Chapter 58: Transition

A few children were on the flying ship, which was protected by an array. All they could feel was themselves weaving through the clouds, yet despite the rapid speed, only a gentle breeze brushed their faces. The soft wind caressed the children’s cheeks as they gazed over the edge at the abyss below, frightening them so much that they stumbled back again and again.

“Don’t be scared, kids. As long as you don’t jump off, you won’t fall to your deaths,” teased Moyang from the side. At this moment, Molin had been left behind at the Lin estate. Having just parted, Moyang was in low spirits, but seeing the frightened children cheered him up a little.

“Brother Mo, explain to them the rules and benefits of Huangfeng Valley,” Lin Yang decided, choosing to entrust the children directly to the Valley for their cultivation. After all, he didn’t have the time to look after so many children; it was best to let things take their natural course. With his status, few would dare to stoop so low as to bully these children.

“Yes, sir.” Moyang gathered the children together and began to explain the customs of Huangfeng Valley, as well as some basic knowledge about the world of cultivation.

The children listened with wide, sparkling eyes. Hearing of the grandeur and wonders of cultivation, they all felt great anticipation for the days to come.

Soon, Moyang had answered all of their questions and finished his explanations. He then returned the children to Lin Yang.

“Have you remembered everything?” Lin Yang decided to test them.

“We remember it all!” the children replied in unison.

“Very well. From now on, whatever you do, you must never use my name to bully others, nor use my reputation to deceive anyone. Anyone who breaks this rule will be cast out by me,” Lin Yang said sternly.

“Yes, master,” the children replied, their voices firm and loud.

“Good. Here, pass this journal among yourselves.” He handed them a booklet recording anecdotes from the world of cultivation, intending to broaden their understanding.

“Master, I can’t read,” said Lin Ye, still too young to have attended private school, unlike the others who had been taught to read by their fathers.

“Then Lin Hu, you read it to him.”

“Alright.” Lin Hu picked up the book and began to read aloud, word by word, while the others listened with rapt attention.

With the children finally quiet, Lin Yang felt at ease as he went to control the flying ship. Otherwise, their noise would have been too much.

...

In less than four hours, they arrived at Zijin Town. Lin Yang instructed Moyang to take the children to the Alchemy Hall—his own home simply didn’t have enough rooms for so many. With that, they parted ways.

“Mother, come, you’ll stay here.” Lin Yang entered the small courtyard, placed his mother’s luggage and tidied everything up. He even brought Lin Shu’s cradle here, though there was usually a nurse to look after the child—appearances still had to be maintained.

“That’s fine, you can leave the things here, I’ll take care of the rest,” Mrs. Yang said, stopping Lin Yang and tidying up herself.

“Mother, let me show you around the courtyard,” Lin Yang said, leading her on a stroll. The little courtyard was not large, far smaller than the Lin estate in the mortal world, but it was filled with an air of mystery.

In this peculiar environment stood a tranquil courtyard, inside and out teeming with immortal cranes and all manner of spirit butterflies. Every butterfly that fluttered by left a trail of resplendent light in its wake. Various spiritual flowers glowed with enchanting brilliance, and clusters of luminescent little mushrooms dotted the ground.

The peach trees were still laden with blossoms, and every so often a breeze would sweep down a curtain of pink petals. At the courtyard’s center was a pond, where a small pearl floated in the middle. Below it, half-meter-long carp would leap from the water, eager to snatch the pearl.

The lotus buds in the pond all faced the little spirit pearl at the center, which, upon closer inspection, was actually a tiny seed.

This was the seed of a third-grade spiritual medicine, the Pure White Lotus. It required an abundance of spiritual energy to sprout, but seeing its seed coat starting to split, it seemed it would not be long before it germinated.

Beyond the courtyard lay four worlds, each representing a different season. There was a land of fire and magma with blood-red blossoms; a world of water teeming with fish and flowers, where a tortoise the size of a millstone and over a dozen flying swordfish roamed; a world of wood, lush with towering trees, birds, and fragrant flowers, where monkeys, spirit deer, squirrels, and other lesser spirit beasts played; and a world of metal, filled with sword bamboos. Most of the bamboo had already been chewed to shreds, unable to grow fast enough to keep up with the appetite of Panpan, who lay sprawled atop the debris, having clearly eaten his fill and grown even larger in so short a time.

“So this is an immortal’s abode,” Mrs. Yang murmured, her worldview shaken by the marvels before her. She took her time, relishing the dreamlike scene, while Lin Yang quietly accompanied her, Lin Shu tottering along behind.

“Father, I can’t walk anymore,” Lin Shu cried, grabbing his father’s pant leg in exhaustion after walking for a while.

“Come, let Daddy carry you.” Lin Yang opened his arms and picked up Lin Shu, soothing him. Mrs. Yang, hearing the commotion, hurried over to take Lin Shu into her arms as well.

...

By now, it was the morning of the second day. Lin Yang went to the Alchemy Hall to see to some affairs. Most things were running smoothly by now, but there were still a few minor details requiring his attention.

Today, they also had to handle the matter of new disciples. Many families and independent cultivators had sent their most promising children; those of lesser talent had not been accepted.

Lin Yang arrived outside the Alchemy Hall and called for a disciple, instructing him to bring Lin Hu and the others.

He walked into the Medicine Hall, where dozens of disciples, of various ages, sat haphazardly. The oldest was sixteen, the youngest only eight.

Lin Yang surveyed the uneven heights and said, “Those who are taller sit in the back, shorter ones in the front.”

He took a moment to rearrange everyone.

“Alright. From now on, whoever is taller sits in the back, whoever is shorter sits in the front. No matter who comes after, this rule stands for life,” Lin Yang announced loudly as a warning.

“Did you all hear me?”

“Yes, Master Uncle!” came the chorus.

“Good. Now, let me explain. You were all admitted directly—your families must have paid a considerable price to send you here. Starting now, from the first to the fifth day of each month, a Master Uncle will lecture. On other days, your senior brothers and sisters will teach. Each day, there will only be two hours of lessons in the morning. You may not always be able to attend.” Lin Yang laid out all the rules he could think of.

“You must not dirty the hall.”

“You must not damage any items or books within.”

“Anyone who breaks these rules will be expelled from the Medicine Hall.”

“Each year, there will be one assessment, arranged by the other elders,” Lin Yang continued, covering all the basics he deemed necessary, hoping to see how the students would respond. The students, however, took it all in stride—after all, these things belonged to the sect, and none of them had ever considered breaking the rules. Those who made it here had either paid dearly or possessed significant backgrounds.

...