Chapter 209: Founding Disciple +1
The Back Courtyard.
Within a small garden, a young girl sat alone on a stone bench.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow upon her.
She sat there in perfect stillness, as if cut off from the world—a solitary figure completely out of place amidst her surroundings.
She wore a long black gown with a hem that trailed along the ground, accentuating her slender frame and air of profound solitude.
Her face was veiled behind a layer of black gauze, leaving only her eyes exposed.
A cascade of long blue hair flowed down her back; under the sunlight, it shimmered with a faint halo—resembling the gentle flow of a winding stream.
Ye Lingling.
At this moment, she was gazing blankly at the flowerbeds before her.
In those eyes—the same striking blue as her hair—there was not a trace of emotion, only a profound, unblemished calm.
The sound of approaching footsteps broke the silence.
Ye Lingling turned her head slightly, directing her gaze toward the garden entrance.
Three figures were slowly making their way toward her.
Leading the group was her mother, Ye Linglong. Following close behind were a man and a woman.
The man was clad in simple, everyday attire of black and white; his long hair was tied back in a high ponytail.
With his sharp, sword-like brows and bright, star-like eyes, he exuded an air of effortless composure.
The woman wore a long gown of jade-green; her demeanor was gentle and elegant—like a celestial maiden who had stepped straight out of a painting.
Ye Lingling’s beautiful eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
Isn’t that... the Elder from the Spirit Hall?
She had seen this man once before, during the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament.
He had stood in the VIP section, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with His Holiness the Pope, looking down upon the entire arena.
Only later did she learn his identity: Jiang Bai, the Adjudication Elder of the Spirit Hall.
The man of legend—said to possess nine 100,000-year Spirit Rings.
Why would he come to my home?
And... who is that gentle-mannered woman standing beside him?
Questions swirled within Ye Lingling’s mind, yet her face betrayed not a single emotion.
She simply remained seated in silence, watching as they drew closer.
Ye Linglong came to a halt and called out, "Lingling!"
At the sound of her voice, Ye Lingling rose to her feet.
She offered a slight curtsy and simply uttered, "Mother."
Then, her gaze shifted toward Jiang Bai and Bi Ji. Ye Linglong made the introductions: "Lingling, this is the Judgment Elder of the Spirit Hall—His Excellency Jiang Bai."
She paused, then pointed toward Bi Ji: "And His Excellency Emerald!"
His Excellency Emerald?
Another Titled Douluo!
Ye Lingling felt a faint start of surprise in her heart.
The Spirit Hall has far too many Titled Douluo, doesn’t it?
Is there any other power on the continent that could possibly rival them?
Yet, her expression remained outwardly impassive; she merely offered a polite curtsy and bow: "Greetings to both Excellencies!"
Her voice was soft and faint, like a clear mountain spring.
Moreover, her speech was simple, consisting of very few words.
Jiang Bai observed the young girl, thinking to himself: If the two of us weren’t Titled Douluo, Ye Lingling probably would have done nothing more than offer a polite nod.
This girl suffers from severe social anxiety.
Ye Linglong spoke up from the side: "Lingling, you are just about ready to graduate from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy now. Do you have any plans for what comes next?"
Ye Lingling silently shook her head.
She had no plans.
Or rather, she had never even given the matter any thought.
After graduating from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, she would likely simply return to this small, secluded courtyard and continue living a life cut off from the outside world.
After all, the inheritors of the Nine-Heart Begonia were destined to be solitary figures.
Watching her daughter behave this way, Ye Linglong sighed inwardly.
Nevertheless, she continued: "Elder Jiang would like to invite you to join his sect. Would you be interested?"
Ye Lingling froze for a moment.
What did she mean—an Elder of the Spirit Hall inviting her to join his sect?
An Elder of the Spirit Hall... was he actually allowed to establish his own sect?
For the first time, a rare flicker of bewilderment crossed her otherwise vacant eyes.
Seeing that she remained silent, Bi Ji assumed she was weighing the offer.
She stepped forward and spoke softly: "Lingling—may I address you as such?"
Her voice was gentle and amiable, like a breeze in the spring.
Ye Lingling turned her gaze toward this woman, who exuded an air of gentle elegance. Bi Ji continued, "I’ve heard that your Martial Soul is the Nine-Heart Begonia—a top-tier Auxiliary-type Martial Soul known for its incredibly potent healing abilities."
She smiled gently. "My Martial Soul is the Emerald Swan; it, too, is an Auxiliary-type Martial Soul, and it possesses formidable healing powers. I believe that, in our pursuit of the Way of Life, we share a common bond."
"If you are willing to join us, I can teach you a thing or two about the Way of Life."
Ye Lingling’s heart stirred ever so slightly.
An Auxiliary-type Titled Douluo!
Titled Douluos were already a rarity across the entire continent; an Auxiliary-type Titled Douluo was rarer still!
One would be hard-pressed to find more than a handful of them across the entire landmass.
If she could receive her guidance...
It would undoubtedly provide a massive boost to her cultivation!
Ye Lingling found herself tempted.
Yet, at the same time, she remained deeply hesitant.
She was shy around strangers.
She suffered from social anxiety.
Since childhood, she had disliked interacting with others or making physical contact. She was accustomed to walking her path alone—to keeping herself sequestered within her own tiny, private world.
If she were to venture into a strange place and face a crowd of strangers...
She wouldn’t know how to cope.
If only Yanzi could come along, too...
She thought to herself in silence.
Ye Lingling turned her head to look at Ye Linglong, seeking her mother’s opinion.
Ye Linglong wore a gentle smile and gave her a playful wink.
Her gaze was brimming with encouragement.
Oh, this silly Lingling—what is she still hesitating for?!
This is a truly rare opportunity!
The Nine-Heart Begonia is a Martial Soul capable of reaching the rank of Titled Douluo, and Lingling’s innate Soul Power is certainly nothing to scoff at.
However, given the limited resources of their Ye Clan, they simply could not provide the support necessary to carry her all the way to that pinnacle.
If she could join Elder Jiang’s sect and receive the proper guidance and resources...
Then her future would be limitless!
Ye Lingling’s small mouth, hidden beneath her black veil, parted slightly.
She bit her lip.
Finally, she steeled her resolve.
She curtsied slightly and spoke in a soft voice, "I would be honored to join!"
Jiang Bai smiled gently. "Welcome to our ranks, Miss Ye!"
He paused for a moment, then spoke with solemnity, "From this day forward, you shall be the Founding Disciple of our sect!"
A Founding Disciple?
Ye Lingling blinked in mild astonishment. Suddenly, a question crossed her mind.
Namely—it seemed she... hadn’t actually asked which sect she was joining yet?
She blinked.
Should she ask now?
On second thought... she had already agreed, so asking at this stage didn’t seem quite appropriate...
Ye Lingling wavered inwardly.
Jiang Bai spoke up: "In that case, once you have settled your affairs at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, please come to Spirit City to find me. I look forward to your arrival."
Ye Lingling gave a slight nod: "Very well."
...
Enjoyed the action? Drop a review, fire off a comment, and send those Power Stones rolling! Your support keeps the updates coming fast—let’s keep the momentum going! 🔥