43: Chapter 43 Inner Disciples

Ye Xiaoyao naturally didn't know about the convoluted calculations in Cao Sini's heart.

Fu Hongxue didn't care about this little interlude.

In her view, this was just a normal exchange of pleasantries between two Disciples who had just reached Foundation Establishment.

Both of them were previously Outer Sect Disciples and might have known each other; it was perfectly normal to exchange greetings upon crossing paths.

As a Core Formation Cultivator, she naturally didn't know Cao Sini, the former number one beauty of the Outer Sect.

Even less did she know that there had once been some entanglements between Ye Xiaoyao and Cao Sini.

Fu Hongxue led Ye Xiaoyao toward the reception desk.

Cao Sini did not leave the Hall of Transmitted Teachings immediately.

She pretended to walk around the hall casually, but her gaze drifted toward the reception desk from time to time.

She wanted to wait until Ye Xiaoyao finished the formalities so she could go up to the second floor with him to collect a Cultivation Technique, taking the opportunity to have a private word.

Behind the reception desk sat an Elder at the Early Stage Core Formation.

This person had a middle-aged appearance with a fair complexion and a clean-shaven face, looking much younger than his actual age.

He was originally looking down organizing Jade Slips, but when he heard footsteps and looked up to see Fu Hongxue, his eyes instantly lit up.

"Junior Sister Fu!"

He immediately stood up, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"So it's you! What wind blew you here? This Senior Brother hasn't seen you for a long time."

There was an obvious sense of eagerness in that smile.

Fu Hongxue nodded to him, her lips curving into a polite arc as she spoke:

"Senior Brother Xu, it has been a long time. I was out for tempering recently and wasn't in the Sect, so naturally, we wouldn't see each other."

As she spoke, she stepped half a pace to the side, revealing Ye Xiaoyao behind her:

"I've come today to bring Martial Nephew Ye here for his Inner Sect Disciple identity certification."

"He just reached Foundation Establishment not long ago and hasn't had the chance to complete the formalities yet."

Senior Brother Xu, the Elder surnamed Xu, looked at Ye Xiaoyao upon hearing this, sized him up, and nodded.

"I see."

But he immediately turned back to Fu Hongxue, his words carrying a probing tone:

"However, what is the relationship between this Martial Nephew and Junior Sister Fu? To think Junior Sister would personally bring him to handle the formalities?"

He was muttering to himself inwardly.

Junior Sister Fu had always been cold and aloof, rarely getting close to male cultivators.

Many had pursued her, but she always declined politely.

Why would she personally bring an Early Foundation Establishment Stage kid to handle formalities today?

Could it be a relative?

A cousin?

A nephew?

The more Elder Xu thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

Otherwise, why would Junior Sister Fu be so concerned about a Foundation Establishment Cultivator?

Even accompanying him personally.

Thinking this, his gaze toward Ye Xiaoyao instantly softened significantly, even carrying a hint of deliberate goodwill.

He had also pursued Fu Hongxue in his early years; although he was politely rejected, his feelings hadn't completely died out.

If Ye Xiaoyao really was Junior Sister Fu's relative, then being a bit nicer to him might bridge the gap, and there might still be a chance in the future...

Ye Xiaoyao stood quietly to the side, listening to the two Core Formation Cultivators converse without interrupting.

He could feel the change in Elder Xu's gaze and roughly understood what was going on.

This Junior Martial Uncle had some interest in Martial Aunt Fu.

Fu Hongxue smiled, her gaze lingering on Ye Xiaoyao for a moment before turning back to Elder Xu, saying calmly:

"Senior Brother Xu, this Martial Nephew Ye is the Dao Companion of the current Saintess."

She didn't hide Ye Xiaoyao's identity.

And Ye Xiaoyao didn't care that Fu Hongxue revealed he was the Saintess's Dao Companion.

After all, he expected that this matter would probably spread within half a month.

Perhaps the entire Sect already knew the Saintess had chosen a Qi Refining Disciple like himself to be her Dao Companion.

Now that he had reached Foundation Establishment, there was even less need to keep it hidden.

Hearing this, Elder Xu was stunned for a moment before realization dawned on him.

"Oh—"

He drew out the sound, sizing up Ye Xiaoyao again; the smile on his face faded slightly, but he remained polite.

"I see. I've heard rumors about this, but I didn't expect..."

He paused, switching to the tone of an Elder praising a Junior, and continued:

"The Saintess has unique insight. This Martial Nephew is quite handsome, and his Aptitude seems good as well. To reach Foundation Establishment at such a young age, his future is promising."

The words were praise, but his little calculations had fallen through.

He wasn't Junior Sister Fu's relative.

Just the Saintess's Dao Companion.

Elder Xu was a bit disappointed, but then he had another thought.

To be chosen by the Saintess and have Junior Sister Fu personally accompany him for the formalities, this Ye Xiaoyao was certainly not simple.

Perhaps he came from some middle or even high-level cultivation Family and had a backer.

There was no harm in getting on his good side.

Ye Xiaoyao saw the changes in the other's expression and understood perfectly.

He hurriedly cupped his hands and bowed, saying respectfully:

"Thank you for the praise, Elder. This Junior will naturally Cultivate diligently."

Fu Hongxue spoke up at the right time: "Senior Brother Xu, please help Martial Nephew Ye complete the formalities as quickly as possible."

"The Saintess personally entrusted me to bring him here. Thank you for the trouble."

Upon hearing "personally entrusted by the Saintess," Elder Xu immediately put away his stray thoughts and said solemnly:

"Naturally, naturally."

He took out a blank jade tablet and handed it to Ye Xiaoyao.

The jade tablet was translucent white; the front was carved with a Yin and Yang diagram, while the back was blank, waiting for information to be recorded.

"Martial Nephew Ye."

Elder Xu explained: "Just imprint your name, age, place of birth, and primary Elders into the jade tablet."

"The jade tablet will record your identity information for the Sect's management convenience."

"With this jade tablet, you will be able to enter and leave the inner Sect area freely in the future."

Ye Xiaoyao took the jade tablet; it felt warm and smooth in his hand.

He focused his mind, mobilized his Divine Sense, and carved the required information onto the back of the jade tablet one by one.

As the information was recorded, a faint light shimmered on the surface of the jade tablet, and the four characters for "Inner Sect Disciple" gradually appeared on the back.

Below that was a line of small characters recording his basic information.

Elder Xu watched from the side and briefly explained a few points of attention.

For example, where to collect the Monthly Allowance for Inner Sect Disciples, the application process for an Immortal Cave, the schedule for lectures and teachings, and so on.

The formalities were completed quickly.

Elder Xu wanted to say a few more words to Ye Xiaoyao to build some rapport, but Fu Hongxue had already spoken first:

"Martial Nephew Ye, follow me to the second floor to collect your Cultivation Technique."

She gave a slight nod to Elder Xu:

"Senior Brother Xu, farewell."

Elder Xu had to swallow his words and nodded with a smile:

"Safe travels, Junior Sister Fu. Martial Nephew Ye, if you have any questions in the future, you can come find me anytime."

Ye Xiaoyao thanked him again and followed Fu Hongxue away from the reception desk.

After walking a few steps, he felt a gaze falling on his back.

He didn't need to look back to know it was Cao Sini.

She was still not far away, pretending to look at the public notices on the jade wall, but her eyes followed their movement.

Fu Hongxue didn't seem to notice, or rather, didn't care.

She led Ye Xiaoyao toward the stairs on the inner side of the hall, her red dress trailing across the smooth stone floor, leaving a streak of bright color.

The stairs spiraled upward and were made of wood, emitting a slight "creak" when stepped on.

Ye Xiaoyao followed half a step behind Fu Hongxue.

When he looked up, he could see her fair calves faintly visible beneath her hemline, and the ends of her hair swaying slightly with her steps.

Hmm, this Martial Aunt Fu's high ponytail really is good-looking!

Ye Xiaoyao praised in his heart.

But he knew he couldn't look too much.

Otherwise, if Fu Hongxue found out, he might be severely punished by her on the charge of offending an Elder.

Thinking of this, Ye Xiaoyao quickly withdrew his gaze.

They soon reached the second floor.

Unlike the open hall on the first floor, the second floor was divided into several areas.

Against the walls were rows of tall bookshelves filled with Jade Slips and scrolls.

There were even a few ancient books made of animal hide.

The air was filled with a scent that was a mixture of old paper and Spiritual Wood.

It was quiet and solemn.

This was the place to collect Cultivation Techniques.

Ye Xiaoyao took a deep breath, suppressing the anticipation in his heart.

Finally, he could choose a primary Cultivation Technique that truly suited him.