Painting of the Nine Immortals

Translator: _Tat_ Editor: Rundi

“I am willing to be your apprentice. I will follow your rules, if I disobey, I will let heaven and earth destroy me.”

Hearing this, Ling Xian’s lips revealed a trace of a faint smile. The reason why he decided to take in an apprentice was for one, the lady was outstanding. She was talented and was also determined. Such a great piece of jade, whose heart wouldn’t waver?

Second, he wanted to leave behind some kind of legacy. After all, the future is going to be treacherous. If anything happens to him, he would at least have an inheritor.

“Very well.”

Ling Xian smiled in satisfaction. After a moment of silence, he said, “Since you have no name, and I am your master, then let me give you a name.”

“Please do gift me with one.” The young girl lowered her head. Her soft and gentle actions were drastically different from before.

“Hmm…”

Ling Xian paused and smiled, “Everyone says women are like water, let’s call you An Qiu Shui.”

“Yes, from this moment on, I will be named An Qiu Shui.” The young girl’s lips curved up slightly, as if happy that she had gained a name.

“From this moment on, you will have to call me your master.” Ling Xian softly smiled. He didn’t think there would come a day when he would be someone’s teacher.

“Yes, master.” An Qiu Shui softly called out, her tiny face was full of joy.

“Not bad.”

Ling Xian smiled in satisfaction. But he was having trouble thinking about just how to teach her. He had no experience with having a student. On his own cultivation journey as well, nobody’s ever taught him.

Therefore, he shook his head helplessly. Then, he took out the Shang Qing Technique scroll from his storage pouch and a jade bottle that was full of medicinal Dans. He tossed them to An Zhi Shui*.

“Honestly, I don’t have much to teach you and I currently do not have the time. Therefore, I can only provide you with extraordinary resources. As for the rest, it’s all up to you.”

Ling Xian softly smiled and pointed at the jade scroll, “This is the Shang Qing Technique – the highest level of inheritance from the Shang Qing Sect. It is enough for you to cultivate up to the original level.”

An Zhi Shui’s eyes brightened. She had just begun her cultivation journey and had no idea what the Shang Qing Sect is or what this technique meant. She did know that Ling Xian was extraordinary. Therefore, why wouldn’t she be excited?

“These are medicinal Dans that I brewed when I was bored. Though they are not perfect, they are at least of the ninth rank. This plus the Shang Qing Technique together can make these Dans of the perfect rank.”

Ling Xian smiled, “Alright. That’s all I will give you for now. Cultivate hard and don’t disappoint me.”

“Yes, master!”

An Zhi Shui’s face looked serious. She knew how difficult it was to be Ling Xian’s apprentice and knew how good of an opportunity this was. Why wouldn’t she treasure this?

Very good.

Ling Xian nodded happily, “Then you stay here and cultivate. I have something to attend to and need to leave the Wan Jian House.”

“You are leaving so soon?” An Zhi Shui’s eyes flashed with disappointment.

At this, Ling Xian patted her little head and smiled. “it’s not like I am not coming back. I am just leaving temporarily. You stay and cultivate yourself. If anything happens, go find the Supreme Headmaster. He will help you solve your problems.”

Then, he headed out of the palace.

Now that he has returned, he has to return to the City of Qing. After all, he wanted to give the Holy Spirit Water to Ling Tian Xiang.

Therefore, after Ling Xian walked out of the palace, he torn open the space and headed towards the City of Qing.

…..

Ten days later, Ling Xian arrived at the City of Qing just as the moon rose.

Luckily, Ling Tian Xiang was inside the Ling Clan and was in isolation.

Therefore, under Ling Tian Qing’s shocked and happy gazes, Ling Xian left behind much resources. Then, he arrived in Ling Tian Xiang’s quarter and saw Ling Tian Xiang dressed in all black.

The moment she saw Ling Xian, this currently conscious woman began to cry and mutter “I knew you wouldn’t die” and other similar things.

Only after a long time, did she regain herself. Then, she erased the excitement from her expression and softly whispered, “You came back.”

“Yes, I’m back,” Ling Xian answered gently.

The exchanges were boring and uninteresting. This is because both of them were feeling many emotions. Therefore, after simple small talk, there were no words left to say.

Only after some time, did Ling Xian break the silence.

“I have a question about you and the other women. Just how did you know I was in a crisis?”

“About that…”

Looking afar to the round moon, Ling Tian Xiang fixed her black robe and said in a soft voice, “I heard Feng Jiu Ge say that you and she were bonded. When the bond felt broken from your end, she knew right away that you were in danger.”

“Then, Bai Xiao Qi and her used the transportation array you left behind on the Island of Trading to go to Yunzhou.”

“As you know, you are relatively famous in Yunzhou. After some searching, they found those who were related to you. Then, we headed to Yuezhou and learned about how you were trapped inside the Forest of Heavenly Trees.”

“About that… I was a little surprised that all those who had some past with you were mostly women. And all these women were willing to risk their lives for you.”

At those words, Ling Tian Xiang shot Ling Xian a complex look. It could’ve been blame or something else uncertain.

This made Ling Xian chuckle and he dry coughed, “Ehem Ehem… about that… I was wondering why you guys who were unconnected ended up going together.”

“Who says we are unconnected?”

Ling Tian Xiang rolled her eyes at Ling Xian and said, “We all fell in love with a man named Ling Xian.”

“Aye…”

Ling Xian sighed a long sigh, he wasn’t sure how to respond.

“You don’t need to feel troubled. Liking you is my thing, it’s not related to you.”

Ling Tian Xiang played with her bangs and continued, “Now that you have safely returned, I no longer have to worry. Alright, if you have nothing else to say, then don’t disturb my training.”

“Training to come out of your demonic state?”

Ling Xian frowned and took out the Holy Spirit Water from his storage pouch, “This is called the Holy Spirit Water. You should know its effects. If you consume it, you will be able to wake up from your demonic state completely.”

“How did you get your hands on something so rare?”

Ling Tian Xiang’s eyes flashed with strangeness. Naturally, she knew about the Holy Spirit Water’s effects. When she is conscious, she searches for this item too.

“It was merely a coincidence.” Ling Xian smiled. “Take it and don’t turn into a killing machine again.”

“I don’t need it.”

Ling Tian Xiang said, “The person I am today can control myself now. When I am about to turn demonic, I lock myself up. After some time, I can regain myself.”

“That’s not a long-term solution. It would be better if you wake up completely.” Ling Xian frowned.

“Consuming this would mean that I will lose the majority of my strength, if not all.” Ling Tian Xiang spoke softly, “Therefore, I decline.”

“You can slowly train to get stronger. But if you lose your own thoughts, then you wouldn’t be you.”

Ling Xian softly sighed, he understood where she was coming from. Therefore, he placed the small jade bottle in her hand, “I am giving you the Holy Spirit Water. You can decide if you want to consume it or not.”

Then, he turned around and flew away.

“Of course I understand that logic.”

Watching Ling Xian fly away, Ling Tian Xiang sighed with much mysteriousness and complexity, “But if I lose all my strength, how can I help you at moments when you need help?”