Two Little Ones Become Disciples!

Great Bamboo Peak.

The night was as dark as ink.

Inside the room, candlelight flickered.

Lin Jingyu tossed and turned on the bed, unable to sleep.

It wasn't the bed, but the fire in his heart.

"Xiaofan, are you asleep?"

Lin Jingyu suddenly sat up, his eyes shining eerily in the dim light.

"N-no..."

Hearing the voice.

Zhang Xiaofan's body stiffened slightly, and he slowly poked his head out.

His voice was hoarse, laced with obvious timidity.

"We really made it up the mountain!"

"Qingyun Sect! This is where immortals live!"

"That fat... uh, Master, he looks fierce and terrifying."

"But when he was breaking my bones, I knew I had a chance!"

"You heard him too, right?"

"He said I was fine jade!"

Lin Jingyu didn't notice his companion's low spirits.

He excitedly clenched his fist and lowered his voice.

The pride of a young boy was unconcealed, shining brightly in the candlelight.

Hearing this.

Zhang Xiaofan pursed his dry lips, his hands clenched tightly under the covers.

Fine jade.

These four words pierced his heart like needles.

The scene from earlier that day flashed before his eyes again.

The light in the fat Master's eyes when he looked at Lin Jingyu could have burned someone.

But when he turned to look at himself...

His gaze instantly turned cold, as if looking at rotten wood, even with a hint of disdain.

This made Zhang Xiaofan feel uncomfortable.

"Jingyu..."

"I... I'm very stupid."

"In our village, the teacher also said I was stupid and slow to learn."

"What if... what if I can't learn immortal arts, will I shame Master? Will I be kicked out?"

Zhang Xiaofan lowered his head, his voice as small as a mosquito's hum.

Fear washed over him like a tide.

If he were really kicked out!

Would his parents be very disappointed?

"What nonsense are you thinking!"

"We came together, so we'll stay together, and we'll leave together!"

"Besides, that Seventh Senior Brother..."

"That Senior Brother Ye Xuan, I think he's a pretty good person."

Lin Jingyu was stunned for a moment.

He jumped off the bed and rushed to Zhang Xiaofan's bedside in a few steps, clapping him on the shoulder.

The loyalty of young men was no joke!

Even if it meant losing his chance at cultivation, he wouldn't abandon Zhang Xiaofan!

"Mmm..."

Hearing Lin Jingyu's words.

Zhang Xiaofan nodded, the stone in his heart slightly easing, but still heavy.

"Alright, go to sleep!"

"We have to choose a Master tomorrow, so we can't wake up late and become a laughingstock."

Lin Jingyu yawned and climbed back into his own bed.

Not long after.

Even breathing came from the other bed.

Zhang Xiaofan, however, kept his eyes open, staring at the dark ceiling.

He wasn't smart, but he was stubborn.

Since his Master disliked his poor aptitude, he would just work harder.

If others practiced once, he would practice ten, a hundred times.

He absolutely could not be driven down the mountain.

The next morning.

"Two junior brothers! Time to get up!"

"Today is the ceremony to formally accept you as disciples. Master and Mistress are waiting in Shou Jing Hall!"

The sky had barely begun to lighten.

Song Daren's loud voice boomed through the courtyard.

Zhang Xiaofan practically sprang up, fumbling to put on his clothes.

Lin Jingyu was still groggy, rubbing his sleepy eyes and mumbling, "Coming."

After a quick wash, the two followed Song Daren through the corridor to Great Bamboo Peak's main hall—Shou Jing Hall.

Two Grand Tutor Chairs were placed side by side.

Tian Buyi sat on the left.

A loose Daoist robe barely covered his plump body. He held a teacup, his expression solemn.

Although he had been grumbling inwardly last night.

Waking up this morning and thinking that Great Bamboo Peak finally had new additions, and such an exceptionally talented seedling at that.

Tian Buyi's mood was exceptionally pleasant.

As for the one with mediocre aptitude...

Never mind.

Buy one, get one free. No loss.

Su Ru sat on the right.

She was still in her gentle attire, a smile on her face, her gaze softly appraising the two children entering.

And below them, a line of people stood.

Song Daren led the group on the left, followed by five men of varying heights and builds.

The right side appeared much emptier.

Ye Xuan stood there nonchalantly, playing with a jade pendant he had somehow acquired.

Beside Ye Xuan stood a delicately carved little girl—Tian Ling'er.

Her large, lively eyes darted around, curiously staring at Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan.

This was the entire roster of Great Bamboo Peak.

"Disciples Lin Jingyu (Zhang Xiaofan)."

"We pay our respects to Master, we pay our respects to Mistress!"

Under Song Daren's guidance.

The two children knelt down with a thud, respectfully kowtowing three times.

"Mm."

Tian Buyi put down his teacup and grunted through his nose, acknowledging them.

Song Daren stepped forward with the tea tray.

"Master, please have some tea!"

Lin Jingyu took it first, holding it high above his head with both hands.

His voice was clear and full of vigor.

"Good!"

"Good child!"

Tian Buyi took the teacup, lifted the lid, and blew on it. The wrinkles on his face crinkled into a wide smile.

"Mas... Master... have tea..."

It was Zhang Xiaofan's turn.

He tremblingly picked up the teacup.

He wasn't sure if it was nerves, but his hands shook so badly that the tea sloshed in the cup, almost spilling.

And his voice was so quiet it was like a mosquito's buzz.

The smile on Tian Buyi's face vanished instantly, his brow furrowing slightly.

This personality was just too unlikable.

Stupid, timid, and couldn't hold his own.

He glanced at Ye Xuan, who sat calmly beside him, and sighed inwardly.

Fine. Since Old Seven said this child has great destiny, we'll just have to wait and see.

Great Bamboo Peak isn't lacking in food anyway.

"Get up," Tian Buyi said.

Tian Buyi took the teacup, merely touching his lips to it before setting it down.

The difference in treatment was painfully obvious.

Zhang Xiaofan's heart ached, but he didn't dare say anything more, dutifully standing to the side.

Su Ru saw this and felt a pang of sympathy.

She smiled and beckoned the two over, offering words of comfort.

Next was the introductions.

Tian Buyi cleared his throat and pointed to the row of people starting with Song Daren.

"This is your Senior Brother Song Daren. He's honest and kind. If you have any questions in the future, ask him."

Song Daren gave a simple, honest smile, revealing two rows of large white teeth.

"This is the second, Wu Dayi."

"The third, Zheng Dali."

"The fourth, He Dazhi."

"The fifth, Lu Daxin."

"The sixth, Du Bishu."

When he introduced Du Bishu.

Du Bishu winked and nudged the two youngsters, fiddling with three dice in his hand, making a crisp "huala la" sound.

Tian Buyi glared at him.

Only then did Du Bishu reluctantly put away the dice and stand up straight.

Finally.

Tian Buyi's gaze fell upon Ye Xuan on the right.

His tone carried a hint of pride and a touch of showing off.

"This is your Seventh Brother, Ye Xuan."

"Don't let his age fool you. He only joined the sect two years before you."

"But his talent is extraordinary, his cultivation..."

"Hmph, hmph. Even within the entire Qingyun Sect, your Seventh Brother is considered a prodigy."

"You all should seek his guidance often in the future. Don't look down on him just because he's young."