Lu Tianyu yelped in alarm, instinctively dragging Gu Qingxi backward. Even Mo Tiancheng, despite his formidable control, reacted with startled swiftness. His Frostspring Sword flashed from its sheath in a blur of chilled light. With a precise, economy of motion stroke, he cleaved the roaring Fiery Serpent down its blazing center.
The bifurcated serpent writhed, its fiery intensity visibly diminishing, though the heat radiating from the separate halves still pressed suffocatingly against the skin. Slowly, agonizingly, the two infernal manifestations dissipated, leaving behind only shimmering air thick with the acrid scent of scorched ozone. The oppressive heat lingered, a tangible reminder of the unleashed power.
Lu Tianyu gingerly patted his forehead, hissing as he plucked out several strands of singed hair. He leveled a look of profound betrayal at his Master. "Shifu," he questioned, his voice heavy with wounded accusation, "was that a covert attempt at disciple pruning?"
Mo Tiancheng remained silent for a beat. The sheer scale and manifestation of the fire evoked by that single talisman… It defied the expected parameters of a standard Fire Seal. His initial assessment had clearly underestimated its potency.
Gu Qingxi stared, wide-eyed. The tips of her own hair nearest the blast zone had frizzled slightly from the intense heat. Only Lu Tianyu's reflex to shield her had spared her a more drastic haircut.
"The talisman," Mo Tiancheng finally stated, his voice thoughtful, "bears the superficial markings of a Third Grade Seal... but its unleashed potential positions it firmly within the Fourth Grade threshold, perhaps even exceeding it." He picked up another Fire Talisman, examining its intricate strokes more closely. "A situation akin to Tianyu's own capacity to contest opponents well above his established cultivation tier."
"Shimei truly is a prodigy!" Lu Tianyu exclaimed, the near-miss forgotten in a surge of pride, his accusation melting away. His Shimei was incredible!
"Consequently," Mo Tiancheng fixed Lu Tianyu with a knowing look, cutting straight to the pragmatic heart of the matter, "should you choose to sell talismans of Shimei's creation… do not undersell them. Aim significantly above the market standard for their surface grade." His gaze held the quiet understanding of a Master who knew his disciple's perennial financial woes all too well, especially the one perpetually lamenting his poverty.
Lu Tianyu chuckled sheepishly, running a rueful hand over the enormous hilt of the oversized sword strapped to his back. "Well, what choice is there? Keeping this behemoth battle-ready costs triple what my Martial Brothers spend on their blades! Poverty is a cruel mistress…" He sighed dramatically.
"Escort your Shimei to her quarters," Mo Tiancheng instructed, dismissing the topic. "Assist her in selecting an unoccupied courtyard. Afterwards, guide her to collect her Sect Identity Token and standard issue items."
"Acknowledged, Shifu!" Lu Tianyu saluted briskly, his spirits lifting again.
***
Leaving the imposing serenity of the Main Hall, they walked along paths flanked by the ever-present swaying bamboo groves. The tranquility seeped into Gu Qingxi, easing the residual tension from the fiery demonstration. She breathed in the clean, green air.
"Shifu really cherishes bamboo," she observed idly, gesturing towards the verdant expanse surrounding them. The rhythmic rustling was a constant, soothing melody.
"Absolutely," Lu Tianyu agreed readily, his pace relaxed. "He's a Demon Beast Cultivator, after all. His true form is the Gluttonous Ironclad Beast."
What?
Hold on…
Did I just hear that?
Gu Qingxi froze mid-step. Her eyes snapped wide, fixed unseeingly on the bamboo forest ahead, her mind scrambling to process the information.
"Gluttonous… Ironclad… Beast?" she repeated slowly, her voice barely above a whisper, needing the impossible confirmation. She knew demonic beast cultivators existed in this world. Some coexisted peacefully with humans; others harbored deep-seated hostility. Generally, though, open conflict was rare, a stark contrast to the universal condemnation reserved for Demonic or Heretical Path cultivators. Humans broadly accepted these beings.
But… Shifu was one? His true form was… that?!
The words echoed in her mind. Gluttonous Ironclad Beast. That was the fantastical designation for… a Giant Panda!
Understanding crashed over Gu Qingxi like a monsoon wave.
Shifu's exclusive palette of black and white robes? Check.
The faint, persistent shadows beneath his extraordinarily handsome eyes? Check.
The entire peak blanketed in lush, emerald bamboo forests? Triple check.
Because her sublimely elegant, unfathomably powerful Shifu, under his human guise, was a Giant Panda!
The sheer, adorable disparity between Mo Tiancheng's current, fiercely capable, breathtakingly handsome cultivator form and the imagined round, fuzzy, bamboo-munching visage of a panda was almost too much for her mind to contain. A wave of pure, unadulterated yearning surged through her. To see it! And… perhaps… if permissible… to touch it?! The forbidden thought sent an illicit thrill down her spine.
"Shixiong!" She practically scrambled forward to catch up with Lu Tianyu, her voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement. "Have you ever… seen Shifu's true form?"
Lu Tianyu shook his head, his expression one of pragmatic acceptance. "Shifu possesses such refined mastery over form-shifting? He doesn't casually reveal his primal aspect. According to the Peak's historical anecdotes, the last recorded instance was over a millennium ago."
"Oh…" Gu Qingxi couldn't mask the profound disappointment in that single syllable.
Lu Tianyu misinterpreted the sigh as simple academic curiosity. He remained blissfully unaware of the wildly inappropriate visions of panda-petting dancing through his Shimei's respectful, yet deeply mischievous, thoughts.
***
Lu Tianyu led her to a cluster of quiet courtyards nestled deeper within the bamboo sea. He directed her to a vacant one conveniently located right next to his own. The dwelling itself was spare to the point of austerity – a simple bed, a rudimentary table, and a lone cabinet constituted the furnishings.
"Let me tend to this first," Lu Tianyu announced. He gestured fluidly, murmuring an incantation. A wave of force, the Dust Banishment Art, swept through the room. Years of accumulated dust vanished instantly, leaving the air noticeably cleaner, though the space remained profoundly simple.
The saving grace was the courtyard itself. A sprawling, ancient tree dominated the center, its thick branches offering generous shade over a worn stone table and accompanying benches. Off to one side, a natural stone basin collected water. A small, clear stream trickled into it from an artfully diverted channel.
"Fresh spring water drawn straight from the back peak," Lu Tianyu explained proudly. "Perfect for washing up."
He then led her around to the back. There, hidden by dense foliage and veined with natural rock, bubbled a small, inviting hot spring. Steam curled gently from its milky surface.
"Perfect for soaking after a long day. Excellent for releasing tension." Lu Tianyu surveyed the open site critically. "Hmm. Needs a bit more privacy for a shimei." Without hesitation, he gathered thick, sturdy bamboo poles and reeds. With quick, practiced motions, he erected a simple, effective shelter around the spring, transforming the sunken pool into a secluded, partially enclosed retreat.
"This is much better. Won't have to worry about wayward eyes now!" He nodded, satisfied with his handiwork.
"Thank you, Shixiong," Gu Qingxi murmured, genuinely touched by his thoughtfulness. The hot spring looked like heaven, and his proactive solution warmed her more than the steam ever could. Lu Tianyu's protective, almost brotherly care was a comforting presence.
"You'll reside here," he declared. "I'm next door. Any need, call immediately. Now, let's retrieve your Sect Token and spatial pouch." He started back towards the path. "All newly admitted Inner Sect disciples undergo foundational instruction at Heaven's Chasm Peak. That includes communal dining."
Instruction? Gu Qingxi filed the information away. So, even masterless disciples initially learned basics collectively before specializing with their chosen Masters. Efficient, if somewhat reminiscent of school.
"The Hall of Triple Inquiry is where the instruction takes place," Lu Tianyu continued. "Focuses on core principles – Qi Channeling, foundational swordsmanship stances, Sect history, introductory medicinal lore. You're already at the First Layer of Qi Refining, so that simplifies things for you." He gave her an encouraging grin. "Once the foundational cycle concludes, you'll return to Zi Lin for Shifu's advanced tutelage."
***
Lu Tianyu then opted for the direct route – summoning his flying sword. "Hold tight!" he advised, the familiar gleam of excitement flashing in his eyes.
The journey back to Heaven's Chasm Peak was, predictably, a gut-wrenching roller coaster ride through the clouds. Gu Qingxi clung grimly, focusing on the destination – the Sect Provision Hall.
Inside the bustling hall, Gu Qingxi received:
Six sets of Sect robes: Two for summer, two for winter, one each for spring and autumn (Sect austerity measures clearly favoring layering).A Sect Identity Token: A jade disc inscribed with her name and Zi Lin Peak's insignia, radiating faint identification Qi.A small spatial pouch: Crude but functional, its capacity barely enough for robes, a few tools, and perhaps a modest spirit stone cache. Its internal dimension felt disappointingly limited.
With the essentials collected, Lu Tianyu flew them – mercifully slower this time – to point out the location of the Hall of Triple Inquiry, a large, austere building echoing with the muffled recitations of foundational texts. Finally, he steered them towards the cavernous hall serving as the Inner Sect communal dining area.
The scent of cooked grains and simple vegetable dishes filled the air as they joined the orderly queue. "Today's meal is courtesy of you, Shimei!" Lu Tianyu declared cheerfully, clutching his meal token with reverence. "Truth is... our Sect operates on the principle of... extreme resourcefulness," he admitted, lowering his voice conspiratorially as they settled with their laden trays. "Plainly put: We are financially destitute. Once disciples graduate from the Hall of Triple Inquiry – regardless of whether they've achieved Core Formation and transcend mundane hunger – meals cease to be complimentary here."
"The Sect… is genuinely poor?" Gu Qingxi asked, scooping up a spoonful of fragrant rice, the surprising honesty cutting through her expectations of an exalted immortal sect filled with vaulted treasures.
Lu Tianyu leaned closer, the candor born of treating her as true family evident in his lowered tone. "Seeing as we're peak siblings now, no sense hiding the bare facts. Yes. The Sect struggles significantly. And within this fiscally challenged haven… Zi Lin Peak reigns supreme as the most impoverished." He sighed, stirring his plain broth. "When we first met at the village gates? I didn't possess a single spirit stone… or even a scrap of mundane silver."
"That much was apparent," Gu Qingxi replied, recalling his dusty, travel-worn state vividly. Her instincts about his empty pockets had been spot-on.
She nibbled thoughtfully on a steamed vegetable roll. "So… just how deep does this go?" she inquired, a flicker of morbid curiosity in her eyes. "Are we… the acknowledged most impoverished cultivation sect across the entire known world?"
Lu Tianyu paused mid-bite. He looked at her, his expression a complex mix of resignation, pride, and undeniable truth. He didn't answer immediately, letting the weight of the self-deprecating question and the noisy, economical dining hall fill the space. Finally, he sighed again, the sound carrying volumes.