241 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

Ning Songwu traced the wall as she ventured deeper into the cave, but unfortunately, she could only hear her own echo. "This is odd," she murmured quietly to herself. "I distinctly heard Master’s voice earlier, albeit faintly." After walking a bit further, the stone walls gradually turned blue, and the temperature began to drop. Ning Songwu shivered but continued forward, feeling that Ran Fanyin was just ahead. "Stop! Don't move!" It was Ran Fanyin's voice. Ning Songwu was overjoyed, finally seeing a way out of this cursed place. But as she lifted her head, she noticed the cave had inexplicably brightened to daylight levels. Golden runes flowed on the stone walls, and when she looked down, she realized she was standing right in their center. A sense of impending danger surged within her. She knew something was amiss. Sure enough, countless beams of light formed into swords above, all aimed at Ning Songwu. She thought it was the end and closed her eyes, bracing for the pain. But the expected pain never came. Instead, she felt herself fall into a cold embrace. The familiar scent and a suppressed groan told her who it was. Opening her eyes, Ning Songwu was met with the blood-soaked figure of Ran Fanyin, the person she detested the most. Ran Fanyin trembled slightly from the pain, the metallic scent of blood sharpening Ning Songwu's senses. Why would Ran Fanyin risk her life to save her? Ning Songwu couldn't comprehend it and began to tremble as well. "Master, why?" The familiar aura from the magic circle gradually faded, the cave plunging back into darkness. Though her vision was obscured, her sense of touch and smell remained. Ning Songwu felt the wetness of Ran Fanyin's blood on her hands. Hearing Ning Songwu's trembling voice, Ran Fanyin felt a wave of relief for arriving in time. With great effort, she raised her hand to stroke Ning Songwu’s head. Her voice was weaker than ever. "Because you are my disciple." After speaking, she lost consciousness. Chapter 95: Mastery and Control Cangjun Mountain, known for its sword cultivation, led among the sects. Besides Cangjun Mountain, there were Zhenqimen, experts in formations and artifact refining, Baicao Sect, specializing in alchemy, and the newly rising Yushou Sect, which controlled monsters. The Yushou Sect emerged after the monster clans’ power waned, quickly consolidating many smaller sects and becoming the fourth major sect. A member of the Yushou Sect named Yang Yu arrived – despite his scholarly name, he was actually a burly man with a thick beard. He was the younger brother of the Yushou Sect’s leader and had brought his nephew to broaden his horizons today. "Yang, it's been a while. How has your cultivation progressed?" A man in blue robes with a golden crown greeted him. Yang Yu turned to see it was the old fox Gongsun Yin from Zhenqimen, with an unfamiliar disciple in a blue robe behind him. Anyone attending this grand ceremony had to be someone significant. Yang Yu laughed heartily. "I can’t compare with you, Brother Gongsun. May I ask, who is this young immortal?" Gongsun Yin smiled warmly and pulled the blue-robed disciple forward. "This is my disciple, Helan Mianmian. Helan, this is the second leader of Yushou Sect." Helan Mianmian bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Second Leader." Yang Yu was taken aback – he had heard of a formation genius named Helan Mianmian in Zhenqimen, whose existence had been tightly guarded. He hadn’t expected Gongsun Yin to bring him along, though upon reflection, it made sense. Yang Yu brought his nephew from behind him. "This is Yang Lingyun, my older brother’s youngest son. It’s a good chance for these juniors to meet. Lingyun, greet Elder Gongsun." Yang Lingyun greeted them respectfully. His delicate appearance formed a stark contrast to the rugged Yang Yu. As the sun rose, the disciple acceptance ceremony began formally. Each attending sect had sent esteemed representatives, many bringing their talented juniors. Everyone knew that Qing Shuang Zun's youngest disciple was a girl picked up from Bailu Village. Hence, most juniors attending the ceremony were young men, hoping to join the family and connect with Qing Shuang Zun. Moreover, Qing Shuang Zun usually stayed on Chaozi Peak alone. This was her first grand disciple acceptance ceremony, making it a prime opportunity to win the favor of the foremost person in the cultivation world. Everyone took their seats in an orderly fashion, engaging in polite conversation. All present were from prestigious backgrounds, even the juniors sat upright, wary of bringing disgrace to their sect. Suddenly, silence fell. A figure bathed in sunlight approached. Dressed in green, with a jade flute at her waist, her cold demeanor made it seem as if nothing in the world could catch her interest. Ran Fanyin's gaze swept the crowd, causing everyone to hold their breath, not daring to meet her eyes. She walked leisurely to the front stage, taking the central seat. Presiding over the ceremony was Cen Ran, who spoke at length, nearly putting the crowd to sleep. Finally, just as impatience grew, the ceremony’s other main participant appeared. Unlike the awe and unyielding power Ran Fanyin radiated, Ning Songwu incited pure curiosity, jealousy, and scheming from the audience. Eyes scrutinized her from all directions. Ning Songwu ignored the stares; becoming Ran Fanyin's disciple was an irrevocable fact. This time, Ning Songwu followed the disciple acceptance protocol without any tricks. She received the personal disciple’s jade token from her master, feeling a refreshing sensation upon touching it. The token’s energy reinvigorated her, dismissing fatigue as an excuse during meditations from now on. Utilizing her power, Ran Fanyin’s voice echoed to everyone present: "From this day forth, Ning Songwu is my personal disciple." The assembled immortals cheered, "Congratulations, Venerable One, on finding an excellent disciple!" Standing on the high platform, Ning Songwu looked at the bowing immortals below. She felt a strange sense of familiarity as though she had once stood above, revered by the masses.