The Master’s Gift

The many inner disciples in the dojo looked at the master and disciple pair with burning eyes.

From now on, the Azure Cloud Sword Sect had gained another personal disciple.

Such a title carried great weight—even outside the sect, it commanded respect, and disciples of other sects would have to treat them with courtesy.

In life, some pursue immortality, some pursue fame and fortune, and some boldly declare, “I want it all!”

In truth, immortality is far too distant.

Many spend their entire lives merely chasing fame and wealth.

The pleasures that fame and fortune bring—once tasted—are irresistible.

Whether someone calls you “fellow Daoist” or “senior,” the difference is immense.

Besides, in the pursuit of the Great Dao, one cannot do without wealth, companions, methods, and a place to cultivate.

Without name or gain, where would those come from?

All in all, this disciple named Cao Xueyan had truly struck it lucky.

Though the other disciples were envious, they at least knew their own limits.

They had been in the sect for so long yet remained nobodies—one could tell at a glance.

If they had any extraordinary talent, they would have long been taken in by some elder.

This disciple initiation ceremony was nearing its end.

However, for the disciples who remained in the dojo, unwilling to leave, the real event was just about to begin.

According to tradition, after every ceremony, one of the great figures would choose a Golden Core stage master to open a lecture on the Dao.

Who it was didn’t matter, nor what they taught—just listening to the resonance of Dao itself was already a rare fortune.

How could they dare to ask for more?

Xiao Menglan led Cao Xueyan down from the altar.

Several elders and peak masters came forward, showering them with compliments.

“Ah, congratulations to Peak Master Xiao for taking such a fine disciple! Your divine talisman-crafting technique finally has a worthy successor!”

“This Nephew Cao is clearly a dragon among men, bright and quick-witted. Her future achievements will surely be immeasurable—truly a pillar of our Sword Sect!”

“Peak Master Xiao and Nephew Cao’s auras are so harmonious! Becoming master and disciple under heaven’s witness—it’s truly a match made in heaven!”

Their mouths opened and closed, pouring out flattery without any restraint or concern for exaggeration.

Cao Xueyan was almost numb from listening, but she knew this was part of worldly courtesy.

People were giving her face—whether for her own sake or for Xiao Menglan’s—it didn’t matter.

She had to accept it all graciously.

Now that she and Xiao Menglan were officially master and disciple, both the Heavenly Dao and the sect’s ancestors had acknowledged it.

No one could find fault.

From now on, they might seem like two people, but in truth, they were one.

When outsiders thought of Xiao Menglan, they would also think of her disciple.

How that disciple behaved would directly or indirectly affect others’ opinions of Xiao Menglan.

If the disciple proved unworthy, it would reflect poorly on the master’s teaching.

Likewise, how people viewed Xiao Menglan, a Golden Core master, would shape their expectations of Cao Xueyan.

Even now, just by looking at Cao Xueyan, others could already imagine the next third-rank talisman master of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect rising before their eyes.

Still, speaking of which, who was it just now that called them “a match made in heaven”?

Had that person actually read any books?

That phrase was used for romantic fates!

How could they use it just because two people looked harmonious together?

What if others misunderstood?

Cao Xueyan’s palms were slick with sweat—sticky and uncomfortable.

If not for the elders present, she might have run off in embarrassment.

But Xiao Menglan, who had lived for hundreds of years, had a far steadier heart.

She had survived countless tribulations of inner demons.

She didn’t worry about others thinking wrongly—after all, this was a master-disciple bond, the most sacred and inviolable relationship in the cultivation world.

No one could ever imagine that this pair, so radiant in public, might secretly harbor forbidden affection!

Indeed—who would ever imagine such a thing?

At that moment, Qin Ximo stepped forward with a smiling face.

She was genuinely happy for her junior sister.

Though she herself had never taken a disciple, she had now gained a junior niece—still a joyful event for her.

And she hadn’t forgotten the congratulatory gift she had promised to the pair earlier.

The only issue was that her gift was too valuable to present publicly—it might cause Cao Xueyan unnecessary trouble later.

“Senior Sister, are you here to give gifts?”

Before Qin Ximo could speak, Xiao Menglan grinned mischievously and asked, practically holding out her hand.

“You’re a master now,” Qin Ximo scolded playfully, “and yet your temperament hasn’t changed one bit in hundreds of years! Always begging me for things—what kind of example are you setting?”

She continued sternly, “This gift is for my dear niece, not for you! Don’t do what you did last time—taking what I gave her and slipping it into your own storage pouch.”

“Ah, Senior Sister still remembers that? I told you, my disciple can’t handle liquor—not even half a cup! Of course I had to keep it safe for her.”

“You—how is it that you still act less mature than your own disciple?”

Qin Ximo sighed and shook her head, but a moment later, a beautifully crafted sword appeared in her hand.

Old Qiu Qiandao, standing nearby, had guessed correctly earlier—indeed, it was a sword.

At first glance, it didn’t look particularly special, but it was undoubtedly a fine blade.

Whatever rare materials and secret techniques had gone into forging it, one needn’t ask—just seeing the tassel tied to the hilt made everyone’s expression change.

“Wait… isn’t that the Sect Master’s personal sword?” Qiu Qiandao, standing closest, nearly bulged his eyes out.

He knew that sword—it was he himself who had forged it for Qin Ximo!

After all, Sect Master Qin Ximo of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect was a sword fanatic, a true lover of blades.

Many people had tried to please her by gifting her swords.

She had accepted them all, never refusing a good weapon.

And she had a habit—every sword she collected bore her unique tassel, as her mark.

Qiu Qiandao had thought Qin Ximo might gift a sword, but never imagined she’d give one from her own treasured collection.

This… this was no ordinary gesture of importance.

Everyone present felt the same.

Even the Sect Master herself valued this girl so highly—Cao Xueyan’s position in the sect clearly went far beyond just being Xiao Menglan’s personal disciple.

“This sword is named Frost Moon,” Qin Ximo said.

“I once used it for a time—it suited me well. Now, it’s yours.”

“I don’t ask that it regain its former glory, only that it protect you well.”

“After all…” she smiled, glancing at Xiao Menglan, “if anything were to happen to you, I fear my junior sister would never forgive herself.”

“You’re her first disciple. That makes you special.”

“When you go out to train in the future, do not act on impulse—your life must always come first.”

As the Sect Master, Qin Ximo’s gift could not be lightly accepted.

Cao Xueyan quickly knelt, raised the sword above her head, and respectfully received it before standing again.

Qin Ximo continued, “This sword suits your physique well. Its edge ranks among the finest of magical weapons.”

“I know you don’t practice swordsmanship—your master already told me.”

“When danger comes, simply recite the incantation I’ll teach you, and the sword will act on its own to strike down your foes.”

“Against ordinary cultivators—even those of early Golden Core rank—it will make them retreat.”

Able to contend with Golden Core cultivators?

Cao Xueyan realized that the descriptions she’d seen in the simulator had been too modest.

Hearing it now directly from Qin Ximo’s mouth—it carried a completely different weight.

“So precious a gift—how can the Sect Master give it away so casually? And to a disciple, no less…”

An elder nearby couldn’t help but mutter.

“Why not?” Qin Ximo’s cold gaze swept over him.

The elder immediately fell silent, terrified.

He was merely a Golden Core cultivator himself.

According to what Qin Ximo had just said, if Cao Xueyan—a mere Qi Refining disciple—recited that incantation, she could take his head clean off.

Yes… this gift was indeed a heavy one.