Chapter 52 The Wedding Ceremony? With Ji Fuguang? ...
The rules for taking on a master in the inner sect...?
Sheng Zhiyi admitted that, as a lowly servant in the sect, she knew nothing about the inner sect's rules.
However, as a prestigious and righteous sect, the Tianyan Sect places great importance on the apprenticeship process, so how could there be anything strange about it?
But……
Ji Fuguang spoke mysteriously again... Could there really be some secret behind this?
Sheng Zhiyi glanced at Ji Fuguang, who was smiling silently beside her, and knew that if he didn't want to say something, he would never say it no matter what. So she simply put aside her thoughts of pondering.
She reached out her hand, her fingertips gently touching the spiritual energy barrier in front of her.
For the first time, the barrier of the inner gate opened for her, allowing her to enter openly and without having to sneak up Shuanghua Peak at night anymore!
Sheng Zhiyi walked with her head held high and chest out through the inner gate, immediately feeling a surge of energy.
A rich and refreshing spiritual energy washed over her, making her feel light and airy. The lush and verdant flowers and trees, with their refreshing scents, filled her nostrils. Her moss-like spiritual root, which loved the scent of plants, caused her spiritual energy to circulate more quickly throughout her body.
Thinking back to all the hardship I endured before, it's so good to have entered the inner circle.
Disciples passing by on the roadside greeted the two of them with bows and salutations, saying, "Greetings, Senior Brother!" They also looked at Sheng Zhiyi with curious and admiring eyes.
After this battle, the fact that Sheng Zhiyi created his own sword techniques had already spread throughout the entire Tianyan Sect.
Upon seeing those looks, Sheng Zhiyi pursed her lips and nodded slightly to them, remaining calm and composed, even with a touch of self-satisfaction.
Ji Fuguang lowered his eyes and gave a very low sneer.
Her fingers were gripping the hem of his shirt, trying to hide her nervousness.
The two walked to the entrance of Shuanghua Peak. Sheng Zhiyi looked up and examined the place where she had been living for half a month from the front.
The mountain is tall and majestic, towering into the clouds. It connects with several surrounding peaks, winding and stretching as far as the eye can see, forming a unique style with a hint of loneliness and desolation.
She followed suit, spreading her five fingers and lightly touching the spiritual energy barrier with her fingertips.
However, to her surprise, the protective barrier was still faintly lit and had not been opened.
Sheng Zhiyi couldn't help but raise her head and look at Ji Fuguang beside her.
"Senior brother...why is this?"
Ji Fuguang held the folding fan between his fingers, casually pointed forward, and activated the barrier.
"I set up the barrier on Frostflower Peak, and even inner disciples cannot open it. If Junior Sister wishes to open it..."
He lowered his eyes, a hint of mockery in his voice.
"Let's wait until after you become an apprentice."
Another apprenticeship?
Sheng Zhiyi's doubts deepened. What exactly were the rules for becoming an apprentice that Ji Fuguang had to mention so repeatedly?
The two returned to the courtyard at the summit, and Sheng Zhiyi went back to her room to rest.
After winning the competition, the sect distributed her with the monthly salary and allowance of an inner disciple, perhaps because she was seriously injured, including several healing and qi-replenishing pills.
Sheng Zhiyi took the pill, sat cross-legged on the bed, and circulated the medicinal effects through her meridians.
Not long after, there was a knock on the door.
Only she and Ji Fuguang were on Shuanghua Peak. Could it be Ji Fuguang?
Sheng Zhiyi walked to the door and opened it, "Senior brother..."
Before he could finish speaking, he saw a figure outside the door and said with some surprise, "Elder Chen."
Chen Huaiyu was still dressed in the same outfit as on the competition field, but this time she was carrying a gourd of wine.
Seeing Sheng Zhiyi's expression, she leaned down and laughed heartily:
"What, are you surprised?"
"Elder Chen, please come in quickly." Sheng Zhiyi hurriedly invited her in.
Chen Huaiyu didn't stand on ceremony and strode into the room, sitting down at the table.
"Elder Chen, what brings you here?" Sheng Zhiyi sat down opposite her, looking at her with some confusion.
Chen Huaiyu isn't the type to wander around aimlessly, so why would he suddenly come to see her? He must have something important to discuss.
Upon hearing this, Chen Huaiyu nodded solemnly, "Sheng Zhiyi."
She addressed him by his full name, and Sheng Zhiyi immediately straightened up, her expression serious.
“I do have something important to tell you, look.” Chen Huaiyu said solemnly, placing his fist in front of Sheng Zhiyi.
Sheng Zhiyi frowned slightly, lowered her head, and stared at her palm.
He suddenly opened his fingers, revealing several fragrant pills rolling in his palm.
Chen Huaiyu laughed heartily: "I was just kidding. This is the Turtle-Snake Spirit Purple Saint Pill, a gift for you. Eat it quickly."
Sheng Zhiyi's tension vanished instantly, and she looked up, feeling both amused and annoyed:
"Elder Chen, what are you doing, bringing me medicine all this way?"
Before she could refuse, Chen Huaiyu grabbed her hand and placed the pill in her palm, his voice carrying a hint of nonchalance:
"You were so badly injured during the competition, and it's partly my fault. The medicine the sect gave you wasn't effective enough, so you just suffered for nothing. Take this, and you'll recover immediately."
Sheng Zhiyi wanted to refuse, but she also sensed pure kindness from Chen Huaiyu.
Chen Huaiyu gave her a spiritual medicine that cost one hundred spirit stones per pill simply because he wanted to give it to her; he didn't do it for anything else.
She thought for a moment, smiled, put the pill in her mouth, and swallowed it.
"Then, thank you very much, Elder Chen."
Seeing her so straightforward, Chen Huaiyu seemed to be deep in thought.
"I think I know why you were able to create your own sword techniques."
"...Why?" Sheng Zhiyi pressed.
She herself didn't know the reason. Did Chen Huaiyu have some brilliant idea?
Chen Huaiyu shrugged and smiled at Sheng Zhiyi.
"How simple it is, don't let external things bother your mind."
Sheng Zhiyi smiled slightly and spoke with a hint of smugness.
"Elder Chen, you're wrong. I'm very internally drained."
"Really?" Chen Huaiyu raised an eyebrow.
She wasn't angry when she was contradicted to her face; instead, she seemed quite excited.
“Yes, I’m currently pondering what the rules are for taking on an inner disciple.” Sheng Zhiyi looked at Chen Huaiyu and smiled, “Elder Chen, do you know?”
Chen Huaiyu looked up at her, tapped his finger on the table, and said lazily:
"So that's what it is. No wonder you were worried."
Worry?
Sheng Zhiyi's doubts deepened, and she couldn't help but lean forward slightly.
Chen Huaiyu, holding his wine gourd, poured himself a cup of wine, and slowly said, "..."
"Actually, the process of becoming an apprentice in the inner sect is no different from that in the outer sect at the beginning. It's just a matter of etiquette such as offering tea and kneeling in worship."
Many outer disciples, unable to enter the inner sect, would become disciples of outer sect instructors. These rules were not secrets, and Sheng Zhiyi was naturally aware of them.
"However, many elders in the inner sect have profound cultivation and often need to go into seclusion to cultivate. During seclusion, they are oblivious to the cold and heat and the passage of time, and it is impossible to say how long it will take."
A sudden thought flashed through Sheng Zhiyi's mind, and she pressed on with the question:
"So...they can't become apprentices?"
Chen Huaiyu rested his chin on his hand and swirled his wine glass. "Although it is theoretically impossible to become an apprentice, in practice, many people use another method to take on apprentices on behalf of their masters."
Taking on apprentices on behalf of the master...
Everyone knows that the sect leader of Tianyan Sect has been in seclusion for many years, so... does that mean Ji Fuguang is going to take on disciples on behalf of his master?
"...But since it's not a true apprenticeship, the connection between master and disciple is insufficient. Therefore, the ceremony of accepting a disciple on behalf of the master often requires both people to kneel down and drink nuptial wine infused with each other's spiritual power."
Nuptial wine?!
Sheng Zhiyi suddenly stood up, staring at Chen Huaiyu in disbelief.
The nuptial wine, isn't that the wine that newlyweds drink together during their wedding, symbolizing their eternal union?
In your cultivation world, it's just a matter of becoming a disciple, why make such a big deal out of it!
Chen Huaiyu laughed out loud, shaking his wine glass.
"What, is it as you predicted?"
She paused, then said with a slightly more serious tone:
"When a senior disciple accepts a disciple on behalf of his master, the senior brother or sister must establish a relationship with the person seeking to become his disciple that goes beyond that of fellow disciples. They are both teacher and friend, and their connection is deeper than that of other people, incomparable to ordinary relationships. It is normal to have such a ceremony."
Sheng Zhiyi realized her loss of composure and almost slumped back into her chair, her fingertips icy cold.
Chen Huaiyu's explanation was reasonable; she understood the symbolic meaning of the ceremony, but...
Nuptial wine?
And Ji Fuguang?
These words struck her chest, and she felt her heart pounding wildly, taking over her entire being.
Even when Chen Huaiyu got up to say goodbye, Sheng Zhiyi seemed somewhat lost in thought.
Chen Huaiyu raised his cup with a carefree air, drank the last drop of wine, and left.
On a bright and sunny late spring day, Chen Huaiyu walked briskly along the path on Shuanghua Peak.
The fragrant wine she had just drunk made her feel good.
A graceful figure, as delicate as a pear blossom, appeared at the bend in the mountain path ahead.
Ji Fuguang stood with his hands behind his back, seemingly having just returned from handling affairs in the main hall of the sect. His moon-white robe was spotless in the late spring sunlight, and he lightly tapped his palm with his folding fan, displaying a composed demeanor.
When he saw Chen Huaiyu, a perfectly timed smile appeared on his face:
Elder Chen.
Chen Huaiyu stopped and shook the empty wine gourd in his hand with a graceful gesture: "The spirit wine you wanted is at the door."
Ji Fuguang nodded slightly, "This time, I'll have to trouble Elder Chen."
Chen Huaiyu waved his hand dismissively, "It's nothing. I told you before that I owe you a favor. If you feel bad about it, go down the mountain in a few days to do your inner sect mission and find me some good wine."
“Of course,” Ji Fuguang agreed with a smile.
“What’s more…” Chen Huaiyu stroked his chin, pondering, “Sheng Zhiyi really exceeded my expectations, and she’s quite interesting. I like her quite a bit.”
She looked at Ji Fuguang, a hint of appreciation in her eyes, "Once she recovers, how about she stays at my cave for a few days? Her double waves are really interesting."
If we're talking about exquisite swordsmanship, Chen Huaiyu is undoubtedly the best in the Tianyan Sect.
Seeing Sheng Zhiyi's talent this time, I couldn't help but feel itchy to spar with her a few times.
Ji Fuguang's eyes darkened slightly, then he raised the corners of his lips, revealing a gentle, spring-like smile.
"In a few days, I will be going down the mountain to complete my inner sect mission, which is quite unfortunate."
Chen Huaiyu was stunned for a moment before realizing his implied meaning, and exclaimed in surprise:
"Ji Fuguang, you even take her with you when you do missions? You care about Sheng Zhiyi way too much."
Take it to heart?
The word was like a fine needle, gently piercing Ji Fuguang's ear. The gentle smile on his lips froze instantly, and the warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by a deep, cold abyss. A barely perceptible irritation and annoyance swept through his heart.
Chen Huaiyu actually used such words to describe his attitude towards Sheng Zhiyi?
This is utterly absurd!
His voice remained clear and steady, even somewhat nonchalant, but upon closer listening, a subtle coldness could be detected.
"Elder Chen is joking. As an inner disciple, it is Sheng Zhiyi's duty to complete the inner sect tasks. With the sect leader in seclusion, it is my responsibility as the senior disciple to supervise and teach her. It is not something I can shirk. How can you say I am concerned?"
Chen Huaiyu seemed to have taken his words to heart and nodded.
"Let's talk about it when you get back."
She lazily flew away on her sword.
On Shuanghua Peak, Ji Fuguang's expression grew increasingly cold and stern.
Chen Huaiyu's astonishment echoed in his mind, followed by a cold laugh.
Take it to heart?
It seems that Chen Huaiyu drank too much and became mentally confused. How utterly absurd!
Feelings and concern have long since disappeared from his life.
Everything he did was merely a responsibility that came with his identity as the "Chief of the Heavenly Evolution Sect," nothing more.
It seems that his leniency led others to have unnecessary misconceptions.
To him, Sheng Zhiyi was merely a disciple who needed strict discipline, nothing more.
With a slight exertion of his long fingers, the fan ribs emitted a barely audible creak, and a cold glint flashed in Ji Fuguang's eyes.
Now……
It's time to make her realize her place more clearly.
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