29: Become a disciple of Zixuan

“Thirty years, and you finally deign to come see your Master?” Zi Xuan Daoist sat on a red nanmu grand armchair, one hand on his sleeve, the other steeping a pot of spirit tea.

He shook it, then covered it.

He didn't spare Lin Xianzhi a glance the entire time.

“Master, please punish me. This Disciple, Xian Zhi, is merely a Named Disciple, yet he has caused Master to worry.” Lin Xianzhi kowtowed and knelt again, with Lin Shiming kneeling beside him.

Zi Xuan Old Ancestor impassively picked up the teacup, sniffed the tea's aroma, then took a gentle sip.

After a long while, he sighed.

“You know, I can settle that matter for you!”

His words were so soft, yet no one doubted their power.

“This Disciple, Xian Zhi, is but a mere Named Disciple. How dare I ask Master to break the Sect’s rules?”

Zi Xuan Old Ancestor took another sip of tea, his deep eyes glancing at Lin Xianzhi, then returning to his tea, offering no reply.

Of course, for Lin Xianzhi, no reply was the best reply.

“Master, this Disciple has come this time with two matters I wish to trouble you with. Firstly, Xian Zhi wishes to avenge the destruction of his Dao. Secondly, Xian Zhi has brought a Junior, who, like Ancestor Zhengxing, can stimulate Serpent Vine Flower beyond his Realm. He is suspected to possess a wood-attribute invisible Spiritual Body. I humbly request Old Ancestor to accept him as a Named Disciple, pass down Ancestor Zhengxing’s method, and revitalize my Lin Family!”

Lin Xianzhi’s two requests not only astonished the Zi Xuan Old Ancestor before him,

but Lin Shiming was even more shocked.

He hadn't expected that Lin Xianzhi brought him here to give him such an immense stroke of good fortune!

He also hadn't expected that the Serpent Vine Flower was left behind by Ancestor Zhengxing. It was also the first time he clearly understood that Ancestor Zhengxing Cultivated a wood-attribute Cultivation Technique, and that he himself was said to possess an invisible Spiritual Body.

In this world, besides Spiritual Roots, there were also Geniuses with even more extraordinary talents than Spiritual Roots—those with Spiritual Bodies. Spiritual Body holders were also Heavenly Spiritual Roots.

Of course, nothing was absolute. Some Dual Spiritual Roots and Three Spiritual Roots could also develop Spiritual Bodies, which would only manifest and improve after being upgraded to a Minor Divine Ability through Acquired secret techniques. In other words, one would only know if they possessed a latent Spiritual Body after Breaking Through to Purple Mansion.

However, Lin Shiming also calmly realized that his Seventh Grand Uncle was a bit too excited today; these requests were too unreasonable.

For Family Disciples, the Sect would not recruit them unless the Family Disciple left their Family and pledged allegiance to the Sect.

Among these, some special existences were Named Disciples. For some Geniuses of Families, Qingxuan Sect, as the superior Sect, would also have Sect Elders bind these Family Geniuses to the Sect in the form of Named Disciples.

However, this matter was clearly more beneficial to Family Disciples. Once they grew up, they would only need to protect the Sect at critical moments, but normally they would not be restricted by the Sect and could also Cultivate the Sect's powerful Cultivation Techniques.

Lin Shiming did not consider himself a Genius and found it difficult to catch the eye of a Purple Mansion Elder.

Not to mention Ancestor Zhengxing's method, which was at least a Purple Mansion Cultivation Technique, likely even reaching Earth Rank.

When Ancestor Zhengxing left the Sect back then, he was unable to take his secret methods with him to pass on to future generations.

Even the first request, Lin Shiming felt, was a bit too much to ask. If Lin Xianzhi wanted revenge, he would naturally have to face a Purple Mansion Family. In other words, a Purple Mansion Daoist would have to contend with another Purple Mansion Daoist.

Lin Shiming's heart had already begun to churn. He knew that his Seventh Grand Uncle's visit here was probably half for him!

Of course, it wasn't just Lin Shiming whose heart was in turmoil, but Lin Xianzhi as well.

“Oh,” Zi Xuan Daoist raised his eyebrows, suddenly appearing interested.

“You've achieved Sword Light Division?” The second question was also not an answer, but a counter-question.

Upon hearing this, Lin Xianzhi immediately became excited. A green lotus manifested on his body, accompanied by several wisps of Sword Qi leaking out.

This was the Minor Achievement, the first Realm of comprehending Sword Intent.

“Good, I agree!” Zi Xuan Daoist finally nodded.

Then, Lin Xianzhi looked at Lin Shiming:

“Shiming, why aren’t you bowing to Master and performing the tea-serving ritual!”

“Greetings, Master!” Lin Shiming quickly kowtowed and bowed, then received a teacup with both hands from Lin Xianzhi.

He turned and respectfully offered the spirit tea to Zi Xuan Daoist with both hands.

The latter took the teacup and gently drank the tea. The matter was settled. This was the ceremony for a Named Disciple. If it were a Personal Disciple, a Master-acceptance ceremony would be held, and its procedures would be much more complex.

“Alright, for our first meeting, I shall bestow upon you a top-grade copper ring defensive Magical Artifact for your protection. Furthermore, remember not to rely on your Master’s name to commit evil deeds when you are outside!” The simple ceremony, coupled with a simple bestowal of treasure, concluded.

Then, Lin Xianzhi gave seven of the ten shops he had obtained from the Huang Family to the Sect, or rather, to Elder Zi Xuan Daoist under the Sect’s name.

Watching from the side, Lin Shiming couldn't help but admire his Seventh Grand Uncle even more.

If the Huang Family had been more honest, it would have been fine. But if they weren't, then the Huang Family would suffer greatly.

After leaving contact information for follow-up, Lin Xianzhi took Lin Shiming and left first. Zi Xuan Daoist would impart the Cultivation Technique to Lin Shiming in three days.

Of course, Lin Shiming had too many questions, and he finally noticed that ever since his Seventh Grand Uncle displayed the first Realm of Sword Qi, Sword Light Division, Zi Xuan Daoist’s eyes had suddenly changed.

Furthermore, Lin Shiming also had many questions about Ancestor Zhengxing’s Cultivation Technique. Why did his ability to stimulate Serpent Vine Flower suggest he had an invisible Spiritual Body?

However, since Lin Xianzhi didn't speak, as a Junior, Lin Shiming could only continue to follow behind him.

Their next destination was Qingxuan City at the foot of Qingxuan Mountain. Here was Qingzhou's largest market, Qingxuan Market.

Compared to the remote Xing Province, Qingxuan Market was immeasurably more prosperous.

Even Purple Mansion Daoists, uncommon in Xing Province, were frequently seen in Qingxuan Market.

Here, only Purple Mansion Families or extremely powerful old Foundation Establishment Families could open shops. Even their old adversary from a few days ago, the Huang Family, did not own a shop here.

And treasures from second-tier to third-tier were available, as long as you had enough Spirit Stones.

The Foundation Establishment Pill, which Xing Province needed, was also auctioned once every ten years in Qingxuan Market.

And it was at this moment that Lin Shiming's System notification sounded again.

“Please proceed to the stall area. You will receive a Pill Formula for a Beast-Rearing Pill!” Lin Shiming hadn't expected such a significant reminder from the System as soon as he arrived in Qingxuan City.

His two Yao Beasts were relatively strong, but they were too young. It would take some time for them to grow. This Beast-Rearing Pill, a Spirit Pill, was like a timely rain after a long drought for him.