Jin Lin looked at the man who addressed Xuexue as “little junior sister.” He was strikingly handsome, almost unnervingly so. Jin Lin had never seen a man so good-looking before! As a fellow man, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.
Most importantly, this man seemed to be Xuexue’s senior brother…
Their eyes met, an unspoken confrontation brewing beneath their seemingly warm smiles.
Jin Lin could easily discern the intentions of Xuexue’s senior brother—he clearly wanted to send Xuexue away to separate them.
Senior brothers were truly the worst!
With Xuexue being so beautiful, it was no wonder she was unsafe!
“Of course,” Jin Lin said with a smile, glancing at Yun Qingxue. His demeanor and words were deliberately crafted to show his familiarity with her. He then joked, “Before Xuexue came to Luoyun Mountain, she often struggled due to her lack of cultivation and was frequently taken advantage of. Now that she’s fortunate enough to have a master like Saint Ziqu guiding her, how could I bear to delay her training?”
“Xuexue, you should go and cultivate. I still have some matters to discuss with Saint Ziqu and won’t be leaving anytime soon. I’ll definitely give you the chance to play host later.”
“Then… alright!” Yun Qingxue nodded. She had previously misunderstood her master and senior brother, but Jin Lin’s arrival had cleared up the confusion. Grateful for his repeated help, she didn’t want to seem ungrateful. Yet, she also feared that her earlier misunderstanding might have upset her master and senior brother. If her master now thought she was lazy and abandoned her, she’d have no way to learn and grow stronger.
After everything she’d been through, she understood all too well the importance of cultivation and power in this world.
“I’ll go study first, then. Jin Lin, stay a while longer. Once I finish, I’ll show you around,” Yun Qingxue said with a smile.
“Of course!” Jin Lin beamed.
Yun Qingxue then turned to Mo Changxing. “Senior Brother, please take good care of Jin Lin for me.”
“Don’t worry, Junior Sister. I’ll make sure to ‘take good care’ of the Dragon King,” Mo Changxing replied with a gentle smile, though his gaze toward Jin Lin was as cold as midwinter ice.
“Master, I’ll go study now,” Yun Qingxue said to Saint Ziqu. After receiving his nod, she headed toward the thatched cottage that served as the library.
A gentle breeze rustled as Yun Qingxue’s figure disappeared into the verdant greenery.
Mo Changxing watched until she was completely out of sight before finally turning back. He no longer bothered to hide his dislike for Jin Lin.
Jin Lin, however, wore a faint smile, appearing amiable. If it were just the two of them, he would have retaliated without hesitation.
But…
Saint Ziqu was still present, and this entire mountain was his domain. Even as the Dragon King of the Water Tribe, Jin Lin couldn’t afford to act arrogantly on another’s territory.
For the sake of spending more time with Xuexue, he swallowed his pride.
“Dragon King,” Saint Ziqu called out leisurely from where he sat.
Jin Lin immediately turned to him, his demeanor respectful. “What guidance do you have for me, Senior?”
“Hmm…” Saint Ziqu’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “Lately, I’ve felt that Luoyun Mountain is too quiet with just the three of us. I’m considering establishing a sect and taking on more disciples. What do you think?”
“With your profound cultivation, anyone fortunate enough to become your disciple would be blessed for three lifetimes!” Jin Lin replied without hesitation.
“Ah…” Saint Ziqu sighed. “But I don’t want to take just anyone. Do you know of any talented individuals you could recommend?”
Jin Lin’s eyes sparkled. Without delay, he dropped to one knee before Saint Ziqu.
Saint Ziqu feigned surprise, rising from his stone seat. “Dragon King, what is this?”
“Please forgive my boldness, Senior. I’ve long admired your reputation and wished to learn from you, but never had the opportunity. Now that I’ve met you and you’re considering disciples, I humbly offer myself as a candidate!” Jin Lin declared earnestly.
Saint Ziqu hesitated outwardly, though his eyes betrayed his amusement. This boy was quick-witted and perceptive! With just a hint about taking disciples, he’d immediately seized the chance to kneel and request apprenticeship.
“Dragon King, you’re already a king of your tribe, with formidable power. Why would you need to become my disciple?” Saint Ziqu said, stepping forward as if to help Jin Lin up.
But Jin Lin only grew more fervent. “Saint Ziqu, you are revered across the Xuangling Continent as a transcendent master. Even my late father often told me that your abilities are worthy of teaching emperors! Now that I’ve met you, I sincerely wish to become your disciple. I beg you not to reject me!”
“Have you truly thought this through?” Saint Ziqu withdrew his hand, his tone solemn. “If I accept, we will be bound as master and disciple. Once a teacher, always a father. Once you enter my sect, regardless of your status, you must abide by the rules of Luoyun Mountain.”
“My resolve is unshaken!” Jin Lin answered firmly.
“Good!” Saint Ziqu smiled, standing tall as Jin Lin performed the formal apprenticeship rites. He then helped Jin Lin up, calling warmly, “My good disciple!”
“Changxing, come greet your junior brother,” Saint Ziqu called to Mo Changxing, who stood stiffly to the side.
Mo Changxing remained motionless, as if he hadn’t heard. The wind lifted the hem of his dark robes, and the morning light cast an ethereal glow on his face, making him seem almost divine.
Jin Lin’s smile remained bright. Becoming Saint Ziqu’s disciple was no loss, even for a king. Most importantly, this ceremony transformed him from a guest of Luoyun Mountain into one of its own. If Senior Brother Mo Changxing still disliked him… well, it wouldn’t be inappropriate for fellow disciples to “spar” a little.
The wind whispered between them as Jin Lin stood beside Saint Ziqu, locking eyes with Mo Changxing. Both wore smiles, but their gazes were equally icy.
The air grew thick with tension, like a taut string about to snap.
Saint Ziqu observed them, a glimmer of amusement in his dark eyes. It seemed Luoyun Mountain would no longer be as tranquil as before.
“Changxing, show your junior brother around. I have matters to attend to,” Saint Ziqu said with a smile. Without waiting for their responses, he vanished in an instant.
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