Becoming True Monarch Qingyun's Disciple

As Lin Qi entered the courtyard, she discovered a richly dressed little boy inside, appearing to be about five or six years old.

They stared at each other for a long time.

Before she could speak, the little boy introduced himself.

"My name is Luo Ci. I'm from the Southern Continent Luo Family. Who are you?"

The Cangwu Realm was divided into five continents, named East, South, West, North, and Central.

Lin Qi's hometown, Desolate City, and Tianyi Sect were both located in the Southern Continent.

The Southern Continent Luo Family was one of the five major families of the Southern Continent.

It seemed this little fellow indeed had an extraordinary background; no wonder he walked around with his chin held high.

After much hesitation, Lin Qi finally spoke, "Lin Qi, from the Lin Family of Desolate City."

Luo Ci, already impatient waiting for her reply, lifted his chin even higher upon hearing "Lin Family of Desolate City."

"Desolate City? What kind of place is that?"

The Southern Continent had hundreds of cities, and Desolate City was merely the most inconspicuous among them.

Lin Qi said slowly, "A small place."

Upon hearing these three words, Luo Ci glanced Lin Qi up and down with some disdain before turning to leave.

Lin Qi didn't bother arguing with the brat and found a room to settle into herself.

In this large courtyard, there were only the two children, herself and Luo Ci. What was True Monarch Qingyun thinking?

Lin Qi lay on the bed, unable to figure it out for a long time. As she was fiddling with her Ice Phoenix Essence Blood Bead, she suddenly heard a noise outside the window.

She bounced her short legs and climbed to the window, seeing Luo Ci practicing with a wooden sword, his movements agile.

His movements were fluid and natural, with clear methods in his chops, slashes, and thrusts, indicating diligent practice.

Lin Qi, who had always been as steady as an old dog, suddenly felt a pang of anxiety.

There were still a hundred years until Daoist Jinwu dug out her Golden Core to refine it into pills.

Without having truly cultivated, she felt as if a warning sign was stuck to her forehead, counting down the days until her core was extracted.

"Who's peeking!" Luo Ci suddenly looked up sharply in her direction.

He retracted his small wooden sword and instantly darted to Lin Qi's door.

Bang, bang, bang!

The earth-shattering knocking continued for a long time before Lin Qi slowly opened the door.

Luo Ci's flushed little face greeted her: "You were peeking at my Luo Family Swordplay!"

Seeing Lin Qi's face completely calm and composed, Luo Ci angrily reached out to tug at the clothes on Lin Qi's chest to question her.

Lin Qi hadn't expected the kid to make a move on her, so she raised her foot and delivered a kick to Luo Ci's abdomen.

Luo Ci cried out and was sent flying.

Lin Qi stared blankly at her own short legs... When did she get so strong?

Lin Qi ran out, wanting to check on Luo Ci. To her surprise, he got up from the ground, clutching his small abdomen, and said angrily, "Not only did you fail to spy on me, but you also attacked me. You've gone too far! I challenge you to a deathmatch!"

Luo Ci, pampered and fair-skinned, would blush whenever he got angry. His big eyes glared at Lin Qi furiously, making him look like a delicate flower battered by the storm.

Lin Qi couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

"I was just woken up by you and came out to see what was happening..."

Luo Ci acted as if he wasn't listening or believing her and continued to yell, "Come and face your death!"

With that, he struck a pose and was about to slash towards Lin Qi with his small wooden sword.

Lin Qi also became interested.

She wanted to test how strong she had become.

An hour later, Luo Ci lay on the ground, bruised and swollen, while Lin Qi stood calmly beside him.

She kindly kicked the small wooden sword closer to Luo Ci, making it easier for him to pick it up again.

"Want to go again? I think I can still manage."

Luo Ci looked at her from the ground, his gaze now like he was looking at a monster.

He stubbornly shouted, "When I start cultivating, I will definitely get payback!"

Lin Qi crossed her arms, exuding an air of a powerful figure, and replied seriously, "Don't worry, I'll work hard and strive to make it impossible for you to get payback."

"You..." Luo Ci was so angry he could barely think.

True Monarch Qingyun, who had witnessed all this from within the palace, couldn't help but shake her head and smile.

"It seems Zonglei Peak will be lively from now on."

Feng Ling stood beside True Monarch Qingyun, holding her sword. "True Monarch, did you arrange these two in the same room solely to observe their character?"

True Monarch Qingyun gently raised her eyes, her smile undiminished. "Yes and no. I just hope they won't disappoint me in the future."

True Monarch Qingyun's fingertips idly stroked the Phoenix Feather in her palm as she spoke.

This Phoenix Feather was identical to the one Lin Qi had received, though the content inscribed upon it differed.

She murmured, "To have recovered the Spiritual Wisdom Soul at this time... I truly don't know if it's a blessing or a curse."

The very next morning, Lin Qi met the legendary True Monarch Qingyun.

She was a beautiful, jade-like woman, gentle and affectionate, with bright eyes and pearly teeth.

Smiling, she sat at the head seat and said, "I wish to take you two as my personal disciples. Are you willing to take me as your master?"

Luo Ci was the first to react.

Without a word, he knelt at True Monarch Qingyun's feet and said respectfully, "Disciple greets Master!"

Lin Qi, a beat slower, also knelt and called out, "Disciple greets Master!"

"Alright, you may rise."

This time, Lin Qi reacted faster than Luo Ci. She truly wasn't accustomed to kneeling.

Yet, she couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder.

Is this what they mean by having connections in the sect makes things easier?

I'm actually able to become a Nascent Soul True Lord's disciple so easily?

And most importantly, I'm only four years old and haven't even had my spiritual roots tested... It seems everyone just assumes I can cultivate?

True Monarch Qingyun seemed to see through Lin Qi's thoughts and handed a blue Phoenix Feather to her.

"When your mother sent her message, she included a secret instruction: if the Phoenix Feather remained colorless, it meant your consciousness had not yet recovered, and you could live a life of wealth and leisure within the Lin Family. If the Phoenix Feather changed color, then you were to send me a disciple of outstanding talent."

"Xiao Qi, your mother considered many things for you. Don't let her intentions go to waste."

Lin Qi took the Phoenix Feather and examined it carefully. Her eyes suddenly felt a little sore, and her chest felt tight.

A wave of longing and reluctance washed over her.

She suspected these were residual emotions from the original Xiao Lin Qi.

Lin Qi couldn't help but speak, "Yes. Master..."

True Monarch Qingyun nodded in satisfaction. "Alright, it's time for us to head back to the sect."

Lin Qi collected herself and suddenly felt a sense of anticipation for the Tianyi Sect.

True Monarch Qingyun led the way, with Luo Ci chattering beside her, "Master, since Lin Qi and I are both becoming your disciples, who will be the senior disciple and who will be the junior disciple?"

True Monarch Qingyun saw through his subtle intentions with a single glance.

Her smile didn't fade as she replied, "You two have not yet formally become disciples. We will determine seniority after you ascend Zonglei Peak."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Luo Ci's eyes, while Lin Qi felt a touch of eagerness.

This kid wants to be my senior brother? He'll have to see if I agree!

Soon, they followed True Monarch Qingyun to a supremely steep mountain peak. Its summit pierced the clouds, its end hidden from view.

The mountain had only one exceptionally steep staircase, with each stone step reaching up to Lin Qi's chest.

Adjacent to this mountain, a transparent Ascension Ladder connected the clouds and the ground.

True Monarch Qingyun smiled.

"The Ascension Ladder next door is the first trial for disciples entering the sect. The staircase before you is also the first trial for entering Zonglei Peak."