Chapter 20: Serene Cloud Immortal Island, Four Classes of Disciples

The five who followed Yang Yun were utterly astonished—did Shen Yan really have no fear of death? Yet, things had come to this point, and they could only watch as Yu Qing and Yang Yun faced off.

As Shen Yan had anticipated, Yu Qing seemed poised to act but hesitated, which made Shen Yan inwardly scorn him. If you intend to suppress Yang Yun, you should have acted personally and decisively from the start. What was the point of sending a few outer disciples to show off? Now your face has been slapped; either face Yang Yun directly on the stage to reclaim your dignity or admit defeat and leave. But standing here, neither fighting nor departing, only invites ridicule.

“Yu Qing, when I joined the sect, you were already a true disciple at the early Foundation Establishment stage. Now that I have successfully established my foundation and become a true disciple as well, I wonder when you will advance to the middle stage and become a sect steward?” Yang Yun strode forward across the seawater, her demeanor and tone unyielding. “If you’re dissatisfied, let’s settle this on the dueling platform. I want to see if you, the unquestioned true disciple of Jingyun Island, truly surpass me. If you refuse, then take your men and get out!”

The dueling platform was the place in Jade Immortal Sect for disciples of equal standing to resolve their disputes. But once you stepped onto it, only one would emerge alive, so unless it was a feud of life and death, no one wished to go there.

Yang Yun’s words made Yu Qing all the more wary. After a moment’s consideration, Yu Qing raised his hand to recall his golden flying sword and, with a furious flick of his sleeve, declared, “I’ll report this matter to the elders. You just wait.”

He turned and left, the disciples riding cranes looked at each other, then urged their own cranes to follow.

“Shen Yan, your loyalty deserves reward. From now on, this immortal crane is yours.” Yang Yun used her silken string to tether the crane whose master had died, then retrieved a fingernail-sized black jade token and a palm-sized pouch from the fallen disciple, handing them to Shen Yan. “This is the token to control the crane and the beast pouch to keep it. Smear your blood on the token, and you’ll be able to command the crane.”

The other five watched this scene with envy; Yang Lie even stepped forward to complain, “Elder sister, he’s merely a servant, unworthy of such a treasure. Give it to me instead.”

At his words, Yang Yun spun around sharply, her gaze piercing as she stared at Yang Lie. “Silence! This is Jade Immortal Sect; your former status means nothing here.” After scanning the group and making the other disgruntled disciples lower their heads, her tone turned icy. “Loyal disciples are more reliable than siblings. If you wish to cultivate peacefully here, you’d better restrain yourselves.”

“And one final warning—in Jade Immortal Sect, address me as ‘senior sister.’”

Seeing Yang Yun cow the group, Shen Yan stepped forward to thank her.

“Shen Yan, ride the crane and follow me.” Yang Yun bound the other five with her silken string but let Shen Yan mount the crane, clearly impressed by his conduct and intent on nurturing him.

Yang Yun carried the five toward Jingyun Island, while Shen Yan quickly mounted his crane and followed.

“That woman, Yang Yun, truly dominates—stern to both enemies and siblings alike. I wonder if it’s a temperament forged in the National Duke’s mansion or simply her nature.” Having witnessed the confrontation with Yu Qing, Shen Yan’s wariness toward Yang Yun reached its peak. With her in the Yang family, uprooting them would be no easy task.

On Jingyun Island, lofty peaks rose everywhere, each crowned with palaces and towers, with pines and waterfalls providing an air of immortal grandeur. As they arrived, Shen Yan was dazzled by the sights: fields of ginseng and lingzhi mushrooms stretched everywhere, with tigers and leopards roaming among them. Groups of robed disciples hurried along winding paths.

Cloud Grace Peak!

Following Yang Yun, Shen Yan entered a mountain and, seeing the large characters atop its summit, knew he had come to the right place. The palace looked somewhat aged, not newly built, but its plaque was freshly made.

Cloud Grace Palace!

The mountain and the palace both bore the character “cloud,” obviously alluding to Yang Yun and underscoring her status.

“This peak is my domain, managed daily by others, so your needs for food, clothing, and lodging will be provided for.” Entering the main hall at the summit, Yang Yun released the group, then sat in a chair, tapping her fingers as she spoke. “Yang Lie is an outer disciple and may cultivate at my side. As for the rest of you…”

After a moment’s thought, she eyed the nervous group and addressed Shen Yan, “Shen Yan, I have but one task for you—each year, find me a congenital spirit item. Whether herb or fish, as long as it contains innate purple energy, you’ll have fulfilled your duty.”

For Yang Yun, the ginseng and lingzhi grown on Jingyun Island, though infused with spiritual energy, were no longer useful to her. Only items favored by heaven, imbued with innate energy, could further her cultivation.

Of course, regular meditation and breathing exercises could also improve her skills, but progress by such means was too slow for her liking.

“Shen Yan will do his utmost and never fail senior sister’s guidance,” Shen Yan promptly replied with reverence.

Hearing this, the others no longer envied Shen Yan—searching for a congenital spirit item every six months? They dared not accept such a task. Yet they didn’t know that Shen Yan had come to Jade Immortal Sect precisely because he had caught three red-gold silver-eyed fish in half a year.

Yang Lie looked at Shen Yan with bitter jealousy; his luck was extraordinary, and elder sister favored him even more than herself!

“When I acquire mana and become a cultivator, I’ll make sure to teach Shen Yan a harsh lesson.” Yang Lie plotted in his heart, while Yang Yun addressed the other four, “Qian Jun, Zhao Lang, Zhou Jixun, Chen Chen, for the sake of the Yang family, you will henceforth be responsible for cultivating spiritual herbs on the mountainside.”

She had already decided to give up on them: they neither followed her orders nor possessed Shen Yan’s loyalty or luck, and they certainly weren’t brothers like Yang Lie. How could she possibly nurture them?

“Yes, senior sister.” The four bowed respectfully, unaware that their prospects on Jingyun Island had already become bleak.

After giving instructions, Yang Yun raised her hand, and six beams of white light shot from her sleeve. “These are tokens of Cloud Grace Peak. With them, you may move unimpeded through most of Jingyun Island.”

Shen Yan caught his token—a milky white badge engraved with the bold character “Yun.”

“Thank you, senior sister, for your generosity.” After expressing their gratitude, Yang Yun called out to the doorway, “Ming Yu, arrange their lodging and meals today. Nothing else concerns you.”

She instructed the maid at her side, then waved her hand. “Go now. Familiarize yourselves with Jade Immortal Sect; when you’ve settled in, come see me again.”

“Yes!” The group nodded respectfully and followed Ming Yu out of the main hall.