Early morning as the golden crow cawed and spread it wings to soar; the world slowly welcomed a new day.

In an elegant room, a woman who like fantasy slowly sat up on her bed and rubbed her temples.

In a small room with background of panda chuckles, an old man looked kind and elegant as he dressed himself for a new day.

In another small adjacent to his room, another teenager slowly sat up and let out a long yawn and heartlessly scratched his head and muffled his hair.

In another small room at the distant plateau of emptiness, a middle-aged man had saggy eyes as he rubbed his eyes and let out a shriek when a potion was completed.

It seemed as any other morning or so it was for most people.

But for others, this may be a day of new beginning.

Zi Yang had already finished brushing when Mama Mei came up with breakfast.

Everyone cleaned up and ate breakfast in silence.

Zi Ming was still sleepy and was partly sleep fed by Mama Mei.

Baize was dressed elegantly and seemed to have important issues to deal with.

When he looked at Zi Yang, he found that he didn’t seem to have any concern on his face and was as heartless as ever.

He could only urge him to eat faster – to get ready.

Zi Yang received the signal and picked up his speed.

Mama Mei asked in concern, “What happened Lord Bai, why are you both speeding up your breakfast? Anything to do today?”

Zi Yang said, “Void Empress wants to accept me as her disciple. I’m going to meet her today.”

Baize was dumbfounded.

Should you say that in such a relaxed tone with a mouth full of food.

Do you have a sense of ceremony?

Mama Mei, on the other hand, laughed softly. Obviously, she thought Zi Yang was joking.

Considering that he could still joke, she felt much more at ease.

She also urged in cooperation while feeding Zi Ming, “Off you go then, don’t let her wait for you.”

Zi Yang nodded and went to his room to get dressed.

Baize waited for him in the center room.

After a while, they both walked to Aunt Jing’s home.

Or to be more specifically, the Void Empress’ study.

Baize knocked softly.

“Come in”, came a voice.

Baize opened the door and signaled for Zi Yang to enter while he waited outside the room.

Dark Void had already finished serving snacks.

When she saw Zi Yang walking in, she also walked out – giving enough privacy for the two people to talk.

“Sit down first, Zi Yang.”

The Void Empress said and Zi Yang of course, complied.

For a few minutes after sitting, there was an awkward silence.

Neither the Void Empress, not Zi Yang knew how to start a conversation.

But strangely neither of them felt anything uncomfortable with the environment.

It was Zi Yang who spoke first, “Void Empress, thank you for considering me as a candidate for discipleship. Sir Baize told me about it, last night.”

Void Empress followed, “So what do you think?”

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Zi Yang has always found Aunt Jing’s conversations particularly short. He used to think that maybe she was introverted.

Now he thinks that may be true, or maybe she has become accustomed to speaking little.

As one may think, Void Empress’ orders could be completed swiftly and she has capable subordinates to understand well.

Stopping himself from digressing, Zi Yang said, “I would be honored to be your student, Empress.”

Void Empress has also seen the world. How could she not even sense the change of word? There is a difference between being a student and being a disciple.

But she did not push it straight away.

She asked instead, “What do you think is the relationship between a master and disciple?”

Zi Yang was also very calm and said, “I think it is like family. A master is like a parent and a disciple like a child.

A child should confess when he does wrong and a parent should forgive when he does.”

In the beginning, the void empress felt a little emotional when she heard Zi Yang say that the relationship between a master and disciple is like that of a parent and a child.

She had lost her parents early and even that useless old woman did not fulfill her promise to see her shine. She also left early.

Since then, she has only had subordinates – never family.

She could also count the number of friends left on one hand.

But when Zi Yang started talking about roles of a parent and child, she knew this kid was unconsciously showing his cunning again.

She allowed it though.

Why?

Can’t a child even behave like himself in front of his own parent?

She listened with gusto as Zi Yang explained why he duped the trut and Baize…

And she smiled in relief as she heard him thanking for her help and apologizing for the mischief.

After a while when Zi Yang stopped, the Void Empress stood up and walked to the window again.

She has developed this habit – an evasion technique.

When she has to talk about something which she does not prefer to say, she wants to walk around trees and under fresh wind.

That is why near inside her workstation in the Void Palace, is an open space where she raises water type arowanas, lotuses and other beasts along with some plants which make up for a natural ambience.

It brings her peace.

“I know what you want to ask me about. You want to know why I picked you.”

Zi Yang was not surprised that the void empress could figure out what he was thinking.

It was only obvious.

She said, “When I examined you at your birth, I found an enormous energy in your body.”

Just one sentence to make Zi Yang tense up. He knew it was this energy that kept him from having difficulty walking in the early years and the same energy which strengthen his body.

He then heard the Void Empress chuckle and said, “Fret not. I did not find nor did I hope to find the source of it. I was merely curious about you who had such energy instead of the energy itself.

So, in the initial years I stayed to observe you and see how different you were from others.

Slowly as I recognized your strength and character, I developed a love for talent and wanted to accept you as my disciple.”

Zi Yang did not expect Void empress to be so candid about that energy. The fact that she did not feel curious about the vastly different energy but about the person proves her innate nature is flawless.

This encouraged Zi Yang and he couldn’t help but ask another of his doubt, “Then why accept me as a disciple before ensuring that I could sense spiritual qi. Why not wait until the awakening ceremony?”

This time, the Void Empress slowly turned around and took a deep look at him.

She walked to him and stretched her hand…

Somehow, Zi Yang thought that she was going to hit him so he instinctively closed his eyes.

Soon a mellow fragrance wafted to nose.

He opened his eyes and saw the void empress was first fixed his sleepy hair and then adjusted his collar.

She then said, “I already knew that you sensed spiritual qi yesterday.”

Zi Yang was now literally horrified.

He did not have anyone around him when he sensed qi.

He was sure there was no time for anyone to observe him.

Seeing his horrified expression, Void empress did not keep him in suspense and revealed, “I was feeling uneasy yesterday and used a one-time means to deduce the reason. It was then I deduced that you sensed spiritual energy.

As for why not wait until your awakening ceremony…”

Speaking of this, even now – she could not help but pause.

She still finished it though, “it was because I felt that I might not be qualified to accept you as my disciple after your awakening.”

There. She said it.

“You must know if you accept to become my disciple now, you would surely get my support and as you said we would be family, but correspondingly, a part of luck will also be transferred to me and a part of mine to you.

But considering that an emperor level powerhouse can feel her inability to accept you as a disciple when the energy inside you fully manifests, you can imagine that the luck you gained might not make for the loss.”

Zi Yang can guarantee that he has never been left dumbfounded, shocked, horrified, touched so many times in one day, and by the same person.

Even though he could guess the reason, he still asked, “Why tell me so much?”

Sure enough, the empress’ reply was similar to what he guessed.

“You said that the relationship between a master and disciple is that of family. In a family, sincerity is the foundation and trust, the pillar. Sincerity begets trust.”