Chapter 14

Chapter 14: You mean, you’ll be protecting me from now on?

“Apprentice?” Qingwan tilted her head cutely as she looked at the beautiful older sister in front of her. “Big sister, what is an apprentice?”

Wang Xuan thought for a moment: “An apprentice means you will live and cultivate with me from now on. You will enter the Heavenly Profound Gate and embark on the great path.”

Qingwan asked: “Live with Big Sister? Does that mean Qingwan has to leave Mother?”

Wang Xuan nodded: “Yes, you will leave your mother. And your lifespan will be very, very long. You will witness the changes of the world. You will grow indifferent to worldly affairs. To others, a lifetime is just a fleeting moment for you.”

Qingwan thought seriously for a while, then shook her head: “Big Sister, I don’t understand what you’re saying. But Big Sister, I’m sorry, I don’t want to leave Mother, Mingge Brother, or Xuenuo Big Sister. So I can’t be your apprentice.”

“Qingwan, what are you talking about?” The old patriarch heard this and turned pale, hurriedly standing up.

“Qingwan, quickly agree with the State Preceptor. Do you know how many people would die for this opportunity?” Father Qin Ruhai quickly interjected.

Wang Xuan raised a hand to gesture them to be quiet, then placed her hand on the little girl’s head:

“Qingwan, you’re still young, you might not fully understand what cultivation means, nor how precious you truly are.

The Xu Guo Mansion, as a noble family of the Wu Kingdom, bears the national destiny.

If it were as Wang Xuan said, does it matter whether Xu Snow’s bones are sword bones or not?

The Heavenly Black Goose shivered and quickly ran away.

Though the Xu Guo Mansion and Qin Mansion are beneath the Imperial City, you are a naturally born saintly body. As you grow older, more and more people will be able to feel your fortune.”

Listening to the words of this older sister, Qin Qingwan tightly pursed her lips, her small hands gripping into fists, looking quite hesitant.

“Big Sister, when Qingwan goes with Big Sister, can Mingge Brother, Xuenuo Big Sister, and Mother come along too?” Qingwan pulled Xu Ming on her left and Xu Snow on her right, asking expectantly.

Xu Ming looked at the stupid goose, feeling inexplicably like he understood the meaning behind its actions.

Qingwan didn’t want those around her to get hurt because of her.

“You mean, you’ll be protecting me?” Xu Ming asked.

The Heavenly Black Goose nodded again.

“Thank you, Big Sister.” Qingwan took the ‘Heavenly Profound Heart Method’. “But Big Sister, can I show this to others?”

Even you and your family will be in danger.

When Xu Snow leaves the clan, she will be removed from the records of the Xu Guo Mansion, as if she never existed.

“Thank you, State Preceptor.”

Although women cannot inherit titles, I still have a son. Due to my sister’s influence, it’s not impossible for my son to inherit the title.

But this Heavenly Black Goose walked over to Xu Ming, tapping his shoulder with its wing, “Ga ga ga” calling out several times.

Wang Xuan retracted her gaze and explained: “In our Heavenly Profound Gate, we practice Daoism but not swordsmanship. Although some disciples practice sword techniques, swords are merely Dharma Instruments, not life-bound weapons. I cannot admit her into the Heavenly Profound Gate, but Wang Xuan will inform a good friend from the Ten Thousand Sword Sect to come take a look.”

As Xu Ming was running, the Heavenly Black Goose came over.

The hereditary peerage of Duke Xu has already passed down to someone else’s child.

Wang Xuan took out a book from her bosom and handed it to Qingwan: “Qingwan, this book is called ‘Heavenly Profound Heart Method’. If you want to read it, do so. Read until wherever you reach, read however many times you wish, no need to force yourself.”

Xu Ming thought it was going to fight him.

“Innate Sword Bone?” Phoenix’s eyes flashed with joy.

But the Innate Sword Bone is too sharp, incompatible with national destiny.

“Ohh…” Qingwan lowered her head dejectedly.

Although we’ve found the Innate Saintly Body, Wang Xuan wouldn’t mind checking Xu Snow’s constitution either.

“Big Sister, does Qingwan have to go with you right now?” After a long pause, Qingwan looked up and asked.

But Qingwan doesn’t want to leave Mother and the others.

“Big Sister, can Qingwan follow you when she turns nine?” Qingwan pleaded.

“No, thank you.” Qingwan touched her own brow.

This isn’t possible, only Qingwan herself can enter the Heavenly Profound Gate.”

“Then can Qingwan follow Big Sister when she turns nine?” Qingwan begged.

“Ohhh…” Qingwan dejectedly lowered her head.

“Of course you can.” Wang Xuan nodded, extending her finger and gently tapping Qingwan’s brow.

Phoenix now seemed resigned, casting a somewhat guilty glance at her son.

Facing such temptation, countless people would take reckless risks.

Wang Xuan stood up, exchanged pleasantries with the elders of the Xu family one last time, then bid farewell and left. Before leaving, Wang Xuan glanced at the Heavenly Black Goose by the door.

“You mean, you know I can’t cultivate, and you’re comforting me by saying it’s okay?”

“If Qingwan enters the Heavenly Profound Gate, the gate will protect both you and your family. When Qingwan grows up, she will also be able to protect her family.”

The innate Saintly Body is most suitable for dual cultivation, even helping someone break through the Xiānrén Jìng, thus stepping into the Ascension Realm.

If Miss Xu learns the sword, she must leave the Xu Guo Mansion and have no ties whatsoever with it.

When Wang Xuan’s jade finger left Qingwan’s brow, there appeared a white floral mark:

“For the next six years, Big Sister will remain in the royal capital, and Qingwan must not leave the capital either. If Qingwan encounters any danger, Big Sister will sense it and immediately appear by Qingwan’s side. After six years, Big Sister will come to fetch Qingwan, and at that time, Qingwan may become an apprentice.”

Xu Ming planned to run in the courtyard.

Chen Suyan was making pastries for Xu Ming in the kitchen.

Seeing how the old lady and father were scolding her, Qin Qingwan pouted, large tears welling up in her eyes, ready to cry again.

Wang Xuan patted Qingwan’s head to console her, then walked over to Xu Snow.

The Heavenly Black Goose nodded, then tapped its chest with its wings and “ga ga ga” called out a few times.

Wang Xuan placed her hand on Xu Snow’s head. After a while, Wang Xuan opened her eyes and looked at the young girl: “Unexpectedly, I encountered an Innate Sword Bone here.”

“Hmm…” Listening to Wang Xuan’s words, Phoenix’s cheeks turned pale again.

The people of the Xu family also had complex expressions.

Although unseen, Qin Qingwan felt as if there was a very beautiful little flower on her brow.

Wang Xuan glanced at Phoenix.

Just a single look made Phoenix involuntarily shiver, feeling as if she were being seen through entirely.

Wang Xuan shook her head: “If Qingwan wants to follow Big Sister now, she can do so. She can also follow Big Sister when she turns nine. If Qingwan agrees, starting today, Qingwan belongs to the Heavenly Profound Gate. The gate will ensure that neither Qingwan nor Qingwan’s family will be in danger.”

Wang Xuan nodded: “Of course you can. You can show it to whoever you want.”

Everyone dispersed, and Xu Ming returned to his own courtyard.

Xu Ming’s eyebrows twitched: “Then I really thank you.”

The Heavenly Black Goose proudly stretched its long neck and nodded: “Ga ga ga (you’re my junior, it’s natural).”