Fu Yu embraced the jade stone on the shore, immersing himself in the cold pool.

He closed his eyes comfortably.

Being born with an extremely cold constitution, the period around the summer solstice is the most difficult time of the year.

Only a pool of extremely cold water can alleviate her heat.

This is a secret known only to our master.

Fu Yu yawned and opened her eyes to look at Ming Teng.

Ming Teng sensed Fu Yu's gaze, his rationality returned instantly, and the snake tail that was about to touch Fu Yu's clothes quickly withdrew, transforming back into human form.

"How do you feel when you copy the Heart-Cleansing Mantra?"

I have so many feelings.

But for each of them, it was difficult to speak out.

Ming Teng cleared his throat. "I feel much calmer inside."

Fu Yu nodded with satisfaction and beckoned to Ming Teng with her finger.

"Apprentice, come here."

Ming Teng suppressed his evil thoughts of rushing over immediately and even entering the cold pool, and obediently guarded the edge of the pool.

"What are your instructions, Master?"

"It seems that I haven't formally accepted any disciples yet. Although I've never paid much attention to these formalities, the necessary ceremonies still need to be observed."

"Kneel down."

Fu Yu's voice was cold and clear, carrying the authority of a master.

The Nether Serpent's eyes widened in shock, and it obediently knelt before Fu Yu.

At this moment, his clothes were torn to strips because he forcibly broke through the barrier.

Her cheeks and exposed arms were covered in freshly healed red marks.

His kneeling posture leaned slightly forward, his scarlet, hazy eyes fixed intently on Fu Yu's face.

And what about Fu Yu?

Soaking in the cold pool, her white clothes floated on the water, swaying and rippling.

Her black hair hung loosely, and the rising mist clung to her temples, making her as languid and unconcerned with formalities as she looked up at her apprentice.

Where does this resemble a proper apprenticeship ceremony?

Don't know how to find an apprentice?

Fu Yu's light, teasing voice rang in my ears.

"You must call me Master, and then kowtow to me."

Fu Yu reminded her.

Bowing?

What is kowtowing?

Like the wedding ceremony where the husband and wife bow to each other?

Ming Teng wanted to play a trick on him, hoping to use the ignorance and naivety of the demon race to tease his high and mighty master.

But that won't work.

My master is so pure and serene, unattainable.

How could he use such vulgar and offensive words to taint his sacred master?

Ming Teng clasped hands together and bowed to Fu Yuxing with the most solemn kowtow.

"Master, please accept my bow."

"Good apprentice."

Fu Yu pursed her lips, raised her palms, and conjured two bells, placing them in front of Ming Teng's eyes and gently shaking them.

One bell made a clear sound, while the other remained silent.

"This is……"

"The first lesson I will teach you is manners. From now on, whenever I ring the bell, you must appear before me, understand?"

Fu Yu took out one of the bells and hung it on her waist.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, another bell was already tied to Ming Teng's belt in the blink of an eye.

"And the bell on your body is the tool I use to locate you."

"I can track your whereabouts."

"If you dare to disobey your master's orders, the bell will punish your disloyalty on my behalf."

Where in the world can you find such a good thing?

His master monitored him, commanded him, and punished him at all times.

But joy is fleeting.

Ming Teng lowered his eyes, his voice returning to calm.

"Did Senior Brother Ningguang use this bell before?"

The deep voice was heavy and resentful, "Master, are all the disciples you've taken in disciplined like this?"

Ming Teng slowly clenched his fists, which were resting on his knees.

The thought of her master living for thousands of years, taking in countless disciples, and giving this bell to countless male immortals made her feel incredibly nostalgic.

His heart pounded uncontrollably, aching and contorted with rage.

Kill all the former owners of the bell and wash away the stench of the other male immortals that stained the bell.

In this way, he was the only one left who owned the bell.

In this world, Fu Yu's only remaining apprentice is him.

Why do you ask that?

Fu Yu stepped out of the cold pond, sat on the bank, and lifted Ming Teng's chin as he pressed down.

Ming Teng's Adam's apple bobbed rapidly; he wanted to speak his true feelings.

He was jealous, he was envious, he was angry.

He didn't want his master to pay attention to other people.

He only wanted his master to care about him.

Should I say something?

It's something I can't say.

What right does he have to influence Fu Yu's choices?

Immortal Lord Ningguang was right, and those foolish and lowly cultivators were also right; he was just a burden that the old man Master had forced upon Fu Yu.

He was a wild and unrestrained demon, a despicable scoundrel who coveted his master.

If his master is willing to give him a glance or keep him by his side, he should be grateful beyond measure.

You shouldn't have any other thoughts.

Why aren't you saying anything?

Fu Yu sighed softly and pointed to the bell.

"You are its first owner."

Ming Teng paused, staring at Fu Yu in disbelief.

"The first one?"

"Sigh, it's because you're the first demon disciple I took in, and only you can give me so much trouble."

The coldness on Ming Teng's face vanished completely.

He smiled and promised, "Master, your disciple will definitely work hard and will no longer cause you any worry or distress."

He was the first disciple his master wanted to discipline!

Ming Teng recalled what the cultivators had said before: Fu Yu would definitely adopt a laissez-faire approach to raising his disciples.

Only he could be firmly kept by Fu Yu's side.

"Master, I will finish copying the Heart-Cleansing Mantra soon and then take you out."

Ming Teng finished copying the 200-repetition Qingxin Mantra in just one night. During that time, he also cooked for Fu Yu, made her bed, and stayed by her bedroom.

As long as he could stay by Fu Yu's side, he didn't feel tired at all.

Once the purification mantra is submitted, the barrier will automatically dissolve.

The two returned to the mansion together and saw Immortal Lord Ningguang standing at the door, ready to request an audience.

"Ningguang?"

"Fu Yuxianjun."

Ningguang bowed respectfully, her gaze sweeping over Ming Teng's face without revealing her true feelings.

He was covered in injuries, yet he was still grinning foolishly.

Could it be that it was frightened into a daze by the mythical beasts of Tianshan?

“Immortal Lord Fu Yu, I have something important to discuss with you. May I speak with you privately for a moment?”

Ningguang leaned close to Fu Yu's ear and whispered a few words.

Fu Yu frowned and said coldly, "Let's go."

"Ming Teng, go and heal your wounds first. Come see me in three hours."

Three hours.

What could you possibly need three hours to talk about?

Ming Teng feigned obedience, bowing his head in agreement, but his eyes betrayed a fierce and sinister intent.

He followed Fu Yu's instructions and went to the medicine room, where he encountered fairies chatting in the garden.

"Yesterday I attended the Daoist couple's marriage ceremony of Immortal Lord Yilan and Immortal Lord Yanling. It was so spectacular and romantic."

"I wonder when our Immortal Lord will form a pact..."

"Form a bond? You should wait until you have a Daoist partner to discuss things with before you do that, Immortal Lord."

"What's so hard about finding someone? There's a perfect partner out there, seemingly far away yet right before our eyes!"