32: Finally entered the Yellow Maple Valley, the neighbor Han Lao Mo

On the plaza, the white-haired old Daoist’s voice echoed. He surveyed the new Disciples, a smile on his face.

“Welcome, everyone, to Huangfeng Valley!”

“To have passed the tests of the Ascension Gathering proves that all of you are fated with the Dao of Immortals.”

“Within the Sect, there are rules, opportunities, and also risks. How you fare in the future depends entirely on your own efforts and fortune.”

The old Daoist’s tone shifted, and he pointed to several Huangfeng Valley Disciples on one side of the plaza.

“These Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters are responsible for the entry procedures. First, go collect your Sect robes and annual Spirit Stones, then head to the steward’s office on that mountain over there to choose your Immortal Cave for the future.”

He raised a hand and pointed to a mountain on the other side of the plaza.

“An Immortal Cave is where a Cultivator usually Cultivates, and it might accompany you for decades or even centuries. Choose carefully; once determined, it cannot be easily changed unless there is a special Sect transfer.”

“Go.”

After the old Daoist finished speaking, he said no more, his figure flickering before disappearing. He had gone to collect his commission for this recruitment.

The new Disciples stirred, unable to hide their excitement. Entering Huangfeng Valley meant stepping onto the true Immortal Path, with a future full of infinite possibilities.

Lin Feng followed the crowd to the Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters. He saw a gentle-faced Senior Sister distributing supplies.

“This is your Storage Pouch; you can recognize it as your master by dripping blood on it. Inside, there is a set of unified Sect robes, a flying Magical Artifact, and your first year’s annual Spirit Stones.” The Senior Sister said as she handed a Storage Pouch to Lin Feng.

Lin Feng took it and extended his Divine Sense into it. The Storage Pouch space was not large, about a zhang square, and several items lay quietly inside. A set of yellow cloth robes, a palm-sized emerald green leaf, and a small pile of shimmering Spirit Stones, about thirty pieces.

Han Li also received his Storage Pouch after Lin Feng. He likewise extended his Divine Sense into it.

A moment later, Han Li’s expression changed. His originally expectant gaze instantly froze, turning ugly. He imperceptibly tightened his grip on the Storage Pouch, his lips pressed into a straight line.

Lin Feng had been observing Han Li’s movements. Seeing him like this, he couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. Sure enough, that Foundation Establishment Pill, just like in the original work, had been taken away.

He knew that according to the original plot, Han Li’s Foundation Establishment Pill would be withheld upon entry by an Elder surnamed Ye, using various excuses. It seemed that this part of the plot remained unchanged.

Han Li’s Divine Sense repeatedly swept through the Storage Pouch, as if trying to confirm whether he had misread it. Besides the Sect robes, flying Magical Artifact, and annual Spirit Stones, there were also a few Spiritual Plants in the Storage Pouch, which looked quite old, and besides that, only a piece of paper.

He took out the paper. On it were a few lines of text, handwritten by a certain Sect steward, roughly stating that considering Han Li’s poor Aptitude, even if he took this Foundation Establishment Pill, Foundation Establishment would be hopeless. Therefore, Elder Ye, for Han Li’s sake, specially bestowed these few hundred-year-old Spiritual Plants to aid his Cultivation.

Han Li stared at those few lines, his face growing darker. He understood what this meant. The Sect had exchanged a few Spiritual Plants for his rightful Foundation Establishment Pill! He possessed the small green bottle, and with the green liquid’s ripening, he could easily obtain thousand or ten-thousand-year-old Spiritual Plants himself. Yet, these few hundred-year-old Spiritual Plants had exchanged a Foundation Establishment Pill.

He glanced at the male Disciple who had distributed the Storage Pouches; he was looking at him with a mocking expression. He lowered his head and took a deep breath, finally looking at Lin Feng.

Lin Feng had a gentle smile on his face, seemingly unaware of his abnormality.

Han Li sighed in his heart. The Cultivation world was indeed cruel; even large Sects were full of exploitation and injustice. A good person like Senior Brother Lin was truly rare!

He suddenly thought of Lu Yunfeng. That guy’s gaze towards him was filled with venom, and after entering the Sect, he definitely wouldn’t let it go. With the Lu family’s influence, tripping him up in Huangfeng Valley would be easy.

And Lin Feng’s two encounters with Lu Yunfeng had made him feel unfathomable. Moreover, Lin Feng bore him no ill will, and even subtly showed an intention to befriend him. Within the Sect, if he could maintain a friendly relationship with someone like Lin Feng, perhaps it would provide an extra layer of security.

The surrounding new Disciples could no longer hold back and successively activated their leaf-shaped flying Magical Artifacts. The Magical Artifacts grew larger in the wind, carrying the Disciples towards the distant mountain. Above the plaza, streaks of light cut across the sky.

“Senior Brother Lin.” Han Li put away his Storage Pouch and the note, lowering his voice as he called out.

Lin Feng turned his head, a perfectly appropriate look of surprise on his face.

“Old Brother Han, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Han Li forced a smile, “It’s just… you and I are new here and unfamiliar with the Sect. Look, everyone is going to choose their Immortal Caves.”

He paused, his eyes carrying a hint of inquiry.

“Senior Brother Lin, we met by chance, which can be considered fate. How about… how about we find adjacent Immortal Caves so we can look out for each other?”

When Han Li said this, he felt a bit awkward inside. He was used to being a lone wolf and always felt uncomfortable letting others get close. But thinking of Lu Yunfeng’s hateful gaze, he still felt safer with an “ally.” Lin Feng’s strength was formidable, and he wasn’t from a Sect family, so for him, he might be the best choice at the moment.

Lin Feng chuckled inwardly. Old Devil Han, Old Devil Han, are you afraid of Lu Yunfeng? However, adjacent Immortal Caves suit me perfectly. Wouldn’t it be more convenient to monitor your every move?

So, he showed a look of approval on his face.

“Old Brother Han is right! That’s precisely the reason.”

“We are both Loose Cultivators; in this large Sect, we should support each other.”

“Adjacent Immortal Caves? Good idea! My brother, that’s how it should be!”

Lin Feng patted Han Li’s shoulder, appearing very enthusiastic.

Seeing Lin Feng agree so readily, Han Li breathed a sigh of relief and showed a genuine smile on his face.

“Then I’ll rely on Senior Brother Lin from now on.”

“Nonsense, let’s go see what our Immortal Caves are like!”

Lin Feng smiled and activated the leaf-shaped flying Magical Artifact. The emerald green leaf instantly grew larger, stably hovering in front of the two of them.

Han Li also activated his flying Magical Artifact, which was also an emerald green leaf.

The two exchanged a smile and each leaped onto their Magical Artifacts. Lin Feng nodded to Han Li and took the lead, flying towards the Immortal Cave area. Han Li followed closely behind.

Two streaks of green light merged into the torrent of light and shadows flying towards the Immortal Cave area from the plaza.

Lin Feng and Han Li flew side by side, at a moderate speed. As Lin Feng flew, he observed the islands below. Huangfeng Valley’s Immortal Cave area was distributed across different islands, and the size of the islands and the Spiritual Qi concentration seemed to vary.

“Old Brother Han, this Immortal Cave area seems to have some particularities,” Lin Feng said casually.

Hearing this, Han Li also observed carefully.

“Hmm, indeed. Some islands seem to have denser Spiritual Qi, and the buildings on them are more exquisite.”

“I suppose those Immortal Caves with better Spiritual Qi belong to the direct Disciples of the Sect,” Lin Feng guessed.

“It should be so.” Han Li nodded, “We new Disciples probably can only choose the most ordinary Immortal Caves.”

“It’s fine, having Spiritual Qi is better than having none.” Lin Feng smiled, “Moreover, the quality of an Immortal Cave is only temporary; Cultivation ultimately depends on the individual. Don’t you agree, Old Brother Han?”

“Senior Brother Lin is absolutely right.” Han Li echoed. In his heart, however, he was thinking of the Foundation Establishment Pill that rightfully belonged to him.

A moment later, the two arrived at the mountain. Around the mountainside, a large number of Immortal Caves were distributed, neatly arranged. This was the Immortal Cave area allocated to newly admitted Disciples.

At the center of the mountain, there was a larger stone house with a wooden sign hanging at the entrance, which read “Immortal Cave Distribution Point.”

The two landed in front of the stone house and walked in. Inside the stone house sat a middle-aged Cultivator with a somewhat rigid face. Seeing the two enter, he asked without lifting his head, “Names.”

“Lin Feng.”

“Han Li.”

The two reported their names. The middle-aged Cultivator flipped through a thick ledger, then spread a map in front of them.

“This is the Immortal Cave distribution map of this island. Green indicates available, red indicates occupied. You two are to choose your Immortal Caves within this area.”

The middle-aged Cultivator pointed to an area on the map, where most of the Immortal Cave markers were green.

Lin Feng and Han Li leaned in to look at the map. The Immortal Cave numbers in this area ranged from one hundred to three hundred.

“Old Brother Han, you choose,” Lin Feng said politely.

Han Li did not decline. He carefully looked at the map and pointed to two adjacent green squares.

“These two, numbers one hundred and eight and one hundred and ten.”

Lin Feng took a look; the two Immortal Cave locations were indeed close.

“Okay, I’ll listen to Old Brother Han,” Lin Feng said.

The middle-aged Cultivator picked up a pen and registered them in the ledger.

“Lin Feng, Immortal Cave one hundred and eight. Han Li, Immortal Cave one hundred and ten.”

“Here are your Immortal Cave Formation Plates, please keep them safe.” The middle-aged Cultivator took out two Formation Plates and handed them over, “The Formation Plate controls the Immortal Cave’s Formation. You can also set up other Formations for your Immortal Cave yourselves later.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother.” The two took the Formation Plates.

“Go now. If you need anything in the future, you can go to the Mission Hall or the Steward’s Hall with your token.” The middle-aged Cultivator finished speaking and then lowered his head to continue his work.

Lin Feng and Han Li walked out of the stone house and each sensed their Immortal Cave Formation Plates. The Formation Plates immediately glowed faintly, and a connection was established between them and the Formation.

“Let’s go, let’s go see our Immortal Caves,” Lin Feng said.

“Okay.” Han Li nodded.

Following the map’s instructions, the two flew towards Immortal Caves one hundred and eight and one hundred and ten.

Along the way, old Disciples occasionally flew past, riding their flying Magical Artifacts. Their faces were full of an ethereal aura.

Soon, they found the two Immortal Caves, only dozens of li apart. The Immortal Caves looked very simple, with no decorations at their entrances.

“Old Brother Han, let’s go in and take a look,” Lin Feng said with a smile.

“Okay.”

The two successively entered their respective Immortal Caves.

Lin Feng flew to his own Immortal Cave number one hundred and eight. The interior of the Immortal Cave was larger than it appeared from the outside, about a hundred zhang in size. It contained a quiet room, a stone bed, a stone table, and two stone stools, nothing else, making it look very simple. A simple Spiritual Gathering Formation was carved on the ground in the center of the Immortal Cave, emitting faint Spiritual Qi fluctuations.

The Spiritual Qi concentration was indeed not high, but Lin Feng had the System Cultivation space, and the increased Spiritual Qi concentration after entering it was much higher than when he was in Mo Estate.

Lin Feng checked the Restriction; it was the most basic defensive and Divine Sense isolation Restriction, more than enough to resist the Qi Refinement Stage, but it would probably not be able to hold out for long against a Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivator. He would need to find a powerful Formation in the System Mall later to ensure his safety.

It seemed that Huangfeng Valley’s welfare benefits for new Disciples only extended this far. In the future, if he wanted a better Immortal Cave, higher status, and stronger power, he would have to strive for them himself.

He stood in the center of the Immortal Cave, taking a deep breath of the air of his new home.

Hmm, there was no formaldehyde or musty smell.

This was his new stronghold to gallop across the Mortal world!