Looking at Xiao Qi's eager expression, the old daoist could not help feeling a stir in his heart.
He thought to himself that for a mortal, what could be more desired than wealth? These things meant little to him, so fulfilling this young girl's wish would not be a difficult task.
Thinking of this, the corners of the old daoist's mouth lifted slightly, revealing a confident smile.
Then he answered without hesitation, "Of course it is true! This poor daoist is a man of religion and never speaks falsely. As long as it is something this maiden speaks of that is within my power, I can naturally fulfill your wish."
His voice was low and resolute, as if carrying a power that left no room for doubt.
"Daoist, your wish will surely be within your power to grant!"
Xiao Qi instantly beamed with joy, her naturally expressive eyes sparkling like bright stars at this moment, and that brilliant smile was as tender and delicate as a blooming flower in spring.
"Oh! Speak, young maiden!"
With that, the old daoist gently stroked the long goatee on his chin while smiling kindly at the young girl before him. His smile looked exceptionally warm and amiable, making people feel as comfortable as a gentle spring breeze.
Little did he know that the young girl suddenly dropped to her knees, kowtowed three loud times toward the old daoist, and called out in a firm and sincere tone:
"Daoist, please take me as your disciple! Ever since I was young, I have yearned for Daoist arts and longed for a master of your caliber to point the way and teach me true skills. I am well aware that demons run rampant in this world, harming the common folk, and I am willing to pour out all my strength to follow you in practicing the Dao, slaying demons, and safeguarding the peace and justice of this land. I earnestly beg the daoist to pity my sincerity, take me as your disciple, and let me become a member of your sect to jointly shoulder the mission of upholding righteousness among mortals!"
Both the old daoist and the youth were stunned, secretly surprised in their hearts, as neither of them had expected the young girl's request to be this.
"This... this..." The old daoist's expression turned somewhat awkward. He hesitated for a moment before speaking, "My sect consists entirely of male disciples; there are no female disciples! Might this be somewhat inappropriate?"
Hearing these words, a trace of disappointment appeared on the young girl's face.
Yet she did not give up, continuing instead, "Master, wouldn't this be just right? Our Daoist temple is entirely filled with men. If a woman were to join, wouldn't it add a bit more vitality? Furthermore, I believe that with Master's ability, you can certainly teach a female disciple well."
Hearing the young girl's words, the old daoist felt a stir in his heart. He felt that what the girl said made some sense, and Qingtai Mountain indeed lacked a feminine presence.
However, he still worried that accepting a female disciple might cause dissatisfaction or inconvenience among the other disciples.
After all, the living habits and rules in a Daoist temple differed from the outside world, and it might be somewhat difficult for a young girl to adapt.
Just as the old daoist was hesitating, the youth by his side suddenly spoke up, "Master, I think this girl is quite right. Ziyu Peak indeed needs some change, and having a female disciple could also bring about some positive changes for us. Besides, Master, it has indeed been quite a while since you last took on a disciple."
The youth's words plunged the old daoist into deep thought. He knew that this disciple of his had always been clever and possessed a unique insight into worldly affairs.
Perhaps it really was time to bring some new changes to Ziyu Peak...
"Very well, then!"
The old daoist's consent made both Xiao Qi and the youth extremely happy. Xiao Qi was ecstatic, repeatedly kowtowing on the ground and loudly shouting "Master."
Daoist Yunhe nodded slightly in approval, saying, "The name Xiao Qi is far too ordinary. Since you were discovered on the seventh day of the seventh month, which is practically your birthday, why not change your name to Qiyue? What do you think?"
"Qiyue! Qiyue!... Thank you, Master, for bestowing such a wonderful name!"
She silently repeated this brand-new name twice in her heart. Compared to the former Xiao Qi, she loved the name Qiyue all the more.
It was as if this name contained some special power that could bring her good fortune and happiness.
At this very moment, she learned for the first time that her master actually came from the mysterious and mist-shrouded Qingtai Mountain. The mountain had five peak dwellings, and Daoist Yunhe's dwelling was located on Ziyu Peak.
Her master's Daoist title was Daoist Yunhe! Under his tutelage were seven proud disciples, and the dashing young man before her was none other than his fifth disciple, Song Yifan!
"Greetings, Fifth Senior Brother! Please take care of me!"
"Greetings, Junior Sister! We are family, no need to be formal."
And so, the trio of three journeyed along the winding mountain path toward Qingtai Mountain, taking in the picturesque scenery along the way.
Only then did Qiyue learn that disciples on Qingtai Mountain, upon cultivating to the Tenth Layer of Qi Refining, were sent down the mountain for trial periods at regular intervals.
This time, it was Fifth Senior Brother's first time descending the mountain for a trial, so Daoist Yunhe had personally accompanied him to help him better adapt to the external environment and challenges.
From then on, Fifth Senior Brother would have to face these trials alone.
As it happened, just as they reached this very place, they unexpectedly heard of a ceremony using a living sacrifice to the river god being held here.
What kind of person was Daoist Yunhe? The moment he heard it, he knew monstrous fiends must be at work.
Thus, without hesitation, he brought his fifth disciple along to subdue the demons and vanquish the fiends.
However, this millennium-old flood dragon was no ordinary monster; it had long since attained spiritual awareness and possessed immense power.
Although Daoist Yunhe and his disciple displayed formidable might, they still failed to slay it, and instead almost lost both their lives and First Senior Brother's life within that cavern.
If Qiyue had not stayed behind instead of fleeing immediately, even with the Immortal-Binding Array's capabilities, the two of them would have found it difficult to escape.
"Master, where has that flood dragon gone then? Are we just going to leave it be?"
"Now, its cave has been destroyed by us, and the village that offered it sacrifices has been slaughtered by it. It will inevitably seek another cave to continue its cultivation. It is a pity we failed to capture it, and now where are we to look for it? Ah! Yet another region of common folk will suffer."
Daoist Yunhe's heart was filled with helplessness and a sigh. He slowly shook his head, knowing full well that some matters could not be changed by human effort alone.
The three of them fell silent once more.
A few days later, they arrived near Qingtai Mountain together.
Suddenly, Qiyue noticed a large number of talented scholars and fair maidens gathering nearby. Her eyes could hardly take it all in, and her heart was filled with curiosity.
"Oh! I once heard a peddler who came to the village say that Qingtai Mountain is shrouded in mist year-round, and those who enter often lose their bearings or even fail to come out. Thus, very few people ever come to climb or sightsee—it can truly be called a place where human footprints are rare. Why are there so many people here?"
Song Yifan smiled faintly, "Junior Sister, that is something you do not know. Every five years, Qingtai Mountain selects a batch of talented scions of noble families or mortals to accept as disciples. You have arrived at just the right time and can take part in this round of trials."
"Ah! There are even tests to take?"
Hearing this, Qiyue clicked her tongue in surprise. Thinking that she had no particularly outstanding talents, she was just about to ask her senior brother about the contents of the exam when a burst of wild laughter echoed from the air.
"Senior Brother Yunhe, I hear you've taken on a disciple this year? It has been a full century since you last accepted a disciple, so out of great curiosity, I, your junior brother, have come specially to see which noble family's scion it is."
Upon hearing the newcomer's voice, Daoist Yunhe's expression shifted, and his face darkened.