"Zhuqing, what do you think?"
A Peach Blossom Branch helped Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuyu to their feet. He didn't give an immediate response, instead turning his gaze to Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing bowed to her teacher in a Disciple's salute, gritting her teeth as she spoke:
"Teacher, for personal reasons, I wish to beg you to let Eldest Sister and Third Sister stay. But as your Disciple, I cannot interfere with your decision on whether to keep Third Sister and Eldest Sister. I leave this matter entirely to your judgment, Teacher."
"However, this matter ultimately stems from me. Regardless of whether you, Teacher, are willing to let Third Sister and Eldest Sister stay, I... want to return to the Star Luo Empire once, to completely sever this matter. I ask for your permission, Teacher."
"Granted."
Hearing this, Su Ran smiled faintly and sat down casually on the stone stool beneath the peach tree:
"Your teacher was waiting for those very words."
"Teacher... so you support my return." Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily stunned.
She had thought that, given her teacher's temperament, he would be unwilling to let her go back and stir up trouble, adding unnecessary Karma.
"Why wouldn't I support it?"
"If you can sever Karma and detach from worldly affairs during this trip, it will greatly benefit your future Cultivation. With no further attachments behind you, you can focus wholeheartedly on your practice. This is not wanton slaughter, but establishing your own destiny and resolving your predicament."
"But you must remember, on this return, you may kill arrogant nobles, you may kill rampant royalty, but you must not indiscriminately slaughter commoners. You must absolutely maintain your reason and not let slaughter cloud your true heart."
Su Ran's earnest teachings sank into Zhu Zhuqing's heart, and she nodded vigorously:
"I will strictly follow your teachings, Teacher!"
"Senior Sister Rongrong, could I trouble you to help deliver Lingling's Cultivation equipment?"
Zhu Zhuqing requested of Ning Rongrong.
Upon their return this time, Zhu Zhuqing should have stayed with Ye Lingling in Slaughter City. However, having been away from the academy for a long time, they hadn't brought much of their Cultivation equipment with them. She had returned to fetch her own and Lingling's belongings to settle in Slaughter City, never expecting to encounter this situation.
Ning Rongrong nodded. "Don't worry, Zhuqing, go ahead. I'll deliver Lingling's things. It works out, as I also need to discuss with the Sect about supplying food to Slaughter City."
Slaughter City was a sizable city. The daily food and supply needs of the thousands of Spirit Masters within it were indeed difficult for ordinary forces to handle. Of course, if managed properly, it could also generate considerable income.
After all, those Spirit Ancestor, Spirit King, and even Spirit Saint scoundrels could work sewing machines several times faster than commoners.
It was at this moment that Su Ran spoke calmly:
"Rongrong, pour the tea. Two cups."
A flicker of something crossed Ning Rongrong's pupils, but she complied.
When Ning Rongrong wasn't afflicted by her infatuation addiction, she was quite clever.
Without needing further instruction from her teacher, she proactively handed the two cups of Peach blossom tea to Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuyu.
A momentary look of confusion appeared in Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuyu's eyes.
Ning Rongrong let out a soft sigh and reminded them:
"What are you standing there for? Hurry and offer the tea to the teacher, Junior Sisters~"
"Our Peach Garden Academy has never taken in maidservants. The teacher said everyone is equal. Those who stay at Peach Garden Academy are only one of three types: either guests, staff, or students."
"Which one are you? Have you thought it through clearly?"
Having grown up in an imperial noble family and as the eldest sister, Zhu Zhuyun was accustomed to subtle schemes. She immediately understood and quickly knelt, respectfully performing the tea-offering ritual to Su Ran:
"Teacher, please accept the tea!"
"Teacher, please accept the tea!"
Third Sister Zhu Zhuyu followed her elder sister Zhu Zhuyun in offering the tea, kneeling before Su Ran.
[Ding~]
[Detected host taking Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuyu sisters as Disciples, gathering all three sisters. Reward: All spirit ring and Spirit Bone ages increased by 500 years, spirit power slightly increased, three opportunities to draw secret techniques...]
Su Ran calmly accepted the Peach blossom tea from Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuyu's hands respectively, took a sip, then placed the cups on the stone table beside him, saying:
"Today, having offered the tea of apprenticeship, you are now my Disciples."
"As my Disciples, as long as you abide by your duties and adhere to the academy rules, I will naturally protect you with all my strength when you encounter danger in the future. Even if the Star Luo Royal Family comes demanding your return, your teacher will not abandon you."
"However, I have stated before that the quota for Core Disciples is full, and I have no spare attention to take more. Therefore, you can only be Named Disciples. Those sitting cross-legged behind you are all your Senior Sisters. Do you have any complaints?"
After Su Ran finished speaking, Zhu Zhuyun shook her head:
"Absolutely no complaints. For Third Sister and me, being able to stay at the academy is already a great fortune. We are perfectly content being Named Disciples."
Only now did Zhu Zhuyun's emotions begin to improve.
The anxiety she had felt before was known only to herself. How she had feared that Zhu Zhuqing held a grudge and would speak ill of her to Teacher Su. She had been terribly worried about being driven out.
Now, she could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Looking at the beautiful Peach Blossom Forest around them, at the youthful and beautiful Senior Sisters gathered nearby, and at their ethereal, peerless teacher, bright smiles broke out on Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuyu's faces. Their hearts shouted:
Peach Garden Academy, this is Peach Garden Academy!
The champion academy of the All-Continent Elite Soul Master Competition!
From now on, they too were members of this academy!
Could they become as strong as Second Sister (Second Younger Sister)?
This place was truly magical, full of a sense of belonging.
At this moment, both Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuyu faintly felt:
Their lives were about to embark on a new beginning.
"Junior Sisters, I am the Fourth Senior Sister, Meng Yiran. I'm very happy you've joined. If there's anything you don't understand at the academy in the future, you can come to me for help."
"I am the Fifth Senior Sister, Xiao Wu. That's 'Wu' as in dance, yoga dance, not the number five. Zhuqing's sisters, Fifth Senior Sister is looking forward to your performance at the academy! But you must behave properly, don't act recklessly, and most importantly, respect your teacher and honor the Dao!"
Xiao Wu playfully pointed to the most prominent position in front of the school building, where a vertical scroll with four characters hung, instructing her Junior Sisters.
"Junior Sisters, it seems there's still some poison in your bodies. Let me help you detoxify. Remember, I am the Sixth Senior Sister, Dugu Yan."
A girl in a form-fitting, dark purple dress walked up to Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuyu. A small green snake was coiled around her shoulder. Though it looked somewhat intimidating, she immediately identified the Star Luo poison corroding their bodies.
Dugu Yan's small hand merely lightly touched their wounds, and Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuyu felt a warm, cool Qi spread from the contact point, drawing out all the discomfort within their bodies. It was miraculous.
This Peach Garden Academy was full of extraordinary people.
"I'm Shui Bing'er, and my sister is Shui Yueer~"
"And us, we're also Named Disciples. I'm Xue Wu. Very happy you've joined, Junior Sisters~"
The academy's students warmly welcomed Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuyu's arrival. Of course, they were even more delighted for their teacher.
However, the teacher only said calmly to Ning Rongrong and Wang Sheng:
"The academy's Senior Brother and Senior Sister, introduce the academy's situation to your Junior Sisters and arrange their accommodations."
"Zhuqing, Yiran, you two, come with me to the Artifact Refining Pavilion."
Su Ran said calmly, then walked towards a pagoda-like pavilion about five hundred meters from the school building. One side of the pavilion was relatively spacious. High on the pavilion hung a dark black plaque inscribed with three large characters: Artifact Refining Pavilion.
This was a weapon-forging pavilion that Su Ran had spent a fortune on, requesting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to oversee its construction. It was used for researching Hidden Weapons, spiritual tools, and specialized training.
Su Ran had a big treasure to teach them.
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