As Gu Han entered meditation, the Yaochi Immortal Palace fell into silence once more, with only the rippling waters of the Yaochi and the misty Spiritual Qi remaining.
Yun Yun left the Main Hall and walked slowly along the white jade path.
Having just arrived, although she had received basic information from the Palace Master, seeing it with her own eyes still felt novel in every way.
In the distance, a surge of Sword Intent from Snow Moon Peak made her heart tremble slightly; it was an aura of the Sword Dao at the same level as hers, yet completely different.
"Grand Elder, Li Hanyi..."
She silently noted the name.
At the same time, she felt several powerful surges of Demonic Qi faintly coming from various parts of the Immortal Palace, as well as the vast fluctuations of the Spiritual Vein deep underground.
"Palace Master... Gu Han."
She whispered the name, that peerless, calm, and profound Face lingering in her mind.
The position of "Vice Palace Master" given to her was both a sign of trust and a heavy responsibility.
Although her memories were incomplete, the instinct and sense of responsibility belonging to a "manager" quietly awakened at this moment.
She needed to familiarize herself with everything here as soon as possible.
Just then, she perceived several auras approaching.
Yun Yun stopped and stood by a spiritual plant, looking towards the newcomers.
It was Liu Ruyan, Gu Luoli, and A'Yao, who was being led by Liu Ruyan's hand.
The three were originally preparing to return to their respective residences; Liu Ruyan was especially preoccupied with thoughts of returning home tomorrow, her mind somewhat in disarray.
They hadn't expected to see a strange, beautiful woman at the edge of the square outside the Main Hall.
The woman was tall, wearing a plain white dress, her black hair tied in an elegant bun, and her temperament was elegant and ethereal.
A graceful air of someone long in a high position faintly emanated from her.
Just by standing there quietly, she seemed to form a world of her own, blending perfectly with her surroundings.
What shocked Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli even more was that they completely couldn't see through this person's cultivation!
No pressure emanated from her, yet she gave them a feeling of being unfathomable.
This feeling was actually somewhat similar to Grand Elder Li Hanyi!
Another existence they couldn't comprehend!
A Yao blinked her large eyes, looking curiously at Yun Yun, thinking this older sister was very pretty, but seemed... a bit cold.
Liu Ruyan quickly composed herself and took a step forward, her posture respectful yet polite:
"Junior Liu Ruyan, along with Junior Sister Gu Luoli and Eldest Senior Sister A Yao, greets Senior. May I ask who Senior is...?"
Yun Yun's gaze swept gently over the three, pausing briefly on Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli, an imperceptible flash of approval in her eyes.
Solid Foundations and internal spiritual charm; they were both good prospects.
That little girl... gave her an even more inscrutable feeling.
"My name is Yun Yun."
Her voice was warm, like jade lightly striking, with a steadying calm,
"By the order of the Palace Master, I temporarily hold the position of Vice Palace Master."
"You must be the Palace Master's Personal Disciples? Indeed, you are all fine talents."
"Vice Palace Master?!"
Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli glanced at each other, both startled.
The Immortal Palace's structure had just been established, and there was already a Vice Palace Master so soon?
And such an unfathomable existence at that!
Liu Ruyan's mind raced, immediately connecting this to what her Master had just said about "sending a new Elder to accompany you home."
Could it be... this Vice Palace Master?
Suppressing her shock, she hastily bowed again:
"Disciple Liu Ruyan greets the Vice Palace Master!"
"Luoli greets the Vice Palace Master."
Gu Luoli also performed a proper salute.
A Yao followed their lead, saying in a milky voice:
"A Yao greets Vice Palace Master Big Sister!"
Hearing A Yao's form of address, a hint of a smile crossed Yun Yun's eyes, and she nodded slightly:
"No need for such formality."
"I have just arrived and am not yet familiar with the Immortal Palace. I will need your assistance in the future."
Her tone was peaceful, without any sense of distance, but rather a natural affinity.
This allowed Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli to relax a bit.
"The Vice Palace Master is too kind. If there are any instructions, this Disciple will certainly do her best."
Liu Ruyan said quickly.
Yun Yun's gaze fell on Liu Ruyan, and remembering the Palace Master's instructions, she said warmly:
"The Palace Master has already told me. I will accompany you home tomorrow."
Liu Ruyan felt a surge of warmth; it was indeed Master's arrangement.
With this Vice Palace Master accompanying her, not only would she be safe, but it would also be immense Face for the Liu Family.
"Thank you, Vice Palace Master! This Disciple... is beyond grateful!"
Liu Ruyan thanked her sincerely.
"It is my duty."
Yun Yun smiled faintly,
"I still need to familiarize myself with the surroundings of the Immortal Palace and make some preparations for tomorrow's journey."
"After you, Vice Palace Master."
Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli stepped aside to clear the path.
Yun Yun nodded slightly to them and gave A Yao a gentle smile.
Then she walked calmly toward the depths of the Immortal Palace, her figure gradually blending into the spiritual mist.
Only after Yun Yun was far away did Liu Ruyan breathe a long sigh of relief, exchanging a shocked look with Gu Luoli.
"Vice Palace Master Yun..."
Gu Luoli murmured in a low voice,
"My Double Pupils couldn't see through her Realm at all."
Liu Ruyan nodded with a complex expression:
"Master's friends are truly all extraordinary."
"This Vice Palace Master Yun is at least at the same level as the Grand Elder. With her in charge, the affairs of the Immortal Palace will surely be more orderly."
Her awe for her Master deepened, and at the same time, she looked forward to her journey home tomorrow even more.
"Let's go, we should head back. Luoli, go Cultivate well. Eldest Senior Sister should also rest."
"Mm."
The three went their separate ways.
Gu Han had already notified the others of Yun Yun's appointment as Vice Palace Master, and it soon caused a stir within the Immortal Palace.
Ink Scale and Fu Shan sensed it almost the moment Yun Yun appeared.
"Tribulation Crossing Stage?"
Fu Shan scratched his head and looked at Ink Scale,
"Old Ink, did you feel it? This Vice Palace Master's aura... is so strong."
Ink Scale nodded with a solemn expression:
"I felt it."
"The 'four old friends' the Palace Master mentioned before—the one who arrived now is likely one of them."
"The Palace Master's old friends are each unfathomable..."
Ink Scale sighed softly, then felt somewhat fortunate.
His decision to submit back then was truly the right one.
Formation Pavilion.
Butterfly Dance withdrew her Divine Sense, her colorful eyes flickering with light:
"I actually can't see through this Vice Palace Master's depth at all..."
"However, with her handling affairs, the Palace Master can focus on Cultivating. It's a good thing."
Snow Moon Peak.
Li Hanyi's sword practice paused slightly as she looked toward the Main Hall, her cold eyes showing little emotion as she whispered:
"Yun Yun... Vice Palace Master."
Then, the sword light rose again, solitary and ethereal.
She had no objection to this newcomer who also seemed skilled in the Sword Dao.
She didn't like handling mundane affairs anyway, so she was happy someone else was taking over.
On the other side.
After leaving the Main Hall, Yun Yun walked slowly toward the eastern side of the Immortal Palace, where the Spiritual Qi was most concentrated.
Before long, an ancient and elegant pavilion appeared before her eyes, with the words "Alchemy Pavilion" written on the plaque.
At this moment, Yun Miaoyi was standing by a medicinal garden, holding a Jade Slip, seemingly recording and calculating something.
Sensing someone approaching, Yun Miaoyi looked up. When she saw the stranger with an extraordinary temperament, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.
It then turned into a warm smile.
She had already learned of the existence of "Vice Palace Master Yun Yun" from the Palace Master's message.
"Yun Miaoyi greets the Vice Palace Master." Yun Miaoyi bowed gracefully, her posture respectful yet composed.
"Pavilion Master Yun, no need for such formality."
Yun Yun stopped, her voice warm, as her gaze swept over the Jade Slip in Yun Miaoyi's hand and the small medicinal garden,
"Working so late, you've worked hard."
"It is my duty, I wouldn't call it hard work."
Yun Miaoyi stood up, put away the Jade Slip, and smiled slightly,
"The 'Myriad Phenomena Medicinal Garden' the Palace Master wants to establish is incredibly mysterious. Miaoyi must naturally do her best to lay a Foundation for the Alchemy lineage of the Immortal Palace."
Her gaze fell on Yun Yun, carrying a hint of imperceptible scrutiny and curiosity.
This Vice Palace Master's aura was as deep as the sea; she couldn't see through it at all. Her Realm was likely not below that of the Grand Elder.
"Myriad Phenomena Medicinal Garden... it can simulate all kinds of environments to Cultivate Spirit Medicine."
Yun Yun nodded slightly, her eyes showing approval,
"This is vital for the Alchemy Pavilion and the entire Immortal Palace. For Pavilion Master Yun to have such trust from the Palace Master, your Alchemy attainments must be extraordinary."
"The Vice Palace Master overpraises me."
Yun Miaoyi said modestly, stepping aside and making a "please" gesture,
"The night is fine. Since the Vice Palace Master has just arrived, would you like to walk through the Alchemy Pavilion with Miaoyi?"
"That was my intention."
Yun Yun followed her lead, walking side-by-side with Yun Miaoyi along the pebble path at the edge of the medicinal garden.
"The Vice Palace Master is accompanying that child Ruyan home tomorrow?"
Yun Miaoyi changed the subject and asked.
"Yes, both to ensure her safety and to take the opportunity to understand the situation outside."
Yun Yun nodded, then looked at Yun Miaoyi,
"Pavilion Master Yun seems quite concerned about Ruyan?"
"That child has a resilient Heart-Nature but has faced many hardships. Being able to enter the Immortal Palace now is her fortune."
Yun Miaoyi sighed softly, her tone carrying the kindness of an Elder,
"Her Family is in Qingyang City on the border of the Southern Region; it's just a small cultivation Family."
"With the Vice Palace Master accompanying her this time, it's not only safe but also a deterrent to the outside world. The Palace Master has considered everything thoroughly."
Yun Yun thought for a moment:
"A deterrent... It seems the Palace Master intends to use this matter to let the name of the Yaochi Immortal Palace be initially revealed?"
Yun Miaoyi smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying:
"The Palace Master is far-sighted. Since the Immortal Palace has been established, it cannot remain hidden from the world forever."
"Appropriately showing strength and heritage isn't necessarily a bad thing."
"It's just a matter of finding the right balance, and I'm afraid finding that balance will fall largely on the Vice Palace Master's shoulders."
The two looked at each other and smiled, a certain understanding reached in silence.
Inside the Main Hall.
Although Gu Han was Cultivating with her eyes closed, part of her mind was connected to the System, like an invisible sensory network covering the entire Yaochi Immortal Palace.
She was aware of Yun Yun's movements after leaving and everyone's subtle reactions.
[Ding! Detected Sect member 'Yun Miaoyi's' initial impression of Vice Palace Master 'Yun Yun': Steady, reliable. Evaluation: Approved.]
[Ding! Detected Sect member 'Ink Scale's' perception of Vice Palace Master 'Yun Yun's' aura: Unfathomable. Evaluation: Awe mixed with relief. Thinks the Palace Master's background is mysterious.]
[Ding! Detected Sect member 'Fu Shan's' intuition regarding Vice Palace Master 'Yun Yun': Very strong, not to be trifled with. Evaluation: Absolute obedience to arrangements.]
[Ding! Detected Sect member 'Butterfly Dance's' observation of Vice Palace Master 'Yun Yun': Graceful air, completely unable to see through her. Evaluation: Glad to see it happen.]
[Ding! Detected Sect member 'Li Hanyi's' sensing of Vice Palace Master 'Yun Yun': Sword Cultivator, comparable strength. Evaluation: Satisfied with the reduction of mundane interference.]
A series of System prompts rang in Gu Han's mind.
Although the content was ordinary, the reactions of the crowd made the corners of Gu Han's mouth curl up slightly.
Good, very good.
Yun Yun's first appearance could be said to have achieved the perfect effect she expected.
Not only did she quickly settle into her role and establish good communication with Yun Miaoyi, a core member of the Immortal Palace.
More importantly, her air and strength had already gained initial recognition from everyone.
"Now I can finally be a hands-off Palace Master..."
Gu Han breathed a sigh of relief in her heart, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
The core team of the Yaochi Immortal Palace had finally been truly established.
"However, I can't be a complete shopkeeper."
Gu Han's thoughts shifted,
"Cultivation cannot be neglected, and the Disciples' lessons must be checked and guided from time to time."
"Also... the good things in the System mall require more mastery value."
"Perhaps I can have Ruyan recruit a batch of Disciples in Qingyang City..."
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