Her father often said “success will come if you work hard,” but sometimes working hard was not enough. Feeling extremely bitter, she had let down Yun Yin, Qing Liu, Wu Qing Luo and most importantly, she had let down Zun Shang.
“Gu Tou mama, you’ve tried your best, don’t be sad.” Tang Bao kissed her earlobe, softly comforting her. It was frightened to death, it did not care about this teacher matter, the most important thing was the safety of its mother.
Her mouth no longer oozed blood, Mount Chang Liu’s medicine was very effective, she would be fine if she could have some time off to recuperate. However, she was exhausted from the fight, her internal energy depleted, she feared she could not use her internal energy for at least a year.
Hua Qian Gu looked up, seeing Ni Man Tian across from her appearing alert after being treated by her parents, smiling at her in triumphant. Her injury was not serious, she just exhausted herself. For fairness, her fight against Shuo Feng was moved to the last slot. Right now, the tournaments were for disciples who already had a teacher.
Hua Qian Gu did not dare to look up at the three Heads and the immortals, not even bothering to watch the fight that was currently taking place. She recovered quickly because Yun Yin wholeheartedly treated her, losing was losing, the least she could do was stand up and get back on the ground without anyone helping her.
For the other group, Luo Shi Yi easily won first place. Then it was the fight between an injured Ni Man Tian and Shuo Feng, Shuo Feng was unexpectedly forced out of the border by Ni Man Tian’s twin swords. Although it was obvious Shuo Feng yielded, no one said anything.
At this point, Hua Qian Gu did not care if Ni Man Tian and Shuo Feng had a deal. She wanted to go back as soon as possible, she did not want to see Zun Shang or anyone.
But this was impossible, she had to be at the disciple selection even though this was the last thing she wanted to do.
Everyone moved to the square in front of the Main Hall, the students knelt based on their ranking in the Xian Jian Games. Hua Qian Gu kept her head down and did not say anything, she did not dare to look at Bai Zi Hua. She was the one who did not keep the promise between them, was he very disappointed?
“Sect Leader, come here, I need to talk to you.” Mo Yan frowned as he walked into the Main Hall, Bai Zi Hua hesitated then followed him.
“What is the situation with the Emotionless sword?” Mo Yan asked sternly. Bai Zi Hua knew he wanted to talk about this, he replied lightly: “Of course I gave it to her.”
“You……” Mo Yan was angry, “Is that not the sword our teacher gave you when he accepted you as his disciple? You’ve had that sword for more than 100 years so how can you easily give it away? And to a new student with dubious background!”
Bai Zi Hua turned and said: “You’ve reached enlightenment, why be bothered by possessions?”
“You……” Mo Yan’s face paled, he was furious and said: “Fine, fine, you are Sect Leader, I cannot say anything, you do whatever you want, but who you pick as disciple matters to the longevity of Mount Chang Liu, you cannot act rashly. I think Ni Man Tian and Shuo Feng are extraordinary talents, you can pick either one.”
Bai Zi Hua did not answer.
Mo Yan tried to suppress his anger, he said knowingly: “I know you do not like pretentiousness, Mount Chang Liu does not need to think about Peng Lai Island, if you value talent and do not like Ni Man Tian, Shuo Feng is a good choice, you can also avoid rumors that can come from having a female disciple. Mount Chang Liu’s reputation is the most important thing. Nevertheless, you must remember to save a bit of face for Ni Qian Zhang.”
The sound of bells rang outside, the disciple selection was about to begin.
“Let us go outside, you do not have to always look sullen, let me speak first. You have been Sect Leader for many years, given your position do not force me to always nag you, I do not have time to take care of everything.”
Bai Zi Hua looked at Mo Yan whose face could not hide his fatigue and frustration, how could he not know Mo Yan was strict, governed harshly, their opinions always clashed, yet everything was done in the best interest of Chang Liu.
They walked out of the Main Hall, toward the high altar, the disciple selection began.
Hua Qian Gu knelt with Shuo Feng and Ni Man Tian, her heart heavy. The Emotionless sword felt her sadness so it quivered. She had been preoccupied with fighting, she did not have time to think carefully, now she was confused, how could the Emotionless sword fly up without her summon?
Everyone else like Luo Shi Yi assumed she and the Emotionless sword had achieved the level in which the fighter and sword were one entity, she was the only one who knew the truth, she only had the Emotionless sword for a short time, she had not reached that level yet. Furthermore, the previous owner of the Emotionless sword was Zun Shang, even if it switched allegiance, it would not obey a girl who had not even reached the low level in cultivation.
Could it be……
Hua Qian Gu suddenly lifted her head, looking at Bai Zi Hua. It was really Zun Shang……
After realizing this, Hua Qian Gu felt more uncomfortable and lowered her head, she wanted to kneel before him forever. She did not have any talents, she did not deserve such consideration, then disappointed him in the end.
Shuo Feng and Yun Duan knelt on either side of her, seeing her body shaking so much, they thought she was hurting from her injury.
Yun Duan said: “If you can’t take it anymore, go outside and rest for a while.”
“It’s all right, I’m fine.” Hua Qian Gu looked up, Mo Yan and Zun Shang, Ni Qian Zhang and the immortals, she clearly heard everything.
“Sect Leader, you choose first.”
Bai Zi Hua seemed lost in thought, he used his fingers to calculate the will of Heaven, he tried many times, the result was still the same, he could not decide: “Everyone can choose before me.”
Mo Yan nodded and signaled with his hand, the disciple selection began. The ritual was simple, taking fragrant grass on the altar, the teachers would give the grass to students they wanted as their disciples. The elders no longer accepted disciples, most of the teachers were in the younger generations.
Quickly, Yun Duan, Zhui Yuan and the other students received fragrant grass from their teachers. Although some students were unhappy, they did not dare to reject the grass.
Luo Shi Yi was anxious and waited for Bai Zi Hua to speak, to choose Ni Man Tian or Shuo Feng, then he can give the fragrant grass to Hua Qian Gu. That kid tried her best but lost against the will of Heaven, was she heartbroken right now from losing?
Xiu Mu Qing Liu suddenly walked in front of Hua Qian Gu, his hand held fragrant grass. Luo Shi Yi panicked, quickly brushed by Mo Yan, his hand grabbed some fragrant grass on the altar then ran down.
“Qian Gu, will you be my disciple?” Hua Qian Gu’s head was down so she was surprised to see the fragrant grass appearing before her. Looking up at Xiu Mu Qing Liu, then glancing at Bai Zi Hua who stood on the altar and looking down at them, she hastily lowered her head.
Qing Shui knelt behind and saw everything, she also lowered her head in discouragement. She had tried hard, but she barely made it into the top 30, of course their teacher would not want her for a disciple. Although she had hinted that she wanted to be his disciple, she did not know if a drunkard like him understood.
Hua Qian Gu knelt without moving, her heart beating rapidly, she did not know what to do.
She did not want Xiu Mu Qing Liu as her teacher, but if she rejected him, Qing Liu would be embarrassed. This was his first time choosing a disciple, she could not turn her back on how he cared for her and taught her. Also, she could not become Zun Shang’s disciple, but would she never study with another teacher? What should she do…… But in her heart, she only wanted Zun Shang as her teacher!
Tang Bao knew what she was thinking, it was afraid her stubbornness would lead her to a dead-end, it immediately whispered: “Gu Tou mama, remember why we went to Mount Mao and Mount Chang Liu? The important thing is to rely on ourselves, what does it matter who is the teacher?”
Hua Qian Gu felt torn, why did she go to Chang Liu? For herself or because of something else, which is why she had worked so hard?
She could not decide, her anxiety worsened her injury, she almost fainted from the pain. Shuo Feng knelt next to her and quickly grabbed her hand under her loose robe, his internal energy endlessly flowed into her body and helped Hua Qian Gu stay alert. She looked at him in amazement, he acted as if nothing happened.
At that moment, another batch of fragrant grass appeared before her, Hua Qian Gu looked up, it was Luo Shi Yi, she felt a headache coming on.
Luo Shi Yi said casually: “Qing Liu, you shouldn’t compete with me, I already chose Hua Qian Gu when she first arrived here.”
Xiu Mu Qing Liu was frustrated: “Shi Yi, why are you competing with me? If you want to drink, can I drink with you later? It’s been many years, it’s hard for me to be satisfied with someone, I want her as my disciple, can you not help me this time?”
Luo Shi Yi appeared aggrieved and replied: “It’s also my first time choosing a disciple, you’re much older than me, you should yield to me.”
Xiu Mu Qing Liu was annoyed: “The students fight so they can have a teacher, do we have to fight so we can have a disciple?”
Tang Bao laid in Hua Qian Gu’s ear and rolled in excitement: “Go with Luo Shi Yi, go with Luo Shi Yi, Gu Tou mama, can you go with Luo Shi Yi?”
Xiu Mu Qing Liu said immediately: “Tang Bao, I heard you! You can’t interfere, let Hua Qian Gu choose! If you help Luo Shi Yi, from now on if I have delicious food, I won’t share any with you!”
Tang Bao reluctantly stayed quiet.
Although this was not the first time teachers fought over disciples, it involved Luo Shi Yi, Xiu Mu Qing Liu and Hua Qian Gu just used the Emotionless sword so the situation attracted a lot of attention, everyone looked at them to see what would happen next.
Ni Man Tian was furious, although her parents wanted Zun Shang to be her teacher, she wanted to be Shi Yi’s disciple. She could not believe Luo Shi Yi wanted that girl, she was boiling!
It was an impasse, Hua Qian Gu realized the dilemma, she was about to pretend to faint, her body suddenly floated up.
What was happening? Everyone around her stepped back, watching as she floated closer to the altar. Xiu Mu Qing Liu quickly grabbed her hand, Hua Qian Gu was confused, she looked around, then she looked down at him.
Luo Shi Yi frowned and grabbed his right hand, then gently shook his head.
Xiu Mu Qing Liu was unwilling, but he let go in the end. Hua Qian Gu’s little body floated over everyone’s heads, heading straight for the altar. A silver shimmer surrounded her body.
“Sect Leader!” She heard Shi Zun yell in rage, Ni Man Tian snorted coldly, there were also growing whispers.
She was stunned, seeing Bai Zi Hua standing tall on the altar. And she was slowly floating toward him, closer and closer.
His face still cold as ice, the tassels of the sect leader’s sword swept the ground, the black hair usually left down was swept up, the fathomless eyes made him appear ethereal and majestic, the white sleeves hovered like flowery clouds in the sky.
Hua Qian Gu was stunned, her body slowly floated before him, she paled, her face translucent as if it could be broken if touched.
Then she saw Bai Zi Hua extend his hand toward her, his fingers were like jade, white and slender, angular, strangely beautiful.
And she, like a moth to a flame, forgetting everything of this world, lightly put her hand in his hand, then she slowly landed.
“Kneel.” Bai Zi Hua spoke in a clear voice.
No one could believe what was happening, Hua Qian Gu knelt without thinking, gently bowing before him, as if he was a god whose hands held the destiny of the world, and his hands also held her destiny.
Two little bells were given to her.
“Sect Leader!” Mo Yan yelled, his face drained of blood, he could not believe Bai Zi Hua chose her. Although he had seen Hua Qian Gu’s strength and effort, he also recognized her unfortunate fate, how could Bai Zi Hua not know, why did he insist on doing this?
“This girl, from now on, will be the disciple of Chang Liu’s High Immortal Bai Zi Hua.” Bai Zi Hua said lightly, his voice was not loud, yet this was heard clearly by thousands of spectators.
Bai Zi Hua did not give Hua Qian Gu a chance to decline, even skipping the ritual of giving her the fragrant glass, he offered the bells. Everyone was in shock. Only Sheng Xiao Mo waved his fan and chuckled mischievously, from the moment the Emotionless sword appeared, he knew his sect brother would choose Hua Qian Gu.
Mo Yan angrily glared at Bai Zi Hua, seeing the determination in his eyes, knowing he did not like to explain himself, if he decided on something, nothing can be said to change his mind, he had to bitterly accept this matter.
Bai Zi Hua looked in the direction of Ni Qian Zhang and the immortals: “Everyone, is there an objection?”
Ni Qian Zhang’s hands clenched, he replied coldly: “Even the Emotionless sword had been given, it appears you already decided who would be your disciple, no need to hold the Xian Jian Games. Nevertheless, this is a matter of Mount Chang Liu, Zun Shang can pick whoever choose whoever, would it make a difference if we object?”
Bai Zi Hua nodded: “Of course not.”
Sheng Xiao Mo burst out laughing, his sect brother was always stern, but he can have an ironic sense of humor at critical moments.
It took a while for Hua Qian Gu to understand what just happened, she knelt in shock, feeling as if she was in a dream.
Tang Bao laid in her ear and almost fell out of her ear because it was too happy, it quickly remind her: “Gu Tou dummie, why haven’t you moved? Quickly accept the silver bells!”
Hua Qian Gu hurriedly raised her hands above her head, accepting the two bells. She was so excited she wanted to cry. It was not a dream, Zun Shang really accepted her as his disciple! But she lost to Ni Man Tian! Questions flooded her mind, but she knew now was not the time to ask anything.
The disciple selection continued, Luo Shi Yi and Xiu Mu Qing Liu lost interest, they did not want to choose anyone else. Qing Shui saw this was a good time, quickly stepping forward to kneel in front of Xiu Mu Qing Liu. Xiu Mu Qing Liu knew she was thoughtful and well-behaved, after some thinking accepted her.
Mo Yan saw the worst already happened, it could not be undone, he tried to compromise by saying: “Sect Leader, Ni Man Tian and Shuo Feng are highly qualified, why not accept all three as your disciples?”
Ni Man Tian heard and was delighted, looking hopefully at Bai Zi Hua.
But Bai Zi Hua was indifferent, he replied: “I, Bai Zi Hua, will only accept one disciple in this lifetime.”
Hua Qian Gu was startled, her brain empty. How many times would she need sacrifice herself to repay the kindness Zun Shang bestowed on her?
Ni Qian Zhang was furious that he paled, he had a fiery personality, seeing that Bai Zi Hua did not give him any face, he wanted to get up and storm out.
Mo Yan quickly stopped him and said: “Sect Leader is very busy, he does not have time to teach a lot of disciples. Your daughter’s ability is outstanding, why not become my disciple?”
Ni Qian Zhang’s face improved a bit. His daughter was the treasure of Peng Lai Island, she was not unwanted, why should she stay at Mount Chang Liu and be treated with disrespect?
Suddenly, Ni Man Tian interrupted: “Shi Zun, I’m honored if I can be your disciple, but you’re busy working days and nights, why not allow me to be Luo Shi Yi’s disciple, Luo Shi Yi can teach me instead, would that be possible?”
As soon as this was said, Luo Shi Yi and Ni Qian Zhang were stunned, this meant Shi Zun would be the grandmaster, she would be at a level lower than Hua Qian Gu.
Mo Yan nodded, then looked at Ni Qian Zhang for his opinion. Ni Qian Zhang did not know what his daughter was thinking, but if his beloved daughter wanted this, she was still a direct disciple of the three Heads, he nodded slightly.
But Luo Shi Yi was not happy, he had to accept a disciple he did not choose, and no one asked for his opinion?! Although Ni Man Tian was arrogant and had a temper, she was an exceptional talent, he could only agree. Unknowingly, his decision caused Tang Bao to be angry at him, it ignored him for a long time.
So the important matters were decided, Ni Man Tian and Shuo Feng became Luo Shi Yi’s disciples. Next was the ritual to formalize the disciple selection.
In previous years, there were conflicts between the sects so formalizing the relationship between teacher and disciple was not a priority. However, the Sect Leader had chosen a disciple, this was a serious occasion.
Hua Qian Gu did not know she was already infamous for invading the Qun Xian feast, becoming the sect leader of Mount Mao at such a young age, this time she won several rounds in the Xian Jian Games, her blood destroyed the Bi Luo sword, she reached a higher level in cultivation, invented a new sword technique, flew on the Emotionless sword that belonged to Bai Zi Hua, then becoming the only disciple of the High Immortal of Mount Chang Liu, she was now a legend.
Kneeling before the altar, the ringing of the bells cleared her mind.
Bai Zi Hua held a silver cup, sprinkled a few drops onto Hua Qian Gu. He switched to a gold cup from a student, sprinkled a few more drops. Then he changed to a jade cup, sprinkled a few drops, but unlike the previous two times, Hua Qian Gu’s body shook a little.
Hua Qian Gu immediately knew it was water from the Pool of Three Lives, it hurt now compared to last time.
Bai Zi Hua frowned slightly, but he did not say anything, he lit a few incense sticks, gave 3 sticks to Hua Qian Gu, he also held 3 sticks.
He whisked his robe aside, knelt and looked up at the sky. The disciples in the main square, Shi Zun and Ru Zun all knelt, the guests did not have to kneel.
Hua Qian Gu had never seen Bai Zi Hua so solemn.
“Ancestors of Chang Liu, I am disciple Bai Zi Hua, I have led Mount Chang Liu for 83 years, I have not contributed to the world, I have not contributed to the sect, today I will accept Hua Qian Gu as my disciple in the 127th generation. She does not need to kill demons and evil spirits, achieve immortality, have everlasting fame, defend the sect. She only needs to love the world, be compassionate to others, live righteously, never feel ashamed of her actions. If she chooses the wrong path, it is because I have not taught her well. Ancestors of Chang Liu, witness my promise!”
After saying this, he bowed three times then offered his incense sticks.
Hua Qian Gu understood what he meant, her heart filled with elation, she bowed a few times and said: “Ancestors of Chang Liu, I’m disciple Hua Qian Gu, I have a mysterious fate, I bring misfortune to everyone around me ever since I was born. I promise to live virtuously, never bring shame to this world, never bring shame to Chang Liu, never bring shame to Zun Shang. From now on, I live for my teacher, die for my teacher. I will never disobey my teacher. Heaven and earth, witness my promise!”
Bai Zi Hua looked down at her, her head with two cute buns on top, her body was small, her eyelashes were thick and long, like a thin layer of silk, the water droplets stuck on her lashes moved slightly, her words were firm, like a sworn promise.
Bai Zi Hua sighed, no matter how much he calculated, he could not foresee what can happen. Although he knew accepting her as disciple was not good for him or Chang Liu, he still decided to accept her in the end. It was the will of Heaven, could he avoid it? He did not believe he could not change her fate.