After the Demon Lord was Reborn, She Switched to a Master-Disciple Romance Script - Chapter 12

Immortal Venerable Qingwu is taking a disciple!

The news dropped like a bombshell, causing an immediate uproar.

Who is Immortal Venerable Qingwu?

She’s the one who once vanquished demons with a single sword strike, purged evil from the Six Realms, and earned the title of the Cultivation World’s undisputed number one!

Cold and aloof, she seems untouched by worldly concerns.

Even those who couldn’t become her disciples longed to witness the brilliance of the Cultivation World’s foremost figure.

Moreover, Immortal Venerable Qingwu and Sect Leader Ning share the same master. Yet, she hasn’t taken a single disciple in all these years. If someone were fortunate enough to be chosen as her disciple during the upcoming Outer Sect Disciple Grand Competition, they would become her first and only apprentice!

Being her first apprentice means not only receiving the best guidance but also gaining access to unparalleled resources.

If one could prove their worth, the future would be a clear path to success, soaring like the wind to the highest realms!

This sudden announcement sent ripples of excitement and anticipation through the entire Sect.

Zhu Jiyun tried to recall: Had Immortal Venerable Qingwu taken a disciple in her previous life?

She didn’t think so.

There had been a similar rumor back then, spread by someone unknown, claiming that Immortal Venerable Qingwu would select an outstanding disciple as her apprentice after the Outer Sect Disciple Grand Competition.

Strangely, after the Outer Sect Grand Competition ended, the rumor remained just that a rumor, never confirmed.

The disciples, unable to hide their disappointment, had no choice but to give up.

Zhu Jiyun noticed that Ji Nianyan seemed excited by the news at first, but she quickly regained her composure.

Since joining the Clear Mist Sect, Ji Nianyan was no longer the naive girl from the Mortal Realm.

Every day, she learned more about the Cultivation World from her fellow disciples, especially about Immortal Venerable Qingwu.

The more she heard, the clearer it became what kind of figure Immortal Venerable Qingwu was in the cultivation world.

Knowing her own limitations, Ji Nianyan wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about the rumor.

Xia Lianjiao, propping her chin in her hand, daydreamed, “If I became Immortal Venerable Qingwu’s disciple, would I get to see him every day?”

Ji Nianyan hesitated. “Probably?”

Wouldn’t it be normal for a disciple to see their master every day?

Xia Lianjiao murmured, “I really want to catch a glimpse of the Immortal Venerable’s grace.”

Zhu Jiyun raised her gaze. “Do you want to become the Immortal Venerable’s disciple?”

“Of course I do!” Xia Lianjiao exclaimed. “Who wouldn’t want to be the Immortal Venerable’s disciple? But I know my chances are slim. I just hope he’ll show up at the Outer Sect Disciple Grand Competition.”

Xia Lianjiao paused, covering her mouth as she whispered to the two of them, “I heard the Immortal Venerable isn’t just the strongest cultivator in the world, but also the most beautiful.”

She was always curious about people who were exceptionally good-looking.

Zhu Jiyun recalled the rumors from her past life in the Demon Realm and nodded. “That’s right. They say the Immortal Venerable is as aloof as a celestial being, with a jade-like beauty that surpasses all others.”

“While cultivation strength can be objectively measured, beauty is subjective. But the Immortal Venerable’s widespread reputation suggests most people agree on their extraordinary appearance.”

Hearing this, Zhu Jiyun suddenly thought of her Senior.

Considering her two centuries of experience from her previous life, Zhu Jiyun believed her Senior’s appearance and demeanor were undoubtedly the most remarkable among all the people she had ever met.

Aloof as a celestial being, with a jade-like beauty that surpasses all others.

Her Senior clearly deserved such praise.

Yet Zhu Jiyun had never heard any rumors about someone with frost-white hair and a red mark.

Could it be that my Senior is also a recluse?

Ji Nianyan moved closer to her. “Sister, what are you thinking about? Do you want to become the Immortal Venerable’s disciple too?”

Zhu Jiyun admitted, “I’m just curious about what kind of person the Immortal Venerable is.”

In her previous life, Zhu Jiyun never had the chance to meet Xun Juexue, not even after two hundred years.

She had always been preoccupied with improving her cultivation, remaining diligent even after becoming the Demon Lord. She truly paid no attention to worldly affairs, focusing solely on advancing her cultivation.

Apart from a youthful curiosity about Immortal Venerable Qingwu, Zhu Jiyun had spent her subsequent years in a relentless struggle for survival, unable to spare a thought for anyone or anything unrelated to her own survival.

After all, she had only become the Demon Lord to protect herself, never intending to inherit her predecessor’s political ambitions of unifying the Cultivation World. Moreover, the Immortal Venerable had secluded himself for years, rarely interfering in worldly matters, which had little impact on Zhu Jiyun’s life.

It was only now, free from the burdens of life and death, that she could calmly gossip about such trivial matters.

Ji Nianyan took a sip of water. “Everyone’s curious.”

Xia Lianjiao exclaimed, “I want to try my best! I hope to get a good rank in the Outer Sect Grand Competition. That way, if the Immortal Venerable attends, I can get closer to him!”

Then she could get a better look at him.

Zhu Jiyun couldn’t read her mind, but her expression gave her away.

Xia Lianjiao was likely to be disappointed.

Xun Juexue would never take disciples, nor would he ever appear at the Outer Sect Grand Competition.

Zhu Jiyun was speechless at the System’s incessant squawking.

In her Sea of Consciousness, she asked, “Don’t you know Xun Juexue doesn’t take disciples at all?”

The System stubbornly repeated its directive: “Defeat the Female Lead at the Outer Sect Grand Competition and successfully become Xun Juexue’s disciple.”

Zhu Jiyun sighed.

Sometimes she really wondered if this System was just plain stupid.

After all, sometimes it could be eloquent and persuasive, while other times it was as rigid and inflexible as a pre-programmed algorithm, stubbornly adhering to its programmed instructions.

But then again, what kind of guarantee would a new recruit get without some backup protocols? What if they messed up the mission?

She gave a perfunctory “uh-huh” to get the System to shut up for now.

After all, she couldn’t get rid of it, so she might as well just placate it.

Sure enough, the moment she gave her half-hearted acknowledgment, the System fell silent.

That afternoon, Zhu Jiyun tidied herself up and headed to Pill Refinement class.

As soon as she entered, she saw Instructor Wang glaring at her with a long face.

The other students were also stealing glances at Zhu Jiyun in small groups.

After all, someone who managed to blow up the pill furnace every single time they tried refining pills was quite the prodigy.

Zhu Jiyun met the gazes of the crowd with composure.

Instructor Wang, his face stern, addressed Zhu Jiyun formally, “Are you feeling unwell? If so, you should return to rest. Your health is far more important than Pill Refinement.”

He truly felt a headache just looking at Zhu Jiyun.

As a Pill Refiner, Instructor Wang found Zhu Jiyun’s lack of talent in Pill Refinement, coupled with her unwavering passion for it, not heartening but utterly exhausting.

It wasn’t that Zhu Jiyun lacked diligence. On the contrary, she followed every step in the instructor’s manual meticulously, even asking Instructor Wang for clarification on potential errors. Each time he checked her work, he’d think, This time should be fine, only for the small pill furnace to explode with a boom.

Instructor Wang: “……”

I can’t teach her. I really can’t teach her.

Zhu Jiyun’s individual consumption of resources rivaled the combined losses of all the other disciples.

This year’s pill furnace procurement budget will have to be doubled!

Zhu Jiyun insisted, “Instructor Wang, I feel perfectly fine.”

Instructor Wang, his face grim, led the way back to the instructor’s room.

A figure sat in the center, the focus of everyone’s attention.

It was Ji Chengyu.

Zhu Jiyun’s eyebrows didn’t even twitch at his presence. She took her usual seat, opened the instructor’s manual on the table, and began pondering which Medicinal Pill to practice refining today.

The last time she tried refining the Basic Qi-Preserving Pill, it exploded. The time before that, the Basic Blood-Replenishing Pill also exploded. And the time before that, the Basic Qi-Nourishing Spirit-Enhancing Pill… you guessed it, it exploded too.

Maybe she should try the Spirit-Boosting Essence-Refining Pill this time?

This pill’s energizing and essence-refining effects far surpassed even modern concentrated coffee. It could keep someone wide awake and mentally sharp for three days and three nights straight.

Of course, this pill worked best for disciples in the early stages of Foundation Establishment. At that stage, their bodies were just beginning to store and circulate Spiritual Power. Wasting internal Spiritual Power to maintain mental clarity was a bit wasteful for disciples still laying their foundations.

Better to just pop a few more pills to stay alert. Staying up for days on end would be no problem at all.

This Spirit-Boosting Essence-Refining Pill would be perfect for Ji Nianyan and Xia Lianjiao!

Zhu Jiyun’s expression was solemn as she stared intently at the pill furnace. Her movements were meticulous, each ingredient precisely measured before being added to the small furnace.

Ji Chengyu glanced sideways at Zhu Jiyun’s battle-ready posture and scoffed coldly.

During their last sparring match, Ji Chengyu had dismissed Zhu Jiyun’s victory as mere luck.

But it was undeniably a humiliating defeat.

At this thought, Ji Chengyu’s eyes hardened.

Boom!

Covered in soot, Zhu Jiyun didn’t even bother wiping her nose as she frantically checked for the cause.

“The ingredients are correct, the quantities are right, the heat is perfect… What went wrong?”

A nearby cultivator couldn’t help but remark, “Zhu Jiyun, could it be your luck?”

Zhu Jiyun replied sternly, “No, absolutely not.”

The cultivator’s expression turned complicated.

How could it not be?

Why is it always her furnace that explodes?

Zhu Jiyun glanced at the slightly worn pill furnace on the cultivator’s table.

“Fellow Daoist, may I borrow your furnace?”

“Maybe it’s just the age of the pill furnace?” she wondered aloud.

The person beside her frowned. “No! That’s impossible!” She had already grown attached to her furnace. What if Zhu Jiyun blew it up?

Instructor Wang’s lips twitched at her words. “Alright, Zhu Jiyun, stop eyeing the pill furnace.” She rubbed her furrowed brow and劝解d, “Perhaps you truly lack talent for Pill Refinement. Don’t force yourself.”

Initially, the sect encouraged disciples to explore various disciplines before choosing their path. By now, most of those remaining in the Pill Refinement class had already decided to become Pill Refiners. The small group left consisted of those still interested in the craft or those who wanted to learn it for personal needs.

But Zhu Jiyun genuinely lacked talent. She was even less gifted than the most incompetent disciple in the class. Instructor Wang couldn’t bear to see her waste her potential on this path.

She urged earnestly and said, “Pill Refinement isn’t the only way to reach the Great Dao. Qingmiao Sect is renowned for its sword cultivation, with countless sword cultivators within its ranks. I’ve heard from other disciples that you’re quite skilled with the sword. There’s no need to obsess over Pill Refinement!”

“Besides,” she continued, “Immortal Venerable Qingwu’s pill refinement skills weren’t particularly impressive, but her swordsmanship was exceptional. Yet she still achieved great heights on her path! Zhu Jiyun, trust me, you don’t need to be perfect at everything.” Instructor Wang, having lived for over a thousand years and been a disciple in the same cohort as Xun Juexue, had a good understanding of these historical matters.

Zhu Jiyun stared in stunned silence.

What? Immortal Venerable Qingwu was also a pill refinement failure?

Pah! What do you mean “also”?

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