Volume 1 Chapter 5

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Volume 1 Chapter 5: Jiuhua

The cloud-like mist formed from the green silk scarf slowly carried Changchun Zi and Xu Fan into the sky. As it was Xu Fan’s first experience of flying, he felt a mix of excitement and a hint of panic, as he was now hundreds of feet above the ground, with only a thin layer of clouds beneath him, which did not provide much sense of safety.

"Master, how can this green silk scarf turn into mist? Can it really carry people flying?" Looking at the small hills and trees below, Xu Fan, holding back his various emotions, hesitated a moment before asking.

Even though this person was his master, and he willingly became a disciple, Lu Huayan’s intentions were not pure. So, Xu Fan still felt a little awkward when speaking to him.

"This is a magical artifact of mine, called ‘Three Meters Green Silk.’ It has many wonderful uses and has been with me for hundreds of years. Magical artifacts are essential for cultivators, and there are many kinds, each with different functions. According to their power, they are divided into three levels: Heaven, Earth, and Human, with each level further divided into high, medium, and low ranks. This artifact is a high-level Human artifact," Lu Huayan explained.

Seeing Xu Fan’s expression, Lu Huayan seemed to understand his panic and continued, "Don’t worry, this ‘Three Meters Green Silk’ is the first magical artifact created by your master’s wife and has been refined by me for hundreds of years. While it may not be the best in the world, it will not let you fall from the sky."

"Yes, Master, I understand." After hearing Lu Huayan’s words, Xu Fan’s face turned slightly red, realizing he had been seen through. He quickly changed the topic and asked, "Doesn’t the artifact master need this?"

Hearing Xu Fan’s question, a faint sadness appeared on Changchun Zi’s usually stern face. He slowly replied, "Your master’s talent for cultivating was not as high as mine. Two hundred years ago, she could no longer resist her fate and passed away."

"I’m sorry, Master. I shouldn’t have asked that question." Seeing Lu Huayan’s sad expression, Xu Fan said quickly.

"It’s okay. The departed are gone; it’s all fate," Lu Huayan sighed. As if remembering something, he said to Xu Fan, "Now that you are considered a person of the Immortal Realm, there are some things you must know."

"Yes, please tell me, Master." Xu Fan said respectfully.

"People in the mortal world have many wrong views about cultivators. Mainly, there are three points: First, they believe that cultivators represent fate, but they don’t know that fate dictates that ordinary people can live less than a hundred years, while cultivators seek longevity and challenge fate. How can they represent fate? So, while cultivators may respect fate, they do not represent it; Second, they think cultivators have endless time, which is even more incorrect. In order to live longer and gain more strength, cultivators are busy with their training all day, with no free time; Third, they believe cultivators are without desires, but the stronger a person is, the stronger their desires become. Cultivators’ desires simply manifest in their wish for longevity and greater power. Do you remember these three points?" Lu Huayan said slowly.

"I will remember Master’s teachings." Xu Fan was shocked by Lu Huayan’s words but answered with an unreadable expression.

"Good, just remember." Lu Huayan nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied with Xu Fan’s calm demeanor.

Without speaking further, with the help of Three Meters Green Silk, Xu Fan and Lu Huayan reached the Middle-earth area of the Shenzhou Continent in less than half a day, a place known as Prosperous Middle-earth.

During his time in the village, Xu Fan had often heard Second Elder describe the prosperity of Middle-earth, although Second Elder only learned about it from books. Now, looking down from above, it was indeed extraordinary. The immense, prosperous city, the magnificent and colorful buildings, and the densely packed crowds shocked Xu Fan, who had never seen such a place before, as much as the first time he saw Lu Huayan use his powers. Even Xu Qingfan felt that the population in the city below was greater than the entire Southern Wasteland’s population. Not to mention the lush green mountains and fertile farmlands, which were a world apart from the impoverished Southern Wasteland.

Unfortunately, Lu Huayan had no intention of stopping to let Xu Fan admire the view, directing the Three Meters Green Silk to continue flying north.

After about half an hour, Lu Huayan brought Xu Fan to a huge desolate mountain. Although the mountain was towering and steep, there were no signs of life, and even the trees were scarce, making it just a barren mountain. Xu Fan looked at Changchun Zi in confusion, not understanding why they stopped here.

Seeing Xu Fan’s puzzled expression, Lu Huayan calmly said, "This is Jiuhua Mountain, where our Jiuhua Gate is located."

"What?" Xu Fan cried out in surprise after hearing Lu Huayan. Along the way, he had guessed more than once what his sect would look like. He imagined it might be grand and glorious, or surrounded by an ethereal aura, but he never thought it would be so desolate and lifeless.

Noticing Xu Fan’s surprised and disappointed look, Lu Huayan’s ancient face rarely showed a hint of a smile as he said, "Look closely." Saying this, Lu Huayan took out a piece of yellow talisman paper from his sleeve and abruptly shouted, "Three thousand worlds, all connecting, open!" Then he shot the talisman towards the barren mountain.

A strange thing happened; after flying a short distance towards the barren mountain, the talisman seemed to be blocked by something and stopped abruptly. Then, it began to ignite without a flame, releasing a thousand rays of light. The originally desolate mountain scenery rippled as if disturbed by pebbles thrown into still water. Soon after, the talisman burned out, and where it had hovered, a circular light hole appeared, seemingly emanating waves of celestial light.

Seeing the light hole form, Lu Huayan wasted no time and, with Xu Fan still in shock from the sudden change, quickly flew towards it.

As Lu Huayan and Xu Fan entered the light hole, the softly glowing light began to shrink until it vanished. The barren mountain remained unchanged, appearing as if nothing had happened moments before.

After Xu Fan followed Lu Huayan into the light hole, he discovered that the scene before him had suddenly changed. The mountain was still the same mountain, but it had become lush and magnificent. A misty aura surrounded the mountain, and occasionally, celestial cranes flew by, singing. From the mountainside to the peak, several grand, delicate, and elegant halls and bamboo cottages were built, appearing near and far in the floating clouds, seeming both close and distant.

What a beautiful fairyland! This was the place that Xu Fan imagined fairies lived in. No, it was even more enchanting than he had ever imagined.

Seeing Xu Fan’s astonished expression, Lu Huayan slightly shook his head and explained, "What you saw outside just now, the desolate mountain scenery, was merely an illusion created by our mountain protection array to avoid disturbances from ordinary people. After you have trained for two years, you will naturally be able to see through such illusions."

"Yes, I understand, Master." Looking at the amazing sight before him and thinking about how he would soon enter this magical world, Xu Fan couldn’t help but feel excited. But he still tried hard to control his excitement and bowed to Lu Huayan, saying.

Just as the master and disciple were talking, two beams of light, one white and one purple, suddenly shot quickly toward Lu Huayan and Xu Fan, and in the blink of an eye, they appeared not far in front of them. Xu Fan focused and saw that they were two middle-aged people using strange magical tools. He understood that these two must be disciples of Jiuhua Mountain.

The two disciples looked to be only in their thirties, wearing the same style of white robes, but their magical tools were different. The disciple surrounded by white light stood on a small white boat, while the one glowing purple stood on a magical tool that resembled a feather.

The two disciples, upon seeing Lu Huayan, were initially taken aback, then quickly bowed and respectfully said, "Disciple Li Yuhan (Sheng Yushan) greets Martial Uncle. Welcome back to the mountain, Martial Uncle."

Lu Huayan, however, did not pay attention to what the two disciples said. He simply nodded slightly and asked indifferently, "Where is your master?"

Li Yuhan replied, "Martial Uncle, my master has been in seclusion for three months, handling all affairs himself. If Martial Uncle has any matters, you can also entrust them to us disciples."

Lu Huayan heard Li Yuhan say this and nodded. He said, "It’s nothing important; I have taken on a direct disciple outside. I would like your master to register him and provide some basic supplies. Isn’t your master always in charge of these things?" As he spoke, Lu Huayan pointed to Xu Fan beside him.

"These matters can be handled by the disciples," Li Yuhan replied to Lu Huayan. After speaking, he and Sheng Yushan bowed to Xu Fan and said, "Disciples Li Yuhan and Sheng Yushan greet Martial Uncle."

After that, both of them secretly glanced at Xu Fan with strange eyes. It’s important to know that while direct disciples, inner disciples, and registered disciples are all called disciples, their status and the care they receive from their master are quite different. Registered disciples usually have lower aptitude and only learn some basic cultivation methods, making them almost like servants in a big sect. Inner disciples can learn advanced cultivation methods and are the backbone of the sect. As for direct disciples, as the name suggests, they receive personal instruction from their master and learn the most essential cultivation methods and insights. Once they are ready, they become elite members of various sects, responsible for passing on their master’s teachings.

Cultivators need to focus on their training to seek the path to immortality; they don’t have time to constantly teach their disciples. Therefore, most cultivators only take one or two direct disciples throughout their lives, and those selected are always exceptionally talented. However, Xu Fan clearly had average talent, so it was no wonder the two inner disciples, who were far more skilled, found it strange.

They had no idea that Lu Huayan chose Xu Fan as a direct disciple just to use the Wood-type Qi within him for his own experiment on immortality.

Although Xu Fan was mentally prepared, he didn’t expect Lu Huayan to be of such a high rank. Watching the two disciples, who were much more capable than him, bow to him, he quickly waved his hand and said, "I don’t dare!"

"What do you mean you don’t dare? You think you, my Lu Huayan’s disciple, you can’t even let them call you Martial Uncle?" Lu Huayan exclaimed, his eyes wide.

Upon hearing Lu Huayan’s words, Xu Fan, Li Yuhan, and Sheng Yushan all felt very embarrassed and didn’t dare to say a word.

After Xu Fan registered with the two disciples, he received some common items from Jiuhua Gate, like the long robes that all disciples wear and the token used for identification when entering. Then, he and Lu Huayan were carried away by the Three Meters Green Silk.

In just a moment, the two flew to the side of a mountain and landed in front of a lovely small house. The area around the house was filled with lush, green trees. On the door of the house, a sign read "Changchun Residence." Xu Fan knew that this must be the home of his master, Changchun Zi Lu Huayan.

At the moment they landed, the front door of the house opened, and an elderly man dressed in Confucian robes walked out. He had a graceful presence and looked to be around the same age as Lu Huayan. After bowing to Lu Huayan, he said, "Master, you have returned."

"Yes, Xu Fan, this is your senior brother, Yue Qingru. Qingru, this is my new disciple, Xu Fan. Please go prepare the incense altar so your junior brother can pay respects to our ancestors," Lu Huayan introduced Yue Qingru to Xu Fan and then instructed Yue Qingru.

"Yes, Master." As Yue Qingru spoke, he stole a glance at Xu Fan, wondering why his master would take such an ordinary person as a disciple.

Thus, Xu Fan followed his master and senior brother to the Changchun Residence ancestral hall to pay respects to the ancestors of the Jiuhua Gate Changchun Zi lineage. Yue Qingru also introduced Xu Fan to the rules and various taboos of Jiuhua Gate. Afterwards, Xu Fan formally met his master and senior brother. When Yue Qingru learned that Xu Fan was actually the master’s direct disciple, he was even more surprised. It is known that Lu Huayan was reclusive and rarely took in students; Yue Qingru himself was accepted as a disciple only because of his ancestors’ close relationship with Lu Huayan.

After everything was done, the three of them returned to the main hall. Changchun Zi Lu Huayan took his seat at the head, while Xu Fan and Yue Qingru stood respectfully in front of him after performing the disciple’s greeting.

Looking at the two before him, Lu Huayan slowly said to Xu Fan, "Jiuhua Gate has been established for thousands of years, with strict rules and clear hierarchy. According to the words of our founder, based on the order of ‘Xu Hua Qing Yu,’ I belong to the ‘Hua’ generation, while you belong to the ‘Qing’ generation. From now on, your name will be changed to Xu Qingfan. Do you accept this?"

Xu Fan, who would now be called Xu Qingfan, respectfully replied, "I accept, Master."

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s answer, Lu Huayan nodded with satisfaction and said to Yue Qingru, "Qingru, please arrange a room for Qingfan to stay in, and show him around the area of Changchun Residence. Qingfan, come to my room once you are familiar with the surroundings."

"Yes, Master." Xu Qingfan and Yue Qingru replied at the same time.