Chapter Twenty-One: The Immortal Cultivation Academy

The Shushan Immortal Sect is situated atop the peaks of the Shushan Mountains, hidden deep within a realm of clouds and mist. At the heart of this domain lies the grand Piao Miao Peak, home to the revered Qian Yuan Hall, which serves as the central hub of the sect.

Surrounding Piao Miao Peak are countless other mountains, arranged like stars encircling the moon, each hosting independent长老 (elder) halls and cultivation centers. Shushan is shrouded in perpetual mist, with majestic palaces appearing and disappearing in the haze. The landscape is breathtakingly beautiful, filled with rare flowers and exotic herbs, and saturated with abundant spiritual energy—an ideal sanctuary for those seeking the path of immortality.

The Shushan Cultivation Academy is located on the southwestern side of the main peak, backed by towering mountains and facing a vast, magnificent sea of clouds, providing a perfect environment for learning the arts of cultivation.

Mingyue and the other newly admitted disciples were deeply awestruck by the ethereal scenery the moment they stepped onto Piao Miao Peak. Before them lay jagged, peculiar rock formations and rare trees. In the far distance, a slender cloud bridge wound its way into the depths of the unseen sea of clouds, leading to the Qian Yuan Hall and its surrounding majestic structures, which floated high above the rainbow-colored mist. Beyond that, the towering mountains pierced the sky, their summits capped with snow, while waterfalls cascaded down the slopes into the swirling fog below. The disciples felt as if they had wandered into a celestial fairyland.

The following afternoon, the students were led into the Shushan Cultivation Academy. At the entrance stood a tall, grand archway inscribed with the bold, archaic characters: "Shushan Cultivation Academy."

Occupying a vast area on the southwestern side of the sect, the academy featured rows of teaching pavilions built harmoniously along the mountain slopes. These structures were connected by wide bluestone paths and stone steps, surrounded by lush, ancient trees and rare flowers. A waterfall from the rear mountain meandered down, flowing into a massive lake on the west side of the academy. The lake was a expanse of shimmering mist and ethereal clouds, bordered by elegant, tranquil flora. Beside this lake lay the training grounds, where disciples practiced their sword forms and internal energy.

Behind the academy stood a massive library tower that reached into the clouds, its countless floors housing the classics and scrolls that disciples would soon be free to study.

After walking for some time along the lake, the group was guided into a bamboo forest near the rear mountain. Tucked behind the greenery were rows of blue-brick houses, separated by wide stone paths. This was the living quarters for the disciples.

The left side of the forest housed the men’s dormitories, while the right side was for the women. Deep in the forest stood a large bathhouse, with separate entrances for men and women, open for one hour every evening. The dormitories were situated on high ground, overlooking the misty lake and the sea of clouds below. Not far from the training grounds was a massive canteen, where the disciples would take their meals.

An administrator soon arrived to assign rooms, with four students to a dormitory. Mingyue, Nangong Yurou, Dou Ruhua, and Mo Yao were assigned to the same unit.

Amidst the bustling crowd, the administrator announced, "Everyone, take a good rest today, explore the academy, and prepare for the grand opening ceremony tomorrow morning."

Mingyue and her companions were delighted to find that their "dormitory" was actually a small courtyard containing four individual rooms and a central living area, which was bright, cozy, and comfortable. Upon opening their doors, they found all necessary bedding provided. Off the central hall was a washroom, supplied with mountain water via bamboo pipes, allowing for washing and other necessities.

The conditions were excellent—comparable to a high-end inn—and the group was very satisfied. Mingyue felt a profound sense of happiness. Having lost her family, she now looked upon the Shushan Immortal Sect as her new home, a sense of belonging that others could not fully fathom.

Soon after, clothing was distributed. The uniforms were a uniform snow-blue color, available in various sizes and styles, including inner and outer robes, as well as shoes and socks.

Nangong Yurou frowned as she held up a robe. "It's quite pretty, but the color is a bit plain; it doesn't quite match my elegant temperament."

"I think the color is fine," Mingyue replied. Her own clothes, given to her by Feng Qingcheng at the tavern, had been shredded and stained during the trials in the Monster Forest, and they carried an unpleasant odor. She was desperate for a change.

"When can we bathe?" Dou Ruhua cried out. "I feel like a fermented bun!" The group laughed, noting that her stout frame and the disheveled, colorful rags she wore did indeed bear a slight resemblance to one.

After a while, they stored their new clothes and headed to the bathhouse. Usually, bathing was limited to the evening, but the academy had graciously opened the facilities for the entire afternoon. The bathhouse was spacious, with hot spring water channeled from the mountains through large bamboo pipes into individual cubicles. The four friends enjoyed a refreshing bath and changed into their academy uniforms.

Before dinner, they went out to familiarize themselves with the campus. Near the lake, they found a massive stone inscribed with the characters "Immortal Pool." Disciples were wandering about, greeting one another with excitement and curiosity.

The lake was flanked by a sheer cliff overlooking the sea of clouds on one side and a dense forest on the other. To the right lay the training grounds, filled with practice swords and various weapons. After wandering through the tree-lined paths, they discovered the teaching complex, consisting of dozens of classrooms, each clearly marked.

The academy was so vast that the four girls were exhausted by the time they finished exploring. Behind the teaching buildings was a garden filled with rare, fragrant medicinal herbs, and a long stone path that stretched deep into the mountains.

"I'm starving," Dou Ruhua said, patting her stomach. "It looks like dinner time. Shall we head over?"

Mo Yao agreed, rubbing her legs. "My legs are aching. Let's go."

The canteen was spacious, capable of seating hundreds, with rows of antique-style wooden tables. It was already busy with disciples lining up. The meals were abundant, ranging from steamed buns and rice to a variety of vegetables and a small amount of meat. As the disciples had not yet reached the stage of "fasting" (bigu), they still required sustenance.

The four girls enjoyed their meal immensely. However, they soon overheard Nalan Meidai complaining at a nearby table, "What is this? It's absolutely terrible." Her companion, Jiang Yiyi, added, "It really is awful. How are we supposed to endure the next five years?"

Mingyue, however, found the mushroom-filled steamed bun in her hand to be delicious. As the canteen filled up, she noticed many male disciples glancing toward her and Nalan Meidai.

Nangong Yurou nudged Mingyue, blushing. "Hey, look, so many guys are staring at us. Is my hair messy?"

Mingyue looked up and noticed the whispering and glances. Having been praised for her looks her whole life, she was used to it. She teased, "Are you sure they're looking at you and not Mo Yao or Ruhua?"

Nalan Meidai laughed and playfully swatted at her. "You little brat, can't you say something I like to hear?"

Mingyue took another bite of her bun, savoring the savory flavor. Following the tradition of two meals a day—a morning meal around 10:00 AM and an evening meal around 5:00 PM—this first dinner at the Shushan Cultivation Academy was a truly happy occasion for them all.