Chapter 67: 67
Chapter 67 – Still One Left
Xue Qilin and them came to a square used for gatherings behind the Middle Peak .
Reportedly, most of the surrounding buildings here belong to the various departments of the outer temple . It is the central zone of the outer temple .
People in the square are coming and going, all dressed in the blue and white colors of the Merak Temple .
As she walked, Xue Qilin felt a gaze stabbing the skin on her back .
As a Heaven Realm master, the lass’s perception ability is very keen . She is very sensitive to the gazes of other people . That gaze felt like a needle pricking her, which made her uncomfortable .
Unable to help herself, Xue Qilin sighed, “Really, why are you staring at me!”
“Little Senior Disciple Sister, you look pretty . People like to look at pretty things . ” Shui Yuner responded with a mischievous smile .
Xia Xue made a “huh” sound and said in a strange tone, “You’re not the only one being stared at . ”
Indeed, Xue Qilin is not the only one being stared at .
There are numerous eyes focused on this small group headed by Xia .
But it is understandable . Even if Xue Qilin who is exceedingly beautiful is disregarded, there are still three beautiful girls – Xia Xue, Shui Yuner, and Nangong Mingming – in this small group .
Of course, Xia Xue’s identity as the Fifth Elder is also one of the factors that attracts attention .
It has to be mentioned that Nangong Mingye’s ability to attract gazes is not worse than that of the girls in the small team, successfully catching the eyes of not a small number of female disciples .
This should be the effect of to his likable, elegant face .
When this fellow grows up, there will be trouble! Taking note of Nangong Mingye’s situation, Xue Qilin laughed in her heart .
“We’re here . ” Xia Xue stopped suddenly .
Unwittingly, they have arrived in front of a courtyard house .
“It’s here?” Xue Qilin blinked and quickly sized up the building in front of her . Her gaze finally fell on the plate above the gate .
“Outer Temple Internal Affairs Department…”
“This place specializes in outer temple affairs, and the person in charge here seems to be a disciple of the old fellow Liu [1] . ” Xia Xue introduced .
Shui Yuner tilted her head and asked hesitantly, “Old fellow Liu…”
“Oh, Little Zong [2] is the Law Enforcement Elder [3]!” Xue Qilin explained .
“Ah…” Shui Yuner blinked her eyes, as if she heard something incredible .
Nangong Mingming asked in surprise, “Isn’t that person very powerful?”
Xia Xue adopted a mocking expression and said with an enigmatic smile, “Quite powerful . He even butts heads…”
“Cough cough…” Xue Qilin held her fist in front of her mouth and coughed twice to stop Xia Xue from continuing .
“Little Xue, today’s weather is pretty good . ”
Although Shui Yuner and the Nangong siblings can already be regarded as disciples of the Merak Temple, but there are certain things that should not be mentioned .
“…”
Xia Xue glanced at the lass and sighed helplessly . “Your skill in changing topics is even lamer than your hand-to-hand kung fu [4] . ”
With this, she stepped into the courtyard house .
Didn’t I help you to smooth things over? Xue Qilin wrinkled her nose in displeasure and followed behind the other party .
When they walked into the courtyard house, several disciples discovered Xia Xue and saluted her, surprised . Looking indifferent, she just passed them by .
Although it is disrespectful, but Xue Qilin thinks it is harmless . After all, on one hand, Xia Xue has such a temperament, on the other hand, if she responded to them one by one, it would be tiring .
Matching Xia Xue’s pace, Xue Qilin and them came to a door .
When she saw the wooden sign standing in front of the door saying “new disciple registering, please enter”, Xue Qilin suddenly made an “ah” sound .
“What’s with you?” Xia Xue turned around and asked, annoyed .
“Oh, it’s nothing, it’s nothing . ”
While taking another step, Xue Qilin couldn’t help but glance at the wooden sign again . She recognizes the graceful handwriting .
That’s Qi Qiqi’s handwriting .
After entering the room, the first thing that caught their eyes is a spacious cabinet that reached the ceiling full of documents .
In front of the cabinet, there is a long counter . A male disciple is sitting between the counter and the large cabinet . With a brush in hand, he is handling some documents .
Noticing that someone has entered, the male disciple raised his head suddenly and ran his eyes over the visitors rapidly . As his gaze moved, his eyes gradually registered astonishment .
“Ah? As if he had discovered something, he turned his eyes doubtfully, and then finally fixed his gaze on Xia Xue abruptly .
“Elder Xia!” He exclaimed .
The male disciple obviously recognizes Xia Xue .
“Greetings, Elder Xia!” He hurriedly walked out from behind the counter and clasped his hands in salute .
Xia Xue responded with a “mhm” sound .
“Elder Xia, what brings you here?” The male disciple asked, doubtful .
“Why are you alone?” Xia Xue frowned and asked back .
“Everyone else has gone to eat . ”
After he said this, Xue Qilin realized that it is noon already .
The male disciple glanced at Xue Qilin and the others standing behind Xia Xue and asked probingly, “… And they are?”
“They are new disciples . ” Xia Xue said flatly, “I just brought them to register . ”
“Oh, I see . ” The male disciple showed an expression of sudden enlightenment .
Xia Xue cast a glance behind her, “Go ahead and register them . ”
“Yes, Elder Xia . ”
Satisfied with the male disciples reply, Xia Xue nodded her head .
“Then I’ll entrust it to you . ”
With that, Xia Xue found a chair, sat down, put an arm on the armrest, propped her head up, and put on a bored expression .
As for Xue Qilin, she removed Empyrean Universe from her back and leaned it against a pillar, and then sat down next to Xia Xue, ready to watch the registration process .
The male disciple withdrew his gaze from Xia Xue and turned to Shui Yuner and the others .
“New Junior Disciple Brother and Sisters, please follow me . ”
“We’ll have to trouble you, Senior Disciple Brother . ” Shui Yuner smiled back .
Silent, Nangong Mingming nodded her head .
“Sure thing . ”
The male disciple asked Shui Yuner and the Nangong siblings to come sit in front of the counter, and then went behind the counter, took out a document from the large cabinet, and spread it on the counter .
“Show me your jade pendants . ” The male disciple sat opposite the three and made a request .
Shui Yuner and them fished out their jade pendants from different places and handed them to the male disciple . The latter examined the jade pendants one by one, and then put them on the counter .
Then, the male disciple asked Shui Yuner and them for their names, and they reported their names one after another .
“Hmm…” Probably checking the list, the male disciple searched the document and made three brush strokes on the document .
“The Merak Temple’s outer temple has confirmed that you have arrived . ”
“It’s that simple?” Xue Qilin looked at Xia Xue, surprised . She thought that they would have to fill a form or something . She didn’t expect that all it would take is to inspect the jade pendants, and then leave a few brush strokes on the list .
“Sometimes, you have a lot of nonsensical ideas…” Xia Xue sighed . “Their information was well recorded during the enrollment . Registration only serves to confirm whether the person admitted has arrived or not . If they have arrived, they will be officially recognized as disciples . If they haven’t arrived, they will be eliminated . ”
“Really, so that’s how it is …” Xue Qilin scratched her face, embarrassed . If the other party hadn’t explained, she really wouldn’t know .
Xia Xue lowered her voice and mocked with an enigmatic smile, “What a good Young Ancestor you are . ”
“Uh…” Xue Qilin’s face stiffened, speechless .
I have the highest seniority in the Merak Temple, yet I don’t know the temple’s internal proceedings . This fact cheapens my status .
“Ha-ha…” Thinking till here, Xue Qilin gave a hollow laugh and looked away guiltily .
After all, people want to save face, and the lass is no exception .
When her attention returned to Shui Yuner, Xue Qilin saw that the male disciple who had left during her conversation with Xia Xue has returned with three brand-new sets of the Merak Temple’s temple clothes .
“These are your temple clothes . ”
He placed the three sets of clothes in front of Shui Yuner and the Nangong siblings respectively .
“These are tailor-made . Make sure to change into them before leaving the house . ”
He pointed to the sheathed swords laying on top of each set of clothes, “These are standard practice swords, one for each person . ” After a pause, he carried on, “You can go to the Sword-casting Chamber located opposite here with your jade pendants and select a sword… As for the room allocation – Shui Yuner is in Heyun Dorm, room 76, Nangong Mingming is in room 75; Nangong Mingye is in Lianyun Dorm, room 88 . ”
The male disciple took out three keys and placed them on the clothes in front of the three . “These are your keys . ”
He looked up and asked, “Do you have any questions?”
“None . ” Shui Yuner shook her head gently .
“Me either . ” Nangong Mingming also seems to have no questions .
As for Nangong Mingye, he is already playing with the practice sword, repeating the action of unsheathing and sheathing the sword .
The male disciple nodded in satisfaction, “If there are no questions, then you can go and settle down . ”
“Thank you for your trouble, Senior Disciple Brother . ” Shui Yuner picked up the articles assigned to her, stood up, and thanked .
The Nangong siblings copied the other party .
“Sure thing . Now go and settle down – ah, that’s right . ” The male disciple suddenly patted his forehead and said with a smile, “Tomorrow at dawn, the Elder of Martial Guidance will expound on martial arts in the square . Remember to attend . ”
Elder of Martial Guidance? Xue Qilin looked at Xia Xue doubtfully .
“Don’t look at me, I also don’t know who it is . ” Xia Xue’s eyes turned, and then she added, “This position has been empty for a long time . I reckon that someone has just been selected . ”
So there’s also an Elder of Martial Guidance! Who might it be? Xue Qilin is a little curious .
“Elder Xia, little Senior Disciple Sister, we are done . ” Shui Yuner led the Nangong siblings to Xue Qilin and Xia Xue .
“Then let’s go!” Xue Qilin jumped off the chair .
Just as she extended her hand to pick up Empyrean Universe…
“Wait!” Xia Xue called suddenly .
Under everyone’s gazes, Xia Xue stood up slowly, extended her porcelain forefinger, and pointed at Xue Qilin who has stopped in her action of picking up her sword .
Then, she parted her cherry lips, “There’s still one left . ”
Everyone’s eyes moved to the lass from Xia Xue .
Staring blankly at Xia Xue, Xue Qilin wanted to ask – what do you mean by left?
However, before she had the chance…
“She is also a new disciple who came to register today . ”
The lass got an answer from Xia Xue .
[1], [2] – Liu Chengzong, the guy whose “adoptive son” was killed by Luo Qing . He has it out for Xue Qilin for burying Luo Qing in the temple’s cemetery
[3] – It was stated at the beginning that Luo Chengzong is the “Attendant Elder” . Yang Yuening should be the “Law Enforcement Elder”
[4] – Kung fu