When the mentor's building was upgraded to level 8, Chu You learned that as a mentor, he had a total of three apprentice slots. Each apprentice must reach level 100 before they can graduate and only then can the apprentice become a mentor themselves, guiding players who are under level 100.
It must be stressed again, during this period, an apprentice who has not graduated cannot become a mentor, no matter what happens. Whether the mentor-apprentice relationship is dissolved by the mentor or severed by guild reasons, an apprentice of a mentor cannot become a mentor until they have reached level 100.
The same rules apply to mentors. Once a mentor takes on an apprentice, they cannot become the apprentice of another, higher-level mentor. If a mentor wishes to become an apprentice, they must first ensure that all of their current apprentices have graduated - this is a prerequisite!