The grand hall was unusually packed, likely due to Longyuan Sword Sovereign's emergence from seclusion.
All eighteen peak lords of the Profound Heaven Sword Sect—except those still in closed-door cultivation—had gathered here. Even the elusive Lord of Green Bamboo Peak, Shen Huaizhuo, made an appearance, dozing off in a corner.
A mere new disciple entrance examination wouldn't have drawn such a crowd.
They were all here out of respect for Longyuan Sword Sovereign.
After ten years in seclusion, his demeanor had grown even more composed, his strength increasingly unfathomable. Now, no one in the Profound Heaven Sword Sect dared act presumptuously in his presence.
As Yu Lanqing entered the hall, Sect Master Yunhai pointed at her and introduced,
"Longyuan, this is the most talented disciple from the batch five years ago. Like you, she possesses a single-metal heavenly spiritual root and ranked first on the Ascending Stairway."
"Both Changye and Juyang expressed interest in taking her as their disciple, but I thought since her spiritual root matches yours and her determination is exceptional, she'd be the perfect candidate for sword cultivation. Besides, you currently have no disciples under you."
"Longyuan, now that your injuries have healed and you've successfully left seclusion, taking on an outstanding disciple makes this a double celebration!"
Sect Master Yunhai beamed with joy, and the elders in the hall all wore smiles.
Yet the two central figures showed no trace of amusement.
Yu Lanqing glanced at Longyuan Sword Sovereign seated beside Sect Master Yunhai at the head of the hall.
Just as in her past life, his gaze was fixed on the water mirror in the center of the hall, projecting the figures of new disciples climbing the Ascending Stairway outside.
Yu Lanqing knew the only one who truly held his attention was the girl lagging at the very end, covered in sweat and struggling with each step—Ji Fuyao.
As for Sect Master Yunhai's lengthy introduction of her, he likely hadn't paid much attention. Or if he had, it paled in comparison to the figure in the mirror.
But his aloof demeanor was nothing new to the sect. Sect Master Yunhai and the elders were long accustomed to it.
"Then it's settled."
"Shall we hold the disciple ceremony seven days from now? That should give us enough time to announce your emergence from seclusion and your new disciples."
As Sect Master Yunhai finished speaking, Longyuan Sword Sovereign finally tore his gaze from the water mirror.
After a brief pause, he spoke. "I have no objections to holding the ceremony in seven days. However… the disciple I wish to take is someone else."
"Someone else?"
"Who?"
His declaration stunned the hall.
The elders exchanged startled glances before turning back to the water mirror. Had they overlooked some hidden talent among this batch of new disciples?
But after scrutinizing the images, they found nothing remarkable. The ones at the front were decent, but none came close to Yu Lanqing's caliber from five years ago.
Seeing their confusion, Longyuan Sword Sovereign channeled a surge of spiritual energy, adjusting the mirror to display the rear section of the Ascending Stairway. By now, most candidates had passed the halfway mark, leaving only a handful straggling behind.
Among them was a young woman at the very end, drenched in sweat, each step a visible struggle.
As the mirror focused on her, she wiped her brow, revealing her face in full.
A collective breath hitched in the hall. After a moment of silence, no one questioned Longyuan Sword Sovereign's choice anymore.
Sect Master Yunhai took a deep breath. "Very well. Since you've found another promising candidate, you may take them both as disciples. The two sisters can keep each other company."
Yu Lanqing quietly observed the reactions around her.
Longyuan Sword Sovereign's behavior matched her memories from her past life perfectly. But this time, she noticed details she'd previously overlooked.
At first, the elders had clearly looked down on Ji Fuyao for lagging at the bottom. Yet the moment her face was revealed, their attitudes shifted entirely.
Without a doubt, Ji Fuyao's face held some "significant secret."
After amending their congratulations from "double celebration" to "triple celebration" for Longyuan Sword Sovereign's two new disciples, they finally remembered Yu Lanqing, who had been standing forgotten below.
Sect Master Yunhai waved her forward. "Lanqing, come closer. You haven't formally greeted Longyuan yet."
His words were an implicit instruction for her to perform the disciple bow.
Yet when Yu Lanqing stepped forward, she did not kneel or kowtow. Instead, she inclined her torso slightly in a respectful bow and said,
"Disciple Yu Lanqing pays her respects to Longyuan Sword Sovereign."
Here, "disciple" referred only to her status as a member of the Profound Heaven Sword Sect—not as his personal student. Her tone carried unmistakable distance, her greeting that of a junior to a senior, nothing more.
Every eye in the hall—save for the dozing figure in the corner—snapped to her.
Sect Master Yunhai coughed lightly. "Lanqing, you should address him as 'Master.'"
Yu Lanqing did not comply.
Instead, her expression firm, she declared, "Reporting to the Sect Master and esteemed elders."
"This disciple does not wish to become Longyuan Sword Sovereign's disciple!"
"What?!" Multiple shocked exclamations erupted through the hall.
If Ji Fuyao's face had merely surprised them, Yu Lanqing's refusal outright astonished them.
This was the foremost sword cultivator in the realm—Longyuan Sword Sovereign!
Who in the Eastern Continent wouldn't leap at the chance to become his disciple?
Moreover, Yu Lanqing had waited five years on Lingxiao Peak precisely for this moment—to officially become his personal disciple.
After enduring all that time, how could she refuse now?
Were she throwing a tantrum over him selecting another disciple, it would make sense.
Speculations ran wild.
Sect Master Yunhai frowned, disapproval flashing in his eyes. "Do not let petty emotions jeopardize your future."
"Sect Master, this is no whim."
Yu Lanqing lifted her chin, her voice clear and resolute. "This disciple wishes to take another as her master!"
The elders exchanged knowing glances.
Ah, "geniuses" always had their pride.
Yu Lanqing's talent rivaled Longyuan Sword Sovereign's in his youth. It was understandable she'd balk at sharing a master-disciple ceremony with someone languishing at the bottom.
Now, it was up to Longyuan Sword Sovereign to decide.
For the first time, Longyuan Sword Sovereign's gaze settled on the young woman who had publicly rejected him.
Her spine was straight, her eyes unwavering—a blade unsheathed.
She was indeed a fine candidate for the sword path.
But to presume her talent entitled her to dictate terms?
Did she think he'd yield and take only her as his disciple?
How naive.
Having been his disciple once before, Yu Lanqing read his thoughts effortlessly.
He was waiting to see how she'd continue this farce if he refused to budge.
Then she'd let him watch.
Yu Lanqing stepped forward and bowed deeply to Sect Master Yunhai. "This disciple recalls that five years ago, upon placing first on the Ascending Stairway and entering this hall, the Sect Master promised I could choose any elder present as my master."
"Does that promise still hold?"
"Of course it does." Sect Master Yunhai studied her, realizing she wasn't jesting.
He couldn't fathom why this prodigious disciple would reconsider.
Had she truly set her sights on another master?
"Who do you wish to take as your master?"
Curiosity rippled through the hall.
Yu Lanqing's gaze swept over the assembled elders before landing on the man slumped against his chair at the far end, eyes shut.
Amidst the solemn, dignified elders, this fair-skinned, red-lipped man—handsome as a painting yet sleeping without a care—stood out like a misplaced guest.
Her eyes locked onto him.
With unwavering clarity, she announced, "This disciple wishes to take Lord Shen of Green Bamboo Peak as her master!"
A stunned silence fell.
Had she chosen Sect Master Yunhai or even the venerable Elder Juyang, known for his teaching prowess, it wouldn't have been so shocking.
But Shen Huaizhuo?
The man who coasted on seniority, did nothing for the sect, and lazed about like an overgrown child?