Chapter 33 033 Becoming an Apprentice
When the other disciples saw that she herself was even more disbelieving and asked this question, many of them couldn't help but laugh.
To be honest, they all felt they had made a mistake.
The steward solemnly said, "The Tianheng Division retrieved the list from the Respect for Teachers Hall today, so this golden list is naturally without error."
Upon hearing the words "Hall of Respect for Teachers," none of the disciples dared to utter a sound. The Hall of Respect for Teachers often represented the highest will of the sect, and any decree issued from it was a truth that everyone in the Azure Sword Sect had to abide by.
For example, in the recent competition among inner disciples, the test of their luck was a manifestation of the spirit of the Grandmaster of the Respect for Teachers Hall, so no one dared to object.
"But... how is that possible!"
Song Chi wasn't disrespectful to Jingshitang; it's just unbelievable. The script has been drastically altered!
How could someone with her qualifications possibly be noticed by the Venerable One?
"Is there anyone with the same name, like a senior brother or sister named Song Chi?"
Song Chi asked this question. The other disciples were speechless. Song Chi was the most talked-about woman in the sect; everyone knew her name. If there were anyone with the same name, they would have been pointed out long ago.
Even the steward was speechless. If this disciple hadn't been favored by the Venerable One, he would have already reprimanded him.
He simply said, "The list of immortals in the Hall of Respect for Teachers is naturally correct." Then he waved his sleeve and left with another steward.
The other disciples immediately buzzed in disbelief.
"It's actually true!"
"If I had known that consuming the immortal fruit would bring such benefits, I would not have been so cautious in the secret realm."
"Only those who dare to take risks have achieved what they have today. Can you imagine that these four female disciples robbed a seven-person team from the Tai Xuan Immortal Dynasty?"
"The ancients were right; wealth and honor are often found in perilous situations!"
Many disciples were discussing amongst themselves, their eyes filled with fierce fighting spirit.
If we were to go to that secret realm again, even the most timid disciple would probably dare to take the plunge next time.
Song Chi was pulled away from Qingxue Palace by Xi Ya and the others, still unable to believe it.
"There must be someone with the same name. This list has nothing to do with me."
Xi Ya and the others looked speechless. "There's only one disciple named Song Chi across both generations. Besides you, there's no one else."
“But this doesn’t make sense.” Song Chi waved his hand. “Forget it, I’m going to do a mission to clear my head. The sect will definitely be posting the updated list of successful candidates soon!”
When Sia and the others saw her leave just like that, they didn't know what to say. To be honest, even they couldn't believe it was true.
But could the list of successful candidates in the Jing Shi Tang be fake?
Cui Xueruo and the others couldn't help but shake their heads, then turned and left. Why did Song Chi think she was so ordinary? Did she even realize how much pressure her existence brought them?
This is not something just anyone can do.
Even a genius disciple like Shi Wan'er, with a spiritual root aptitude of ninety-nine, is still someone Cui Xueruo believes she can look down upon, as long as it's not a celestial spiritual root.
However, the confidence and icy indifference in Song Chi's zither music always managed to shock her.
But Song Chi always considered himself an ordinary disciple, and he was overjoyed to watch these geniuses make a scene every day!
Ye Qingyu was so angry that her chest heaved slightly, and she didn't even bother to speak. As for this pair, Cui Xue was on the sidelines. She felt that the arrogant and stubborn Ye Qingyu—well, according to Song Chi's secret complaints—was the perfect match for a ruthless yet cunning girl like Song Chi.
She felt that the others had no chance at all.
As for her lucky star, as long as it's Immortal Master Mo Shubai, that would be great. Hmm!
Today, Venerable Xueqiao also opened the jade plate and saw the lively announcement.
Then, seeing Song Chi's completely disbelieving expression, and even secretly cursing as the brat flew off to complete her mission, he thought, "Could it be that Venerable Xueqiao has gone mad?"
Look at what kind of talk this is!
"What message did that brat Qi Zhenmo send to this girl that day?"
Judging from her expression, it wasn't because she learned that this venerable one intended to take her as a disciple that she rose up in response. It was for some other reason!
But for some reason, this girl had this "I'm going to fight no matter what" look on her face, and immediately started writing like a mad dragon. The way she was sweating profusely while doing the problem made Venerable Xueqiao quite happy at the time.
Look how excited even the proudest little girl is to be able to become his disciple.
At this moment... Venerable Xueqiao's feelings were quite indescribable.
Therefore, he glanced at Mo Shubai and asked this question.
Mo Shubai: "..." He didn't know either. He and his master had the same thought that day.
"In short, she is now a disciple of the master."
After thinking it over, Venerable Xueqiao found that the result was indeed as he wished.
"Let me take a look at what kind of accommodations the sect has built here recently."
He reached out and touched the tray sent by the sect in front of him, revealing the entire landscape of his sacred land of Cloud Sea Pine Mountain, including its mountains, lakes, and valleys. It was only shrunk to a small size, but it was lifelike, with the verdant mountains, green waters, and valleys full of exotic flowers and plants all clearly visible.
"Hmm, Qin'er has settled in Hundred Flowers Valley?"
Mo Shubai nodded. "My second junior sister moved into the Illusion Flower Pavilion in Hundred Flowers Valley the day before yesterday!"
Venerable Xueqiao nodded and then looked at the other places.
They discovered that a nice, well-maintained residence had been renovated on a mountain near his own, surrounded by clouds and pine trees.
However, the hermitage was a bit too exquisite, and there were hardly any flowers or plants. In front of it was a sea of clouds, and behind it was a pine forest. The scenery was too serene, which was more suitable for sword cultivators or older cultivators like him.
"Young people still prefer flowers, plants, and beautiful mountain scenery."
"Therefore, only your Crimson Rose Pavilion by Jade Mirror Lake is the most spacious and has the best scenery."
Mo Shubai also felt that this was a house that Song Chi would like. Her hometown, Baihuaxi, was a beautiful place with streams, green bamboo forests, and clear waters.
"However, hmph!"
Who knows what his master was thinking, but suddenly his gaze swept across his face and he shook his head.
"Shu Bai, you should stay away from this girl from now on. Your face is a real menace."
Mo Shubai: "..." That's really not the case. Whether the women have feelings for him or not. Apart from Fairy Yilan, who hides it so well that he can't tell, he can easily see through the other female disciples, especially those who are only seventeen or eighteen years old.
Song Chi... it's impossible for her to have any feelings for him.
“Master, you are overthinking it. Song Chi’s zither playing is somewhat similar to mine.”
Upon hearing this, Venerable Xueqiao immediately let out a muffled sigh. "...That's true, they're all heartless. How did I end up taking you two as disciples! If it weren't for Qin'er, that kind and loyal child, I would be suffering so much."
Mo Shubai saw that although his master was cursing and swearing, he was very decisive in assigning tasks to people.
The date for the apprenticeship ceremony was quickly set for half a month later. Then, people were immediately ordered to clean the Scarlet Rose Pavilion, and even the interior furnishings were inspected, with meticulous arrangements made in every detail.
Mo Shubai believed that his master had never shown him such care when he first became a disciple.
It seems that Song Chi has truly won the favor of his master.
However, the thought of him becoming the senior disciple instead of the immortal master in the future... left him with mixed feelings. As a teacher, he was used to being dignified, and it was not easy to suddenly transform into the role of a kind senior disciple.
He suddenly understood what Song Chi meant when he lingered to look at him more closely during the registration day.
I guess they were thinking about this change of identity at the time, hoping to see him make a fool of himself.
He couldn't help but smile. This change in status wasn't so difficult that she could find anything to laugh at. As her senior, he could still treat her with authority. His master would probably be quite pleased with him doing so.
Upon hearing that Venerable Tonghua had decided to accept disciples in half a month, he was speechless.
Why are you in such a hurry? Do you think your disciple will run away with someone?
If it weren't for his mission to study ancient music, Venerable Tonghua would have truly enjoyed mentoring a young disciple like Song Chi. The life of the master and disciple would undoubtedly have been quite lively.
Of all these geniuses, only Qingyu is truly sincere to me; the rest... well, let's just say they're not worth it.
"Then it's set for accepting disciples in half a month," Venerable Tonghua said to the steward, instructing them to inform the talented disciples.
Upon hearing this news, Venerable Qinglian and Venerable Yuheng also set their dates for half a month later.
Song Chi stayed in the herb garden until dark before returning, and was immediately informed by the sect's steward that he was to go to the Respect for Teachers Hall to become an apprentice half a month later!
According to Dai Jia and the others, this is the third time the butler has come. They still haven't caught anyone.
They did send a message to the medicine garden, but Song Chi finished his task for the day and went to the forest to daydream, so no one could find him.
"This can't be true, can it?" Song Chi held the apprenticeship certificate in his hand, utterly speechless.
She still can't believe it's real. This little wing of hers is really something else; she actually managed to become the disciple of a venerable master.
"Just believe it honestly, how could the apprenticeship order from the Respect for Teachers Hall be fake!" Cheng Yao immediately said loudly.
Song Chi remained skeptical.
I have a feeling that right before I'm officially becoming an apprentice, they'll issue a change order. Maybe they made a mistake with the person they were supposed to be with.
Half a month later, she was indeed led to the Hall of Respect for Teachers by the steward.
Although Song Chi still couldn't believe it, he burned incense and took a bath early in the morning, put on the ivory-white brocade robe his mother had prepared, and sat quietly in his dormitory after tying up his hair and putting on his makeup.
The apprenticeship ceremony in the cultivation world is extremely solemn and complicated, and there can be no mistakes. Otherwise, it is considered disrespectful to one's elders, which is the greatest moral failing and will be condemned by the cultivation world.
The person who came to guide her that day was none other than the Immortal Master Shen Wenyan, an honor that was ridiculously high. This made Song Chi feel quite uneasy.
Then, you will arrive at the foot of Jingshitang Mountain, where you will need to climb 999 steps.
This process requires the use of no spiritual power whatsoever; one must undergo the test of these 999 steps, just like a disciple in the mortal world. Becoming a disciple is like the path of cultivation; one must have a truly sincere heart.
After crossing 999 steps, you will find the three immortal gates of the Respect for Teachers Hall ahead.
Those who offered their praise lined up before the gates. The first gate, surprisingly, belonged to the two immortal masters, Mo Shubai and You Qin.
After she bowed, Mo Shubai and You Qin solemnly praised her.
"The virtue of the Immortal Master is as lustrous as jade and as melodious as a refined instrument. Now, a talented individual has come seeking his guidance, wishing to learn from his teachings and forever remember his kindness!"
Song Chi immediately kowtowed three times solemnly and recited the following.
"Disciple Song Chi will remember Master's teachings, respect Master, cultivate oneself and establish virtue, and live up to the kindness shown to me!"
Mo Shubai and You Qin then gently adjusted her crown to show that they were adjusting it.
When Song Chi entered the second gate, he was surprised to find two elders who were skilled in music.
After she kowtowed three times, the two elders praised her.
"The Immortal Master's benevolence extends to all regardless of social status or morality, and he is tolerant of both good and evil. He holds a heart as bright as the moon, illuminating the lost paths of the mortal world. Now that you are a new disciple, you should remember your master's teachings: do not bully the weak, do not fear the strong, cherish the heart of a benevolent person, and walk the fearless path of immortality."
Song Chi listened to the immortal's teachings, bowed three times, and recited:
“Disciple Song Chi will keep in mind the teacher’s teachings, always cherish a benevolent heart, never deceive or fear, stand tall like a pine tree, and not be afraid of a thousand storms.”
After this entry, a ritual of washing hands is performed. A servant brings out clear spring water, and the hands are washed once with each hand, front and back, and then dried.
Next, they arrived at the entrance of the Respect for Teachers Hall. This time, surprisingly, it was the sect leader himself who stood to greet them!
Song Chi's face tightened. Now she believed that Venerable Xueqiao was indeed going to accept her as his disciple. The high level of ceremony made her feel ashamed.
She respectfully kowtowed three times, and the True Man Xuanwei praised her.
"The heart of the Immortal Master is like the bright moon in the celestial palace, clear and flawless, defying frost and standing proudly in the world. He does not change his will because of the turbidity of the world. He is pure gold and unpolished jade, sincere and without pretense. Disciples, you should remember your teachings, never deceive in secret, never flatter the powerful and wealthy, act with integrity, and keep your hearts as pure as ever, not letting the years tarnish them."
Song Chi listened attentively to his teacher's instructions and kowtowed three times. He then recited the words.
"Disciple Song Chi will keep in mind the teacher's teachings, always cherish a pure heart, hold grievances in his heart, be passionate and sincere, and be as steadfast as a plum blossom in winter, defying frost and never changing his will."
"good."
Finally, we entered the main hall of the Respect for Teachers Hall, where we first paid homage to Heaven, Earth, the Emperor, our parents, and the sages of the past.
Then, one enters the inner hall, where the formal apprenticeship ceremony is performed.
Song Chi walked into the hall, not daring to face his teacher directly. He stood respectfully and solemnly.
"Bow!" came the cheers of the supporters.
Three bows and nine kowtows.
"rise."
"The path of cultivation lies in cultivating the mind. Now that you have entered my school, you must remember not to covet fame, not to desire wealth, not to be greedy for worldly things, to keep your mind calm and still, and never forget your original intention."
A clear yet authoritative voice came from above.
Song Chi immediately bowed and nodded. "Disciple Song Chi will remember your kindness, Master."
Immediately, a wisp of spiritual energy landed on the jade pendant hanging at her waist.
The ceremony is complete.
The apprenticeship was only complete at this point. Even in the chilly early spring, Song Chi couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
But it wasn't over yet; they then moved to a side hall.
Venerable Xueqiao summoned her over and gave her a gift upon meeting her.
The first item placed on the table was a zither, its wood and fire energy so intense it seemed a single spark could ignite it. The zither bore ancient cloud and water patterns, which Song Chi didn't recognize, but he knew were no ordinary object.
She already had a wonderful pipa, and now she's given her a guzheng as well. It truly touched her heart.
The most lethal weapons for sound editing are nothing more than the pipa and zheng, especially in the early stages.
The second item was a white jade conch shell, which produced an extremely beautiful sound like ocean waves when the wind blew. Its abundance of water elemental power was unparalleled. Of course, she was probably just inexperienced, but with a Venerable One's involvement, it was certainly extraordinary. This would also help her with her sonic attack spells.
This master truly understands her.
The last item was a dark tortoise shell. "This treasure can conceal heavenly secrets and also prevent divine sense from spying on it."
Perhaps knowing she was unsophisticated, Venerable Xueqiao offered this explanation.
Song Chi could no longer maintain her facade and bit her lip, trying to force a smile. Heaven knows, this was something she had always longed for. Once she reached the Golden Core stage and could use her divine sense, preventing divine sense from spying on her became her top priority.
After all, she was carrying a script with her, and she really didn't want anyone to discover her little secret.
"Disciple kowtows to thank Master for bestowing this treasure!" Song Chi said happily.
When Venerable Xueqiao saw Song Chi, who had been overly respectful and had kept a straight face, with even his back soaked with sweat from the apprenticeship ceremony, now looking at the treasure bestowed upon him, so happy that nine tails seemed to sprout from his back and wag wildly, Venerable Xueqiao couldn't help but smile.
This child is quite fond of treasures.
The two disciples he had previously taken in. Mo Shubai, as the eldest son of one of the eight ancient families, had seen the world and had maintained a calm and composed demeanor since his teens, not even flinching at the immortal treasures he had bestowed upon him.
As for You Qin, it's likely that, as the sect has passed down, it was her sincerity that moved him to accept her as his personal disciple. Therefore, she was already extremely grateful just to be able to formally become his disciple. When he bestowed upon her a gift, she was still basking in the joy of becoming his disciple, so naturally, she didn't react much.
On Song Chi's side, he really tickled Xue Qiao's sore spot as a teacher.
This child is a good one.
At this moment, a disciple announced that Mo Shubai and You Qin had arrived.
Upon their arrival, the two were offered seats and placed to the left and right of Venerable Xueqiao.
Song Chi naturally had to pay his respects.
"Song Chi greets Senior Brother!" After bowing to Mo Shubai, she glanced at him briefly.
They found that the other party's complexion was pale, just like always, still that handsome and refined gentleman.
There was absolutely no reaction to this change in generational hierarchy. This isn't funny!
When Venerable Xueqiao saw this, he also thought that Shu Bai's eldest disciple was only good-looking, but his personality was really boring.
Mo Shubai's gift was a light green fan, the wood of which was of some kind of precious wood, its spiritual energy exceptionally rich. It even seemed to resonate with her precious green leaf, causing Song Chi's body to suddenly feel hot and her face to flush red.
Fortunately, the triangular cone baby jumped and suppressed both of them.
"Thank you, Senior Brother, for bestowing this treasure."
Song Chi accepted the fan and turned around. He saw that Venerable Xueqiao on the main seat turned his face to the side and stared at Mo Shubai with a look that seemed to be somewhat reprimanding.
Meanwhile, You Qin's usually cool and aloof eyes were now sparkling with a hint of gossip as she pursed her lips and watched her and Mo Shubai.
Song Chi's body was still a little hot, and he knew his face must be very red.
But—let me explain!
It's not what you think!
Unfortunately, the two didn't understand the look in Song Chi's eyes when she raised her hand. Instead, they thought she was shy and looked away.
Song Chi was speechless and questioned the heavens. She truly had no feelings for Mo Shubai; she wished she had such feelings. She had considered experiencing a severe heartbreak, to taste the bittersweet flavors of love.
Unfortunately, prejudice in people's hearts is a mountain, and no one will listen to explanations.
Song Chi had met Senior Sister You Qin before.
"Greetings, Second Senior Sister."
After hearing her previous, albeit not-so-gossipy, gossip, You Qin quickly changed her tune. She smiled and gave her a defensive magical artifact.
Only then is the apprenticeship ceremony truly over.
Venerable Xueqiao waved his hand. "Venerable Yuheng will be taking on disciples soon, so let's not linger here. You should come back to Yunhai Songshan with me."
The old man waved his sleeve, summoning clouds. Song Chi and the other two quickly followed.
In reality, these clouds serve virtually no purpose. They're merely a way to project an air of grandeur; you still have to fly on your own.
As for Venerable Xueqiao, he wasn't actually an old man. Song Chi had already seen his master's face by now, and indeed, the higher one's cultivation level in the cultivation world, the younger one's face appeared.
Venerable Xueqiao is said to be over five hundred years old, but he has a handsome appearance, a tall and slender figure, a fair face with a light beard, and a pair of bright and clear eyes, like fresh morning mist. He has a kind of pure aura that no one else has!
It had absolutely nothing to do with the white-haired, otherworldly old man she had originally imagined.
As Song Chi followed his master and the others out of the Respect for Teachers Hall, he saw Qi Zhenmo, dressed in black and looking very serious, walking alone up the 990 steps halfway up the mountain.
During this solemn apprenticeship ceremony, the young man saw her and even raised his face to give her a big smile. That smile still had a touch of roguishness; even though Qi Zhenmo always tried to present himself as a refined young man, he couldn't hide the wicked charm that clung to him. Of course, there was also his obvious academic genius.
Song Chi merely raised an eyebrow at her, which was considered a greeting.
Seeing this scene, Venerable Xueqiao had only one thought: Song Chi, this little disciple, is a womanizer.
He had just received a fan from Shu Bai, and immediately blushed.
Indeed, there is a custom in the cultivation world of giving fans as gifts to express affection, but it is merely a conventional rule. However, Venerable Xueqiao can guarantee that Shu Bai has absolutely no other intentions; he simply wants to bestow upon Song Chi a wood-elemental magic weapon for sound cultivation in battle.
Unfortunately, he was clearly misunderstood. His heart skipped a beat, and he glared at Shu Bai. Of all the treasures to choose, why pick a fan? Now that this young disciple's heart is fluttering, well, her Dao heart is doomed to be destroyed in no time.
Shu Bai was slightly surprised at the time. He probably assumed that Song Chi's zither music was cold and heartless, and therefore thought that this child was as heartless as he was. But he forgot that the child in front of him was only seventeen years old, at the age when young people are full of love. And he didn't think about how he himself had a face that could make women fall head over heels for him.
The two of them must be separated from now on!
Venerable Xueqiao immediately decided to break up the couple.
Then, they quickly noticed Song Chi exchanging glances with that boy from the hidden family of the Tianji Sect. Although neither of them gave the other a friendly look, their innocent and joyful feelings as childhood friends were evident.
Venerable Xueqiao thought to himself, "This child may look delicate and frail, like a willow in spring, but his heart is bigger than most. It's not enough that he's already hiding behind Shu Bai; it seems he's now hiding behind this Tianji Sect brat as well."
Given their fickle nature, there's no need to rush to break them up. Let's wait and see!
Upon arriving at the sacred site of Yunhai Songshan, we first had some tea.
Then Venerable Xueqiao pointed out a residence to Song Chi, a beautiful hermitage surrounded by flowers and backed by a bamboo forest, located near the southwest of Yunhai Songshan. His master's residence was on Yunhai Songshan to the north, surrounded by white clouds and shrouded in a mystical atmosphere.
As for Senior Sister Youqin's residence, it is located in Hundred Flowers Valley in the southeast of Yunhai Songshan. The valley is filled with blooming flowers, and the scenery is extremely beautiful and exquisite.
Song Chi thanked him immediately. There was nothing more to say for a moment, and then the master waved his hand.
"You two take your junior sister around and let her get familiar with the surrounding scenery."
At that moment, Senior Sister Youqin suddenly stood up.
"Master, I have some things to take care of, so I'll take my leave first."
After saying that, he disappeared in a flash, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
Song Chi stretched out Er Kang's hand, which froze to death in the wind. Master Youqin, you weren't like this before! Where did your aloof and serious demeanor, comparable to a modern-day homeroom teacher, go?! You're so gossipy now, it's really unacceptable. How can you change your persona so quickly!
And there's absolutely nothing of that romantic stuff you're thinking about. Really, there isn't!
The word "you" was used because Venerable Xueqiao paused for a moment before giving the instruction.
"Shubai, take your junior sister around and have a look around."
Song Chi didn't even bother to explain what that obvious pause in his expression meant. "I didn't realize that someone hundreds of years old like you could be so gossipy."
Sigh, this damned cultivation world has been too leisurely for far too long. It's truly beyond saving!
Then she followed this newly appointed senior disciple, the former immortal master, out of the mountain.
The two arrived at Jade Mirror Lake to visit her Crimson Rose Pavilion. As the name suggests, the surrounding flowerbeds were actually a rose garden—of course, celestial roses, known for their beauty and health benefits. Many other rare and exotic flowers and herbs flourished along the lakeshore, extending to her slightly elevated crimson-colored house. Behind her, a vast expanse of lush celestial bamboo stretched out, resembling a bamboo sea. In front, Jade Mirror Lake shimmered like a clear blue lake, its surface rippling gently in the early spring breeze.
This scenery is truly a paradise on earth. Most importantly, the spiritual energy here is more than a hundred times denser than in the previous dormitory or training room.
She's had incredible luck.
How could Venerable Xueqiao have chosen her as his disciple? Even though everything was happening right before his eyes, Song Chi still found it unbelievable.
But never mind, with such a wonderful thing happening right before my eyes, I won't think about anything else.
At this moment, the former immortal master pointed to the houses on the mountainside on the east bank of his Jade Mirror Lake, surrounded by rows of trees that were either light red or emerald green. He said that was his residence, Tingquan Pavilion, and invited her to come and sit down.
Song Chi sensed that this person was inexplicably a few steps away from him today, and his expression was even more solemn than usual during class.
It seemed like she was trying to avoid suspicion. I reckon she blushed when I gave her the gift, and she misunderstood.
"Damn it." Song Chi groaned inwardly and quickly shook his head.
"I've been out so early, I haven't even informed Xi Ya and the others yet. Immortal Master, uh, no, Senior Brother, I'll be taking my leave now."
After saying that, he quickly leaped away.
Watching this scene from afar, Venerable Xueqiao had only one thought: The child was shy, or perhaps sad. After all, Shu Bai's attempt to avoid suspicion was far too obvious.
All this love and romance, sigh!
I should have settled this child at the Yunhai Tower in Xishan. That way, we could have avoided seeing each other.
On her way back to Peach Blossom Peak, Song Chi suddenly noticed that many disciples had stopped to bow to her. At first, she didn't realize they were bowing to her; she even looked around to see which important figures were passing by and wanted to follow suit.
She later discovered it was aimed at her. Her feelings at the time were somewhat complicated; she didn't like this approach. Firstly, she still felt bewildered about how she had acquired her status and position, and felt unworthy of it! Secondly, people of later generations, unless they were neurotic individuals who inherently felt superior, would generally not be accustomed to a world with such a clear hierarchy.
She quickly disappeared back into her dormitory. Xi Ya and Cheng Yao were already there, and they immediately came up to congratulate her.
After Dai Jia returned from her apprenticeship with Venerable Qinglian, Song Chi discovered that Dai Jia was wearing the same bright red dress that her mother had made for the three of them.
Song Chi's surprised look made Dai Jia look away.
"I think Aunt Yun made the best-looking outfit; it suits me very well."
Song Chi didn't ask any more questions. After all, Dai Jia's background was clearly written in the book. Her parents were the type to favor sons over daughters, especially her mother, who was even more so and often criticized Dai Jia for always giving in to her unruly younger brother.
That's why she flew into a rage and ran away from her family to become a disciple of the Azure Sword Sect. This man was unloved by his father and mother.
Normally, they should have gone down the mountain to have a good meal to celebrate, but since Xi Ya and Cheng Yao were to become disciples the next day, they dared not be disrespectful in the slightest. Therefore, they began to properly burn incense and bathe that night.
The next day, Song Chi discovered that the two of them were also wearing clothes made by their mothers. One was dressed in a light blue brocade robe with a dark plum blossom pattern, which was both elegant and graceful; this was naturally for Xi Ya.
There was also a light purple shirt, the one with a delicate pinkish sheen, which was for Cheng Yao. Mother said that after seeing the three of them, she could guess what colors they liked.
Cheng Yao rarely wore such a jeweled dress, and her face flushed slightly. But it was clear she liked it very much.
Both of them used the same rhetoric as Dai Jia, expressing their fondness for the clothes made by Aunt Yun.
Song Chi didn't ask any more questions. It was just because the book had mentioned the backgrounds of these two. Xi Ya was born out of wedlock, and her mother had passed away when she was seven or eight years old. As a result, she was mistreated by the mistress and bullied by her two legitimate siblings, and her life was very difficult.
This was well-known in her hometown; otherwise, why would those four female disciples, also from her hometown and slightly more talented than her, have whispered and laughed at her when she entered the sect? One of them was Xi Ya's elder sister's best friend, deliberately trying to embarrass Xi Ya.
As for Cheng Yao, the book mentions that she is the second child in her family. She was basically completely ignored by her parents and grew up alone. As a result, she developed a "good enough" attitude towards everything. She seems very laid-back, but in reality, she also craves love and affection.
That's basically it. Apart from Song Chi, all three of them were unloved by their parents. They suffered a lot of hardship and neglect in their childhood.
I'm afraid I've never received a complete set of clothes sewn by my mother's own hands. I wouldn't even dare to dream of it.
Leaving those aside, Xi Ya and Cheng Yao returned in the morning after completing their apprenticeship ceremony. That evening, the four of them went to Baijiang City for a good meal and drinks, and also took a boat trip on Baijiang Lake.
On the boat, Dai Jia held her face romantically, seemingly lost in thought. It was likely that she was currently infatuated with Mo Shubai, Song Chi's newly minted senior brother.
Dai Jia wanted to hear the song "Hehuan," but Song Chi felt she was bringing up a sore subject and refused to play it.
They brought out the zither that Venerable Xueqiao had given them that day. When Xi Ya and the other two recognized its value, they couldn't help but gasp.
"This instrument is wonderful!"
"Of course." Song Chi chuckled inwardly; she had been overjoyed about this zither for two days already.
"Since this is such a beautiful day, I'll do something professional."
"A song of spring river flowers and moonlit night, dedicated to this beautiful moonlight."
Dai Jia, that blockhead, immediately waved her hand. "It would be better if it were given to us. What's so great about giving away moonlight?"
"That's why you can only be a sword cultivator!" Cheng Yao retorted.
Ignoring them, Song Chi stroked the strings for a while, then began to play with satisfaction. This piece was naturally a required repertoire piece when he was learning the guzheng.
In fact, this kind of ancient music is somewhat similar to the tunes of the cultivation world. However, the significance of famous music is that it holds a transcendent status regardless of whether it is ancient or modern.
She prefers to play these elegant and lyrical pieces using the Zhejiang school of playing techniques.
As the zither music began, the sounds from the surrounding boats quickly faded away. The boatman also slowed down. The moonlight was pale, and a gentle spring breeze was blowing. They had deliberately chosen the southern end of Baijiang Lake, where there were fewer tourists, and only one or two lakeside taverns.
The sounds inside the tavern quieted down considerably at this moment.
This is the effect of a famous piece of music. Song Chi smiled. As she played this piece, she did indeed think of the future, and therefore played it better than ever before.
Of course, it's also possible that the zither is simply too beautiful. This master is truly wonderful!
Mo Shubai saw Shen Wenyan off, and it just so happened that they were at a nearby tavern. He had only wanted to find a quiet place for the two of them to have a proper get-together.
Shen Wenyan was about to travel across the continent, but in reality, he was going to the northwest to deliver a letter to his old friend, Venerable Tonghua. Of course, the letter wasn't urgent; traveling along the way wouldn't hurt. This was originally a training exercise after reaching the Golden Core stage.
Thus, we might not see each other again for the next ten or twenty years, which led to our parting today.
Thus, she happened to run into Song Chi and the other three. The four of them looked like they had drunk quite a bit, their cheeks were flushed like peach blossoms in spring, but they still looked sober. However, they were more excited than usual and their behavior was more relaxed.
Not to mention the other three, even Xi Ya, who was always aloof and serious, was leaning lazily against the ship's side.
Song Chi, with one leg bent and elbow propped on his knee, would occasionally say a few words with a smile, then take a sip of wine. The way he drank, each time with a click of his tongue, had a certain air of heroism.
He would occasionally glance outwards, revealing his white teeth, and his smile had a more rugged and carefree air than usual.
Mo Shubai guessed that this was probably Song Chi's true nature.
But as soon as she revealed this appearance, the gazes of the young men at the tavern around the corner deepened. She, however, was completely unaware of how captivating her air of heroism, tinged with a hint of cold indifference, was.
Shen Wenyan naturally saw it too, and couldn't help but shake his head and smile.
“This child… those guys will fight over her one day.”
Next, Dai Jia insisted on hearing "Hehuan," but Song Chi smiled crookedly, his nose twitching slightly, and refused.
He then took out his zither.
Shen Wenyan exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't this the Yunshui Ancient Qin that caused such a stir at the auction not long ago? It's said that it was ultimately bought by a mysterious man in black robes for 100,000 top-grade spirit crystals."
He paused here, then laughed and said, "The Venerable One truly dotes on this child."
In the cultivation world, it's easy to think of a few music cultivators who can afford to pay such a high price for a zither.
Then Shen Wenyan laughed again: "Shu Bai, you're about to fall out of favor."
Mo Shubai simply smiled. There was no such thing as falling out of favor; his master actually preferred disciples with lively personalities, and he naturally knew this. Neither he nor You Qin were that type.
Song Chi perfectly met the requirements for his master to select disciples.
Then Mo Shubai's eyes flickered slightly. Shen Wenyan also said with a hint of doubt, "Oh? It's rare to see her so serious!"
Previously, Song Chi's playing of the qin was mostly in a loose manner, sometimes even half-leaning, with no proper posture at all.
But now she sat cross-legged, completely dignified. Her opening moves were also much more authoritative than usual, and the music she played... was quite different from her usual exciting and novel pieces; it was very dignified and elegant, with a touch of human grace.
But it is undoubtedly a new piece. And it is undoubtedly a wonderful piece that will be passed down, simply because it already has the style of a master.
The technique of this piece is not too difficult, but to bring out its poetic and picturesque quality, it takes more than just hard practice; one's mindset must also be in tune with it.
The strength of Song Chi's earlier compositions lay in their varied techniques and novel melodies. Emotion... well, there wasn't much of that.
But today's performance of this zither undoubtedly possesses an excellent artistic conception, with the scene and emotion blending together perfectly.
"That's rare. More thoughtful than you!" Shen Wenyan commented, having already recorded it with a jade mirror.
It's rare to find such a fine piece of music, yet some people seem to be unable to appreciate it.
After Dai Jia finished singing, she said, "This song was very good, but I feel inexplicably sad tonight. Song Chi, give me something sad so I can cry for a while."
"What's there to be sad about? It's not like we'll never see each other again. We'll still be in the same sect!"
"Sigh, you don't understand. It wasn't easy for us to get to where we are today. Anyway, I'm very sad today."
Song Chi readily agreed. "Feeling sad, huh? Fine."
She caressed the violin with her fingers, then the melody shifted, and sure enough, a melancholic tune flowed from her fingertips. It was her unique and novel musical style once again.
The melody was melodious and affectionate, as if it were a shy whisper of unspoken feelings. It was tender and full of emotion, as if one were strolling under a spring rainy night, carrying longing in their heart.
Just then, a light drizzle began to fall, perfectly fitting the scene. Spring night rain is always so unpredictable, fine, and tender.
"This song is so tender and full of hopelessness. It's truly heartbreaking!"
Of the four of them, Dai Jia, a sword cultivator, was the most emotionally intense; she was already in tears after listening to the song.
What is the name of this piece?
Looking at the bridge piers in the distance amidst the drizzle, Song Chi smiled and said, "The maple leaves of the Twenty-Four Bridges bid farewell to the rain!"
"You're lying, you must have just chosen this name."
It's not surprising that Dai Jia felt this way. This place really is called Twenty-Four Bridges. Actually, there are only two bridges, but before Baijiang Lake became a lake, this place was indeed called Twenty-Four Bridges.
"Keep going, keep going! I want to get completely drunk today!"
Song Chi remained obedient. With a flick of his fingers, the melodious strains of the zither flowed forth. This piece still carried the unspeakable longing and sorrow, filled with boundless melancholy, yet it felt even more hopeless than the previous one.
"Wonderful! This music perfectly reflects my feelings. My heart feels the same way..."
"So what?"
"It's nothing. You guys aren't allowed to lie to me! Humph."
The other three laughed.
"This piece of music is also wet; I wonder if the title also includes the theme of rain."
“Yes,” Song Chi looked around at the night and the drizzle, and smiled, “The song is called ‘Spring Evening Flowers Falling in the Rain’.”
"You lied to me again. One more song, and I'll feel about right."
"Alright." It seemed as if Song Chi's heart was filled with countless sorrows, and in an instant, a melody was composed.
This song has a touch of intoxication, a slight drunkenness on a rainy night, falling asleep to the soft, fragmented sound of raindrops, with the window filled with the fading shadows of red and green. Still filled with longing, still hopeless.
Shen Wenyan could even fully discern the profound emotions within the music tonight; it was rare for Song Chi's playing to be so emotionally charged. It was still so tender and affectionate.
"Brother Shubai, you've broken that young lady's heart!"
Mo Shubai: "..." He didn't think so. There was indeed some sorrow and parting sentiment in the music, but it wasn't anything full of tender feelings.
This could be seen in Song Chi's deep, indifferent eyes.
However, she could sense Song Chi's frustration and slight anger. After all, he had quite a temper.
Previously at Qingxue Palace, she was only called upon to play the piano a few times to correct Jiang Linyue and the others. For several months, she didn't even glance at the lectern...
Her rosy complexion at the Respect for Teachers Hall today made him overthink things.
Then, she deliberately led Song Chi to look at the sea of clouds, pine trees, and mountains with a somewhat distant air, which he must have keenly seen through. At that moment, she slumped her shoulders slightly, and then, without him even needing to be two or three steps away, she deliberately walked very slowly, keeping a distance of seven or eight steps.
Mo Shubai was willing to bet that for the next two or three years, or even longer, this newly promoted junior sister would not appear within three zhang of him.
"Is this song title going to mean it's going to rain again?" Dai Jia asked as the song ended.
"Yes, the rain has shattered the Jiangnan region."
Jiangnan? That's not the name for the southeast. Could it be that this child has fallen out with that kid from the Mo family? Shen Wenyan looked over without realizing it, only to see that Mo Feiyun's eyes suddenly became unusually gentle, and his whole person almost turned into a tender silhouette under the rain.
"Let's play one last song, this time not so sad, but still a little bit sad." Dai Jia's request was quite demanding.
"I see," Song Chi thought for a moment, resting his chin on his hand, and then said, "Alright, I've got it."
The music that followed wasn't so melancholic, but it was full of emotion—a deep and passionate emotion. It seemed to be expressing a feeling that no matter how much you reject me, my feelings for you will never change.
"Brother Shubai, you! Look at you, what a fine child you are! Oh dear!"
Shen Wenyan truly felt sorry for Song Chi this time. After all, Song Chi was only seventeen or eighteen years old, so tender and youthful, in the prime of her life, yet she had fallen deeply in love with a man. Especially someone like Brother Shubai, who was so heartless that he hadn't even been moved by a beauty like Fairy Yilan.
Mo Shubai: "..."
He even heard his master let out a cold snort in his divine sense. His master had actually come here to relax.
However, Mo Shubai now believed that his master had completely misunderstood.
Song Chi, who had been filled with many emotions, began to play this piece, and a faint smile appeared on her face as she shook her head slightly. At this moment, the emotions in her heart must have been gradually fading; that smile was a look of helplessness towards the loves and hates of the world's infatuated men and women. It was a helplessness she couldn't understand, an emotion that often welled up within her.
He was absolutely certain that Song Chi had no feelings for him whatsoever.
However, everyone seemed to have been deceived by what happened at the Respect for Teachers Hall. It's unclear why Song Chi's face suddenly turned bright red; could it be due to the wood elemental power?
But that little bit of wood elemental power wouldn't be enough to trigger such intense emotions. However, there must be a reason for this.
Unfortunately, prejudice in people's hearts is a mountain... It's not just Master and Brother Wenyan who misunderstand each other.
Ye Qingyu's fierce killing intent occasionally surged towards the tavern's lads. Everyone knew that this guy possessed an intense possessiveness towards Song Chi, determined not to let her leave his side.
And Jiang Linyue, this little cousin, actually dared to give him a disdainful look. "What kind of fan is this!" The silent words were full of resentment.
The other two cold-faced youths merely stared at him with deep, unfathomable eyes. Their gazes were as cold as ice and snow.
This inexplicable hostility... Mo Shubai was slightly speechless.
After Song Chi played these pieces, Dai Jia was already somewhat drunk.
“Let’s go back,” she suggested.
Sia and the others agreed and paid the fare. "I'm not drunk!" they said, trying to help Dai Jia up, but she refused.
Then she leaped into the air and suddenly glanced at the tavern in the distance. "Immortal Master!" she uttered, her tongue slurred with drunkenness, her words filled with deep shyness and affection.
In her excitement, she nearly fell because her spiritual energy became unstable. Song Chi went over to help her up and looked back at the shore. Sure enough, she saw a stunningly beautiful figure in a blue and white dress with deep floral shadows under a willow tree in the distance.
She nodded politely and flew towards the sect with Cheng Yao and the others.
"What a heartless girl! After those few songs, has she already severed all ties of affection?"
Shen Wenyan had never seen such a detached and indifferent gaze before, and the figure that flew away seemed to show no trace of lingering affection.
"You've all misunderstood." Mo Shubai remained silent.
Shen Wenyan simply smiled at this. "Farewell then. See you in ten or twenty years, Brother Shubai."
His figure quickly disappeared into the rainy night, disappearing into the distant, vast mountains and forests.
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Author's Note: [Cat emoji][Cat emoji] Here's a 10,000-word update!
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