Joining the Sect

Moon Rulun had been closest to the earthworm, so her injuries were the most severe.

Seeing Li Luoning and the earthworm fighting in the hall, she wanted to get up to help, but just a slight exertion of her power caused her to cough up blood.

The earthworm in the hall seemed quite different from before. Apart from the swirling black aura around its body, its head, adorned with horns, was gradually growing more horns as the battle raged on.

"This power... is... the Shadow Devil Qi!" When she first saw the earthworm, Mu Han was puzzled by the strange aura surrounding it. However, witnessing the earthworm becoming increasingly frenzied, she quickly recognized the aura enveloping it.

Mu Han knew full well that the Shadow Devil Qi had long been classified as a forbidden technique by their master. Those who could manipulate and use such a demonic aura, and simultaneously subdue and tame mythical beasts, were no ordinary individuals. Without delay, she joined the battle with her own aura.

As Mu Han had anticipated, the tamed earthworm continued to unleash unexpected power. Even with Li Luoning and Mu Han teaming up, they couldn't find an opening to take it down.

"This won't do. With so many fellow immortals in the hall, any misstep could harm the innocent... Luoning, we need to figure out a way to lure this earthworm outside as soon as possible," Mu Han said as they fought.

Li Luoning naturally agreed with Mu Han's assessment. Just as he was contemplating how to lure the earthworm outside, in that split second of distraction, the earthworm launched an attack at Li Luoning.

Li Luoning swiftly spun in mid-air to dodge the attack. Just as he flew up to a high position, he realized he was positioned right in front of Mu Xiuzhe. The attack he dodged was now flying towards Mu Xiuzhe's back.

"Oh no!"

Li Luoning immediately turned back towards Mu Xiuzhe. However, the earthworm did not give him the chance. It launched another attack, blocking his path.

"Xingzhe, be careful!" Yun Qingyi, who had been assisting injured fellow immortals nearby, heard the voice of their master and turned to see what was happening. She noticed the incoming attack and shouted anxiously as she rushed towards Mu Xiuzhe.

Hearing Yun Qingyi's cry, Mu Xiuzhe turned around just in time to see the attack flying towards him from a distance. He quickly turned back, tightly holding the young Chéng Huáng in his arms, and closed his eyes, shielding himself from the imminent attack.

Just as the earthworm's attack was about to hit Mu Xiuzhe, a faint purple spell appeared behind him, deflecting the attack and sending the earthworm flying backward.

The powerful force rebounded instantly, sending the earthworm staggering back several meters, startled, before it turned and fled from the hall.

"Rulun!" Qingyuan shouted in horror.

"Xingzhe..." Yun Qingyi called out.

Moon Rulun had somehow flown behind Mu Xiuzhe, shielding him from the fatal blow and striking back with a fierce attack, driving the earthworm out of the hall.

Seeing the earthworm flee, Moon Rulun coughed up blood and collapsed.

"What are you waiting for? Chase after it!" Qingyuan, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, roared at the belated immortal soldiers.

Li Luoning quickly stepped forward to check on Moon Rulun. "Rulun..."

"Master, how is Rulun?" Yun Qingyi also approached Li Luoning, her face full of anxiety.

Li Luoning placed his hand on Moon Rulun's wrist, his expression solemn as he examined her. Sensing that there was no serious injury, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"She's fine. Rulun hasn't been injured. She just exerted too much spiritual power for a moment, causing her dantian to enter a state of dormancy. A few days of rest will restore her to normal." Li Luoning injected a stream of spiritual power into Moon Rulun, and a faint glow appeared on her chest.

"Master Xiāoyì, why would her dantian suddenly go dormant?" Qingyuan asked with a hint of confusion. After all, this was the first time he had heard of a dantian going dormant.

"Rulun's dantian was originally acquired through postnatal transformation, naturally different from ours. It's only natural for her to feel a bit weak after using so much spiritual power at once. I'll prepare some medicinal soup for Qingyi to deliver later. Our War God need not worry." Li Luoning reassured.

Several tens of days later, within the Pure Hall of the Liáoyīn Immortal Realm...

"Qīngyuán, I instructed you to lead the immortals to thoroughly investigate this matter. How is the progress?" the Immortal Sovereign asked.

"Reporting to the Immortal Sovereign, we have captured the earthworm and it is currently being held in the dungeon. However, we have not yet determined the cause of its demonic transformation," Qīngyuán replied.

"Demonic transformation?" the Immortal Sovereign was surprised. "Are you certain?" He sought confirmation from Qīngyuán once again.

"Absolutely," Qīngyuán replied firmly.

"The words of the War God Qīngyuán are true. If I'm not mistaken, the earthworm that day became so violent and aggressive because it was tamed using the Forbidden Technique of the Malicious Shadow Qi by someone with ill intentions," Mù Hán chimed in.

"Malicious Shadow Qi! Isn't that the forbidden technique that has been sealed for many years? Qīngyuán, continue your investigation. Report any information immediately," the Immortal Sovereign instructed.

"Understood."

"Immortal Sovereign, what are your intentions regarding this young Chéng Huáng?" Qīngyuán inquired.

"Though this auspicious beast understands human speech and discerns human nature, it's best to let Li Luoning heal it first. After it recovers, we'll let the auspicious beast decide whether to stay or leave," Mù Hán proposed.

"While this Chéng Huáng is indeed an auspicious beast, it's still young and injured. Xiāoyì, as your senior brother suggested, let it recuperate under your care for now. When its condition improves, it can decide its own fate," the Immortal Sovereign said, then turned his gaze to Moon Rulun nearby.

"Rulun, how are your injuries?" the Immortal Sovereign asked with a charitable tone.

"Immortal Sovereign, thanks to the medicines sent by Master Xiāoyì, as well as some pills gifted by the Medicine King, I am now fully recovered," Moon Rulun replied.

"Excellent. Rulun has performed exceptionally well in the recent events, especially in the battle against the earthworm. Such bravery and skill from a young warrior are a blessing to our realm. Rulun, if there's any reward you desire, feel free to speak up," the Immortal Sovereign offered.

"Rulun, what do you..." Moon Rulun hesitated, glancing at her master Qingyuan, then at Li Luoning and Yun Qingyi not far away.

"Rulun, you want...?" Rulun hesitated for a moment before speaking again with firmness. "I request permission from the Immortal Sovereign to study medicinal principles and medical skills under Master Xiāoyì."

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall erupted into whispers and murmurs, with everyone exchanging comments.

"Hey, do you think Moon Rulun, the War God, has a crush on Master Xiāoyì? Why else would she make such a request in public?"

"It's possible. Everyone in the Liáoyīn Immortal Realm admires the beauty of Master Xiāoyì and his disciple. If I were Moon Rulun, I wouldn't miss such an opportunity either."

"It's hard to know someone's true intentions. I never thought Moon Rulun, who seems so capable, would be just like us ordinary folks."

Hearing the discussions around her, Qingyuan couldn't help but cover his forehead with his hand and shake his head in resignation. He knew that Moon Rulun genuinely wanted to learn some medicinal skills, but stating it in this manner inevitably led to misunderstandings. His disciple, although skilled in martial arts, sometimes lacked common sense.

"Is Moon Rulun out of her mind? Making such a request in front of everyone, she's just embarrassing herself."

"She's probably doing it to impress Xiāoyì."

The hall was filled with gossip, but suddenly, a voice rang out, silencing the chatter and surprising everyone. It was none other than Mi Xingzhe who couldn't stand it anymore.

"Quiet, it's Moon Rulun's business. None of you have any business sticking your noses into it. You're all just gossiping like a bunch of old hens," Mi Xingzhe scolded, his voice cutting through the murmurs in the hall.

"Xingzhe..." Yun Qingyi gently tugged at Mi Xingzhe's sleeve, signaling him not to get involved in this matter.

"This... Master Xiāoyì, what is your opinion?" the Immortal Sovereign asked hesitantly, turning to Li Luoning.

"Immortal Sovereign, Xiāoyì... regrets that he cannot comply," Li Luoning replied solemnly.

"Why? Master Xiāoyì, why are you unwilling?" The Immortal Sovereign seemed unsurprised by Li Luoning's refusal.

"Immortal Sovereign, Xiāoyì is merely an independent cultivator with limited knowledge of medicinal principles. Rulun is brave and skilled in battle, distinctively different from Xiāoyì's cultivation path. Moreover..." Li Luoning paused, then glanced at Mi Xingzhe standing nearby before continuing.

"Moreover, Xiāoyì has already taken Mi Xingzhe as a closed-door disciple, as instructed by the Immortal Sovereign. It has been emphasized that one disciple should be the chief disciple, and the other should be a closed-door disciple. Currently, Xiāoyì's quota is full, so Xiāoyì regrets that he cannot comply," Li Luoning explained.

"Taking a closed-door disciple? I haven't been informed of this by you yet, Mù Hán. Is there any truth to this?" the Immortal Sovereign turned to Mù Hán and asked.

"Immortal Sovereign, this matter is indeed true. Junior brother had discussed this matter with me earlier," Mù Hán stepped forward and confirmed.

"Mi Xingzhe, is what they're saying true?" the Immortal Sovereign asked Mi Xingzhe seriously.

"Oh? Um... that... uh, yes, it is," Mi Xingzhe looked bewildered, unsure about the current situation, and gave a vague response.

"Immortal Sovereign, the Master has already prepared the Master-Immortal Oath, but it has not yet been presented to Master Xuanming for approval. Here is the written oath. Please review it," Yun Qingyi suddenly emerged, holding out her hand. A golden light emerged, revealing a scroll.

Given Yun Qingyi's understanding of her own master, it was clear that she wouldn't have been so attentive to Mi Xingzhe if she didn't have the intention of taking him as her disciple. Coupled with her special affection for Mi Xingzhe, she had already prepared the Master-Immortal Oath early on, intending to bring it out when the timing was right. She hadn't expected it to be useful so soon.

The Immortal Sovereign waved his hand gently, and someone beside him came forward to take the scroll from Yun Qingyi's hand and present it to the Immortal Sovereign for inspection.

"Very well. If she can receive guidance under Master Xiāoyì, she will surely achieve great things in the future. Since Master Xiāoyì and Immortal Mi Xingzhe have already agreed on this Master-Immortal Oath, Rulun, what do you think of this?" the Immortal Sovereign asked hesitantly.

"Immortal Sovereign, according to Master Xiāoyì's wishes, and thanks to the affection shown by Moon Rulun, if she wishes to study medicinal principles, she can come to Mirror Cloud Residence anytime. Master Xiāoyì will be ready to assist at any time," Li Luoning added, while casting a spell that hit the token at Moon Rulun's waist.

Li Luoning preferred tranquility, so he usually didn't appreciate uninvited visitors. Therefore, those who could pass through the boundary of Mirror Cloud Residence to visit were extremely few. With this permission, Moon Rulun would be free to come and go from Mirror Cloud Residence, a privilege that many envied.

"Hmm... I also had this in mind. Rulun, what do you think?" the Immortal Sovereign nodded and then turned to Moon Rulun standing beside him.

Moon Rulun glanced at Li Luoning, who had spoken for her, and her eyes revealed a hint of joy. She had always wanted to visit Mirror Cloud Residence more often, but she hadn't found the right opportunity to ask Li Luoning for this permission. Now that she had finally obtained it, she felt extremely pleased.

"I will abide by the arrangements of the Immortal Sovereign," Moon Rulun responded promptly.

"Very well, then this matter is settled," the Immortal Sovereign said with satisfaction.

Li Luoning, Yun Qingyi, and Mi Xingzhe returned to Mirror Cloud Residence...

"Why wouldn't you accept that female warrior as your disciple?" Mi Xingzhe asked, puzzled.

"We follow different paths in cultivation. She excels in combat, while I prefer medicinal principles. There's no place for her under my tutelage. Besides, she has already been raised under Clear Origin's tutelage since childhood and regards Clear Origin as her master. A disciple cannot have two masters," Li Luoning replied, gently shaking the folding fan in her hand.

After a moment, Li Luoning closed the folding fan in her hand and looked at Mi Xingzhe with a serious expression.

"Why... why are you looking at me like that?" Mi Xingzhe felt uncomfortable being stared at like this, and awkwardly put down the cup in his hand.

"Hmm." Li Luoning's eyes gradually became deep, but she just sighed without saying a word.

Mi Xingzhe looked around, scratched his head in confusion, and glanced at Yun Qingyi beside him.

"Mi Xingzhe, would you be willing..." Li Luoning pondered for a moment. At this point, perhaps there was only one solution.

Li Luoning closed the folding fan, leaned forward, and became serious.

"Willing for what?" Mi Xingzhe looked at Li Luoning in confusion, wondering why she was acting so strangely today, speaking intermittently and hesitantly.

"Willing to become my disciple?" Li Luoning said slowly.

"What... No, what?" Mi Xingzhe spat out the tea in his mouth.

"Do you... really want to take me as your disciple? I thought just now in the hall..." Mi Xingzhe couldn't believe it and wanted to confirm again.

"Are you willing?" Li Luoning asked seriously.

"I... I am willing, but..." Mi Xingzhe hesitated.

"You are not willing?" Li Luoning asked in a low voice.

"I am willing, of course, but..." Mi Xingzhe didn't know how to express his concerns, standing there feeling at a loss.

"You are worried about being an ethereal body?" Li Luoning hit the nail on the head.

"You know about it?" Mi Xingzhe was somewhat surprised.

Li Luoning nodded. "If you are willing to be my disciple, I will help you with the ethereal body issue."

"Really? Are you really willing to take me, a useless person, as your disciple?" Mi Xingzhe couldn't believe it and wanted to confirm again.

"Mi Xingzhe, what else are you waiting for? Since the Master has decided to accept you, there must be a way to treat you. Why hesitate?" Yun Qingyi urged from the side.

"In front of the Master, I, your disciple, bow..."