Chapter 160

160. Chapter 160: Apprenticeship Ceremony

All along, Xia knew there was something wrong with her body, but she had no clue how to solve it and could only live with the realization that she could die at any time.

But this newly appointed Shushan Sect Leader seemed to know her problem and even seemed to have a way to solve it, making her ecstatic for a moment.

"Sect Leader Chu, can Shushan help me cure the strange illness in my body?"

Xia asked tremblingly, fearing she would hear a disappointing answer from Chu Yang's mouth.

"Miss Xia, please rest assured. Since I said so, I naturally have a way."

Seeing Chu Yang so certain, Xia no longer hesitated and walked out with Xie Cangxing.

"Miss Mu... Miss Xia has an illness? Why didn't she tell us on the way?"

Xiahou Jinxuan looked worried.

And beside him was a woman in a light green dress, with a slender figure and an exceptionally cold and beautiful appearance.

Mu Changlan said, "Little Young Master, we are just casual acquaintances; how could Sister Xia talk about these things to others so easily?"

Xiahou Jinxuan looked disappointed and muttered, "Just casual acquaintances..."

With this change, Mu Changlan looked smiling on the surface, but she was very uneasy inside. Unlike Xie Cangxing and Xia, she had always had other motives.

Accepting Xie Cangxing and Xia as Shushan disciples was an impromptu decision by Chu Yang.

Xie Cangxing was already destined for Shushan; he was originally Li Xiaoyao's fellow disciple and a red-blooded Shushan elder, but due to the influence of the great fusion of world backgrounds, he was now just an ordinary martial artist.

It was only natural for him to return to the sect.

As for... Xia, she was originally a dead infant from a major earthquake more than ten years ago, and her soul was forcibly kept in her body by the Demon Realm Yecha Clan's Great Elder Mo Yi and the Yecha King Long Ming using a Soul-Binding Technique.

She was not a living person in the normal sense, so her sensory abilities such as taste, smell, and touch were only about two or three tenths of an ordinary person's. Wine was the only thing she could feel, which was why she liked it so much.

The so-called illness was the rejection reaction between her soul and her body.

Besides Xia, Mo Yi also used the Soul-Binding Technique to control the second master of the Xiahou family, who was Xiahou Jinxuan's uncle—the younger brother of the Xiahou family head, Xiahou Zhang—Xiahou Tao.

Xiahou Tao also died in the major earthquake more than ten years ago and was chosen by Mo Yi at the same time as Xia, but because Xia was an infant at the time and had no great value, she was abandoned, which could be considered a blessing in misfortune.

Xiahou Tao, on the other hand, became completely Mo Yi's puppet clone, lurking in the Xiahou family for many years and using the Xiahou family's influence to gather information about the human world.

Even Xiahou Jinxuan's magic arts were taught by him.

And after so many years of getting along, perhaps only Mo Yi himself knew how much affection he had for the Xiahou family.

Mu Changlan traveling with Xiahou Jinxuan and the others this time was also for money, providing information to Mo Yi, but she didn't know the inside story.

Chu Yang's intention in taking Xia as a disciple was to guard against the Yecha Clan.

Speaking of which, the Yecha Clan was quite miserable. Because the water veins in the Demon Realm had dried up, the countries within the Demon Realm fell into war, and the Yecha Kingdom happened to be on the passage between the human and demon realms, becoming a common target for several other countries.

For the Yecha Clan, they only had two choices: either find a way to restore the Demon Realm's water veins, or move the entire clan into the human world.

Mo Yi walking in the human world through the Soul-Binding Technique was precisely to leave a backup plan.

The passage between the human and demon realms was exactly the Well of Gods and Demons that Xu Changqing and the others had been sent to by Chong Lou earlier.

More than ten years of painstaking planning was not as good as Chong Lou waving his hand casually; it was truly sigh-worthy.

As the Lord of the Demon Realm, Chong Lou seemed to never care about the life or death of the creatures in the Demon Realm. He only cared about two things in his life.

Zi Xuan, and hearty battles.

Regarding suffering, Chong Lou would only say that the fittest survive.

With such a Demon Lord, Mo Yi and the others could be considered to have had the worst luck in eight lifetimes.

The merger ceremony turned into an apprenticeship ceremony.

Based on the philosophy that one sheep is herding and a group of sheep is also herding, disciples like Li Xiaoyao and Lin Yueru who had not held an apprenticeship ceremony before also joined the formal apprenticeship ceremony under Chu Yang's instruction.

The scene instantly became lively!

The depression caused by the Demon Lord's appearance had weakened a lot.

Just when the guests thought Chu Yang was going to take apprentices himself, this new Sect Leader started doing things that made people confused.

Without even asking, he stuffed the oldest, Xie Cangxing, to the Sword Saint as a disciple.

And considering that Lin Tiannan and the Sword Saint were sworn brothers, Lin Yueru also became the Sword Saint's disciple, and a closing disciple at that.

Li Xiaoyao and Xia were arranged under the Wine Sword Immortal; one was destined, and the other liked to drink, which would probably suit the old drunkard's appetite.

Jingtian and Liu Jinyuan took Qingwei as their master.

Although Jingtian had high talent in martial arts, he was somewhat tired of fighting, and with Chong Lou forcing him from time to time, he didn't even want to hold a sword anymore, so it was better to learn some magic.

Liu Jinyuan was aiming for the position of Imperial Preceptor; he not only had to learn magic but also how to govern a country, which only Qingwei, as Sect Leader, could teach him.

After all, the difficulty of governing Shushan was no less than governing a country; everything here concerned the common people of the world.

As the apprenticeship ceremony drew to a close, the guests' expressions became intrigued.

Supreme Elders taking apprentices—didn't that mean Li Xiaoyao and the others were of the same generation as Chu Yang and Xu Changqing as soon as they entered the sect? Which brainless Sect Leader in the world would do such a thing?

Only this Sect Leader Chu, whose personality was eccentric to the extreme!

"Truly an eye-opener."

Shang Fengzi shook his head and laughed, but in his heart, he was faintly looking forward to the future of Shushan. He wouldn't say how good it would be, but it would certainly be very interesting.

Compared to Shang Fengzi, Feng Yao of the Qionghua Sect did not like Chu Yang's actions as Sect Leader. In her view, the other party's behavior was truly too frivolous.

She secretly made up her mind to keep her distance from the Shushan Sect in the future.

The apprenticeship ceremony came to an end, which meant the first process of the merger ceremony was over, and the next was the popular time for eating.

Under the leadership of Xu Changqing, the Shushan disciples began to greet guests to the main hall.

Eat and drink as you please; there was no need for Chu Yang to continue speaking, and he had time for free activities.

However, just as he walked down the high platform, he saw Qingwei and the Sword Saint leading several elders toward a group of people among the guests.

Daoists, monks, and some people wearing Miao-like clothing.

It was exactly the group of people Chu Yang had met in Yuzhou City, who he had missed because Lin Tiannan suddenly appeared.

During the commotion just now, this group of people had been standing at the very edge, as if whatever happened had nothing to do with them, so Chu Yang naturally hadn't noticed them.

"A-Yang, come over here, I'll introduce you to a few people."

Qingwei smiled and beckoned to Chu Yang.

Chu Yang walked over. Although he didn't understand why, he still cupped his hands to greet the people around him.

"They are righteous peers from Shenzhou. Shenzhou is located south of the 100,000 Mountains in the Southern Frontier. It is not easy to come here, so you must keep this sentiment in your heart!"

"The three leaders are Daoist Master Daoxuan of the Qingyun Sect, Old Master Yun Yilan of the Fenxiang Valley, and Abbot Puhong of the Tianyin Temple."

"Among them, the Qingyun Sect has deep roots with my Shushan Sect. The founding ancestor, Qingyunzi, was once a Shushan disciple, and we are of the same breath and branch."

Qingyun Sect, Fenxiang Valley, Tianyin Temple—the three major righteous sects in the Zhu Xian world. The protagonist, Zhang Xiaofan, grew up in the Qingyun Sect and was a disciple of Tian Buyi, the head of Dazhu Peak, and he possessed the supreme technique of the Tianyin Temple—the Great Brahma Prajna.

Possessing the strengths of both families sounded powerful, but it was a significant taboo, so he usually didn't dare to reveal it.

"I wonder how you all crossed the 100,000 Mountains to reach the Central Plains?"

Chu Yang was very curious about this question. The Qingyun Sect was easy to explain, as they knew the Sword-Flying Technique, but how did the Fenxiang Valley and Tianyin Temple fly over?

"Fenxiang Valley is different from ordinary sects. We are based within the 100,000 Mountains, guarding a secret passage that can lead to the Central Plains. It is difficult to open on ordinary days and requires the combined strength of the three sects."

"The merger of the two Shushan sects is a rare grand event in the immortal-cultivating world, so we naturally didn't want to miss it."

The old valley master, Yun Yilan, explained with a smile. His accent sounded distinctly different from the Central Plains, but it didn't hinder communication.

Just as Yun Yilan finished speaking, Abbot Puhong of the Tianyin Temple sighed, "I didn't expect to really see the world this time, being able to see a figure like the Demon Lord who only exists in legends."

"The Central Plains is indeed worthy of its reputation."

Daoist Master Daoxuan stroked his beard and laughed, "Sect Leader Chu can be called a dragon among men, actually being able to make that high and mighty Demon Lord submit. It truly vents a bit of frustration for us on the righteous path!"

Chu Yang cupped his hands and said modestly, "I used some schemes and was lucky enough to win two rounds."

Daoist Master Daoxuan shook his head, "That is incorrect. There are so many people in the world who calculate without omission, yet who can take advantage of the Demon Lord? Sect Leader Chu, do not be too humble."

Chu Yang smiled without a word.

"Alright, we are all our own people, don't do any self-praising. Junior Brother Daoxuan, Old Master Yun, Abbot Puhong, bring your disciples and follow me."

Qingwei smiled and took over the conversation, leading the people of the three sects to the main hall.

The three sects were not immortal-cultivating sects from the Central Plains, so to avoid unnecessary incidents, it was most appropriate for Qingwei to entertain them personally.

Inside the main hall, people were exchanging cups, and it was bustling with activity.

Many young disciples looked up from time to time at Chu Yang, who was in the main seat, with different expressions—some envious, some jealous, and some admiring.

This Sect Leader Chu, who was of similar age to them, was now almost at the peak of human power, and his every word and action could even determine the safety of the world's common people.

It's like being twenty years old; others are already the world's richest people, while you are still tightening screws in a factory.

The huge gap was indeed difficult for most people to accept.

Even so, the uncrossable chasm between them still existed and would not be shifted by anyone's will. This was the greatest injustice and also the greatest fairness.

Chu Yang couldn't be bothered to care about what kind of eyes others used to look at him; he was busy chatting with Li Xiaoyao and the others, without any Sect Leader airs.

The overbearing attitude just now was just for outsiders to see. A new official has three fires to burn; he had to burn them for others to see to avoid some unnecessary trouble.

During the chat, everyone talked about their respective plans.

The Wine Sword Immortal wanted to live in the Seven Saint Palace with Anu and Ming Yuanqing. The Seven Saints had their own mountain peaks, so this move wouldn't trouble anyone.

It was just that some disciples might not be used to Shushan's transformation in this regard.

Anu had no resistance to this; on the contrary, she was very excited. The Nanzhao Kingdom was just a small country after all. She had been almost everywhere since she grew up, so it was better to stay in the Central Plains to play.

Most importantly, after Zhao Ling'er succeeded to the throne, she had no time to play with her. Tang Yu, under the training of Shi Gonghu, would sooner or later stand on his own and become a pillar of the country, so it was impossible for him to accompany her every day.

At the moment, only the Wine Sword Immortal could accompany her to travel around the mountains and rivers.

Li Xiaoyao had to travel frequently between Shushan and the Nanzhao Kingdom. Anyway, he had the Sword-Flying Technique, so it wasn't difficult. However, Zhao Ling'er was due to give birth in a few months, and he would probably stay in the Nanzhao Kingdom for a long time then.

Zi Xuan planned to settle in Yuzhou City and be neighbors with Jingtian and the others.

And after Jingtian returned, with the help of Shushan, he opened a pawnshop bigger than Yong'an Pawnshop, became a boss himself, and his good news with Tang Xuejian was near.

Lin Yueru devoted herself to learning martial arts, determined to be a heroine, and Liu Jinyuan studied principles, wanting to benefit the world. Each had their own ideals.

In fact, Chu Yang had intended to match the two at first, but later decided to let nature take its course.

After all, fate is something that cannot be forced; it's easy to have the opposite effect.

After chatting for a while, Chu Yang had a few more drinks with Shi Gonghu and the Southern Barbarian General before getting up to leave.

He walked straight toward the four great families.

Shen Qingfeng, who was sitting next to the four great families, thought Chu Yang was coming to find trouble with him, so he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, his face full of fear.

The noise in the main hall also stopped abruptly because of Chu Yang's actions.

Everyone focused their eyes again on this eccentric new Sect Leader.

"Is the Shen Family Fort going to be in trouble?"

"Not necessarily... A dignified Shushan Sect Leader wouldn't need to settle accounts in such a hurry, right? So many martial arts peers are watching."

"This Sect Leader Chu cannot be measured by common sense; who knows what he will do?"

"I think the Shen Family Fort cannot escape this disaster!"

Whispers continued, and even Daoist Master Daoxuan couldn't help but ask Qingwei, "Brother, Sect Leader Chu wouldn't really make things difficult for a secular sect in front of so many people, right?"

Qingwei shook his head and laughed, "I understand A-Yang's character; he doesn't bother to look at people like Shen Qingfeng. At most, he will let Niece Yueru find some trouble for Shen Qingfeng at the next Martial Arts Conference."

As soon as the words fell, Chu Yang had already passed the Shen Family Fort group, leaving a back view for the pale-faced Shen Qingfeng.

"Who among you is Jiang Cheng?"

Chu Yang asked while standing in front of the Ouyang family's seats.

Ouyang Ying looked at his favorite disciple in surprise, as if asking him when he had offended the Shushan Sect Leader.

A young man wearing purple coarse cloth clothes and covered in leather armor on his upper body stood up and cupped his hands at Chu Yang, "I am Jiang Cheng. I wonder what advice Sect Leader Chu has?"

Chu Yang looked at the high-spirited Jiang Cheng and felt sympathy for his bumpy fate in the future, so he said, "Follow me. There is one thing I need to tell you."

"I wonder what important matter it is?" Jiang Cheng bowed and saluted, "Can Sect Leader Chu tell me face to face?"

Chu Yang shook his head, "Regarding your life experience, it's better to find a place with no one around to talk to you in detail. After all, it's your personal private matter."

Life experience?! Jiang Cheng was shocked and suddenly looked up at Chu Yang!

Others showed deep curiosity on their faces. What kind of life experience was worth the Shushan Sect Leader telling him personally? "Could it be that this Jiang Cheng of the Ouyang family is the illegitimate son of some Shushan elder?"

Discussions arose everywhere.

The Wine Sword Immortal, who was drinking and eating, suddenly grimaced.

Looking down.

Ming Yuanqing was pinching the soft flesh on his waist.

Sitting at home, the pot comes from the sky.

The Wine Sword Immortal hurriedly waved his hands.

"This time it has nothing to do with me!" (End of chapter)