When the Immortal Venerable Picked-Up the Demon Cub - Chapter 10

Lin Xiayan returned the smile, but the glint in her eyes flickered briefly. She nodded innocently and clung to Zhu Ning’s arm, as if staking her claim. “Yes, the Immortal Venerable even said she wants to take me as her disciple!”

She glanced at Zhu Ning, seeking confirmation. Zhu Ning just wanted to loaf around—why was everything being dragged back to her?

Zhu Ning forced a smile, her delicate features betraying her discomfort. She tried to smooth things over by elaborating, “Her name is Lin Xiayan. Her talent seems promising, so I was considering accepting her as a disciple.”

No matter how she phrased it, Zhu Ning felt like she was being forced to explain herself. She cleared her throat, determined to say as little as possible.

Su Mi understood immediately. She handed her small basket to Lin Xiayan, adopting the demeanor of an older sister. “Then come along and help me gather medicinal herbs for our Honored Master. The back of the mountain is full of them. If you want to become her disciple, you can’t go around not knowing your herbs, can you?”

Without waiting for a response, she tried to pull Lin Xiayan away. Lin Xiayan immediately turned to look at Zhu Ning. She couldn’t let anything happen to her before the Grand Discipleship Ceremony.

Zhu Ning immediately understood the situation and spoke up, “It’s bitterly cold and snowing. You and Xiayan shouldn’t go. I’ll handle the medicinal herbs myself later. You should go back and rest.”

Worried that Su Mi might insist on going, Zhu Ning quickly snatched the small bamboo basket from Lin Xiayan’s hands, adopting a kindly demeanor as she looked at her two disciples.

These words suited Lin Xiayan perfectly. She readily moved to Zhu Ning’s side, playfully winking at Su Mi to show off her victory.

Su Mi paid no attention, maintaining her gentle smile as if nothing could upset her. Zhu Ning pulled Lin Xiayan back, sighing inwardly a hundred times.

We’ve barely met, and the tension is already this thick. If we continue to interact like this, won’t we end up blowing the roof off the house?

The snow continued to fall, melting off the oil-paper umbrella. Lin Xiayan glanced up at Zhu Ning’s troubled expression, her red lips parting as she taunted, “What’s wrong? Are you afraid of your own disciple? Should I go comfort her now?”

As she spoke, she turned to leave and head back to find Su Mi. Zhu Ning quickly grabbed her arm, forcing another smile as she coaxed her like a child. “It’s bitterly cold out here. There’s no need for you two to go. Besides, since you’re joining my sect, you can’t keep calling me ‘Immortal Venerable’—that’s just what people call me. Go find Elder Yue instead. He’ll oversee your Grand Discipleship Ceremony in a few days.”

The Grand Discipleship Ceremony on Yun Cang Mountain was no trivial matter.

This was Yue Qing’s final condition. If Lin Xiayan could endure the trials, he would no longer oppose her. But if she failed, she would never gain the sect’s recognition.

Under this pressure, Zhu Ning knew she had no choice but to agree. Yet as she glanced at Lin Xiayan’s frail frame, she felt a pang of fear—even knowing that beneath that delicate exterior lay a formidable woman.

Far from being intimidated, Lin Xiayan’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. She solemnly smoothed her red dress with small hands, then dashed toward the Academy, seemingly eager to face Yue Qing’s scrutiny.

Resigned, Zhu Ning followed behind. As the familiar gates of the Academy came into view once more, she noticed the snow dusting the intricately carved characters above the gate, lending the scene an unexpected charm.

“Hmm? What’s this?” Yue Qing asked, still holding a scroll in his hand as he looked down at Lin Xiayan, who was already kneeling on the floor.

Lin Xiayan’s small hands pressed against the soft carpet, surrounded by bookshelves that made her seem even smaller. When Yue Qing spoke, she replied, “Elder Yue, I am Lin Xiayan. I wish to become the disciple of Immortal Venerable Zhu Ning. I am willing to undergo the trials of the Grand Discipleship Ceremony.”

Her voice was young, and at ten years old, she shouldn’t have sounded so mature. Yet everything she said seemed natural, as if it was meant to be.

Yue Qing put down his scroll and walked over to Lin Xiayan. Instead of helping her up, he continued, “But your age and aptitude aren’t really suitable for becoming Immortal Venerable Zhu’s disciple. Would you rather I take you as my own disciple?”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Lin Xiayan began banging her head against the floor, each strike harder than the last. Her forehead turned red, and she sobbed uncontrollably before gasping out between sobs, “Xiayan only wishes to become… the disciple of Immortal Venerable Zhu…”

Glistening tears clung to her short, adorable lashes, trembling and falling. Anyone watching felt their heart ache. But Zhu Ning, standing nearby, felt only alarm. Is this how she starts?

As Xiayan’s Honored Master, Zhu Ning stepped forward to speak. While clumsily using her Spiritual Power to treat the bruise on Lin Xiayan’s forehead, she urged Yue Qing, “Since the child is willing, let her stay with me. I’m sure she’ll astound us all at the Grand Discipleship Ceremony in three days.”

Yue Qing looked at the two before him. They claimed to be here for a discussion, but it was clear they were forcing him to agree, like herding ducks onto a stage. What could he do? Zhu Ning was the Sect Leader, so he had no choice but to consent.

Zhu Ning straightened up, her white Daoist robe swaying gently around her feet. Her figure, outlined in golden thread, stood motionless, her cool demeanor blending seamlessly with the scholarly atmosphere of the room. The plush carpet beneath her feet complemented her pristine white Daoist shoes, spotless and untainted.

Holding Lin Xiayan’s small hand, Zhu Ning glanced at the girl’s vibrant red dress. Already showing signs of becoming a seductive vixen? she thought. Was she like this even as a child?

Now that Yue Qing had been forced to agree, Lin Xiayan had no reason to remain kneeling. Yet she didn’t want to leave. She took a few steps toward the chair at the Academy’s main position. Though less ornate than the chairs in the grand hall, it exuded no less dignity.

The chair was adorned with numerous glistening gold embellishments. Lin Xiayan sat down without hesitation, spreading open a book about spiritual power. Though she appeared illiterate, her hands flipped through the pages rapidly, as if she had already memorized the entire content.

This scene unfolded right in front of Zhu Ning, who felt like she was about to faint. She could only avoid Yue Qing’s gaze, bracing for his scolding.

“You actually thought to combine the two causes!” Yue Qing exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with surprise and delight as he spotted the two books in Lin Xiayan’s hands.

The book covers were worn and marked with faint scratches, but none of that mattered now. Yue Qing rushed over, snatched up the books, and began studying them intently. After just a few glances, a long-standing puzzle in his mind was solved!

Standing nearby, Zhu Ning inadvertently noticed a red petal briefly flit across Lin Xiayan’s forehead. The fleeting image left those who witnessed it with endless speculation.

“Xiayan said it herself—she’s amazing, right?” Lin Xiayan was practically floating on cloud nine with glee.

Zhu Ning watched her with a twitching smile, silently adding:

If she hadn’t cheated with magic, that would be true greatness.

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