Taking a Master

As someone entered, the woman slightly raised her eyes. Her gaze was gentle, lacking the usual shyness of women.

She spoke softly:

"What would you like, sir?"

Her voice was clear and crisp, like a mountain stream.

"I'd like some presentable, unflashy pastries. Could you recommend some, please?"

Chen Feng said.

The woman nodded upon hearing this and turned to take down several items from the wooden shelf, introducing them:

"The Osmanthus Cake is refreshing, the Cloud Slice Cake is elegant, and this Jujube Paste Crisp is also good. They are all specialties of our shop."

As she spoke, she lightly pinched the pastry paper with her fingertips. When her eyebrows were lowered, her eyelashes cast faint shadows beneath her eyes.

It was clearly a common pastry shop.

Yet, it exuded a refined elegance.

"Then I'll take them all."

Chen Feng watched as she carefully wrapped them one by one. The oil paper was folded neatly and tied with a thin string, her movements skillful.

"That will be two taels of silver. Please take care of it, sir."

Chen Feng twitched his lips. These pastries were surprisingly expensive.

His tuition fee for the martial arts school was only two taels.

Fortunately, he had brought enough money.

After paying, Chen Feng left quickly. He still needed to buy some celery, red beans, and other items. If he didn't hurry, he might be late.

What Chen Feng didn't know was that not long after he left.

An acquaintance also stepped into this pastry shop.

It was none other than Meng Zhaowu.

"Sister, Father wants you to go back and give him some advice..."

Inner City, Zhou Manor.

Green bricks and high walls enclosed a vast courtyard. A plaque hung high above the entrance, bearing the words "Zhou Manor" written in a vigorous calligraphy.

The eaves curved upwards like wings, and the layered dougong brackets were all meticulously crafted.

Upon entering, there was a Hanging Flower Gate, with carved beams and hollowed flowers. The brick carvings on the gate hood were intricate, with lifelike birds and beasts.

Under the corridor, the wooden lattice windows were carved with meanders and scrolling vines, serving to block wind and rain while exuding elegance.

All the decorations were orderly and grand, clearly showing the host family's substantial wealth.

After entering the hall, Zhou Bingzhong sat at the head of the northern seat, his brows solemn. Disciples sat below on both sides.

Yao Xingzhi was on the left side, arranged in descending order of seniority.

Chen Feng noticed a handsome and refined unfamiliar man, who must be Third Senior Brother Lu Jinghong.

At the very end was a delicate woman, dressed in a light green skirt, her figure as graceful as bamboo.

This was Fifth Senior Sister Su Wanqing.

An incense altar was already set up on the table, with a stick of elegant incense burning, its blue smoke curling upwards.

Chen Feng took a step forward.

He picked up three sticks of incense and bowed respectfully towards the Former Master Tablet and the Ancestor's portrait in the hall.

Then, he inserted the incense into the burner and retreated to the meditation cushion in the center of the hall, kneeling upright.

"Chen Feng, your talent is outstanding, and you are steady and diligent. I wish to take you as my disciple. Are you willing?" Zhou Bingzhong said in a deep voice.

"This disciple is willing."

"Since you have entered my tutelage, you must uphold a righteous heart and conduct, be diligent and never slacken. You must not harm fellow disciples, you must not betray your Master and forget the Way, and you must not commit evil deeds. Can you do this?"

Chen Feng's voice was clear and firm: "This disciple Chen Feng, today entering the Master's sect, shall strictly adhere to the Master's teachings, respect the Master and value the Way, and diligently practice."

Afterward, he performed the grand ceremony, kowtowing three times.

Upon completing the rites and rising, Fifth Senior Sister handed him a cup of freshly brewed clear tea. Chen Feng cupped the tea with both hands and slowly stepped forward.

He bowed and steadily presented the tea to his Master.

He said in a low voice: "Please, Master, have some tea."

Zhou Bingzhong took the cup with both hands and drank it in one gulp.

The ceremony concluded.

[Apprenticed to Zhou Bingzhong... Experience +1200]

Chen Feng finally relaxed.

This was all real.

He had become the sixth Personal Disciple of the Dragon Walk Martial Arts School!

Zhou Bingzhong smiled and helped Chen Feng up.

"I heard from your senior brothers that you broke through to the Blood Refining Realm yesterday. Truly diligent. I know your background and that you carry many burdens, but martial arts training should not be rushed. You must also know when to relax..."

"Disciple understands."

The other senior brothers also looked at Chen Feng with smiles.

"Master, Chen Feng also prepared a gift for you."

Second Senior Brother Yao Xingzhi spoke.

Chen Feng came to his senses. He had been too nervous and almost forgot. Thankfully, Second Senior Brother reminded him.

He quickly took out the apprenticeship gift he had prepared and offered it with both hands.

"Disciple bought some pastries. I hope Master will not find them wanting."

Zhou Bingzhong could not hide his joy. "Good child, your thoughtfulness makes me very happy. I also have something for you."

"Xingzhi!"

Zhou Bingzhong extended his hand.

Yao Xingzhi took out a jade pendant and handed it to Zhou Bingzhong.

Zhou Bingzhong took it and passed it to Chen Feng.

Chen Feng accepted the jade pendant. It was about the size of a goose egg, lustrous and without impurities, faintly emitting a pale green halo under the light.

The front was shallowly carved with cloud patterns, and the back bore a small "Calming Heart" seal character. The edges were smoothly polished, and it was tied with a dark green cord.

"This is for you from your Master. Wear it often; it has the effect of concentrating the spirit and calming the mind."

"Thank you, Master!"

Chen Feng was touched.

With just a glance, he could tell this jade pendant was no ordinary item.

"Chen Feng, as your senior brothers, we've also prepared a meeting gift for you."

Chen Feng turned his head and saw his senior brothers and sisters smiling, taking out the gifts they had meticulously prepared.

However, upon hearing everyone's words, Second Senior Brother Yao Xingzhi's face showed a hint of unnaturalness.

His smile froze on his face.

It seemed he hadn't expected others to have prepared such a gesture for their junior brother.

The first to step forward was Third Senior Brother Lu Jinghong.

"Not bad, not bad. You're handsome and dashing, your appearance can almost rival mine."

Lu Jinghong patted Chen Feng's shoulder approvingly.

"Senior Brother here is a bit common. Here are fifty taels of silver. Please accept it."

Lu Jinghong knew Chen Feng's recent situation, so he decided to give him money, hoping Chen Feng wouldn't be troubled by external possessions.

Having become a Personal Disciple, he at least needed to change his attire.

After entering the Blood Refining Realm, expenses also increased.

And Master always disliked dealings involving gold and silver. As the Third Senior Brother, he naturally wanted to help Chen Feng resolve his worries.

Chen Feng took the money pouch.

Inside, it was filled with a complete, heavy silver ingot!

Such a reassuring weight stunned Chen Feng, and he couldn't help but swallow.

He shouted inwardly: Senior Brother, I'm also a common man.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Lu Jinghong smiled, "I'm glad you like it. You can use this money to find a blacksmith and forge a weapon."

"A weapon isn't necessary. I've already prepared one for Junior Brother."

Zhao Shanyue approached and took out the refined iron finger claws he had prepared.

These finger claws were dark and shiny all over, with a solid weight. Holding them, one could feel a cold, hard, fierce aura.

When steadily put on, their size fit his palm perfectly, as if adding iron bones to his five fingers.

Chen Feng was delighted, "Thank you, Senior Brother."

He usually practiced martial arts bare-handed and happened to be lacking a weapon.

Finally, it was Fifth Senior Sister Su Wanqing. She walked to Chen Feng's side with a smile and said happily:

"I'm finally not the youngest anymore. Junior Disciple Brother, I've ordered the Tailor Shop in the city to make you clothes. I'll send them over in a few days."

"Thank you, Senior Sister."

After Chen Feng thanked them one by one.

Fifth Senior Sister Su Wanqing lightly hopped to Yao Xingzhi's side, looking at him with great interest, her face beaming:

"Second Senior Brother, didn't you prepare a gift for Junior Disciple Brother?"

Yao Xingzhi's smile stiffened:

"This... Who, who said that!"

"Then what did you prepare?"

The other Senior Brothers also watched Yao Xingzhi with amusement.

Chen Feng was about to help his Senior Brother out of the awkward situation when he heard Yao Xingzhi say:

"I, I'm going to teach Chen Feng staff techniques!"

Unexpectedly, Su Wanqing, who was all smiles just a moment ago, became indignant upon hearing Yao Xingzhi say he would teach staff techniques, and said indignantly:

"You're still teaching! I believed you a few days ago! I was bedridden for half a month! And now you want to harm Junior Disciple Brother!"

Chen Feng's mouth twitched. He felt like he had heard this story before.

"That's because your comprehension is poor! I see that Junior Disciple Brother has talent!"

Yao Xingzhi retorted.

"Stinky Senior Brother!"

Su Wanqing lightly punched Yao Xingzhi.

Master Zhou Bingzhong, seeing this, couldn't help but burst into laughter.

For a moment, the hall was filled with warmth and joy.