Wow.

Zi Yang had to take his hats off for the Void Empress.

He had just talked about family and the empress displayed that she already considered him one.

It’d be quite ungrateful for him to refuse now.

He did not see any reason, whatsoever, for refusal.

He did not care that his luck will be shared when he becomes a disciple.

What’s wrong with sharing things with family members?

Moreover, he also gets to enjoy the shade and convenience brought about his identity as the Empress’ disciple.

Even with his insistence on self-reliance, an extra guarantee is enough to provide psychological support and comfort.

Hence. Zi Yang did not think much before saluting and just when he was about to finish his ceremony, he paused again.

Void Empress was also slightly happy at receiving such an outstanding disciple and was content at having received the bow.

When she saw Zi Yang pause, she also felt confused.

What happened now?

Zi Yang scratched his cheek and said, “Ah Empress, Master Meng accepted me as his provisional disciple. He is still working on finding a cure to qi sensing deficiency for me.”

Yes, Zi Yang was concerned for the sweet old man Meng, whom if he remembers correctly, Void Empress had locked up in the plateau of emptiness.

Void Empress rolled his eyes and signaled him to follow him to the drawing room.

She took the lead to go and Zi Yang followed.

In the drawing room, Uncle Baize, Dark Void and Master Meng Yijun were sitting on the sofa drinking tea.

When Zi Yang and Void empress came in, all three stood up.

Master Meng looked quite worked up. He was still in the potion room when he was airlifted and informed about the acceptance of Zi Yang by the Void Empress as a disciple.

Finally, he knew that the Void Empress was the neighborhood lady Jing Huan.

Frankly, he was still questioning if he was tired and fell into a weird dream after passing out.

Void Empress was still the first to say, “Meng Yijun, Zi Yang is here. Sort things out”

Still short.

Zi Yang couldn’t compare the chatty lady back there to the one in the common room now.

Master Meng came to his senses.

He looked at Zi Yang and heartily smiled.

“Congratulations Zi Yang for sensing qi. I have learned from Sir Mystic Void and Madame Dark Void about the Void Empress accepting you as her disciple.

Knowing you, you must have hesitated because of me, right?

Don’t worry, I have nothing to teach you better than the Void Empress. She is a more senior potion master to me.

I’m happy to have you under such capable tutelage.

People should have the ambition to move forward. You only need to remember feelings in your heart. Don’t let them stop your career.”

This time everyone was impressed by Meng Yijun’s integrity.

He was able to acknowledge his shortcomings with such grace.

But Zi Yang did not want to sideline Master Meng just because he got a better teacher.

He knew how much this old man worried for him and how much effort he put up in researching potions for his condition.

So Zi Yang came up with a unique suggestion of his own.

He looked at the Void Empress and hesitated for a moment. He was not sure if she would accept it.

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Void Empress encouraged him to speak, “Go on Zi Yang. You can speak your mind in this room.”

“Empress, why don’t you accept Master Meng as your direct subordinate and have him assist you in my education? So, when I worship you as a true disciple, Master Meng might not have the name but gets the respect of a disciple.”

Dark Void and Baize were both worried for a moment.

Suggesting a direct subordinate is an offensive act in this world. As many professionals depend on their subordinates for various activities and almost share their core competency and professional secrets – it is an incredibly personal choice to choose a direct attendant.

By suggesting Master Meng to this position, Zi Yang might have offended the Empress.

Contrary to everyone expectations, Void empress did not seem to be offended.

She looked at Meng Yijun and said, “Meng Yijun, you have to speed up your potion master qualifications – with your 3-star level, you can neither teach Zi Yang enough nor justify the name for my attendant.”

How could everyone not know that the Empress accepted the suggestion?

Everyone thought, how much did the Empress like this disciple?

Zi Yang also understood.

He did not waste more time.

He bowed and saluted the Void Empress and called, “Master”

Void Empress smiled slightly and it seemed as if the color of the world waned.

Flowers shed their petals and even the noisy winter scorpion-flies stood still in stunned silence out of the window.

Zi Yang was also smitten and unconsciously said, “Master, your smile is beautiful”

Void Empress smiled even more and straightened his collar again.

Then she said, “Let’s keep a small discipleship acceptance ceremony on New Year’s. Together with Zi Ming’s birthday.”

Having said that, she strode away to her study and closed the door.

Only then did the color return.

Baize and Dark Void had never seen their Empress smile such sweetly.

They were even more amazed how Zi Yang could naturally complement her smile and the empress did not have disgust she had always had when she heard other people say that.

Is the relationship between a disciple and master so different?

Baize looked at Dark Void for confirmation.

But seeing her dark face, who would agree to become her disciple.

The kid Zi Ming is only learning music and he has never seen Dark Void smile so much. She couldn’t know.

How could Dark Void not sense the condescension in Mystic Void’s eye roll. She immediately stomped on his foot and went about his own business.

Baize also urged Zi Yang to return home.

Only Master Meng was still standing like a wooden sculpture.

He did not expect a pie would hit on the head today.

……

At home, Zi Yang asked Uncle Baize, “Uncle, will Master reveal her identity on New Year’s Day?”

Baize shook her head and said, “No. She knows you plan to stay in the town until Zi Ming’s awakening so, she won’t make it public till then.”

Zi Yang also breathed a sigh of relief.

He wasn’t prepared for such a huge change in identity until now.

He expected the people who knew him might become alienated if such a huge thing happens overnight.

He was only prepared to tell Mama Mei – not even Zi Ming.

He didn’t want Zi Ming to become even more emboldened or slip it out accidentally.

Then he thought of what preparation to make for the apprenticeship ceremony.

He logged into the void net and roughly checked the customs in this world and was relieved when he saw they were roughly the same.

The disciple had to prepare tea, and an apprenticeship gift for the ceremony.

The list read, common apprenticeship gifts included items they use in their craft – such as a potion resources or expensive potion bottle for potion masters, a decorative sword for sword masters etc.

He sat on the dining chair again to think for a moment.

Then asked Uncle Baize to wait and ran to his room.

Quickly returning, he handed three drawing sheets to Uncle Baize and asked him to get these three dresses ready within three days.

Baize said, “What are these drawings, Young Lord?”

“Uncle Bai, keep calling me young master as you did before. Don’t switch to ‘young lord’. Some perceptive people would notice clues.”

Baize chuckled.

Even if they did, it won’t matter.

But he did not object.

Zi Yang then explained that these were drawings for dresses – one each for Master, Master Meng, and Mama Mei.

This counted as his personal discipleship gift along with the normal gifts.

For Master, he’ll give some of his house produce. She has all resources and doesn’t need anything.

For Master Meng – buy some supplements and mind calming incense.

For the apprenticeship tea, he chose Qihong Gongfu. This is a famous tea from the Qimen district. It is s kind of black tea which has a deep red tea soup and give off a pleasant aroma.

It is said that this tea can help user become humble and insightful. It is one of his favorite teas.

As for why he did not have drawings for Uncle Baize – for a very practical reason – he did not have any more drawings in his head.

Even for Master Meng’s design, he pieced together some from his and Zi Ming’s designs.

With that, he went to Mama Mei and informed her about all the details.

Thankfully, Zi Ming was not at him then so he could inform Mama Mei in peace.

Mama Mei’s reaction was also expected.

But she accepted it after some surprise.

Hence, began a four day wait for New Years’ eve.

And with it, began extensive preparations.