Chapter 188: A Golden Immortal Takes a Disciple

"Bai Suyuan, your talent is extraordinary, so there's no need for you to start as an outer disciple like the others. I ask you, are you willing to become my disciple and directly become a true disciple of the Candle Dragon Dao?" the short, stout man said warmly.

Bai Suyuan opened her mouth, stunned into silence.

"Xiong Shan, you cultivate the metal laws, but this child possesses a Moonlight Immortal Body. It wouldn't be suitable for you to train her. Better to leave her to me," a hazy voice suddenly echoed through the hall, spreading like layers of gentle water waves, penetrating the ears of the few present.

Han Li felt as if he had suddenly been placed in an endless sea of flowers, his mouth and nose filled with overwhelming fragrance, making him want to indulge and sink into it.

At that moment, his vast divine sense suddenly jolted, and he instantly recovered.

The short, stout man's expression changed, a flicker of anger in his eyes, but he quickly regained composure.

Just then, a mass of white light appeared out of nowhere in the hall, dazzling and impossible to look at directly.

Han Li squinted, raising a hand to shield his eyes.

The next moment, the white light vanished abruptly, revealing the figure of a palace-robed woman on the stone platform.

She appeared to be in her thirties, with an oval face and features like a painting, especially her eyes, which were exceptionally charming. Her white robe clung tightly to her body, revealing an alluring, voluptuous figure.

The white-robed woman exuded a terrifying aura of enchantment; every smile and frown stirred the heart like a spring breeze, giving rise to endless, seductive fantasies that ensnared the mind.

Han Li's heart trembled at the sight of her. He immediately averted his gaze, not daring to look further, while secretly circulating his divine sense. A cool sensation spread through his heart, and the abnormal state within him slowly dissipated.

"Greetings, Dao Lord Yun," the short, stout man said, bowing with clasped hands.

Han Li was slightly startled, then understood. This white-robed woman was one of the thirteen Golden Immortal Dao Lords of the Candle Dragon Dao, no wonder she possessed such terrifying charm.

He immediately followed suit with a bow. Beside him, Qi Liang had already lowered his head and bowed, not daring to look up at the white-robed woman.

Bai Suyuan stared blankly at the woman, her gaze confused, clearly lost in the endless enchantment of the white-robed woman.

This terrifying allure affected both men and women alike.

The white-robed woman waved her jade hand, and Bai Suyuan's eyes instantly cleared.

Seeing Han Li and the others bowing to the white-robed woman, Bai Suyuan's expression changed, and she was about to bow as well.

"Good child, no need for formalities," the white-robed woman said, pulling Bai Suyuan to her side and examining her closely, growing more satisfied.

"Child, your name is Suyuan, isn't it? Your Moonlight Immortal Body aligns well with my cultivation technique. Are you willing to become my disciple and train under me?" the white-robed woman said softly.

"Suyuan is willing. Greetings, Master," Bai Suyuan said, her mind racing as she performed a grand bow.

"Good, good, rise. From today on, you are my fifth personal disciple. This如意环 (Ruyi Ring) is a spiritual treasure I found useful in my early days. I bestow it upon you for protection," the white-robed woman said with a smile, pulling Bai Suyuan up. She produced a white jade ring that emitted astonishing spiritual energy fluctuations, clearly a top-grade spiritual treasure, and placed it on Bai Suyuan's wrist.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Master," Bai Suyuan said joyfully, quickly expressing her gratitude.

Only then did the white-robed woman look up at the short, stout man and say, "Xiong Shan, I'm taking this child. Do you have any objections?"

"Not at all. Since Dao Lord Yun's technique suits this child, it's better for her to follow you," the short, stout man quickly replied with a smile.

The white-robed woman smiled faintly, then turned her eyes to Han Li and Qi Liang, pausing briefly on Han Li.

"He is a rogue cultivator named Li Feiyu, who entered the sect with a Candle Dragon Token. He has just undergone a talent test," the short, stout man explained, noticing the white-robed woman's gaze.

"Oh, handle these trivial matters yourself," the white-robed woman said casually, losing interest after a single glance.

"Suyuan, come with me," she said, taking Bai Suyuan's hand and waving her other hand. A gentle white light enveloped the two.

Bai Suyuan quickly turned her head to look at Han Li below, but at that moment, the white light obscured her vision.

With a flash of white light, the two figures vanished instantly.

The short, stout man's smile slowly faded, replaced by a gloomy expression. He turned to leave.

"Vice Dao Lord Xiong, how should Fellow Daoist Li be arranged?" Qi Liang asked hurriedly, seeing this.

"Hmph! What's there to arrange? Just make him an ordinary inner sect steward. Handle it as you see fit," the short, stout man said coldly, without any regard for Han Li.

With that, a golden light flashed, and he too disappeared from the spot.

After the white-robed woman and the others left, Han Li narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.

"In the pursuit of Dao and immortality, each has their own fortune. It's already remarkable that you've reached the True Immortal realm. Don't envy others too much," Elder Qi said, noticing his expression.

Han Li was taken aback, realizing that Elder Qi had likely misunderstood him. He smiled helplessly and didn't bother to explain.

"Since Vice Dao Lord Xiong has instructed me to arrange for you to become an inner sect steward, there are some sect rules you need to understand. I'll give you the relevant documents later, so there's no rush," Elder Qi said with a smile.

"Thank you for your trouble... May I ask, Elder Qi, what specific duties does an inner sect steward need to handle?" Han Li nodded and asked.

"Fellow Daoist Li has two options. First, within every hundred years, you accept three routine steward-level tasks assigned by the sect. Of course, if you have enough merit points to offset them, you can avoid performing routine tasks," Elder Qi explained slowly.

"And the other option?" Han Li asked further.

"The second option is like mine: take charge of daily affairs in a certain hall within the sect, serving for only ten years out of every hundred. However, many elders, to avoid affecting their cultivation, choose to serve continuously for a hundred years, then focus on cultivation for the next nine hundred," Elder Qi continued.

"If they're worried about delaying cultivation, why not use merit points to offset?" Han Li asked, puzzled.

"Haha, well... first, merit points are extremely precious to all elders and disciples of the Candle Dragon Dao, and no one wants to use them lightly to offset tasks. Second, the sect does not allow canceling routine steward duties through offsetting," Elder Qi explained.

"From what you say, Elder Qi, merit points are so precious that they must be hard to come by," Han Li said thoughtfully.

"Indeed. For sect disciples, tending spirit fields for several years might earn them one merit point. For elders serving as stewards, they can earn one point per month," Elder Qi nodded.

"What about choosing to perform routine steward-level tasks?" Han Li asked.

"Although they are called routine steward-level tasks, their difficulty varies depending on the specific content, so the merit points earned naturally differ. Generally speaking... at least a dozen points, at most over a hundred. Of course, special contributions to the sect can earn additional merit points. You'll understand once you become familiar with the sect's situation," Elder Qi explained patiently.

"If that's the case, I'll choose the first option for my first hundred years," Han Li said after some thought.

"Mm, most newly inducted elders make this choice. Come, the Household Registry Hall is nearby. I'll take you there first to select a cave dwelling," Elder Qi said with a smile.

With that, he led Han Li out of the Zhaoyao Hall and, riding the wind, flew toward a nearby peak.

Compared to the peak where Zhaoyao Hall was located, this place was much livelier.

At the mountain's summit, a vast expanse of vermilion buildings was constructed, with hundreds of layered palace structures. The enormous square outside was bustling with people, though not overwhelmingly crowded.

From time to time, several rainbow lights soared up or descended from the sky.

"The Household Registry Hall is responsible for recording the elders and disciples of the sect and distributing related supplies, so it's one of the busiest halls on a regular day," Qi Liang said after they landed in the square.

"No wonder there are so many people... It seems it will take some time. I appreciate your trouble, Elder Qi," Han Li said with a hint of apology.

"No matter. Elder Yu of the Household Registry Hall is on good terms with me. I'll take you directly to him," Qi Liang said with a smile.

"Thank you," Han Li expressed his gratitude.

As they crossed the square, many disciples respectfully addressed Elder Qi as "Elder" upon seeing his robes, and Qi Liang merely nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Entering the cluster of halls, Han Li could see through the doors that most were bustling with activity.

Under Qi Liang's guidance, they arrived before the innermost hall.

At that moment, voices of conversation echoed from within the hall, with seven or eight figures seemingly engaged in a debate.

"Brother Yu!" Qi Liang called out as he stepped over the threshold with Han Li, before even seeing anyone.

From behind the seven or eight figures, a large, ruddy-faced head emerged, glanced over, then withdrew. A booming voice followed:

"Alright, you may go now. Come back tomorrow regarding the change of cave dwellings."

The sect disciples had no choice but to take their leave, one by one, and exit the hall.

"Brother Qi, it's been a while since you last visited... Eh, who is this beside you?" Elder Yu, somewhat stout, swayed his large head as he sized up Han Li.

Han Li observed that this man's appearance was unremarkable, but his aura was anything but weak—he was also a True Immortal realm cultivator of no mean cultivation.