I met my senior brother on the day I became his apprentice.

The next day, Li Xingyi woke up early. Just then, someone knocked on the door. She got up and opened the door, only to find Qingyi and Muchu outside.

Mu Chu said, "Xing Yi, Qing Yi said she would come to help you with your washing and dressing. I will take you to the square to participate in the apprenticeship ceremony later."

Li Xingyi said calmly, "Alright, I'll trouble you to wait a moment, Uncle Muchu."

Qingyi stared blankly at Li Xingyi, who was standing ramrod straight in front of her.

She was unconscious last night, but she recovered overnight and looks no different than before. She said, "Miss, how come you..."

Li Xingyi thought for a moment and said, "Thanks to Master's Rejuvenation Pill, I was able to wake up."

"Then..." she uttered subconsciously, but said nothing, only wondering to herself.

Why did you bring us here?

Seeing that Qingyi didn't continue, Li Xingyi probably guessed what she wanted to say.

He then turned and went back into the house. Qingyi immediately followed him, and Muchu also went in and sat down on a chair. She said, "Xingyi, the process of the apprenticeship ceremony is as follows..."

Li Xingyi sat down at the dressing table, and Qingyi began to clean her face, comb her hair, and tie it up. Li Xingyi sat quietly listening to Muchu's instructions, which didn't take up much time, and she was done in no time.

She was dressed in white, with long hair reaching her waist, wearing a crystal-clear hair ornament, and a belt engraved with the name of the Frost Cold Sect. The belt was entirely white, with a light blue bead and white tassels hanging below it. She wore white boots.

Li Xingyi looked at herself in the mirror and saw that she was no different from usual, still as cold as ice. Then she stood up and said, "Uncle-Master, we can go now."

Mu Chu said, "Okay."

He then led them to the square.

The sun was shining brightly today. When Li Xingyi and the others arrived, they saw rows of disciples standing in the square. At the very top sat Han Sheng, with Mu Shang, Mu Sui, and Mu Dong standing on either side of her.

Mu Chu pointed to a spot on the left and said, "Qingyi, you can stand over there."

Qingyi replied, "Yes."

After saying that, he walked in the direction Mu Chu pointed out. This position was the first person in the second-to-last row, which was presumably reserved for Qingyi.

Qingyi's eyes met those of the second person. The man's deep eyes widened for a moment, and he immediately turned his head away. Qingyi snapped out of her daze and stood up straight. After standing up straight, she thought carefully about the man behind her.

He... is really good-looking, his face is like a girl's.

Li Xingyi was led by Mu Chu past the crowd. It was dark last night, so the crowd did not see Li Xingyi's face clearly. Today, when they saw Li Xingyi's profile, they were all stunned.

Li Xingyi felt countless gazes, yet he remained calm.

Upon reaching the top of the stairs, Li Xingyi saw Han Sheng sitting in the center. Han Sheng smiled at him.

Mu Chu said, "Xing Yi, now it's your turn to walk up the steps to the sect leader."

Li Xingyi said calmly, "Yes, disciple understands."

Then, Mu Chu used her light-footed skills to return to Han Sheng's side.

Li Xingyi looked at the steps ahead, lifted his foot and walked up. There were only a hundred steps, but he reached the top in no time.

Li Xingyi saw a sign above the house behind Han Sheng that read "Lu Lin Palace".

Li Xingyi quietly looked at Han Sheng.

Is this the Lulin Palace?

She then knelt down and kowtowed twice to Han Sheng. With her last kowtow, she said, "Disciple Li Xingyi greets Master."

Gongsun Dou below heard the name and made his own guess.

Li? Could it be that company?

Han Sheng nodded and said, "Okay, get up."

Li Xingyi then straightened up from his knees.

At this moment, Mu Sui walked up to Li Xingyi with a tray on it. The tray contained teacups. Upon seeing this, Li Xingyi slowly took the teacups and presented them to Han Sheng with both hands, saying, "Please have some tea, Master."

Han Sheng took the teacup, took a sip, and said, "Get up. From now on, you are my personal disciple."

Li Xingyi then stood up and slowly turned around to look at the crowd below. Although Li Xingyi was still young, she was extremely beautiful. She looked at everyone with a calm expression and upright posture. Her white clothes made her skin look even whiter. At this moment, Li Xingyi stunned everyone once again.

The first person in the very middle row was Gongsun Dou, who was staring blankly at Li Xingyi.

"Thump thump!" His heartbeat became exceptionally clear, and the image of his mother, Consort Liang Qu, appeared in his mind.

Dressed in luxurious clothes, Liang Qu gently asked Qi Dou, "A Dou, what kind of woman do you want to marry in the future?"

Qi Dou said, "Of course it would be beneficial to me, but personal feelings are insignificant in the face of national affairs. Having someone in your heart is to give the enemy a weakness, and I do not want to have any weaknesses."

Liang Qu was taken aback for a moment, and said, "A Dou, why do you think like that? Where and how did you hear these things?"

Qi Dou explained, “Mother, Father said that there is no true sincerity in the imperial family. True sincerity will make someone a target. I do not want that person to die because of my sincerity.”

After listening, Liang Qu paused for a moment and asked, "Then... does A Dou want the person he likes to marry someone else?"

Qi Dou thought for a moment and said, "Your subject will not have anyone he likes. Those women are all very strange. They always deliberately fall down in front of your subject and frame others. Their scheming and intrigue make it impossible for your subject to like them."

Liang Qu smiled and said, "A Dou is still young. When he grows up and meets more women, he will find someone he likes. It doesn't matter now."

Qi Dou retorted, unconvinced, "Your subject has very high standards."

Qi Dou now looked at Li Xingyi, who stood high above, as radiant as the moon and the clouds.

Mother, I think... I'm falling for you.

First love in youth is the most unforgettable. How many people fall in love at first sight in their lives? At this moment, your figure becomes a memory, and from then on, my heart is filled with you.

At this moment, Han Sheng said, "Xing Yi, let's start learning swordsmanship now."

Although Li Xingyi felt it was a bit too fast, he simply replied, "Yes."

Han Sheng looked at everyone and said, "Mu Shang, you continue to handle the finances; Muchu, you continue to prepare to teach them language; Mu Dong, you continue to teach the disciples martial arts; Muchui, you continue to patrol, pick herbs, and help people, etc."

All four bowed and said, "Yes, Sect Leader."

Han Sheng led Li Xingyi to the plaza below. She picked up a light sword and began to demonstrate her swordsmanship. Her swordsmanship was sharp and merciless, with sword energy crisscrossing and advancing relentlessly. It was as sharp as frost and as cold as the wind. Han Sheng had changed her usual gentleness and her eyes were sharp. At this moment, she was like a killer who would kill without blinking an eye.

Li Xingyi looked at Han Sheng and seemed to understand something.

Severing all ties of love and affection, cutting off all past connections, and ruthlessly striking with every move—what did she go through to wield her sword with such defiance?

Han Sheng stopped and said to Li Xingyi, "Xingyi, just show me as much as you can remember, and your master will help you adjust."

Li Xingyi said calmly, "Yes."

She performed the moves one by one according to her memory. Although she could reproduce about 80-90% of them, the moves did not feel like Han Sheng's. Moreover, only the movements were the same, and there was no sense of intimidation.

Seeing this, Han Sheng said, "I'll teach you martial arts first, so you can have a foundation."

Li Xingyi replied calmly, "Yes."

Han Sheng looked at her with a smile.

That's really cold-hearted, but it's perfect. With proper training, he'll be perfect.

At this moment, Gongsun Dou stepped forward and said, "Sect Leader, may I teach Junior Sister Li the basics? Junior Sister Li has just arrived and I'm afraid she can't learn anything else right away. And Sect Leader is also very busy, so please don't trouble yourself with the basics."

Li Xingyi saw that Gongsun Dou was dressed in white, with a jade crown on his head, and wore a waist tag just like his own, except that his waist tag had the name Gongsun Dou on it.

Truly, he is a peerless gentleman, as white as jade.

After listening, Han Sheng thought for a moment and said, "I was too hasty. I will entrust Xingyi to you. I will personally teach Xingyi in a month."

Gongsun Dou cupped his hands and said, "This disciple will teach my junior sister well."

Han Sheng glanced at him and said, "Hmm." Then she turned and left.

In the middle of the square was where the disciples practiced their martial arts. In order not to disturb them, Gongsun Dou could only move Li Xing to the side.

Seeing this, Li Xingyi followed closely to the spot and stopped. She then quietly looked at Gongsun Dou in front of her.

Gongsun Dou blushed slightly under her gaze and asked, "Junior Sister, what's wrong?"

Li Xingyi cupped his hands in greeting and said calmly, "Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother."

Gongsun Dou then understood what she wanted to say.

Oh, so that's what you were talking about.

Gongsun Dou calmly said, "Let me introduce myself. Hello, my name is Gongsun Dou."

Li Xingyi lowered his hand and said, "Hello, my name is Li Xingyi."

“Alright, Junior Sister Li, shall we begin?” Gongsun Dou said.

Li Xingyi said calmly, "Mm."

Gongsun Dou instructed Li Xingyi to start by practicing horse stance for an hour.

The sun was high in the sky, and sweat began to appear on Li Xingyi's face. Seeing this, Gongsun Dou asked softly, "Do you need to rest?"

Li Xingyi remained calm, but her lips betrayed her forced composure. She bit her lower lip tightly, which was obvious from the outside. She forced a smile and said, "No need."

Gongsun Dou stared blankly at Li Xingyi after hearing this.

Why did she insist on continuing? Shouldn't she be overjoyed to hear she could rest?

Gongsun Dou advised, "You've only just begun, there's no need to be so strict."

Li Xingyi lowered his eyes and thought for a moment, then resolutely raised his eyes again. Gongsun Dou said helplessly, "You're really strange. Never mind, there's still half an hour left."

Li Xingyi didn't speak, continuing to practice his horse stance diligently. At this moment, Qingyi was practicing the same horse stance on the other side. Mu Dong gently lifted her arm and said, "As someone who has been chosen, you must have certain abilities to protect the people you are meant to protect. Therefore, you must also learn from her."

Qingyi glanced at Li Xingyi in the distance and gritted her teeth, saying, "I will try my best."

Mu Dong said, "You are a promising talent. You are all very similar to your own people."

After saying that, he glanced at the others. Everyone who came to Frostbite Sect brought someone with them. The two of them looked very similar. Perhaps it was because they had spent a long time together as master and servant that they gradually became similar.

Qingyi's resolve hardened after hearing this.

I am a servant born into a family and have been with Miss since I was a child. I will do everything in my power to protect Miss and will never be a burden to her.

Thinking of this, her eyes became even more resolute.

Half an hour later, Li Xingyi's legs trembled slightly, and no matter how hard she tried to control them, she couldn't stop them. She finally lost her balance and fell down. When Gongsun Dou saw this, he raised his vertical hand slightly.

Just as Li Xingyi was about to fall completely to the ground, she immediately braced herself with her hands on the ground, her knees still a little off the ground. She managed to sit up with difficulty and silently looked at her legs.

Still too weak...

Gongsun Dou was stunned by what he saw, and then, as if he had realized something, he looked down at his slightly raised hand and was surprised.

I... actually wanted to help her up? I should have... restrained myself.