Am I the old man who's always by my apprentices' side?

Chapter 37 You Have a New Apprentice Application
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In the cloudless sky, a few drops of rain fell from somewhere and hit Zhang Chengdao's head.

He reached out and touched it, then smelled it. It was damp, had no smell, just ordinary raindrops.

Immediately afterwards, the spiritual energy within his body began to surge. Zhang Chengdao subconsciously sat down, closed his eyes, and the surrounding spiritual energy gathered into his body.

The spiritual energy surged into Zhang Chengdao's meridians, and before long, it was as if a key had been opened. He suddenly felt that he could control a special power—the legendary "divine consciousness".

Then, he "saw" the meridians and the "veins" through which spiritual energy flowed within his body.

I can actually "see inside" myself?!
Zhang Chengdao was taken aback, and then he couldn't wait to examine this "pattern" carefully.

It's described as a network, but it's more like a net or the roots of a tree.

Soon, Zhang Chengdao recognized that this "vein" was the "spiritual root" mentioned in every book on Qi cultivation.

It grew out of his dantian, was milky white, and spread outwards along the meridians. It became thicker and thicker the closer it got to his dantian, and it covered almost all the meridians in his body, densely packed.

If, as the book says, the larger the spiritual root, the stronger it is, and the more uniform its color, the purer it is, then his spiritual root can be described as a "top-grade heavenly spiritual root"!

I just don't know what kind of spiritual root the milky white one is...

Gradually, spiritual energy began to rush into his spiritual root. After an unknown amount of time, Zhang Chengdao suddenly felt a silent "decree" from heaven and earth.

He has achieved Foundation Establishment!

Feeling the sudden, effortless control of spiritual power, Zhang Chengdao was somewhat bewildered.

What about heavenly lightning?
Does Foundation Establishment not require a tribulation of lightning?

As Zhang Chengdao was savoring the experience of his breakthrough, he vaguely heard Chang Ping'an and Xu Ying whispering something in the distance.

Should we inform our master?

"The sect leader seems to be meditating. It wouldn't be appropriate to disturb him at this time..."

"But she said she's dying..."

"But I think she's doing great!"

"Master is actually very soft-hearted, why don't we go and ask him?"

"Look at her, she's dressed in fine clothes and has an extraordinary air about her; she's definitely not an ordinary person. It's best not to meddle... Besides, I noticed that woman's eyes were darting around when she spoke; she's probably intentionally hiding something. I'm afraid she's some kind of runaway slave..."

"so what should I do now?"

"In my opinion, it would be best to send her to the authorities."

"This...this might not be a good idea..."

Zhang Chengdao, completely bewildered, stood up, flung open the door, interrupting their whispered conversation, and asked, "What are you two talking about? What runaway slave? What government?"

Chang Ping'an and Xu Ying were startled and quickly greeted each other, explaining:

"Master, we met a woman at the foot of the mountain who was seriously injured. She said she had heard that the White Stone Immortal was omnipotent and wanted to pay a large sum of money to have you save her." "No, no, no, it's just that the woman claimed to be seriously injured, but we couldn't see anything wrong with her... In my opinion, if it's not some extremely secretive poison, then the woman is just lying! She was dressed in luxurious clothes, definitely not a commoner, especially with all the jewels in her hair, some of which were in the style of the palace. Yet she came alone, there must be something fishy going on!"

"Well……"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chengdao frowned.

Why does this description feel so familiar?

Severely injured? Dressed in luxurious attire? In the style of the palace? Came alone?

What kind of unexpected side quest is this in another world?
Anyway, it sounds so suspicious, let's go and see!
Having made up his mind, Zhang Chengdao said, "Take me to see him. If he really has some hidden illness, I can help him out."

"Yes!"

Chang Ping'an and Xu Ying immediately responded and led Zhang Chengdao down the mountain, one in front and one behind.

The three of them hadn't walked far when they saw the woman.

She was riding a horse, her hair was a little messy, and she looked travel-worn. She was indeed dressed in luxurious clothes, with many hairpins and jewels jingling in her hair. She was not only not an ordinary person, but she could not possibly be from an ordinary wealthy family. She must be a woman from a high-ranking official's family to dress like this.

"Immortal, save me!"

Upon seeing Zhang Chengdao, the woman dismounted from a distance, bowed deeply, and cried out several times, "Please, immortal, save me!"

Zhang Chengdao looked the woman up and down and asked, "Young lady, you are no ordinary person. How can I save you?"

Unexpectedly, the woman's eyes reddened instantly, and she said tearfully, "I was originally a palace maid serving the princess of the Great Xiao Kingdom who was going to the Zhou Kingdom for a political marriage. I was to be her concubine. But the princess refused to go through with the marriage and ran away. The marriage procession has only just arrived here. If the court finds out, I'm afraid I won't survive. I beg the gods to have mercy and take me in!"

You have received a new apprentice application. Please check it.

“Concubines are not allowed to leave official post stations,” Zhang Chengdao was not fooled. He glanced at the golden name on the character card that suddenly appeared in the character column without changing his expression and said, “I’m afraid you’re not a palace maid either.”

The name displayed on that character card is "Murong Ruyan"!
Although the other person's surname is not "Liu", her name is "Ruyan"!
Could someone named "Ruyan" be an ordinary person? Not to mention, her surname is "Murong"!
If I remember correctly, the royal surname of the Great Xiao Kingdom was "Murong", right?

Murong Ruyan straightened up, her face pitiful: "I dare not deceive the immortal, I was indeed forced to become a concubine."

Zhang Chengdao coldly replied, "Is that so? The Great Xiao Kingdom would actually allow a member of the royal family surnamed Murong to be a concubine?"

"This……"

Murong Ruyan's expression changed drastically, but she quickly put on a wronged look: "Logically speaking, I am indeed the sixth princess of the Great Xiao Kingdom. However, my birth mother was a princess presented by the Bohai Kingdom for a political marriage, and she died young. In order to survive, I had no choice but to serve the third princess, just like a palace maid. This time, I was indeed forced to accompany her as a concubine..."

Zhang Chengdao then asked, "Was it the Third Princess who went to Zhou for a marriage alliance?"

Murong Ruyan covered her face and wept, saying, "It is indeed the Third Princess. She ran away last night. I was afraid of being implicated, so I had to run away as well. I beg the Immortal to have mercy on me and take me in as a slave or maid. Otherwise, if the truth comes out, I will have no choice but to die!"

“You’re not afraid of being implicated, but you’re afraid of being pushed aside and forced to continue the marriage alliance.”

Zhang Chengdao shook his head slightly, somewhat disliking this princess who seemed to be playing the villainous female supporting role—she rarely spoke the truth, mostly telling seven parts truth and three parts falsehood, making it difficult for people to discern her true intentions.

But after all, it's a name with a gold-quality rating, and Zhang Chengdao is still a little reluctant to give it up.

This is only the second character with a gold-quality name that he has encountered since he transmigrated!
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(End of this chapter)