CHAPTER 157: CHAPTER 25: THE MASTER-ACCEPTING CEREMONY

Rong Ye was almost driven to fury by Chen Jiawei. He felt that Chen Jiawei’s mind was different from ordinary people. If she liked him, then so be it; after all, he didn’t like her. But what was her problem with troubling Gu Qingqing?

"Fifth Senior Brother, don’t be angry. You all shouldn’t forget that I’m not someone who can be easily bullied." Seeing Rong Ye’s frustrated and gloomy look, Gu Qingqing patted his shoulder and said, "Alright, let’s not talk about her anymore. I think this time she’ll learn her lesson and won’t dare to bother me again. Let’s talk about something else."

Gu Qingqing didn’t have any particular feelings towards Chen Jiawei. Unlike Si Lin and the others who were quite agitated, she was rather calm and just changed the subject directly.

Si Lin and the others understood Gu Qingqing’s intention and cooperated, and soon they stopped dwelling on the matter concerning Chen Jiawei.

...

On the eighth day of the month, the weather was great, the sky was clear and bright.

Early in the morning, the entire Lingxi Sacred Land became lively. The apprenticeship ceremony was held in the main building, the Lingxi Hall, and people flooded into the hall to watch the ceremony. Friends naturally gathered together to chat, while strangers used the opportunity to talk to those they wanted to befriend. The hall was bustling with activity.

Wen Guiyun rarely wore such a luxurious ceremonial robe today. The robe was vermilion, made of the best cloud-weave brocade in the Sub-immortal Realm, with golden and silver threads embroidered in the pattern of the word "Ling," symbolizing the Lingxi Sacred Land. The sleeves were wide, giving an ethereal feel.

He was already very handsome, and the outfit completely eradicated his scholarly aura, replacing it with a sense of authority that made it hard for people to look him in the eye.

Yet his smile softened the sternness, making him appear somewhat approachable.

As the Saint Master, there were very few people who could receive personal hospitality from him, apart from Jun Wu’s father, Jun Yutian, and the Saint Master of another sacred land, Bai Changtai of the White Tiger Sacred Land.

On the other side, Gu Qingqing was also dressed in luxurious attire, but her robe was white, with the word "Ling" outlined in gold thread, making the entire dress look very opulent.

She rarely wore makeup, and on her head was the Phoenix Head Hairpin that Jun Wu had given her, appearing both noble and beautiful, like a real fairy, astonishing those who saw her for the first time.

"Is this the closed-door disciple that Master Wen is taking in? So beautiful?"

"If I weren’t afraid of offending Master Wen and stirring dislike from the Lingxi Sacred Land, I’d want to ask if Master Wen chooses disciples based on looks? How come all his disciples are so good-looking?"

"Master Wen is holding such a high-profile ceremony for her, it seems her status in his heart is extraordinary. Will he pass on the position of the Saint Master to her in the future?"

"Can’t be, right? Aren’t there also Young Master Si Lin and the others? They’re quite good too!"

"Speaking of which, Master Wen regards this Miss Gu so highly, don’t Young Master Si Lin and the others have any objections?"

"Haven’t you heard? Young Master Si Lin and the others are very good to Miss Gu. Just recently, they were seen strolling the market together. Many people saw the usually cold Young Master Si Lin smiling at Miss Gu, Young Master Yue Zhao helping her tidy her robe, and even Young Master Rong Ye, who usually dislikes women, buying things to make her happy. It shows their relation is very good!"

"No wonder I saw Young Master Si Lin and the others happily entertaining guests just now, turns out they also regard this Miss Gu very highly!"

"I wonder what fortune this Miss Gu has, to be so highly regarded by Master Wen and treated so well by them!"

"Who knows?"

"..."

Similar discussions echoed in various corners of the hall. People in the Sub-immortal Realm knew very little about Gu Qingqing, and Wen Guiyun’s high-profile actions filled them with curiosity about her, leading them to speculate about her. Fortunately, Gu Qingqing was long used to it, otherwise, she might not have handled it so well.

In one corner, Lin Xian’er and Zhao Yan were watching Gu Qingqing, their expressions not pleasant.

"Senior Sister Lin, I heard that yesterday Chen Jiawei sent a lot of things to Gu Qingqing, but she refused them, and yet Chen Jiawei didn’t get angry." Zhao Yan, who had been in the Lingxi Sacred Land for many years and knew many people, was well-informed. Seeing Lin Xian’er so concerned about Gu Qingqing, she quickly relayed the information she had gathered to Lin Xian’er.

"Why didn’t Chen Jiawei trouble Gu Qingqing?" Lin Xian’er watched Si Lin introducing people to Gu Qingqing and taking care of her attentively, the usual smile vanishing from her face, and she frowned as she asked.

"I heard she did attempt it, but the Saint Master was present and very angry, intimidating Chen Jiawei with his pressure, so she didn’t dare." A hint of jealousy flickered in Zhao Yan’s eyes. Wen Guiyun and the others treated Gu Qingqing too well; who wouldn’t want to be constantly protected? Naturally, Zhao Yan was very envious of Gu Qingqing.

Hearing this, a trace of anger flashed in Lin Xian’er’s eyes, "Truly useless!"

She originally planned for Chen Jiawei to trouble Gu Qingqing. She knew some of Chen Jiawei’s methods; even if Gu Qingqing got hurt, considering Chen Jiawei’s status, there was not much the Saint Master and others could do. Who knew Chen Jiawei would be so ineffectual, challenging Gu Qingqing right in front of the Saint Master? Wasn’t that courting death?

Zhao Yan had the same thought as Lin Xian’er, feeling Chen Jiawei was brainless, but she didn’t voice it out.

"I refuse to believe the Saint Master will always regard her so highly!" Lin Xian’er wanted to act herself, but her long-cultivated image in the Lingxi Sacred Land and her status wouldn’t allow her to do so, not unless she wanted to leave the Lingxi Sacred Land! She could only say with hatred.

Zhao Yan said nothing, just nodded, clearly agreeing with Lin Xian’er’s view.

The two watched for a long time until they were called away by fellow disciples passing by.

Gu Qingqing naturally had no idea what Lin Xian’er and the others were thinking. Even if she knew, she wouldn’t care. She was introduced to quite a few people by Si Lin. Of course, given her current status, she didn’t need to please these people; some would naturally try to please her. Nonetheless, she emulated Yue Zhao, maintaining a smile and concealing her true thoughts.

When the auspicious hour arrived, Yue Zhao straightened Gu Qingqing’s clothes and then asked her to stand at the door.

When the master of ceremonies announced that the apprenticeship ceremony was beginning, Gu Qingqing, under the watchful eyes of all, approached Wen Guiyun, kneeling on both knees.

"Gu Qingqing, are you willing to become my disciple?" Wen Guiyun looked at Gu Qingqing, his gaze gentle. His deep voice, amplified by Spiritual Power, resonated throughout the grand hall.

"I am willing!" Gu Qingqing said with her head lowered, her tone firm.

"Good, from this day forth, you are my sixth disciple!" Wen Guiyun announced with a smile, his voice deep.

"Disciple Gu Qingqing greets Master!" Gu Qingqing said, then paid her respects to Wen Guiyun with the ceremonial three bows and nine kowtows.

Wen Guiyun received Gu Qingqing’s salute with a smile, satisfaction written all over his face.

After paying her respects, Gu Qingqing needed to make a Heart Demon vow.

"Disciple Gu Qingqing, willing to be the disciple of the Spirit Fox Saint Master, from this day forward, I solemnly vow to obey the Master’s commands and never betray the sect. Otherwise, I will be plagued by a Heart Demon and forever unable to ascend!" Her expression was serious, her tone resolute and earnest.

After making the Heart Demon vow, the last step was to offer tea.

Rong Ye approached Gu Qingqing with a tray. Gu Qingqing picked up a teacup from it and offered it to Wen Guiyun with both hands.

Wen Guiyun accepted it with a smile, and instead of just taking a symbolic sip, he drank the entire cup in one go, astonishing those witnessing the ceremony. Just how pleased must he be with his disciple!

After offering tea, the apprenticeship ceremony came to an end. From this day forth, everyone knew that Gu Qingqing was Wen Guiyun’s disciple. Anyone wishing to wrong Gu Qingqing would first have to consider whether they could contend with Wen Guiyun!

Afterwards, like a typical banquet, everyone engaged in conversation. Gu Qingqing, led by Nan Hua, mingled with some young people.

Previously assigned by Yue Zhao to introduce friends to Gu Qingqing, Nan Hua couldn’t let this opportunity slip by, dragging Gu Qingqing through the crowd, leaving her dazzled.

Taking advantage of Nan Hua’s inattention, Gu Qingqing slipped outside the grand hall. Jun Wu, who had been keeping an eye on her, immediately followed.

"Qingqing, why did you come out here?" Jun Wu walked to Gu Qingqing’s side, sitting on a nearby chair, and asked.

"Senior Brother Nan kept introducing me to those young disciples. My face is about to freeze from smiling." Gu Qingqing grumbled unhappily.

Seeing Gu Qingqing so adorable, Jun Wu couldn’t help but chuckle. "You know, everyone else wants to meet more people, make more friends, but you don’t care about such things."

"Of course not, I’m just a bit tired." Gu Qingqing stubbornly refused to admit she didn’t care, glaring at Jun Wu.

"Alright, you’re not. So, do you want something to eat?" Jun Wu quickly raised his hands in surrender.

"What kind of food?" Gu Qingqing looked at Jun Wu curiously.

"Hmm, snacks?" Jun Wu took out a wooden box from the Qiankun Ring and handed it to Gu Qingqing.

When Gu Qingqing opened it, she found four beautifully crafted peach blossom cakes inside, instantly lighting up her eyes. "Peach blossom cakes, I love them."

As she spoke, she took one and began to enjoy it happily.

"Is it good?" Jun Wu asked nervously.

"Yes, yes, it’s delicious." Gu Qingqing nodded fervently.

"Then eat slowly. If you like it, I’ll make more next time." Jun Wu was instantly delighted and said with a smile.

"Did you make it?" Gu Qingqing was very surprised, momentarily forgetting her snack.

Jun Wu really didn’t seem like someone who could make snacks; can you imagine Jun Wu busy in the kitchen?

Jun Wu nodded, "Why not? If Si Lin and the others can do it, why can’t I?"

He’s been thinking about making food for Gu Qingqing for a long time, and now that he finally had the chance, how could he not seize it?

"Of course, you’re the best!" Gu Qingqing quickly praised, fearing Jun Wu would get angry and not make peach blossom cakes for her again.