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Chapter 56: Zhu Zhuqing's Unease
"Calculating the time, they should have arrived by now."
Ye Cheng suddenly thought of something. First, he used his mind to communicate with the Spatial Marker far away in Soto City, then activated Spatial Transfer. This allowed him to teleport across thousands of miles in an instant.
With a whoosh, he vanished from the spot.
On the other side.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing, led by Ning Rongrong, arrived outside a courtyard.
Gazing at the secluded and tranquil courtyard, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but feel a pang of nervousness, for she had a premonition that the person residing within was likely the one who could change her Destiny.
The one who, in the original Future, became her Teacher. The one who helped her break free from her Clan's Destiny.
“Knock, knock!”
In contrast to Zhu Zhuqing's nervousness, Ning Rongrong seemed utterly carefree. She walked directly up to the outer courtyard gate and knocked forcefully.
“Brother, are you there?”
“Look who I brought!”
She called out loudly, seemingly wanting to startle the person inside.
“…”
A moment later.
A clear and resonant voice finally emerged from within the courtyard.
“…Come in.”
As the words fell.
The outer courtyard gate clicked open as if influenced by some invisible force, slowly swinging inward…
“Let’s go in, Zhuqing.”
Seeing the door open, Ning Rongrong immediately grabbed Zhu Zhuqing's hand and pulled her inside, half-dragging her along.
The reason she was being half-dragged was mainly because Zhu Zhuqing, about to meet the person who had occupied her thoughts and dreams, was so worried that a rash visit would leave a bad impression that her limbs grew stiff with nervousness. She even felt her entire body go numb.
She couldn't even walk properly, relying on Ning Rongrong to drag her stiffly inside.
This was a simple courtyard.
Around it were planted some unknown flowers and verdant saplings. The plants were arranged picturesquely and harmoniously. While the overall style of the courtyard couldn't be called luxurious, it possessed a unique, naturally formed charm.
Ning Rongrong pulled Zhu Zhuqing along the cobblestone path. Though it was called a small courtyard, the place was not small at all. After the two of them followed the path and wound around a few times, the view before them finally opened up.
Beneath a lush willow tree.
There was a stone table with stone stools, and a person in white robes was leisurely savoring tea. A gentle breeze blew, causing the willow leaves and branches to dance.
A faint, elegant tea fragrance drifted on the wind, wafting toward them.
Zhu Zhuqing gazed at the detached and ethereal figure. Her nervous heart, for some unknown reason, slowly calmed down. It was as if the scene before her held a natural magic that soothed the Soul.
Ning Rongrong, however, didn't bother with such considerations. She simply pulled Zhu Zhuqing's hand directly under the willow tree and said to the white-robed man, “Brother, look who I brought you!”
Ye Cheng put down his teacup, his warm and clear eyes fixed on Zhu Zhuqing. He seemed to have known her all along, showing no surprise at her arrival. He couldn't even be bothered to pretend.
“…”
Zhu Zhuqing tensed up completely. She felt as if his gentle gaze could see through everything, making her feel stripped bare, all her secrets exposed!
Frankly, this feeling was terrible!
If it were anyone else, the little cat would have already lashed out with her claws.
“…Sit down.”
After observing her for a moment, Ye Cheng finally withdrew his gaze and spoke softly.
Zhu Zhuqing let out a breath of relief, her tense body relaxing. She sat down on a stone stool with Ning Rongrong.
“Rongrong, why have you brought this young girl to me?” he asked, turning his gaze to Ning Rongrong, despite already knowing the answer.
That Ning Rongrong would bring Zhu Zhuqing here was, in fact, all part of his plan. After all, he had previously hinted, intentionally or not, that he was preparing to establish an academy to train students for the All-Continent Soul Master Competition a few years from now.
At the time, Ning Rongrong had immediately exclaimed how interesting it sounded, even saying she wanted to join the academy he was about to establish.
“Brother, didn’t you say you wanted to establish a Soul Master Academy?” Ning Rongrong blinked her large eyes and said as if it were the most natural thing in the world, “So, I brought you an excellent student!”
“Zhuqing’s Talent is very good, and she’s also very hardworking.” As she spoke, Ning Rongrong leaned closer, hugged his arm, and swayed it, coaxing, “Brother, just accept her!”
Ye Cheng was silent for a moment before saying, “You brought her here, but I’m afraid it’s not as simple as wanting her to be a student, is it?”
“Hehe, I knew I couldn't hide anything from you, Brother.”
Ning Rongrong lightly tapped her head, stuck out her tongue playfully, and continued, “In the previous Q&A, in the fragments about the Future that were revealed, didn’t Zhuqing become your Disciple? So I thought, since she could become your Disciple in the Future, there must be a reason. Why not let her start her apprenticeship early?”
“Brother, just accept her!” Ning Rongrong hugged his arm and swayed it again.
“…”
Ye Cheng didn't speak, merely turning his gaze back to Zhu Zhuqing and stating calmly, “You must be well aware of your own Aptitude. While I don’t know why I would accept you as a Disciple in the original Future, from my observations so far, you possess no particular merit worthy of my tutelage.”
“…”
Hearing his subtle rejection, Zhu Zhuqing couldn’t hide her disappointment. Her face instantly turned deathly pale, and she felt as if she had plummeted from heaven to hell in an instant.
Nothing was more despair-inducing than being given hope, only to have it snatched away.
Seeing this, Ning Rongrong grew anxious. She had brought Zhu Zhuqing here out of good intentions, and most importantly, so they would have a companion when cultivating together in the future. How could she let her be turned away like this?
“Brother, what you’re saying isn’t right.”
Ning Rongrong released his arm, put her hands on her hips, and retorted, “Since you accepted Zhuqing in the original Future, that means she must have merits you haven't seen yet. Rejecting her the moment you meet is far too arbitrary.”
“What you said isn’t without reason.”
Ye Cheng seemed to take her rebuttal to heart and genuinely began to consider it.
Hope reignited in Zhu Zhuqing’s eyes! Her hands unconsciously clenched, and she looked at him pitifully, like a puppy about to be abandoned by its master, awaiting the final verdict on her Destiny.
Time passed, second by second.
Ye Cheng put on a thoughtful expression, but he was secretly peeking at Zhu Zhuqing’s face, enjoying this rare sight.
Seeing that the time was about right.
Ye Cheng finally spoke unhurriedly, “Very well, you’ve convinced me.”
The moment he said this, Zhu Zhuqing felt as if she had lost all her strength. Her entire body went limp, and she weakly began to fall backward. Fortunately, Ning Rongrong appeared behind her just in time to support her, saying joyfully, “That’s wonderful, Zhuqing!”
“Thank you, Rongrong!” Zhu Zhuqing looked at Ning Rongrong, at a loss for how to express her gratitude.
“Don’t celebrate too soon.”
Watching the two girls' joyful expressions, Ye Cheng poured cold water on them. “I can accept you as a Disciple for now, but if your future performance fails to satisfy me, I won’t hesitate to expel you.”
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's smile faded slightly, but the elation in her heart didn't diminish in the slightest. After all, she had been accepted as a Disciple.
How many people could only dream of such an opportunity?
(end of chapter)
"Calculating the time, they should have arrived by now."
Ye Cheng suddenly thought of something. First, he used his mind to communicate with the Spatial Marker far away in Soto City, then activated Spatial Transfer. This allowed him to teleport across thousands of miles in an instant.
With a whoosh, he vanished from the spot.
On the other side.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing, led by Ning Rongrong, arrived outside a courtyard.
Gazing at the secluded and tranquil courtyard, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but feel a pang of nervousness, for she had a premonition that the person residing within was likely the one who could change her Destiny.
The one who, in the original Future, became her Teacher. The one who helped her break free from her Clan's Destiny.
“Knock, knock!”
In contrast to Zhu Zhuqing's nervousness, Ning Rongrong seemed utterly carefree. She walked directly up to the outer courtyard gate and knocked forcefully.
“Brother, are you there?”
“Look who I brought!”
She called out loudly, seemingly wanting to startle the person inside.
“…”
A moment later.
A clear and resonant voice finally emerged from within the courtyard.
“…Come in.”
As the words fell.
The outer courtyard gate clicked open as if influenced by some invisible force, slowly swinging inward…
“Let’s go in, Zhuqing.”
Seeing the door open, Ning Rongrong immediately grabbed Zhu Zhuqing's hand and pulled her inside, half-dragging her along.
The reason she was being half-dragged was mainly because Zhu Zhuqing, about to meet the person who had occupied her thoughts and dreams, was so worried that a rash visit would leave a bad impression that her limbs grew stiff with nervousness. She even felt her entire body go numb.
She couldn't even walk properly, relying on Ning Rongrong to drag her stiffly inside.
This was a simple courtyard.
Around it were planted some unknown flowers and verdant saplings. The plants were arranged picturesquely and harmoniously. While the overall style of the courtyard couldn't be called luxurious, it possessed a unique, naturally formed charm.
Ning Rongrong pulled Zhu Zhuqing along the cobblestone path. Though it was called a small courtyard, the place was not small at all. After the two of them followed the path and wound around a few times, the view before them finally opened up.
Beneath a lush willow tree.
There was a stone table with stone stools, and a person in white robes was leisurely savoring tea. A gentle breeze blew, causing the willow leaves and branches to dance.
A faint, elegant tea fragrance drifted on the wind, wafting toward them.
Zhu Zhuqing gazed at the detached and ethereal figure. Her nervous heart, for some unknown reason, slowly calmed down. It was as if the scene before her held a natural magic that soothed the Soul.
Ning Rongrong, however, didn't bother with such considerations. She simply pulled Zhu Zhuqing's hand directly under the willow tree and said to the white-robed man, “Brother, look who I brought you!”
Ye Cheng put down his teacup, his warm and clear eyes fixed on Zhu Zhuqing. He seemed to have known her all along, showing no surprise at her arrival. He couldn't even be bothered to pretend.
“…”
Zhu Zhuqing tensed up completely. She felt as if his gentle gaze could see through everything, making her feel stripped bare, all her secrets exposed!
Frankly, this feeling was terrible!
If it were anyone else, the little cat would have already lashed out with her claws.
“…Sit down.”
After observing her for a moment, Ye Cheng finally withdrew his gaze and spoke softly.
Zhu Zhuqing let out a breath of relief, her tense body relaxing. She sat down on a stone stool with Ning Rongrong.
“Rongrong, why have you brought this young girl to me?” he asked, turning his gaze to Ning Rongrong, despite already knowing the answer.
That Ning Rongrong would bring Zhu Zhuqing here was, in fact, all part of his plan. After all, he had previously hinted, intentionally or not, that he was preparing to establish an academy to train students for the All-Continent Soul Master Competition a few years from now.
At the time, Ning Rongrong had immediately exclaimed how interesting it sounded, even saying she wanted to join the academy he was about to establish.
“Brother, didn’t you say you wanted to establish a Soul Master Academy?” Ning Rongrong blinked her large eyes and said as if it were the most natural thing in the world, “So, I brought you an excellent student!”
“Zhuqing’s Talent is very good, and she’s also very hardworking.” As she spoke, Ning Rongrong leaned closer, hugged his arm, and swayed it, coaxing, “Brother, just accept her!”
Ye Cheng was silent for a moment before saying, “You brought her here, but I’m afraid it’s not as simple as wanting her to be a student, is it?”
“Hehe, I knew I couldn't hide anything from you, Brother.”
Ning Rongrong lightly tapped her head, stuck out her tongue playfully, and continued, “In the previous Q&A, in the fragments about the Future that were revealed, didn’t Zhuqing become your Disciple? So I thought, since she could become your Disciple in the Future, there must be a reason. Why not let her start her apprenticeship early?”
“Brother, just accept her!” Ning Rongrong hugged his arm and swayed it again.
“…”
Ye Cheng didn't speak, merely turning his gaze back to Zhu Zhuqing and stating calmly, “You must be well aware of your own Aptitude. While I don’t know why I would accept you as a Disciple in the original Future, from my observations so far, you possess no particular merit worthy of my tutelage.”
“…”
Hearing his subtle rejection, Zhu Zhuqing couldn’t hide her disappointment. Her face instantly turned deathly pale, and she felt as if she had plummeted from heaven to hell in an instant.
Nothing was more despair-inducing than being given hope, only to have it snatched away.
Seeing this, Ning Rongrong grew anxious. She had brought Zhu Zhuqing here out of good intentions, and most importantly, so they would have a companion when cultivating together in the future. How could she let her be turned away like this?
“Brother, what you’re saying isn’t right.”
Ning Rongrong released his arm, put her hands on her hips, and retorted, “Since you accepted Zhuqing in the original Future, that means she must have merits you haven't seen yet. Rejecting her the moment you meet is far too arbitrary.”
“What you said isn’t without reason.”
Ye Cheng seemed to take her rebuttal to heart and genuinely began to consider it.
Hope reignited in Zhu Zhuqing’s eyes! Her hands unconsciously clenched, and she looked at him pitifully, like a puppy about to be abandoned by its master, awaiting the final verdict on her Destiny.
Time passed, second by second.
Ye Cheng put on a thoughtful expression, but he was secretly peeking at Zhu Zhuqing’s face, enjoying this rare sight.
Seeing that the time was about right.
Ye Cheng finally spoke unhurriedly, “Very well, you’ve convinced me.”
The moment he said this, Zhu Zhuqing felt as if she had lost all her strength. Her entire body went limp, and she weakly began to fall backward. Fortunately, Ning Rongrong appeared behind her just in time to support her, saying joyfully, “That’s wonderful, Zhuqing!”
“Thank you, Rongrong!” Zhu Zhuqing looked at Ning Rongrong, at a loss for how to express her gratitude.
“Don’t celebrate too soon.”
Watching the two girls' joyful expressions, Ye Cheng poured cold water on them. “I can accept you as a Disciple for now, but if your future performance fails to satisfy me, I won’t hesitate to expel you.”
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's smile faded slightly, but the elation in her heart didn't diminish in the slightest. After all, she had been accepted as a Disciple.
How many people could only dream of such an opportunity?
(end of chapter)
