Chapter 3: First Lesson for Beginners

Just now, was that truly a Grand Dao oath of confidentiality?

As she walked out of the thatched hut, Lan Ling’e’s eyes, like black pearls, seemed to dim, and she swayed unsteadily, her steps faltering.

“Here,” a hand reached out from beside her, holding a light green pill in its palm.

Li Changshou said gently, “This is an Essence-Nourishing and Breath-Stabilizing Pill. It’s completely non-toxic and its medicinal properties are very mild. Even uncultivated mortals can use it to replenish their vitality.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother…”

Lan Ling’e replied timidly, took the pill, and turned slightly to place it in her mouth.

The pill melted instantly upon touching the saliva in her mouth, like a mouthful of sweet, clear spring water. It made her hum softly and instantly lifted her spirits.

‘This junior sister is indeed quite cute,’ Li Changshou thought.

Li Changshou’s large hand reached over, gently stroking her head as he spoke softly:

“From now on, you’re a part of Little Qiong Peak too. I’ll first take you around to familiarize you with the surroundings.

Later, after Master is done with the pill’s effects — *cough* — I mean, after Master finishes his meditation, he should teach you the introductory cultivation methods. If you have any questions about cultivation, you can always ask me.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother,” Lan Ling’e replied, her hands behind her back, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum.

Li Changshou, hands behind his back, walked towards the lake. “Let’s first take a look at the spirit fish we raise in the lake. These are all valuable, and a crucial part of our Little Qiong Peak’s assets.”

Lan Ling’e quickly followed, stepping onto the soft grass, and stood on her tiptoes to peer into the lake.

The lake water was exceptionally clear. Inside, schools of fish swam freely and playfully, carefree.

“Look,” Li Changshou said, pointing at a few spirit fish with colorful, shimmering scales. “Aren’t they beautiful?”

“Mm-hmm!” Lan Ling’e nodded vigorously, her attention captivated by the spirit fish, and she kept making soft sounds of admiration.

Then she heard her senior brother’s gentle voice from beside her:

“Once you cultivate your first breath of spiritual energy, we’ll have a spirit fish feast. These multi-colored scaled spirit fish are called Liwei; not only do they taste delicious—whether fried, steamed, roasted, or deep-fried, they are top-tier delicacies—but more importantly, they can also improve the quality of a cultivator’s first breath of spiritual energy.”

Lan Ling’e’s brow furrowed. “We, we’re going to eat them?”

“Otherwise, why would we raise them?”

Li Changshou raised his left hand, waved his sleeve, and scattered a handful of rice grains, calling out, “Dinner time!”

Spirit fish swam over from all directions, and the lakeside instantly became lively, making Lan Ling’e’s eyes light up.

“Here,” the large hand extended again, this time holding a small cloth bag. “Inside are fish pellets. If you like it, the task of feeding the fish daily will be yours from now on.”

“Mm-hmm! Thank you, Senior Brother!”

Lan Ling’e happily replied, took the cloth bag, poured out some crushed rice from it, and sprinkled it onto the lake surface;

Seeing her cautious manner, it was as if she feared the fish food might damage the spirit fish’s beautiful scales.

Li Changshou smiled calmly from the side.

Ah, that’s less work to do every day, freeing up more time for cultivation…

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

Lan Ling’e raised her small hand, scattering handfuls of fish food. The spirit fish in the water swayed back and forth in groups, having a wonderful time.

Li Changshou waited for a moment beside her, then flicked his finger lightly. Two small water columns erupted from the lake surface, and two Liwei fish were pushed out of the water, then magically pulled into the air by him, encased in water spheres, and sent into his sleeve.

Lan Ling’e, watching from the side, was momentarily stunned. She quietly asked, “Senior Brother, why are you putting the fish in your sleeve?”

“For a gift,” Li Changshou said calmly. “Don’t think that just because our Immortal Du Sect is a cultivation sect, social etiquette here is much the same as in the mortal world. I’ll be taking you to register later, and we can’t go empty-handed.”

Lan Ling’e blinked; though she didn’t quite understand, she dutifully said, “You’re too kind, Senior Brother.”

“It’s no bother. Come over here when you’re done playing.”

Li Changshou, hands behind his back, floated over to a nearby herb garden. Lan Ling’e glanced at the clustered fish by the lake, waved lightly at them, and quickly followed him.

By the herb garden, Li Changshou briefly introduced the types and uses of the hundreds of spiritual herbs within it;

Lan Ling’e diligently took notes, unaware that her senior brother had already designated her as a new gardener. Listening to his warm voice, she couldn’t help but think of her mother, who always spoke softly…

The scenery on Little Qiong Peak was pleasant, but there wasn’t much else to introduce.

Li Changshou took his new junior sister around the thatched hut twice, outlined an area for her to build a new hut, then cast a spell to summon a white cloud. Riding the cloud, he took Lan Ling’e flying among the mountains.

Lan Ling’e couldn’t help but ask, “Senior Brother, can you also fly on a crane?”

“Yes, as long as you can control objects,” Li Changshou said, lightly tapping the white cloud beneath their feet. The white cloud suddenly let out a soft cry, and a massive crane spread its wings, carrying the two of them slowly forward.

Lan Ling’e’s large eyes instantly sparkled, her small hand clutching her senior brother’s Daoist robe, and she murmured in admiration, looking down.

“These are just simple illusionary tricks,” Li Changshou said. “More importantly, when you fly within the sect later, there are a few things you must remember.”

“What things, Senior Brother?”

Li Changshou cleared his throat, organized his previously prepared teaching points, and decided to start with the basics, guiding his junior sister from small matters.

So, he said earnestly, “First, regarding the height of flight within the sect: don’t fly too high, nor too low. Higher up, some senior experts of the sect often pass by, and directly encountering them can easily cause offense;

Junior sister, you must remember that if you are noticed by these senior experts, there’s a fifty percent chance you’ll leave a good impression, and a fifty percent chance you’ll leave a bad one;

Leaving a good impression doesn’t necessarily bring any benefits, but leaving a bad impression will definitely create hidden troubles.

So, it’s best not to be noticed by them at all. If you do encounter them, just bow. Doing your duty is enough.”

“Oh, Ling’e has noted that!”

“Also, don’t fly too low, because that makes it easy to pass over areas of mountains with buildings.

While the sect appears peaceful on the surface, there’s also competition beneath the surface. Many people care about trivial rankings, and if you fly too low, you might easily become their target.

So, after a century of exploration, I, your senior brother, have summarized an appropriate flight height within the sect: from our residence, ascend thirty to fifty *zhang*. At this height, you rarely encounter fellow disciples, let alone senior experts…”

Lan Ling’e listened to her senior brother’s lengthy discourse, diligently committing it all to memory. She couldn’t help but look up at his chiseled face.

Senior brother is indeed very handsome, and considers things so thoroughly…

Accompanied by her senior brother’s continuous admonishments, Lan Ling’e was brought to the Immortal Du Sect’s main peak.

This peak was located at the very center of the Immortal Du Sect’s mountain range, and was also the most imposing and tallest peak. It resembled a sword piercing the heavens, thrust into the clouds.

Therefore, it was also called Heaven-Breaking Peak.

At the summit of Heaven-Breaking Peak stood an immortal hall, a place for the Sect Master, various elders, and peak lords to hold discussions. It was also a restricted flying zone on normal days; disciples were not permitted to approach without special permission. Halfway up Heaven-Breaking Peak, there was a cluster of pavilions and halls built into the mountainside, where many figures moved about daily.

As her senior brother explained, Ling’e learned that this was the Immortal Du Sect’s ‘office’ for handling internal affairs. Disciples from all peaks came here to collect their monthly stipends and regularly report on their cultivation progress.

Walking on the bluestone path here, Lan Ling’e was surprised to find that she and her senior brother seemed to be invisible. There were all sorts of fellow disciples present, yet not a single gaze fell upon them.

Even if someone occasionally looked in their direction, their gaze would smoothly pass over them…

Li Changshou’s voice echoed in Ling’e’s ears, still diligently instructing her: “Ling’e, you must remember, not being noticed and lowering your sense of presence is the best way to avoid being entangled in karma.

I’ve refined a Daoist art for concealing one’s aura; I’ll teach it to you once you begin your cultivation.”

“Mm-hmm, thank you, Senior Brother.”

“No need, this is what a senior brother should do,” Li Changshou replied with a smile, and led Lan Ling’e past the road to the hall with the plaque reading ‘Hundred Mortals Hall’.

Inside the hall, Lan Ling’e watched as her senior brother took out the two spirit fish and chatted warmly with a middle-aged Daoist priest responsible for sect registration. She couldn’t help but blink.

Her senior brother…

…he’s so mature.