"Haha! Our eldest senior brother is an idol to all of us fellow disciples. To form a golden core with a triple spiritual root-who knows how many fellow disciples and cultivators have turned green with envy!" Liu Hang said with a chuckle, failing to notice Li Xiaoya's expression.
"But Qi'er has been away gaining experience for several decades now. Even I haven't seen him in a long time!" Heavenly Venerable Daoling noticed the change in Li Xiaoya and shifted the subject.
"Master!" Li Xiaoya suddenly dropped to his knees before Heavenly Venerable Daoling with a thump and declared firmly, "From now on, I will cultivate diligently and form a golden core. I won't disgrace you!"
"It gratifies me greatly that your heart of the Dao is so steadfast!" Heavenly Venerable Daoling said solemnly. "But my hopes for you go beyond merely forming a golden core. I hope every one of you can advance along the Great Dao and ascend to the Spirit World!"
"I... I will faithfully heed your teachings, Master!" Li Xiaoya was taken aback at first. Then he kowtowed, straightened his back, and answered firmly.
"Good, good, good!" Seeming to sense the sincerity in his words, Heavenly Venerable Daoling praised him repeatedly. Then he gently swept his sleeve, and Li Xiaoya rose to his feet involuntarily. "But my disciples aren't kowtowing worms!" he said with a smile. "Up you get! There's no need for so much ceremony!"
"Yes, Master!" Li Xiaoya answered respectfully. He did not know why, but in Heavenly Venerable Daoling's presence, a heartfelt reverence for his master arose within him without his realizing it.
"By the way, Xiao Ya!" Heavenly Venerable Daoling continued. "You still have the ring I gave you, don't you?"
"Ah!" Li Xiaoya froze briefly, then immediately held up the ring on