Miao Yunyi asked doubtfully, "But what? Out with it."
Liu Yong replied, his voice trembling with excitement, "But Junior Brother Xu Ning harvested seven or eight high-grade spiritual herbs of each type this time, and all of his harvest was at least mid-grade! Not a single low-grade herb."
"What!" Miao Yunyi asked incredulously, his eyes widening.
Liu Yong repeated, "Junior Brother Xu Ning harvested all of them at least mid-grade spiritual herbs this time. He didn't get any low-grade ones. And he even got seven or eight high-grade ones on top of that."
Miao Yunyi's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you sure you're not lying to me? This is unprecedented."
Liu Yong bowed deeply. "This disciple wouldn't dare to lie to the Peak Master. I saw it with my own eyes."
Immediately, a look of surprise appeared on Miao Yunyi's face. He paced back and forth, clapping his hands and saying, "This time, I've struck gold! A true talent. Go on! I'm going to find that kid right now."
With that, Miao Yunyi flew away in a rush, not even waiting for a response.
Watching the Peak Master leave in such a hurry, Liu Yong knew that Junior Brother Xu was definitely going to soar to great heights this time. His future was bright.
Soon, Miao Yunyi arrived at Xu Ning's spirit fields. He didn't rush over, but quietly observed from a distance, hiding his presence.
Just looking at the spiritual herbs in Xu Ning's two fields was enough to astonish Miao Yunyi. They were thriving.
Their growth was exceptionally good, far surpassing that of spiritual herbs in other mid-grade spirit fields. They were vibrant and healthy.
Miao Yunyi remained calm, continuing his observation from the shadows, wanting to see more.
Just then, a mid-grade Qi and Blood Flower suddenly began to bloom in the spirit field, its petals unfurling.
Miao Yunyi glanced at the motionless thatched hut, inwardly frustrated. That was a mid-grade Qi and Blood Flower! Why hadn't this kid come out to harvest it? He was going to miss it.
Seeing that the flower was about to fully bloom, Miao Yunyi was about to go forward to harvest it himself, unable to bear watching it be wasted.
But then, the thatched hut suddenly opened with a "click." Immediately afterward, Xu Ning, dressed in white, barefoot, and with his hands behind his back, slowly walked out.
At this moment, his otherworldly aura was exactly the same as when Miao Yunyi first met Xu Ning. He was calm and composed.
Seeing that the Qi Blood Flower was about to fully bloom, and noticing Xu Ning's leisurely pace, Miao Yunyi grew anxious. He really wanted to rush forward and pull Xu Ning over to quickly pluck the flower before it wilted.
However, just as the flower was about to fully bloom, Xu Ning reached out, grabbed it, and pulled it up with perfect timing.
Seeing this, Miao Yunyi finally realized something was amiss. The other party's unhurried attitude suggested he likely knew the flower's exact ripening time down to the moment.
This was almost unbelievable. Even after years of dedicated cultivation, he couldn't accurately predict the ripening time of a single Qi Blood Flower. It required constant watching.
No, Miao Yunyi thought, this kid is strange. He'd better take him on as a disciple first before someone else does.
If he accidentally let him escape, he'd regret it for the rest of his life. He couldn't let this opportunity slip.
Immediately, Miao Yunyi flew down from his hiding spot, landed on the ground, and slowly made his way towards Xu Ning's hut with his hands behind his back, feigning casualness.
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Along the way, fearing Xu Ning might not notice his arrival, he coughed a few times to announce himself.
Xu Ning didn't come out first, but Cang Wanrou and Lei Wei arrived first, bowing simultaneously. "Greetings, Peak Master!"
Miao Yunyi nodded, giving them a brief glance. "You two are good! Keep up the hard work."
After saying that, he continued leisurely towards Xu Ning's thatched hut, not stopping.
Cang Wanrou and Lei Wei were overjoyed to hear this praise and quickly said they would continue to work hard.
However, when they looked up again, they only saw Miao Yunyi's departing figure heading to Xu Ning's hut.
The two couldn't help but exchange a glance, and then quickly followed, curious about what was happening.
Soon, Xu Ning also noticed Miao Yunyi's arrival. He quickly went back to the thatched hut to put on his shoes, and then quickly came out, bowing. "Disciple greets Peak Master. I'm sorry for the delay."
Miao Yunyi deliberately glanced at Xu Ning's shoes with a knowing smile, and then said, "I haven't forgotten my promise to you before. I came here this time to see how your spiritual herb cultivation is going. Show me what you've done."
Xu Ning quickly raised his hand to indicate the spirit field. "Peak Master, please follow me. I'll show you around."
After taking a stroll around the spiritual field together, admiring the healthy plants, Miao Yunyi looked at Xu Ning with approval. "How was the harvest this time? Tell me the numbers."
Xu Ning reported precisely. "I harvested fifty-five mid-grade Qi and Blood Flowers, with nine of them being superior grade. For the Spirit-Guiding Fruits, I got sixty mid-grade ones, and seven superior grade ones. No low-grade ones at all."
Miao Yunyi nodded calmly, hiding his excitement. "Not bad. Although you're still a bit inferior to me in skill, you're qualified enough to be my disciple. Xu Ning, would you be willing to become my disciple? Formally?"
Xu Ning quickly bowed deeply. "Disciple is willing! It would be an honor."
Miao Yunyi nodded in satisfaction. "Tomorrow, pack your things and come to the Xuanzhi Hall to become my disciple. Also, move to the disciple's residence area. You're no longer a menial worker."
Xu Ning quickly bowed again. "Yes, Master! Thank you, Master."
Cang Wanrou and Lei Wei were dumbfounded at this scene, their jaws dropping.
A second-level Qi Refining cultivator becoming a peak master's disciple was unheard of and unseen! It was unprecedented.
Moreover, it seemed like just a few days ago when Xu Ning came, they had looked down on him for his low cultivation.
But in just two months, he had become a peak master's disciple! The speed of this change was hard for them to adapt to. They were stunned.
Hearing Xu Ning call him "Master," Miao Yunyi felt very comfortable and nodded. "Then I'll take my leave. Prepare well."
After saying that, he took off and disappeared into the sky, leaving them.
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Xu Ning, on becoming the Peak Master's disciple!" Lei Wei and Cang Wanrou hurriedly stepped forward to congratulate him, their faces full of envy.
Xu Ning returned the greeting with a cupped-hand salute, and then said, "Senior Brother, Senior Sister, although I'm leaving soon, you can still ask me any questions about planting in the future. I'm happy to help."
After all, he had put in the effort to build goodwill, and Xu Ning couldn't give up. He still needed to maintain those relationships. It was worth it.
Cang Wanrou and Lei Wei were overjoyed to hear this and quickly expressed their gratitude, promising to visit.
Early the next morning, Xu Ning, having packed his things, headed towards the Xuanzhi Hall after Cang Wanrou and Lei Wei bid him a reluctant farewell at the field.
As soon as Xu Ning arrived at the hall entrance, he saw Liu Yong, who had been waiting for a long time.
"Junior Brother Xu, hurry up. Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters have all arrived and are waiting for you," upon seeing Xu Ning, Liu Yong rushed forward to greet him.
Xu Ning asked in confusion, "Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters? Who are they?"
Liu Yong explained, "They are the Peak Master's other disciples. Your new senior siblings."
Xu Ning suddenly realized, "Oh! I forgot about them." He then hurriedly entered the main hall, not wanting to keep them waiting.
Miao Yunyi was sitting majestically at the top of the hall, dressed in formal robes.
Below him stood a man and a woman, both looking distinguished.
The man was dressed in white, holding a long sword, his posture giving off an unfathomable aura. He looked like a true cultivator.
The woman was dressed in green, her expression calm, her eyes serene. She was elegant.
At this moment, Liu Yong also entered, carrying a tray with three cups of tea on it. He then announced in a formal voice, "The Xuanzhi Peak Apprenticeship Ceremony officially begins!"
"Apprentice Xu Ning, kneel!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Ning immediately knelt down on the cushion, his posture proper.
Liu Yong: "First kowtow!"
Xu Ning quickly kowtowed, touching his head to the floor.
"Second kowtow!"
Xu Ning kowtowed again, his movements respectful.
"Third kowtow!"
Xu Ning kowtowed once more, completing the ritual.
Liu Yong: "The ceremony is complete. From this day forward, disciple Xu Ning officially becomes the disciple of Miao Yunyi, the Peak Master of Xuanzhi Peak. A teacher for a day is a father for life. Betrayal and disrespect are forbidden..."
"Respecting the teacher ensures everything goes smoothly. Disrespecting the teacher renders the teachings ineffective."
"First, a cup of tea! To express gratitude for the teacher's unwavering support and acceptance."
As Liu Yong finished speaking, he quickly brought the first cup of tea to Xu Ning.
Xu Ning hurriedly picked up the cup and slowly walked to Miao Yunyi. He then knelt down, raising his hands above his head, offering the tea.
Miao Yunyi slowly reached out, took a sip, and placed it back on the tray Liu Yong was holding.
"Second, a cup of tea! To express gratitude for the teacher's guidance and instruction in the future."