Be a proper Taoist priest in The Condor Heroes

The morning mist over Chongyang Palace had not yet dissipated when the melodious chimes pierced through the clouds and echoed through the mountains. Su Yan and Xiao Nian'erba followed the sound of the bells to the scripture hall for the morning prayers. The bluestone path was covered with dew and felt slightly cool underfoot. Dappled sunlight filtered through the branches of the ancient pines on both sides, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of sandalwood and grass.

The morning classes consisted of nothing more than chanting scriptures and meditating. The Taoist priests sat cross-legged and chanted the Tao Te Ching in unison, their voices deep and resonant, conveying the solemnity of Taoist self-cultivation.

Although Su Yan was not very proficient in the scriptures, he still silently recited them and practiced the Quanzhen Basic Breathing Technique. The warm current in his dantian slowly circulated, and the proficiency level on the panel slowly increased.

[Level C - Complete Authentic Basic Breathing Technique (Beginner, 75/200)]

Xiao Nianba sat at the end of the servant disciples' seats. Although he couldn't understand the scriptures, he sat up straight, imitating the others, with focused eyes, no longer as timid as before.

After morning lessons, Xiao Nianba followed the maid to wash and change. When she reappeared before Su Yan, Su Yan was slightly taken aback.

The little girl washed away the grime from her face, revealing fair and delicate skin. Her eyebrows and eyes were like paintings, with curved willow-leaf eyebrows and slightly upturned corners. Her black and white pupils were like obsidian soaked in a clear spring. Her nose was straight and her lips were a natural cherry pink. Although she still had a childish air, she was already an undeniably beautiful girl.

Although her gray servant's clothes were simple, they accentuated her slender figure and gave her a clean and pure demeanor, like a mountain stream that had never been touched by dust. She was completely different from the dirty little girl she had been before.

"Yan-ge'er, is what I'm doing... against the rules?"

The little girl felt uneasy under his gaze, clutching the hem of her clothes with her small hands, her voice weak.

Su Yan snapped out of her daze, a hint of warmth flashing in her eyes, and shook her head.

"Very good, clean and neat."

He knew that this was how Xiao Nianba should have been, but the chaotic world forced her to hide her amazing talent.

The two walked side by side to the martial arts hall. Along the way, many Taoist priests couldn't help but glance at Xiao Nianba, their eyes filled with amazement and curiosity, whispering about when this pretty maid had joined the sect.

Su Yan calmly shielded Xiao Nianba to his side, blocking the probing gazes, his expression composed.

The training hall was spacious and flat, with bluestone slabs on the ground. Wooden stakes, stone locks and other training equipment were placed on both sides, and many disciples were already waiting here.

Su Yan led Xiao Nianba to a corner to sit down. After resting for a while, three disciples dressed in blue Taoist robes came over. The young man in the lead had an arrogant face and a jade pendant hanging from his waist. Although he was wearing a Taoist robe, he could not hide his playboy air. Judging from the discussions around them, they roughly knew that he was a playboy who had entered through Zhao Zhijing's connections, and they all avoided him.

Wang Chengye's gaze was fixed on Xiao Nianba, his eyes greedy, and a frivolous smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"This little servant is quite handsome. What's your name? Come with me and be my personal maid. No one in Chongyang Palace will dare to bully you then."

The little boy shrank back behind Su Yan in fright, clutching his sleeve tightly, his eyes filled with timidity.

Su Yan frowned slightly, her tone cold and hard.

"She's someone I brought with me, don't talk nonsense."

Wang Chengye raised an eyebrow, looked Su Yan up and down, and spoke with disdain.

"Who do you think you are? You're just a nominal disciple temporarily taken care of by Master Changchun, and you dare to interfere in my affairs?"

He turned to the two people behind him and smiled.

"Look at this kid, he really thinks he's something."

Although the Quanzhen Sect values ​​a clean background, good character, and aptitude when accepting disciples, and requires careful examination by specialists, some disciples still manage to take shortcuts by relying on connections within the sect. Wang Chengye's father was a wealthy merchant in Jingzhao Prefecture. He donated a large sum of money to Chongyang Palace and, through Zhao Zhijing's connections, was able to become a nominal disciple. He was used to running rampant within the sect, and no one dared to provoke him easily.

"According to the rules of the Quanzhen Sect, one must not force others to be servants. Senior Brother Wang, you should have some self-respect."

Su Yan stood up and stood in front of Xiao Nian'erba, his posture upright and his demeanor calm and composed, showing no sign of yielding.

"Self-respect?"

Wang Chengye's face darkened, and he said arrogantly.

"Even Master Zhao has to give me some face in this martial arts hall! Letting her come with me is an honor for her! Do you dare refuse?"

He stepped forward, getting closer to Su Yan.

"Let's have a duel. If you win, I'll drop the matter; if you lose, you'll have to hand her over!"

The surrounding disciples gathered around upon hearing the commotion, and began to discuss it amongst themselves.

Those who knew Wang Chengye's background shook their heads in private, but no one dared to speak up; others who couldn't stand Wang Chengye's arrogance spoke up for Su Yan in a low voice.

"Wang Chengye has gone too far. He acts arrogantly just because Senior Brother Zhao is backing him up."

"Senior Brother Su is someone that Master Changchun values ​​highly, yet he dares to provoke him."

There were also some people who just wanted to watch the drama unfold and were waiting to see the two of them fight.

Just then, a figure entered the martial arts hall; it was Zhao Zhijing, today's lecturer. He was dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, his expression serious. He immediately noticed the two people facing off and frowned.

"What's all this commotion about?"

Zhao Zhijing said in a deep voice.

Wang Chengye immediately stepped forward, accusing the villain of making the first accusation.

"Senior Brother Zhao, this Su Yan is ungrateful! I saw that the maidservant beside him was clever and wanted to take her in as a servant, but he actually tried to stop me and even tried to attack me!"

Zhao Zhijing looked at Su Yan with a scrutinizing and biased gaze. Wang Chengye was the one who introduced him to the sect, so he had to be considerate of him. Moreover, he was already at odds with Yin Zhiping. Su Yan was from Qiu Chuji's lineage, and Yin Zhiping, Qiu Chuji's disciple, was currently a fierce competitor of his. Naturally, he didn't have a good look on his face.

"Su Yan, although this servant disciple joined the sect with you, it doesn't mean he's obligated to serve you. This little servant still needs to be assigned by the sect. Although the sect forbids coercion, Junior Brother Wang meant well. How about this, I heard that Senior Uncle Qiu will still teach you the Quanzhen Sword Technique."

Zhao Zhijing's tone was unfair.

"Junior Brother Wang has only recently joined the sect, and he must not yet be proficient in the Quanzhen Swordplay. Why don't you two have a match using the Quanzhen Swordplay to determine the winner?"

He paused, looked at Xiao Nianba, and added.

"Since this girl is a servant in the sect, her future arrangements must be made according to the rules. If you win, it will be as you wish; if you lose, let her go with Junior Brother Wang, which will be a good outcome."

In the Quanzhen School, a formal disciple is assigned a servant disciple to take care of their daily needs. This is to reduce the time spent on trivial matters and also to give the servant disciple something to do.

Most of the handyman disciples are children rescued from impoverished backgrounds. They undergo an assessment every three months. If they pass the assessment, they become registered disciples. If they fail, they can remain in the sect as handyman disciples, helping the formal disciples manage some trivial matters.

It was precisely because of Su Yan's special status that Xiao Nian'erba was not assigned to the dormitory. If Su Yan failed the assessment after a month, both of them would have to move to the dormitory. Su Yan would start as a registered disciple, and Xiao Nian'erba would start as a menial disciple. If they could stand out in the three-month assessment for registered disciples and be accepted as disciples by third-generation disciples, they could become core fourth-generation disciples.

Generally speaking, there is a minor competition every three months and a major competition once a year.

The minor competition is limited to miscellaneous disciples and registered disciples, but the major competition requires all disciples to participate, including third-generation disciples.

Zhao Zhijing's words just now clearly showed bias.

Su Yan had only been learning the Quanzhen Sword Technique for less than a week and had only learned one move. The Quanzhen Sword Technique has a total of seven moves, and each of the seven moves contains seven techniques, which makes a total of forty-nine moves.

Su Yan spent most of his time traveling, while Wang Chengye had practiced for two months and was bound to be more skilled than him.

Su Yan was furious, but still spoke in a deep voice.

"Senior Brother Zhao, you are mistaken. A menial disciple is not an object; how can it be used as a wager?"

"Internal affairs of the church have their own rules."

Zhao Zhijing's expression turned cold.

If you dare not compete, it means you are admitting defeat and must obey the teachings!

Wang Chengye smiled smugly.

"What? Su Yan, are you scared? If you don't dare to compete, then admit defeat now!"

The surrounding chatter grew louder, with many disciples showing their dissatisfaction but refraining from speaking out due to Zhao Zhijing's status.

Su Yan looked at the terrified little boy behind him, his eyes growing more determined. He would never hand the little boy over to such a spoiled brat.

Just as he was about to accept the challenge, a steady voice came from the entrance of the martial arts hall.

"Senior Brother Zhao, this is inappropriate."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Yin Zhiping, dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, walk in with steady steps. His gaze fell on the two people facing each other, his expression peaceful yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"Competitions within the sect should be for mutual learning and skill exchange, not for using a disciple's fate as a wager. What difference is there between my Quanzhen Sect and those brokers?"