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"Actually, only disciples who have entered the Rising Monarch can meet and talk directly with the elders in Wuji Sect."

"That's why you've been here a month and only practiced swords with your senior sister, never once being taught by the sect master who's supposed to be your mentor."

As they walked, Yuyan led the way, with hands behind her back, talking casually.

Yino trailed behind, listening quietly. This Rising Monarch was nothing special, just a student council in another world. But here, this

student council

really had a higher status.

Before long, Yuyan stopped in front of a beautifully decorated teahouse on the east side of Wuji Sect.

She turned, hands still behind her back, smiling at Yino against the sunlight.

"So, I will take you to get started, right here at the so-called Rising Monarch."

The scene and dialogue were just like in the game storyline's transition.

The only difference was, the white-robed immortal's face was full of smiles and warmth, far from the cold aloofness of the game.

After that, Yuyan and Yino arrived at the third floor of the Rising Monarch.

Yuyan opened the noisy door, and instantly, the room fell silent. Young cultivators of all kinds turned to look at the two newcomers.

"S… Senior Mo Yuyan! What brings you here to our place?"

A young disciple, who had been lounging at a card table, sat up straight in a hurry.

He laughed and gestured to his fellow disciples to clean up.

In a flash, the entire tea room of the Rising Monarch was in a frenzy.

Though the disciples here had at least reached the Core Formation stage, the higher their cultivation, the more they understood Wuji Sect's rules, and the more they could slack off in their daily life.

In a way, this white-robed sword immortal standing at the door had more presence than the sect's elders!

After all...

The elders were ancient, having lived for centuries, living lives of leisure without much concern for the world, only seriously teaching their own personal disciples. They wouldn't bother with the other random disciples.

But Yuyan was different.

She was young, full of energy, and her aloof nature meant she'd really give you a beating if you annoyed her!

"Yino, see?"

At some point, Yuyan gave a scornful smile.

She ignored the flustered, undisciplined disciples and turned to Yino with a hint of resignation:

"This so-called Rising Monarch isn't anything fancy, the learning atmosphere is nothing to write home about."

"I brought you here today just to go through the motions, to get your name on the list. But you won't stay here; your training will be mainly on Ranmo Peak, still under my supervision."

With Yuyan's words, Yino awkwardly nodded.

Meanwhile, those who had been playing cards in the Rising Monarch now looked down, acting more submissive than if they'd been scolded by an elder.

Yet, to Yino, every expression on these disciples' faces was so similar to the original storyline.

What a nostalgic feeling...

If I'm not mistaken, an old friend should pop up and say something by now.

Thinking this, Yino shifted his gaze from his senior sister to the crowd of young disciples in the tea room.

He searched and searched until he finally spotted a familiar figure, grinding his teeth in frustration but not daring to speak out.

"Yikes!"

"Isn't that Senior Brother Zhong? We were chatting at the entrance exam audience gallery that day. I didn't know you were in the Rising Monarch too!"

After spotting a certain

dog

, Yino's face broke into a smile.

In the game, Zhong Yuhe would jump out to confront the protagonist and start a feud.

But today, when Yino entered the Rising Monarch, Yuhe didn't dare to say a word.

Yino had to take the initiative.

"Brat..."

Yuhe knew he was being teased, but with Yuyan right next to Yino and Yino's recent fame, Yuhe had no comeback.

Just as Yino and Yuhe were exchanging looks, a girl in a white dress with black hair styled into two panda ears, wearing thick white stockings, timidly stood up.

"Ah! Uh... Senior Yuyan."

She wasn't particularly young, a bit taller than Yunjin, with slightly larger buns on her head, evolving into a small red panda. But because she was so shy and introverted, she always kept her head down, and her eyes were partially hidden by her bangs, making her seem even softer and more delicate than Yunjin and Jinyue.

When she spoke, her voice was like a chirp.

Yino didn't even need to look at her legs; just hearing her timid, socially anxious voice made him think of the game story's soft, white-legged spokesperson.

"He's He Yino."

As the girl looked on, Yuyan suddenly introduced the young man beside her.

The shy girl nodded and quickly smiled awkwardly:

"W… elcome, Welcome, Sir He Yino, to our Rising Monarch!"

As soon as she spoke, the other disciples realized something and stood up to applaud Yino.

"Tsk..."

Yuhe was the last to stand and clap.

He had thought about pretending not to hear, but seeing everyone else stand, he was scared of another glare from Yuyan.

"Thank you for the welcome, everyone."

Yino stood at the door, bowing in respect.

Since the shy red panda appeared, Yino's attention was completely drawn away from Yuhe, not caring what he might be muttering about him behind his back.

"Yino."

"That girl with the shy demeanor, with two buns on her head, and a low ponytail, is Du Sera, the one I mentioned before."

"Don't judge her by her looks. Sera might not have high cultivation, but she's incredibly talented in painting. She's a renowned array artist in Wuji Sect, and many array cultivators come to her for custom designs or scroll engravings."

"Plus, Sera is this year's rotating head of the Rising Monarch."

Yuyan helped the girl save face, her eyes showing clear approval, just like when she introduced Yunjin.

Clearly, Yuyan favored diligent, kind, and unassuming disciples.

She treated Yino the same way.

However, Yino was much craftier than Sera and Yunjin, and a bit of a lecher, so Yuyan often found it hard to handle him during lessons, making her question herself.

"Nice to meet you, Senior."

Yino smiled, making a good first impression on Sera with his politeness.

Of course, he knew Sera.

One of the most tragic supporting characters in the game, just like Yanran, killed off by the plot.

He didn't feel much sympathy for Yanran, but he really connected with Sera because in his past life, he was an introvert who loved staying home and playing games, resonating with Sera on many levels.

"By the way."

"The one you just greeted, Zhong Yuhe, he's this year's vice head of the Rising Monarch."

Yuyan hadn't noticed Yino's expression; she was still casually explaining the structure of the Rising Monarch.

But when she mentioned Zhong Yuhe, before he could smugly stand up, Yino waved his hand and said:

"No need to introduce him, I know Brother Yuhe. If I need anything, I'll just go to Senior Sera. The vice head doesn't have much power anyway."

As soon as he said that, Yuhe, who had just started to stand up, froze, his lips twitching slightly.

Yuyan felt a bit awkward too, glancing at Yino out of the corner of her eye. She didn't expect her junior brother to be so vengeful, finally getting back at Zhong Yuhe for what happened at the Grand Tutor's Mansion bath incident.

But Yuyan didn't mind Yino having personal grudges.

It was normal; she and Gu Wanglan had their own issues back then, and she had humiliated Gu Wanglan plenty in public, beating him black and blue, making him roll off the stage in disgrace.

In a way, it was like they were cut from the same cloth, very much Yuyan's style.

"Okay."

"Yino, get to know your future colleagues while I go downstairs to register you."

Yuyan didn't say more, patting Yino's shoulder before turning to leave.

Once she left, the tense disciples breathed a sigh of relief, stepping forward to chat with Yino out of curiosity.

Though they were all Core Formation or Nascent Soul stage elite cultivators, it was rare for someone like Yino, who had only joined a month ago, to enter the Rising Monarch.

So, naturally, there was plenty of gossip about Yino.

Yino wasn't antisocial; after a brief exchange of greetings, he quickly eased everyone's curiosity.

Noticing Yuyan hadn't returned yet, he looked around and his sharp gaze zeroed in on the little panda girl hiding in the corner, sneaking glances at him.

Calling her a little panda was just a description; Sera had two round buns on her head that looked like panda ears, making her look adorable and cute.

Above were the cute buns, and at the back was a low ponytail held by a single elastic band.

In his past life, Yino was always curious about how this hairstyle worked. Seeing it in person, it seemed to defy the laws of physics.

As Yino was curiously observing the panda girl, the girl in the white dress in the corner quickly averted her eyes, lowering her head, pretending not to notice him. She picked up her thin brush and continued drawing, trying to minimize her presence. But even as she tried to hide, the footsteps that seemed to be closing in on her didn't stop.

Slap!

Suddenly, Yino's hand slammed down on the array diagram in front of her.

Startled, Sera shrank back, lifting her head to look at Yino cautiously.

"Uh... um...?"

She seemed a bit frightened by the young man's imposing approach.

But as the setting sun outside the window cast its light, Yino's lips relaxed, and his cold eyes softened, showing a tenderness like when he first met Yunjin.

"I heard Senior Sera is great at painting; I have a commission I'd like to request from you."

"Of course... money isn't an issue."

He took out a heavy purse from his sleeve.

Ehhh... so much money...!

Sera, still lying on the table, widened her eyes, silently swallowing her saliva.