Miao Peak's Population +1

"Master, how many disciples have you accepted?"

"Including you, two."

"Then that means I have a senior brother?"

"Yes."

On the way back to Taihua Mountain, Gan Tang asked again, "Does Master live alone on the mountain?"

Upon hearing this question, Ning Lang stopped in his tracks.

Oops!

Forgot to consider the accommodation issue.

On Miao Peak, there were only three bamboo houses in total. One large house was for Ning Lang, a smaller one that was originally a storage room but later became Jiang Chen's residence, and another one was the kitchen, with only a stove inside, too small for anyone to live in.

If Gan Tang came up the mountain, she would have nowhere to stay.

Ning Lang sighed, thinking... for the next few days, they could sleep together in one of the existing rooms. After returning, he would ask some capable outer disciples to build a few more houses on Miao Peak.

It was indeed time for some renovations. Compared to where the other elders lived, his place was like a slum.

"Master, what's wrong?"

Ning Lang shook his head slightly, continuing to walk forward while saying, "Life on the mountain is different from down below. The conditions might not be as good as you think, but you can rest assured. Everything will get better soon."

Gan Tang smiled sweetly, "It's okay, as long as I can be with Master, anywhere is fine."

Ning Lang reached out and ruffled her hair, smiling, "Let's go; we're almost there."

"Okay."

...

At noon, Ning Lang finally brought Gan Tang back to Miao Peak.

At this moment, Jiang Chen was sleeping on a large rock at the edge of the cliff.

"Master's residence is here."

Gan Tang took a few steps forward, full of joy, "It's very nice here; I don't see anything wrong."

Looking around, Gan Tang saw Jiang Chen and asked, "Master, is he Senior Brother?"

"Yes."

"Why is he sleeping at this time?"

Ning Lang raised an eyebrow, "He's not sleeping; he's cultivating."

"Cultivating?"

"Yes, his cultivation method is somewhat special; it's hard to explain."

Gan Tang asked another awkward question, "Then, where do I stay?"

Ning Lang felt a bit embarrassed, "This... there are only two rooms here. For the next few days, you can stay with me, and we'll see if we can build a few more bamboo houses on Miao Peak. It might be a bit cramped for now."

"That's great!" Before Ning Lang could finish, Gan Tang excitedly interrupted.

"But... in a few days, after the new houses are built, you can sleep alone."

"No need to bother, sleeping with Master is fine."

"Don't be stubborn; consider it as my request."

"Okay."

Perhaps because their conversation was too loud, Jiang Chen, woke up from his nap. He saw Ning Lang returning and quickly got up, running over with a respectful salute, "Master, you're back."

"Yes, in the past two days, your cultivation has improved again. It seems that it won't be long before you break through to the Qi Refining Realm."

"Disciple will work hard to cultivate and will not let Master down."

Ning Lang was quite satisfied with his first disciple, Jiang Chen. He smiled and introduced, "This is Gan Tang. Although she is one year older than you, you became my disciple earlier and came up the mountain before her. Therefore, from today onwards, you'll be her senior brother."

Jiang Chen nodded politely.

"Now, go and help me with two things."

"Please instruct, Master."

"First, go to Wuqiong Peak and find a few outer disciples who are good at building houses. We need to build six more bamboo houses on Miao Peak for future needs."

"Alright."

"And if no one is willing to come, tell them that once the task is completed, each person will receive a spirit stone as a reward. We don't need too many people, preferably not more than ten."

"Understood."

"Second, go to the six elders and inform them that I've accepted another direct disciple in the Qi Refining Realm. Ask them to come and witness."

"Yes!"

After Jiang Chen agreed, he quickly left.

Ning Lang looked at Gan Tang, "If they ask you why you chose me as your master, how will you answer?"

Gan Tang smiled brightly, "I'll just say that I like Master."

"Nonsense, you can't say it like that!"

Gan Tang pouted, "Then I'll say Master saved my life when I was down the mountain. To repay Master's life-saving grace, I chose to become Master's disciple."

"That works."

...

Jiang Chen arrived at Wuqiong Peak.

A group of outer disciples who were chatting outside quickly stood up when they saw Jiang Chen approaching, "Jiang Chen, why are you back?"

Jiang Chen didn't put on airs like other direct disciples. He straightforwardly said, "Master asked me to come and invite a few brothers to help build bamboo houses on Miao Peak."

"Tch, I thought you were kicked out."

Hearing this, the group of people did not want to help. After all, helping other elders might bring some benefits, and they could at least become familiar with them. But Elder Ning Lang was infamous in the Haohui Sect, and even if they built good relations with him, they wouldn't gain much.

Jiang Chen sighed and suddenly shouted, "Chen Cheng, you don't want to help me either?"

Chen Cheng, who used to share a room with Jiang Chen, had a good relationship with him. When he heard Jiang Chen's words, he walked forward with a bitter face, "It's not that I don't want to help you, but if I go alone, others will exclude me when I return."

Jiang Chen had no choice but to throw out the benefits promised by Master, loudly declaring, "Master said those willing to help will receive a spirit stone as a reward."

"What!"

"A spirit stone!"

Keep in mind that outer disciples worked hard for a month to earn one spirit stone, and building a bamboo house wouldn't take more than a few days. Doing the math, it was quite a profitable deal.

Therefore, the outer disciples quickly crowded around Jiang Chen.

"Is what Elder Ning Lang said true?"

"He will really give a spirit stone?"

"Can Elder Ning Lang really produce so many spirit stones?"

Jiang Chen had to raise his voice, "Master said that as long as ten people are willing to help, each will receive a spirit stone as a reward. Don't worry, Master will keep his word."

"Jiang Chen, count me in."

"I'm in too; a spirit stone is not bad."

"Jiang Chen, I can build houses. Count me as well."

One after another, the outer disciples clamored to join. In the end, Jiang Chen selected nine larger and more experienced disciples. After apologizing to the others, he led the group towards Miao Peak.

Then, he went alone to Golden Yuan Peak where the Grand Elder, Qiu Yunze, resides.