Chapter 336: Yaoyun Takes a Disciple

"Greetings, Daoist Master Wang. I am Qin Yishen, captain of the Special Affairs Unit. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Blocking Wang Sheng at the boarding platform was a middle-aged man with graying hair. He was burly, yet he had a scholarly air, as though he were a military strategist..

He enthusiastically stepped forward and extended his hand. Wang Sheng calmly returned the gesture, then waited for the man to speak further.

The Special Affairs Unit was equal in rank to the Investigation Unit, tasked with preventing crimes among cultivators. Commanding the Cultivator Police Unit, it became a new pillar alongside the Special Investigation Unit, Special Warfare Unit, and Cultivation Research Institute. It was essentially an auxiliary branch within the three-department structure.

The unit's captain had a similar position to Chi Ling thirteen years ago, though Chi Ling was now his superior.

With Wang Sheng remaining silent, Qin Yishen adjusted his glasses and smiled. "I'm actually here on official business. When I heard you've arrived, I decided to wait and greet you, a hero of the Hua Republic."

Politeness could not be refused. Wang Sheng smiled faintly. "How thoughtful of you, Captain Qin."

"Daoist Master Wang, you are now one of the strongest cultivators of our nation. Maintaining good relations with you is also part of my work." Qin Yishen chuckled, then drew a business card from his breast pocket. He handed it to Wang Sheng. "Our unit and the Special Investigation Unit complement each other. Should you ever need anything, don't hesitate to reach out. We all strive for the Hua Republic's prosperity."

Wang Sheng accepted the card. It was enough to tell that the captain was meticulous. In this age where technology flourished, a plain business card was subtly reassuring. It removed suspicion of hidden trackers or locators.

Wang Sheng had little fondness for the Special Affairs Unit, though. At the first tea table meeting, Mou Yue had complained at length about them. The Special Investigation Unit's rivalry with the Special Affairs Unit seemed to run deep.

On the other hand, such rivalry came with benefits. For the cultivation world, competition meant better handling of conflicts between cultivators and the secular world.

Wang Sheng courteously said, "Captain Qin, please don't be offended, but I have urgent matters to attend to. I'd love to sit and chat with you when we both have time."

"Ah, my apologies. I did show up out of nowhere. Please, this way." Qin Yishen turned aside and gestured for Wang Sheng to pass. "I had the aircraft cleaned in advance. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to contact me."

"Thank you." Wang Sheng cupped his hands in gratitude, and Xiaomiao earnestly copied her brother's gesture.

Qin Yishen smiled and waved as the siblings boarded the aircraft. Even as the hatch closed and the vessel slowly ascended, his smile did not fade. Only when the aircraft disappeared into the clouds did his expression settle.

A young secretary with a fine figure stepped forward and whispered, "Captain, the meeting is about to begin."

"I see. Let's go." Qin Yishen shook his head. "Daoist Master Wang already harbors some prejudice against us. That is troubling."

"Captain," the secretary reminded softly, "Daoist Master Wang is close with Captain Mou Yue. We shouldn't waste our efforts on him. It would be better to win over cultivators who are easier to persuade."

"You don't understand. He's a key figure for us." Qin Yishen's eyes carried a trace of amusement. "And your logic is flawed. Though we compete with the investigation unit, we're partners first and foremost. Our departments serve the nation and its people.

"I am not after Daoist Master Wang's allegiance. I have said many times that our departments simply complement one another. What I seek is his goodwill. When we advance our reforms, we have to be sure that he won't oppose us.

"In the cultivation world, seniority or cultivation progress isn't the only factor that determines one's influence. The voice of a young cultivator like Daoist Master Wang, who's already at the peak of his generation, outweighs ten of the old seniors."

The secretary nodded, seemingly enlightened. Qin Yishen clasped his hands behind his back and walked toward another waiting aircraft.

High in the sky, Wang Sheng quietly withdrew his spiritual perception. He had heard every word of their conversation.

He seems like a rather decent man.

Wang Sheng placed the business card in his pendant and began tidying the storage space within with his spiritual perception. Beside him, Xiaomiao gazed at her earrings with unending delight. For one so young, receiving such a valuable artifact was overwhelming. She was already lost in bliss.

He realized how easy it was to please his little sister.

The flight to the villa took only half an hour. Wang Sheng sent a message to his senior sister. Fearing she would miss it, he also sent one to Xi Lian, who spent over twenty hours a day on phones, computers, and other devices.

Had she not been reciting scriptures an hour daily to cleanse her devilish nature, Wang Sheng would have suspected that she had already fallen into complete devilry.

"Xiaomiao, do you have any preferences regarding cultivation techniques?" Wang Sheng asked.

Wang Xiaomiao squinted in happiness, as if floating in bubbles of joy. She drooled as she admired her earrings. "Anything is fine."

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Cultivation is no trivial matter." Wang Sheng opened the examination report, studying the lines of data. "

Hm.

Xiaomiao, your affinity with water and wood is almost nonexistent, but fire and metal suit you quite well."

"

Eh?

" Wang Xiaomiao blinked, eyes moist. "Does that mean I'll have to live as a tomboy from now on?"

"Nonsense," Wang Sheng said quickly. "It only means that water techniques will be less effective for you, nothing more."

"Oh, that's fine then." She thought for a moment. "In that case, I'll take the path of the sword. Controlling swords is so cool."

The Sword-Controlling Art?

Wang Sheng frowned. Yaoyun was already set to accept Xiaomiao as her disciple. It would not be proper to send her to the Shu Sword Sect as well.

"

Just let her learn the Sword-Controlling Art,

"

Yaoyun coldly yet elegantly said telepathically. "

If the Shu Sword Sect dares to refuse, I shall ask their forefathers myself whether she may learn or not.

"

A bead of sweat slid down Wang Sheng's forehead.

Yaoyun seems a little too passionate. Forget refusing. If she argues with Daoist Master Qing Feng, he would most likely personally teach Xiaomiao the art himself. That's assuming he's still alive, though. Chances are, all that remains of him are his bones.

"Very well. I will teach you the Sword-Controlling Art," Wang Sheng decided. Once his sister mastered the basics, he would take her to the Shu Sword Sect. He then added sternly, "You just have to be patient. Cultivation requires steady progress.

"I will provide you with the finest techniques and spells, and I will find you a master beyond imagination. But don't forget that cultivation is about tempering the heart and nature. Unlike my master, I cannot teach you much about that. Still, I do know that what truly matters is calmness. You shouldn't be arrogant or restless."

Wang Xiaomiao, who had sat up straight to listen intently, answered, "Okay."

Before they knew it, the aircraft had begun to descend. Wang Sheng swept his spiritual perception outward, detecting a familiar lake. He also found Xi Lian and Mu Wanxuang waiting on the rooftop.

With his sword on his back, Wang Sheng held his sister's hand. He signaled the pilot to hover, opened the hatch, and carried her across the air to land on the rooftop.

He cupped his hands toward the cockpit in thanks, receiving waves in return.

"Senior Sister! Big Sister!" Xiaomiao sweetly exclaimed.

Mu Wanxuan's smile softened with delight, while the youthful Xi Lian rushed forward to grab the girl's hand.

"Come, come. I prepared so many fun things for you. I've been waiting for this day!"

Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan exchanged glances. Mu Wanxuan smiled gently, and he warmly smiled back.

"Hold on, Big Sister," Wang Sheng shouted toward the staircase. "Take Xiaomiao to bathe and change first. She has to pay respects to her master first."

"Pay respects?" Xi Lian cried out. "To me? I'm not ready! Am I really going to take a disciple?

Hahaha!

"

At that moment, Spiritless trembled faintly. A cold hum sounded beside Xi Lian's ear, instantly crumbling her joy and making her hang her head dejectedly.

"Oh, you mean her. I was happy for nothing."

Mu Wanxuan glanced curiously at Spiritless. A hint of realization then flashed in her eyes.

Wang Sheng took out a bracelet and stepped forward. "Senior Sister, this is for you."

Letting him take her hand, Mu Wanxuan examined the bracelet with curiosity. Wrapped in his enchanted power, the bracelet slowly slid onto her wrist.

Smiling, he lifted his pendant to show that he also had one. "It's a little something from the research institute. Do you like it?"

"

Mm!

" She nodded lightly, her hand slipping into the crook of his arm. They stood quietly together for a moment on the rooftop. Before them lay the clear lake and fragrant air.

However, Wang Sheng had not forgotten the matter at hand. After keeping Mu Wanxuan company for a while, he worked on the ritual. They prepared an incense altar and the Divine Position Diagram, then laid out fruits as offerings.

The two busied themselves for a while. To make the occasion more ceremonious, they video-called his master and parents, their projections appearing to the side as witnesses.

Despite her earlier theatrics, Xi Lian also did her part. While Xiaomiao bathed, she picked out a few old-style gowns that would fit her and sent them into the bathroom. She later prepared a room for Xiaomiao as well. Since the villa was large, Wang Sheng didn't have to worry about sleeping on the floor.

By nightfall, the small ceremony began. Wang Sheng placed Spiritless at the head of the hall, bowed respectfully, and stepped aside.

Immortal light radiated from the sword. In front of everyone in the villa and the projections of those far away, a graceful figure floated forth, brightening the entire hall.