"Clang~"
"Clang~"
"Clang~"
The next day.
Martial Suppression Academy's once-every-three-years apprenticeship ceremony officially began.
At the fourth quarter of the Hour of the Dragon.
Outside the Patriarchs' Grand Hall.
All Martial Suppression Academy disciples not currently on missions had gathered.
As the great bronze bell atop the mountain's bell tower rang out.
Qin Cangying sat high before the platform with the elders, awaiting the new disciples' salutations.
Below, more than two hundred new disciples led by Mo Chen, Ruan Tianjing, and Hu Shiqi paid respects to the academy's ancestral masters.
"First step: pay respects to the ancestral masters!"
The Grand Elder, Liu Hengshan, wore a stern expression as he shouted loudly.
Dressed in a white robe and holding three sticks of incense, Mo Chen led the disciples in kneeling before the ancestral tablets. He then stepped forward and placed the incense into the censer.
"Second step: true disciples, offer tea!"
Mo Chen was the first to lift a teacup and walk toward Qin Cangying at the center of the high platform. He respectfully knelt. "This disciple, Mo Chen, pays respects to Master!"
"Good!"
Qin Cangying laughed heartily, accepted the cup, took a light sip, and helped Mo Chen to his feet.
Ruan Tianjing and Hu Shiqi each walked toward the Grand Elder and Second Elder.
"This disciple, Ruan Tianjing, pays respects to Master!"
"This disciple, Hu Shiqi, pays respects to Master!"
The Grand Elder and Second Elder accepted their teacups and drank, but their gazes turned complicated as they looked at Mo Chen, and they sighed unwillingly.
How wonderful it would have been if Mo Chen had been the one offering them tea.
After the three true disciples had finished offering tea.
Liu Hengshan rose once more and presided over the ceremony.
"Third step: inner and outer disciples, pay respects!"