“Disciple Jiang Lu, where are you?”
As the Grand Elder's voice fell, Qin Yan'er and several other disciples led Jiang Lu into the hall from the side.
The group bowed to those on the main seats before stepping back to either side, revealing Jiang Lu behind them.
Jiang Lu took a step forward, cupping her hands in a bow. She lowered her head slightly and spoke in a clear, cool voice, “This disciple is here.”
Upon seeing this, the crowd began to whisper among themselves.
“With her late-stage Qi Condensation strength, she doesn't seem to have anything special about her.”
“Perhaps she has some divine ability. Looking at her clear and bright expression, she's definitely not simple.”
“Shh, let's keep watching.”
Outside the hall, the crowd watched the scene in the spiritual mirror, discussing in low voices or muttering to themselves.
“This is...!”
Fu Yao and the others widened their eyes as they stared at the figure in the spiritual mirror. Wasn't that Junior Sister Jiang?
How did she become a disciple of the Medicine King Pavilion?
“Master...”
In a slight panic, she turned to look at her master.
However, she saw that her master's expression was calm, showing no surprise whatsoever.
A gleam flashed in her eyes. Given the relationship between her master and Elder Ye, could it be that he had known about this all along?
“Second Senior Brother, Third Senior Brother, isn't that Junior Sister Jiang?”
Liu Qingqing raised an eyebrow, glanced at Fu Yao, and leaned in to whisper to the two.
“Shh.”
Lu Lingfeng immediately stopped her from speaking further. When Eldest Senior Sister had brought Junior Sister Jiang back that day, they had met with Master.
Master hadn't said anything, which meant there were things they didn't know. It was best not to discuss it right now.
He transmitted his analysis to Liu Qingqing and Xi Siyu. Elder Ye Qing was not one to be trifled with, so they shouldn't gossip too much.
Hearing this, the two of them also knew how Ye Qing operated. They exchanged a glance and shut their mouths, though they still stared at the spiritual mirror with curious expressions.
A celestial attendant brought over a jade tray containing three cups of clear tea.
Jiang Lu dropped to her knees, picked up the first cup of tea, and raised it above her head with both hands, respectfully presenting it to Ye Qing.
“Disciple Jiang Lu pays respects to Master. From this day forth, I am willing to follow Master in cultivation, abide by the pavilion's rules, concentrate on the Dao, and never fail to live up to your guidance.”
Ye Qing took the tea cup, took a sip, and then placed it back onto another celestial attendant's jade tray.
He took out a natal jade plaque engraved with elixir veins and gently placed it in her palm.
“By entering my lineage, I shall teach you the Dao of Elixirs and defensive techniques. If you ever face doubts on your path in the future, you may seek me out. Remember this: never forget your original heart.”
Jiang Lu accepted it with both hands, her gaze resolute.
“This disciple obeys.”
Jiang Lu rose in accordance with the sect's etiquette, placed the jade plaque onto the celestial attendant's tray behind her, and picked up the second cup of spiritual tea with both hands before slowly walking up the high platform.
Facing the Pavilion Master, Ye Qingluan, who sat right in the center, she bent her knees slightly, bowed, and offered the tea. She raised the cup to her brow, her posture exceptionally respectful.
“Disciple Jiang Lu pays respects to the Pavilion Master. From now on, I will strictly abide by the pavilion's rules and not fail to live up to the Medicine King Pavilion's nurturing.”
Ye Qingluan's expression was serene as she reached out to take the clear tea and sipped it. Setting the cup down, she raised her hand to bestow a warm, smooth Herb Jade Pendant.
“This jade pendant contains three strands of my divine sense, which can withstand three fatal blows from any cultivator below the Void Refinement realm. I hope it will protect you on your path of cultivation.”
Jiang Lu bowed and accepted it.
“This disciple obeys.”
Hearing this, the cultivators could not help but be greatly shocked. Pavilion Master Ye was indeed incredibly generous.
Jiang Lu turned back to take the third cup of clear tea, walked over to the Grand Elder standing beside her, and offered it with a lowered head.
“This disciple pays respects to the Grand Elder. If I have any doubts in my future cultivation, I hope the Grand Elder will offer much guidance.”
The Grand Elder nodded with satisfaction, took the tea cup with a smile, and drank it. She nodded in approval and also gave Jiang Lu a life-saving jade pendant, expressing her hope that Jiang Lu would dedicate herself to cultivation.
She turned to look at Ye Qing, her gaze earnest and her tone carrying a bit more solemn advice as she slowly continued:
“Elder Ye, your disciple Jiang Lu has a pure constitution, extraordinary talent, a pure and steady character, and a firm, clear Dao Heart. She always holds a sincere reverence for the path of cultivation and is by no means impetuous or opportunistic.
“Her character, comprehension, and perseverance are all top-notch. She is a rare talent to be molded, fully worthy of inheriting your mantle and carrying on your Daoist legacy.
“Today's apprenticeship ceremony is a heaven-sent opportunity and a grand event for our sect. Since you have resolved to take Jiang Lu as your direct disciple, you must abide by the duties of a master. Henceforth, you must teach her with all your heart, impart everything you know, guide her onto the right path, teach her your Daoist methods, and shape her Dao Heart.
“The affinity between master and disciple is determined by heaven. Once the master-disciple bond is sealed, it lasts a lifetime. From now on, you must protect her cultivation, supervise her progress, shoulder the responsibility of preaching and teaching, and shield the younger generation. You must absolutely not be negligent or careless.”
Ye Qing stood up, his eyes clear and his expression solemn. He bowed to the Grand Elder and spoke with a firm tone:
“I understand. I will certainly shoulder the responsibilities of a master and protect her cultivation.”
The Grand Elder nodded, her expression softening as she turned to bow toward Ye Qingluan on the main seat.
“Reporting to the Pavilion Master, the disciple Jiang Lu has made her resolve clear. Please grant your instructions, Pavilion Master.”
Ye Qingluan nodded slightly and stood up, her voice gentle yet majestic:
“Excellent!
“Accepting a disciple today is not merely a personal matter, but a major event for the legacy of our pavilion. Being a direct disciple is both an honor and a responsibility. I hope you will remain diligent and untiring, becoming a pillar of our sect soon.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Lu stood quietly with a lowered head and immediately complied.
Beside her, Ye Qing's expression was gentle as he quietly waited for what was to follow.
Seeing this, Ye Qingluan raised her hand and lightly swept her wide sleeve, dispersing the milky-white spiritual mist swirling at the back of the hall. Behind it, several ancient, majestic statues and memorial tablets of the ancestors slowly revealed themselves.
A faint, ancient spiritual light flowed around the golden statues. With solemn features, they were all ancestors of the pavilion from past generations, quietly looking down upon everyone in the hall.
She raised her hands to bow to the golden statues, then straightened her back. Her voice, solemn and majestic, echoed throughout the spacious hall:
“Now that the two of you have established your master-disciple relationship, step forward and swear an oath before the statues of our ancestors. Inform the ancestors, declare your master-disciple covenant, and vow to abide by the morals of master and disciple in this lifetime, never failing to live up to the grace of being taught.”
Having said this, she stepped aside.
Ye Qing stepped forward and took a lotus lamp from a celestial attendant. The lotus lamp was entirely jade-green. He carved Jiang Lu's name upon it, and the lotus lamp instantly floated between the two of them.
Jiang Lu nodded and took a step forward. Raising her hand slightly, a drop of bright red blood emerged from her fingertip and fell into the lotus lamp.
The lotus lamp suddenly flashed with light and slowly floated beneath the stone statues, settling steadily right below Ye Qing's lotus lamp.
From this moment on, Jiang Lu's identity as Ye Qing's eldest direct disciple became known to all.
Ye Qingluan took a few steps forward and turned to face the numerous cultivators outside the hall, her voice carrying a deep resonance:
“With Elder Ye Qing accepting his direct disciple Jiang Lu into our Medicine King Pavilion lineage today, harmony must be the priority among fellow disciples. You must not harbor jealousy, let alone secretly make things difficult, hide selfish motives, or bully her...”
As her voice fell,
The Grand Elder announced loudly, “The ceremony is complete! From this day forth, disciple Jiang Lu is the direct disciple under Core Elder Ye Qing!”
“The ceremony has concluded. Our thanks to all of you for witnessing this event!”
...
As the celestial music resounded, the cranes continued to circle in the sky, with a hundred birds dancing behind them.
Then, the image inside the spiritual mirror gradually faded away...
The representatives of various factions present immediately rose from their seats and made their way toward Ye Qing.
Rate on N.U.
