Li Qiuyun led Chen Ye into Herb Peak.
It was early spring, and the outside world was still gripped by the chill of early spring.
However, the Lingyin Sect, blessed with a Second Tier Spirit Vein and shielded by the Mountain Protection Array, was as warm as spring, with lush growth everywhere.
"Uncle Chen, this is Herb Peak."
Li Qiuyun introduced clearly,
"Herb Peak has over three hundred Outer Disciples responsible for tending to various Spirit Grass Medicine Fields. Additionally, there are more than forty stewards who assist in managing the peak’s daily affairs. The peak master of Herb Peak is Pang Tianning, whom we all respectfully address as Peak Master Pang."
She paused, then added: "It is the sect’s rule that a newly inducted steward will not be assigned any tasks for the first five days, giving Uncle Chen the chance to get familiar with the environment of Herb Peak."
As they spoke, the two arrived in front of an elegant courtyard.
A wooden plaque hung above the gate, inscribed with the words "Luoli Courtyard".
Inside the courtyard were dozens of pear trees. Although not yet blooming, their branches stretched wide, and their green leaves were lush, hinting at a beautiful scene of pear blossoms in full bloom later in spring.
A clear pond in the courtyard contained leisurely swimming koi, and stone tables and benches were artfully arranged, adding to the serenity of the place.
"Master, it’s so beautiful here!"
Qing Jun exclaimed with joy as she entered the courtyard, leaving behind the restraint she felt at the Ministry Hall far behind.
She let go of Zhiwei’s hem, like a happy little bird, running here and there in the courtyard, now looking at the pear trees, now crouching by the pond to tease the koi, utterly delighted.
"Alright, stop playing, let’s go inside and take a look." Chen Ye called out to his two students with a smile.
The interior was simple but clean, with all furniture like tables, chairs, and beds. The room was bright and clear.
Sunlight streamed through the carved wooden windows, casting dappled shadows on the stone floor.
"Master, where will we stay?" Qing Jun curiously looked around the room, her young face full of anticipation.
Chen Ye pointed to the side rooms of the main house: "Each of you can choose a room, but first, make sure to clean the place up."
"Great!"
Qing Jun cheered and immediately grabbed Zhiwei’s hand, eagerly running off to clean their new home.
Meanwhile, Chen Ye and Li Qiuyun were not idle,
all four of them working together, and soon, Luoli Courtyard looked refreshed and new.
Li Qiuyun, looking at the tidy courtyard, showed a hint of a smile but then, with some reluctance, said to Chen Ye, "Uncle Chen, I... I need to visit my home first. My home is nearby at Purple Mist Peak, and my father is an instructor there."
Hearing this, Chen Ye was somewhat surprised: "Oh? I thought Qiuyun, your family background was rather ordinary."
Li Qiuyun quickly explained: "Uncle Chen, please don’t tease. My father was merely an Outer Disciple in the early years and stayed in the sect as an instructor only because he couldn’t break through, teaching some new disciples in the early Qi Cultivation period. It’s not an impressive status."
Chen Ye understood immediately.
In a way, if the sect were like a school, Li Qiuyun’s father would be like an elementary school teacher.
The job is stable, but both the benefits and the status are average.
Even so, it is still a respectable position that many Loose Cultivators can only dream of.
...
After bidding farewell to Chen Ye and his students, Li Qiuyun, with some apprehension, set off on the way home.
Unlike the profusion of blooms at Herb Peak, Purple Mist Peak is relatively desolate.
Most of the disciples here practice the art of the Flying Sword, and many Outer Disciples practicing it greeted Li Qiuyun eagerly.
Li Qiuyun, while responding to the familiar disciples, sped up her pace and headed home, knowing the way by heart.
Though her home was in the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District, her father’s status as an instructor at Purple Mist Peak naturally entitled him to a private courtyard there.
As she made her way along, the layered peaks and rolling fog were originally a sight to behold, but now they only brought a sense of heaviness to her heart.
She knew her father’s temperament too well; missing out on the sect’s grand competition and failing to advance to the late-stage Qi Cultivation meant that what awaited her would not be a gentle reception.
Sure enough, as soon as she stepped through the gate, she was met with that familiar oppressive feeling.
Li Yanfeng stood under the old pine tree in the courtyard with his hands behind him, his figure appearing especially desolate in the evening light, and equally severe.
"You’re back?" Li Yanfeng spoke without turning, his voice cold, devoid of any warmth.
"Father... father." Li Qiuyun greeted stiffly.
"Why haven’t you reached the late-stage Qi Cultivation?"
Li Yanfeng slowly turned around, disappointment thick in his tone,
"You didn’t make it in the sect’s grand competition again? If it wasn’t for your luck, getting recommended by Steward Chen, you’d still be stuck in that remote area for another half a year! You’ve completely embarrassed me, Li Yanfeng!"
"Father, I..."
Li Qiuyun tried to explain, reaching the late-stage Qi Cultivation was no easy feat, given a few more months...
But Li Yanfeng sharply retorted: "Still talking back?"
"Husband, calm down, calm down!"
Madam Li hurried out from the inner room to mediate.
She held Li Yanfeng’s arm, her tone gentle, yet her words carried a tinge of reproach:
"Qiuyun, don’t blame your father... ah, he’s just distressed. You, this child, really are disappointing, aren’t you? In cultivation, once you fall behind, you’ll always be behind. Your father delayed his breakthrough to late-stage Qi Cultivation back then, experiencing so much hardship and contempt, ultimately becoming just an instructor, wasting his time. If he had made it into the Inner Sect, how could he still be at the eighth layer of Qi Cultivation now, struggling to find additional resources for you to cultivate!"
But... even at almost fifty, father is still at the eighth layer of Qi Cultivation.
The more Li Qiuyun listened, the more aggrieved she felt, but she suppressed it.
After all... father didn’t have the same opportunities back then.
Madam Li, her eyes turning red as she spoke, gently patted the back of Li Qiuyun’s hand and continued with heartfelt sincerity: