After Gu Wei left, Wang Hong and Gu Qingyang performed the formal ceremony of becoming master and disciple.
"Your disciple is here!"
"Now that you have joined my sect, you must abide by our rules. There are twelve major rules in our sect, and every disciple must remember them by heart and never violate them!"
Then, Gu Qingyang, with a serious face, began to recite the sect rules: "First, never betray or disrespect your master. Violators will be executed. Second, do not harm your fellow disciples. Those who do will be expelled from the sect or have their cultivation level abolished.
Gu Qingyang sternly finished all twelve rules.
"Have you memorized all these twelve rules?"
"Your disciple has committed them to memory and will never dare to violate them!"
After reciting the rules, Gu Qingyang's expression softened slightly, and he said:
"Well, the punishments mentioned are only for those who violate the sect rules. Now that you have joined my sect, if you have any doubts or questions in your cultivation, you can come to me for guidance. I also have a Spiritual Weapon that I no longer use, and I will bestow it upon you."
Gu Qingyang took out a silver shuttle-shaped object several inches long, held it up with Spiritual Power, and handed it to Wang Hong, who hurriedly received it.
"Thank you, Master, for your generous gift!"
"This is a mid-grade flying Spiritual Weapon, named Silverlight Shuttle. It's main feature is its speed, with no other special effects."
Gu Qingyang explained that generally, Spiritual Weapons designed for flying are faster than those for other purposes. However, how much faster, as Gu Qingyang mentioned, was unknown.
"Also, I have some personal businesses that need to be managed by you and your fellow disciples in turns. Currently, your second senior brother is in charge, and it will be your turn in the future."
After offering benefits, Gu Qingyang also assigned him duties, implying there are no benefits without obligations in this world.
While Gu Qingyang and Wang Hong were talking, a beautiful figure walked in from outside, followed by Gu Wei.
This female cultivator had a graceful figure, with skin like snow and delicate features.
Despite her beauty, her expression was cold and detached, as if everyone owed her tens of thousands of Spirit Stones. It was unclear if this was her natural disposition or the result of some past trauma. No wonder the enthusiastic and lively Gu Wei was reluctant to meet her.
Upon entering the hall, the female cultivator managed a forced and stiff smile.
"Disciple Ji Chen greets Master and Mistress!"
Her smile seemed forced, and her voice retained a cold tone.
"Ji Chen, it's been so many years, why so formal?" the Mistress, who looked like a young girl, said with a beaming smile.
"Ji Chen, this is my newly accepted disciple. From now on, you, as fellow disciples, should take care of each other," Gu Qingyang introduced.
"Wang Hong greets senior sister. I hope for your guidance in the future!" Wang Hong stepped forward and greeted her.
Ji Chen glanced coldly at Wang Hong, gave a slight nod, and then there was no further interaction.
Although the situation was a bit awkward, Wang Hong had at least made the acquaintance of his fellow disciple and senior sister.
Wang Hong listened intently as Gu Qingyang gave a few more instructions, and he took the opportunity to ask some questions about his cultivation practice.
Gu Qingyang answered each question in detail, explaining issues related to the Foundation Building stage from the perspective of a Golden Core cultivator, making complex concepts simple and easy to understand.
Having his long-held doubts resolved, Wang Hong felt enlightened and invigorated, his spirit uplifted.
During this Q&A session between master and disciple, the seemingly young Mistress watched Gu Qingyang with a smile and starry eyes.
Meanwhile, Gu Wei looked around boredly, examining everything from a tiny crack in the floor tile to an insect on a tree outside.
Ji Chen, throughout this time, remained as still as a statue, not even moving a finger.
After getting his questions answered, Wang Hong took his leave.
Gu Wei escorted him out again, reverting to his lively demeanor on the way.
"Brother Wang... I should call you Fifth Brother now, right? Fifth Brother, can you take me with you on your future adventures?" Gu Wei asked eagerly.
Seeing his hopeful expression, Wang Hong couldn't bring himself to refuse outright and said, "If there's a suitable mission and if Master agrees, I'll consider it."
"Really? That's great!"
Gu Wei didn't realize Wang Hong was just being polite. But soon after, he frowned and said, "My father will never agree. He never lets me leave home, always saying that the Cultivation World is treacherous and full of dangers, and I must reach the Foundation Building stage before I can venture out. I think my father is overthinking it. I've been friendly with our fellow sect members for seventeen years, and many senior brothers give me gifts when they see me. People outside should be Immortal Cultivators too, so they can't be that bad, right?"
Hearing this, Wang Hong thought to himself, "If I had a Golden Core period father, everyone would be nice to me too, and all the low-tier cultivators in the Qingxu Sect would become my friends."
However, as a senior brother, he felt obliged to warn Gu Wei, "The outside world is different from the Sect. Some cultivators lurk on main roads to rob and kill."
Hearing this, Gu Wei indignantly said, "There are such despicable people in the Cultivation World? When I leave the Sect, I will kill these bandits to bring peace."
Wang Hong realized his words had little effect; without personal experience, one can never truly understand.
They quickly reached the cave mansion's exit.
"Fifth Brother, remember to come and visit me when you're free. It's so boring staying inside all the time."
Gu Wei waved goodbye to Wang Hong.
"Sure, I'll visit when I have time."
Back in his cave mansion, Wang Hong couldn't wait to go to the Cultivation Room to try out the flying shuttle given by his master to see how fast it was. A gift from a Golden Core Elder should be impressive.
In the Cultivation Room, Wang Hong took out the silver shuttle. It was streamlined, five inches long, and shone brightly.
He slowly infused it with Spiritual Power, and the Silverlight Shuttle gradually enlarged to ten feet long and floated in the air.
Wang Hong leaped onto the shuttle, standing steadily, and then infused it with more Spiritual Power.
With a "whoosh," the shuttle shot forward several meters before Wang Hong could react, startling him.
Luckily, his Cultivation Room was large enough to prevent a collision with the wall.
After flying around the room for a while, Wang Hong became proficient in controlling the shuttle.
To fully utilize the Spiritual Weapon's power, he needed to bond and refine it.
Shrinking the shuttle back to palm size, he held it, feeling attached.
So, this was the speed considered 'fast' by a Golden Core cultivator.
He spent two days refining the Silverlight Shuttle, and when he used it again, it was even faster and responded to his will as naturally as moving a limb.
[Read at /shanefreak, and heartfelt thankyou for your support!]