Shen Qing comforted herself. It was just a betrothal after all. Everything was for the sect and the cultivation world.
However, she ignored Li Xian beside her. Looking at the intense look in her eyes, one could see the ecstasy and eagerness hidden within.
After the matter was settled, True Lord Honghua pulled Li Xian to meet the elders of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect.
Under the pretext that the Azure Cloud Sword Sect had gained a "son - in - law".
Yu Xuzi took Shen Qing and sat back on the small couch. Yu Xuzi replaced the teacup with a new one, and the small plate was refilled with melon seeds.
"Senior, do you have something to say to me?"
Seeing the setup Yu Xuzi had arranged, Shen Qing thought he was about to have a heart - to - heart talk with her.
A gentle smile hung on Yu Xuzi's lips, making him seem kind and amiable.
"Don't be nervous. Although your betrothal to Li Xian is for the alliance of the sects, you are nominally Li Xian's fiancée. From now on, in public or private, address me as Master, just like Li Xian."
!!!
What a wonderful thing!
Light shone in Shen Qing's eyes, and she felt secretly delighted.
She never thought that just by getting betrothed, she could call Yu Xuzi Master. That was a great advantage!
"Yes, Master!"
Shen Qing's voice was clear and pleasant, which made Yu Xuzi feel comfortable.
Most of the disciples in the Five - Element Dao Sect were male. Among his direct disciples, there were only male ones, all of them like naughty monkeys who could almost drive him crazy with anger.
Every time he saw the female disciples of other elders softly calling their masters, Yu Xuzi would sometimes feel quite envious.
Now, he had finally waited for this moment.
Although Shen Qing's voice was not as soft as those of other female disciples, it was very soothing.
"Good, good, good!"
Yu Xuzi was in a very good mood. He took out another piece of cold jade from his storage bag and placed it in front of Shen Qing.
"This is cold jade. You should have seen it before."
Shen Qing immediately remembered the piece of cold jade in her sachet, carved into a ferocious - looking shape.
"Yes. Li Xian once gave me a piece," Shen Qing took out the little cat - shaped cold jade and showed it to Yu Xuzi.
Seeing the ferocious look, Yu Xuzi burst into laughter.
"Haha! That taciturn Li Xian actually made such a precious piece of cold jade look like this."
A blush crept onto Shen Qing's face, and she shyly averted her eyes. "He said the little cat looked like me... Actually, I don't think so..."
Yu Xuzi returned the cold jade to Shen Qing and gave her the uncarved new piece as well.
"I came in a hurry this time and didn't bring anything good. This uncarved cold jade is a meeting gift. Next time we meet, I'll definitely make it up to you with something better."
Surprised and honored, Shen Qing stood up, took the cold jade, and quickly thanked him.
One should not decline a gift from an elder. If she pretended to be modest, it would seem overdone. It was better to accept it generously, which made Yu Xuzi think Shen Qing was straightforward.
Shen Qing carefully put the cold jade into her storage bag and then took out the chess manual that Ling Zhou had prepared for her.
Sure enough, as soon as Yu Xuzi saw the chess manual, his eyes widened. He lovingly held it in his hands and flipped through it.
"This is the lost solitary copy of the Chess Saint. I didn't expect you to have it."
Seeing that Yu Xuzi was satisfied with the gift, Shen Qing felt relieved.
Before giving away the chess manual, Shen Qing had made a copy of it. The original was given to Yu Xuzi.
After all, it was something from the small wooden house, so it must be very precious. It was always good to have a backup.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Yu Xuzi coughed lightly and was about to get to the point.
"Shen Qing, you advanced to the Nascent Soul stage and then reached the mid - Nascent Soul stage after the punishment viewing. Don't you think there's something wrong?"
Shen Qing fell silent. She did think there was something wrong.
She had already advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, but so far, she still hadn't formed a Nascent Soul. There was still a plump and round Golden Core in her dantian.
This puzzled her. Logically, when one advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, the Golden Core in the body would shatter and form a Nascent Soul.
But her two advancements were both sudden. One was in her sleep, and the other was after retrieving the spiritual bones. She had experienced the thunder tribulation unconsciously.
Shen Qing humbly asked, "I assume Master already knows the reason why I haven't been able to form a Nascent Soul for so long. Could Master please give me some advice and analyze the reason?"
Yu Xuzi nodded. "Normally, no matter how big or small the advancement in realm is, one must have an epiphany and pass the test of the thunder tribulation to succeed."
"But you should have noticed that your two advancements were both completed unconsciously."
"Being so hasty... is not a good thing."
"It's like your foundation hasn't been well - laid, but your cultivation has been built up by external forces. Although it seems that you've successfully advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, in fact... you're still in the Golden Core stage."
"This is very disadvantageous for your cultivation."
Yu Xuzi put away his joking smile and seriously analyzed the situation for Shen Qing.
The moment he saw Shen Qing, he had noticed this problem of hers.
Her internal foundation was too weak, but her cultivation had been built up, which was extremely harmful to her root bones and meridians.
Shen Qing was surprised by Yu Xuzi's incisive analysis. She didn't expect that Yu Xuzi had seen through her.
"Please show me the way, Master. What should I do?"
After pondering for a moment, Yu Xuzi replied, "You need to go down the mountain to seek opportunities."
"After the betrothal, go down the mountain with my disciple."
Shen Qing was confused. "Will that be enough?"
There was a meaningful look in Yu Xuzi's eyes, and he showed a mysterious smile. "Cultivators all emphasize opportunities. If you continue to stay on the mountain, you'll never be able to form a Nascent Soul..."
"Moreover... the sword you're using is not your natal magical tool. After going down the mountain, go to the Sword Tomb first and pick a sword that belongs to you."
After analyzing her situation, Yu Xuzi gave appropriate advice.
After thinking for a while, Shen Qing decided to follow what Yu Xuzi said.
Bilu was a sword temporarily lent to her by Ling Zhou. There was always a lack of an in - depth tacit understanding when using it.
"Yes, Master!"
"Haha! Good!"
"From now on, I'll treat you as my own direct disciple. If you encounter difficulties, don't be polite to me."
Yu Xuzi also told Shen Qing many things to pay attention to and reminded her of the materials and equipment she needed to bring when going to the Sword Tomb.
His gentle and patient guidance gave Shen Qing a completely different experience.
Different from Ling Zhou's teaching, Yu Xuzi would consider every step she needed to take in the future and give solutions to analyze the problems.
The feeling of being cared for by an elder was like a warm current, gradually warming Shen Qing's heart.
In just two hours while Yu Xuzi and Shen Qing were talking, the news that the two were about to be betrothed had spread throughout the Azure Cloud Sword Sect and the Five - Element Dao Sect.
And this news was being spread by the disciples all over the Nine Desolate Continent...