HSSB40: The Lin family maiden leaves seclusion

In the Central Heaven Region, where Broad Creed Mountain’s headquarters were located, within the depths of the multiple mountains existed an enormous cave, a peaceful place within which disciples of Broad Creed Mountain opted to go into secluded meditation.

The stone door outside the cave, which previously been closed, suddenly began to open little by little.

From within, a maiden of only fifteen or sixteen years of age stepped out. Dressed completely in white, her beauty cast a radiant glow onto the surrounding forest, as she resembled a water lily blossoming in the evening.

Outside the cave, there were two youths waiting. Upon seeing the young maiden, smiles appeared on their faces: “Junior apprentice-sister Lin is leaving the gate?”

Lin Yushao gracefully laughed as she greeted the two: “Senior apprentice-brothers.”

The two youths returned her greeting. One of them laughed and responded: “Congratulations to junior apprentice- sister Lin for making a breakthrough during your seclusion. If you can complete a few tasks for the clan, you’ll soon be able to wear a blue qingpao.”

According to Broad Creed Mountain’s rules, all normal disciples would have to wear white robes. Of the previous Ye Jing, Lan Wenyan, and Lin Yushao, none were exempt from this rule.

For innately gifted disciples, after their cultivation reached a certain realm, they would be

rigorously tested by the clan. If they passed, they would wear blue robes instead, and, being considered Chosen amongst the disciples, would be nurtured by the clan, like Sikong Qing.

At a level above that, like Yan Zhaoge, their robes would be lined with a black trim. Any disciples at this level would be considered core disciples of the clan, and would have a greatly different position from the other disciples. Each core disciple would wield considerable influence—correspondingly, while their privileges and prestige could be considered the highest, their numbers were also the lowest.

Lin Yushao lightly smiled and responded: “I’ve only cultivated for a short period, and my foundation is unsteady. I also am lacking in experience from outside training. As for becoming a blue robed disciple, I’m still a great distance from reaching that level.”

“If at some later time I have a chance to travel outside the clan with senior apprentice-brothers, I hope that you can give me some pointers.”

The two youths exchanged glances for a moment, then laughed. In their hearts, they were thinking: “With senior apprentice-brother Yan acting as a strong tree to block the wind and rain for you, what sort of trial could possibly stop you?”

However, the other party was polite and deferential, without any hint of trying to exploit her connection to Yan Zhaoge. Naturally, this made the attitude of the two youths soften. Laughing, they responded: “With senior apprentice-brother Yan guiding you, there shouldn’t be a need for us.”

“Rather, if we had the opportunity to train with senior apprentice-brother Yan, that would be a fortuitous opportunity for us. At that time, we’ll have to trouble junior apprentice-sister Lin to mention our names.”

Lin Yushao lightly laughed again: “Senior apprentice-brother Yan’s experience has surpassed ours by too much. Naturally, he’ll have his own ideas.”

“Nonetheless, from the perspective of this junior sister, I would naturally hope to be able to travel alongside you two senior apprentice-brothers.”

The two youths laughed as well, but everyone present knew full well that the one to make the decision would ultimately be Yan Zhaoge. Still, with what Lin Yushao had already said, it was enough for the two of them.

Lin Yushao asked: “I don’t know if senior apprentice-brothers know, but…regarding senior apprentice-brother Yan, is he in the clan right now?”

One of the disciples shook his head: “A short while ago, senior apprentice-brother Yan went to lead a group of our fellow disciples on a mission to the Sealing Dragon Abyss near the East Heaven Region’s Eastern Tang Kingdom. Later, he stayed there for unknown reasons, and hasn’t yet returned to the mountain.”

“East Heaven Region…Eastern Tang Kingdom…” Lin Yushao became quiet for a moment as her expression briefly showed an inscrutable expression before quickly returning to normal.

The Broad Creed Mountain disciples briefly examined her for a moment, slightly hesitating before saying:

“Junior apprentice-brother Ye also went with them. From what I’ve heard, it seems as if he’s gone missing.”

Lin Yushao’s gaze shook slightly and her body stiffened as she heard him continue: “However, he seems to only have been lost. Whether he’s alive or dead is still uncertain.”

The other youth looked at Lin Yushao, then suddenly spoke in a low voice: “Senior apprentice-sister Sikong Qing also went with them. According to some rumors, after leaving the Sealing Dragon Abyss this time, there have been some changes in her attitude towards senior apprentice-brother Yan….”

Lin Yushao was silent for a moment as she processed everything, before her expression reverted to normal.

She softly said: “I hope that Ye… Junior apprentice-brother Ye will be helped by the heavens*.”

Regardless of the affairs between the two of them in the past, everyone was still ultimately