Inside the main hall of Xuanliu Courtyard, Gu Tianzhu sat on the main chair. Standing at his sides, two on each side, were his four disciples. All five of them wore wide smiles as they watched a young girl in a simple, light-yellow dress enter the hall.
The girl, Ling Yu, was smiling so brightly that her eyes disappeared into crescent-shaped slits.
Ling Yu's heart raced with excitement and nervousness. She could barely contain the joy bubbling within her chest, knowing she was finally about to step onto the path of cultivation as Gu Tianzhu's disciple.
Xuan Tian followed behind her, carrying a tray with a small teapot and a cup made of earthenware.
Zhao Zhi sat on another chair, observing quietly. He had offered to carry the tray, but both Xuan Tian and Ling Yu refused his help.
Stopping in front of Gu Tianzhu, Ling Yu poured tea into the cup. She then knelt before Gu Tianzhu, lifted the cup above her head, bowed slightly, and presented the tea, saying, "Gu Zhenren, please accept me as your disciple."
Gu Tianzhu accepted the tea, took a sip, and nodded in approval. He then placed the cup back onto the tray Xuan Tian was carrying.
Ling Yu remained kneeling, head bowed, her hands clasped respectfully in front of her, still raised above her head.
Gu Tianzhu gently placed one hand on Ling Yu's clasped hands and spoke clearly, "I, Gu Tianzhu of Ziyu Sect, accept you, Ling Yu, as my fifth and final inner disciple. From now on, you will follow my teachings. You will learn cultivation methods from me and Ziyu Sect. You must never use these teachings for evil, only for good. Failure to do so will result in punishment."
Ling Yu replied firmly, "Yes, Shizun! This disciple will follow your words!"
She bowed deeply three times.
When she finished, Gu Tianzhu immediately helped her stand up.
He smiled warmly. "Xiao Wu, these are your Shixiongs. Treat them as your older brothers."
Ling Yu's smile grew even brighter as she happily called out, "Shixiongs!"
All four disciples surrounded Ling Yu and cheerfully called back, "Xiao Shimei!"
Li Ran grinned, "Good! Now I'm not the youngest anymore!"
Shen Qingyu instantly warned him, "But you cannot bully Xiao Wu!"
Li Ran rolled his eyes. "Da Shixiong, what do you take me for? I'd never do that!"
Everyone laughed joyfully.
Watching Ling Yu's radiant joy, Xuan Tian felt an unexpected warmth spreading in his chest. He was relieved that she finally had a proper mentor. A faint smile appeared on his face. I need to remind Gu Tianzhu about Ling Yu's special constitution.
He set the tray down on a nearby table and turned to Gu Tianzhu. "Gu Zhenren, may I speak with you privately?"
Gu Tianzhu immediately shifted his attention to Xuan Tian, his expression turning serious. "Of course, Shengzun. Please, this way."
They quietly exited the room, the cheerful conversations behind them gradually fading as they stepped into the adjoining room and closed the door softly.
In the main hall, Shen Qingyu warmly addressed Ling Yu, "Xiao Shimei, I don't have anything grand to give as a celebration gift, but this should help you start your cultivation." He handed Ling Yu a book titled "Dancing Willow."
Li Ran's eyes widened at the sight. "Da Shixiong! You're playing favorites! I haven't even learned a sword style yet, and you're already giving one to Xiao Shimei!"
Shen Qingyu gently knocked Li Ran's forehead. "This sword manual is more suited to girls. Do you want to learn it too?"
Li Ran shook his head. "No, Da Shixiong."
Ling Yu accepted the sword manual eagerly. "Da Shixiong, thank you so much! But can I really start learning this sword technique?"
Shen Qingyu replied encouragingly, "I think so, but you should confirm it with Shizun first."
Ling Yu nodded enthusiastically. "Okay!"
Chen Zhaoyun stepped forward next. "Ling Yu, I'm so happy that you've finally become my Xiao Shimei! This is for you."
He handed Ling Yu several Azure Veil Talismans.
Ling Yu's eyes sparkled with delight. "Thank you, Er-Shixiong! These are amazing! Can you teach me how to make them?"
Chen Zhaoyun smiled warmly. "Sure! As long as Shizun approves, I'll gladly teach you."
Lu Jianhong stepped forward. "My turn! I don't have anything as impressive as our Shixiongs, but I crafted this dagger myself. Please accept it."
He presented Ling Yu with a delicate short dagger. It was lightweight, perfectly suited for her. The hilt was crafted from red Nine Rings Wood, a rare material typically used for sword hilts, and the sheath was silver iron adorned with simple yet elegant carvings.
Ling Yu couldn't believe her eyes. "San-Shixiong, this is too beautiful! I can't possibly accept it!"
Lu Jianhong shook his head. "When I crafted this dagger, I knew it wasn't meant for me. It suits you far better."
Ling Yu gazed at him gratefully. "San-Shixiong, thank you!" Carefully, she began to unsheath the dagger.
"Careful! It's very sharp!" Lu Jianhong warned.
Ling Yu carefully revealed the dagger, its blade glistening even indoors. Awe filled her eyes. "San-Shixiong, you really made this? It's amazing!"
Lu Jianhong replied sheepishly, "I enjoy spending time crafting weapons."
Ling Yu sheathed the dagger carefully, smiling brightly. "These gifts are incredible. Thank you, Shixiongs!"
Li Ran grinned widely. "I'm not talented like our Shixiongs, but I'm a great chef. I'll cook you something delicious the first chance we get!"
Ling Yu beamed. "Agreed!"
Zhao Zhi watched silently, content and relieved that Ling Yu finally had a proper Shizun. Given her unique constitution, he wondered how Gu Tianzhu would guide her cultivation journey.
In the adjoining room, Xuan Tian reminded Gu Tianzhu that Ling Yu was a special case—a cultivator without a core.
Gu Tianzhu nodded. "I remember, Shengzun."
Xuan Tian continued calmly, "Then you understand—she may require a different cultivation method altogether."
Gu Tianzhu nodded again. "Yes, I'm aware. Ziyu Sect has a variety of cultivation methods."He hesitated, then asked, "Shengzun, do you know if she's able to circulate spirit energy?"
Xuan Tian nodded again. "She can. I've seen it. When she circulates her spirit energy, it continuously moves throughout her meridians. It never settles."
"What about when she's not circulating it?"
"It remains dormant within her meridians."
Gu Tianzhu became increasingly puzzled. "Does this mean her entire meridian system functions as her core?"
"It certainly challenges everything we know about cultivation and cores, doesn't it?" Xuan Tian chuckled lightly. Then his tone became serious again, "But I'm warning you. You must find a way to keep this information secret. As far as I can tell, she's the only cultivator without a core. If the wrong people discover this, she could become a target for experimentation."
Gu Tianzhu nodded solemnly. "I completely agree, Shengzun. However, I might need to inform Mu Xuanyuan, the head of Ziyu Sect. He knows much more about cultivation than I do."
Xuan Tian contemplated this, then finally said, "Do as you see fit. She's your disciple, Gu Zhenren."
Gu Tianzhu bowed slightly. "Thank you for your trust, Shengzun."
Xuan Tian's expression grew serious. "Don't thank me just yet. This may turn out to be a considerable challenge. I agreed to let her become your disciple because I trust you, and also because Ziyu Sect, as the oldest Immortal Sect in the Wusheng Empire, has the best chance of guiding her on the cultivation path."
Xuan Tian stood up and moved toward the door. He hesitated briefly before deciding to reveal a bigger truth. "There's something else I'm entrusting you with. I'm not human—I'm a Celestial."
With those words, he opened the door and left the room.