Chapter 11: Reliable Master
Chen Wentian led his two disciples along to soar across the sky. Zhou Ziyun was a bit more reserved than Lin Qingcheng when reacting to first time flight but she was still a bit excited. She looked forward to the future path of cultivation with her master. He was an immortal after all. In the minds of mortals, immortals were all powerful and infallible, but this of course wasn't the case. Zhou Ziyun was pretty lucky as it just so happened that Chen Wentian had some real skill and was not the filthy lascivious con artist type of immortal.
Chen Wentian took them to Zhou Ziyun's main clan building. He wasn't really into kidnapping girls without telling their parents. After announcing his presence, he landed in the central courtyard. Some Zhou people hurriedly came out to greet him. Zhou Ziyun headed into the building to find her parents and take care of some matters.
Chen Wentian looked at Lin Qingcheng by his side who looked a bit curious and was glancing around, taking in the sights of an elegant and high class courtyard and construction.
"Qingcheng, when we first met it was a bit abrupt. Do you miss your parents? Do you want to go see them?"
"Master, I'm sure they are happy that I can have a great future. Thank you Master for your thoughtfulness! But disciple will obediently follow Master." She replied earnestly.
Chen Wentian patted her head affectionately. Lin Qingcheng's character is simple and loyal. Zhou Ziyun is also pretty amazing, her mouth is even more amazing! He had a lewd smile on his face as he thought back to their encounter.
"Master, what are you smiling about? Did you also touch Sister Ziyun?"
He flicked her ear, "Little girl, don't think too much!"
"Ouch!"
Zhou Ziyun met with her parents briefly to explain the situation and they were overjoyed at her good fortune. They were a little sad at having to say goodbye to their daughter but it couldn't have worked out better for the Zhou family. They all came out and knelt in front of Chen Wentian and bowed to him with respect.
"Please rise," Chen Wentian said, "You have raised a good daughter. I have discovered that she and I are fated. Maiden Zhou Ziyun, this Immortal Blue Dragon Chen Wentian takes you as his disciple, do you accept?"
Zhou Ziyun happily bowed and replied, "Yes, Master, I'll be in your care."
Chen Wentian turned to her father, "Something for our auspicious event." He again withdrew 10,000 taels of gold and placed in front of him. "Please receive this as a my sincere gift." Why does it feel like I'm paying a bride price...Chen Wentian idly thought.
Zhou Ziyun's father hemmed and hawed for a bit before finally accepting the money. It was an impressive amount even for an influential provincial family, enough to keep their businesses afloat for year. With the word spreading of Zhou Ziyun's fortune, the Zhou family's business would be restored and their enemies wouldn't dare to try anything suspect.
"Hmm, Qingcheng, Ziyun, I don't think you two have officially been introduced." Chen Wentian thought of that randomly.
"Ah, yes Master! Disciple Lin Qingcheng greets Elder Sister...Ouch!"
Chen Wentian flicked her ear again playfully, "Wrong!" Lin Qingcheng gave him a pouty and confused look.
Zhou Ziyun laughed and chimed in, "Disiple Zhou Ziyun greets 'Senior' Sister."
"Oh! Junior Sister! Hehe!" Lin Qingcheng finally wrapped her head around seniority.
Chen Wentian was happy they seemed to be getting along. Lin Qingcheng will always be his first disciple but she was honest, obedient, and an airhead. Zhou Ziyun was loyal, intelligent, but also ambitious. He never really had a relationship with a pretty girl before and now he had to manage these two at the same time. And the number would only grow! He felt a headache coming quickly.
They decided to stay in the Zhou residence for that night and after a dinner banquet, Chen Wentian decided to hold his first group lesson, how exciting! They gathered in his room and he began to explain about their future path in cultivation.
"The first three realms of cultivation, Body Refinement, Mind Focusing, and Spirit Initiate, are like climbing the tallest mountain in the world. The exact path may vary from person to person, but everybody understands what to do, climb upwards. All cultivators on a fundamental level, can understand the path to the peak of Spirit Initiate. Some sects might provide better path finding with good teachings of the Dao. Some sects might give you a physical edge through training manuals. Some might power forward using the resources available to them. The mountaintop is reachable. But Immortality is ascending the heavens. How do you go from the mountaintop to leaping towards the heavens?"
"This is why achieving the next realm, Spirit Lord, is so difficult. There is no understood path. The path may even be completely unique to you. It usually takes a very, very long time to find that path, this is why ascending is so rare. This is also why almost all immortals are very old. They might be supremely talented and reach peak of Spirit Initiate in thirty years, but then they would seek the path for another thirty years until they finally ascend."
"But Master is a special case, my secret method for ascending at such a young age is unique only to me. I don't expect either of you to follow my exact path. However, don't be discouraged. I have had pretty good fortune over the years and have gathered many treasures, manuals, and resources to allow you to reach the peak of Spirit Initiate faster than any other. Then I will lead you, protect you, and assist you in finding your path to immortality."
"You both have sworn an oath to me, and now this is my oath and my promise to you."
Lin Qingcheng and Zhou Ziyun both were elated. "Thank you, Master!" They said in unison.