Yun Ruoying took the talismanic edict. She had heard that there were only three chances to seek instruction, yet Deng Tingzhi had given one to her. She solemnly bowed in thanks. "Thank you, Teacher."
Deng Tingzhi said, "There is no need to thank me. Since you have entered my school, it is only right that I look after you. Among my disciples, there is only one other with aptitude like yours. In the past, masters and disciples often spoke of grace and loyalty, but in my view, it is also a matter of fulfilling one another. I too hope that you will achieve something in the future."
Yun Ruoying said earnestly, "I will bear Teacher's instruction in mind."
Deng Tingzhi smiled and said, "Very well, I shall not say much more. Go cultivate as you please. White Truth Mountain does not restrain its disciples' movements; while cultivating, you may come and go as you wish. If there is anything you do not understand, you may ask Xinying. She entered the school before you. Though her cultivation is not equal to yours, she understands the circumstances within and beyond Celestial Xia like the back of her hand."
Yun Ruoying glanced at Nie Xinying, who stood behind Deng Tingzhi. The latter gave her a respectful curtsy, and Yun Ruoying returned the gesture. "Senior Sister Nie."
Though Yun Ruoying's cultivation was higher, the order among fellow disciples was not determined by cultivation, only by when one entered the school. Moreover, she could see that this Senior Sister Nie had already stood above the threshold of the gate.
As the matters had more or less all been explained, Deng Tingzhi dispersed this incarnation. Yun Ruoying then stepped out and returned to her temporary residence.
She sat down, took out the talismanic edict, and murmured,