Chapter 53 This wine contains the essence of our spiritual energy...
A spring breeze caresses your face in the mountain stream.
The serene shadows of the trees fall upon the window frame, swaying gently in the mountain breeze.
Sheng Zhiyi sat on the bed, meditating and regulating her breathing. The medicinal power of the elixir in her body circulated powerfully, rapidly repairing her damaged meridians and bringing a warm and comfortable feeling.
However, this comfort was soon overwhelmed by another, more intense emotion.
The "rules for becoming an apprentice" that Ji Fuguang repeatedly mentioned were actually like this!
Unable to concentrate any longer, Sheng Zhiyi stood up and paced back and forth in the room.
Actually, she saw it.
When I saw Chen Huaiyu off just now, I caught a glimpse of a jar of spirit wine placed at the entrance of the main courtyard.
This must be the nuptial bar that Chen Huaiyu mentioned.
nuptial wine...
The thought of this word made her even more restless. She walked around the room twice and happened to come to the copper basin, so she decided to wash her hands.
Looking down, she saw her cheeks flushed in the shimmering water, her eyes showing both nervousness and a hint of... anticipation?
?
Sheng Zhiyi!
what's on your mind?
This is clearly a customary rule in the cultivation world, not something Ji Fuguang made unilaterally.
Moreover, Chen Huaiyu made it very clear that this ceremony was to strengthen the connection between them, and had no other meaning whatsoever.
That's true. The master-disciple relationship is the most important in the cultivation world. The matter of a master accepting a disciple on behalf of another is naturally very serious and requires a special ceremony.
Ji Fuguang was willing to do this simply because he was his senior brother, who was upright, responsible, and had a strong sense of righteousness.
There was a gentle knock on the door.
"Come in." Sheng Zhiyi cast a calming spell on herself to suppress her turbulent emotions, and tried to keep her voice as steady as possible.
The door opened, and a moon-white robe came into view.
Ji Fuguang stood at the doorway, backlit, his face hidden in the shadows, his expression indistinct, only his tall and upright silhouette remaining.
He held an antique sandalwood tray in his hands, on which sat two small, exquisite jade cups, each half-filled with a clear, bright liquid that emitted a delicate fragrance mixed with pear blossoms.
"Junior Sister," his voice was as clear and gentle as ever, without the slightest hint of emotion, "Regarding the matter of becoming a disciple, Master is in seclusion, so everything will be kept simple, but the proper etiquette cannot be neglected. Come with me to perform the initiation ceremony."
Sheng Zhiyi's heart skipped a beat. It's here.
but……
This time, Ji Fuguang did not mention the "nuptial wine" or "accepting disciples on behalf of the master," but only used the most ordinary "entry ceremony."
"Okay, okay... I understand."
She didn't ask any more questions and followed Ji Fuguang silently out of the courtyard.
Only the wind knew that her heartbeat was growing increasingly noisy, making the summit of Frostflower Peak seem excessively quiet.
Sheng Zhiyi followed Ji Fuguang to the main courtyard.
Deep within the courtyard, a side hall that is usually tightly closed is now wide open.
The interior of the hall was dimly lit, and the air was filled with the cool scent of sandalwood and the faint aroma of spirit wine, creating an atmosphere that made one's heart flutter slightly.
The interior of the hall was extremely simple, with only a small table on which a strange token was enshrined.
The token was neither gold nor jade; it was entirely black, yet it shimmered with a faint golden luster. Upon closer inspection, several words were engraved on it: "Tianyan Sect Leader's Token."
Sheng Zhiyi was secretly surprised.
During the sect leader's seclusion, the person holding the sect leader's token can act on his behalf, making it the undisputed treasure of the Tianyan Sect.
She originally thought that when she became an apprentice, he might bring some of the sect leader's personal magical treasures, such as a crown or outer robe... but she never expected that Ji Fuguang would actually bring out the sect leader's token.
Just how much power does he wield in the Tianyan Sect...?
Before she could think any further, Ji Fuguang placed the wooden tray on the table and turned to face Sheng Zhiyi.
"Our sect leader is in seclusion, so I will take on the responsibility of accepting disciples on his behalf."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a heavy, penetrating power, clearly echoing throughout the hall. Along with it came his icy will, which desperately needed to be vented.
"This is the ceremony of the inner sect of Tianyan Sect accepting disciples on behalf of their master. Drinking this spiritual wine will cause our spiritual energy to merge, and from then on, we will have a master-disciple relationship, which is incomparable to ordinary fellow disciples."
His gaze fell on Sheng Zhiyi's face. Her phoenix eyes, which always held a hint of a smile, were now as deep as a cold pool, clearly reflecting her slightly surprised face.
The look in his eyes had lost its former casualness, replaced by solemnity and majesty.
"Senior brother..."
Sheng Zhiyi spoke subconsciously, keenly noticing that Ji Fuguang's demeanor was completely different from before.
"Kneel down."
Ji Fuguang's voice suddenly deepened, interrupting her before she could finish speaking.
These two words were no longer spoken in the gentle tone of a senior, but carried the unquestionable command of a superior.
An invisible pressure suddenly descended, not a direct suppression of spiritual power, but one that weighed more heavily on Sheng Zhiyi's heart than spiritual power.
She looked up and met Ji Fuguang's cold, deep eyes, like an icy plain swept by a cold wind, leaving no room for maneuver.
Sheng Zhiyi bit her lower lip, her body stiffening as she slowly bent her knees and knelt on the rather thin futon.
Ji Fuguang also knelt down beside her, his moon-white robes spreading out like clouds, his movements carrying a cold sense of ritual.
The two knelt side by side in front of the sect leader's token, so close that Sheng Zhiyi could smell the crisp pear blossom scent on him and feel the aggressive sense of control emanating from him.
Ji Fuguang picked up two jade cups and handed one of them to Sheng Zhiyi. His fingertips brushed against the back of her hand unintentionally, the touch was icy cold, like snake scales.
Sheng Zhiyi took the wine glass, her fingers trembling slightly, and the spirit wine in the glass swayed gently.
Ji Fuguang extended one finger, and with his other hand, his fingers were like a knife. A faint light flashed at the tip of his finger, and he gently made a cut. A drop of bright red blood seeped out and fell into the clear wine in Sheng Zhiyi's cup, instantly spreading out like a grain of cinnabar thrown into a cold pool.
Sheng Zhiyi followed suit, pricking her fingertip and dripping blood into Ji Fuguang's cup.
"Look at me." Ji Fuguang's calm voice rang in her ear, deep and clear, "This wine contains the essence of our spiritual energy. Drink it, and a spiritual bond will be formed. From now on, you will be a disciple of Shuanghua Peak. You should abide by the sect rules and respect your master's orders."
His gaze was fixed on her, like shackles forged from cold iron, leaving her no room to escape.
His eyes were unfathomable, devoid of any trace of his former gentle smile, leaving only pure control.
He saw the surprise and confusion flash in Sheng Zhiyi's eyes, and a barely perceptible sense of irritation swept through his heart, as if he were trying to drive away some unwanted thoughts.
As long as Sheng Zhiyi does as he asks, everything will return to normal; she is just the junior sister he controls.
When Sheng Zhiyi met his gaze, her heart pounded wildly in her chest, almost bursting out of her throat.
The ceremony was completely different from what she had imagined.
and……
Countless questions welled up in her mind.
Chen Huaiyu only said that they should drink the nuptial wine, but did they really need to drip each other's blood?
She clearly became a disciple of the sect leader, which should be the Tianyan Peak sect, so why did Ji Fuguang say it was Shuanghua Peak?
Ji Fuguang was merely accepting disciples on behalf of his master, but his words sounded as if he were asking the disciple to become his disciple.
...
Too many chaotic thoughts filled her mind, and Sheng Zhiyi couldn't help but lower her eyes, but her gaze faltered.
Ji Fuguang had a "Snowflake Shining at Night" tucked diagonally into his waistband, and a crooked, crudely made sachet hanging below his folding fan.
It was a fan pendant that she sewed herself and gave to him.
It's really ugly, and it doesn't match Ji Fuguang's entire appearance at all.
But he kept wearing it...
Sheng Zhiyi took a deep breath, her almond-shaped eyes revealing a determined look.
What else is there to think about? Her mission still depends on Ji Fuguang, so she has to agree no matter what!
Sheng Zhiyi took the initiative to extend her arm, passing it through Ji Fuguang's arm, and made a gesture of husband and wife sharing a cup.
Her movements were silently blocked by a gentle yet extremely firm spiritual barrier.
Sheng Zhiyi looked up in confusion, but Ji Fuguang didn't look at her. His voice was somewhat cold and hard, with a hint of barely perceptible irritation.
"The essence of etiquette lies in the heart, not in its outward form."
Perhaps because the effects of the pills had not been fully absorbed, Sheng Zhiyi felt a sudden tightness in her chest.
If we don't need to exchange cups, then we don't need to. Does she care?!
She rolled her eyes inwardly.
Lowering her head, Sheng Zhiyi brought the cool rim of the glass to her lips. The spicy yet refreshing liquor slid down her throat, carrying a strange warmth that instantly spread throughout her body.
At the same time, a cold and domineering yet strangely familiar spiritual power, like a fine net, quietly entered her meridians along with the wine, intertwining with her spiritual root, as if leaving an invisible mark.
The wine is finished.
Ji Fuguang calmly put down the jade cup. Within his body, the faint spiritual energy of Sheng Zhiyi had long been completely annihilated by the surging spiritual power.
The familiar sense of control returned to his body, and with a slight flick of his finger, he immediately felt the pulsation of Sheng Zhiyi's moss-like spiritual root.
Like a heart tightly bound by silk threads, a slight tightening could control her life or death.
She herself, however, remained completely oblivious, her face serious.
Ji Fuguang stood up and looked down at Sheng Zhiyi, who was still kneeling.
Sunlight streamed in from outside the hall, illuminating half of his profile, revealing unparalleled handsomeness, yet also a distant and aloof air.
He finally curled his lips into a smile that carried a hint of coldness.
"The ceremony is over."
Sheng Zhiyi felt the warmth from the wine quickly fade away, leaving only the chilling spiritual energy imprint in her meridians, reminding her of everything that had just happened.
"From this day forward, you shall strictly adhere to the duties of a disciple." Ji Fuguang's voice softened slightly, yet it still carried an air of authority. "Shuanghua Peak has strict rules, and you shall not disobey any of my orders. If there is any misconduct, you shall be dealt with according to the sect's rules."
...
It sounds like there's a hint of ulterior motive involved.
Sheng Zhiyi muttered to herself, but replied aloud, "Yes... Senior Brother."
Ji Fuguang seemed satisfied with her compliance; the coldness in his eyes faded, but his expression became even more profound.
He lowered his head and looked down at Sheng Zhiyi, like a statue of a deity sitting high in the hall, exuding a distant gentleness.
"Three days from now, come down the mountain with me to handle an inner sect mission. This journey will be dangerous and will be your first test after entering the sect. Prepare well and do not disappoint me."
Instead of handing the rolled-up mission scroll to Sheng Zhiyi, he threw it down, the bamboo slip rolling to the edge of the prayer mat and touching Sheng Zhiyi's fingers.
Ji Fuguang added again, "For the next three days, stay on the summit for quiet meditation and to study the mission. If there's nothing else, you don't need to leave the courtyard."
After saying that, he took back the sect leader's token from the incense table, and his moon-white figure walked straight out of the side hall, disappearing into the dazzling sunlight.
Inside the hall, only Sheng Zhiyi remained, kneeling on a thin futon, the air still filled with the scents of wine and pear blossoms.
She stood up and looked at Ji Fuguang's departing figure.
His brows furrowed slowly.
What illness has struck the young master again?
Within the Tianyan Sect, who else could offend him?
Good heavens, I did want an upright and serious senior brother, but this has suddenly become too serious.
Sheng Zhiyi knew that pondering it was useless, so she simply bent down, picked up the mission scroll, and unfolded it to read it.
The more he looked, the more serious his expression became, and a strange thought gradually arose in his mind.
Ji Fuguang sent her to complete this task...
Could it be that they're planning to take this opportunity to get rid of her?!
Don't do that!
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