Chapter 725 - 656 Ascending the Peak 55
Ling Wuchen raised his hand, and with a gesture, the red Jade Token on the tray held by Qin Shaofeng was drawn away through the void. Then he pointed at Shuangshuang’s forehead, and a drop of blood appeared, floating into the air and landing on the red Jade Token in Ling Wuchen’s hand, where it instantly absorbed and vanished.
Ling Wuchen handed the Jade Token back to Qin Shaofeng. Shuangshuang knew that this red Jade Token was her Lifebound Spiritual Talisman, which contained a drop of her essence blood. If Shuangshuang encounters a crisis in the future, the talisman will shatter as a warning. If Shuangshuang safely overcomes the danger, the shattered talisman will restore itself, but if she dies, it will break completely.
Shuangshuang’s parents had been missing for a long time, and it was only through the Lifebound Spiritual Talisman that it was confirmed they neither died nor encountered danger. As to why they hadn’t returned, cultivators often face unexpected challenges or opportunities during their journeys, and even if safe, returning can be another matter.
With the Lifebound Spiritual Talisman, Shuangshuang was now truly a person of the Wuji Sect. Her every action represented the sect, and whether being bullied or bullying others, the sect and Shuangshuang were inseparably linked.
After handling Shuangshuang’s Lifebound Spiritual Talisman, Ling Wuchen took out another warm white Jade Token and handed it to Shuangshuang with a serious expression: "This Jade Token is your Identity Jade. You must keep it well. Inside it contains three slashes of Sword Qi, representing my full strength, which can protect your life if necessary. You must not lose it."
Ling Wuchen was a Sword Cultivator, who emphasized breaking all methods with one sword; his attack power was the strongest among all levels. His full-strength strike might not even be withstood by someone of Martial Sect Perfection. These three slashes of Sword Qi could indeed serve as a life-saving Magic Treasure for Shuangshuang.
Shuangshuang accepted the Identity Jade with both hands, her heart somewhat touched. Originally, she held little hope for this master with a reputation for being picky, but unexpectedly, Ling Wuchen’s first gift to her was one filled with the meaning of protection.
This represented Ling Wuchen’s recognition of her and also his attitude; he valued this disciple greatly, indicating his support for Shuangshuang, clearly displaying his intent to protect her from the start.
Shuangshuang stored the Identity Jade carefully in her Space Bracelet, filled with a warm feeling. After presenting tea and kneeling, the preparations of the Lifebound Spiritual Talisman and Identity Jade marked the end of Shuangshuang’s apprenticeship ceremony.
Ling Wuchen stood up and returned to his original position with Shuangshuang, his newly cherished disciple, while Shuangshuang stood behind Ling Wuchen, which was the exclusive place for a Direct Disciple by the master’s side.
Ling Wuchen only had Shuangshuang as a disciple. Some elders had seven or eight Direct Disciples following them in a line, which looked quite grand. However, Shuangshuang noticed her master Ling Wuchen did not care at all. After all, Ling Wuchen valued quality over quantity in his disciples, naturally seeing no worth in having many.
The master ceremonies for two other disciples were similar to her own and unremarkable, so Ling Wuchen introduced the people in the room to Shuangshuang through sound transmission while casually commenting on them.
Ling Wuchen’s commentary, like his nature, was fair and just. After one round of comments, Shuangshuang developed a basic understanding of those high-ranked individuals within the Wuji Sect.
Being Ling Wuchen’s disciple meant she would inevitably join the Law Enforcement Hall in the future, where she would interact with these people. Knowing the temperament of these Wuji Sect elites early on was beneficial.
After the apprenticeship ceremony, Shuangshuang was to live at Ling Wuchen’s Law Enforcement Peak. Ling Wuchen placed great importance on her and had her residence prepared well in advance.
The residence was not particularly luxurious, but the courtyard was vast, filled with spirit flowers, spirit herbs, and Spirit Fruit Trees, lush with various plants. Stepping inside, one could smell the elegant and rich fragrance of flowers.
The living quarters were entwined with vine-like spirit flowers, revealing only the door and windows, resembling a flower house. The most wonderful aspect was that these vine spirit flowers bloomed year-round, changing color with the seasons.
The interior furnishings were primarily elegant, simple in appearance but with meticulous detail. The bedding was made of Jiao Xiao with a simple color, warm in winter and cool in summer, and resistant to sweat stains, extremely expensive.
The room’s furniture was crafted from thousand-year-old spiritual wood, constantly emitting a faint Spiritual Energy, valuable items that money could hardly buy. The entire room, seemingly simple, breathed understated luxury, every part carefully made and thoughtful.
Shuangshuang adored the room, especially the courtyard full of spirit flowers, spirit herbs, and Spirit Fruit Trees. Entering the place brought her a good mood. Only four people served in the yard.
Among them were siblings Ouyang Qing and Ouyang Mingxin, who remained to serve Shuangshuang after bringing Fei Hu to the Law Enforcement Peak under Ling Wuchen’s arrangement. They were both delighted to stay.
Though they were servant disciples, they compared among themselves over whose work was more promising or lucrative, or whose master was stronger and well-connected. Naturally, entering the Law Enforcement Peak was worth boasting about.
The other two were siblings, Miao Yue and Miao Feng, coincidentally, also from the servant district, young at seventeen or eighteen.
With the usual warnings not to enter her room freely, Shuangshuang prepared to pay respects to her newly-appointed master, Ling Wuchen.
Although Shuangshuang realized that Ling Wuchen liked her as a disciple, such liking stemmed merely from favorable first impressions, which were superficial and easily faded. If she didn’t handle things well, she could quickly lose that liking.
Before attending, Shuangshuang hesitated whether to bring Fei Hu along. Yet, with no animals on the Law Enforcement Peak, she worried Ling Wuchen might dislike Magic Beasts. After pondering for a while, she decided to leave Fei Hu, fearing it might be irksome if Ling Wuchen did not approve of Magic Beasts.
Ling Wuchen resided at the peak of the Law Enforcement Peak. His living space was far less exquisite than Shuangshuang’s, merely a large platform and an ordinary house. When Shuangshuang entered, Ling Wuchen was communicating with his Lifebound Spirit Sword.
Ling Wuchen’s Lifebound Spirit Sword had already been nurtured to exhibit spirituality and was on the verge of manifesting a Sword Spirit. Once the Sword Spirit appeared, Ling Wuchen’s cultivation would advance further.
Seeing his new apprentice, Ling Wuchen was quite pleased. After Shuangshuang greeted him and sat below Ling Wuchen. As he observed this disciple with an aura of harmony tinged with sharp intensity, he grew increasingly fond, "Are you accustomed to living on the Law Enforcement Peak? Do you like your residence?"