Chapter 29: Hot Spring Disturbance (Part 1)

Instructor Liu Qingwan slowly scanned the entire audience, raised her hand gently, and announced:

"The selection of Personal Disciples has concluded. Next, the fifty Disciples with the highest vote rankings may choose their preferred Master."

As her voice fell, the Disciples below immediately began to murmur, exchanging glances with one another.

The top fifty Disciples were clearly quite excited; they cautiously looked toward the Elders of each palace, weighing their choices.

A Disciple wearing a cyan robe walked firmly toward the Star Song Queen, the Elder of Xingyin Palace, and after respectfully saluting, said:

"This Disciple admires the Dao of the stars and wishes to join Xingyin Palace." The Star Song Queen smiled slightly, nodded, and reached out to accept this Disciple.

Immediately after, a heroic-looking female Disciple walked toward Zither Demon Jifeng, the Elder of the Fengyin Palace:

"I love melodies as swift as the wind and wish to follow the Fengyin Palace."

Zither Demon Jifeng looked at her with satisfaction and smiled: "Good, my Fengyin Palace welcomes you."

The Disciples in the arena made their choices one after another; some were attracted by the power of Leiyin Palace, while others were drawn to the passion of Huoyin Palace.

For a time, the Disciples flocked to their preferred Elders, and the scene gradually became lively.

When the Disciples finished their selections, Instructor Liu Qingwan spoke again, her voice flowing into everyone's ears like a clear spring:

"The remaining Disciples need not be discouraged; you will remain in the Sixteen Courtyards of the Outer Sect to Cultivate.

The Sixteen Courtyards focus on the Legacy of healing melodies, which is the Foundation of our Xuanyin Sect. Hone your Foundation well, and in the future, you will surely astonish everyone when you enter the Inner Sect."

Hearing these words, the disappointment originally in the Disciples' hearts was gradually replaced by confidence and anticipation; they nodded one after another, their eyes revealing determination.

Instructor Liu Qingwan scanned the entire audience one last time, her tone gentle and encouraging:

"Alright, new Disciples, please follow your respective Masters to your courtyards to Cultivate. I hope you will Cultivate with focus, avoid arrogance and impatience, and achieve Core Formation soon."

Following her announcement, the new Disciples on the field left one by one, following their Masters, moving toward their respective futures and paths of cultivation.

Lin Chen watched the backs of Meng Li and Cuier as they left—one was her first woman, and the other was a maid who had been with her day and night. For a moment, she felt a bit lost.

Just as various emotions were echoing in Lin Chen's heart, the voice of Fairy Qimeng, like a babbling brook, sounded in her ear:

"Lin Chen, let us go too."

Lin Chen snapped out of it and followed Fairy Qimeng toward the main courtyard of the Xuanyin Qin Sect, eventually arriving at a quiet, secluded courtyard.

The environment here was serene; the sounds of birds and the wind intertwined, as if far removed from the mortal world.

"This is my residence," Fairy Qimeng said softly, looking at Lin Chen with gentle eyes.

"There are only the two of us here; from now on, you will follow me to Cultivate."

Fairy Qimeng led Lin Chen into the courtyard, which was surrounded by a verdant bamboo forest. Sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled light and shadows, and the air was filled with the faint scent of flowers and the mist of Spiritual Qi.

In the center of the courtyard was an exquisite pavilion. In front of the pavilion was a small pond where a few goldfish swam leisurely; the water rippled slightly, giving one a sense of peace and tranquility.

"Every corner here contains Spiritual Qi, which is of great benefit to Cultivation," Fairy Qimeng said softly, leading Lin Chen into the pavilion.

The interior of the pavilion was laid out simply and elegantly, decorated with ancient zithers and scrolls, exuding a rich cultural atmosphere amidst the tranquility.

She led Lin Chen to a room on the second floor and pushed open the door:

"This is your room. It is close to my cultivation room, which will be convenient for us to discuss insights on our Cultivation at any time."

The room was not large but extremely comfortable. Outside the window was the bamboo forest, with a gentle breeze blowing, carrying a hint of coolness.

Lin Chen looked up and couldn't help but feel a sense of peace in her heart.

"Master, this place is truly quiet and peaceful, suitable for Cultivation," Lin Chen exclaimed.

"As long as you like it. In the future, when there are no outsiders, you should call me Sister, don't keep saying Master, Master." Fairy Qimeng yawned, gently stroked her forehead, and pointed to the clothing on the bed.

"I am a bit sleepy; take these clothes and follow me."

Lin Chen was slightly stunned, then walked lightly to the bed, carefully folded the clothes, held them gently in her arms, and followed quickly behind Fairy Qimeng.

Fairy Qimeng led Lin Chen out of the room, crossed the courtyard, and arrived in front of an exquisite stone door.

The stone door was carved with ancient patterns and faintly emitted a trace of Spiritual Qi.

Lin Chen followed Fairy Qimeng into the cave, and the stone door closed gently.

The cave was surrounded by curling steam. In front of them was a natural hot spring; the spring water was crystal clear, emitting a rich Spiritual Qi and diffusing a faint fragrance.

Lin Chen couldn't help but be slightly stunned, her eyes shifting, and she asked softly: "Sister, what is this…?"

If it were Lin Fan before the Incarnation, his heart would surely have been restless at such a wonderful scene, especially when facing his beloved Master; it would have been best if a relationship beyond friendship could occur.

However, ever since casting the Thousand Appearances Formless Divine Skill, Lin Chen's Heart-Nature seemed to have been subtly changed by this profound Cultivation Technique.

At this moment, her heart was as still as water, and every gesture she made had a natural calmness and elegance, completely different from before.

Fairy Qimeng said in a natural tone, without a trace of impropriety.

"This is the Spirit Dew Hot Spring, used specifically for bathing, Cultivation, and healing. You must be quite tired after this day; come, bathe with me!"

Fairy Qimeng, with a figure and face that were both stunningly beautiful, looked only about 21 years old.

This was partly due to her extremely high talent and Comprehension Ability for Cultivation, and partly because she often nourished her entire body with the Spirit Dew Hot Spring.

As she treated Lin Chen like a biological sister, the relationship between the two became more intimate and natural, and there was naturally no barrier in their daily interactions.

On the surface, Lin Chen was calm and collected, but her mind was undergoing a fierce struggle.

Finally, in the world of her spiritual consciousness, a tiny figure identical in appearance to Lin Fan suddenly appeared.

He jumped out excitedly, his eyes filled with uncontrollable desire, and shouted: "Wow, Master is actually letting me bathe with her; I want to force myself upon her!"

A moment later, the tiny figure of Lin Fan's face changed drastically, wanting to cry but having no tears: "Why can I not control my own body? The Thousand Appearances Formless Divine Skill is actually this overbearing?"

He struggled while trying to regain control, but he discovered that his consciousness seemed to be imprisoned in the world of spiritual consciousness, unable to affect any actions in the outside world.

Just as he was extremely anxious, a gentle voice with a hint of a chuckle sounded in her ear:

"Stay here obediently. When this matter is over, I will hand the body over to you to control." This was Lin Chen's voice.

Hearing this, Lin Fan felt a complex mix of emotions.

The Thousand Appearances Formless Divine Skill not only reshaped his exterior but also caused a subtle change in the consciousness between him and Lin Chen.

Although he still existed, the one in control at this moment was already Lin Chen.