Thus, the seventy-three disciples who had joined the Profound Heaven Sword Sect this year were all assigned their placements.
Including Ji Fuyao, only four had received direct mentorship from a master. The remaining sixty-nine would be distributed among the various peaks, starting as outer sect disciples.
"All disciples, follow this sect leader to the Sword Heroes Hall to pay respects to the honored spirits of past sword masters!"
Sect Leader Yunhai rose first, flicking his sleeves before leading the disciples to the Sword Heroes Hall behind the main peak, not far from the assembly hall.
This hall only opened once every five years, during the admission of new disciples, to inform the ancestral spirits of each peak.
However, not every new disciple had the privilege to enter and pay respects. Most could only stand outside the doors—only those who had received mentorship were qualified to step inside, and the fortunate might even receive blessings from the ancestors during the ceremony.
Five years ago, because the Longyuan Sword Master was in seclusion and their master-disciple relationship had yet to be formalized, Yu Lanqing could only stand outside the hall with the others.
In her past life, on this very day, she had become the first disciple under the Longyuan Sword Master and, by right, should have been allowed to enter.
Yet, the Longyuan Sword Master had declared that only one disciple per peak needed to enter. Since she had already joined the Profound Heaven Sword Sect five years prior, she was not considered a true new disciple, and the opportunity should be given to her junior sister, Ji Fuyao.
She had been only ten years old when she joined the sect, barely past her coming-of-age ceremony, still naive and trusting. She had believed the Longyuan Sword Master's words and obediently remained outside the Sword Heroes Hall.
She watched as Ji Fuyao entered and triggered the spirit tablet of the Cangxian Sword Master, summoning a blessing.
Though, for some reason, the blessing light had been faint, cutting off halfway. Still, it was the first time in over two hundred years that the Cangxian Sword Master's tablet had reacted.
The entire sect was astounded.
Elders who had previously criticized Ji Fuyao for her mediocre aptitude fell silent after witnessing the blessing she had summoned.
They praised the Longyuan Sword Master for his discerning eye, declaring that even if Ji Fuyao's innate talent was lacking, her ability to invoke the Cangxian Sword Master's blessing made her no lesser than anyone else.
"Disciple Yunhai, leading this year's newly admitted disciples, pays respects to our esteemed ancestors!"
Sect Leader Yunhai's clear voice interrupted Yu Lanqing's reminiscence.
A seal flew from his palm, landing on the hall doors.
The long-sealed gates slowly swung open, and Sect Leader Yunhai addressed the four who had received mentorship that day, "You may enter now."
"Wait!"
"Sect Leader."
Two voices spoke at the same time, coming from the same direction.
Yu Lanqing turned in surprise to see Shen Huaizhu beside her, who had spoken simultaneously. He returned her gaze with a look that said, "Leave it to your master."
"My disciple also received mentorship today. Since she has a master, she should enter the hall to pay respects."
"Yu Lanqing is not among this year's new disciples..." An elder frowned slightly.
"What of it?"
Shen Huaizhu cut him off. "My master's spirit tablet is placed inside. My disciple is his direct descendant in the master-disciple lineage. By both sentiment and reason, she should enter and pay her respects!"
Invoking the name of the "Cangxian Sword Master," no one dared to object further.
Shen Huaizhu was different from them—he cared little for face. If they let him argue further, they would only embarrass themselves in front of the new disciples.
One more or one less person entering the hall was inconsequential.
Sect Leader Yunhai had no issue with granting another the chance for a blessing, especially if it prevented Shen Huaizhu from causing a scene at the entrance. He quickly beckoned Yu Lanqing, who still stood beside Shen Huaizhu.
"Elder Shen speaks wisely. In that case, Lanqing, step forward as well."
"Yes." Yu Lanqing answered crisply.
A bittersweet ache filled her heart, like a cat caught in the rain suddenly finding shelter.
As she passed Shen Huaizhu, she paused slightly and whispered, "Thank you, Master."
In her past life, she had been denied entry by her then-master.
Now, in this life, her new master had effortlessly returned what she had lost, without her even needing to fight for it.
Her new master was truly one of a kind, unparalleled under heaven!
Following the other four into the solemn Sword Heroes Hall, Yu Lanqing still savored the warmth her new master had given her.
The moment she crossed the threshold, the faint scent of locust wood drifted to her nose. Rows of white jade tablets, each engraved with a name, stood atop a high platform.
Each tablet represented a fallen sword master of the Profound Heaven Sword Sect.
These tablets exuded an imposing aura, as if countless powerful cultivators stood before them, pressing down with overwhelming force.
In an instant, the backs of all five entrants were drenched in sweat.
Yu Lanqing was no exception.
Her spiritual sense was stronger than the other four true "new disciples," so she perceived even more.
These tablets were like unsheathed swords, their sharp intent filling the hall, creating the oppressive atmosphere.
All noise from outside was cut off by the sword intent, leaving the hall in absolute silence.
Following Sect Leader Yunhai's guidance, the five knelt on soft cushions.
Yu Lanqing, the last to enter, took the empty cushion in the center. To her left were the two disciples accepted by the Juyang Elder of Wangchen Peak on behalf of his disciple. To her right were Ji Fuyao and another disciple who had received mentorship.
With each bow, the sword intent pressing down on them grew heavier.
Yu Lanqing knelt straight-backed, while the two to her left swayed slightly under the tablets' pressure.
To her right, however, Ji Fuyao tightened her grip on something in her palm and remained steady.
After the first two bows, the hall remained silent.
Just as everyone assumed, as was often the case, no ancestor would descend with blessings—
The tablet at the very center of the front row suddenly emitted a faint glow.
Sect Leader Yunhai, standing guard at the entrance, noticed first.
At first glance, he dismissed it, but upon recognizing which tablet had lit up, his eyes widened. "The Cangxian Sword Master's tablet has been activated!"
Yu Lanqing remained kneeling, head bowed.
Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced to her right, where Ji Fuyao was looking up eagerly, her eyes alight with excitement and determination.
Just as in her past life, Ji Fuyao had triggered the Cangxian Sword Master's tablet, summoning its blessing.
Faint murmurs of congratulations to the Longyuan Sword Master for finding such a fine disciple reached her ears. One elder even declared outright that mediocre aptitude meant little—since Ji Fuyao had received the Cangxian Sword Master's blessing and had the Longyuan Sword Master as her mentor, her future prospects were boundless, no less than those with higher starting points.
On the surface, these words praised Ji Fuyao's fortune and the Longyuan Sword Master's teaching, but beneath lay a veiled slight against her new master and herself.
She could endure insults to herself, but she would not tolerate even the slightest disrespect toward her new master.
To compare Longyuan to her new master—
How dare Longyuan even presume?
A surge of fierce resentment and defiance rose within her. In that instant, an aura no weaker than any sword intent in the hall erupted from Yu Lanqing.
Simultaneously, every tablet in the hall emitted a soft, radiant glow.
These lights gathered together, descending upon Yu Lanqing's head.
The faint glow that had been moving toward Ji Fuyao paled in comparison, eclipsed by the brilliance that now illuminated the hall like daylight.