Morning arrived.
A faint mist covered the mountains of the Heavenly Frost Sect.
The sound of bells echoed through the valleys.
Dong—
Dong—
Dong—
Thousands of disciples opened their eyes and began another day of cultivation.
On a secluded mountain peak, Ye Xuan slowly opened his eyes.
A faint golden light flashed across his pupils.
He exhaled.
A thin stream of white mist left his mouth.
"Body Tempering... Fifth Layer."
He clenched his fist.
His muscles tightened slightly.
After one night of cultivation, he had advanced from the Fourth Layer to the Fifth Layer.
Ye Xuan nodded.
"Not bad."
[The host has said 'not bad' seven times since awakening.]
Ye Xuan's expression froze.
"You count that?"
[The system records everything.]
"That's creepy."
[The system considers it efficient.]
Ye Xuan rolled his eyes.
He stood and stretched.
The moment he moved—
A faint blue-white flame appeared around his fingertips.
The
Heavenly Frost Spirit Flame
.
Ye Xuan stared at it.
The flame was beautiful.
Unlike ordinary fire, it didn't emit heat.
Instead, a faint coldness spread through the room.
[Heavenly Frost Spirit Flame Compatibility: 17%]
Ye Xuan raised an eyebrow.
"It increased again."
[The host's Primordial Chaos Physique is continuously adapting to the flame.]
"At this rate, it'll reach one hundred percent eventually."
[Correct.]
"And then?"
[The system refuses to spoil future developments.]
Ye Xuan sighed.
"You're becoming more annoying every day."
[The system appreciates the host's continued attention.]
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Let's go meet my new sect."
When Ye Xuan stepped outside, Mu Qingxue was already waiting.
She stood beneath a bamboo tree.
Her white robe moved gently in the morning wind.
Seeing Ye Xuan, she nodded.
"You're awake."
"Yes, Master."
"Come."
Ye Xuan followed her.
After walking for a while, he noticed something.
"Master."
"Hm?"
"Why is everyone staring at me?"
Mu Qingxue didn't even turn around.
"Because you're my direct disciple."
"So?"
"That position is rare."
"How rare?"
Mu Qingxue thought for a moment.
"I haven't accepted a direct disciple in over three hundred years."
Ye Xuan stopped.
"...What?"
Mu Qingxue continued walking.
"You are my first."
Ye Xuan hurried after her.
"Master."
"Yes?"
"That sounds important."
"It is."
"So..."
He smiled.
"Am I your favorite?"
Mu Qingxue stopped walking.
She slowly turned around.
Ye Xuan smiled innocently.
"You asked me to be your disciple."
Mu Qingxue looked at him for a long moment.
Then she calmly said,
"You're my only direct disciple."
Ye Xuan blinked.
"That's even better."
Mu Qingxue sighed.
"Your confidence is excessive."
"I call it self-awareness."
Soon, they arrived at the main sect square.
Hundreds of disciples were gathered.
At the center stood a huge stone platform.
Several elders were present.
The moment Mu Qingxue appeared, the disciples immediately bowed.
"Greetings, Elder Mu!"
Her voice was calm.
"Rise."
Everyone stood.
Then their eyes naturally fell on Ye Xuan.
Whispers immediately began.
"Is that him?"
"That's Elder Mu's new direct disciple?"
"He's so young."
"Thirteen, apparently."
"His hair..."
"White hair and golden eyes."
"He looks like a noble young master."
Ye Xuan ignored the whispers.
Instead, he looked around.
The sect square was enormous.
Several enormous stone pillars stood around it.
Each pillar contained ancient inscriptions.
Ye Xuan's eyes narrowed.
These formations are incredible.
His formation knowledge from the system wasn't particularly advanced yet.
But his Supreme Talent allowed him to understand some of the patterns.
Then—
A voice suddenly sounded from the crowd.
"Master."
A young woman walked forward.
She had long silver hair and beautiful violet eyes.
Her appearance was elegant and cold.
She wore the blue-white robe of a direct disciple.
She stopped before Mu Qingxue and bowed.
"Greetings, Master."
Mu Qingxue nodded.
"Su Lian."
Her gaze shifted toward Ye Xuan.
"This is Ye Xuan."
The silver-haired woman looked at him.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Senior Sister."
Su Lian's eyes softened slightly.
"Junior Brother."
Her voice was calm.
But Ye Xuan could sense something.
She was curious about him.
Mu Qingxue continued.
"Ye Xuan will be your junior brother from today onward."
Su Lian nodded.
"I understand."
Another figure approached.
This time—
A tall young man.
He had black hair and sharp facial features.
His cultivation was significantly stronger than Su Lian's.
He stopped before Mu Qingxue.
"Master."
Mu Qingxue nodded.
"Qin Hao."
Qin Hao glanced at Ye Xuan.
His eyes immediately became cold.
"So this is the new direct disciple?"
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Nice to meet you, Senior Brother."
Qin Hao didn't respond.
Instead, he examined Ye Xuan.
Then his eyebrows furrowed.
Body Tempering Fifth Layer?
He almost laughed.
That was it?
This boy was supposed to be Elder Mu's direct disciple?
Qin Hao's expression became slightly disdainful.
"Master."
"Hm?"
"Are you certain?"
The square became quiet.
Everyone knew what he meant.
Mu Qingxue looked at him.
"Are you questioning my judgment?"
Qin Hao's expression changed.
"No."
"Then there is no need to ask."
Qin Hao lowered his head.
"Yes, Master."
Ye Xuan watched quietly.
He didn't become angry.
Instead, he found the situation somewhat amusing.
So this is the classic senior brother who thinks the newcomer is weak.
The system suddenly spoke.
[Host.]
"What?"
[The system recommends not provoking him.]
Ye Xuan raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
[Because he is currently stronger than you.]
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Good."
**[Good?]
"I was getting bored."
[The system withdraws its previous recommendation.]
Mu Qingxue looked toward the disciples.
"Today, Ye Xuan will formally become my direct disciple."
She raised her hand.
A jade token appeared.
She placed it into Ye Xuan's hand.
"This represents your status."
Ye Xuan accepted it.
The moment he touched it—
DING!
The system activated.
[Special Condition Detected.]
[Host has officially become a Direct Disciple of a powerful sect.]
[New System Function Unlocked.]
[Check-In Map.]
Ye Xuan's eyes brightened.
[Check-In Map allows the host to identify special locations within a certain range.]
Ye Xuan almost laughed.
Now that's useful.
A faint map appeared in his mind.
Several locations were marked.
Main Sect Hall.
Alchemy Peak.
Sword Peak.
Spirit Beast Mountain.
Ancient Library.
Heavenly Frost Forbidden Zone — LOCKED.
Ye Xuan's eyes stopped.
"Forbidden Zone?"
[The host's current cultivation is insufficient.]
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Eventually."
[Correct.]
After the ceremony, Mu Qingxue turned toward Ye Xuan.
"You will now meet the other direct disciples."
"How many?"
"Four more."
Ye Xuan's eyes brightened.
"Four?"
Mu Qingxue nodded.
"Five direct disciples in total, including you."
Ye Xuan glanced at Su Lian and Qin Hao.
"Interesting."
They walked toward the inner section of the mountain.
Along the way, Ye Xuan noticed several disciples staring at him.
Some were curious.
Some were jealous.
Some were openly hostile.
Then—
A beautiful young woman suddenly ran toward them.
She had long pink hair and bright crimson eyes.
She stopped directly in front of Ye Xuan.
"You're the new junior brother?"
Ye Xuan blinked.
"Yes."
She leaned closer.
"You're really handsome."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"So I've been told."
The girl laughed.
"Hahaha! You're interesting!"
Mu Qingxue frowned slightly.
"Yue'er."
The girl immediately stood straight.
"Master!"
Mu Qingxue sighed.
"This is Bai Yue."
She pointed toward Ye Xuan.
"Your junior brother."
Bai Yue immediately grabbed Ye Xuan's arm.
"Welcome, Junior Brother!"
Ye Xuan looked at her hand.
Then at her.
Then smiled.
"Senior Sister is very friendly."
"Of course!"
She grinned.
"I've always wanted a cute junior brother."
Ye Xuan raised an eyebrow.
"Cute?"
Bai Yue looked at his white hair and golden eyes.
"Very cute."
"I'm thirteen."
"So?"
"I'm not a pet."
Bai Yue laughed.
"You'll understand eventually."
Mu Qingxue's forehead twitched.
"Let him go."
Bai Yue reluctantly released him.
"Fine."
Then she whispered toward Ye Xuan.
"Come find me later."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Why?"
"I'll show you around the sect."
"Deal."
Mu Qingxue looked at Ye Xuan.
"Don't get distracted."
Ye Xuan immediately answered.
"Of course, Master."
Bai Yue covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
They continued.
Soon they reached another courtyard.
A young man was sitting under a tree, reading a book.
His appearance was gentle.
His hair was dark blue.
His expression was calm.
He looked at Ye Xuan.
Then smiled.
"So you're our new junior brother."
Ye Xuan nodded.
"Yes."
The young man closed his book.
"Li Ming."
He extended his hand.
"Welcome."
Ye Xuan shook it.
"Ye Xuan."
Li Ming smiled.
"I've heard that Master rarely accepts disciples."
"Apparently."
"You must be special."
Ye Xuan shrugged.
"Maybe."
Li Ming laughed.
"I like your confidence."
Finally, they reached the fifth direct disciple.
She was standing beside a cliff.
Long black hair.
Red eyes.
A beautiful face.
A black robe.
Unlike the others, she didn't smile.
She simply looked at Ye Xuan.
Her gaze was sharp.
Ye Xuan felt a strange pressure.
She's strong.
Mu Qingxue spoke.
"Her name is Mo Qing."
Mo Qing nodded slightly.
"Junior Brother."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Senior Sister."
She stared at him for another moment.
Then said,
"Don't die."
Ye Xuan blinked.
"...Thank you?"
Mo Qing turned away.
"I'm serious."
Her voice was cold.
"The sect isn't as peaceful as it appears."
Ye Xuan's expression became serious.
"What do you mean?"
Before Mo Qing could answer—
A loud voice echoed from below the mountain.
"Qin Hao!"
Everyone turned.
A group of young disciples were approaching.
At their front was a handsome man wearing luxurious golden robes.
His aura was powerful.
Several disciples followed him.
Qin Hao's expression immediately became cold.
"Zhao Tian."
The golden-robed young man smiled.
"I heard Elder Mu accepted a new disciple."
His eyes fell on Ye Xuan.
He looked him up and down.
Then laughed.
"Body Tempering Fifth Layer?"
The surrounding disciples became silent.
Zhao Tian smiled mockingly.
"Elder Mu..."
He looked toward Mu Qingxue.
"Is this really the genius you personally chose?"
Mu Qingxue's expression became cold.
But before she could speak—
Ye Xuan stepped forward.
His golden eyes met Zhao Tian's.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Senior Brother Zhao."
Zhao Tian raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Ye Xuan smiled politely.
"I've only just arrived."
"So?"
"I don't know the rules of the sect yet."
He paused.
"But I do know one thing."
Zhao Tian narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
Ye Xuan's smile became slightly wider.
"If you're trying to provoke me..."
His golden eyes flashed.
"...at least make it interesting."
Silence.
The surrounding disciples stared at him.
Bai Yue's eyes sparkled.
Su Lian's expression changed slightly.
Qin Hao frowned.
And Mu Qingxue...
For the first time—
A faint smile appeared in her eyes.
Zhao Tian's face darkened.
"You..."
Ye Xuan simply smiled.
His first day in the Heavenly Frost Sect had barely begun.
And he had already made his first enemy.
[Ding! Hidden Quest Detected.]
[Quest: Establish Your Reputation.]
Objective:
Defeat a stronger opponent.
Reward:
Unknown.
Ye Xuan's smile widened.
"Now..."
He slowly clenched his fist.
"...this is getting interesting."