Chapter 244: Chapter 186: Does the Eastern Emperor have a sister or perhaps an older sister?_1
As soon as Su Bei’s voice fell, everyone present was shocked.
Xiao Ruoching and Mo Li looked stunned, staring blankly at Su Bei and at the somewhat frail girl he held by the hand.
This unexpected turn of events caught them both off guard; or rather, deep down, they hadn’t wanted to accept it.
Why had the Sword Maiden become the third disciple of their master? Then... what about Zi Jun?
Xiao Ruoching looked at the frail woman and their amiable master with a complex expression, sighing softly. Perhaps this is why I care so much about him? But why wasn’t this tenderness solely for me?
Lin Duo, standing below the high platform, was clearly even more puzzled. He even had the fleeting thought that Elder Su must be mad.
Even if Elder Su had taken this mute girl as his disciple in a whimsical moment, Lin Duo himself wouldn’t have found anything particularly wrong with that. But how dare Elder Su brazenly declare that this third disciple would challenge all the disciples under the Wuhua Palace elders in half a year?
If this statement had been applied to Elder Su’s two direct disciples, perhaps it would have held some deterrent power or sparked anticipation. But now, this woman, whose cultivation was merely at the Qi Cultivation realm and not even on par with an ordinary cultivator, was going to challenge Wuhua Palace? Had he gone mad?
Watching Lin Duo’s constantly shifting gaze, Su Bei spoke indifferently, "What? Does Elder Lin not dare to accept?"
Meanwhile, he didn’t forget to gently pat the Sword Maiden’s soft hand, feeling her body tremble. Had he suddenly put too much pressure on her?
An eerie silence filled the Sacred Sanctuary.
As Su Bei spoke, the corners of his mouth revealed a hint of bitterness. Had he been a bit too impulsive?
Yet, he did not regret his decision. Thinking of this resolute woman—who, even in the cold winter, still remembered to wipe the swords by the washing pool after practicing her dance—a sudden thought arose in his heart. Perhaps she could do it?
"DING!"
"Congratulations to the Host for successfully accepting a disciple. Disciple acceptance count +1."
"Congratulations to the Host for receiving a ten-pull lottery chance. Would you like to draw now?"
Hearing the system’s voice in his mind, Su Bei looked at the scene before him and chose not to use the draw immediately.
Lin Duo snorted coldly, his face dark. This agreement brought no benefit to Wuhua Palace at all. Winning? What would that prove? But losing... although there’s no chance of that happening.
However, under the watchful eyes of the public, it was also inconvenient to refuse. Glancing at Elder Ling Ran and Wang Tong on the Elder’s Platform, he had no choice but to accept.
No one could have expected that Key Smoke, who had been sitting on the Elder’s Platform with her legs crossed on her chair, would suddenly develop an interest, fanning the flames. "Interesting. Let this wager between Elder Su and Elder Lin be witnessed by the Sacred Land."
There was a moment of silence.
As Key Smoke spoke, Ji Nanjue clearly saw a sly spark appear in her eyes. Ji Nanjue then turned her gaze back to the high platform, looking deeply at the man there. After going to the Azure Cloud View tomorrow to offer incense, I should find an opportunity to meet him alone.
Empress Lin Jinyu, standing beside Ji Nanjue, watched Su Bei with an unreadable expression. I must find a way to see him tomorrow and get back my bellyband!
Under the mediation of the Sacred Land’s elders, Wuhua Palace and the Sword Sect returned to their original positions.
The opening ceremony continued, but it was evident that after such a series of thrilling events, most of the audience’s enthusiasm had waned. Scattered applause echoed through the Sacred Sanctuary.
「」
The Sword Maiden’s mind was blank. As Su Bei led her by the hand off the high platform, she still hadn’t recovered from her stupor.
All around her, voices rose in discussion: "Why would Elder Su of the Sword Sect do such a thing? Why take this girl as his disciple?" and similar remarks.
Had she unwittingly become his disciple? And in half a year, was she really to challenge Wuhua Palace, just as he had said...?
Her face turned pale and her steps faltered, which Su Bei attributed to excessive nervousness.
But her mind was racing with countless thoughts.
Would Sister Xiao and Sister Mo accept her? Perhaps I should be happy. I should show more excitement! This is a meteoric rise, from a menial disciple straight to a direct disciple... right? But why are tears swirling in my eyes?
She continued to follow Su Bei dazedly to the Sword Sect’s designated area on the high platform, sitting down amidst the cheers of the Sword Sect disciples, her eyes blank.
In her confusion, she suddenly felt herself enveloped in a warm, strong embrace. The Sword Maiden trembled slightly.
"It seems I neglected your feelings," Su Bei said, his mouth twisting into a helpless, bitter smile as he looked into her bewildered eyes. Was the pressure too much for her? Had he been a bit too domineering, not even asking for her opinion?
But in Su Bei’s heart, the Sword Maiden held a unique status. She was a disciple he had genuinely accepted, without any considerations of ’red destiny’ or overthinking it—just a simple desire to take her as his disciple.
The Sword Maiden quickly shook her head and waved her small hands, looking nervously at Su Bei. Will this reaction disappoint him? I have to pull myself together! At the very least... at least I mustn’t lose too disgracefully in half a year. If I’m defeated too easily, he’ll be very disappointed, won’t he?