The stone monument was pitch black, densely engraved with words that gleamed coldly under the fading twilight.
“These are the rules of our Nine Saints Hall.”
The Great Elder’s voice was majestic and cold. “All newly admitted disciples must study the sect rules for two hours every day. Only when you have memorized them completely can you be excused from this class.”
The Fuguang Platform fell silent for a moment.
Then, gasps rose one after another.
Standing in the crowd, Song Yao stared blankly. “So many?”
The Nine Saints Hall was primarily made up of sword cultivators, who prided themselves on being free and unrestrained. When did they ever have so many rules?
Suddenly, someone nearby lowered their voice and spoke mysteriously, “You guys don’t know, do you? I heard these rules were all established because of that Senior Sister Song.”
Song Yao: “...”
Senior... Sister Song?
“Senior Sister Song?”
Someone leaned in and asked, “The Sword Demon?”
“Yes, that Song Yao with the God-grade metal spiritual root, the one who was hunted down by the entire Nine Saints Hall.”
The knowledgeable disciple pointed at the stone monument. “See that rule? ‘No setting off fireworks or firecrackers in front of the sect’s main hall. Violators will face the wall in reflection for three months.’
“They say Senior Sister Song drank too much one night and set off fireworks in front of the main peak’s grand hall all night, blowing a hole straight through the roof.”
Song Yao: “...”
Rumors.
She wasn't drunk at all!
The knowledgeable disciple pointed to another spot. “And that one: ‘No playing music on the main peak. Violators will face the wall for half a year.’”
Song Yao’s eyelids twitched.
“I heard it’s because Senior Sister Song drugged the Eldest Senior Brother back then. He lost his composure, stripped off his outer robe on the spot, and performed a dance.”
The crowd fell silent for a moment before exploding.
“He, he stripped?”
“Danced?! Eldest Senior Brother? The one who is said to have reached the late Nascent Soul stage?!”
“Yes.”
The informant coughed lightly. “I heard that ever since then, Eldest Senior Brother developed a trauma. Whenever he hears musical instruments, his whole body starts to tremble.”
He added, “But that’s just hearsay. I don’t know if it’s true.”
Song Yao shrank herself further behind Ning Zhou.
How did she leave him with such psychological trauma?
This wouldn't do.
She really couldn't stay in the Nine Saints Hall for long.
If he trembled just hearing music, wouldn't he go completely insane upon seeing her?
“Just who is this Senior Sister Song?”
A new disciple stared at the stone monument and murmured, “Setting off fireworks to burn down the main hall, stealing all of the formation cultivators' stones, giving laxatives to body cultivators to make them lose weight...
“Don't tell me these thousands of rules are all because of her?”
“How is she more demonic than a demonic cultivator?”
As wails of despair rang out, Song Yao felt a thick wave of resentment in the air, and somehow felt like she had shot herself in the foot.
Ning Zhou turned around, sighing with emotion. “This Senior Sister Song was truly a genius. What a pity she died so young. If she were still alive, I’d really like to get to know her.”
Receiving recognition for the first time since her rebirth, Song Yao couldn't help but pat his shoulder. “You have good taste.”
In the distance, the Great Elder’s voice rang out again. “Alright, that is all for today. The day after tomorrow, at the Hour of the Rabbit, all new disciples must arrive at the Fuguang Platform on time to study the sect rules. Latecomers will copy the rules in full.”
...
Before leaving, the Seventh Elder did not forget to bring his new disciple along.
This little girl looked incredibly weak, thin as a rail, and her clothes didn't fit her very well.
He felt like she would be very easy to accidentally kill off.
He sighed deeply. As they flew over Baicao Peak, he pointed to a residential area for Song Yao. “Those places are all empty. Go pick a courtyard you like.”
Song Yao was very satisfied.
Other peaks had too many disciples, so how could anyone get a courtyard to themselves?
Only Baicao Peak had been blown up by her before, and it was expanded during the reconstruction.
Furthermore, pill cultivators weren't very popular in the Nine Saints Hall, so there weren't many people on Baicao Peak.
Still...
She swept her gaze over the area.
Aren't there a bit too few people?
The Seventh Elder explained flatly, “They all ran away. When the Elixir Pavilion was blown up previously, pills became scarce, which increased the workload for refining. On top of that, the barrier in the back mountain was shattered, and demon beasts frequently slip in, so the disciples all fled.”
Song Yao: “...”
So, the Seventh Elder's reluctance to take disciples was actually for her own good?
She hesitated for a moment and asked, “Why didn't you fix the barrier?”
“I heard Eighth Elder's formation stones were stolen.”
The Seventh Elder spoke expressionlessly. “And barriers in other places were also shattered. We don't have the time or the resources to fix them.”
Song Yao: “...Oh, I see.”
The two landed at the outer perimeter of Baicao Peak, and a rich fragrance of herbs assailed their nostrils.
Song Yao looked around. The mountains were steep, the environment serene, and terraced spiritual fields stretched from the foot of the mountain to the mountainside, planted with all kinds of medicinal herbs.
The Seventh Elder walked ahead, his back looking rather desolate.
Song Yao hesitated on whether to comfort him, but as her gaze swept around, she froze.
Not far away, a wooden sign stood by the mountain path.
Several large words were written on the sign: “Song Yao Is Forbidden to Enter.”
Below it was a line of smaller words: “Violators assume all consequences.”
Song Yao admired it for a moment and nodded.
They wrote her name quite nicely.
The Seventh Elder walked a few steps, then turned back to see Song Yao crouching next to the sign. “What's wrong?”
“Hasn't... hasn't Senior Sister Song passed away?”
Song Yao pointed at the wooden sign and asked, “Why is this still standing here?”
A complex emotion flashed across the Seventh Elder’s face, and his voice carried a hint of resentment. “You must have heard of her deeds. This is kept as a warning. You must absolutely take it to heart.”
Song Yao nodded vigorously. “This disciple will remember.”
The Seventh Elder withdrew his gaze in satisfaction and continued forward.
After walking a few steps, he stopped again and turned to look at Song Yao, who was still crouching there. “Why aren't you moving?”
Song Yao spoke weakly, “Master, I'm hungry.”
Seventh Elder: “?”
How could this Heaven-grade disciple be such a weakling?
There was no food on Baicao Peak. The Seventh Elder rummaged around and pulled out a Qi-Replenishing Pill, handing it over.
But just as the pill reached her mouth, Song Yao asked feebly, “Does this cost money?”
Seventh Elder: “?”
He suddenly remembered something.
This girl had mentioned wanting to leave the Nine Saints Hall, only to be stopped by the lack of money.
He pondered for a moment and nodded. “For now, no. Each disciple has a monthly quota of fifteen Qi-Replenishing Pills. But if you withdraw from the sect, then yes, you'll have to pay. After all, as you know, our sect is currently short on pills.”
Song Yao: “...”
She silently handed the pill back, thought about it, and flashed a flattering smile at the Seventh Elder. “Master, can you lend me five thousand six hundred and five spirit stones?”
Borrowing money right after apprenticing?
The Seventh Elder was puzzled. “Why the extra five spirit stones?”
Song Yao: “I'm hungry. I can buy a bowl of wontons.”
“...”
The Seventh Elder looked at her with mixed emotions.
The little girl was so thin, huddled on the ground in a small clump. Her hair was messy and a bit yellowed from malnutrition, looking terribly pitiful.
In the end, he couldn't bear it and handed the Qi-Replenishing Pill back to her. “Eat this first. This one is on me.”
Having said that, he rummaged through his spatial pouch again, took out ten spirit stones, and handed them to her. “Find some time to go down the mountain tomorrow and buy some buns. That should last you a few days.”
Song Yao: “...”
Rate on N.U.
