Taking Zhu Zhuqing as a Disciple and Bestowing Immortal Herbs

"Zhu Zhuqing."

Yu Xiaogang walked up to her and greeted her gently.

Zhu Zhuqing gave a slight start, seemingly not expecting him to approach her first, and hurriedly straightened up. "Teacher Yu."

Yu Xiaogang smiled at her slightly uneasy manner. "Did you come here for something?"

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head and hesitated for a moment.

But it was only a second or two. When she looked up again, her gaze had already turned resolute.

"Teacher Yu, I want to become your disciple."

Yu Xiaogang looked into her pitch-black eyes. Having expected this, he did not answer immediately, but asked instead, "Oh? Why do you want to become my disciple?"

"I want to become stronger."

Zhu Zhuqing's answer was very brief.

"Why do you want to become stronger?"

Zhu Zhuqing fell silent for a moment, then quickly steeled herself and said solemnly, "I want to... take control of my own destiny."

"Please accept me as your disciple."

With that, she bowed directly to Yu Xiaogang at a ninety-degree angle.

Yu Xiaogang saw the earnestness and determination filling her eyes, then smiled.

Zhu Zhuqing felt a little apprehensive.

Although Rongrong and Xiao Wu had both said that Yu Xiaogang was gentle and humble, she still felt uncertain.

After all, unlike Tang San and Xiao Wu, she was not exceptionally gifted and had not followed him for years. Nor was she lively and quick to make friends like Ning Rongrong. She had always been quiet and reserved, and did not know whether Yu Xiaogang would accept her.

"All right."

Yu Xiaogang smiled and nodded.

"From now on, you are my fifth disciple."

[Ding! Congratulations to the host on taking Zhu Zhuqing as a disciple.]

[Zhu Zhuqing's potential: god-level. Meets the system's disciple acceptance criteria.]

[Congratulations to the host on receiving one Apprentice-Taking Gift Pack. Automatically opened!]

[Congratulations to the host on receiving: Martial Soul Bloodline Evolution Liquid ×1, adaptive evolvable soul ring ×1, external soul bone: Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Wing ×1.]

Yu Xiaogang raised his eyebrows slightly.

An external soul bone? Those were uncommon, far rarer than ordinary soul bones.

Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Wing-why was it something from Battle Through the Heavens next door again?

This soul ring had appeared more often than almost any other reward. Several had already piled up in storage.

Yu Xiaogang gathered his thoughts and silently glanced over the system panel in his mind.

[Host: Yu Xiaogang]

[Martial soul: Luo Sanpao (Golden Sacred Dragon 100%) (Nine-Colored Giant Dragon 0.7%)]

[Soul power level: 56]

[Items owned: adaptive evolvable soul ring ×5, Martial Soul Bloodline Evolution Liquid ×2, immortal herb Aromatic Silk Beauty ×1, beast companion Grand Void Ancient Dragon ×1, high-grade Xuan-tier combat technique: Eight Extremes Collapse, Complete Knowledge of the Continent ×1, secret technique: Six Powers, external soul bone: Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Wing ×1, Soul Spirit Method ×1...]

The assorted possessions made a long list. Without realizing it, he had accumulated quite a fortune.

Zhu Zhuqing suddenly raised her head, a flash of delighted surprise crossing her eyes. "You agreed?"

"Of course."

Yu Xiaogang smiled. "But my training is very demanding."

"I'm not afraid of hardship."

Zhu Zhuqing answered without hesitation.

"Hehe, very good."

Yu Xiaogang raised a finger. "There are a few rules for joining my tutelage. First, the self-created soul skills and secret knowledge I teach must not be passed on without permission. Second, everyone under my tutelage must get along harmoniously. No infighting. Third, follow my arrangements for cultivation, and do not give up halfway."

After listening, Zhu Zhuqing nodded earnestly. "Yes, Teacher."

She had already changed how she addressed him.

Yu Xiaogang nodded in satisfaction and turned to walk back toward the little garden. "Come along. Since you've become my disciple, they should get to know you, even though you already know one another."

Zhu Zhuqing followed behind him. As they entered the little garden, Xiao Wu's and Rongrong's eyes immediately lit up at the sight of Zhu Zhuqing behind Yu Xiaogang. Both girls instantly realized what had happened. "Zhu Zhuqing! You've become Teacher's disciple too?"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly. "Mm."

"Heehee, little junior sister!"

Xiao Wu threw her arms around one of Zhu Zhuqing's arms, and Ning Rongrong came over and linked arms with her on the other side.

"Wonderful! Now all three of us in our dorm belong to the same school!"

"Ooh, Zhu Zhuqing, how are yours so big? Do you have some secret?"

"They really are!"

Sandwiched between the two girls, Zhu Zhuqing blushed slightly. Dugu Yan also came over and curiously sized up her new junior sister, introducing herself with a bright smile. "Hello, I'm your third senior sister, Dugu Yan."

How wonderful! I actually gained two little junior sisters at once today.

"Hello, Sister Yanyan."

"Ahem."

Yu Xiaogang coughed lightly. The three girls quickly let go of Zhu Zhuqing and stood properly.

Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong even secretly exchanged a glance and stuck out their tongues.

"Zhu Zhuqing, Rongrong, Xiao San, you three, come here."

Yu Xiaogang beckoned.

The three gathered around him.

Tang San walked in front, with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing following behind.

Yu Xiaogang took two Jade Boxes from the Wishful Hundred Treasure Pouch and handed one each to Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing. "There are immortal herbs inside. Xiao San, you're the eldest senior brother. Teach them how to take them."

"Yes, Teacher."

Tang San took the Jade Boxes, then turned and led the two girls to a stone table beside the flower bed.

Ning Rongrong opened her Jade Box. Inside lay a plant, crystalline throughout, with petals resembling those of a tulip.

Inside Zhu Zhuqing's Jade Box was a snow-white immortal herb that looked as though it had been carved from icy jade. Its stem and leaves were slender, and several white flowers the size of grains of rice bloomed at its tip.

"Brother San, what are these?"

Tang San explained with a smile, "These are all immortal herbs. Rongrong, the one you're holding is called Aromatic Silk Beauty. Taking it allows you to absorb the radiance of the sun and moon. It's the perfect match for your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."

"Zhu Zhuqing's is called Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone. It's best suited to female soul masters, particularly those of the agility attack system. Immortal herbs are called that because their medicinal properties can be considered immortal-grade, and they have no side effects."

Ning Rongrong blinked. "They're that amazing?"

Tang San thought for a moment. "After absorbing them, you should both gain at least six levels of soul power. Your martial souls will also improve, and your aptitude for cultivation will increase along with them. Your cultivation will be much faster in the future than it is now."

"Six levels!"

Ning Rongrong's eyes widened, then realization dawned on her.

"No wonder you and Xiao Wu cultivate so quickly, Brother San..."

Tang San smiled and nodded. "All right, hurry and absorb them. I'll teach you how to take them."

He patiently instructed them on how to hold the herbs in their mouths and how to use soul power to guide the medicinal power.

The two girls nodded repeatedly as they listened.

A short while later, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing each sat cross-legged in the shade of the trees beside the flower bed, closed their eyes, and began absorbing the herbs.

A short while later, the two opened their eyes almost simultaneously.

They had finished absorbing the immortal herbs!

Ning Rongrong took a deep breath and clenched her fists, feeling the abundant soul power within her. "Level thirty! I'm at level thirty! Once I absorb a soul ring, I can become a Soul Elder straightaway! Zhu Zhuqing, what about you?"

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes also widened slightly. "Me too."

Standing nearby, Tang San explained with a smile, "There must still be soul power accumulated inside you. It will only show itself once you obtain your soul rings. You should gain another three or four levels then."

"So this is what immortal herbs can do? They're incredible!"

Ning Rongrong looked down at her hands, disbelief written all over her face.

Hearing the commotion, Yu Xiaogang also came over and smiled faintly. "Hehe, immortal herbs do more than simply raise your soul power level. Summon your martial souls and take a look."