51: Accepting a disciple, a divorce letter

Lu Yuchen stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze falling on Xiao Huohuo's excited yet anxious face.

His heart was already blooming with joy.

"Another experience baby with Crimson Gold Luck is in hand! And he has the special Physique, 'Endless Flame Body.' If he's nurtured, the rewards returned... Tsk tsk, just thinking about it makes my mouth water!"

But on his face, he still maintained the demeanor of an unfathomable, compassionate transcendent.

This posture, in the eyes of Xiao Huohuo and the Xiao Family members, was no less than a basin of ice-cold water mixed with ice shards.

"Senior..." Xiao Huohuo's lips trembled, his eyes, which had just ignited with flames, dimmed little by little, and his heart felt completely cold.

In the end, was he just fantasizing?

Xiao Zhan, beside him, was even more anxious, sweating profusely, his old face flushed red, yet he dared not urge him, only able to fret.

A clear, childlike voice broke the silence.

"Master, please take him in!" Nanny tugged at Lu Yuchen's sleeve, looking up with her delicate, jade-like little face, her big, dark eyes full of sincere pleading, "Look how pitiful he is, just like Nanny used to be, bullied by others, and no food to eat..."

Children's words are innocent, yet they strike the heart most directly.

Lu Yuchen chuckled inwardly, this little girl is truly my thoughtful little padded jacket, her assist is perfect!

He remained unmoved, sighing softly, his gaze seemingly traversing endless time and space, and he leisurely said, "The Immortal Dao is long and arduous; only those with great perseverance and great Opportunity can attain it. The matter of accepting a Disciple involves Karma and has vast implications, so one must not be careless..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huohuo felt the last spark of hope in his heart about to be extinguished by this leisurely sigh, and his entire being slumped.

"Master, please make an exception just this once!" Nanny used her ultimate coquettish technique, hugging Lu Yuchen's thigh and shaking it vigorously, "Look how much backbone Xiao Huohuo has, he'd rather not be cured than not become your Disciple! Isn't this Heart-Nature what you appreciate most!"

"So be it." Lu Yuchen was waiting for precisely these words. He took the hint, a helpless expression of "I can't do anything with you" on his face, though in reality, his heart was already blooming with joy.

His gaze once again fell on Xiao Huohuo, and he slowly said, "For Nanny's sake, and for your unyielding Heart-Nature, this Master will make an exception this once."

"However..." He changed his tone, his voice carrying a hint of authority, "My Tai Xuan Immortal Sect does not accept useless people, nor does it keep idlers. Your innate talent and bone structure are extremely poor, so this Revered Master will temporarily accept you as a Named Disciple. Whether you can receive true Dharma and become a True Disciple in the future will depend on your own good fortune and performance."

[Ding! Detected that the Host has successfully recruited the fourth Child of Luck (Named Disciple) — Xiao Huohuo!]

[Luck Rank: Crimson Gold!]

[Special Physique: Endless Flame Body (Unawakened)]

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huohuo was struck by lightning, standing frozen on the spot!

He... what did he hear?

It's done?!

His heart, which had been silent for three years, pounded wildly and violently at this moment!

"Disciple... Disciple Xiao Huohuo, greets Revered Master!"

After a brief moment of daze, Xiao Huohuo reacted, his face showing extreme ecstasy. Without thinking, he was about to prostrate himself before Lu Yuchen.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

He was so excited that he couldn't control himself, kowtowing three solid times to Lu Yuchen, making the bluestone slab tremble slightly.

His forehead was a bloody mess, yet he seemed to feel no pain at all, weeping tears of joy. The grievances, unwillingness, and pain suppressed for three years all transformed into hot tears at this moment, mixing with blood and freely flowing down his still-youthful face.

"Rise." Lu Yuchen flicked his sleeve, and a gentle yet irresistible force steadily lifted Xiao Huohuo. "Upon entering my Sect, all past events are but fleeting clouds. From now on, you must wholeheartedly pursue the Dao, and no longer be troubled by worldly affairs."

"Yes! Disciple will strictly follow Revered Master's teachings!" Xiao Huohuo wiped away his tears and nodded heavily, his eyes brighter than ever before.

Lu Yuchen nodded with satisfaction and turned to take his newly acquired "experience baby" back to the Sect.

Just then, a hurried footsteps approached from afar, interrupting his movement.

A servant from the Xiao Manor ran over, his face frantic and breathless, filled with anxiety and uncontrollable anger.

"Patriarch! Third Young Revered Master! This is bad! The Yun Family... those people are simply going too far!"

Upon hearing this, all the Xiao Family members' expressions changed, and an ominous premonition arose in their hearts.

The servant caught his breath, pointed outside the manor gate, and said indignantly, "Some time ago, the Yun Family came to break off the engagement. This matter has already caused our Xiao Family to lose all face and become the laughingstock of the entire Xiangyang City. Now, they are even more insatiable and utterly shameless!"

"When the two families arranged the marriage, the betrothal gifts our Xiao Family sent were priceless! Now, they are bullying us with their power, stubbornly refusing to return them! They even spread rumors saying that it's compensation for Young Miss Cloud Mirage's wasted youth over the past few years!"

"What the hell are they talking about!"

"I've seen shameless people, but never this shameless! They take advantage and then act self-righteous!"

"Does this Yun Family really think there's no one left in our Xiao Family?!"

The Xiao Family members instantly became like ignited powder kegs, one after another filled with righteous indignation and uncontrollable rage, curses erupting one after another.

In contrast, Xiao Huohuo's reaction was remarkably calm, even... indifferent.

His Heart-Nature had undergone a drastic change the moment he became a Disciple.

After the curses subsided slightly, he slowly turned to Lu Yuchen, bowed, and said calmly, "Revered Master, may I... may I ask you to wait here for a moment?"

"Disciple has some worldly matters that need to be personally resolved."

Lu Yuchen looked at him with interest, a playful curve on his lips: "Go ahead, it can also be considered a test."

Xiao Huohuo tidied his clothes, took a step, and walked directly towards the manor gate.

His steps were not fast, but exceptionally firm and steady.

...

In front of the Yun Manor, carriages and horses bustled, a scene of prosperity.

When Xiao Huohuo appeared, he did not attract much attention.

He stood before the vermilion gate, which symbolized power and status.

He did not knock on the door, nor did he make a fuss.

He simply, slowly, took out a pre-written letter of annulment from his embrace.

That's right, it was a letter of annulment!

It wasn't Cloud Mirage breaking off his engagement, but he, Xiao Huohuo, was annulling the engagement with Cloud Mirage!

He took a deep breath, and his clear and resolute voice resounded around him!

"Cloud Mirage of the Yun Family, her virtue does not match her position, and her conduct is improper! Three years ago, seeing me become a cripple, she harbored ill will and subjected me to all sorts of humiliation; now, she even uses her power to oppress me, greedily seizing my betrothal gifts and disgracing my family! Such a fickle and money-grubbing woman is unworthy to be Xiao Huohuo's wife!"

"Today, I, Xiao Huohuo, am here to sever all past ties with this letter of annulment! From now on, our marriage and grievances are completely settled!"

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, do not bully a young man for being poor!"

"One month from now, at Emei Golden Summit, I, Xiao Huohuo, hereby challenge Cloud Mirage! To prove today's words and to settle the Karma between us!"

The young man's clear and resolute voice, every word like a knife, every sentence like a sword, echoed through the long street!

In an instant, the entire scene fell silent!

Everyone's eyes widened, as if they had seen a ghost, looking incredulously at the young man standing in front of the Yun Manor, his figure slightly thin, yet at this moment, he seemed to stand tall and proud.

This... Is this the Xiao Family's good-for-nothing who was rejected?

He... he actually annulled the engagement with Cloud Mirage?! And he's going to Mount Emei in a month to challenge Cloud Mirage?!

He's crazy! This kid must be crazy!

Cloud Mirage is now a True Disciple of the Emei Sect, her strength is already far beyond what it used to be! How can a good-for-nothing who doesn't even have Internal Energy challenge her?

Amidst everyone's astonished, mocking, and bewildered gazes.

Xiao Huohuo gently placed the letter of annulment on the Yun Manor's gate, turned, and left without looking back.

Leaving behind only an arrogant and resolute back, and a street full of uproar and shock.