“Disciple?” Qin Qingwan tilted her head, looking adorably at the beautiful older sister in front of her. “Big Sister, what’s a disciple?”
Wangxuan thought for a moment and replied, “A disciple is someone who will live and cultivate with me. You’ll join Tianxuan Sect and walk the path of the Dao.”
Qin Qingwan asked, “Live with Big Sister? Does that mean I’ll have to leave my mother?”
Wangxuan nodded. “Yes, you’ll leave your mother. Your life will become very long, far longer than ordinary people. You’ll witness vast changes in the world, and you’ll come to see the fleeting nature of mortal life—what seems like a lifetime to others will feel like only a brief moment to you.”
Qin Qingwan thought carefully and then shook her head. “Big Sister, I don’t understand what you’re saying. But I’m sorry, I don’t want to leave my mother, my brother Ming, or my sister Xuenuo. So I can’t be your disciple.”
“Qingwan, what are you saying?” The family matriarch’s face turned pale with shock, and she hurriedly stood up.
“Qingwan, quickly agree to the Master Preceptor’s offer! Do you have any idea how many people dream of such an opportunity?” her father, Qin Ruhai, said urgently.
Seeing her grandmother and father scolding her, Qin Qingwan’s lips quivered, and large tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to fall.
Wangxuan raised her hand, gesturing for them to stop, and placed her palm gently on the little girl’s head. “Qingwan, you’re still very young, so you may not yet understand the significance of cultivation or how special you truly are.
“The Innate Sacred Body is especially suited for dual cultivation and can even help someone break through to the Immortal Realm and ascend. This kind of allure will drive countless people to take risks.
“Not only you but also your family could be placed in great danger because of it.
“If you join Tianxuan Sect, we’ll ensure your safety and that of your family. When you’ve grown, you’ll be able to protect them yourself.”
Hearing the older sister’s explanation, Qin Qingwan tightly pressed her lips together, her small fists clenched as she hesitated.
She didn’t want her loved ones to be hurt because of her. But at the same time, she didn’t want to leave her mother and family.
“Big Sister, do I have to leave with you now?” After a long pause, Qin Qingwan raised her head to ask.
Wangxuan shook her head. “If you want to leave with me now, you can. Or you can wait until you’re nine years old. But if you agree today, from this moment on, you’ll be considered a member of Tianxuan Sect. The sect will protect you and your family from harm.”
“Then… can I wait until I’m nine years old before going with you?” Qin Qingwan pleaded.
“Of course,” Wangxuan agreed with a nod, then lightly touched Qin Qingwan’s forehead with her finger.
When Wangxuan withdrew her finger, a translucent, white tassel-like floral mark appeared on Qin Qingwan’s forehead.
“For the next six years, I’ll remain in the capital, and you must not leave it. If you’re ever in danger, I’ll sense it and come to your aid immediately. When the time comes, I’ll personally come to take you away, and then you can formally become my disciple.”
“Thank you, Big Sister,” Qin Qingwan said, touching her forehead.
Although she couldn’t see it, she could feel a pretty little flower adorning her brow.
“Big Sister, when it’s time for me to leave with you, can Brother Ming, Sister Xuenuo, and my mother come with me too?” Qin Qingwan asked expectantly, holding Xu Ming’s hand in one of hers and Xu Xuenuo’s in the other.
Wangxuan shook her head. “That won’t be possible. Only you can enter Tianxuan Sect.”
“Oh…” Qin Qingwan lowered her head in disappointment.
Wangxuan patted her head gently in consolation and then walked over to Xu Xuenuo.
Though she had already found the Innate Sacred Body, there was no harm in checking Xu Xuenuo’s spiritual roots as well.
Wangxuan placed her hand on Xu Xuenuo’s head. After a while, she opened her eyes and looked at the young girl. “I didn’t expect it… To encounter someone with an Innate Sword Bone here.”
“Innate Sword Bone?” A flash of joy appeared in Wang Feng’s eyes.
Although women couldn’t inherit noble titles, she still had a son. With his sister’s influence, it might not be impossible for his son to inherit the title.
Wangxuan glanced at Wang Feng.
Just that one look made Wang Feng shiver uncontrollably, as if her entire being had been completely seen through.
Retracting her gaze, Wangxuan explained, “Our Tianxuan Sect cultivates the Dao, not the sword. While some disciples practice the sword, it is only treated as a tool, not their life’s essence. I cannot take her into the Tianxuan Sect. However, I will notify a friend from the Wanjian Sect to come and take a look.”
“But the Innate Sword Bone is too sharp and incompatible with the nation’s fortune.
“The Xu family, as nobles of the Wu Kingdom, bears the weight of the national destiny. If Miss Xu chooses to study the sword, she must leave the Xu family and sever all ties with them.”
Hearing these words, Wang Feng’s face turned pale again.
The members of the Xu household also wore complicated expressions.
If what Wangxuan said was true, what difference did it make whether Xu Xuenuo had the Sword Bone or not?
Once she left the family and was removed from the Xu family registry, it would be as if she no longer existed to them.
“Thank you, National Preceptor,” Wang Feng said at last, resigned, casting a somewhat guilty glance at her son.
It seemed certain now that her children would not inherit the hereditary marquisate of the Xu household.
Wang Xuan took out a book from her robes and handed it to Qin Qingwan. “Qingwan, this book is called the Tianxuan Heart Method. Read it if you wish. Read as much as you can, as many times as you like. There’s no need to force yourself.”
“Thank you, elder sister,” Qin Qingwan said as she took the book. “But elder sister, may I show it to others?”
Wangxuan nodded. “Of course. Whoever you want to share it with, feel free.”
Standing up, Wangxuan exchanged a few final pleasantries with the Xu family matriarch before taking her leave.
As she was about to depart, Wangxuan glanced at the Tianxuan Goose at the doorway.
The goose shuddered and quickly ran off.
As the crowd dispersed, Xu Ming returned to his small courtyard.
In the kitchen, Chen Suya was preparing some pastries for him.
Xu Ming decided to go for a run in the courtyard.
While he was running, the Tianxuan Goose suddenly approached him.
Xu Ming thought it wanted to fight him.
But instead, the goose walked up to him, patted him on the shoulder with its wing, and let out a few “honk honk” sounds.
“You’re saying you know I can’t cultivate and want to comfort me by saying it’s okay?”
Xu Ming looked at the goose. Somehow, he felt like he could understand what it was trying to convey.
The Tianxuan Goose nodded, then patted its own chest with its wing and let out another series of honks.
“You’re saying you’ll have my back from now on?” Xu Ming asked.
The goose nodded again.
Xu Ming’s eyebrow twitched. “Well, thank you very much, then.”
The goose lifted its long neck proudly and nodded again. “Honk honk honk (You’re my little bro; it’s only right).”