3. Becoming an Apprentice

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Lin Jiuge was still reminiscing about her first time practicing swordsmanship. She was only three years old then. Seeing her father train with the sword, she wanted to learn as well. She trained through the coldest winters and the hottest summers, never giving up despite her young age. Perhaps her aim was to protect, but deep down, she truly loved it.

A sword’s sharp cry swiftly landed in Lin Jiuge’s right hand. With a quick sweep of her right hand, she wielded the sword, while her left hand held the golden sword shimmering with radiant light, enveloping her in a glow that made her movements indistinct.

Everyone could see only that Lin Jiuge’s golden sword left clear marks on the stone beneath.

“The Sword Testing Stone actually recognizes this girl. In the future, at the very least, she will reach the rank of Revered Cultivator,” an elder exclaimed in surprise.

“The Sword Testing Stone’s recognition means her talent is at least Purple Rank.”

Master Wuzhan looked once at the Sword Testing Stone and then at the golden sword in Lin Jiuge’s hand, which glowed with golden light. His eyes were deep and thoughtful, but he said nothing. He grabbed Lin Jiuge and vanished.

“Senior Brother, wait!” The sect leader’s outstretched hand trembled slightly.

“We’ll go too, just to watch the excitement,” Elder Jieyan said with a mischievous expression.

Lin Jiuge stopped in front of a stone pillar.

“Strike it with force,” Master Wuzhan ordered.

Lin Jiuge hesitated for a second, then struck the pillar as instructed. Everyone rushed over just in time to see a blaze of purple light shooting into the sky, dazzling and magnificent. Suddenly, all present felt an overwhelming urge to worship.

“Lin Jiuge, I am Li Yun, styled Master Wuzhan. Are you willing to accept me as your teacher?” Master Wuzhan, Li Yun, asked.

“Disciple Lin Jiuge pays respects to Master,” Lin Jiuge said, her eyes flashing with purple light, bowing crisply. This man was her destined master.

“Very good.” Master Wuzhan smiled proudly. He had finally found a rare gem—a prodigy in swordsmanship.

“Congratulations, Junior Brother (Senior Uncle),” everyone thought. He was quick to act. From Li Yun’s series of moves, they understood he intended to take a disciple. But would this girl agree to his peculiar conditions?

“Master, I will be your disciple, but I must bring Jiuci with me,” Lin Jiuge said firmly. This was the first time anyone had heard of a cultivator insisting on bringing a child along.

Everyone looked toward Zhou Yan, who held the child quietly, his handsome appearance soothing the little one. Truly a blessed child.

“As long as it doesn’t hinder cultivation, it’s not a problem,” Li Yun said, feeling reasonable. Every time he thought of it later, he would feel that being single had misled him!

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“Senior Brother, Lin Jiuge should be your final disciple. Don’t you want to hold a formal ceremony?” The sect leader reminded him. This senior brother was known for his love of battle, a legendary figure many younger disciples had grown up hearing stories about. Many talented youths had wanted to apprentice under him. Now that he was finally taking a disciple, it was time to announce it. Only one difficult problem remained. The sect leader absentmindedly touched his forehead—no wonder the senior brother didn’t want to be sect leader.

“In a month,” Li Yun counted on his fingers. One month would be enough time for his apprentice to reach the third level of the Mortal Enlightenment Stage.

“Good. Then I will promptly send out invitations.”

“Alright.” Li Yun understood. This meant his apprentice’s private funds would soon run low.

Lin Jiuge took Lin Jiuci and thanked Zhou Yan.

“Thank you, senior sister. Sorry to have troubled you.”

“Pfft, pfft, pfft.” A group of elders couldn’t hold back their laughter this time, mostly because Lin Jiuge’s expression was far too serious.

“Ahem. Junior sister, eye diseases are illnesses and must be treated,” Zhou Yan said kindly. His sincere male voice made Lin Jiuge pause.

Instinctively, Lin Jiuge looked up at Zhou Yan’s body. Hmm, flat, then her gaze rose higher to a clear Adam’s apple! Then she looked at his face—handsome. The Creator truly was wondrous.

“Jiuge understands,” she said, then she hugged Lin Jiuci and left.

Zhou Yan? So what exactly had this newly minted junior sister understood? Looking again at the smiling elders, his fists clenched. He really shouldn’t have been curious about the owner of the golden sword!

“Respected senior uncles, I, Zhou Yan, take my leave.”

Zhou Yan hadn’t gone far when laughter erupted behind him. His steps faltered.

“Ahem, alright, senior brothers, get back to your tasks.” If the laughter continued, he feared his apprentice would come looking for him and Master Wuzhan to spar again!

Following Master Wuzhan’s winding path and occasional aerial surveys, Lin Jiuge finally found Master Wuzhan’s residence.

“Ahem, disciple, this is your master’s home. The compound has many courtyards. Feel free to choose from the left ones. Do not enter the courtyards on the right lightly. Your direct senior uncle lives there; he keeps many strange things,” Li Yun explained.

“Understood.” Lin Jiuge withdrew her earlier doubts about her master’s reliability. At least the accommodations here were far better than the common quarters. And perhaps it was her imagination, but the air here seemed fresher.

“Oh, where did this little one come from?” A gentle voice came from the right-side house as the door opened. Lin Jiuge looked over to see a kindly old man.

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“Ah, old bookworm, you actually ventured outside. You must know I have a disciple now. This is your senior uncle, styled Master Wudao Yuan Zun,” Li Yun said bluntly, introducing the man.

“Disciple Lin Jiuge pays respects to Master Wudao Senior Uncle.” Lin Jiuge nodded. The senior brothers presented a striking contrast—one ethereal and otherworldly, the other like a grounded general.

“Tsk tsk, bold fellow, you actually took a disciple. Rare indeed. Let me have a look,” Master Wudao Yuan Zun said in surprise. He knew well how bizarre the conditions were for his junior brother’s discipleship. This girl must have some reason for being chosen.

“Golden sword?” Master Wudao Yuan Zun glanced at the golden sword accompanying Lin Jiuge, raising an eyebrow. This alone wasn’t enough reason for his junior brother to accept a disciple—he had received many talented youths wielding the Ten Famous Swords.

“Hmm.” Master Wudao Yuan Zun took out a transparent orb and aimed it at Lin Jiuge. Then he understood.

“She possesses the highest-level special constitution among sword cultivators, born for swordsmanship,” he praised. This constitution made the golden sword seem somewhat unworthy.

“Hmph, the disciple personally chosen by me cannot be mediocre,” Li Yun said proudly.

“Come, senior uncle’s gift for you. Your master is a rough fellow—good at fighting, but probably won’t teach you these things. Take these and have a look.” Master Wudao Yuan Zun kindly handed Lin Jiuge a thin booklet and a small pouch. Lin Jiuge gently placed Lin Jiuci on the ground, accepted the gifts with both hands, and expressed her thanks. She held Lin Jiuci with her left hand and the booklet and pouch in her right.

Li Yun was momentarily speechless, then scratched his nose. He had never thought about these things before but planned to start training his disciple tomorrow.

“Rest for now. Come here at the first hour of the morning to meet me,” Li Yun instructed in a lofty tone.

“Yes, Master. May I ask where the kitchen is? I wish to prepare some food.” She checked the time. It was the hour to cook for Lin Jiuci.

“Kitchen?”

“Or the dining hall. Master, please point the way. I will go myself.” Lin Jiuge reconsidered and rephrased.

Li Yun suddenly realized: his new disciple, not yet shed of worldly attachments, still needed grains to eat. He then produced two purple fruits from his hand.

“Eat these from now on!”