119: Chapter 119 The Apprenticeship Ceremony Begins (Part 4)

Around Lu Zheng, more and more people took their seats, yet there was a hint of doubt in everyone's eyes.

Why hadn't the main guest of honor appeared yet?

"What do you think is going on? Did the person disappear?"

"Or perhaps they met with some accident? Otherwise, they should have appeared by now."

"Shh, keep your voice down. If Grandmaster Jiquan hears you cursing them like that, aren't you just courting death?"

The two muttered in low voices, while a person nearby, having heard them, said with some disdain.

"I think this Disciple of Grandmaster Jiquan is probably just all show."

"Maybe they were scared off by this grand display."

More and more discussions arose, and just then, a relatively unfamiliar old man walked onto the stage.

"Quiet!"

His voice was resonant, and the people around, seeing this, sensibly shut their mouths, for they knew the Apprenticeship Banquet was finally beginning.

Everything began according to the procedure, and no one was surprised by this; before the apprenticeship officially began, there always had to be some respected elder rambling on stage.

On stage, Master Bai An sat upright, his expression calm.

On both sides, two Grandmasters sat, keeping a constant watch on their surroundings.

"The ritual is prepared, the heavens and earth are notified. Please, Excellent Disciple, step forward and offer the tea!"

With a loud shout, everyone held their breath, a trace of curiosity and anticipation appearing in their eyes. The main guest of honor was finally about to appear. As the old man's voice ceased, he immediately looked toward a certain direction.

And the crowd followed his gaze.

Under this gaze, Lu Wen felt quite a few eyes looking in her direction, their eyes filled with intense curiosity.

She hadn't expected Grandmaster Jiquan's Disciple to be in her direction.

Who could it be?

Lu Wen also turned her head to look behind her, but confusion appeared in her eyes. Why hadn't anyone stood up yet? Could it be that this person wasn't here?

Wang Hu and Li Hou were also watching this scene, their gazes not daring to relax for even a second.

They were somewhat expectant, wanting to know who this The Mysterious Person was. However, when Li Hou saw Lu Zheng, a flash of doubt crossed his mind. Why was Lu Zheng here too? But he immediately cast that thought to the back of his mind and began searching with his eyes.

But in an instant, both of them froze in place, looks of intense shock appearing in their eyes, their minds went blank, and their breathing hitched.

Li Hou even opened his mouth wide.

The two looked at each other.

"No way..."

They saw Lu Zheng, to everyone's gaze, slowly stand up.

Lu Wen, who was beside Lu Zheng and still looking for Grandmaster Jiquan's Disciple, suddenly heard the sound of people gasping around her, and some were even whispering.

"It's him!"

"Who?"

Lu Wen wondered in her heart, but at this moment, she noticed that all eyes were looking at her.

No, not her.

It was beside her...

And beside her, there was only her younger brother, Lu Zheng...

Lu Wen's breathing quickened, her eyes filled with deep disbelief. She took a deep breath and slowly turned her head to look at her younger brother, only to see him slowly stand up and smile at her.

"Sis, I really didn't lie to you."

"The Disciple Master accepted is me."

Lu Zheng said slowly, then walked toward the stage, while Lu Wen, down below, had her brain freeze up.

She stood there, completely stunned.

She had not yet reacted to this scene.

Her heart was like a raging sea. She covered her mouth, her whole body trembling, staring fixedly at the figure walking onto the stage, her eyes filled with excitement, joy, and disbelief.

Immediately, her eyes became moist.

"It's my brother..."

"It's my brother Lu Zheng..."

"He was accepted as a Disciple by Grandmaster Jiquan..."

Lu Wen muttered, wishing she could tell their mom and dad. They would definitely be very happy when they found out. This was Grandmaster Jiquan, after all!

The people around also looked at Lu Wen with a hint of envy.

This child being able to be accepted as a Disciple by Grandmaster Jiquan was a matter of bringing honor to the ancestors. As his older sister, she would definitely share in that glory.

On the other side, Wang Hu's father also noticed his son's reaction. Seeing the youth walk onto the stage and associating it with what his son had just told him earlier...

A look of surprise appeared in his eyes.

He hadn't expected his son to have stumbled into making friends with Grandmaster Jiquan's Disciple by pure luck. It seems that simple people really do have simple fortunes. Since that was the case, he would meet him after it ended. As a father, he could pave the way for his son's future.

"Disciple Lu Zheng pays respects to Master."

Lu Zheng took the offered teacup and offered the tea to Master Bai An, who was sitting upright.

Master Bai An smiled slightly and took the offered tea.

"Good Disciple, hurry and get up."

"Yes, Master."

Lu Zheng slowly stood up, while the old man on the side was somewhat anxious.

"Grandmaster, we haven't finished our procedures yet?"

Master Bai An just smiled slightly.

"No need for so much trouble; this is enough."

Seeing this, the old man slowly nodded. The most important part was already done, and the rest could be omitted. Master Bai An slowly stood up and bowed with cupped hands to the people around him.

"I am very grateful that you all could come here to attend my Disciple's Apprenticeship Banquet."

"Grandmaster Jiquan is too polite..."

The people below hurriedly responded.

"My Disciple is named Lu Zheng. He is young and ignorant; if he offends any of you in the future, I ask for your generous understanding."

After Master Bai An finished speaking, he turned around to face all directions and said again.

"Ancestral Master above, today I, Master Bai An, accept a Disciple into my Baji Sect."

"Where is Lu Zheng?"

Lu Zheng walked forward at this moment and said respectfully.

"Lu Zheng is here."

"Are you willing to enter my Baji Sect today?"

"Lu Zheng is willing."

"Good. Today, Master will give you a martial name: Chengwang!"

"Master hopes that you can break through my Dao limits, use the predecessors as a foundation, walk your own path, and step into the fourth stage of the Dao!"

Master Bai An's purpose in giving this martial name was very obvious, and everyone could see it: he hoped that this child could carry the hopes of the Dao Seniors, forge ahead, and walk a path that no one else could walk.

"Thank you, Master."

Lu Zheng stood behind Master Bai An, and the smile on Master Bai An's lips did not cease, because he knew that perhaps after today, he might never be able to stand before his Disciple again.

He turned his head to look at his Disciple, Lu Zheng.

"Good Disciple, would you be willing to call me Master one more time?"

Lu Zheng nodded.

"Master, Disciple will definitely not let you down."

"I will surely fulfill Master's wish and break through to the fourth stage of the Dao!"

Lu Zheng said firmly, his eyes resolute.

Just at this moment, a slightly disdainful voice rang out.

"What a bold claim."

"Just based on you?"

"Wanting to achieve a Breakthrough to the fourth stage, I don't know if you have the strength and the confidence for it!"

In an instant, everyone around fell into silence. Some among them had already guessed that this scene might happen, but when it actually did, they felt a bit terrified.

They looked toward Grandmaster Jiquan.

The Grandmaster's expression did not change, but anyone could see that he was displeased.