Reunion with the Naughty Child

Zi Lin's visit to the mountain this time was to help Zhu Yao complete her sect entry procedures and receive her identity jade token. In Qiugu Sect, all newly admitted disciples had to undergo a month of receiving knowledge about the sect, then begin training… After a period, the various peaks would select a few disciples with good talent to become their personal disciples. The remaining unselected disciples would be arranged as outer disciples. After they advanced to Foundation Establishment, they would then enter the inner sect. However, these disciples were not guaranteed to be accepted as core disciples by the various peak masters. Originally, Zhu Yao also had to go through these steps sequentially, but due to her special spiritual root, she was immediately accepted as a disciple, and a core disciple at that.
Zi Lin looked at the mark on Zhu Yao's glabella with endless admiration. That mark was an Immortal Seal, signifying a core disciple. He couldn't help but secretly wish he had such a mark. For cultivators, they usually only had one core disciple, unless that disciple died, they would not accept another core disciple. But who told her she had a Lightning Spiritual Root?!
Since Zhu Yao didn't know how to ride a sword, Zi Lin had no other choice but to take out a large leaf, then carried her towards a distant high mountain.
"Grand Martial Uncle, please come this way."
Zi Lin led Zhu Yao into a great hall. His respectful attitude made Zhu Yao feel embarrassed.
"You can just call me Zhu Yao." Being called "Martial Uncle" by someone her age felt strange.
Zi Lin could only give a wry smile, not daring to refute or agree. He walked directly to the hall steward, then gave a few instructions.
This elderly steward, already advanced in years, immediately became nervous upon hearing this. He knelt down from a distance and performed a grand bow, then called out:
"Grand Martial Uncle-Ancestor!"
Zhu Yao: "…"
"Grand Martial Uncle doesn't need to mind. In the Cultivation World, cultivation is respected. You worship Venerable Yu Yan as your Master, so you will find this kind of thing normal in the future."
Zi Lin offered a few words of comfort, then led her to sit on a chair at the front, after which he dismissed the elderly steward. He then continued to explain to her:
"The identity jade token for Yu Lin Peak will take some time to complete, so please wait here for a moment, Martial Uncle."
Zhu Yao nodded. She sat on the chair, curiously observing her surroundings. This place must be specifically for handling external affairs and diplomacy, so there weren't many people. Occasionally, two disciples would pass by, salute Zi Lin, then continue towards the central counter. They would hand something over to the counter attendant, then leave.
"This is where disciples receive and announce missions."
Seeing her interest, Zi Lin pointed to the boards hanging on all four walls and explained:
"Normally, the sect will announce some missions. Anyone with the ability can accept a mission. After completing it, they will receive a corresponding amount of sect contribution points. They will use those contribution points to exchange for items they desire from the treasury."
So it was a trading post, Zhu Yao's eyes lit up with feigned understanding.
More people came forward to salute Zi Lin. Some called him Martial Uncle, some called him Martial Uncle-Ancestor. After paying their respects, some also looked towards Zhu Yao, but no one asked anything.
Fortunately, Zi Lin didn't explain her identity to these people, otherwise, she would have to watch a bunch of old and young people call her ancestor, which she truly couldn't accept. However, Zi Lin's status seemed quite high. She wondered which True Person's disciple he was, hopefully not from Dan Peak. She didn't want to be on their blacklist and unable to joke around with people from Dan Peak.
"Martial Uncle Zi!"
As she was thinking, someone suddenly approached, looking very urgent, as if they had run all the way. The person glanced at Zhu Yao, then leaned close to Zi Lin and whispered a few words. Just a moment ago, Zi Lin was calm and composed, but he suddenly changed expression and stood up seriously.
"Grand Martial Uncle, something has happened at Sword Peak. What do you think…"
"You go. I'll wait here."
Zhu Yao waved her hand.
Zi Lin hesitated for a moment, then went to instruct the hall disciple, telling the steward to bring her back later. After speaking, he led the newly arrived disciple out the door.
Zhu Yao waited for about half an hour, but the steward didn't come. It seemed that the identity jade token indeed took a long time. She was about to walk around a bit when, as soon as she stepped out the door, she saw a group of familiar-looking radish sprouts approaching. Especially the one walking with his head down at the very front. Wasn't that naughty round-faced child the son of Physician Wang?!?
"It's you!"
Little friend Wang Ci Zhi also saw Zhu Yao in front, and his eyes instantly lit up. He rushed over like a bullet. Zhu Yao spread her arms, intending to embrace him. The red-headed radish, speeding so fast, screeched to a halt right in front of her. He stared at her, then his small mouth opened, fiercely lecturing her:
"Where did you run off to?!? I… I've been looking for you for half a day. I'm telling you, if you die, I… I… I won't look for you anymore! Hmph!"
Ugh… This child seemed to be speaking incoherently. One moment he said he looked for half a day, the next he said he wouldn't look for her anymore. Zhu Yao awkwardly retracted her hands from the empty space, then gently stroked the little friend's head. It seemed this naughty child was still worried about her!
Seeing that small, bun-like face about to stream with tears, Zhu Yao instantly softened, and her mind became a tangled mess. She squatted down, pinching his small, pretty face:
"Why are you crying? Haven't I been here all along? You seem quite worried about me, huh?!?"
Wang Ci Zhi was stunned, instantly flushed with anger, huffed and said:
"Who's worried about you? If you weren't going to marry me in the future, I would have ignored you long ago! My father said that if you suddenly disappear, it means you're no longer pure."
Zhu Yao went crazy, pinching his pretty face a few times. Your head is not pure! Indeed, a naughty child wouldn't be at peace without a beating a day.
"Ow, ow, ow…"
The naughty child desperately tried to pull her hand away, but unfortunately failed.
Zhu Yao pinched to her heart's content, then released her hand from that small, pretty, flushed face. Then she pointed to a row of radish heads in the back and asked:
"What are you all doing here??"
Little friend Wang rubbed his small face with both hands, replying aggrievedly:
"Senior Brother Qin led us here to receive our identity jade tokens."
He pointed to a young man who was directing the children to line up.
So they were also here to get their identity cards. Zhu Yao wanted to ask what they had been doing these past two days. Then she saw these red-headed radish sprouts making a boisterous commotion. And one red-headed radish was pushed to the ground.
Then a chubby child rode on top of the fallen red-headed radish, waving his fists, while a little girl beside him sobbed and whimpered. The other children present became nervous, no one dared to approach to stop them, even the one leading this group turned his face away, acting as if it had nothing to do with him.
"What are you doing!"
Before Zhu Yao could understand the situation, the little friend beside her ran out and shouted, successfully making the fighting child stop.
Little friend Wang angrily walked over, pointed at the chubby child, and asked:
"Zhao Xiao Pan, why are you hitting people???"
Little Pan seemed unconvinced, but still punched the child, then pointed at the dusty child lying on the ground, and said:
"This brat dared to cut into my line, I must teach him a lesson!"
"No, it's not… It's not…"
The little girl sobbing to one side quickly shook her head.
"It's because Little Pan said he wanted to be the first to receive his jade token, and he didn't let me get mine. Big Brother Xiao Yi spoke up to help me."