The weather was splendid, perfect for all endeavors.
Fenghuang Peak Agricultural Talent Training Base welcomed its first batch of trainees.
Led by Xing Luo, they embarked on the first day of their new lives. Fearing that their shabby appearance might invite disdain, they had risen early to bathe and change into clean clothes. Although these eighteen individuals had spent considerable time as outer sect disciples, this was their first time entering the inner sect.
Along the way, they marveled at Fenghuang Peak’s magnificent scenery, the dense spiritual power, the rare and exotic beasts, and the diverse spiritual plants, their mouths agape in wonder.
Xing Luo, having seen more of the world, reminded them, “We’ve finally found a way out, avoiding expulsion from the mountain. While working at Fenghuang Peak, we must be meticulous and obedient. We all come from Jia Courtyard—our fates are intertwined. Let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture over trivial matters.”
As the top disciple of Jia Courtyard, Xing Luo’s words were rarely disregarded.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
As soon as Xing Luo led the group through Fenghuang Peak’s mountain protective array, a guide puppet emerged to greet them. It guided them along winding mountain paths until they reached a courtyard.
The courtyard had no fences, and its pavilion was uniquely designed with three stories. The center of the courtyard was filled with various spiritual plants, each separated by arrays to prevent interference.
Mu Zixiao, fully equipped, was observing the growth of plants within a magical array, occasionally tapping on floating pages to record data.
In truth, her Weike system was now capable of basic operations, and such simple data recording no longer required manual notes. However, she believed in teaching others to fish rather than giving them fish—laying a solid foundation would enable future generations to innovate and research.
To the onlookers, Mu Zixiao’s attire was bizarre: a white robe, transparent eye protection, and a white cloth covering her mouth and nose. If not for careful observation, they would hardly have recognized her as Fairy Mu, who had selected them the day before.
Hearing the commotion, Mu Zixiao looked up and saw the group. She cleared her throat lightly and stepped out of the array.
“Greetings, Fairy Mu.”
“Greetings, Fairy Mu.”
Once again, they knelt in a dense crowd, giving Mu Zixiao a headache. “Please rise,” she said. “From now on, you may address me as Miss Mu or Lady Mu. There’s no need for such formality. The guide puppet will show you where to place your belongings and explain the base’s situation.”
With that, Mu Zixiao turned and left.
Watching her retreating figure, the group inwardly marveled at her status as Immortal Venerable Yuan Ze’s true disciple. Though she seemed aloof, she was not arrogant or overbearing. On their first day, she hadn’t imposed strict rules, appearing to be a lenient master.
Others perceived Mu Zixiao’s indifferent expression as coldness, unaware that she was actually fleeing in embarrassment, secretly pleased with her progress in social interactions.
Once Mu Zixiao was out of sight, the guide puppet’s body suddenly glowed, emitting a blue halo.
“Hello, trainees. I am Weike, your Dean of Instruction.”
The group was astonished—the puppet spoke! And its tone was remarkably human-like! They couldn’t help but marvel inwardly: truly, this was Fenghuang Peak, the domain of the world’s foremost puppet master.
Being newcomers, they only dared to show curiosity, refraining from whispering or speaking out of turn.
The puppet Weike suddenly revealed a kindly smile. “Your astonishment towards me brings me great pleasure. Now, let me introduce the base to everyone. The Fenghuang Mountain Agricultural Talent Training Base was established a month ago, aiming to cultivate excellent spiritual plants to benefit the cultivation world and the mortal world.” As it spoke, it led the group into the courtyard.
Everyone followed the agile puppet into the courtyard, only realizing upon entering that it was a world of its own.
From outside the courtyard, the place seemed rather small, but the moment they stepped inside, the scenery before their eyes transformed.
In the center stood a pavilion a hundred zhang wide, five stories high, with a building on each side, each of a different style. In front of the buildings was a large open space, yet none of the spiritual plants with various arrays they had seen earlier were visible.
“Students, do not be alarmed. What you saw outside the courtyard is merely the appearance our master wishes outsiders to see,” Weike enthusiastically explained. “The central building is our teaching pavilion. The lower three floors are laboratories and cultivation bases, while the upper two floors are classrooms. To your right is the dormitory, and to your left is the cafeteria. However, cooking in the cafeteria will require students to manage it themselves.”
Weike expressed a slight apology. “Currently, the construction of our pavilions is not yet complete. Only the basic facilities are in place, so in the future, we will rely on the collective efforts of all students.”
After saying this, Weike gestured to the right with an inviting motion. “Please, students, settle in.”
This entire process could only be described as considerate.
Yet, everyone exchanged glances, and in the end, Xing Luo couldn’t help but step forward and ask, “May I ask, what is a ‘student’?”
“A student is an apprentice. You will learn agricultural knowledge here and apply it in practice.”
Weike’s voice was mechanically cold, but the news it delivered exploded among the group.
Apprentices! They could actually study here? Weren’t they here to serve as slaves? This incredible news felt like a dream to them. Their minds were filled with questions, but they didn’t know where to begin.
Xing Luo tightened his grip on his bundle, unable to believe his ears.
He had already resigned himself to his fate—could it be that heaven was giving him another chance?