"Thank you for your guidance, Martial Uncle Yu!" Although it felt a bit awkward, Han Li still put on a respectful expression and offered his thanks.
As for that bearded, burly man, he merely showed a toothy grin. He looked honest and simple-minded, as if he were not good with words.
This left Han Li, who already suspected something off about the man's background, feeling inwardly exasperated.
Either the man's acting skills had reached a transcendent level, or he truly had no idea about the unusual condition of his own body.
But if that were the case, then Senior Brother Miao's peculiar reaction upon seeing the man became rather intriguing. Han Li refused to believe that a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator could sense the frigid qi emanating from this fellow.
There had to be something fishy going on.
The youth surnamed Yu appeared quite satisfied with the reactions of both Han Li and the burly man. After offering a few more words of advice, he led the two of them down to a cluster of buildings on the mid-slope of Heavenly Spring Peak.
On a bluestone platform where they landed, a young man and woman, both in their teens, were standing side by side and chatting about something. The moment they spotted the youth, they immediately stopped talking and walked over.
"Why, if it isn't Martial Uncle Yu! Are you here to see Grandmaster?" The girl, who had a baby face and looked only fifteen or sixteen, grinned at the youth as she spoke.
Her casual attitude left Han Li, who knew all too well how rigidly hierarchical the world of immortal cultivation was, feeling genuinely stunned.
"That's right. These two are the Outer Affairs Disciples assigned to us this time. I need to have Grandmaster meet them and decide which senior brother they should be placed under," the youth surnamed Yu replied with a hint of a smile, apparently very familiar with the girl.
"Oh, so they're new junior brothers. When you get the chance, don't forget to tell me and Junior Brother Xin all about the mortal world. I'm dying to hear about it!" The girl's eyes darted around as she turned to Han Li and the burly man behind them and flashed a sweet smile.
"If Senior Sister wants to hear about it, why drag me into it? I still need to cultivate," muttered the dark-skinned youth beside her in an honest, earnest manner.
"Cultivation can start anytime. But having new junior brothers from the mortal world join Heavenly Spring Peak — that's a rare occurrence. Naturally, I want to hear all about the interesting things happening out there." Though the girl looked quite young, she put on a world-wise air and lectured the boy, leaving everyone at a loss for words.
The youth surnamed Yu let out a faint, bitter smile, shook his head, and without further comment, led the two into the courtyard across from them.
"Pay attention, you two. Junior Sister Ma and Junior Brother Xin may look young, and their seniority is the same as yours, but they are Grandmaster's descendants from the mortal world. Although they haven't been formally accepted as disciples yet, it's only a matter of time. You must never offend them. If Grandmaster holds it against you, no one will be able to protect you." As the youth walked, he turned his head and issued this warning.
Han Li listened and gave a bitter smile while nodding.
The burly man simply rubbed the back of his head and grinned without saying anything.
Seeing their expressions, the youth smiled slightly and added in a reassuring tone: "Junior Brother Xin is an honest fellow — he won't do anything improper. And Junior Sister Ma has been away from home since she was little; her personality is just a bit mischievous. She doesn't bear any ill will toward anyone. So the two of you don't need to worry too much about this. Just be a little mindful, that's all."
Han Li and the burly man naturally nodded repeatedly in agreement.
As they talked, the group passed through several courtyards and arrived before a quiet, secluded wing.
"Is that Jun'er?"
Almost the instant they appeared before the wing, a calm, unhurried male voice reached all their ears.
"Disciple greets Master!"
Upon hearing the voice, Yu Jun immediately stopped in his tracks, his expression turning solemn as he answered in a loud, clear voice.
"Your Third Senior Brother and Fifth Senior Sister are also here. Bring the two behind you inside," the clear voice said, sounding rather cheerful.
"Yes!" Yu Jun did not dare delay. He gestured to Han Li and the burly man and quickly walked through the half-open door of the wing.
It was an elegant and refined hall. Besides a few pots of emerald-green, unidentified grasses, there was only a set of ebony table and chairs inside. Seated beside the table was a middle-aged man dressed in the garb of a scholar. His features were unusual and distinguished, with three locks of raven-black beard drifting across his chest, giving him an otherworldly, transcendent air.
On either side of this man stood a man and a woman.
The man had white hair and a face full of wrinkles — he was clearly a venerable elder nearing his sixtieth year, smiling silently. The woman had a face like white jade and delicate, refined features, appearing around twenty-seven or twenty-eight. Her expression was utterly placid.
Yu Jun hurried forward a few steps and bowed at the waist in greeting.
"Disciple greets Master, Third Senior Brother, and Fifth Senior Sister!"
"Rise. We're all family here — no need for such formalities. So these are the new disciples joining Heavenly Spring Peak!" The middle-aged man swept his sleeve, signaling for the youth to stand, and then regarded Han Li and the burly man with evident interest.
Han Li took one look and could tell this was a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator. Though he felt a twinge of frustration, he had no choice but to force a smile and call out, "Grandmaster."
The burly man did the same.