Chapter 442: Paying Respects to the Master of Cultivation |
Although the girl before him was young, Jiang Chen did not dare underestimate her. He quickly cupped his hands and said, “My name is Jiang Chen. I am here to see the Master of Cultivation.”
Realization dawned on her face. “So you are Jiang Chen!”
Jiang Chen paused, taken aback. “You… know me?”
The girl giggled, her eyes bright. “My name is Mu Ning. I am your Senior Sister.”
Jiang Chen cupped his hands once more. “So it is Senior Sister Mu in person.”
Mu Ning’s eyes sparkled. She lifted her chin, asking, “I heard you are also an insect cultivator, and that you even raised a Dragon-Transformed Meridian-Reversing Worm Mother?”
Jiang Chen gave a slight nod. “That is correct.”
Mu Ning’s interest flared instantly. “Quick, quick, quick, summon it out for your Senior Sister to see!”
Jiang Chen looked slightly troubled. “This…”
Jiang Chen offered an awkward smile and opened his mouth to explain.
At that moment, another elegant figure emerged from the inner hall.
She was tall and slender, possessing a classic, refined oval face.
Rather than flowing robes, she wore a crisp, black martial tunic trimmed in deep green.
Her skin bore the same sun-kissed wheat hue as Mu Ning’s.
Her long hair was swept up into a high bun, secured simply by a dark ebony hairpin.
Her brow bones were prominent, the peaks of her eyebrows arching with a natural sharpness.
A high, straight nose bridge anchored her features, marked by an extremely faint scar near the root.
Even when expressionless, she carried an innate, chilling authority-a picture of aloof grace.
She cast a brief glance at Jiang Chen before stepping to Mu Ning’s side, lowering her head to glare with sharp, beautiful eyes. “Sneaking out again?”
Mu Ning chuckled sheepishly. “Senior Sister Qingtang, I only came to welcome our sixth Junior Brother.”
Bei Qingtang shook her head in helpless amusement, then turned to greet Jiang Chen. “Junior Brother Jiang, come inside quickly.”
Jiang Chen immediately followed. The three of them conversed as they walked.
“Mu Ning is both our Master’s daughter and your fifth Senior Sister.”
“I am your eldest Senior Sister, Bei Qingtang…”
Through their exchange, Jiang Chen pieced together a general understanding of the sect’s hierarchy.
Their Master, the Master of Cultivation, was named Mu Ji.
He previously held five disciples under his tutelage; now, there were six.
Eldest Senior Sister Bei Qingtang was at the Golden Core stage, possessing dual Wood and Earth Spirit Roots, and practiced the Wood Vein Traction Technique.
Second Senior Brother Zhou Yan was at the Golden Core stage, possessing a Wood Spirit Root, and studied the Verdant Wood Spirit Plant Records.
Third Senior Brother Qin Ye was at the Golden Core stage, possessing a Wood Spirit Root, and specialized in the Vine Binding Technique.
Fourth Senior Brother Gu Qiao was at the Golden Core stage, possessing dual Wood and Metal Spirit Roots, and practiced the Ironwood Vein Melting Method.
Fifth Senior Sister Mu Ning was at Foundation Establishment Perfection, possessing a mutated Wood Spirit Root, and studied the Spirit Sprout Living Insect Record.
As for the sixth… his greatness needed no elaboration.
Jiang Chen asked curiously, “Eldest Senior Sister, do you hail from the Luo River Bei Clan?”
Bei Qingtang gave a slight nod. “Correct.”
Jiang Chen smiled. “A few days ago, when I visited the Earth Vein, I happened to meet a female cultivator named Bei Qinghui who possessed an Earth Spirit Root.”
Bei Qingtang replied indifferently, “That is my cousin.”
Noting her cool demeanor, Jiang Chen tactfully let the subject drop.
Step by step, the three of them crossed the threshold into Qionxin Hall.
The interior held not a single brick or tile; the entire structure was woven from naturally grown spirit plants.
The pillars and crossbeams were draped in Spirit-Welcoming Vines, dotted with delicate white flowers the size of rice grains.
Overhead stretched a vaulted dome of interwoven Qiong leaves, layered thick and lush. The skylight filtering through the canopy caught the spirit dew suspended between the foliage, refracting into floating, ethereal rainbows.
In the central expanse, spanning ten zhang, rested a massive tree-heart wooden desk-three zhang long and over a zhang wide.
The timber was a warm, honeyed yellow, its surface polished to a jade-like luster. It bore no artificial carvings, displaying only the mesmerizing, concentric ripples of its natural growth rings.
Behind the desk sat a chair formed of living roots. Its seat was woven from countless spirit vines, the supple tips curling upward to form natural armrests.
Flanking the front of the desk were six Qiong branch stools. Their seats were carved directly from thick branches, the edges retaining their natural curvature, while bent spirit vines served as sturdy legs.
To the left of the main hall lay a scripture alcove. Rows of wooden bookshelves stood tall, holding ancient texts like the Spirit Field Encyclopedia.
To the right, a small plot of soil was enclosed by a waist-high ring of green jade, nurturing three rare spirit plants.
In the center grew a stalk of thousand-year Enlightenment Grass.
Flanking it on either side were two thousand-year Echo Flowers.
Faint, indistinct murmurs seemed to ripple outward from their petals.
The entire palace felt alive, breathing in a slow, rhythmic cadence. Every spirit plant and wooden fixture within sight subtly stretched and swayed, exuding waves of a crisp, verdant fragrance.
Jiang Chen’s gaze swept the hall, yet he saw no one resembling the Master of Cultivation.
Just as confusion set in, the steady tap, tap, tap of footsteps echoed from a side corridor.
An old farmer emerged. He wore a coarse, short gray tunic, his palms thick with weathered calluses, and a wooden plow-shaped ornament hung from his waist.
Three male cultivators followed closely at his side.
The man nearest to the old farmer exuded a refined, scholarly air.
The one behind him was powerfully built, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, radiating an untamed, wild energy.
The man bringing up the rear was slender and quiet, his expression somewhat vacant and dull.
Bei Qingtang hurriedly stepped forward, bowing deeply with cupped hands. “Master!”
Mu Ning skipped over, calling out sweetly, “Father!”
Jiang Chen hurriedly followed suit, though he was inwardly bewildered. The Master of Cultivation is so ancient. How is his daughter so young?
Mu Ji took his seat. Then, alongside the others, he turned his heavy gaze upon Jiang Chen.
Faced with the scrutiny of so many experts, an ordinary person would have panicked.
After all, everyone present was either at the Nascent Soul or Golden Core stage.
Jiang Chen felt no true fear, but he expertly feigned a nervous stutter. “Greetings, Mas… Master of Cultivation!”
Mu Ji offered a half-smile, his voice carrying the weight of centuries. “Little Jiang, although this is our first meeting, Zhu Fuxian has mentioned you many times in private.”
Jiang Chen remained silent, simply lowering his head and waiting patiently.
Sure enough, Mu Ji continued, “Although your cultivation aptitude is somewhat lacking, your talent in nurturing spirit plants and your sense of responsibility are truly outstanding.”
“I heard you prevented a disaster from unfolding?”
“I have served as a Spirit Cultivator in the past, so I know intimately how grueling the work can be.”
“For a Junior Brother so young to shoulder such a heavy burden is truly rare!”
The other disciples chimed in, exchanging words of praise.
Even though they were complete strangers to Jiang Chen.
They had to admit, his name had echoed through the sect many times recently.
His most famous exploit was averting the disaster and thwarting Rong Long’s conspiracy.
Jiang Chen maintained his silence, primarily because he had no idea what to say.
The people standing before him were all strangers.
Aside from the Master of Cultivation’s reputation, he knew nothing of them.
Sensing the time was right, Mu Ji let out a light laugh. “Let the apprenticeship ceremony begin.”
Just as Jiang Chen moved to kneel, he was stopped.
Mu Ji shook his head. “Kowtowing shows respect for a person; bowing shows respect for the Dao.”
“The disciple I desire must first respect the Spirit Farms beneath our feet and the vitality of the wood veins, not this old husk of mine.”
Hearing this, Jiang Chen immediately turned toward the direction of the Spirit Farms. He bowed deeply, cupping his hands in a solemn salute three times.
At the same time, Eldest Senior Sister Bei Qingtang proclaimed in a clear, ringing voice, “First, respect the Spirit Farms nourished by heaven and earth.”
“Second, respect the Dao of the growth and vitality of all flora.”
“Third, respect the legacy of the Master’s lineage.”
Only then did Jiang Chen turn back around. He knelt upon the floor, kowtowing heavily toward Mu Ji as he declared, “Disciple Jiang Chen pays his respects to Master!”
Starting with reverence for the Dao.
Ending with reverence for the man.
A deeply pleased expression settled over Mu Ji’s weathered face. He stepped forward to personally help Jiang Chen to his feet, his voice warm and kind. “Good disciple. From this day forth, you are my sixth disciple!”
