8 First Time, No Experience

A disturbance echoed within the forest, signaling that Ling Xiaoyue and Li Ruyu's confrontation was far from over.

Fang Zhou was presented with two options: stay and await the outcome of their duel or seize the opportunity to escape to a safer distance.

Despite Ling Xiaoyue intervening on his behalf, he couldn't overlook her unpredictable nature. There was a looming apprehension that if she emerged victorious, she might turn her aggression towards him.

While Fang Zhou grappled with his choices, a sudden noise interrupted his thoughts. A figure was violently propelled from the forest, crashing against a tree trunk.

It was Li Ruyu. But her current appearance bore no resemblance to her usual elegance. Her hair was disheveled, her outfit in disarray, and her face bore the scars of battle.

In stark contrast, Ling Xiaoyue sauntered out, her pristine white dress reflecting the moonlight. She twirled her wine jug effortlessly, the movement synchronized with her graceful stride.

The outcome of their fight was evident, and Fang Zhou's dilemma seemed resolved.

Ling Xiaoyue's gaze fell upon the unconscious Xuan Ji Sect disciples, prompting an expression of mild surprise. "Impressive," she acknowledged.

Just when Fang Zhou was about to respond modestly, Ling Xiaoyue interjected with a meaningful comment. "So capable, no wonder they wanted to possess your body. It seems you have hidden potential. Quickly disrobe and let your master see how 'long' you are."

His expression turned sour instantly. In his eyes, Ling Xiaoyue was proving to be no different from Li Ruyu.

Spotting Fang Zhou's distaste, akin to having swallowed something distasteful, Ling Xiaoyue burst into hearty laughter.

Li Ruyu, using a tree for support, managed to stand. Her eyes, alight with fury, were fixed on Ling Xiaoyue. "My master, Yuyang Sanren, and my elder master, the sect leader of Xuan Ji, Qingjing Sanren, will not let you off so easily!"

In response to Li Ruyu's threats, Ling Xiaoyue smiled dismissively. "A mere innate cultivator and a Golden Core cultivator. Do two old crones really think they can intimidate people? If your Xuan Ji Sect's founding ancestor were to personally intervene, perhaps I might give her some respect."

Listening to this, Fang Zhou's blood surged with excitement. This woman dared to challenge the current Xuan Ji Sect's sect founding ancestor and elders. She was formidable indeed. It seemed he had indeed latched onto a powerful ally.

Li Ruyu's face contorted in anger. "You dare insult my master and the founding ancestors of our sect? I will fight you to death!"

With a loud shout, she soared into the air, but instead of charging forward, she retreated swiftly, disappearing into the distance within moments.

Fang Zhou, who initially thought Li Ruyu was making a final stand, was taken aback, only to realize that her loud proclamation was merely a cover for her escape. She even neglected her unconscious junior sister, utterly ignoring her responsibilities.

Ling Xiaoyue plucked a tree branch and launched it at the fleeing Li Ruyu, striking her squarely.

Li Ruyu let out a piercing shriek, a tree branch protruding from her back, as she vanished from sight.

A chill ran down Fang Zhou's spine; even Ling Xiaoyue's attack was deviously cunning.

He turned to Ling Xiaoyue and inquired, "What's our next move?"

"Run!"

"Run?"

Ling Xiaoyue placed a hand to her lips and whistled.

A robust horse galloped out of the forest. Ling Xiaoyue climbed atop and grabbed Fang Zhou by the collar, lifting him up as she rode away.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

Fearing his clothes might tear and he might fall, Fang Zhou didn't dare resist.

Ling Xiaoyue glanced at him. "Obviously, we're fleeing. That woman is bound to head back and spill the beans. Do you fancy waiting around for the Xuan Ji Sect to come after us? I might be able to slip away, but they'd catch you and drain you dry."

Fang Zhou's eyes widened in disbelief. "But you made yourself sound invincible earlier."

Ling Xiaoyue chuckled heartily. "My young apprentice, let me share a piece of wisdom. It doesn't matter if you can't win a fight, but always hold your ground in a war of words. It's like losing a skirmish but not the war. Understand?"

Fang Zhou silently thought, 'I really overestimated you. So, you're all bark and no bite.'

"Wait up," Ling Xiaoyue interjected, "We're days away from the Xuan Ji Sect. Let's head back to the Mountain Temple. They've got horses."

Leading the way, she and Fang Zhou went back to the Mountain Temple, securing a few horses. Fang Zhou gathered his belongings.

They took off under the cover of night, pushing the horses to their limits as they raced through the vast expanse of Yunshan.

After wearing out several horses, they finally managed to put a safe distance between themselves and the Xuan Ji Sect's reach, ensuring they weren't hot on their heels anymore.

It was Fang Zhou who frequently switched horses, not being particularly skilled at riding, but he had Ling Xiaoyue to guide him.

However, Ling Xiaoyue's steed was in a league of its own, covering such vast distances without showing signs of weariness.

"This beauty here is a gem, named Crescent Moon. We've been companions for ages, almost like kin," Ling Xiaoyue remarked affectionately.

She lay leisurely on its back, sipping her wine and clearly enjoying the moment.

"Apprentice, call me 'master'. Let's hear it."

With a mix of exasperation and resignation, Fang Zhou murmured, "Master."

"Hmm."

She responded with a contented hum, savoring her wine with closed eyes, lost in her own world.

This woman seemed to take quite a liking to being addressed as 'master'. Throughout the journey, Fang Zhou had been coerced into calling her 'master' numerous times.

Suddenly, a glint appeared in Ling Xiaoyue's eyes. "By the way, apprentice, where's my apprenticeship gift?"

Fang Zhou slowly raised an eyebrow, "What apprenticeship gift? You never mentioned this before."

She retorted, "Shouldn't you show some initiative? Anyway, it's never too late. Hand it over now."

"What apprenticeship gift do you want? It's my first time. I don't have any experience."

Ling Xiaoyue sat upright, wearing a cheeky grin. "Being inexperienced your first time? Understandable. The more you do it, the better you'll get. It helps to have a seasoned 'big sister' guide you."

Geez, don't think I can't tell you're making a lewd joke.

Fang Zhou's face remained impassive, "What exactly do you want as an apprenticeship gift?"

Ling Xiaoyue casually gestured, "I'm not a greedy person. I won't demand my apprentice to bring me rare treasures as gifts. Just give me some silver."

"How much silver?"

"A hundred thousand taels."

Acknowledging her demand, Fang Zhou replied, "Seems we're destined but not fated to be master and discipline. I'll return when I have the amount. Until then, thanks for your noble intent. Till our paths cross again."

With that, he reached for the reins, ready to part ways.

"Hey, hey, hold on. We can negotiate,"

"Wait up! There's room for negotiation," Ling Xiaoyue called out, stopping his horse. "If you're short of a hundred thousand taels, there are... alternative ways to pay. Ten taels a day for a hundred days, and we're square."

"You must be joking! Then I won't have a drop of energy left."

"You can conserve your energy."

"I believe my life is more important."

She sighed, "Okay, okay. Surely you have a thousand taels? I'm slashing ninety-nine thousand off. You won't find a more generous master. No more haggling."

Fang Zhou condemned Ling Xiaoyue with a righteous gaze. This women had finally exposed her malicious intentions.

He remembered the thousand taels in his baggage, the exact amount he'd taken when he left his home.

Ling Xiaoyue had asked for a thousand taels of silver as an initiation gift, clearly knowing that he had such an amount on him.

"You went through my belongings, didn't you?"

"I did no such thing!" she retorted, feigning innocence.

Fang Zhou's accusations were useless against Ling Xiaoyue. This woman had an incredibly thick skin and denied everything decisively.

After thinking for a moment, Fang Zhou said, "I don't have a thousand taels of silver right now. Can I pay it later?"

Ling Xiaoyue's gaze landed on his luggage. "No, you clearly have it in your bag. Are you still trying to lie to me?"

She had indeed gone through his bag.

Ultimately, the silver stayed with him, but the rights transferred to Ling Xiaoyue. He was just holding onto it for her.

"By the way, what's the name of our sect?" 

Fang Zhou asked. Having already sworn his apprenticeship, he still didn't know the name of the sect he was joining.

"Our sect…"

Ling Xiaoyue pondered for a moment before turning to Fang Zhou, "What do you think of 'Invincible Sect'?"

Fang Zhou felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck his head, leaving him stunned and speechless.

He gawked at Ling Xiaoyue, "You're naming the sect after taking me in?"

Ling Xiaoyue laughed lightly, "This is my first time too, I lack experience."

Fang Zhou initially thought that Ling Xiaoyue seemed unreliable, possibly an improviser. Now, he realized she didn't even have a rudimentary plan.

"Is it too late for me to back out now?" He queried.

"What do you think? If you dare to back out now, it would be an act of betraying the sect, deceiving the master, and annihilating the ancestors. According to the sect rules, we should..."

Ling Xiaoyue contemplated for a moment before continuing, "According to the sect rules, we should tear you into a thousand pieces, and bring your soul back to the sect to be a slave forever."

Lines of worry appeared on Fang Zhou's forehead. He hoped she wasn't plagiarizing the regulations of the Xuan Ji Sect.

It seemed he had dug himself a hole. If he'd known earlier, he would've been long gone.

Fang Zhou lamented his bad luck. On his very first day in this new world, he had offended Xiao Yan, a suspected protagonist. In less than a month, he had antagonized a renowned cultivation sect in Jingnan state. Now, he was trapped again. He really felt like singing a melancholic song to himself.

"Are we the only two people in the sect? And where are we supposed to live? Are we a wandering sect?" He asked.

Ling Xiaoyue lay down again, shaking her head. "You had an senior sister. But... I lost her."

Fang Zhou was now somewhat sensitive to the term "senior sister." Hearing that this yet-to-be-met senior sister had already been lost by Ling Xiaoyue, he finally sighed in relief.

Wait, just how did you mess around to end up losing your own disciple?

Ling Xiaoyue continued in a carefree manner, "Don't worry, I've bought a piece of land already. The place is rich in spiritual energy, almost like a fairyland. There are many pavilions and buildings, like the palaces in the heavens. We'll move there. Get ready to live a life of luxury."

Hearing about a place to stay, Fang Zhou felt a bit relieved, and the environment sounded promising. He started to feel a little hopeful.

"What will our sect be called again?" He asked.

"How about the Invincible Sect?" Ling Xiaoyue suggested.

"No way!"

"How about the Number One Sect in the Cultivation World?"

"Rejected!"