Zi Lingling's lips curved into a mocking arc. "What? You don't dare to eat it?"
Xi Jingran snapped out of his shock. Seeing Zi Lingling's dazzling smile, he swallowed the Spirit Sealing Pill without a second thought.
"Who said I don't dare? I was just wondering what effect this Spirit Sealing Pill has."
Zi Lingling chuckled, "The fact that you dared to swallow it shows some courage. As for its effect, you'll know soon enough."
Xi Ning suddenly shouted, "Jingran, kneel!"
Kneel?
Xi Jingran froze.
However, he had always been a filial son.
So, despite his confusion, he obediently knelt down towards Xi Ning.
"Not to me, but to Miss Zi!" Xi Ning said sternly.
"Ah?" Xi Jingran was utterly bewildered, looking at Xi Ning for an explanation.
"What 'ah'! Since Miss Zi is willing to guide you, she can be your master. Is there anything wrong with kneeling to your master?" Xi Ning said with a hint of impatience.
"Master?"
Xi Jingran's eyes lit up, and he immediately understood his father's intentions.
His heart filled with joy, he quickly turned, knelt before Zi Lingling, and said, "Master above, please accept this disciple's bow!"
As he spoke, he was about to kowtow to Zi Lingling.
Even Zi Lingling, with all her wit and cunning, was left completely bewildered by this father and son duo.
At this moment, seeing Xi Jingran about to bow, she quickly stopped him. "Stop!"
Both Xi Ning and Xi Jingran were stunned.
Zi Lingling shook her head. "When did I say I would take a disciple?"
Xi Ning suddenly smiled. "Since Miss Zi is willing to guide Jingran, he should treat you as his master, shouldn't he?"
Xi Jingran quickly chimed in, "Father is absolutely right. Please accept this disciple's bow, Master!"
With that, he didn't give Zi Lingling another chance to object and kowtowed three times with resounding thuds.
By the time Zi Lingling reacted, the ceremony was complete.
Even if Zi Lingling wanted to refuse, it was too late.
In the world of cultivation, once the ritual is complete, the master-disciple relationship is protected by the Heavenly Dao. Even Zi Lingling, the chosen one, had to abide by it.
Xi Ning quickly said, "Miss Zi, I know this is a bit hasty. Once we return to the main hall, Jingran will offer you tea!"
Zi Lingling gave a wry smile.
After all, even the best swimmers can drown. She had somehow, inexplicably, gained a disciple.
"Fine!"
Fortunately, Xi Jingran was not unintelligent.
"Since you've taken me as your master, you'll do as I say! In a quarter of an hour, the Spirit Sealing Pill will completely seal all the spiritual and law powers within your body. What you need to do is defeat him under these conditions!"
Zi Lingling said this, pointing to Du Zihao beside them.
Du Zihao was instantly dumbfounded. He couldn't understand why Zi Lingling had specifically chosen him.
Along with him, Xi Ning and Xi Jingran, the father and son, were also stunned.
Xi Ning instinctively blurted out, "Miss Xi, is this really wise?"
Zi Lingling's expression turned cold. "If you don't trust me, then why did you bow to me as your master?"
Xi Ning quickly offered a placating smile. "Miss Zi, you've misunderstood. I don't doubt you, but Jingran's spiritual and law powers are sealed. How can he possibly fight Brother Du?"
Zi Lingling did not answer Xi Ning. Instead, she turned to Xi Jingran and said, "You're also puzzled, aren't you?"
Xi Jingran nodded honestly.
Zi Lingling sighed. "When you have nothing to rely on, your instinctive reactions become your sharpest weapons."
"The reason I sealed your spiritual and law powers is, first, to train your instinctive reaction speed, and second, to temper your courage."
"Everyone fears death! Fear of death is not terrible; what's terrible is resigning yourself to fate because of that fear! What you need to do is overcome your psychological fear and never let death intimidate you at any moment."
"Only then can you truly fight with all your might and truly embody the principle that the brave win when paths cross!"
"I understand!" Xi Jingran said respectfully, bowing once more.
"Since you understand, get up!" Zi Lingling said with a slight smile.
"Thank you, Master!"
Xi Jingran stood up and asked, "Master, when shall we begin?"
Zi Lingling replied, "Didn't I tell you? In a quarter of an hour, the Spirit Sealing Pill will take full effect. So, we'll begin then! For now, they should be breaking through!"
As soon as Zi Lingling finished speaking, Xuanyuan Xun was the first to withdraw from the battlefield, shouting, "Brother Shen, Brother Rong, I'm about to break through. I won't be able to help you for now!"
After speaking, Xuanyuan Xun approached Zi Lingling.
Zi Lingling nodded, casually threw out a few formation plates, set up a privacy formation, and said to Xuanyuan Xun, "Go in!"
Xuanyuan Xun didn't hesitate. He rushed into the formation, sat down cross-legged, and began to communicate with the surrounding law powers, initiating his breakthrough.
He was completely focused, as he had absolute trust in Zi Lingling.
As soon as he settled down, Shen Liuxing also withdrew, saying, "I'm going to break through too!"
He then sat down on the spot.
Zi Lingling's movements were swift. She threw out a few more formation plates, setting up another privacy formation around Shen Liuxing.
"Shangguan, thank you! I'm going to break through as well!"
Rong Guang shouted, nodding at Zi Lingling.
Zi Lingling understood and threw out several more formation plates. The third privacy formation was also instantly completed.
Rong Guang eagerly dove into it, beginning his breakthrough.
With the three of them entering the breakthrough state, Shangguan Yulin suddenly found himself with free time.
He walked up to Zi Lingling and called out, "Boss, are you satisfied with my performance?"
It turned out that when Shangguan Yulin emerged from the secret chamber, he had received a telepathic message from Zi Lingling, asking him to help the three who were on the verge of a breakthrough. This was the reason for the three-on-one battle.
Zi Lingling glanced at him. "It's alright, passable!"
Shangguan Yulin grumbled, "They're all about to break through, and you say I'm just 'passable'."
Zi Lingling retorted, "Do you think you know why they are breaking through only a step behind you?"
Shangguan Yulin paused, "Why?"
Zi Lingling explained, "The reason you broke through first is that the memory information from the Heavenly Venerable Divine Statue completely activated the efficacy of the 90,000-year Heavenly Spirit Immortal Tea within your body."
"As for the other three, they lacked sufficient pressure, so they couldn't fully activate the effects of the 90,000-year Heavenly Spirit Immortal Tea. That's why they needed you to fight them and force them to fully integrate the tea." Su Dan Novel Network
Shangguan Yulin pouted. "So, I was just a laborer!"
Zi Lingling raised an eyebrow, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Don't want to be a laborer? Or would you prefer I be the laborer and help you solidify your realm?"