Lin Xiao gathered everyone and distributed the newly crafted sect uniforms. After receiving the uniforms, everyone excitedly returned to their rooms to try them on, and soon after, they gathered again to admire each other's new attire.
While there was excitement on the mountain, down in Shuishui Village, work was progressing in full swing. People were busy in the fields, and several construction sites were bustling with activity.
In just a few days, a two-story tavern and a two-story inn were completed in the village. Both buildings were located in the center of the village. Originally, there wasn't much space left in the village's center—it was mostly small hills and woods. But with Lingxian Sect's help, clearing some land was no big deal.
Thus, space was made for the tavern and the inn right in the heart of the village, as requested by Lin Xiao.
The village folk were amazed to see these two buildings rise so quickly, and even the regular visitors found it intriguing.
On the day of completion, villagers and visitors alike gathered to watch. At that moment, a neatly dressed girl of about ten years old stepped forward and greeted the crowd with a bright smile.
"Everyone, the Lingxian Inn and Lingxian Tavern will officially open in fifteen days. We hope you'll all come to celebrate with us!"
Beside her, Liu Yunan repeated the same message to the crowd. The girl was none other than Gu Yu Xiao, who had been sent back from Songyang County by Qin Jianghe.
Lin Xiao had previously sent a letter to Qin Jianghe, explaining that they needed a capable shopkeeper to manage the new businesses, someone who was literate and good with numbers. After all, the few people in the sect who could handle such tasks were already busy with other responsibilities and couldn't oversee the businesses in the village full-time.
Lin Xiao had asked Qin Jianghe if there was anyone suitable for the role, and to his surprise, Qin Jianghe had sent Gu Yu Xiao.
Gu Yu Xiao had just arrived today. Qin Jianghe had informed them in advance, so Liu Yunan went to meet her. But instead of resting, Gu Yu Xiao immediately took charge, overseeing the final preparations for the inn and tavern's opening, even though she hadn't yet unpacked her luggage or settled into her accommodations.
After announcing the opening, she followed Liu Yunan to the entrance of the Wenxin Path.
Though it wasn't her first time in Shuishui Village, it was her first time returning to the sect.
Now, standing before the famed Wenxin Path, she felt a surge of anticipation. The beauty of the pathway made her even more eager to see the sect at the top of the mountain.
With enthusiasm, she turned to Liu Yunan and asked, "Uncle Liu, do I just walk straight in?"
Since Qin Jianghe was her master, he had already explained the sect's hierarchy to her, so after Liu Yunan introduced himself, Gu Yu Xiao had been calling him "Uncle" ever since, much to his embarrassment. Though it felt strange to be addressed as such, he didn't reject the title.
Smiling, Liu Yunan nodded and said, "Yes, just walk in and stay calm. Keep your mind at ease. It's quite simple."
With Liu Yunan's encouragement, Gu Yu Xiao confidently stepped onto the Wenxin Path. After just a few steps, she came to a stop, her eyes glazing over as the trial began.
The difficulty of the Wenxin Path had increased recently, so Gu Yu Xiao took a bit longer than others to complete it. By dusk, she finally awoke from the trial, feeling slightly disoriented as she looked up at the sky. Slowly, she realized she hadn't been forced out of the path.
According to what her master had told her, this meant she had passed the trial, right?
Tentatively, she took a step forward, discovering that she could proceed unhindered. Thrilled, she broke into a run, heading up the mountain.
Liu Yunan, who had left earlier to attend to business, had tasked Xiao Luan with waiting for her at the path. Xiao Luan, curled up at the side of the road, watched as Gu Yu Xiao ran past without even noticing him.
Sighing, Xiao Luan shook his head. It seemed he still wasn't big enough to catch the attention of humans.
As Gu Yu Xiao reached the midway point of the mountain, she was immediately captivated by the sight of an ancient and elegant peach blossom tree standing at the path's entrance.
This must be the famous Ten Li Peach Blossom Tree that her master often spoke of, she thought.
Turning her head, she noticed a wild mountain chicken curiously watching her from a nearby grassy hut.
Smiling, Gu Yu Xiao greeted the chicken, "You must be Senior Xiao Luan! I'm Gu Yu Xiao."
However, since she hadn't yet learned the Beast Speech Technique, the recently awakened Da Tao couldn't understand her. It merely tilted its head, staring at her blankly.
Apparently, Qin Jianghe had forgotten to tell her that communication with the animals required learning the Beast Speech Technique. Feeling awkward when the chicken didn't respond, Gu Yu Xiao forced a smile and continued, "Well, Senior Xiao Luan, I'll head inside now. You take care."
Seeing no response from the chicken, Gu Yu Xiao let out an embarrassed laugh and hurried on her way.
As she gazed at the sect's buildings bathed in the light of the setting sun, Gu Yu Xiao felt a surreal sense of disbelief. She had spent so much time at the Lingxiao Escort Agency, hearing about the sect from Qin Jianghe and the others who occasionally visited. Yet she had never seen it for herself.
Now, looking at the grand hall and the various buildings spread across the mountain, as well as the terraced fields in the distance, the anticipation that had built up in her heart finally found solid ground.
Liu Yunan soon emerged from the administration hall, having been informed by Xiao Luan that Gu Yu Xiao had successfully passed the trial. Spotting her staring in awe at the scenery, he approached and handed her a set of new sect uniforms.
"Yu Xiao, here. These are the new uniforms for our sect," he said, offering her the freshly made attire.
Gratefully, Gu Yu Xiao accepted the uniform. Liu Yunan then led her toward Guiyuan Shanju, saying, "I'll take you to your living quarters first. We'll have a meal to welcome you and then I'll give you a tour of the sect."
Happily, Gu Yu Xiao followed him, eager to see the legendary Guiyuan Shanju. The place now had even more rooms, nearly covering the entire hill, as they had been built during the leisure time of the sect members. They had prepared these rooms for disciples like her, who hadn't yet returned to the sect, ensuring there would always be a place to stay.
As Gu Yu Xiao looked at the small houses and the various buildings in the sect, which weren't particularly grand but felt homely, she wasn't disappointed. Instead, she was filled with admiration.
Qin Jianghe had told her that the sect had been founded less than a year ago, with only a handful of people, yet it had already achieved such scale.
Although she didn't know what a real cultivation sect was supposed to look like, that didn't stop her from being amazed from the perspective of someone who had lived as a mortal for over ten years.