Aozang Mountain Summit
The Adeptus of Cloud Retainer looked at Ling Feng and Shenhe, scolding, "Shenhe, Ling Feng, why are you fighting?"
When she had arrived just now, she had seen them drawing swords against each other in the sky.
Ling Feng was her newly accepted disciple today, and truly her first disciple in every sense of the word. Although Shenhe had not formally acknowledged her as master, Cloud Retainer treated Shenhe as she would any disciple. Both could be considered her disciples.
Now, her two disciples were drawing swords against each other. If the other Adepti were to find out, where would Cloud Retainer's face be? How would the other Adepti perceive her?
Ling Feng was about to speak first to explain the situation before Shenhe could. He didn't know Shenhe's temperament or character. If Shenhe were to exaggerate and accuse first, he would have to expend a great deal of effort to explain.
Ling Feng opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Shenhe spoke first.
"Master, is he also your disciple?"
Cloud Retainer nodded at this. "Yes, Ling Feng is the disciple I accepted today. If you count, Ling Feng is also the first formal disciple under my tutelage."
"Master, since that is the case, then this matter is entirely my fault."
Ling Feng was stunned, his face filled with surprise. He had initially planned to interrupt if Shenhe didn't tell the truth. Who would have thought Shenhe would take full responsibility?
"Oh, tell me the reason for the matter."
Shenhe nodded and began to describe what had happened earlier.
"When I returned from my senior, the Adeptus of the Lily Chamber today, I saw someone on Aozang Mountain. Master, you enjoy quiet cultivation, and I feared he might disturb you, so I went forward to ask him to leave."
"Only then did I discover that the person's clothes were stained with blood. Not knowing good from bad, I intended to intimidate him and inquire about his identity."
"But he actually claimed to be your disciple. I didn't know Master had accepted a new disciple and thought he was someone who would use Master's immortal title to deceive others. I intended to capture him first and hand him over to you for handling. Then, just as we began to fight, you appeared and stopped us."
"I am very sorry, junior brother. It was my impetuosity that almost injured you." After explaining the reason, Shenhe looked at Ling Feng and apologized. Her tone was no longer as cold and indifferent as before; there was a hint of softness.
Cloud Retainer, standing beside them, noticed the change in Shenhe's tone and a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. But she quickly suppressed it, looking at the two of them with a calm expression.
Ling Feng and Shenhe didn't notice the change in Cloud Retainer's gaze.
"It's alright, Senior Sister Shenhe. You were also acting for Master's honor. Besides, you didn't know me at the time, so your actions are understandable. You didn't injure me either. We can consider it 'not knowing each other until we fight'."
Since Shenhe had apologized and explained the reason, Ling Feng was not petty. He couldn't just hold onto it. They were from the same sect.
Being overly stingy would only make one disliked. Moreover, Ling Feng's nature was straightforward. As long as the other party didn't cross his bottom line, he was easy to talk to. In simple terms, he was an honest person.
"It seems you have reconciled. Then this matter is dropped."
Seeing that Ling Feng and Shenhe had reconciled, Cloud Retainer was relieved. She didn't want to dwell on this matter any further.
"Ling Feng, the bloodstains on your body are... are you alright?"
"Master, this is the blood of a wicked person. I am fine now."
"Good. Since the matter is concluded, you should formally introduce yourselves to each other."
Ling Feng nodded and introduced himself first. "My name is Ling Feng. I am from another world. Due to an accident, I arrived in Teyvat. I don't know how to return yet. If nothing unexpected happens, I will likely be staying in Teyvat for a long time. I hope you will take care of me in the future."
"From beyond the world? I've heard Master mention before that Teyvat has some travelers from beyond the world. However, since I've never left the mountains, this is my first time seeing one."
"My name is Shenhe. Master adopted me in my childhood. Since then, I have lived in seclusion with Master, learning immortal arts. If you have any questions about cultivation, you can ask me. I will teach you everything I know."
Ling Feng: "Yes, thank you."
Shenhe suddenly remembered something and looked at Cloud Retainer.
"Master, should I call Ling Feng senior brother or junior brother from now on?"
"Hmm, this question. Shenhe, although you are nominally my disciple, you are not a formal disciple. According to the rules, Ling Feng should be your senior brother."
"But according to the order of succession, you should be Ling Feng's senior sister," Cloud Retainer's slightly ethereal voice sounded.
Ling Feng was stunned.
What! Let me be the senior brother?
No! Absolutely not!
Being the eldest was never good. Before his transmigration, he was the eldest among his siblings, always having to let his younger brothers and sisters have their way, and he got the leftovers. It was exhausting.
This time, he would absolutely be the junior brother!
Not even Jesus could stop him!
"Master, Senior Sister Shenhe followed Master for cultivation before me. It is only natural for her to be the senior sister. I will be the junior brother," Ling Feng hurriedly said, afraid it would be decided in the next second.
He would have nowhere to cry if that happened.
"No, Master once said that without rules, nothing can be done properly. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to seniority, which is very important," Shenhe said with a serious tone.
"Indeed. If Li Shui and Xiao Yue knew, they would scold me for not understanding etiquette. This matter must be handled according to the rules," Cloud Retainer nodded.
Ling Feng heard this and felt as if struck by lightning.
It was over!
Liyue was much like ancient China, with a great emphasis on etiquette. Therefore, his hope of being the junior was nonexistent.
"No!!"
"I don't want it!!!"
"Isn't a beautiful senior sister more appealing?"
"Let me experience the joy of being the youngest!!!"
Deep within Ling Feng's heart, a small Ling Feng was kneeling on the ground, cradling his head with both hands, shouting to the heavens with all his might.
However, Cloud Retainer changed the subject and looked at Shenhe seriously.
"But Shenhe, you have been cultivating with me for nearly twenty years and have always been my nominal disciple. Today, your status should be formalized, otherwise, if Xiao Yue and the others were to find out, they would definitely criticize me."
"I had thought about this before, but there was no good opportunity to mention it to you. Today is a good opportunity."
"From now on, Shenhe, you will be a formal disciple of me, Cloud Retainer. According to seniority, you are Ling Feng's senior sister. In the future, if Ling Feng encounters difficulties in his cultivation, you must guide him."
Ling Feng, whose expression had been as if he had eaten feces, immediately perked up, his face filled with joy. The situation had reversed!
If there were no fireworks, Ling Feng would have set some off to celebrate.
"Master."
Shenhe did not expect Cloud Retainer to do this and was a little caught off guard. But after realizing it, she was about to say something when she was quickly interrupted.
"Alright, there's no need to say more. This matter ends here."
"Ling Feng is new here and is still very unfamiliar with the continent of Teyvat. You are responsible for telling him everything you know," Cloud Retainer said with a firm tone.
"Yes, Master." Shenhe knew Cloud Retainer was serious, so she could only agree.
"Speaking of which, I know many amusing stories from Shenhe's childhood. If Ling Feng..."
"There's no need for that," Shenhe quickly stopped Cloud Retainer from continuing.
"Hmph, one after another, both of you are like this. Fine, then I won't say it. I, your master, will return to my grotto-heaven now." Cloud Retainer snorted in dissatisfaction, turned around, and flew back into the immortal grotto-heaven within the rock face.
Ling Feng and Shenhe stood in place, silently watching Cloud Retainer disappear from sight.
For some reason, Ling Feng felt that Shenhe was worried about him knowing something. Although there was no evidence, he had a feeling in his heart.
"It's probably just my imagination," Ling Feng thought to himself.
"Alright, Junior Brother Ling Feng, I'll start by telling you about the continent of Teyvat," Shenhe turned to Ling Feng and said.
"Mm," Ling Feng nodded. Although he had played Genshin Impact and knew a little bit here and there, he had transmigrated now, and he knew that information about the continent of Teyvat could not be revealed.
The two of them didn't leave but sat by the lake, chatting slowly.
However, they didn't know that Cloud Retainer had not immediately returned to her grotto-heaven. Instead, she stood on a cliff, using an immortal art to cast a spell that seemed to shield senses, quietly watching Ling Feng and Shenhe communicate, muttering to herself.
"It seems there's a chance to resolve Shenhe's situation."