The unbroken mountain range towered high like a dragon's spine.

Clear waters and lush hills, immortal mist curling all about.

Every other peak had a plain, unadorned wooden cabin looming in and out of the green shade.

Twelve mountains, and so twelve wooden cabins.

They seemed to ward the whole range, standing steady and firm atop the summits.

At the foot of the second mountain.

Yu Chao'an stretched lazily. Were it not for the dark corrosion-marks the dark light had left on his face, he'd have cut rather the figure of a lofty mountain recluse.

"Wanting to be the Eldest Senior Sister's registered disciple — that isn't a difficult matter."

"After all, she doesn't look at cultivation either."

"So long as you can complete the task she assigns, by whatever means, all are acceptable."

Before him stood seven figures in all.

Men and women alike, all fair and handsome, like people out of a painting.

There was no telling from how many places one would have to search to pick out such a crowd of prodigiously-gifted, extraordinarily-featured seedlings.

This counted as the Eldest Senior Sister's peculiar quirk in selecting registered disciples — otherwise she'd never have contested Senior Brother Nie with the teacher back then, nearly turning him into her own nephew-disciple.

"You thought earlier your own talent was especially high, didn't you?"

Having finished his stretch, Yu Chao'an looked with a smiling squint toward the cloaked woman in the crowd. "And brought back by Senior Brother Nie, no less — figured it was a sure thing, hm? Never imagined every last one here would be no less than you?"

"..."

Faced with the ribbing, Jiang Qiulan merely lifted her eyes slightly, not a ripple in those pitch-black depths.

Swept by that cold, indifferent gaze —

Yu Chao'an at once felt his interest dampened and curled his lip. He'd meant to tease this little chit a bit more; who'd have thought she'd really be just like a block of wood, not the least bit of fun.

No wonder Senior Sister didn't take to her.

Senior Brother Nie at least had…