Chapter 277: Chapter 42: Binglan! Changchun Comes to Witness_2
"Brother Jianye, what does it mean to gain insight?" Wang Zongsheng asked in a low voice.
He joined the Profound Ice Lineage. Not because he understood how powerful this lineage was, but merely because of the few words "Ancestor Longyan".
"It means going to other lineages to flaunt a bit." Yuwen Jianye, with his extraordinary background and his family producing many Academy disciples over a thousand years, naturally understood these nuances.
"All of you, shut up." Zhou Kangde reprimanded angrily, "When a senior brother is speaking, it’s not your place to whisper. If you do it again, you will be punished without mercy!"
Wang Zongsheng and Yuwen Jianye shivered and quickly shut their mouths.
Subsequently, Zhou Kangde continued to reprimand the newly admitted disciples.
...
Meanwhile.
Inside the Profound Ice Hall.
Jii Mingyu and his group came to a halt.
One of the core disciples said, "Junior Brother Mingyu, could it be that our master summoned us because Senior Sister Longyan has returned?"
"Most likely that’s the matter," another core disciple said, "Senior Sister Longyan has left the Academy for sixty years now, and I heard there was some trouble at home back then. In recent years, the master has mentioned her several times."
"If Senior Sister Longyan returns to the Academy, it will greatly enhance our Profound Ice Hall’s strength."
"Indeed, when Senior Sister Longyan was dominating the scene, I was just a new disciple, but following her taught me much."
As the two spoke, a hint of expectation gleamed in their eyes.
Jii Mingyu’s eyebrows gently twitched.
That Wang Longyan left the Academy sixty years ago, while he, Jii Mingyu, was only in his forties.
"I heard Senior Sister Longyan only reached the mid-stage Spirit Platform Realm at sixty years old, not very formidable," Jii Mingyu’s eyes showed a hint of disdain, "And I will definitely reach the middle stage in three years, or at most five."
The two older core disciples were slightly taken aback and then burst into laughter: "Junior Brother Mingyu was born in the renowned Sixth-Grade Jii Family, naturally more impressive than Senior Sister Longyan."
As the group conversed, they passed through the guards and headed towards the Profound Ice Pavilion.
...
Meanwhile.
Inside the Profound Ice Pavilion.
A woman in palace attire sat elegantly on the main seat.
On her head was a white Jade Crown, pure in jade color, without a single blemish.
However, even against the backdrop of such snow-like white jade, her complexion remained as clear as jade, making it hard to discern whether the jade was purer or her skin was fairer.
A robe of icy blue enveloped her graceful figure, accentuating her qualities as both stern and elegant like snow-covered peaks and drifting snowflakes.
This woman in palace attire was naturally the master of this place, Binglan Ascendant.
On the wall behind her was an Ice Crystal Longsword sheathed within its sword scabbard.
It was her sword "Binglan", with Ice Soul as its bone, forged with the ice spiritual qi from endless snowy mountains, its sword intent like a piercing cold, exuding an endless chill.
Due to the presence of the Binglan Sword, the entire Profound Ice Pavilion was suffused with an invisible aura of intimidation.
It was conceivable that should this sword be drawn, it would be unmatched in its sharpness.
Ancestor Longyan, wearing a Profound Ice silk skirt and a veil, sat elegantly beside Binglan Ascendant.
Her ice-colored white hair cascaded over her shoulders, completely different from the youthful maiden she once was, now instead exuding a matured tranquility with hints of a weathered essence.
Back at home, Ancestor Longyan often dyed her hair black.
Yet, on this Academy trip, Wang Shouzhe repeatedly instructed Ancestor Longyan to present herself with white hair, especially when meeting Binglan Ascendant, she must not dye her hair.
In truth, with Ancestor Longyan’s figure, poise, and charm, that ice-colored white hair only added to her goddess-like aura.
Sitting opposite Ancestor Longyan was a man of striking appearance, seemingly a youth. His demeanor was calm and formidable, his cultivation unfathomable, clearly indicating he was no mere mortal.
This man was none other than Faang You’an, who had previously conversed with Binglan Ascendant, and was one of her direct disciples.
The ice-colored white hair naturally caught Binglan Ascendant’s attention.
She stared for a good half a stick of incense’s time before calmly asking, "Longyan, what’s with your white hair?"
Ancestor Longyan’s voice was placid as she said, "Reporting, Master, about fifty years ago, I have been contending with the Yin Poison, and my hair gradually turned white without me realizing."
Although her tone was calm, the content of her words made Binglan Ascendant and Faang Yoou’an both take notice.
Fifty years, constantly resisting the Yin Poison. The torment and suffering within that period are enough to make one’s scalp tingle just thinking about it.
They could hardly imagine how difficult Wang Longyan’s life had been over the years.
Faang Yoou’an’s face remained unchanged, but in his eyes flashed a fierce light, which quickly faded as he said nonchalantly: "In the future, whenever we encounter disciples of the Yin Sha Sect, I’ll kill a few more for you to vent your anger."
He was considerably older than Ancestor Longyan and had watched her grow up. If not for the rules of the Academy back then, he would have intervened to help long ago.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Yoou’an." Ancestor Longyan’s voice was flat, seemingly devoid of joy or sorrow.
"Hmph!" Murderous intent flickered in the eyes of Binglan Ascendant, "My disciple Longyan has spent fifty years entangled with the Yin Poison, and only absorbed it out of necessity. Anyone who dares speak further, don’t blame me, Binglan, for being merciless."
"Master, I believe although Junior Sister Longyan has suffered greatly, she has tempered her heart, allowing her to accumulate strength and potential." Faang Yoou’an comforted, "Perhaps she might even have an opportunity to advance to the Purple Mansion Realm."
As everyone was speaking.
A young voice suddenly came from outside the Profound Ice Pavilion: "Disciple Jii Mingyu and others, pay respects to Master."
Binglan Ascendant’s fierce expression softened slightly.
"Come in."
Speaking, Binglan Ascendant kindly said to Ancestor Longyan: "Mingyu is a recently accepted core disciple of mine, no less than you were back then."
Following that.
Jii Mingyu and the others entered, those who needed to pay respects did so, and greetings were exchanged.
Especially Jii Mingyu, who displayed elegance and courtesy and enthusiastically praised Ancestor Longyan with frequent addresses of "Senior Sister," calling her warmly.
However, there was a trace of disdain deep in his eyes.
This Wang Longyan was already over 120 years old and barely reached the Late Stage Spirit Platform Realm, her talent was just so-so.
And he, Jii Mingyu, confidently thought that by the age of ninety, he would reach the Late Stage Spirit Platform Realm!
By the time he’s over 120, he plans to be preparing for an attempt at the Celestial Human Realm.
What he was most worried about was Wang Longyan’s return to the sect affecting his future prospects of becoming a direct disciple.
Although both were Master’s disciples, the identity and resources available to a direct disciple compared to a core disciple were vastly different.
...
"Mingyu." After a brief introduction, Binglan Ascendant instructed, "For this Academy tradition, I have postponed it for a day. Tomorrow, you will lead the new disciples to visit each peak and valley."
"Yes, Master."
Jii Mingyu was invigorated, secretly thinking that Master seemed to value him more.
But then, Binglan Ascendant said, "Longyan, you will go along tomorrow as well. You don’t need to take action, just show your face, greet the Ascendants of each peak and valley, and announce your return to the sect."
"Yes, Master."
Ancestor Longyan accepted the order with a bow.
Jii Mingyu’s smile froze, instantly understanding why Master delayed this tradition for a day—it was to pave the way for Wang Longyan.
Could it be that Master intends to make her a direct disciple?
Fury surged in his heart. Why?
At this moment.
From above outside Profound Ice Hall came a hearty laugh from an elder: "Binglan Ascendant, are you here? I’ve brought new disciples from Eternal Spring Valley to your esteemed hall for a visit." The voice seemed plain, yet could not hide its smugness.
What? Eternal Spring Valley’s coming to our Profound Ice Hall for a visit?
There were only six people inside the Profound Ice Pavilion, each with an odd expression, wondering if they’d misheard.
Ancestor Longyan’s eyes were also filled with surprise.
She recalled when she was a core disciple at Profound Ice Hall, she used to lead teams to visit Eternal Spring Valley. How could it be turned around in just sixty years?
Could it be that this Junior Brother Mingyu is not up to par?
Ancestor Longyan looked at Jii Mingyu with eyes full of doubt.
Jii Mingyu was naturally taken aback, feeling aggrieved in the face of Wang Longyan’s gaze.
...