The Two Little Ones Become Disciples!

Great Bamboo Peak.

The night was as dark as ink.

In the guest room, candlelight flickered.

Lin Jingyu tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep.

It wasn't because of the bed. It was because of the fire burning in his heart.

"Xiao Fan, are you asleep?"

Lin Jingyu abruptly sat up, his eyes shining startlingly bright in the darkness.

"N-no..."

At the sound of his voice,

Zhang Xiaofan stiffened slightly and slowly poked his head out from under the covers.

His voice was a little hoarse, and his timidity was plain to hear.

"We really made it up the mountain!"

"The Qingyun Sect! This is where immortals live!"

"That fat... er, Master may look fierce,"

"but when he felt my bones, I knew I had a chance!"

"You heard him too, right?"

"He said I was a fine talent!"

Lin Jingyu didn't notice how downcast his friend was.

He excitedly waved a fist and lowered his voice.

The boy's pride was impossible to hide, shining in the candlelight.

At that,

Zhang Xiaofan pressed his cracked lips together and clenched his hands tight beneath the covers.

A fine talent.

Those four words pierced his heart like needles.

The scene from earlier that day appeared in his mind again.

When that portly Master looked at Lin Jingyu, the light in his eyes could almost burn someone.

But when he turned to look at Zhang Xiaofan...

His gaze had instantly gone cold, as if he were looking at a rotten log, and even seemed a little disdainful.

It made Zhang Xiaofan feel awful.

"Jingyu..."

"I... I'm stupid."

"Back in our village, the teacher said I was stupid too, and slow to learn."

"What if... what if I can't learn the immortal arts? Will I embarrass Master? Will I be sent away?"

Zhang Xiaofan lowered his head, his voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

Fear swept over him like a rising tide.

If he really was sent away!

Wouldn't his parents be disappointed?

"Don't be ridiculous!"

"We came here together. If we stay, we stay together; if we leave, we leave together!"

"Besides, that Seventh Senior Brother..."

"I mean Senior Brother Ye Xuan. He seems like a good person."

Lin Jingyu paused.

He jumped out of bed, darted over to Zhang Xiaofan's bedside, and slapped him on the shoulder.

A boy's loyalty was no joke!

Even if it meant giving up his chance to cultivate, he wouldn't abandon Zhang Xiaofan!

"Mm..."

Hearing Lin Jingyu's words,

Zhang Xiaofan nodded. The weight in his heart eased a little, though it still felt heavy.

"All right, go to sleep!"

"We have to become disciples tomorrow. We can't sleep in and make a fool of ourselves."

Lin Jingyu yawned and climbed back into his own bed.

Before long,

the other bed was filled with the even sound of breathing.

But Zhang Xiaofan remained wide awake, staring at the pitch-black ceiling.

He wasn't clever, but once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.

If Master thought his aptitude was poor, then he would simply work harder.

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

He absolutely couldn't be sent down the mountain.

The next morning.

"You two junior brothers! Time to get up!"

"Today is your apprenticeship ceremony. Master and Mistress are waiting in Shou Jing Hall!"

The sky had barely begun to lighten.

Song Daren's booming voice rang through the courtyard.

Zhang Xiaofan shot upright almost instantly and hurriedly fumbled into his clothes.

Lin Jingyu was still groggy. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and mumbled, "Coming."

After washing up quickly, the two followed Song Daren through the covered walkway to Great Bamboo Peak's main hall—Shou Jing Hall.

Two Grand Tutor Chairs stood side by side.

Tian Buyi sat in the one on the left.

His loose Taoist robe barely covered his round frame. He held a teacup in one hand, his expression solemn.

Though he'd still been fretting the night before,

when he woke that morning and remembered that Great Bamboo Peak had finally gained two new disciples—and one was a seedling of outstanding aptitude—Tian Buyi felt particularly cheerful.

As for the one with mediocre aptitude...

Forget it.

A buy-one-get-one-free deal was still a good deal.

Su Ru sat on the right.

She was dressed as elegantly as ever, smiling as she looked warmly at the two children who had entered.

On either side below them stood a line of people.

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

The right side looked much emptier.

Ye Xuan stood there casually, fiddling with a jade pendant he'd gotten from who-knew-where.

Beside Ye Xuan stood a little girl as pretty as a porcelain doll—Tian Ling'er.

Her lively eyes darted around as she curiously studied Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan.

This was the full roster of Great Bamboo Peak.

"Disciples Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan"

"pay our respects to Master and Mistress!"

At Song Daren's direction,

the two children dropped to their knees with a thump and kowtowed three times respectfully.

"Mm."

Tian Buyi set down his teacup and gave a grunt through his nose in acknowledgment.

Song Daren came forward carrying a tea tray.

"Master, please have some tea!"

Lin Jingyu took the first cup and held it high in both hands.

His voice was clear and strong.

"Good!"

"What a fine boy!"

Tian Buyi accepted the teacup and lifted the lid to blow on the tea. The wrinkles on his face spread into a broad smile.

"M-Master... please have some tea..."

It was Zhang Xiaofan's turn.

He shakily lifted the teacup.

Perhaps he was too nervous; his hands trembled so badly that the tea sloshed in the cup and nearly spilled.

His voice was even fainter than a mosquito's buzz.

The smile on Tian Buyi's face vanished at once, and his brows knit slightly.

What an unappealing disposition.

Dull, timid, and unable to carry himself properly.

He glanced at Ye Xuan, who stood beside him looking perfectly at ease, and sighed inwardly.

Never mind. Since Seventh said the child had great fortune, he would wait and see.

It wasn't as if Great Bamboo Peak couldn't afford to feed one more person.

"Get up."

Tian Buyi took the teacup, barely wet his lips, and set it down.

The difference in treatment couldn't have been more obvious.

Zhang Xiaofan's heart sank, but he didn't dare say anything. He obediently went to stand at the side.

Su Ru felt sorry for him.

She smiled and beckoned the two children over, offering them a few words of comfort.

Next came the introductions.

Tian Buyi cleared his throat and pointed to the row of people led by Song Daren.

"This is your Senior Brother Song Daren. He's honest and dependable. If there's anything you don't understand, ask him."

Song Daren gave a simple, good-natured smile, showing two rows of pearly white teeth.

"This is your second senior brother, Wu Dayi."

"Your third senior brother, Zheng Dali."

"Your Fourth Senior Brother, He Dazhi."

"Your fifth senior brother, Lu Daxin."

"Your Sixth Senior Brother, Du Bishu."

When Du Bishu was introduced,

Du Bishu made faces at the two little ones while rolling three dice in his hand, making a crisp clatter.

Tian Buyi glared at him.

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

Finally,

Tian Buyi's gaze settled on Ye Xuan on the right.

His tone carried a hint of pride and a touch of boastfulness.

"This is your Seventh Senior Brother, Ye Xuan."

"Don't be fooled by his age. He only joined the sect two years before you did."

"But he has exceptional talent, and his cultivation..."

"Hmph. Even across the entire Qingyun Sect, your Seventh Senior Brother is among the best."

"You should ask him for guidance, and don't look down on him just because he's young."