Chapter 14
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 14: Becoming an Inherited Disciple
"The reward is rightfully yours," the Sect Master declared, rising to his feet with a gentle gaze. "What is your name?"
Qin Chu Yi’s eyes flickered with surprise as she glanced at Ming He. Could this be… a meteoric rise?
Not exactly, but being the Sect Master of Liu Yun Sect was certainly a step up from being a mere outer sect disciple.
"Reporting to the Sect Master, this disciple is Ming He, with the sun and moon together as bright, and the sparrow’s song as celebration," Ming He replied, puzzled by his question.
"Ming He, a fine name," the Sect Master praised, his heart softening as if he saw a shadow of a certain girl in her. "Ming He, would you like to become my disciple?"
His tone was gentle and sincere, devoid of any pressure or coercion.
Become his disciple?
Ming He blinked, momentarily stunned. The Sect Master of Liu Yun Sect, Yun Zhao Feng’s master, a figure who seemed unfathomable to her, was asking if she wished to be his disciple?
"Wow!"
The outer sect disciples around her were equally stunned by this sudden news, and the atmosphere erupted with reactions—some envious, some jealous, and some hopeful…
"Junior Sister Su, quickly agree!" Ma He, a young inner sect disciple in white standing beside the Sect Master, urged her quietly, his eyes filled with nervousness and congratulations.
"Disciple pays respects to Master," Ming He said without hesitation, lifting her robe and kneeling, honoring the principles of heaven, earth, rulers, parents, and teachers. With this bow, she felt completely willing.
The Sect Master of Liu Yun Sect, a golden opportunity right before her—how could she not accept?
"Good, rise, my disciple," the Sect Master laughed heartily, not hiding his joy. "From now on, you are the third disciple of our sect and also my closed-door disciple."
"Xiao He, do you have anything to pack?" the Sect Master gently inquired. After seeing her hesitatingly nod, he turned to the young man beside him. "Qing Feng, after you help your Junior Sister take care of her outer sect matters, bring her to Qingyun Peak to choose a courtyard."
"Yes, Sect Master," the young disciple named Qing Feng agreed.
"Miss Qin, regarding what you asked me earlier, I now have some insights. Would you like to chat as we walk?"
The Sect Master looked at Qin Chu Yi calmly and kindly, showing no pride of being a sect leader and no forced demeanor due to his power or cultivation.
"Alright," Qin Chu Yi nodded slightly, standing up from her position and leading the way. Duan Wu glanced at the Sect Master before following her Young Master.
The Sect Master chuckled lightly, showing no concern, and followed behind at a steady pace.
"Junior Sister Ming He, do you have anything to pack? After you’re done, I’ll take you to Qingyun Peak," Qing Feng asked kindly.
"Senior Brother Qing Feng, I don’t have anything to take from the courtyard, but there is indeed one matter I need to attend to," Ming He replied without any embarrassment or anxiety.
"And the reward…" Ming He cast a hinting look at the white-robed inner sect disciple.
"Junior Sister Su, the Sect Master said that the reward for being the first outer sect disciple rightfully belongs to you. Are you worried I’ll take it?" Ma He chuckled, reaching into his pocket under Ming He’s eager gaze and pulling out a storage ring to hand it to her.
"Inside are a thousand lower-grade spirit stones, innate spirit-nurturing pills, and original spirit liquid. As for the innate techniques or martial skills, as well as innate weapons, you’ll have to collect those from the inner sect martial hall. This storage ring serves as proof of collection."
Proof of collection?
Ming He received the storage ring, cradling it in her palm. After inspecting it, she realized this storage ring was indeed different from the ones she had seen before; it was white, featured a cloud pattern, and had glimmering lights shimmering across its surface, looking extraordinary.
"This is an innate-level storage ring, capable of holding five times the space of an ordinary storage ring. It is also one of the rewards for being the first outer sect disciple," Ma He explained gently, clearing her confusion.
Is that true? What a treasure!
Ming He beamed with delight, feeling as joyful as a spring breeze. "Thank you, Senior Brother!"
"There’s no need to be polite," Ma He said, his spirits lifted by her happiness, his lips curving into a smile.
“Senior Brother Qing Feng, I still need to collect some spirit stones. If you don’t mind, could you wait for me a moment?” Ming He, still mindful of her five hundred spirit stones, glanced at Qing Feng with a questioning look.
“Junior Sister Su, no need to stand on ceremony. I’ll accompany you,” Qing Feng replied warmly, without a trace of arrogance.
“Alright, thank you, Senior Brother.”
Ming He smiled softly, then approached the disciple at the stall to retrieve her spirit stones before heading off with Qing Feng toward Qingyun Peak.
Previously, she had been so poor that everything she owned fit into her small storage ring, so there was no need to return to the outer sect disciples’ quarters.
Five hundred spirit stones had swiftly multiplied into two thousand five hundred.
Ming He swung her storage ring with evident delight. Keeping a low profile truly paid off! Unlike the well-known figures like Wang Feilong, Liu Rui, and Song Yuan, who had a one-to-one exchange, she had secured a one-to-five deal—this was a massive win!
“Junior Sister Su, ahead lies Qingyun Peak, the main peak of our Liu Yun Sect and the place where you’ll cultivate in the future,” Qing Feng explained, gesturing toward the towering mountain that pierced the clouds, his voice brimming with pride.
Ming He looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to the sharp, swirling sword energy encircling the clouds. The peak loomed above, shrouded in mist, with layers of majestic palaces faintly visible through the haze. This was Qingyun Peak, the heart of the Liu Yun Sect.
“It’s truly breathtaking,” Ming He murmured, her heart swelling with longing for the world beyond Liu Yun. If this remote corner of the story’s vast narrative was so magnificent, how much more awe-inspiring must the renowned landmarks be?
“Come, Junior Sister Su. I’ll take you to choose a courtyard you like. From now on, you’ll be the third inherited disciple under our Qingyun Peak Sect Master,” Qing Feng said, clearly pleased with her reaction.
“Inherited disciple?” Ming He asked, puzzled. Were there other classifications in the Liu Yun Sect besides outer sect disciples, inner sect disciples, and core disciples?
“Indeed, inherited disciple,” Qing Feng explained briefly. “Outer sect disciples, inner sect disciples, and core disciples are categorized by their cultivation level, but inherited disciples are determined by their master. Anyone who becomes a disciple under an inner sect elder, a peak master, or the Sect Master is considered an inherited disciple. Naturally, you are now one as well.”
“The privileges of an inherited disciple sometimes surpass even those of a core disciple. For instance, greater freedom in attire, unrestricted access to the sect’s secret places, and the ability to study techniques and martial skills below the innate level in the library without spending contribution points.”
“Additionally, inherited disciples receive five hundred spirit stones and one hundred contribution points each month, as well as a free bottle of innate spirit-nurturing pills every year, among other benefits.”
Oh, wow! This was truly a golden opportunity!
Initially, she had thought becoming the Sect Master’s disciple would come with decent treatment and some cultivation guidance, but she hadn’t expected the title of inherited disciple to hold such value. What a stroke of luck!
Ming He silently congratulated herself. “If I’m the third inherited disciple of my master, then Senior Brother Qing Feng must be the second, right?”
“Not at all,” Qing Feng replied with a gentle smile. “I was rescued by the Sect Master as an infant from a pack of beasts and raised in the Liu Yun Sect. I lack the talent to become his disciple, but I’m content to serve by his side.”
“Oh,” Ming He said, feeling a little embarrassed but reassured by Qing Feng’s calm demeanor. “Then who is my second senior?”
She only knew of Yun Zhao Feng as the Sect Master’s disciple. Previously, she had thought there would be no connection between them, but now he was her senior brother.
“Actually, it’s not a senior brother but your second senior sister. You’ll meet her soon enough,” Qing Feng said without elaborating further, his gaze lingering on the girl in blue and her multiple storage rings, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Junior Sister Su, these are the available inherited disciple courtyards on Qingyun Peak. Which one would you like?” Qing Feng led her to a white wall and pointed to the red-marked locations.
A map of the cultivation world?
Ming He studied it curiously, noting its similarity to the maps she was familiar with. The red markings indicated vacancies, while symbols for mountains, rivers, and forests were clear and easy to understand. From this map, she could easily assess the pros and cons of each courtyard.
“Senior Brother, I’ll take this one,” Ming He said, pointing to a courtyard nestled against the mountainside, with a river flowing in front and scattered trees nearby. She also liked the courtyard’s name: Chang Ming.
“Junior Sister has excellent taste,” Qing Feng praised as he led her toward the Chang Ming courtyard.
“Here we are,” Qing Feng said, pushing open the gate and stepping inside.
Ming He followed, admiring the spacious grounds and the intricately crafted wooden courtyard gate. The gentle sound of a stream flowing over stones and the rustling of leaves in the wind added to the serene atmosphere.
“By the way, Junior Sister, our Liu Yun Sect’s newly appointed chief disciple, Qin Chu Yi, lives nearby. If you have any questions in the future, you can always ask her,” Qing Feng said, a hint of amusement in his eyes as he noticed Ming He’s momentary stiffness. “Her courtyard is just a wall away.”
“Senior Brother Qing Feng, can I switch to another courtyard now?” Ming He asked seriously, suspecting he might be teasing her for mentioning Qin Chu Yi’s proximity only now.
She genuinely didn’t want to live too close to Qin Chu Yi. As everyone knew, such a prodigious figure often attracted trouble, and those around her either ended up as cannon fodder or faced constant comparisons. Even if neither applied, it would still mean unnecessary complications.
Ming He was someone who avoided trouble at all costs. Owing Qin Chu Yi a favor was already enough to make her nervous; she didn’t need anything more.
“Do you dislike living next to me?” Just as Ming He frowned, waiting for an answer, a cool voice drifted in from behind her, carrying the chill of autumn winds and sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.
