When the Immortal Venerable Picked-Up the Demon Cub - Chapter 9

When Zhu Ning heard this, she first looked at Lin Xiayan, who was standing in the room, still in front of the umbrella but now too afraid to approach it. Zhu Ning suddenly remembered that the umbrella could suppress demonic auras. If Lin Xiayan got any closer…

“I’ll be right back. Don’t touch anything,” Zhu Ning said, crouching down to try and meet Lin Xiayan’s gaze. But when their eyes met, Lin Xiayan’s gaze proved far more intimidating. Zhu Ning had no choice but to stand up again, coughing awkwardly.

Lin Xiayan spoke disdainfully, “With your status, you still have to run errands for an Elder? Go on, I have no interest in touching your things.” She even moved to stand by the door, making it clear she wouldn’t approach any of the room’s furnishings.

Zhu Ning was caught between laughter and tears, momentarily at a loss for words. She could only turn and leave, figuring that since Lin Xiayan had just arrived at Yun Cang Mountain, she wouldn’t dare act recklessly.

Reopening her oil-paper umbrella, Zhu Ning walked down the snow-covered path. The Academy lay to the west of her courtyard, not far at all. Guided by memory, she took only a few steps before spotting the imposing structure.

As Yun Cang Mountain’s central Academy, it was second only to the main hall in grandeur and solemnity. It was also the only two-story building on the mountain.

Outside the academy stood a male and female disciple. Upon recognizing Zhu Ning, they bowed respectfully, their eyes gleaming with admiration.

“The Immortal Venerable is truly extraordinary,” the female disciple gushed, her gaze brimming with envy. “Even her simplest movements are breathtakingly beautiful. She truly deserves to be called the foremost beauty of the Cultivation World!” The male disciple beside her nodded in agreement.

As Zhu Ning entered the academy, the sudden dimness of the light momentarily disoriented her. She rubbed her eyes and stood still for a moment to adjust before opening them again. Her peach blossom eyes, slightly reddened and naturally upturned at the corners, added a touch of allure to the academy’s solemn atmosphere.

“Ning’er, was your journey successful?” Yue Qing’s voice drifted down from the second floor. Zhu Ning followed the sound and spotted him standing before a row of books.

Yue Qing set down the scroll in his hand, casually formed a seal, and materialized before Zhu Ning.

Feeling nervous and unsure how to respond, Zhu Ning simply nodded with a goofy smile. As expected, Yue Qing frowned, as if perplexed by why Zhu Ning seemed… dazed after her journey.

Seeing Yue Qing’s frown, Zhu Ning realized she probably shouldn’t be smiling. Though the original owner of this body had a Holy Mother’s heart, she was a woman of few smiles.

Quickly suppressing her grin, Zhu Ning took the initiative to speak. “I didn’t bring any Dharma Artifacts on this journey and ended up getting slashed for nothing. Fortunately, I’m fine now. Thank you for your concern, Elder.” In the original story, during this journey, Zhu Ning had been slashed on the left shoulder while subduing a Demonic Creature.

Though she felt no pain, the wound remained.

Yue Qing stroked his long beard and used his magical power to tentatively examine Zhu Ning’s injury. As expected, a faint Demonic Aura lingered around the cut on her left shoulder.

Withdrawing his Magical Technique, Yue Qing’s gaze softened slightly, but his tone remained stern. “Why did you bring back a girl? She’s too young for her family to have sent her, isn’t she?”

Zhu Ning had been dreading this question. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead as she finally spoke, having rehearsed her words many times. “I saved this girl. Her parents are gone, so I had no choice but to bring her back. Though she’s young, she’s already experienced things most girls her age never will. I intend to take her as my apprentice.”

Earlier, Yue Qing’s expression had shown signs of understanding. But when Zhu Ning announced her intention to take Lin Xiayan as her apprentice, his thick eyebrows furrowed again.

“Such a major decision as accepting an apprentice should be discussed with the entire sect. We have many talented disciples with spiritual roots. Why not let me keep an eye on her here, while you choose another gifted disciple to mentor?” Yue Qing suggested, his words reasonable. After all, Zhu Ning was the living symbol of Yun Cang Mountain, and many of this year’s applicants had come specifically to study under her.

Now, to have her precedence stolen by a girl picked up by the roadside naturally stirred resentment among some.

Zhu Ning had her own bitter reasons for silence. She certainly didn’t want this notorious villain lingering by her side. If it weren’t for the need to prevent the Female Protagonist’s dark transformation, Zhu Ning would have packed her bags and fled long ago.

“But…” Zhu Ning found herself momentarily unable to articulate a counterargument. How could she tell Yue Qing that she simply saw potential in Lin Xiayan? That would only invite suspicion.

Yue Qing’s gaze fixed on her, waiting for her to continue. Gathering her courage, Zhu Ning said, “Still, personal affinity matters. Since fate brought her to me, let me guide her. As for the other disciples, I leave them in the Elder’s capable hands…”

With those words, Zhu Ning didn’t give Yue Qing a chance to respond and turned and left, leaving him to stare at her retreating figure. Though she appeared utterly composed, only she knew how nervous she felt.

Yue Qing watched Zhu Ning walk away, feeling that she had changed somehow since returning from her journey, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

“Honored Master?” Zhu Ning had barely left the Academy when she heard a crisp voice. She turned to see a girl in a green dress standing on the path. Her hair was simply coiled into a bun, and she carried a bamboo basket.

Zhu Ning felt a sudden wave of dread, as if she’d encountered a great villain. This person! A green dress with no jewelry…could anyone but the Female Protagonist possibly wear such a getup?!

“Fe—ahem, Mi’er, right?” This was their first encounter, and Zhu Ning felt nervous, nearly blurting out “Female Protagonist” before catching herself.

Su Mi approached with a smile, her clothes dusted with snow as if she’d been standing in the cold for a long time. Her cheeks were rosy from the chill. Her features weren’t strikingly beautiful, but they were pleasant to look at.

It seemed the author’s heart still belonged to the original protagonist, the Holy Mother Immortal Venerable, who was described as the most beautiful woman in the entire book.

Zhu Ning, surprisingly, still had the mind to be distracted by such thoughts. By the time she snapped out of it, Su Mi was already standing before her.

“During this Honored Master’s absence, this disciple missed you dearly,” Su Mi said, performing a proper disciple’s bow. Even with her hands frozen red, she pressed them into the snow to complete the gesture.

Zhu Ning told her to rise and looked her up and down. It had only been a year since Su Mi had become her disciple, and she still bore scars from the chase by the Demonic Beast.

Seeing these wounds, Zhu Ning felt a pang of pain herself. She softened her voice. “This master missed you too. Did you practice diligently at Yun Cang Mountain?”

Su Mi nodded and was about to demonstrate a new Magical Technique she had just learned when a child’s voice interrupted.

“Immortal Venerable? Is this Senior Sister?” Zhu Ning didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was.

Had Lin Xiayan rushed over just to see the Female Protagonist? Zhu Ning pressed a hand to her forehead, unsure how to handle this situation.

Su Mi turned around, a kind smile on her face. “Who are you? Did Honored Master bring you along?”

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