Chapter 45 Apprenticeship 4: The Strange Guest
The day of the disciple-acceptance ceremony came quickly. On the eve of the ceremony, many young disciples who had not yet become disciples tossed and turned. Apart from the graduation assessment of the Immortal Academy, this was one of the few opportunities for them to show their faces in front of high-level cultivators. Once they were fortunate enough to become disciples, they would not lack cultivation resources in the future. Compared with cultivating alone, it was like heaven and earth.
Although it was still early before the ceremony began, many outer sect cultivators had already arrived at the plaza. Most of them were at the Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment stage. Having endured years of hardship in the outer sect, they had finally gotten their chance and were naturally very enthusiastic.
At that moment, a group of young people sitting silently in another spot caught their attention.
"Are those people over there disciples from the Immortal Academy from two years ago?"
"It seems that this apprenticeship ceremony was held because they missed the graduation assessment due to illness. In a way, we benefited from their success."
"Due to illness? I heard there was something fishy about the graduation exam at the Immortal Academy two years ago?"
"..."
Hearing the whispers, the patrolling Punishment Hall monks gave a cold look and said, "Stop gossiping!"
Although Ning Wenbin immediately ordered a news blackout, secrets don't stay hidden forever. Many people on the trial platform still managed to spread rumors, though they didn't dare to discuss them openly.
High-level cultivators took their seats one after another. This time, the Thousand Machines Academy issued the Jade Cloud Order, and each spiritual peak sent people over, making the scene unprecedentedly grand.
Seeing so many high-level cultivators in person, the cultivators participating in the ceremony all wore expressions of excitement and joy.
Wen Yao, who was waiting in the audience, kept looking towards the entrance. It was about to start, so why hadn't Xu Xu arrived yet?
"Why didn't Xu Xing come with you? How could she be late on such an important day?"
Hearing Li Yuan's voice, Wen Yao frowned and looked over. "This has nothing to do with you, right?"
Li Yuan was speechless, and said irritably, "Aren't you friends? You don't even know where she is. What kind of friends are you?"
Wen Yao rolled her eyes and ignored him. She pulled Wang Lianhua to the side, and her gaze shifted to a woman in a fiery red dress who was walking towards her.
She was startled, her eyes widened, her teeth clenched, and her gaze almost spitting fire. That beast had actually come too...
High-level cultivators are extremely sensitive to the gazes of others. Kan Yuanyi suddenly glanced down, and an invisible pressure emanated from him, causing the disciples below to feel pressured and find it difficult to breathe.
"Peak Master Kan, isn't it inappropriate to use your aura here? There are your future disciples below as well."
Some busybodies added fuel to the fire.
This time, the Thousand Machines Academy requires each Spirit Peak to accept at least one disciple from the Immortal Dao Academy. This is a strict order. Everyone knows that the disciple acceptance ceremony is just a pretext. The real purpose is to compensate those poor people who have been infected by demonic blood. No matter how they perform today, they will definitely be able to become disciples of a certain peak master.
But Kan Yuanyi is known for his willful actions, so how could he possibly obey the orders of the Thousand Machines Institute?
"So what if I refuse to accept any disciples today?"
With a cold snort, Kan Yuanyi gracefully sat down with a flick of her fiery red robe sleeves. The man beside her looked gentle as he tidied her skirt and then deftly set out a small table with spiritual fruits and snacks. The two of them didn't seem to be here to take on disciples; they seemed to be out for a stroll.
After eating the spirit fruit from the man's hand and looking at his handsome face, Kan Yuanyi's impatience eased, and her tone softened. "Sit down. You can take a look for me later. If there are any good fire-type seedlings, we can take them in."
"Okay, I'll help you choose carefully, just to make sure you're satisfied."
Zhu Xingyou sat down beside her, his eyes full of tenderness and love, and even his tone of voice was so gentle it seemed to drip with water.
The peak masters nearby couldn't help but feel a little envious. Kan Yuanyi had an eccentric personality, and most people couldn't tolerate her temper. It was said that her Daoist partner was only at the Golden Core stage a few years ago, but after being with Kan Yuanyi, he reached the Nascent Soul stage in just a few years. With such great benefits, it was no wonder that he could serve her so gently.
Those who knew the inside story revealed a mocking expression. They had heard that this man surnamed Zhu already had a wife and daughter in the outer sect, and now he was putting on this affectionate act, which was truly despicable.
Below, Wen Yao lowered her head, her five fingers clenching her palms tightly, and it took her a long time to calm down.
"Jin and Chu have actually come too?"
“This time, Senior Brother Ning Wenbin is personally in charge. He caused these problems last time because of his carelessness, so naturally he should support him now.”
"But who is that woman beside him? I've never seen her before. I can't even tell her cultivation level..."
Jin Chu casually found a seat on the edge and sat down. He was surrounded by a group of Nascent Soul stage outer sect peak masters. Jin Chu stretched out his legs, feeling extremely comfortable, and didn't realize that he had taken other people's seats. He even raised his eyebrows and called to Fu Shuang, "Just sit here, it's quieter."
Fu Shuang's eyes were still covered by white silk, and her beautiful face, as cold as ice, had a faint expression. An outer sect cultivator noticed that she seemed to be blind, and seeing that she looked young, he thought she was Jin Chu's disciple. He mustered up his courage and stood up, stammering, "This fairy, you, you can sit here with me."
Seeing that Fu Shuang actually sat down next to that person, Jin Chu stopped smiling. He stared expressionlessly at the cultivator who had spoken, causing the faint blush on that person's face to slowly turn pale, and he fled to another place as if fleeing. Only then did he twitch the corner of his mouth and approach Fu Shuang, "It's about to start. Chen Du and that girl haven't arrived yet. You're probably going to have made a wasted trip today."
"What? Xu Xu really isn't coming?"
Hearing Wang Lianhua's words, Wen Yao was both anxious and angry. "How could she be so foolish as to seize such a good opportunity? No, I'm going to find her!"
If you miss this apprenticeship ceremony, who knows when the next one will be!
"Hey! No!" Wang Lianhua quickly grabbed her. "That's what Xuxu was worried about, which is why she asked me to tell you after the ceremony starts."
"She had no intention of becoming an apprentice a long time ago; she was only focused on alchemy. Besides, she had already started. It's too late for you to go now!"
Wang Lianhua was just here to join in the fun. She was very comfortable with her daughter on Qingling Peak. Senior Feng would occasionally give her some pointers, so he was like a half-master to her. Now she was also helping Xu Xing open a shop. She had no shortage of spirit stones and pills. Her life was more comfortable than that of some of the direct disciples under the outer sect peaks. Moreover, with her talent, it would be difficult for her to be noticed by high-level cultivators.
When she first heard Xu Xing's idea, she wanted to dissuade him, but in the end, she was persuaded by Xu Xing and helped him keep it a secret from Wen Yao until now.
Wen Yao pursed her lips, "I should have guessed it, given her personality..."
"Forget it, since she doesn't want to, why should I force her to do something she doesn't like?"
This grand ceremony is different from previous ones. Five arenas were set up according to the five elements of spiritual power. Each arena has a cultivator at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage. Disciples who wish to become disciples can choose an arena to challenge the arena master. Regardless of whether the challenge is successful or not, they can express their intention to become disciples. If a high-level cultivator takes a liking to them, they can be accepted into the sect on the spot.
Wen Yao turned her attention to the fire-type arena. Today, she would do her best to perform and become a disciple. Since Xu Xu only liked alchemy and weapon crafting and had no interest in cultivation, she would work even harder so that she could protect Xu Xu in the future!
On the metal-element arena, the defender was a sword cultivator whose attacks were fierce. Faced with the storm of sword energy, the disciple who came up to challenge had to grab a defensive magic weapon to block it, in exchange for a moment of respite.
Although the use of magical artifacts is not prohibited in the arena, disciples who want to show off will not use them unless absolutely necessary, as using magical artifacts will inevitably make people think that they have run out of skills.
However, the magical artifact used by this disciple attracted the attention of several cultivators from the Weapon Refining Academy.
"Is this the kind of spirit shield bead sold in Golden Street that can be charged with spirit stones?"
"Several weapon refiners from the Weapon Refining Institute have already solved it. It's not difficult, just a bit ingenious."
"Just the fact that no one had ever thought of this before means that the person who crafted this item is better than most weapon refiners."
"..."
Jin Chu rested his chin on his hand and transmitted his voice to Fu Shuang, his tone playful, "Your future little apprentice is quite popular, isn't she? People from the Alchemy Academy and the Weapon Forging Academy have started to notice her. If you don't make a move soon, I'm afraid..."
Before she could finish speaking, Fu Shuang, having confirmed that Xu Xing would not be present at the disciple-acceptance ceremony, vanished in a flash.
Jin Chu shrugged, unsurprised. "Looks like you're not so unhurried after all~"
...
At Xuanjian Peak, Xu Xing, unaware that he had once again stirred up his friend's protective instincts, was squatting by the bed, staring intently at the unidentified object on the edge of the bed with a worried expression.
She burned the last "mushroom" with fire, but a new one has grown back this time, which is really puzzling.
Thinking of something, she quickly summoned the Wind Spirit Deer, "Silver Snow, do you know what this is?"
The Wind Spirit Deer sniffed closer and said, "Master, this is a seedling of a spiritual herb. Since the leaves have not yet unfolded, I cannot determine what it is, but the spiritual energy on it is very strong. It is probably a high-grade spiritual herb."
Having confirmed that it was a non-toxic medicinal herb, Xu Xing simply reached out and picked it. Her skill allowed her to see the name of any medicinal herb she picked. However, the next moment, looking at the words that appeared above the medicinal herb in her palm, Xu Xing was stunned.
【Seven-leaf Ganoderma lucidum seedlings】
"Seven-leaf Ganoderma?! This is a seven-leaf Ganoderma?!"
Xu Xing's pupils dilated. So, she had personally burned a priceless spiritual herb a while ago?!
Upon hearing the name Seven-Leaf Lingzhi, Yin Xue quickly used her spiritual power to isolate the aura within the cave.
The Wind Spirit Deer is Xu Xing's contracted beast, and it can sense its master's subtle emotions. After noticing her heartbreak, Yin Xue hurriedly reminded her, "Master, put it away quickly! If it really is the Seven-Leaf Ganoderma, I'm afraid things are not simple."
The growth of the Seven-Leaf Lingzhi requires the breath of demonic spirits, meaning it must grow in the demon realm, or... beside the demon race.
Xu Xing then realized what was happening and immediately threw the seedling into his backpack. The spiritual energy that had not yet dissipated was quickly isolated in the cave.
"Master, someone is here."
The Wind Spirit Deer leaped out warily, but upon seeing the newcomer's appearance, it froze for a moment, then turned and burrowed back into its cave, grabbing Xu Xing's sleeve and pulling him out with all its might. "Master, she's here."
"Who is she? You know her? Hey? It's not very presentable for you to go out like this, carrying me around like this..."
Xu Xing was pulled out by Yin Xue, completely bewildered. Outside the cave, a woman in white stood quietly under a peach tree. Sensing the presence, she turned around, revealing her exquisite face covered by white silk.
Although their cultivation levels were far inferior, Tuanzi and Qing were both ready to strike, baring their teeth and staring intently at the woman in white, in case she wanted to harm their master.
On the contrary, Yin Xue, who had the highest cultivation level, seemed very happy. She let out a clear cry and seemed to trust the newcomer very much.
"You...it's you?"
Xu Xing smelled that extremely faint scent again. She wouldn't be mistaken; the person who had saved her so many times before must be this fairy in front of her! Yin Xue's attitude confirmed her guess.
Fu Shuang silently "looked" at her for a long time before softly asking, "Why don't you go to the disciple-acceptance ceremony?"
Xu Xing answered honestly, "I only have five spiritual roots, so I doubt anyone would be willing to take me in. Besides, I'm really not a hardworking person. It's more comfortable for me to stay on Xuanjian Peak..."
For some reason, Xu Xing felt a sense of closeness to the woman in front of her. She believed that the woman had no ill intentions, otherwise she would not have secretly saved her a few years ago. But why did she suddenly appear now when the woman had avoided her at the Beast Taming Arena?
"Senior, was it you who saved me on the trial platform earlier?"
Xu Xing couldn't help but ask, because that aura was very special; she had never sensed it on anyone else before.
Fu Shuang suddenly raised her hand, and a stream of icy spiritual energy entered the cave, dispelling the faint aura emanating from the Seven-Leaf Lingzhi after it was picked.
Xu Xing is about to come of age, at which point it will be difficult for her to conceal the aura within her that is different from that of humans in front of high-level cultivators. Moreover, her talent in alchemy and artifact crafting is exceptional, making it hard for her to go unnoticed by powerful figures. From the moment Xu Xing entered the Jade Cloud Sect, Fu Shuang knew of her existence. Originally, she had been observing from the sidelines, offering assistance but having no intention of getting close. But now, she could no longer hesitate.
Fu Shuang originally wanted to take Xu Xing as her disciple and keep her by her side, but Xu Xing refused to become a seventh-level alchemist and did not attend the disciple-acceptance ceremony. She figured that even if she proposed to take her as a disciple now, she would not get her wish.
Since she's unwilling to become an apprentice, then...
"I want you to leave the Jade Cloud Sect and do something for me."
In Fu Shuang's palm, a long sword formed from frost gradually took shape. She looked up at the direction of the peak and swung the sword straight at it! Xu Xing's cultivation level was too low, so she would choose a reliable person to escort him all the way.
The icy sword energy collided heavily with the golden sword energy flying out of the quiet room, causing the spiritual peak to tremble. Xu Xing swayed and had to lean on the wind spirit deer to avoid falling.
The next moment, a black figure descended from the sky, and golden sword energy suddenly slashed down. In the blink of an eye, the two had already exchanged several blows.
Xu Xing stared dumbfounded at the scene before him, first astonished that this senior, who seemed to have descended from the heavens, had suddenly made a move, and then surprised that Senior Brother Chen Du had actually appeared!
A moment later, the longsword in Shen Du's hand was frozen by frost and shattered into ice. He took two steps back to deflect the force, shielding Xu Xing behind him, and said in a deep voice, "Junior greets Sword Master Li Shuang."
Fu Shuang seemed somewhat surprised, "You know me?"
"Senior is an unparalleled master of swordsmanship. If there is anything, I am willing to take full responsibility. Please do not make things difficult for my junior sister who is in the Qi Refining stage."
Few people in the Jade Cloud Sect know that deep within the inner sect lies Frost Peak, where the Sword Master who once wiped out the demon realm with a single sword resides. Chen Du only knows about this because of Feng Zhun, the one who almost became his master.
"Make things difficult?" Fu Shuang said calmly, "It's not making things difficult for her, it's making things difficult for the two of you."
"Three days from now, you will immediately go down the mountain to the demon realm and do something for me. You will be rewarded after you succeed."
Shen Du frowned slightly, not understanding what kind of task required a Qi Refining stage disciple to perform. Just as he was about to speak, he felt his sleeve being tugged from behind.
Xu Xing peeked out from behind him, "Um... the demon realm, right? I'm willing to go!"
Based on her intuition, Xu Xing felt that this senior did not intend to harm her. Otherwise, Yin Xue would not have acted as if she wanted to get close to him. Moreover, the other party had saved her life, and she was willing to go even if it was just to repay the debt.
Besides, she had long wanted to leave the Jade Cloud Sect and see the outside world; this was a golden opportunity!
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Author's Note: Fu Shuang: Since she's unwilling to become my disciple, then I'll have to be forceful!
Xu Xu: No, you didn't ask! If you had asked, I definitely would have! I just don't want to be apprenticed to an alchemist, but that doesn't mean I don't want to be apprenticed to a fairy! QAQ
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[Thanks, Shin-chan, for the nutrient solution without crayons and Xixi! Mwah~]
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