Battle Through the Heavens: Starting with Cao Ying as an apprentice

"Zhu Qing? Zhu Qing!" Ye Lingling panicked and got up to run outside.

"I'll go and call Mother!"

"No need, I'm already here."

A gentle female voice came from the doorway.

Ye Ruoxi walked in carrying a plate of snacks and shook her head at her daughter: "You go out first, I'll take care of things here."

Ye Lingling glanced at her mother, then at Zhu Zhuqing who was sitting there blankly. After hesitating for a moment, she went out.

The door was gently closed.

Ye Ruoxi sat down by the bed, placed the snacks on the bedside table, and quietly looked at Zhu Zhuqing.

She didn't speak, she just waited.

After a long while, Zhu Zhuqing slowly raised her head, her face as pale as paper.

"Aunt Ye..."

Her voice was hoarse: "I had a dream, a very long, very real dream."

Ye Ruoxi nodded gently: "Tell me about it."

So Zhu Zhuqing began to tell her story.

From fainting after stepping onto the twentieth step, to meeting the "Sword Immortal Douluo" and becoming his disciple, to cultivating on the peak for two years, to traveling down the mountain, to meeting Dai Mubai in Soto City, and finally to the words "Get out" and "The engagement is dissolved".

She spoke slowly, pausing occasionally, as if recalling something or confirming the authenticity of those "memories."

After she finished speaking, the room fell into a brief silence.

“That wasn’t a dream,” Ye Ruoxi finally spoke, her voice calm.

"That was an illusion, a test for you."

Zhu Zhuqing's fingers tightened suddenly, gripping the bedding beneath her.

"So...did I pass?" she asked, her voice trembling without her even realizing it.

Ye Ruoxi shook her head: "I don't know either. But since you're awake and can recount your experience in the illusion in its entirety, it at least shows that you tried."

She stood up: "Can you walk? If you can, I'll take you to see Miss. Only she can give you the answer."

Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, threw off the covers, and got out of bed.

Her legs were still a little weak, but she stood firmly.

"You can walk."

The two walked through the corridor of Baichen Peak one after the other.

Zhu Zhuqing silently followed behind Ye Ruoxi, looking at everything around her that was both familiar and unfamiliar—every blade of grass, every tree, every brick and tile was exactly the same as in her “dream.”

But Ye Ruoxi said it was her first time here.

If those are all fake, then why are the techniques and movements in my mind so clear?

And what about the exhilarating feeling of breaking free of shackles when he told Dai Mubai to "get lost" in Soto City?

Are those also fake?

"arrive."

Ye Ruoxi stopped in front of a secluded courtyard.

The courtyard gate was ajar, and the faint sound of swords slicing through the air could be heard from inside.

She turned to look at Zhu Zhuqing, her gaze gentle: "Go in. Miss is waiting for you."

Zhu Zhuqing looked at the door and suddenly felt a little scared.

What's behind the door?

Is it approval or rejection?

Is it a new beginning, or just another disillusionment after waking from a dream?

She closed her eyes and recalled Dai Mubai's calculating face as he knelt before her on the streets of Soto City.

I remember how straight my back was when I turned to leave.

Whether it was a dream or not, at least in that "dream," she became the real Zhu Zhuqing.

This is enough.

Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes, her gaze now devoid of any hesitation.

She reached out and knocked on the door.

Chapter 307 Accepting Apprentices; Distributing Bonuses!

dong dong dong——!

A crisp knock echoed in the quiet corridor, carrying a hint of tentative hesitation.

"Come in."

The voice coming from inside the door was calm and familiar, causing Zhu Zhuqing, who was standing outside the door, to pause slightly.

She took a deep breath and reached out to push open the heavy wooden door.

The interior is softly lit and simply furnished, yet exudes elegance.

Her gaze involuntarily fell to the center of the room—in that familiar spot, a figure was sitting upright.

That was a reality completely different from the dream.

Her blue and white dress draped lightly like clouds, making her skin appear even whiter than snow. Her long, dark hair was unbound and cascaded down like a waterfall, with a few strands brushing her shoulders and falling to her waist.

She simply sat there quietly, holding a cup of tea, yet she seemed to be enveloped in an invisible aura, distant and untouchable.

She was more powerful, clearer, and more awe-inspiring than in the dream.

Zhu Zhuqing composed herself, quickly stepped forward, and bowed respectfully: "Disciple—no, Zhu Zhuqing greets Senior Sword Immortal!"

She changed her mind before she could finish speaking.

That long and real dream was ultimately an illusory test; how could she dare to call herself a disciple?

"Ah."

Bai Yue'er took a sip of tea, looked up at her, her gaze calm and serene, yet seemingly able to penetrate the heart.

"You want to become my disciple?"

"Yes!" Zhu Zhuqing straightened her back and answered decisively.

"can."

Bai Yue'er put down her teacup and said calmly, "Kneel down and become my disciple."

Zhu Zhuqing didn't react for a moment and stared at her blankly.

"Didn't you want to become my disciple?" Bai Yue'er's lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile.

"You barely passed the previous test. Now I can accept you as my student."

These words struck my heart like a thunderbolt.

A dazzling light suddenly shone in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, and immense joy overwhelmed all hesitation.

Without hesitation, she knelt down, her forehead touching the ground, her voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Disciple Zhu Zhuqing greets Master!"

Bai Yue'er looked at her respectful demeanor, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

She reached into her bosom and took out a small jade bottle.

"Catch it."

The jade bottle was gently tossed over.

Zhu Zhuqing hurriedly cupped it in her hands, feeling its warm, smooth texture. She looked up, her eyes questioning.

"Your foundation is too weak!"

"This is Foundation Establishment Elixir!"

Bai Yue'er explained, "It can strengthen the body, widen the meridians, and greatly benefit cultivation."

"Take one drop each day, dissolve it in clean water, and soak your whole body while absorbing the nutrients and cultivating your body."

"Thank you, Master!" Zhu Zhuqing held the jade bottle tightly in her palm, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.

This tangible gift brought her more peace of mind than any words.

As night deepened, the moonlight shone like a ribbon.

Su Baichen stood alone atop a solitary peak, his white robes fluttering slightly in the night breeze.

He looked up at the bright moon in the sky and suddenly sighed softly.

"Since you're here, come out."

His voice carried a hint of helplessness, yet also a hint of indulgence.

"Hehe, Master is indeed amazing, nothing can be hidden from you."

A sweet, charming laugh rang out from behind her.

Bai Yue'er emerged from the shadows, holding an ancient-looking storage ring in her hands, and presented it to him as if offering a treasure.

"These are all the gold coins that the Ye family and the forces to which our Baichen Peak belong have offered over the years, and they are all here."

Su Baichen took the storage ring and gently swept it with his soul power.

Inside the storage ring, a dazzling golden light shone, and the mountain of coins exuded an astonishing aura of wealth. A rough estimate put the total at nearly one billion.

With these, it's enough to exchange for that item...

He felt a slight stirring in his heart, but showed it on his face, only nodding lightly: "Not bad, you didn't disappoint me."

After putting away the storage ring, Su Baichen turned to look at his disciple, raising an eyebrow slightly: "So, what do you want this time?"

His expression clearly said, "I knew it all along."