He never expected such a prodigious genius would choose to become his disciple. For years, Huaming Peak had been at the bottom, suppressed and mocked by other peak masters, always finishing last in competitions. No matter how refined his mastery of talismans and formations was, it meant nothing when forbidden in formal duels. He had already resigned himself to returning alone from yet another disciple ceremony—until now.
"Good… good disciple! Hahaha!"
Jin Baoer watched the ecstatic old man dance with joy. A rare calm settled over her heart. In her past life, this very man had once given her a pill when she was cast out of Piao Miao Sect, saving her life. She had never found the chance to repay that debt. Perhaps this new path would mark a better beginning.
The disciple-acceptance ceremony concluded swiftly. Immortal Master Lou Yun, having chosen no disciple, was about to leave when a small figure blocked his path.
"Your Majesty, I, Su Xianzhi, humbly beg to be your disciple."
The little girl trembled, looking up at the towering figure, both nervous and resolute. She didn't know where the courage came from, but she stepped forward regardless.
Lou Yun frowned, about to refuse, then paused. Something flickered in his eyes before he spoke coldly.
"Very well. You'll be my outer disciple."
With that, he turned and vanished into the sky.
Su Xianzhi blinked in disbelief, then glanced around. Judging from the jealous stares surrounding her, it wasn't a dream. She swallowed her grievance and chased after him.
Far away, Jin Baoer had watched everything unfold. Her expression was calm, eyes sharp with sarcasm. To her, Su Xianzhi was a pitiful clown.
In her previous life, Su Xianzhi had clung to her like a shadow, always calling her sister, flattering her shamelessly. When Lou Yun showed interest in Jin Baoer, she had brought Su Xianzhi along. They both became his disciples. But this time, without Jin Baoer leading the way, Su Xianzhi naturally ended up with lesser treatment. Jin Baoer narrowed her eyes. A cold glint flashed—this was only the beginning.
Master Hua Feng returned to Huaming Peak with his new prized disciple, using teleportation through formation. The two vanished in an instant.
New disciples were in awe, while other peak masters sneered. Just a flashy trick.
Back at Huaming Peak, before they could even enter the courtyard, the old man bellowed across the mountain.
"You little brats! Come greet your junior sister!"
Silence.
The mountain seemed stunned. A moment later, rustling noises erupted from every direction.
"Junior sister? Where? Where is she?"
A disheveled man stumbled out of the bushes, leaves in his hair, face dirty, eyes dark as a panda. He looked absolutely ridiculous.
Jin Baoer raised her head, unbothered, and bowed.
"Jin Baoer greets Senior Brother."
The man froze at the sound of her voice. He looked down, saw the delicate little girl beside the old man, and immediately pointed, shouting.
"Old man! What kind of low move is this? You couldn't find a disciple so you kidnapped a kid? We're still here! Have you no shame?"
Jin Baoer said nothing.
The old man turned red with fury. "You fool—"
He stopped, realizing he might scare his new disciple. Clearing his throat, he added awkwardly, "Let me explain—"
"I don't want to hear it! We have evidence, witnesses, everything! Second brother, third, fifth, sixth, seventh—come see! The old man kidnapped a child!"
As his shouts echoed, another figure dropped from the sky and landed before Master Hua Feng. He glanced at Jin Baoer, then at the old man, deeply disappointed.
"Master, a true man knows right from wrong. You've really let me down."
Master Hua Feng ground his teeth. "Is that something a disciple says to his master?"
Another person descended quickly, relieved, as he tucked a talisman back into his robe.
"Don't worry, little sister. I'll take you away."
Before he could move, a chubby man rushed over, panting, eyes filled with heartbreak as he looked from Jin Baoer to the old man.
Master Hua Feng's beard shot straight with rage. He finally exploded.
"You little punks! I already told you—she passed the entry-level test fair and square! Not kidnapped! Not! Kidnapped! Keep spewing nonsense and I'll blow up your alchemy furnaces!"
Pfft—
Jin Baoer's lips curled faintly. This furious old man… in her past life, she never met these eccentric disciples. Back then, she had been too busy protecting Su Xianzhi to notice anyone else.
Thankfully, no one caught her smile. The old man glanced at her nervously, seeing her cold expression.
"Don't worry, my disciple. I'm not usually like this. It's because of these brats—"
He swallowed the final word and forced a smile, relieved she wasn't frightened.
"Where are second and seventh brothers?"
The messy-haired man finally realized the truth. This girl really was their junior sister. His face lit up.
"This is our junior sister? I'm your fourth senior brother, Guan Ziyun! Anything you need, just say the word! I promise—"
"Get lost," the chubby man interrupted. "What can you do? Hey, little junior sister, I'm your third senior brother Luo Nanshan. Are you hungry? I just made a stew of flying beast meat. Smells amazing. Come, I'll get you a bowl."
Before he could lead her away, the serious man who fell from the sky stepped forward, unwilling to be outdone.
"What are you fighting over? Have some shame. Junior sister just passed the trial. She must be exhausted. A bath and rest come first."
He cleared his throat, a faint blush on his handsome face.
"Hello, junior sister. I'm your fifth senior brother, Chen Xuanyuan."
As soon as he finished, the talisman man sighed.
"You've all introduced yourselves. What's left for me to say…"
He paused, pulled out two talismans, and handed them over with an awkward grin.
"Junior sister, I'm your sixth senior brother, Lan Yingqing. These are for you."
Without another word, he passed her the talismans and stepped aside, letting the others argue.
Jin Baoer looked at the explosive talismans in her palm, surprised. She raised her head and studied the quiet man, eyes reflecting a tangle of emotion.