Outside the natural valley that houses Yaochi Immortal Palace, thick toxic miasma and illusion arrays linger year-round.
Like loyal sentinels, they seal this immortal realm away from the outside world.
When the hundred-zhang-long cloud sea spirit boat appeared in the sky above—
'Mmm…'
It was as if some invisible will had been stirred.
Below, the ever-present toxic miasma and the layered illusion arrays hidden within it parted automatically to both sides.
A broad, clear aerial passage emerged naturally amid the poisonous fog and shifting lights, leading straight into the depths of the valley.
Without the slightest hesitation, the spirit boat glided smoothly along that corridor.
The instant the flying vessel truly pierced the barrier and entered the valley—
'Oh my heavens…'
'This… this is…'
All the new Disciples pressed against the windows on the boat,
Regardless of birth or age, lost their voices in that same breath.
Eyes bulged, mouths hung open, faces brimming with shock!
What met their eyes completely overturned their understanding of an Immortal Sect.
The first thing that struck them was Spiritual Qi so dense it was nearly tangible!
Every breath felt like cool, sweet spring water washing through their lungs and cleansing their Divine Soul.
Many children still too young to even formally draw Qi into their bodies felt supremely comfortable after just a few inhalations.
Several new Disciples at the Qi Refinement Stage even sensed the Spirit Qi within them stirring, faintly showing signs of Breakthrough!
Next came the visual impact.
Beneath them stretched a vast, misty lake—Yaochi.
The water was clear as glass, reflecting white clouds, blue sky, and distant mountain ridges; the delicate isle at its center resembled a pearl upon a jade plate.
Over the surface, faint golden halos mingled with rising mist, wreathing the air in soft, shifting light.
Beyond Yaochi, tier upon tier of towering palaces rose, carved as if from white jade.
Up-curving eaves, painted pillars, every detail exuded gentle spiritual light and natural dao rhyme.
The Main Hall stood highest, its Aura overwhelming.
Side halls and pavilions dotted the landscape, half-hidden amid spirit mists.
Winding nine-curve corridors linked every scenic spot.
Farther off, several differently shaped peaks guarded the four directions.
The entire landscape seemed sculpted by the finest craftsman.
Spiritual Qi, dao rhyme, scenery, architecture… all in perfect harmony, utterly natural.
No worldly clamor here, no mundane filth—only tranquility, serenity, and dao rhyme everywhere.
'A… Immortal realm…'
Zhao Linger murmured, her pretty face entranced.
Wang Zhaojun's clear eyes mirrored the scene;
Her small hands clenched, as though to burn every detail into her heart.
Little Grass hugged her new clothes, eyes misty without her noticing.
This… was to be her home from now on?
So beautiful… beautiful as a dream.
Even Xiao Ya, who had been royalty and seen great Sects in her past life, was utterly dazed.
In her previous memories, such a perfect ecosystem and energy field existed only in virtual reality.
Yet here, it was real!
A miracle where nature and Dao blended in flawless union!
'The Spiritual Qi density… at least a hundred times that of the outside world! No, maybe more!'
'And its quality… pure, gentle, brimming with vitality… how is this possible?'
Xiao Ya's mind raced, trying to fit what she saw into a scientific framework—only to find every aspect shattering her knowledge.
Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli exchanged a smile at the crowd's stunned silence.
They understood the feeling all too well.
Hadn't they been the same when they first arrived at Yaochi Immortal Palace?
Yun Yun guided the spirit boat to settle gently at the edge of the boundless white-jade square before the Main Hall.
The instant the vessel steadied and its door opened—
Even purer, denser Spiritual Qi rolled in, carrying the fresh scent of Yaochi's mist and distant flowers.
'Everyone, line up on the square.'
Yun Yun's clear voice rang in every Disciple's ears, rousing them from their daze.
The new Disciples, as if waking from a dream, stifled their excitement and nervousness.
Under Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli's guidance they filed off the boat and formed neat rows upon the mirror-bright jade plaza.
More than a hundred boys and girls stood in utter silence, only quickened breaths and curious glances betraying their awe.
Dressed differently, temperaments varied, but every face shone with hope for the future.
Just then—
'Rumble…'
The ground trembled lightly, as though something huge approached.
All eyes turned toward the source of the quake.
From the west of the square ten figures of varying sizes appeared.
Leading them was Ink Scale, human-formed, clad in black armor, his features resolute.
Behind him… a group of "little Yao" still in their original beast forms!
A young flood-dragon over three zhang long, scales gleaming black, eyes bright;
A sturdy one-zhang-tall young ape hefting a stone staff, looking about with curiosity;
A gorgeous azure fledgling bird with brilliant tail-feathers;
A small deer trotting lightly, budding antlers on its head;
Even a thick python, bowl-wide, patterned scales flicking its tongue… ten little Yao of different races, each clever and clear-eyed, obviously chosen with care.
Though not yet transformed, they moved with some discipline, following Ink Scale and studying the human youths.
At almost the same moment—
'Haha! I, Fu Shan, am back too!'
A hearty laugh boomed.
Fu Shan's mountain-like frame strode forward.
Another ten figures followed him.
Fu Shan's group leaned toward "power" and "defense" type Yao cubs.
A pangolin clad in yellow-brown shell;
A rhino with thick limbs and a single horn;
A fiery-furred young tiger trying its best to look "well-behaved";
Even a chubby bamboo-hugging, sleepy-eyed panda… The twenty little Yao brought instant Life Qi and strange, adorable charm to the solemn square.
The human youths stared curiously at the Yao Race.
The Yao cubs studied the humans with whom they would Cultivate.
Both sides sized each other up, the air tinged with wonder but no hostility.
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