Upon hearing her father's words, Qin Yue's expression immediately turned solemn. Her originally pale face gathered a bit of vigor, and her eyes revealed a decisive look.
"Yes, Father!"
Qin Yue bowed with a clasped fist, then turned to Guan Hao and said, "Elder Guan, even if Qin Yue strived in the past, in truth, I hardly caught your eye. You never truly imparted any cultivation techniques to me, so...Today, Qin Yue shall sever this nominal master-disciple relationship. I hope Elder Guan can understand!"
"Good, good..." Elder Guan trembled with anger. Honestly, he hadn't expected Qin Yue and her father to be so resolute.
Then, he sneered, "Very well. Since that's the case, I agree to it. But remember this, the Great Qian Martial Institute won't miss one Qin Yue. And you, Qin Yue, from today onward, will have no hope of ever setting foot in the Great Qian Martial Institute again in this lifetime."
After saying that, Guan Hao huffed coldly and left with his sleeves fluttering.
"It doesn't matter, Yue'er, such a master is not worth keeping!" Qin Tong comforted.
"Mm!" Qin Yue nodded, yet the disappointment in her eyes was hard to conceal.
It wasn't because she regretted losing Guan Hao as her master, but because she lamented losing the opportunity to practice at the Great Qian Martial Institute.
For most young men and women in the Great Qian Dynasty, being able to study at the Great Qian Martial Institute was their greatest childhood dream.
"Cough cough..."
Just then, Bai Qiuhe, who had been quietly drinking, cleared his throat and said, "Young lady, your name is Qin Yue, right? Are you willing to become my direct disciple under Bai Qiuhe?"
"What?"
Qin Yue was taken aback.
Qin Tong, Qin Qing, and the others looked at Bai Qiuhe in surprise as well.
Especially Qin Yue, who had studied at the Great Qian Martial Institute herself, she might recognize Bai Qiuhe and know of Bai Qiuhe's standing within the Institute. Qin Tong, Qin Qing, and the others might not recognize Bai Qiuhe or be aware of the respect he commands within the Great Qian Martial Institute.
But she was very clear about it!
However, Qin Qing and Qin Tong did remember that Guan Hao had to address Bai Qiuhe as "Senior Brother Bai" in his presence and did so with considerable respect.
From these signs, it was not hard to deduce that Bai Qiuhe's status in the Great Qian Martial Institute was definitely above Guan Hao's.
And furthermore!
Bai Qiuhe was talking about taking Qin Yue as a formal disciple!
What did it mean to be a formal disciple?
It meant having a true disciple identity!
Bai Qiuhe would personally guide Qin Yue in her cultivation.
Moreover, whenever Qin Yue encountered trouble outside, she could invoke the name of Bai Qiuhe, who would then help solve her problems.
In addition, within the Great Qian Martial Institute, the identity of a formal disciple of Bai Qiuhe meant much greater privileges than those of an ordinary student, with a completely different level of cultivation resources available to them each month!
"What? Do you not wish to?" Bai Qiuhe's face showed a faint smile.
This middle-aged man with white hair, clearly of an age beyond doubt, had skin as smooth and tender as a baby's. His smile was gentle and appealing as well.
"No, Disciple is willing, of course willing!"
Qin Yue quickly knelt down and performed a kowtow as a sign of respect to Bai Qiuhe.
"This..." Qin Tong, who was standing by, seemed to be in a state of shock. It wasn't until his daughter knelt down that he came to his senses, hurriedly standing up and bowing his hands, "Elder Bai, I'm truly grateful that you are willing to take my daughter as your formal disciple..."
Bai Qiuhe waved his hand, "I'm quite fond of this little girl, she's sentimental and loyal."
However, after Bai Qiuhe finished speaking, his gaze shifted toward Qin Qing, coincidentally meeting with Qin Qing's slightly puzzled look.
What confused Qin Qing even more was that Bai Qiuhe actually nodded at him, his eyes seemingly carrying a hint of—proactive friendliness?
Yes, that's right!
Proactive friendliness.
But why would an elder with a significant reputation at the Great Qian Martial Institute take the initiative to show goodwill toward him?
Could it be...
As Qin Qing pondered in confusion, Mu Yunlan was already approaching gracefully.
"Elder Bai, I apologize for the embarrassment," Mu Yunlan bowed to Bai Qiuhe and Jiang Ruorong, and then pointed at Qin Qing, "He indeed had an engagement with me, but the engagement will soon be a thing of the past."
"Oh? Why is that?" Bai Qiuhe asked with a faint smile, "Since the two of you have an engagement, shouldn't you honor it?"
Mu Yunlan smiled, "Elder Bai really knows how to joke. In Yunlan's view, choosing a life partner should naturally mean choosing someone who can accompany one throughout the journey. Even if the two cannot walk together until the end, at least they should be on the same level, and for a considerable time, be able to support each other...
"And he, Qin Qing, is not worthy of me. The saying goes, a dragon does not live with a snake. Elder Bai, you should understand this principle! Now, let's leave this seat, Elder Guan, it's not suitable for someone of your esteemed status..."
Bai Qiuhe said with a light smile, "There is no need. Miss Mu, it seems our beliefs are quite different. I think that one should honor an engagement if there is one, for a person who lacks credibility cannot establish themselves. One cannot break an engagement simply because the other person lacks talent.
"Otherwise, how is that different from someone who prospers and then discards their humble spouse? Besides, I find this seat quite comfortable, Miss Mu, please do as you please..."
Mu Yunlan frowned slightly, feeling a touch of displeasure rising in her heart. She had taken the initiative to come and invite Bai Qiuhe to take the chief seat, but she did not expect that Bai Qiuhe would not give her any face and even accused her of breaking an engagement inappropriately.
But remembering that Bai Qiuhe was an elder of unusual standing within the Great Qian Martial Institute, Mu Yunlan suppressed her anger.
At the same time, she thought to herself that perhaps Bai Qiuhe was disfavoring her because she had chosen Jun Jiulin as her master.
Nevertheless, she resolved that during the imperial city Martial Institute's assessment, she must perform well and show Bai Qiuhe the power of a Seventh Rank Martial Soul...
With that, Mu Yunlan turned and left, but before she had gone far, she heard a clear voice from behind.
Jiang Ruorong seemed to be speaking to herself, "Since ancient times, it's been said a dragon does not dwell with a snake, but who is to say who is the snake, and who is the dragon... that is yet to be determined..."
Mu Yunlan paused in her stride, a pensive look crossing her face, but she sneered and quickened her pace leaving.
At this moment, Bai Qiuhe finally stood up with a smile and said to Qin Qing with cupped hands, "Qin Qing, let's get formally acquainted, I am Bai Qiuhe from the Great Qian Martial Institute! This is my direct disciple, Jiang Ruorong!"
Jiang Ruorong also rose to her feet, giving Qin Qing a faint smile.
"Uh? Elder Bai, Miss Jiang, hello!" Qin Qing responded politely but remained perplexed.
"Big brother, Elder Bai is one of the most formidable elders in our Martial Institute, and as for Sister Jiang, she is said to be the top female disciple in the West Courtyard, and has always been my idol!" Qin Yue said with a smile.
"Qin Qing... I think I already know a bit about your situation. Whether you are a genius or a good-for-nothing, I have my own assessment."
This statement from Bai Qiuhe made Qin Qing's heart tremble involuntarily.
It seemed that his guess wasn't wrong, Bai Qiuhe must have learnt about his Martial Soul talent.
"That's right," Bai Qiuhe continued, "You and your sister have relied on each other these past years, which has certainly been difficult. However, your sister's condition cannot be delayed any longer, her illness, I can treat, and I am willing to lend a hand to help you!"
"What?" Qin Qing couldn't help but look joyful, and Xiao Shuang beside him also showed a delighted expression.
Bai Qiuhe continued to look at Qin Qing and said in a lowered voice, "I have only one condition. Pass the upcoming assessment and join the Great Qian Martial Institute! I, Bai Qiuhe, will take you on as my closed-door disciple!"