Chapter 5: The Apprenticeship Ceremony
The news of True Monarch Ruiying taking on a disciple spread through the entire Taiyin Sect like a bombshell.
As the de facto master of the Moon Palace lineage, she held an influential position within the sect. Though her renown might not match that of the reigning Taiyin Sect leader, True Monarch Shenying, or True Monarch Xuanming of Xuyu Immortal Island, she was nonetheless deeply revered by cultivators across all lineages.
On this day, the Moon Palace was exceptionally bustling. A grand celebration was about to unfold.
The taking of a disciple by Ancestor Ruiying was undoubtedly a matter of the utmost importance, and the cultivators of the Taiyin Sect dared not show the slightest negligence. They had spent more than half a month preparing for the apprenticeship ceremony, with the venue decoration alone taking over ten days.
Over a dozen core disciples of the Moon Palace lineage, holding invitations, used the teleportation grand array of the Ice Wheel Hall to travel to Taiyin Divine Mountain in East Tianzhou and Xuyu Immortal Island. They all shouldered the task of inviting True Monarch Ruiying's old friends to witness this momentous occasion.
Within the ancestral grounds of the Moon Palace today, there were no fewer than four Earth Immortal Realm mighty figures.
Not only that, but the Tianyun Realm giant and Taiyin Sect leader, True Monarch Shenying, had also personally crossed the void to arrive upon the moon, demonstrating the high regard in which he held True Monarch Ruiying's initiation of a disciple. After all, True Monarch Ruiying was not only his blood sister but also his senior sister; the brother and sister had shared a very close bond since childhood.
Inside the resplendent grand hall, a gathering of Taiyin Sect cultivators conversed in low voices. Some wore calm and unruffled expressions, while others appeared intensely excited.
The atmosphere in the venue gradually grew heated, with everyone eagerly awaiting the arrival of the central figures.
True Monarch Ruiying sat regally in the seat of honor, her expression solemn and stern, resembling an immovable mountain. Seated beside her was none other than her younger brother, True Monarch Shenying, who was also the current leader of the Taiyin Sect. The rest of the spectators were seated in rows along both sides of the hall, their expressions varied and intriguing.
True Monarch Xuanming, the island master of Xuyu Immortal Island, smiled as he looked toward True Monarch Ruiying. "Senior Sister Ruiying, I am truly curious. You haven't taken on a disciple for over a millisecond—over a thousand years. Why break the precedent so suddenly?"
A hint of bewilderment tinged his tone.
Hearing this question, a faint, imperceptible smile quietly emerged on True Monarch Ruiying's usually indifferent face, as if she had recalled something amusing. She shook her head gently and replied indifferently, "Because that child and I share a affinity!"
With these words, her gaze drifted toward the exterior of the grand hall, a touch of tenderness softening her eyes.
Seeing his elder sister display such an expression, True Monarch Shenying could not help but feel a spark of curiosity regarding the young girl about to become her disciple. One had to know that ever since his sister left Taiyin Divine Mountain to come up to the moon and take charge of the Moon Palace lineage, very few people had ever been able to move her so deeply.
True Monarch Ruiying further explained, "Furthermore, since she was able to ascend directly to our sect's Moon Palace lineage, it shows that even the Ancestor herself hopes she will be my disciple."
"Oh? She is actually an ascendant?"
True Monarch Xuanming's curiosity grew ever more intense, his gaze deepening as a meaningful smile touched the corners of his mouth.
True Monarch Ruiying nodded, then instructed one of her disciples, "Begin."
"Understood, Ancestor!"
Upon receiving the order, a young female disciple at the very back of the hall immediately strode out briskly.
Not long after, Jiang Runyue, clad in a flowing gown of moon-white silk, walked slowly into the solemn and dignified grand hall, led by four maidens of tender years.
At that moment, dozens of varied gazes instantly snapped toward her.
Inside the hall, certain cultivators of profound dao attainment who were well-versed in qi-observation arts—such as True Monarch Shenying and True Monarch Xuanming—were left utterly speechless with shock the moment they laid eyes on Jiang Runyue.
"What is this?"
Within their visionary gaze, the void directly above Jiang Runyue's head was canopied by cyan and purple auras that layered over one another, enveloping the entire grand hall. Even more exaggerated was the sight of a dragon and a phoenix weaving and circling within that cyan-purple canopy, occasionally emitting resonant roars and cries that caused anyone with a sharp Divine Soul to tremble.
"Hiss—"
True Monarch Shenying's face was a mask of shock. His right hand, which had been continuously stroking his long beard, abruptly froze, and several broken whiskers drifted softly downward.
"This fortune... Could it be that she, just like Ancestor Changxi, is the protagonist of this Great Tribulation?"
True Monarch Xuanming was likewise shocked to the extreme, though he maintained a more rational exterior. While the smile remained at the corners of his lips, his gaze quietly lowered.
"As the protagonist of the previous Great Tribulation, Ancestor Changxi led the then-obscure Taiyin Sect to sweep across all factions of immortals, buddhas, demons, ghosts, and monsters, establishing it as the number one sect in the Tianyun Realm!"
"If the young girl before us is truly the protagonist of this Great Tribulation, just like Ancestor Changxi, then I must carefully plot and scheme. Perhaps I might harness the momentum of the Great Tribulation to unify the Four Continents and Five Seas!"
True Monarch Shenying looked across at True Monarch Xuanming, only to find the latter looking back at him.
The two of them had already devised a plan to deal with the Great Tribulation and made thorough preparations, but the sudden appearance of a woman blessed with such immense fortune instantly made the whole situation feel utterly absurd.
"Even if she is not the protagonist of the Great Tribulation, a person of such vast fortune must remain in our sect!"
True Monarch Shenying drew a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the surge of elation and desire in his heart.
True Monarch Xuanming felt the same, though his outward reaction was slightly more exaggerated.
Aside from the two of them, many other high-level cultivators present were rendered entirely speechless.
Jiang Runyue remained as steady and composed as ever, completely unfazed. With her expression entirely normal, she walked up to True Monarch Ruiying.
The four beautiful women standing on either side of the aisle moved into action: one produced a meditation mat and placed it on the floor; another held a tray made of flawless jade; a third held a jade teapot, filling the teacups on the tray. Finally, the fourth maiden picked up a teacup, walked over to Jiang Runyue, and whispered, "Junior Sister Jiang, you may proceed with the apprenticeship ceremony."
Jiang Runyue nodded, took the teacup, and turned to face True Monarch Ruiying. Kneeling on both knees, she raised the teacup high above her head with both hands and said respectfully, "Master, please partake of the tea!"
A gratified smile appeared on True Monarch Ruiying's face as she reached out to take the teacup. Taking a light sip, she smiled and said, "Very well. From this day forward, you are my final disciple. I hope you will apply yourself diligently to your cultivation, strictly observe the sect rules, and ascend to the upper realm at an early date!"
With that, True Monarch Ruiying set down the teacup, retrieved a crystal-clear jade token Dharma Treasure from her sleeve, and gently placed it into Jiang Runyue's hands. "This is a token of my identity. With this jade scepter, you may freely enter and exit all parts of the Moon Palace and mobilize a portion of our sect's law enforcement team. Keep it safe."
Jiang Runyue respectfully received the jade scepter Dharma Treasure and tucked it into her robes, then kowtowed three resounding times to True Monarch Ruiying in gratitude.
Watching Jiang Runyue, True Monarch Ruiying's eyes flashed with satisfaction. She nodded with a slight smile, raised a hand to gently help Jiang Runyue up, and said in a kindly tone, "Good disciple, rise quickly. If you encounter any puzzles in the future, feel free to come and ask your master. Do not be constrained."
Hearing this, Jiang Runyue felt a surge of joy. She stood up, bowed deeply to True Monarch Ruiying, and expressed her heartfelt gratitude, "Thank you for your instruction, Master! This disciple will forever keep it in mind!"
True Monarch Ruiying smiled faintly and waved a hand gently, signaling Jiang Runyue to step a little closer.
Looking at her clever and well-behaved young disciple, a warm sense of gratification welled up within her heart.