Accepting more disciples

After the heavy rain, the air felt even fresher.

Even the peach blossoms in the Domain Lords Mansion looked more vibrant and beautiful.

Although the ten-mile peach forest wasn't large, the myriad of colors and the fragrance of the fruit were intoxicating.

Zhong Qing strolled through the peach forest with Ye Ji and Fire Enchantress.

"Young Master, this year's peaches are hanging heavy on the branches, each one large and plump. If used to brew wine, it would surely be a masterpiece," Ye Ji said excitedly, standing under an ancient, vibrant red peach tree and pointing at the red peaches hanging from the branches.

"Oh, you two know how to brew wine?" Zhong Qing asked, surprised.

"We didn't before, but since Young Master enjoys drinking, Fire Enchantress and I researched some ancient brewing recipes when we had nothing else to do."

"Now, we're half-experts!"

"That's wonderful!"

Zhong Qing loved wine and enjoyed tasting different fine wines from across the world.

Wine brewed by beauties—regardless of the skill—just thinking about it made the taste three times stronger. He even looked forward to the day it would be ready.

As they chatted and laughed, a figure approached them through the forest; it was Medicine Red Dust.

"Master, I have something to report to you!" Medicine Red Dust bowed to Zhong Qing, her face serious.

"What is it?" Zhong Qing stopped, his gaze calm as he asked.

"Ancient Emperor and Dust Emperor have been stuck at One Tribulation Great Emperor for a long time. Now, they wish to borrow immortal artifacts from Hongchen to overcome the tribulation of three disasters and nine calamities."

"Hongchen dared not make a decision on her own, so she specifically came to ask for Master's instructions!"

Zhong Qing shook his head, "Since that immortal artifact has already been bestowed upon you, its use is naturally up to you. Why ask for my instructions?"

As he spoke, something seemed to flash through Zhong Qing's mind.

This made his heart inexplicably clench.

"Wait, what did you just say Ancient Emperor and Dust Emperor want to do?"

Red Dust Empress was a bit confused.

But she still said, "They both wish to overcome the tribulation of three disasters and nine calamities, and they specifically came to me to borrow immortal artifacts to resist the tribulation!"

Zhong Qing waved his hand, "Don't rush the matter of tribulation for now. First, have them come in; I have something to tell them!"

"Yes, Master!" Red Dust Empress didn't understand why, but she still chose to obey the command immediately.

Zhong Qing watched the retreating figure, clutching his chest.

No, his heart hurt.

It was throbbing.

He had previously complained about his slow cultivation progress, never expecting that he had missed a huge opportunity.

Any disciple under him, upon breaking through in cultivation, could return their cultivation to him at a one-to-one ratio.

When Red Dust Empress broke through earlier, he had actually forgotten to take her as a disciple beforehand.

This was the cultivation from One Tribulation Great Emperor to Two Tribulation Great Emperor!

If it were returned to him, it would probably be enough to elevate his current Great Saint Second Realm cultivation several levels higher.

However, due to his one mistake, he had let this immense opportunity slip away.

If Red Dust Empress hadn't mentioned Ancient Emperor and Dust Emperor's impending breakthrough today, he might not have realized it.

It was fortunate that she brought it up; otherwise, if Ancient Emperor and Dust Emperor had not been taken as disciples and had broken through directly, losing the cultivation of two Great Emperors, Zhong Qing would have regretted it so much afterward that his intestines would turn green.

...

On the other side!

When Red Dust Empress told Dust Emperor and Ancient Emperor that their Master wanted to summon them, they were somewhat uneasy.

"Empress, may I ask why the Master has summoned us?"

Red Dust Empress shook her head, "I don't know either."

"You'll know when you go."

These words made Ancient Emperor and Dust Emperor inexplicably fearful.

Could it be that they were too impatient and had committed some taboo?

The more they thought, the heavier their hearts became!

Indeed, they had just joined the Master's command, and having yet to accomplish anything, they already wanted to borrow immortal artifacts to overcome tribulation.

Regardless of their aptitude or experience, how could immortal artifacts be something they could touch or use at their current stage?

The Master summoning them was probably to reprimand them!

As soon as they thought that their actions might displease Zhong Qing, they were filled with regret.

Dust Emperor and Ancient Emperor, with heavy hearts, arrived before Zhong Qing, led by Red Dust Empress.

"We pay our respects, Master!" Both were filled with reverence.

They had the air of someone ready to admit their mistake and accept punishment.

"No need for such formality, just relax!"

"The reason I called you here this time is to ask if you are willing to become my registered disciples!"

At these words, not only was Medicine Red Dust stunned, but Dust Emperor and Ancient Emperor were also stunned.

The three of them stared at each other, wide-eyed. They had never imagined that Zhong Qing wasn't calling them to account, but to take them as disciples.

This, this happiness came too suddenly, too unexpectedly.

For a moment, they wondered if they were hallucinating.

Seeing this, Ye Ji and Fire Enchantress couldn't help but cover their mouths and chuckle softly.

These people probably didn't know that their Young Master loved being a teacher.

If they knew that the Young Master also had over two million registered disciples in the Void Domain, they probably wouldn't be so surprised.

Zhong Qing frowned when he saw that the two had not reacted for a long time: "What, you don't want to?"

At this moment, Dust Emperor and Ancient Emperor finally confirmed that they had not misheard.

This Master truly wanted to take them as disciples.

A being who could easily slay Nether Emperor and casually bestow three immortal artifacts upon Red Dust Empress actually wanted to take them as disciples.

Hesitating even for a moment longer would be disrespect to this immense opportunity.

"Willing!"

"Willing!"

"We pay our respects, Master!"

The two were overjoyed!

They immediately performed three grand bows to Zhong Qing.

At this moment, they deeply understood what a pleasant surprise felt like!

This scene made Red Dust Empress extremely envious.

She hadn't expected that Ancient Emperor and Dust Emperor would be so highly regarded by the Master as to be taken as disciples.

Zhong Qing glanced at Red Dust Empress.

"If you are willing, then join my disciples as well!" Taking two was taking, taking three was also taking!

Moreover, Zhong Qing had learned a significant lesson from Red Dust Empress.

He didn't want the cultivation she gained from future breakthroughs to be lost in vain again.

In fact, if he encountered anyone else worthy in the future, he wouldn't need to bring them under his command; he would just take them as disciples, and that would be that.

For Red Dust Empress, becoming Zhong Qing's disciple was naturally something she eagerly desired.

There was no reason to refuse.

And so, Zhong Qing gained three more Great Emperor registered disciples.

"Master, now that we are fellow disciples, may I and Dust Emperor borrow an immortal artifact from Senior Sister?" Ancient Emperor bravely spoke.

The address of "Master" was incredibly smooth.

Clearly, he naturally assumed Red Dust Empress was their Senior Sister.

His eyes were filled with hope.

Zhong Qing waved his hand.

He smiled and said, "Now that you are under my tutelage, why do you need to borrow immortal artifacts from others?"

As he spoke, he casually waved his hand!

Two streaks of light flew out from his sleeve.

They landed in front of Ancient Emperor and Dust Emperor, respectively.

"These are the immortal artifacts I bestow upon you. Take them for self-defense!"

With the immortal artifacts in hand, Ancient Emperor and Dust Emperor felt their breathing quicken, their faces filled with excitement.

The reason for such generosity was that Zhong Qing had quite a few immortal artifacts.

In his Heavenly Eye, the two also had no ulterior motives.

Now, besides Medicine Red Dust, these two Great Emperors would certainly be useful under his command in the future.

Since they were already his own people, bestowing some gifts was no big deal.

After all, if he truly wanted to reclaim them, he could do so at any time.