam over from all directions, and the lake’s edge suddenly became lively, making Lan Ling'e’s eyes light up with excitement.

“Here,” that hand extended again, this time holding a small cloth bag, “this is fish feed. If you like it, I’ll leave the daily feeding to you from now on.”

“Mhm! Thank you, Senior Brother!”

Lan Ling'e responded happily, took the cloth bag, poured out some grain fragments, and scattered them onto the lake surface. She did it so carefully, as if the feed might damage the spirit fish’s beautiful scales.

Beside her, Li Changshou smiled calmly.

Ah, that’s one less daily task for me—more time for cultivation…

From this angle, having a junior sister isn’t so bad.

Lan Ling'e tossed another handful of feed, and the spirit fish swarmed around in the water, playing joyfully.

Li Changshou waited for a while, then flicked his finger lightly, sending two small water columns splashing up from the lake. Two Pi Wei fish were launched into the air, which he caught with his Qi, wrapped in a water ball, and tucked into his sleeve.

Lan Ling'e stared in astonishment and asked softly: “Senior Brother, why are you putting the fish in your sleeve?”

“For gifts,” Li Changshou replied casually. “Don’t think that just because Du Xian Men is an immortal sect, it’s any different from the mortal world when it comes to social obligations. I’m taking you to register soon, so we can’t go empty-handed.”

Lan Ling'e blinked, not fully understanding, but she said obediently: “Sorry to trouble you, Senior Brother.”

“It’s nothing. Once you’ve had enough fun, come over here.”

Li Changshou drifted over to the nearby herb garden with his hands behind his back, and Lan Ling'e glanced at the fish clustering by the lake, waved at them gently, and quickly followed.

At the herb garden, Li Changshou briefly introduced the types and effects of the hundreds of spirit herbs inside.

Lan Ling'e listened attentively, trying hard to remember, unaware that her senior brother had already assigned her as the new gardener. As she heard his warm voice, she couldn’t help but think of her mother, who had always spoken so gently…

The scenery on Xiaoqiong Peak was quite nice, but there wasn’t much else that needed explaining.

Li Changshou took his new junior sister around the thatched cottage a couple of times, marked out an area for her to build her own thatched cottage, then summoned a white cloud and flew with Lan Ling'e toward the mountains.

Lan Ling'e couldn’t help asking: “Senior Brother, can you fly on an immortal crane too?”

“Yes, as long as you can control objects,” Li Changshou replied, gently tapping the cloud beneath their feet. The cloud suddenly let out a light cry, transforming into a massive immortal crane that spread its wings and carried them forward slowly.

Lan Ling'e’s eyes sparkled, and she clutched at her senior brother’s robe with her small hands, looking down in admiration.

“It’s just a simple illusion technique. But compared to that, once you can fly in the sect, you need to remember a few things.”

“What things, Senior Brother?”

Li Changshou cleared his throat and organized his prepared teaching points, deciding to start with the basics and guide her step by step.

So, he said earnestly: “First, when flying within the sect, don’t go too high or too low. The higher areas are often patrolled by senior experts in the sect, and running into them head-on could be seen as disrespectful.

You need to remember, junior sister, that if you catch the attention of these senior experts, there’s a fifty percent chance they’ll form a good impression and fifty percent they’ll form a bad one.

A good impression might not bring any benefits, but a bad one will definitely leave hidden troubles.

So, it’s best not to draw their notice at all. If you do encounter them, just bow and go about your own business.”

“Oh, I’ll remember that, Ling'e!”

“Also, don’t fly too low, because that could take you over areas with buildings on other peaks.

Although the sect appears peaceful on the surface, there’s hidden competition, and many people care about trivial rankings. If you fly too low, you might become a target.

So, after a hundred years of experience, I’ve figured out the ideal flying height within the sect: from our residence, rise between thirty and fifty zhang. At that height, you rarely meet other disciples, let alone senior experts…”

Lan Ling'e listened to her senior brother’s lengthy explanation, trying her best to commit it all to memory. She couldn’t help but look up at his well-defined face.

Senior Brother is so handsome and thoughtful…

Amid her senior brother’s constant reminders, Lan Ling'e was led to the main peak of Du Xian Men.

This peak was at the center of the Du Xian Men mountains, the tallest and most imposing, like a sword piercing the clouds.

Thus, it was called Potian Peak.

At the top of Potian Peak stood an immortal hall, where the sect leader and the various elders and peak masters held their meetings. It was a no-fly zone, and disciples couldn’t approach without permission. Midway up the peak, there was a cluster of pavilions and halls built along the mountainside, bustling with people every day.

After her senior brother’s introduction, Lan Ling'e learned that this was the sect’s “office” for handling internal affairs. Disciples from each peak came here to collect their monthly allowances and regularly report their cultivation progress.

Walking along the bluestone path, Lan Ling'e was surprised to find that she and her senior brother seemed invisible. All sorts of fellow disciples were around, but no one’s gaze landed on them.

Even if someone’s eyes glanced their way by chance, they would smoothly pass over…

Li Changshou’s voice rang in Lan Ling'e’s ear, still earnestly advising: “Ling'e, you must remember that not drawing attention and minimizing your presence is the best way to avoid karma.

I’ve modified a technique for hiding your aura. Once you’ve started your cultivation, I’ll teach it to you.”

“Mhm, thank you, Senior Brother.”

“Don’t mention it; it’s what I should do as your senior brother.” Li Changshou replied with a smile and led Lan Ling'e along the path to the hall with a plaque reading “Bai Fan Hall.”

Inside the hall, Lan Ling'e watched as her senior brother pulled out the two spirit fish and chatted warmly with a middle-aged Daoist in charge of registration, and she couldn’t help blinking.

Senior Brother…

He’s so mature.