Chapter 110: – Acting as Disciple Recruiter

Hong Zhi frowned and said, "Elder Immortal Meihua has a very high seniority; thousands of years ago he already had a relationship with the sect. Hongmei Mountain Villa is his territory, and the sect has never intended to incorporate it. But if Hongmei Mountain Villa makes a request, in view of the old friendship, whether it's the sect leader or the founding ancestor, they certainly would not refuse. Since Miss Mei is the current master of Hongmei Mountain Villa, ultimately it depends on Master Mei's decision!"

Seeing that Mei Xuan remained silent, Hong Zhi threw the question directly at her. At the same time, his attitude was clear: he agreed to Hongmei Mountain Villa's joining.

Mei Xuan frowned, pondered, and after a while looked up and said, "Senior Hong Zhi, I have two questions."

"Miss, please speak!" Hong Zhi said enthusiastically.

"If I lead Hongmei Mountain Villa to join the Yun Yin Sect today, but later on some day wish to withdraw, will the sect refuse?" Mei Xuan asked.

"No. The relationship between the Yun Yin Sect and its affiliates is entirely voluntary; there is no coercion!" Hong Zhi declared resolutely.

"Thank you, Senior Hong Zhi, for the explanation. Second question: if Hongmei Mountain Villa joins the Yun Yin Sect, will the sect send someone to supervise the villa, so that in name I remain the villa's master, but in fact the real master becomes a sect member?" Mei Xuan asked calmly.

The previous question was already very sharp; I didn't expect the second to strike straight at the core. Upon hearing it, Hong Zhi actually laughed, "Miss Mei's thinking is meticulous, and she speaks plainly and quickly; I like that. But let Master Mei know, unless the master makes a request, the sect will not send anyone to the villa. To put the master at ease, I'll add another point: regarding the eleventh tax, the exact amount to pay is entirely at the master's judgment; the sect will not come to inspect your estate's income."

"Thank you, senior, I have decided: Hongmei Mountain Villa will join the Yun Yin Sect. At the same time, I also wish to become a sect disciple," Mei Xuan said.

"Alright, alright, welcome to join, Miss Mei. May I ask which spirit root you have and what your cultivation level is?" Hong Zhi asked.

"I have a wood‑type spirit root, Foundation Establishment early stage!" Mei Xuan said.

Hong Zhi's face lit up; another wood‑type spirit root. The sect lacks no combat‑oriented metal or fire spirit roots, nor versatile water spirit roots, but wood and earth spirit root cultivators, which have great auxiliary roles, are relatively few.

"Normally, wood‑type spirit root disciples are better placed in the Pill Hall's alchemy workshop, and moreover, Foundation Establishment cultivators need an official master within the sect…" Hong Zhi said.

"Uncle Hong Zhi, let Miss Mei join the Herb Garden; as for her master, I will discuss with Master Tai Chong!" Wei Yuning hurriedly said.

He doesn't want Mei Xuan to enter Elder Xucheng's alchemy workshop; given his relationship with Xucheng, who knows what treatment she might receive. Mei Xuan possesses a special bloodline, so she doesn't need to worry about cultivation or a master. More importantly, her purpose in joining the Yun Yin Sect is merely to find a safe place to rest; if Hong Zhi learned this, he'd be furious enough to spit out three liters of blood.

Hong Zhi looked at Mei Xuan and asked, "Miss Mei, what do you think?"

Originally, sending Wei Yuning to the Herb Garden was a stopgap; the Herb Garden is important, but for personal development, the alchemy workshop is undoubtedly far better.

Mei Xuan replied without hesitation, "I will follow Young Master Wei Yuning!"

Hong Zhi gave Wei Yuning a glance, snorted, "Fine, I'll process your admission now; as for the precautions, let… Uncle Qing Mo explain them to you!"

With Wei Yuning as the introducer, Hong Zhi didn't need to verify the information; in a short time, Mei Xuan obtained the sect waist badge. Wei Yuning then took Mei Xuan to the Pill Hall to see Steward Hong Le.

In the Yun Yin Sect, each hall has at least several thousand to ten thousand disciples; even Foundation Establishment disciples only need the approval of their steward to join.

Regarding Steward Hong Le, Wei Yuning was even more straightforward, plainly stating Mei Xuan's status and hoping she could become his subordinate within the sect.

Hong Le was naturally overjoyed. As a wood‑type spirit root disciple at the Foundation Establishment stage, Mei Xuan joining the Herb Garden was certainly a great boon.

In emergencies, large‑scale cultivation of spirit herbs and seedling propagation cannot do without wood‑type spirit root cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage or higher.

With Mei Xuan's consent, her official name within the sect became "Yi Xuan"; unless her new master objects, this Daoist name will be used thereafter.

Master Tai Chong is about to head to the outer‑realm battlefield, having been secluded for cultivation or busy with sect affairs; Wei Yuning has tried contacting him several times recently, but received no reply.

Now Mei Xuan's matter is urgent; if Tai Chong remains unreachable, it will take a long time to entrust it.

Subsequently, Wei Yuning also took Mei Xuan to collect the sect's uniform, dormitory key, and so on. Foundation Establishment cultivators have private quarters, which are the cliffside cave rooms on the north side of the valley.

After the Herb Garden's laborer disciples successfully reach Foundation Establishment, if they have connections they generally choose to join other halls, so the Herb Garden's Foundation Establishment cave quarters remain perpetually vacant.

Mei Xuan's new dormitory is not far from Wei Yuning's, less than thirty meters in a straight line, with five identical caves in between.

After all arrangements were complete, Wei Yuning sent a carrier pigeon to Master Tai Chong.

"Dear Master, I have found an exceptionally qualified disciple for you; do you have time to meet?"

After the message was sent, Wei Yuning began to wait anxiously. If Master Tai Chong still does not reply, he will have to go in person. Master Tai Chong is at Lotus Peak, and the Ice Storm formation at Lotus Peak has been active recently; if no one is inside to receive him, he cannot enter at all. If truly impossible, he'll have to find someone to help.

Any new Foundation Establishment disciple without a master will be selected by the senior sect members interested in taking disciples; given Mei Xuan's talent, many seniors are likely to be interested in her.

Not only Wei Yuning, but also Mei Xuan herself, does not wish to find a stranger as a master; having Wei Yuning's master would of course be better.

Fortunately, this time, Tai Chong replied quickly.

"Master is busy and will soon go to the outer‑realm battlefield; you don't need to see me. If you think it's acceptable, take me in on my behalf, and like you, become a named disciple first; everything can wait until I return from the battlefield."

"Alright, Master, I accept you as a disciple!" Wei Yuning said happily.

The two returned to the Secret Medicine Pavilion, and the time was just around two or three in the afternoon.

Two Qingluan Sect female cultivators looked on with envy as Mei Xuan, now wearing the Yun Yin Sect's wine‑red uniform, stood before them. Though they are fellow disciples of the Yun Yin Sect, they lack many sect benefits.

The sect imposes no strict rules on disciples' attire; as long as the master dresses decently, the uniform comes in many colors. Only the light‑yellow direct‑line disciple uniform cannot be worn casually.

Mei Xuan chose one wine‑red and one cyan.

Long‑time sect members, especially female cultivators, generally prefer to order custom styles they like.

However, as Yun Yin Sect disciples, whether the clothing is issued by the sect or custom‑made, the conspicuous area must be embroidered with a spirit‑butterfly motif, the symbol of sect disciples.

Now, within the sect, Mei Xuan is Wei Yuning's subordinate, attached to the Herb Garden, and all work assignments must obey Wei Yuning. The monthly sect contribution points each disciple must complete are, to Wei Yuning, merely formalities. Thus, at present, Mei Xuan is essentially a free person.

Nevertheless, as a sect disciple, she must have an official duty.

"Miss Mei, what can you do?"