Gongsun Qingling

Xu Mengyao thought for a moment. She didn't care for those overly elaborate formalities either.

She turned to look at Dugu Shiling:

"Shiling, right? I don't like all those complicated rules either. Just perform a simple bow to acknowledge me as your master, and you will be considered part of the sect. How about it?"

Dugu Shiling didn't hesitate in the slightest. She immediately knelt on the ground and respectfully bowed:

"Disciple Dugu Shiling greets Master."

Xu Mengyao handed the child in her arms to Zhuge Sijue. She stepped forward to help her up, a gentle smile appearing on her face:

"Good. From now on, you are the disciple of me, Xu Mengyao."

With a wave of her right hand, a spatial ring appeared in her palm.

The ring was entirely ice-blue, with faint traces of cold air flowing around it. One glance was enough to tell it was no ordinary item.

Xu Mengyao handed it to Dugu Shiling:

"Some of the cultivation techniques inside were given to me by your grandmaster in the past. Now, I am passing them on to you. There are also some resources that will aid in your ice-attribute cultivation."

She paused and looked at her newly accepted disciple with expectation in her eyes:

"Cultivate well from now on."

Dugu Shiling respectfully accepted the spatial ring with both hands, held it tightly, and bowed deeply:

"Thank you for your profound kindness, Master. This disciple will definitely cultivate diligently and live up to your expectations!"

Gu Changyuan watched from the side and nodded in satisfaction.

The moment Dugu Shiling officially became Xu Mengyao's disciple, he clearly felt a subtle feedback of cultivation base transmitting from Dugu Shiling's body.

Nascent Soul realm cultivation.

Although it wasn't high, with her talent, improving it was only a matter of time.

He took a step forward and waved his right hand—

Another spatial ring appeared in his palm and slowly floated in front of Dugu Shiling.

"Since the apprenticeship ceremony is complete, as your grandmaster, I naturally cannot be left out."

His tone was casual:

"Inside this spatial ring are also cultivation techniques and resources suitable for your practice. Take it and use it."

Just as Dugu Shiling was about to accept it and express her thanks—

Xu Mengyao put her hands on her hips and complained with a dissatisfied look:

"Master! Couldn't you have given it a little later? Giving it right now, what if Shiling looks down on the things I just gave her?"

Over the past two days, she had heard quite a few stories about her master's deeds.

Moreover, the battle two days ago where he completely crushed the Immortal King of the Imperial Court gave her a whole new understanding of her master's strength.

Her master's current net worth was probably even more abundant than she had imagined.

Could the resources he gave possibly be bad?

The ring she had just given instantly seemed... not so precious anymore.

Dugu Shiling opened her mouth, wanting to say, "I wouldn't, the things Master gives are definitely the best"—

But Gu Changyuan waved his hand, looking entirely unconcerned:

"I just gave it along the way. Besides, my little grand-disciples will still need Shiling to take care of them later.

We can't always rely on a mother like you who bounces around all day, can we?"

Xu Mengyao's two children were both girls.

The older sister was named Zhuge Mengbing, and the younger sister was named Zhuge Mengxue.

Both had ninth-grade talent and ice-attribute physiques.

When these two little girls grew up a bit, Gu Changyuan naturally intended to have them join the Heavenly Human Holy Land.

As for whether the Zhuge family would agree?

Heh.

The strength he had just displayed was more than enough to make the Zhuge family agree willingly.

They might even beg for it.

Hearing her master say this, Xu Mengyao puffed out her cheeks slightly and muttered in defense:

"That's not true, of course I will take good care of them."

Gu Changyuan spread his hands, his face the picture of calm and indifference:

Once these two little brats grow up and start running around, you will be lucky to find them within half a day.

As soon as these words were spoken—

Xu Mengyao was instantly left speechless.

She opened her mouth to retort, but as the words reached her lips, she realized that she truly could not make any guarantees.

After all, these two children were genuinely an accident.

She had not even known she was pregnant at first; she only realized it when she was about to give birth.

During these past few days staying in Tianji City, if it were not for the fact that the children needed care, she would have dragged Zhuge Sijue out to play long ago.

But even if she thought so in her heart, she absolutely could not admit it out loud.

Xu Mengyao instantly puffed up with self-righteousness and leaned closer to Zhuge Sijue beside her.

How is that possible! Husband, help me talk some sense into Master!

Being suddenly called out, Zhuge Sijue froze.

At this moment, he was holding one infant in his left arm and another in his right. The two little things had their eyes squeezed shut, sleeping soundly.

He looked innocently at Gu Changyuan, feeling somewhat bewildered in his heart.

Huh? Me... me?

You want me to lecture Master?

One had to know that right now, the entire Zhuge family, from the Patriarch down to the lowest servant, revered this Holy Ancestor like a god, not even daring to breathe too loudly in his presence.

Whatever he asked for was granted immediately, without the slightest question.

He had naturally been present at the previous Imperial Court Immortal Battle and had personally felt the might of this Holy Ancestor.

Even his Great Ancestor, an Immortal King, was extremely respectful before this senior, calling him Senior with every breath.

As a junior who had not even reached the Half-Immortal realm, what dared he say?

Of course, he did not dare.

Zhuge Sijue coughed lightly, trying hard to make his expression look a bit more composed:

Ahem... Mengyao, Master doing this is also for Shiling's own good.

Besides, Shiling certainly would not disdain the items Master gave her over such a small matter, right?

Dugu Shiling had been standing to the side, listening blankly as her master and grandmaster bickered, completely unable to get a word in.

Seeing her master's husband frantically winking at her, she immediately caught on and nodded repeatedly in agreement:

Yes, yes, yes! What Master's husband said is right!

Whether it is something given by Master or Grandmaster, Shiling will treat it as a precious treasure and will absolutely never disdain it!

She spoke with such sincerity that she was just short of raising her hand to swear an oath.

Hearing her disciple say this, Xu Mengyao took the out she was given.

Since Shiling has said so... then fine.

Gu Changyuan could naturally tell she was just looking for a graceful way out, but he did not expose her.

He smiled and turned to look at Dugu Shiling:

Alright, since the apprenticeship ceremony is complete, I will take Shiling to see her father first. It will be a good chance for the father and daughter to catch up.

Xu Mengyao nodded:

Mhm.

Gu Changyuan waved his right hand—

In the next instant, the two vanished from the courtyard.

...

The Zhuge family estate, the Dugu family's residence.

This was a quiet and elegant small courtyard, adjacent to the residences of the Gongsun, Xuanyuan, and Shangguan families.

These major families had been on good terms for generations, so their accommodations were naturally arranged in the same area to facilitate interaction.

At this moment, there were guests seated in the reception hall.

The head of the Dugu family, Dugu Qirong, sat upright in the seat of honor, conversing with the two people opposite him.

Seated opposite him was the head of the Gongsun family, Gongsun Yanguang, along with a middle-aged man, an elder of the Gongsun family, Gongsun Zhihe.

Standing quietly beside Gongsun Zhihe was a young woman. She was precisely the woman Gu Changyuan had noticed earlier at the Zhuge family banquet.

At this moment, she was still clad in a light cyan dress. Her features were delicate and clear, radiating an ethereal temperament.

With her gaze slightly lowered, she stood quietly behind her father. She was neither haughty nor humble, yet she exuded an innate presence that simply could not be ignored.

She was none other than the most outstanding genius of the Gongsun family's current generation—Gongsun Qingling.