297. Disciple

Qian Renjue stood up with a smile.

Behind him, a tall, dark figure seemed to squeeze out from the void.

A pale face, silver hair, blood-red eyes, and six wings stretched across the sky.

Chilling air flowed through the room but didn’t leak outside at all.

A black first soul ring spread out beneath his feet.

"....."

Zhu Zhuqing stared at the black soul ring, raising her arm to wipe her eyes with her sleeve.

A black first soul ring?! A common phrase, yet it formed an unbelievable image.

Then, two purple soul rings slowly unfolded.

With a warm smile, Qian Renjue stood, carrying an aura of countless sins behind him.

Looking at Zhu Zhuqing, he asked loudly, "Do you remember my name?"

Zhu Zhuqing, still staring at the second black soul ring, shook her head blankly.

"Heh."

Qian Renjue smiled slightly.

"In that case, let me reintroduce myself. Remember, I won't say it again."

"Okay."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded seriously, still fixated on the sixth soul ring that had appeared under Qian Renjue's feet.

A faint trace of blood seemed to emerge.

"Ahem."

Qian Renjue awkwardly cleared his throat twice, folding his hands behind his back.

"My name is Qian Renjue."

"My martial spirit is the Six-Winged Fallen Angel, and I’m sixteen years and a few months old, currently at the seventy-fifth rank of Soul Sage."

As his words fell, Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, her expression one of shock and disbelief.

The room was filled with a blood-colored glow, and in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, there was only that flash of blood. All she could hear was Qian Renjue's thunderous voice.

A hundred-thousand-year soul ring. In just a few months, he'd broken through from level seventy to seventy-five.

At sixteen years old.

This and so much more overwhelmed Zhu Zhuqing even more than the last time.

Was this not an illusion?

Was she still awake?

"Hmm?"

Qian Renjue raised his eyebrows, looking at her blank, wooden expression.

His voice carried a hint of spiritual power.

"Have you remembered?"

"Ah!"

Zhu Zhuqing snapped back to her senses, looking at Qian Renjue, her eyes filled with curiosity, fear, and awe.

She nodded vigorously.

"I remember now."

"That's good."

Qian Renjue nodded slightly, understanding the mix of emotions in her eyes.

The six-winged fallen angel behind him dissipated into cold air.

Qian Renjue sat back at the table with a smile and said, "Now, why don't you introduce yourself?"

"Yes!"

Zhu Zhuqing suddenly stood up.

She stood straight, like a student being called on in class.

Under Qian Renjue's curious gaze, she moved her feet and came to the side.

Thud—

Zhu Zhuqing suddenly knelt down, raised her eyes, and said, "My name is Zhu Zhuqing. My martial spirit is the Nether Spirit Cat. I am six years old and a level seven soul master."

As her words fell, Zhu Zhuqing quickly bowed to Qian Renjue.

Her forehead slammed heavily against the ground, as if trying to wake herself from this absurd dream.

Bang—!

"Ugh."

With a dull thud, Zhu Zhuqing let out a cry of pain, tears welling up in her eyes.

Her voice carried a slight sob.

"Disciple... Disciple Zhu Zhuqing greets the teacher!"

Qian Renjue could barely hold back his laughter but didn’t let it out.

"You don't need to kneel to become my disciple. Stand up."

He extended his hand as if to lift her, and powerful mental energy supported her small body, helping her stand up in midair.

His eyes showed a trace of reminiscence.

Who would've thought he'd be someone's teacher one day?

Hopefully, he wouldn't end up teaching a rebellious student.

"Thank you, Teacher."

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Qian Renjue in surprise.

Her forehead was red and slightly swollen, and she raised her hand to gently cover it.

"Heh, come here."

Qian Renjue set aside his emotions, chuckled softly, and waved her over.

"Yes."

Zhu Zhuqing took small steps to his side, her eyes filled with unease.

"There aren't many rules to being my disciple."

"But respecting the teacher and following their teachings is the most basic. This is something you must adhere to."

As he spoke, Qian Renjue gently pinched Zhu Zhuqing's thin shoulders.

"Do you understand?"

"Yes, Zhuqing understands!"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded, looking slightly nervous.

"Very good. I expect you to keep your word."

Qian Renjue nodded in satisfaction, gently squeezing her soft cheeks.

Then he softly ordered, "Ah Yin, it's time to work."

"Yes, Master."

Ah Yin’s gentle, submissive voice came from Qian Renjue’s chest.

Zhu Zhuqing looked puzzled.

She watched as Qian Renjue’s chest began to move, and soon, a vibrant, blue-gold leaf poked out from under his robe, sweeping toward her forehead.

“Eek!”

Zhu Zhuqing closed her eyes in fear.

Her forehead felt itchy, warm, and the pain gradually faded.

She heard Qian Renjue’s gentle voice.

“All done, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

"....."

Curious, Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes and touched her forehead.

Though confused, she didn’t forget to express her gratitude.

"Thank you, Teacher... for the plant."

"?"

Qian Renjue frowned slightly but didn’t dwell on it. He waved his hand, and brilliant light swirled around it.

“I have a gift for you.”

“A gift?”

Zhu Zhuqing looked curiously at the golden jade stone that appeared in Qian Renjue’s hand.

It was round and heavy, resembling a mooncake.

“Teacher, what is this? A soul tool?”

“In a sense, yes.”

Qian Renjue smiled.

The object was a reward he'd received years ago in the Blue Silver Forest from Ah Yin.

It was the Jade Slip Of Teaching.

It possibly contained a complete inheritance.

The jade slip was divided into two parts: one for the master and one for the disciple.

By forming a blood pact, the teacher and student would be able to communicate, with the teacher being summoned by the student to teach, regardless of distance.

“Zhuqing, bite your finger.”

Qian Renjue instructed softly, then bit his own finger, letting his blood drip onto the smooth golden jade.

“Yes.”

Zhu Zhuqing responded quietly.

She held her tiny finger and brought it to her mouth, nibbling on it slowly.

"....."

Qian Renjue watched her biting her finger and was speechless.

Zhu Zhuqing blushed and looked down, muttering softly, “Teacher, Zhuqing is afraid of pain.”

Qian Renjue rubbed his forehead.

“Let me help you, then.”

As soon as he spoke, a sharp ice blade extended from his fingertip.

"....."

Zhu Zhuqing, seeing the slender blade, paled slightly and hesitantly nodded.

"Okay."

She closed her eyes and stretched out her finger, trembling slightly.

“Haha, don’t worry. I won’t hurt you.”

Qian Renjue chuckled, lightly pressing the ice blade against her fingertip to numb it before making a small cut.

Fresh blood oozed out.

When it was done, Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes again.

She watched the blue-gold plant appear once more as her blood dripped onto the jade stone.

Drip!

The blood of the teacher and student was absorbed by the golden jade on both sides.

Crack!

The jade stone cracked, releasing a golden glow.

The light split into two and flew into their foreheads.

Zhu Zhuqing stood frozen, her mind absorbing the information.

Qian Renjue was filled with astonishment.

The inheritance within...

It was from an otherworldly Tang Sect’s Mysterious Heaven (Xuantian)Treasure Record!