The discussions and clamor throughout the sect grew increasingly intense, with almost every disciple talking about the upcoming new disciple tournament.
Everyone was looking forward to the peak showdown between Ye Ling and the five Xiantian Realm geniuses.
Only the courtyard deep within the bamboo forest remained quiet, serene, and isolated from the world.
Ye Ling, who had been cultivating in seclusion for many days, was completely unaware of the commotion outside, nor did she care.
In the blink of an eye, it was the day before the start of the new disciple tournament.
The early morning was slightly cool, the wind rustling through the bamboo, when a crisp knock on the door suddenly broke the silence of the courtyard.
Ye Ling was slightly startled, feeling a trace of doubt in her heart.
The first person she thought of was Nalan Yanli. Previously, when Senior Sister Nalan went out to handle some matters, she had specifically told Ye Ling that she would definitely return to the sect before the tournament to cheer her on.
But calculating the days, she shouldn't be back until tomorrow.
With a hint of curiosity, Ye Ling walked forward slowly and pushed open the bamboo door.
Standing outside was not Nalan Yanli, but two familiar, old faces.
The two were none other than Heishui Commandery's top genius, Su Qinghan, and Su Qinghe, the talented rogue cultivator who had stood out in Baiyun City.
When the commandery selection ended, both of them had chosen to join the Qinglan Sword Sect without exception.
One had to know that during the sect selection back then, the Qinglan Sword Sect did not have the priority to choose disciples in Heishui Commandery and was supposed to pick last.
Yet, Su Qinghan had set her heart solely on the Qinglan Sword Sect, ignoring the invitations of the other three top sects and insisting on joining.
This had left the elders of the various sects present at the time quite amused and helpless.
Since entering the sect a few months ago, the two had been cultivating diligently and had never rashly disturbed Ye Ling.
It was only recently, when the rumors about the new disciple tournament and the five Xiantian Realm geniuses exceptionally challenging Ye Ling spread to every corner of the sect, that they heard the news.
Upon hearing this, they both felt quite worried.
They deeply understood the massive chasm between the Houtian and Xiantian Realms.
Even if Ye Ling's talent was peerless, fighting five top geniuses who had already stepped into the Xiantian Realm all by herself was still far too dangerous.
Thus, they had both set out and inquired around, finally finding the bamboo forest courtyard where Ye Ling lived in seclusion.
By coincidence, the two met in front of the bamboo forest. Realizing they were both there to visit Ye Ling, they decided to walk together and pay her a visit.
Ye Ling stepped aside to open the courtyard door, softly inviting them into the serene bamboo courtyard.
Inside, the bamboo shadows swayed, and a gentle breeze blew. It was quiet, elegant, and completely untainted by the clamor of the sect.
Ye Ling brought out an elegant bamboo tea set and calmly brewed a pot of spiritual tea.
This was spiritual tea that Leng Zhiwei had specifically gifted her, which was best suited for the constitution of Houtian Realm cultivators.
The tea was warm and pure, with mild and long-lasting medicinal properties. Drinking it could warm the meridians and nourish the physical body.
It could also help steadily absorb spiritual energy and advance one's cultivation, making it an extremely precious resource.
Ye Ling handed a cup of spiritual tea to each of them.
The moment Su Qinghe's fingertips touched the teacup, she saw the pure spiritual energy swirling over the tea.
Feeling uneasy, she held the cup hesitantly, not drinking it for a long time.
She was afraid of taking advantage of Ye Ling's precious opportunity for nothing.
Beside her, Su Qinghan, who came from a grander background, showed no hesitation. She took the cup and drank the warm spiritual tea in one gulp.
Seeing this, Ye Ling spoke softly to comfort them.
“No need to be formal. Just drink. I still have plenty here.”
Su Qinghe finally set aside her worries and took slow, small sips of the tea.
The warm tea slid down her throat into her stomach, instantly transforming into a gentle, rich, and warm current that spread through her limbs and meridians.
Her dry meridians were gently nourished, and her fatigue vanished completely as strands of pure spiritual energy seeped into her dantian and circulated throughout her body.
Neither of them dared to waste this opportunity, immediately closing their eyes to sit cross-legged and quietly refine the spiritual energy from the tea.
For a moment, the bamboo courtyard fell into silence, save for the soft rustling of the wind blowing through the bamboo.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea had passed, the two women slowly open their eyes. Their gazes were bright and clear, and their auras had obviously become much more condensed and robust.
The nourishment of just one cup of spiritual tea had actually increased their cultivation by a fraction, making their foundations even more stable.
They were secretly amazed. As expected of a treasure personally gifted to Ye Ling by the Sect Master, ordinary sect resources simply could not compare to it.
They also became increasingly aware that Ye Ling's weight in the Sect Master's heart far surpassed that of all other new disciples.
Once they finished refining the tea's spiritual energy and their auras stabilized, Ye Ling looked up at them and asked softly.
“I wonder what brings you two to my bamboo courtyard today?”
Hearing this, the two women immediately turned serious. Su Qinghan spoke first, her tone filled with worry.
“After entering the sect, I wanted to visit you at first, but I heard from everyone that you were always cultivating in seclusion, so I didn't want to rashly disturb you.”
“But over the past few days, news has been spreading everywhere in the sect that those five Xiantian Realm geniuses are making an exception to participate in the new disciple tournament.”
“I heard they are all coming for you. I was a bit worried, so I came specifically to let you know and ask if you were aware of this.”
Beside her, Su Qinghe nodded in agreement and added softly.
“I felt the same way. I was worried about you, so I asked around and found your place.”
“I didn't expect to run into Su Qinghan right in front of the bamboo forest, so we came together.”
Hearing this, a surge of warmth welled up in Ye Ling's heart, and she spoke slowly.
“It's fine. I already knew about this. The Sect Master came specifically to tell me a month ago, and I agreed.”
“You actually agreed?”
Both of them cried out in shock.
Su Qinghe looked agitated and couldn't help but say, “Those five have already stepped into the Xiantian Realm. They are clearly bullying the weak!”
Su Qinghan also nodded, her tone solemn.
“The Houtian and Xiantian Realms are separated by a massive chasm. Talent alone might not be enough to bridge such a gap in cultivation.”
Seeing them so anxious and worried on her behalf, Ye Ling smiled faintly, her tone calm and assured.
“No need to worry. Since I dared to accept, I have absolute confidence.”
Seeing her so confident, Su Qinghan and Su Qinghe's hanging hearts settled slightly.
They stopped dwelling on the tournament and instead chatted with Ye Ling about various interesting events that happened after the Heavenly Spirit Stairs selection in Heishui Commandery.
In the serene bamboo courtyard, with the lingering fragrance of tea swirling around, the three of them chatted idly, and an entire afternoon flew by in a flash.
Not until twilight descended and the sky gradually darkened did Ye Ling stand up to escort them to the bamboo door.
She offered to let them stay, “It's already late, and I have plenty of spare rooms in my courtyard. Why don't you stay the night?”
Both of them shook their heads in polite refusal. Su Qinghan said softly, “No need. We shouldn't disturb you any further. Tomorrow is the tournament, and you still need to prepare in peace.”
With that, the two waved to Ye Ling and walked out side by side along the small path through the bamboo forest.
Ye Ling also raised her hand and waved gently, quietly watching their receding figures as she pondered.
Was this what it felt like to have friends?
A faint, soft smile unconsciously tugged at the corners of her lips. This feeling was actually quite nice.
She withdrew her gaze, turned around, and walked slowly back inside.
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