Chapter 1028: Chapter 1028: A Rival in Love Becomes a Granddisciple

"Master, what was that move called? Was it the Wind-Pushing Palm?" Xiang Ming asked with bright eyes, full of curiosity.

This kid hasn’t even completed the apprenticeship ceremony, yet he’s already calling him ’Master.’ He’s been captivated by the Elder’s palm technique, with stars in his eyes.

"Yes, I created it myself. Pretty impressive, right?" The Elder said with some pride, quite enjoying having a follower.

"It is impressive, but I think the name isn’t quite majestic enough."

"Oh? Then tell me, what should it be called? If you come up with a good name, I’ll change it according to you," the Elder replied.

Xiang Ming grinned and said, "I think it should be called Xiangming Palm. Naming it after me sounds much better than your original name."

Bang~

The Elder kicked Xiang Ming’s butt, playfully scolding, "You little rascal, what nonsense are you thinking about."

Xiang Ming rubbed his butt in grievance, "If it’s not okay, just say so, why kick my butt."

"You’re my apprentice, and I can kick you if I want," the Elder said with pride, looking like a small-time villain triumphing.

Xv Baiping looked at this mismatched old-and-young pair, feeling a bit troubled. Finding a master with such conduct for Xiang Ming was really like harming him.

Earlier, Xv Baiping had already called Xiang Ming’s parents. As soon as they heard a Golden Core expert wanted to take their son as an apprentice, they agreed wholeheartedly. This was a rare opportunity, as Golden Core experts are elusive like dragons. Even the Xu Family’s Xu Shoujiang and Xu Wenyan only guide their juniors once a year.

Now that a Golden Core expert has appeared, Xiang Ming’s parents worry they might miss the chance.

...

Each ancient martial arts family has an ancestral shrine, accessible only to family members, not those outside the family tree. Some families even restrict female access, although this gender discriminating phenomenon is gradually changing.

The Xu Family doesn’t have this gender discrimination; in some aspects, women’s Charming Skill is more formidable than men’s, so they have been allowed into the ancestral shrine for centuries.

Xv Baiping first took Xiang Ming to bathe and change into formal robes, then headed to the Xu Family’s ancestral shrine, where incense burning, bowing, and swearing an oath were all mandatory.

This is to show respect to ancestors; missing such steps means Xiang Ming wouldn’t even touch the Xu Family’s Cultivation Technique, not to mention not entering the family tree.

Rules are rules.

Afterward, Xv Baiping led the well-dressed Xiang Ming to the Xu Family’s main hall.

In the hall were the Xu Family’s ancestor and the ancestor with innate charm.

Before the offering table, two leaders were seated, facing south.

To the left sat Lin Tian, to the right sat the Elder from the Martial Sect.

Previously, when the Elder apprenticed under Lin Tian, the ceremony was nearly negligible because neither took it seriously.

Xv Baiping was different; her education from childhood determined her strong sense of ceremony.

Lin Tian, being the master of the Elder, also Xiang Ming’s master’s master, was naturally qualified to sit above.

Lin Tian originally wanted Xiang Ming to call Miaoqiu ’Master’s wife,’ but unfortunately, Miaoqiu’s mother didn’t approve, or else Xiang Ming might have been furious.

Xiang Ming walked into the hall, picked up a cup of tea, knelt before Lin Tian with a ’thud.’

Xiang Ming offered the tea upward, mumbling, "Master’s Master, please have tea."

Clearly, this little guy was feeling very wronged.

Lin Tian wanted to tease a bit, but fearing Xiang Ming might refuse the apprenticeship, he accepted the teacup from him, took a sip, and said in an aged manner, "Hmm, good disciple-grandson, this tea is nice."

"Pfft..." Miaoqiu couldn’t help but laugh; watching this scene felt truly odd.

Xv Baiping glared, causing Miaoqiu to quickly quiet down, realizing laughing at this point wasn’t serious.

Xiang Ming looked at Lin Tian with puckered lips, giving a slight humph.

"Ahem!" Xv Baiping gently coughed twice.

Xiang Ming then took a deep breath, reluctantly kowtowing to Lin Tian three times.

Yes, kneeling and serving tea to a rival was unbearable, and bowing on top of that was too much.

Xiang Ming’s psychological shadow was enormous at this moment.

After Lin Tian, Xiang Ming offered another cup of tea kneeling to the Martial Sect Elder, then kowtowed three times.

The final procedure was the master’s speech, which included abiding by ancestral rules, maintaining integrity, and diligence in learning.

In an ancient martial arts family, such apprenticeship rituals are very strict. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parent, Teacher: teacher ranks last but is only second to the parents in importance.

Once a teacher, always akin to a father; without exaggeration, Lin Tian now can oversee the Elder’s marriage matters.

Upon Xv Baiping announcing the end of the apprenticeship ceremony, Xiang Ming sat heavily onto a chair, glared at Lin Tian, and gave a hefty "humph."

"Oh boy, you don’t seem convinced. Was the speech just wasted?" Lin Tian relaxed in the upper hall, legs crossed, sipping fragrant green tea, quite pleased.

"Humph!" Xiang Ming gave another heavy "humph."

He never expected, upon taking the Elder as a master, a Master’s Master would emerge.

Even worse, that Master’s Master is his rival.

The worst part is, his goddess might become his Master’s wife.

No matter how young or naive Xiang Ming is, he can still untangle this web of relationships.

"Xiang Ming, ahem, that call of Master’s Master was well uttered, say it again," Lin Tian said in an aged manner, fully putting on his Master’s Master attitude.

"Dream on, I won’t say it!" Xiang Ming responded.

Lin Tian wasn’t angry; he knew if the boy wasn’t acting this way, he’d be surprised.

He added, "Then call your sister Master’s wife. You didn’t do it earlier; make up for it now."

Miaoqiu struggled to hold back laughter, fearing Xiang Ming might hear and whine.

"Dream on! My sister hasn’t married you yet, she’s still my sister! I plan to marry her!" Xiang Ming said earnestly.

"Oh boy, you have quite the imagination. To compete for a woman with me, you must defeat me first. It’s best to practice diligently; at your age, learning progresses swiftly," Lin Tian said.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ming initially felt pleased but soon considered Lin Tian a fraud. He turned to the Elder and asked, "Master, is what he’s saying true?"

The Elder nodded, saying, "Your Master’s Master is right; it’s best to build your foundation at this age."

"Really?" Xiang Ming enthusiastically jumped from the chair, "Can I start learning Xiangming Palm now?"

"Nonsense! It’s called Wind-Pushing Palm!" After correcting, the Elder followed up, "You’ll practice other interesting things first before that."