Ye Cheng's talent in cultivation wasn't anything special, but when it came to planting techniques, he was a real genius.
Inside the Armory, even the Seniors of the Wushuang Sect had taken notice of him. He'd faintly grasped a trace of the Primordial Life, though it wasn't quite at the level of true comprehension. Still, his affinity with flora and living things had grown stronger by the day, and his mastery of planting arts had taken a leap forward.
"Master." Ye Cheng bowed respectfully.
Yun Jin was quite satisfied with her eldest disciple. His cultivation aptitude might be average, but his temperament was steady, and he was diligent to the core. If he could one day step into the gates of the Primordial Life, he might just become a true powerhouse.
Even better—
Ye Cheng's insights were never hidden from Yun Jin.
The bond between them had reached one hundred percent. Any enlightenment Ye Cheng gained would be transmitted to her at two hundred percent.
If Ye Cheng ever comprehended a Law within the Primordial Life, she'd receive that same feedback, and her own understanding would deepen. Then she could teach him back in return, creating a perfect cycle that allowed them both to grow faster and faster.
"Step forward," Yun Jin said.
Ye Cheng hesitated, remaining still as he spoke earnestly. "Master wishes to grant me another enlightenment? For me, that is indeed a great fortune, but for Master, it is not without harm.
You have already guided me many times, surely your own cultivation has suffered much. This disciple cannot bear to let Master pay such a price." His words were completely sincere.
Yun Jin couldn't help but chuckle. "Do not worry. Your Master is no longer the same as before."
She pressed the enlightenment button directly.
Clarity dawned upon Ye Cheng at once. Though still concerned for Yun Jin, he did not dare waste her effort. He sat down quickly, absorbing with full focus.
Time passed.
A faint glow of law flickered over Ye Cheng's body.
Under the effect of enlightenment, he actually grasped a minor Intent.
Yun Jin resonated with the same comprehension, her eyes bright with interest.
This concept was called Sturdiness.
When infused into spiritual power, it caused the energy to become thicker and more resilient.
At present, it was only a low-level Intent, so the effect was modest. But if Ye Cheng reached the mid-level of Sturdiness, or even the high-level, the result would be astonishing.
Despite his breakthrough, Ye Cheng showed no joy. His eyes lingered on Yun Jin, words unsaid.
Amused, Yun Jin reassured him. "Truly, it has no ill effect on me. The clarity in your mind will last a few days—make good use of it. Strive to comprehend another concept."
She was about to send Ye Cheng back, but then paused, asking the system in her mind: "Can I summon multiple people into the reception hall at once?"
[Yes. Consumes slots equal to the number summoned.]
Yun Jin thought for a moment, then turned to Ye Cheng. "You are my first disciple. After you, I have chosen two more. I will summon them here so the three of you may meet."
He would have junior siblings?
Ye Cheng's heart stirred with anticipation. He moved to Yun Jin's side, waiting respectfully.
Then Yun Jin summoned Gao Jingxuan and Su Lingling together.
Ye Cheng had appeared in this same way himself, but seeing two living people suddenly manifest in the hall still made his expression shift slightly.
Gao Jingxuan managed to keep calm, while Su Lingling, suddenly thrust into this unfamiliar space, had eyes wide with curiosity though she restrained her questions.
"Gao Jingxuan," Yun Jin raised her brows.
Gao Jingxuan quickly stepped forward.
"I once said I intended to take you as my disciple. Have you decided? Are you willing to enter my tutelage?" Yun Jin asked.
Joy lit Gao Jingxuan's face.
Before, Yun Jin had spoken of accepting him, but it had only been words without formal recognition.
Now she was giving him a proper place.
"This disciple is willing!" Gao Jingxuan said without hesitation, fearing that even a moment's delay might cost him the chance.
As his voice fell, Gao Jingxuan's name appeared in Yun Jin's disciple panel.
[Gao Jingxuan:
Cultivation: Early Foundation Establishment
Aptitude: Five Spiritual Roots
Cultivation Method: Mystic Codex (recently switched)
Secret Art: Righteous Qi of Confucianism
Other: Appears to have talent in teaching and mentoring. In a past life, may have been a prominent figure in education.]
Yun Jin's lips twitched.
A figure from the education world? It reminded her of those terrifying presences that loomed behind classroom windows in some small worlds—strict teachers with death glares.
An odd but useful talent nonetheless. If nurtured properly, Gao Jingxuan could one day oversee the training of disciples within the sect.
But more than that—
The moment their bond formed, his respect for her was already at ninety-five percent. This bond measured a disciple's admiration and devotion toward her. Gao Jingxuan, remembering her saving grace from before, clearly held her in near-reverence. Such loyalty meant she need not fear betrayal.
Gao Jingxuan himself sensed a subtle link tying him to Yun Jin. Joy welled within him. Once an outsider, he had now truly entered her door.
"You will be my second disciple. This is your Senior Brother, Ye Cheng. Go greet him," Yun Jin said.
Gao Jingxuan bowed deeply. "Senior Brother."
Ye Cheng returned the greeting solemnly.
Inwardly, he reflected. He had become her first disciple largely by fortune. This Second Brother's talent was undoubtedly above his own. Still, as eldest disciple, he must not shame his Master. He would simply need to work all the harder.
Finally, Yun Jin looked at Su Lingling.
The girl's eyes shone with envy as she watched Ye Cheng and Gao Jingxuan.
They had been taken in as disciples by the Sect Master herself. What a stroke of fortune.
"Ling Ling." Yun Jin softened her tone for the child. "You are already a disciple of the Wushuang Sect. Today, I wish to take you as my third disciple. Would you be willing?"
Su Lingling's eyes lit up at once.
Her short legs carried her dashing forward. She dropped to her knees and gave three sharp kowtows without hesitation.
Yun Jin was momentarily dumbfounded.
So smooth and decisive?
"Master!" Su Lingling called out brightly.
Yun Jin lifted her gently with spiritual power and smiled. "Good. From now on, you are my third disciple. Go greet your Senior Brothers."
"Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother!" Su Lingling chirped.
Both Ye Cheng and Gao Jingxuan responded seriously.
Yun Jin then checked Su Lingling's details.
[Su Lingling:
Cultivation: Qi Refinement, First Level
Aptitude: Single Water Spiritual Root
Cultivation Method:Iceheart Codex
Other: Extraordinary talent. Possesses potential to reach the peak in many different fields. Recommendation: Focus cultivation into one area.]
Extraordinary talent.
Capable of greatness across countless paths.
This was the bearing of a true heaven-chosen heroine.
By contrast, even Ye Danxia, despite her superior spiritual roots, did not match Su Lingling's breadth of potential.
Yun Jin pondered.
The hidden power behind the scenes had stolen Luck to shape both a heaven-chosen male lead and female lead. Yet most of the stolen Luck was given to the male lead. Thus the story was set upon the path of "strong female, stronger male." The heroine was formidable, but always beneath the hero, her greatest achievement merely to meet him and win his love. Her personal path mattered little.
Yun Jin refused to let Su Lingling walk such a road. It was not that one could not choose a Taoist partner. But even with a Taoist partner, one must never forget to tread their own path.
Once the three disciples had met each other, Yun Jin bestowed enlightenment upon Gao Jingxuan and Su Lingling as well. Both entered deep comprehension at once, sitting cross-legged with serious focus.