Becoming President Xiao's Disciple

"An apprenticeship?"

Cheng Xiaoyu had not expected President Xiao to be willing to take him on as a student. This enormous windfall had practically dropped onto his face, leaving him somewhat at a loss.

"President Xiao, may I ask why?"

President Xiao smiled faintly and did not hide anything as he explained.

"Your potential and abilities are very strong. I can be your backer and protect you until you grow up. Just take it as this old man being too eager to cherish talent."

Cheng Xiaoyu thought for a moment, then directly agreed. After all, not everyone had a president as their backer. To put it bluntly, this world still depended on background.

Right away, he stood up, bent at the waist, and cupped his hands to President Xiao in salute, his tone full of respect.

"Teacher."

President Xiao stroked his graying beard and nodded with a smile, saying.

"Mm. Actually, you also have two senior sisters. In a few days, I'll let you get acquainted. If you run into any trouble in the future, just come find your teacher. As long as it's something I can solve, it won't be a problem. When it comes to protecting my own... ahem, I'm still very confident."

"All right... Teacher, then do I still need to keep hiding my abilities?"

"In my view, there's no need to hide them. To be honest, as long as your abilities don't break the Magic System, those people won't care about you. Just tell outsiders that your secondary cultivation is the Undead Element. Of course, your ability to absorb Demon Beast shadows must not be discovered by anyone!"

Cheng Xiaoyu also felt that his teacher's words made some sense. There were all kinds of heretics in this world. As long as he was not too conspicuous, who would care about a small fry like him? Besides, the Shadow Soldiers could be considered to fit the rules of the Undead Element...

He felt that becoming President Xiao's student was the right choice. No matter how you put it, someone at the president level was a Super Level Mage. Having a backer felt great!

"What plans do you have next?"

"I'm going to Qingtian Hunter's Institute in a while to apply for a job. Not only can I fight Demon Beasts, I can also earn money."

President Xiao nodded, a trace of gratification and emotion flashing through his eyes.

After leaving Mingzhu University, Cheng Xiaoyu found Qingtian Hunter's Institute according to the address. He pushed open the gate of the old courtyard and walked straight into the four-story little building inside.

The first floor was more like a café and small teahouse that blended Chinese and Western styles. Inside, a little girl was sitting on the sofa drinking milk tea, while a beautiful mature woman stood behind the counter.

Cheng Xiaoyu observed briefly, then cast his gaze onto that mature woman. Judging by the rather feminine ID of his online friend, it should be her, right?

"Welcome. Do you have a commission?"

When Leng Qing saw Cheng Xiaoyu walk in, she asked with a smile. But she only saw the latter come straight up to her, brace both hands on the counter, and lower his voice as he said.

"Fragrant Soft Strawberry Cake."

The moment his words fell, the corner of her eye twitched almost imperceptibly. Her good upbringing allowed her to maintain a polite smile, and she shook her head.

"Sorry, we don't serve desserts."

Such a handsome boy, but there was something a little wrong with his head. What a pity...

"Huh?"

Cheng Xiaoyu was slightly stunned. Realizing that she was not the person he was looking for, he could not help revealing an embarrassed expression.

He had just been about to explain the reason when he felt the corner of his clothes being tugged. He lowered his head to look, and what entered his eyes was the little girl's cute, pretty face, her watery big eyes seeming as if they could speak.

"Are you Running Red Lights with Granny?"

Hearing this, Cheng Xiaoyu seemed to understand something. He bent down and stared at the little girl in astonishment, saying in surprise.

"So you're Fragrant Soft Strawberry Cake!"

Leng Qing could not help holding her forehead and sighing, inwardly roasting the two of them for their online names. However, from their conversation, she finally understood what was going on.

"Lingling, you're way too amazing. You're already a Hunter Master at such a young age."

Cheng Xiaoyu inevitably felt shocked in his heart. He had originally thought this online friend was a mature and experienced woman, but it turned out to be a little girl. As expected, this world had all kinds of freakish talents.

"Hmph, of course."

Hearing this praise, Leng Lingling proudly raised her little head, seemingly very pleased. She pointed at Cheng Xiaoyu and introduced him to Leng Qing.

"Sister, he's the online friend I told you about. A pretty interesting big brother, and the Hunter partner I've already picked."

Leng Qing had naturally heard about Cheng Xiaoyu's deeds from her younger sister. Under difficult circumstances at home, he had become a Hunter Magician at a young age, and with the Bo City disaster from some time ago as well, the gaze she turned toward Cheng Xiaoyu carried a hint of softness.

This boy must have gone through a lot of pain...

"Hello, I'm Lingling's sister, Leng Qing. Would you like something to drink?"

"Uh, a glass of ice water is fine."

Cheng Xiaoyu scratched his head, then suddenly saw an old man walk out from inside the building. The other party revealed a smile at him.

"Oh, you're Old Xiao's newly accepted student, aren't you?"

Song Qiming sized up Cheng Xiaoyu, a trace of surprise flashing through his aged eyes as he thought to himself.

Old Xiao's new student really is special. Could it be that he just likes taking this sort of child as a student?

"Yes. Hello, sir. I'm here to apply to be a Hunter Magician."

Cheng Xiaoyu had not expected this old gentleman to know his teacher, and his tone carried a few traces of respect. After all, being acquainted with his teacher proved they were from the same circle, so the other party was definitely a hidden expert.

"Mm. Since you're Old Xiao's student, you can call me Grandpa Bao. From now on, you're a Hunter Magician of Qingtian Hunter's Institute, and Lingling will be your partner."

Cheng Xiaoyu did not refuse this arrangement. Although Leng Lingling was a little girl, she was still a Hunter Master. He had long since experienced her abilities for himself.

"If you become my partner, you have to listen to me obediently. At any rate, you count as a rookie I brought up, so I'll take extra care of you."

Seeing Leng Lingling put on such an old-fashioned air, Cheng Xiaoyu chuckled and raised a hand to rub her little head.

"Junior Apprentice Brother, from now on, I'm your Senior Sister."

"Mm. Senior Sister, please take good care of me from now on."

Ignoring Leng Lingling's embarrassed, annoyed words, Cheng Xiaoyu smiled and nodded at Leng Qing, feeling that everyone in the institute was quite friendly.

Off to the side, Song Qiming studied the boy chatting with his granddaughter. A deep look flashed through his aged eyes, and he could not help sighing inwardly.

As the former old divine official of the Holy Judgment Court, he naturally knew Wen Tai's wife, Ye Chang. He also knew that after leaving the Parthenon Temple with Ye Xinxia, she had adopted a child, then concealed her identity and settled in a small city.

Presumably, after thoroughly settling accounts with those high-level figures who had cast the Sin Stones, she planned to raise another child to quell the Killing Intent in her heart...

Of course, he was not certain whether the Red Archpriest Salang, whose very name struck terror across Europe, was actually Ye Chang. But judging from the dead high-level figures, he could more or less guess.

Yet only a few years after living in Bo City, Ye Chang inexplicably fell into a deep sleep. He secretly investigated it and believed her soul had entered a different state, leaving her temporarily unable to awaken.

As for what had happened to Wen Tai back then, Song Qiming was also extremely helpless. He had not had the ability to stop it, so during the period when Ye Chang was unconscious, he had quietly helped the siblings a few times.

Ye Chang must have left some contingencies behind. Otherwise, she would long since have been disposed of by people with ulterior motives.

He was also very glad that the Parthenon Temple did not seem to have come after this family. Only the Saintess Ashareya came to visit from time to time, which could be considered the best outcome...

As for Old Xiao's side, he probably did not know. Since he had chosen to take that child as his disciple, Song Qiming chose to respect it.

After successfully becoming a Hunter Magician of Qingtian Hunter's Institute, he registered his information and left. When there was a suitable commission, Leng Lingling would call him.

As it happened, Ye Xinxia was going to study in Modu, so Cheng Xiaoyu asked his teacher for a favor and got his younger sister placed into the Top Class at First Magic High School.

He understood that Ye Xinxia's talent in the Healing Element was very high. He believed that with better educational resources, she would definitely be able to grow.

After experiencing the Bo City disaster, Ye Xinxia had not been affected by its shadow. She still maintained her original state of mind, which made Cheng Xiaoyu very relieved.

After arranging his younger sister's school, a few days later, President Xiao asked Cheng Xiaoyu to come to Mingzhu University, saying he wanted to introduce his two Senior Sisters.

In truth, he was also very curious about what those two Senior Sisters would be like...