Yun Cang Mountain Range, Jade Immortal Peak.
This peak is divinely beautiful and tranquil, with the summit enshrouded in clouds and mist all year round. At sunrise and sunset, rays of light bathe it, as if draping it in a resplendent garment.
Since her husband's passing twenty years ago, Zhu Yuxian has resided alone on this peak, contemplating the martial arts legacy left by her late husband, aiming to sort and comprehend it.
Years ago, having made some progress, she had Zhou Tong cultivate it, yet its complexity proved daunting, difficult for him to grasp.
When Lu Chengfeng ascended to the peak, the light radiated all around, with violet hues swirling in the horizon, golden and purple light intertwined in the sky, akin to the Immortal Fairyland.
On Jade Immortal Peak stands a palace constructed entirely of jade steel, with glazed tiles on the roof. Bathed in sunlight, it is magnificently splendid, truly resembling a Celestial Palace.
"I've long heard that the master favors splendid attire, indulges in luxury, frequents palaces, and enjoys gourmet delicacies. Now it seems to be true."
He sighed inwardly, thinking about how much manpower and resources must have been spent to build such a resplendent palace, yet it serves only for Zhu Yuxian's abode.
Upon reaching the palace gate, Lu Chengfeng noticed a plaque above the entrance with the words 'Immortal Encounter Palace' inscribed in golden letters. The handwriting is delicate and elegant, evidently written by a woman.
He couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. Immortal Encounter Palace on Jade Immortal Peak—his master truly considers herself a female immortal.
At this moment, there was a charming young girl in a blue satin palace dress waiting outside. Seeing Lu Chengfeng, her face immediately blossomed into a smile. She courteously bowed and said softly, "Is it Young Master Chengfeng? This is Cai Xia, greeting you."
Lu Chengfeng quickly returned the greeting, "Hello, sister. I am indeed Lu Chengfeng."
"The master has specially sent me to welcome you here, young master. Please follow me," Cai Xia said with a smile, then slightly moved aside to indicate the way and led the way ahead.
"Thank you, Sister Cai Xia," Lu Chengfeng politely said, then lifted his foot to follow her.
When they reached the grand hall entrance, the door, as tall as two people, had a smaller side door which creaked open.
Behind the door, two sturdy maidservants were on guard, ready to open the door at any time.
Inside the door was a long corridor, with a dome sealed above, and luminous pearls the size of a baby's fist casting a gentle glow along the way.
The corridor was built with some peculiar wood, emitting a faint and refreshing fragrance, clearing the mind upon inhaling.
Lu Chengfeng's eyes were drawn everywhere as he walked. Every part of this palace is ingeniously crafted, likely at the cost of numerous rare treasures, arguably no less than the royal palace.
After turning through three corridors and passing through two more gates, they traversed an outdoor courtyard and finally entered an inner chamber called Yunxiao Pavilion.
"Young master, the master is inside. I can only bring you this far," Cai Xia said, stopping.
Lu Chengfeng cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Sister Cai Xia."
He took a deep breath, slowly pushed open the large door, and stepped inside, pausing for a moment in surprise.
The floor of this hall was paved entirely with soft jade, with a cloud bed inside draped with blue gauze curtains. The surrounding dressing table, desk, and wardrobe made it appear like a daughter's boudoir.
Lu Chengfeng closed the door behind him as he entered Yunxiao Pavilion, then briskly approached the cloud bed.
On the cloud bed, bathed in blue light and cool air, lay a charming and graceful figure, turned away from him, displaying an incredibly beautiful curve.
Her hair, like a waterfall, cascaded from the cloud bed to the soft jade floor, exuding a lazy aura.
Lu Chengfeng's heart trembled slightly, not daring to look much longer, he only approached and said, "Disciple Lu Chengfeng, greeting Master."
Zhu Yuxian seemed startled awake by his voice, slightly shifted her body, then twisted her soft waist, turning to rest her chin on her hand, her half-asleep eyes gazing at him as she said, "So it's you, young gentleman. Have you finally decided to leave your comfort zone?"
Lu Chengfeng let out a few embarrassed laughs, bending over as his gaze lowered, mainly because this woman was clad in a loose gauzy robe which revealed much of her fair skin when she turned over.
His heart pounded, fearing making a fool of himself before this woman, not daring to look more.
"You, always so rigid, are really quite dull," Zhu Yuxian said, sitting up and stretching languidly, making her curves even more pronounced, especially the heaving peaks.
She stood up from the bed, her hair like a waterfall flowing from her head to the floor. She walked barefoot, with toes white and jade-like, across the soft jade floor, towards the side table.
Seeing this scene, Lu Chengfeng couldn't help but think that only a floor laid with soft jade would not desecrate the hair reaching the floor and those crystal-like jade feet.
At the side table, sitting on a blue satin cushion, Zhu Yuxian reached into a black wooden box placed beside her, retrieving a stack of scrolls and a token.
"These are relics left by my late husband. Besides notes on martial arts evolution, there's also this Young Sect Leader token. The current Sect Leader did not reclaim it upon taking office, so I kept it as a memento."
"Since you are to inherit his legacy, you must know his name, whose first part is Shui, and second part is Jing, originating from the Xun Family in Qingzhou."
Lu Chengfeng suddenly recalled a name, "Xun Shuijing, that name sounds like a master."
"Bow three times to his relics and perform the apprenticeship ceremony, and you will formally become my disciple."
Hearing this, Lu Chengfeng dared not delay. First kneeling down, he bowed three times respectfully to those relics, then rose and bowed three times, kowtowing nine times to Zhu Yuxian, completing the apprenticeship rite.
A personal maid serving in the hall had long been present, bringing over a cup of tea and handing it to Lu Chengfeng.
Lu Chengfeng received it, then lifted it with both hands, saying, "Master, please have some tea."
Zhu Yuxian accepted the teacup with her plain hand, taking just a small sip, then said, "Alright, you may rise."
Only then did Lu Chengfeng dare to stand up.
"Zhou Tong was my late husband's disciple. Though I've been teaching him these years, he keeps calling me Master, adhering doggedly to his original lineage."
"Hence, you are indeed my senior disciple."
Zhu Yuxian instructed, "Though you're my disciple, you inherit your late master's teachings. I don't need you to uphold any face for me, just diligently cultivate the martial arts he left behind."
"If you can achieve anything, it will be the greatest filial piety to me, contributing to the sect as well."
While speaking, she pulled out the topmost scroll from the stack and handed it to Lu Chengfeng.
"The secret skill evolved by my late husband is called the 'Five Elements Returning to Origin Sword Scripture,' a wonderful technique integrating inner strength and swordsmanship, intended to reach perfection at the Twenty-Seventh Layer."
"Despite years of painstaking effort, I've only organized it up to the Twenty-Fourth Layer, enough for you to use."
"Here are the Dharma methods for the first three layers. Take it for your own contemplation. Should you encounter any difficulties, feel free to ask me."
Cautiously accepting it, Lu Chengfeng once again expressed his gratitude.
Seeing his rigid manner, Zhu Yuxian felt displeased, slightly furrowing her brow, and scolded, "If you have no other matters, go down the mountain. Do not obstruct my view."
Lu Chengfeng, accustomed to her swift mood changes, maintained respect, saluted, and then exited the grand hall.