The spiritual ship was enormous, with a wide deck that could accommodate hundreds of people.
At this moment, the deck was teeming with shadows and a variety of people.
Aside from newly appointed stewards like Chen Ye and disciples of the Lingyin Sect such as Li Qiuyun, there were also numerous other cultivators.
These cultivators were either merchants or mere passengers.
They gathered in groups of three or five, either meditating and regulating their breath or bragging about their experiences in the market, creating a cacophony of noise.
The most striking among them were ten young cultivators dressed in sky-blue Taoist robes.
Their auras were concentrated, distinctly different from the Outer Sect disciples clad in azure robes, forming a separate faction.
These ten were the outstanding ones who emerged victorious in the recent competition and were promoted to the Inner Sect.
As Chen Ye’s gaze swept over them, he unexpectedly spotted a familiar face—Duan Ling.
Back when they were at the outskirts of the Three Thousand Great Mountains, it was Duan Ling who had warned him about the remnants of demon cultivators and had spoken to him quite politely.
Seeing Chen Ye looking over, Duan Ling nodded slightly as a form of greeting.
"Chen... Uncle Chen, in our Lingyin Sect, Outer Sect disciples all wear azure robes."
Li Qiuyun, who had appeared beside Chen Ye without him noticing, followed his gaze and explained softly,
"And those in sky-blue robes are Inner Sect disciples. If there’s a cloud and crane pattern embroidered on the robe, then they’re core disciples."
She paused, a tone of longing in her voice:
"In fact, the Inner Sect is where disciples are truly nurtured. The disciples within vary greatly in talent and strength. Some, with extraordinary talents, like Junior Martial Uncle Bai, enter directly into the Inner Sect; others, like Senior Brother Duan, earn their place through rigorous selection from the Outer Sect competition; still, others gain their place by making immense contributions to the sect."
"And within the Inner Sect, there are also layers. Only those who successfully break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage can be promoted to core disciples and receive the sect’s full support. Above the core disciples, there are nine True Disciples, the true pillars of the sect’s future."
Chen Ye, upon hearing this, silently mocked to himself:
The Inner Sect has twelve peaks, yet there are only nine True Inheritors.
That means there are always three peaks without any True Disciples.
If I were the protagonist of those novels from my previous life, I would likely end up joining the Inner Sect and be assigned to one of those three worst peaks.
I might even encounter a beautiful, wine-loving, temperamental master and then proceed on a journey of showing off, achieving fame effortlessly...
Yet, unfortunately, Chen Ye is now merely a Spirit Plant Steward, forever bound to have no connection with the tumultuous Inner Sect.
His current goal is to establish himself steadily in the Lingyin Sect, improve his cultivation and skills, and take care of his two students along the way.
Suddenly, Chen Ye remembered that golden-haired little girl and asked:
"And that Junior Martial Uncle Bai, what is her status?"
When mentioning Bai Susu, Li Qiuyun’s expression turned noticeably respectful:
"Junior Martial Uncle Bai is, of course, a True Disciple! She holds a very high rank, as her father, True Man Bai Li, is a renowned Great Cultivator throughout the entire Yan Kingdom. Hence, disciples throughout the sect often address her as Martial Uncle. Some even call her True Inheritor Bai."
Chen Ye understood, sighing inwardly.
Not surprising for a Nascent Soul True Monarch five hundred years from now.
And now, at such a young age, already listed among the True Disciples.
...
While they were talking, Li Qiuyun led Chen Ye to a cabin door:
"Uncle Chen, this is your place of rest. The spiritual ship flies fast, and the journey is long, taking about three days to reach the sect’s mountain gate. During these days, you should rest assured here. If there is anything you need, you can call on me anytime. I’m staying next door."
Ordinary Loose Cultivators could only sit meditating on the deck,
while cultivators from the Lingyin Sect like Chen Ye had their own cabins.
Following Li Qiuyun’s instructions, Chen Ye placed his waist tag in a small inconspicuous slot by the door.
With a soft "click," the previously seamless cabin door silently slid open, revealing the scene inside.
The cabin was not large but had all essential facilities.
A cushion for meditation, a small wooden table, two bamboo chairs, a bed, and a circular window where one could see the clouds outside.
Though not luxurious, it was serene and refined.
"Master, it’s so pretty here!"
Qing Jun immediately looked around curiously, touching everything with her little hands.
It was her first time living in the sky!
The little girl joyfully shook her bell.
Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling.
Chen Ye was tempted to hang the bell around the little girl’s neck.
Chen Ye gave Qing Jun a stern look,
and the little girl, scratching her head sheepishly, put the bell away.
Zhiwei, being more sensible, silently took off the small bundle she was carrying, which contained her and Qing Jun’s change of clothes and some daily necessities.
The older girl took out a towel and began busily cleaning the cabin.
How could Chen Ye let Zhiwei work so hard?
He quickly went forward to grab the towel from Zhiwei: "Let Master do it... Oh, and I have two storage bags I forgot to give you before."
The storage bags Chen Ye obtained from the Kong Hongxuan brothers were intentionally saved for his two students rather than sold.
He had been worried that giving the girls storage bags might attract thieves, so he hadn’t given them yet.
But now, within the Lingyin Sect, that concern was no longer valid.
Qing Jun glanced at the storage bag without much interest.
She carelessly fastened it to her waist, then leaned on the window, talking incessantly and asking all sorts of whimsical questions:
"Master, Master, are the clouds in the sky made of cotton candy? Can we pick them and eat them?"
"Master, do you think that long-haired lady, with hair so long, might get it cut by her flying sword?"