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"The probationary period is three months. During these three months, you will cultivate, work, and live with ordinary disciples. You cannot receive any special treatment. After three months, if I think you are qualified, I will officially accept you. If you are not qualified, you will return to Tian Ce Mansion."

Sun Wanqing nodded vigorously.

"I understand, and I will certainly not let Senior Su down."

Watching from the side, Steward Sun's smile grew even brighter.

He quickly pushed the jade box towards Su Chun.

"Senior Su, this gift..."

"Take it back."

Su Chun's tone left no room for argument.

"The Misty Sect does not accept gifts; that's the rule."

Steward Sun's smile froze on his face. He looked at Su Chun, then at the jade box in his hand, and finally sheepishly put it back.

"Then, this junior will not disturb Senior Su any longer. Farewell."

He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Su Chun, then turned and transformed into a streak of gray light, disappearing into the horizon.

Sun Wanqing stood in front of the mountain gate, watching her father's departing figure, a complex light flashing in her eyes.

"Come with me."

Su Chun turned around and walked towards the mountain.

Sun Wanqing quickly followed.

Tantai Yuexi walked at the very back, watching Sun Wanqing's back, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

The expression wasn't exactly a smile; it was more like a faint, somewhat helpless acceptance.

Another one has arrived.

Life in the Misty Sect passed by day by day.

It was simple, fulfilling, and carried a tranquility that Su Chun had never experienced before.

Every morning, she would lead her disciples in sword practice.

In the morning, she would handle sect affairs, review disciples' cultivation reports, and approve resource allocation plans.

In the afternoon, she would go to the Sutra Repository to read books, or to the Alchemy Pavilion to help Yundie refine pills.

At night, she would sit alone in the Misty Palace, gazing at the moonlight outside the window, reflecting on the gains and losses of the day.

Occasionally, she would receive messages from the southern continent.

Xie Zhi Qiu said that everything was fine at the Ancient Sword Sect and that she didn't need to worry.

Ziyu said she was cultivating diligently, striving to achieve Nascent Soul status as soon as possible.

Yue Ningxuan said that the Xuan Yue Sect had taken in several new disciples, all of whom had good spiritual roots and aptitudes.

Every message warmed her heart.

On this day, Su Chun was looking through an ancient book he had brought back from the spirit world in the library when Yun Die suddenly walked in.

"Little sister Su Chun, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Su Chun put down the ancient book in her hand and looked at her.

"what's up?"

Yundie sat down opposite her, looking somewhat hesitant.

"I want to take on an apprentice."

Su Chun was slightly taken aback, then smiled.

"That's great! Who have you taken a fancy to?"

"Sun Wanqing".

Yundie's voice was soft, but her tone carried a hint of determination.

Su Chun remained silent for a moment.

"She's only been here for less than a month, are you sure?"

Yundie nodded.

"She has good aptitude and a good temperament. Moreover, she is very interested in alchemy. When I am too busy in the alchemy pavilion, she often comes to help and learns very quickly."

Su Chun stared at her for a long time.

"If you think she's a good match, then go for it."

A smile appeared on Yundie's face.

"Thank you, Su Chun."

Su Chun waved her hand.

"No need to thank me. You are an elder of the Misty Sect. Taking on disciples is your own business. You don't need to ask me for permission."

Yundie stood up, walked to the door, then stopped and turned her head to the side.

"Little sister Su Chun, when are you going to take on an apprentice?"

Su Chun thought for a moment and then shook her head.

"I don't have that plan for the time being."

"why?"

"I'm not very good at teaching people."

Yundie couldn't help but laugh.

"You can even build a sect, but you can't teach people?"

Su Chun smiled too.

“Establishing a sect and teaching disciples are two different things. Establishing a sect only requires money, power and vision, while teaching disciples requires patience. What I lack most is patience.”

Yundie shook her head, said nothing more, and turned to walk out of the Sutra Repository.

Su Chun sat alone in the Sutra Repository, gazing at the moonlight outside the window, when a strange feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.

The Misty Sect was established, elders were appointed, and the number of disciples gradually increased.

Everything was going in the direction she had envisioned, but she always felt something was missing.

She couldn't say exactly what was missing.

Perhaps it was the lack of someone willing to stay with her until the end.

Tantai Yuexi is good, Yundie is good, and Yue Ningxuan is good, but they all have their own paths to walk and their own missions to complete.

No one can stay by her side forever.

And she doesn't need someone to be by her side forever.

She had long been used to being alone.

As night deepened, Su Chun put away the ancient books and left the library.

The moonlight shone on the mountain path, casting her long shadow.

She walked slowly along the mountain path, passing the martial arts training ground, the alchemy pavilion, the disciples' residences, and the medicinal herb garden.

Everywhere was quiet, with only the occasional rustling sound of the night breeze.

She stopped in front of the Misty Palace.

The palace doors were wide open, and the interior was brightly lit.

Tantai Yuexi sat in the hall, holding a book in her hands, reading quietly.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up and glanced at Su Chun.

"Still not asleep?"

"I can't sleep."

Su Chun entered the hall and sat down opposite her.

"What are you looking at?"

"Scriptures on battle formations."

Tantai Yuexi turned the book over so that the cover faced Su Chun.

"Are you interested in formations?"

Su Chun was somewhat surprised.

Tantai Yuexi nodded.

"Although the sect's protective formation has been set up, there are still some details that need to be improved. I'd like to try and see if I can help."

Su Chun looked at her, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

"Thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?"

Tantai Yuexi's tone remained aloof.

"I am an elder of the Misty Sect, it is my duty to do these things."

Su Chun smiled and didn't say anything more.

The two sat quietly, one reading a book, the other lost in thought.

The moonlight outside the palace shone through the window, casting the shadows of the two people on the ground, overlapping them.

At that moment, Su Chun suddenly felt that the feeling of something being missing had disappeared.

Perhaps what she needs is not someone who is willing to accompany her to the end, but someone who is willing to walk this part of the journey with her.

And this person was right beside her.

Days passed by like this, peaceful yet fulfilling.