Qiu Yunru stood awkwardly next to this kid. He was tense; if this kid decided to pummel him for no good reason, he'd need to block and defend himself! However, when he looked over, his face turned white with shock.
This kid's expression and face had completely changed! Where before his face had been incredibly plain and utterly furious, he was now glowing with joy and sweetness! His hair seemed to have become more glossy and full, his eyes were brighter and prettier, and even his hairline had become less stick-like! What the hell?! This kid turned to Qiu Yunru and suddenly grabbed him. Qiu Yunru yelped, trying to push him away, but this kid latched on, hugging him around the waist like a leech happily sucking blood!
"Shixiong!" He chirped, squeezing Qiu Yunru until his face turned even whiter than a ghost's. "Shixiong! I made it! You're my shixiong now!"
What was going on here?! Was it possible...that this NPC's AI had developed and moved him up from "cannon-fodder side character" to "shining young cultivator"?! Qiu Yunru hadn't been aware that this was even possible!
This kid finally released him, stepping back and bowing his head while making a courtesy. "Shixiong! This shidi's name is Pan Fa! This shidi can't wait to train together!"
At this point, Qiu Yunru was so dazed that he couldn't do anything but stand there with his mouth hanging open, waiting for a fly to go in while this Pan-shidi chattered excitedly. Pan Fa didn't seem to notice or care that his new shixiong wasn't looking at him. He had finally made it! He was so excited!
After some time, the dueling examination was complete, and one other recruit was brought over to join Qiu Yunru and Pan Fa. It was a young woman around his age. Qiu Yunru could see that she was exceptionally beautiful--long, shining dark hair, skin white and smooth like jade, and sharp, purple eyes. But her gaze was so cold that when he saw her, he couldn't help but shudder. Was this what was meant by a beauty carved from ice? Together, the three of them were led over to where that Shizun sat perched atop the arena, fanning himself elegantly. They all sat before him in proper form.
"This is Immortal Master He Yongliang," a disciple whispered to them. "You must address him as 'Shizun' from now on!"
Above, He Yongliang snapped his fan shut, eyeing them all without any expression on his face. Qiu Yunru had to stop himself from gazing up in awe at this man's godly aura, and instead lowered his head respectfully. Next to him, that kid, Pan Fa, was staring up at He Yongliang with sparkling eyes. Qiu Yunru smacked his arm lightly. You need to kneel properly, kid! Pan Fa's face went pink, and he lowered his head hastily.
"You three are now my disciples." He Yongliang's voice floated down, melodious as the plucking of a zither. "Though your ages are slightly late to begin cultivation, I have observed that you all have exceptional cultivation and martial potential. Why do you want to join the Jade Clouds Sect?"
Pan Fa was of course the first to pipe up. "This disciple's name is Pan Fa! This disciple has always dreamed of cultivating, but never had a place to go besides the streets, where he was always beat up. Now he can truly become someone strong and great!" Qiu Yunru nodded internally in approval. So this kid was one with a tragic and lonely backstory, who had thrown himself so violently at the entrance exam in hopes of standing out. Now that he had made it, his anger and fear had dissipated, so his natural sweet and bright demeanor could be revealed! Up above, He Yongliang smiled slightly, tilting his head. What a truly graceful immortal demeanor!
"And you?" He Yongliang spoke to the girl.
The girl lifted her head. Somehow, she suppressed most of that icy-cold demeanor when speaking to this Shizun, her voice polite and soft: "This disciple's name is Lei Ruolan. This disciple has dreamed since she was young of saving those less fortunate than herself from ghosts and demons. This disciple desires to grow strong to protect the weak." Qiu Yunru wanted to cover his face. Couldn't either of these people leave some dignity for him? Compared to such a noble response and such determined passion, his desire to be here made him like a chicken among cranes! He really just wanted to be strong enough to go and live a peaceful life...
Up above He Yongliang nodded in approval. "And you?"
Qiu Yunru swallowed the embarrassment in his throat. "This disciple's name is Qiu Yunru. This disciple has long admired the noble and graceful demeanor of those who cultivate, and has dreamt of learning cultivation since he was a boy. This disciple will work hard to please Shizun." He bowed his head again with a red face. At least he was good at making things up on the spot--and it wasn't completely untrue. He had always thought cultivators in novels and games were refined and admirable--they just had never really existed to him! Thankfully, no one seemed to bat an eye at his bullshit. He Yongliang raised an eyebrow above, and his lips quirked into a slight smile.
"All three of you have quite admirable reasons for wishing to cultivate. I look forward to leading each of you in the ways of cultivation." He nodded to that male disciple from before, Fang-something. "This is Fang Hai, your shixiong and my Head Disciple. Over there is Fu Jia, your shijie." He went on, rattling off more names. "You must treat all your shixiong and shijie with respect, as you would any elder." Fang Hai hurried forward, handing each of the three new disciples neatly folded white and jade robes while their Shizun continued: "Our recruitment process will continue for two days or so. At that time, we will all return to Lu Hua mountain together, and your training will begin. Until then, you are free to say goodbye to anyone you wish and to roam the city. Remember that you represent this Shizun and our sect now."
Qiu Yunru made a courtesy with his hands at the same time that girl, Lei Ruolan, did. Pan Fa followed suit quickly, almost falling over himself. "This disciple is honored," Qiu Yunru said in sync with Lei Ruolan. Pan Fa followed suit clumsily, shouting the words. Lei Ruolan looked sideways at Qiu Yunru, shooting him an icy look. A shiver crawled down his spine. Did she have a problem with him already? What had he done?!
After a few more perfunctory words, they meeting was dispersed. Qiu Yunru delicately held his robes, not wanting to get a single speck of dirt on them. They were so expensively made, embellished with silver embroidery and made of fine silk. What a rich sect Jade Clouds must be! As he headed off towards the inn he was staying at, someone tugged at his sleeve. It was Pan Fa, gleefully skipping after him.
"Shixiong! Shixiong, since you're my shixiong, won't shixiong spend some time with me exploring the city?"
Qiu Yunru could feel a migraine shooting through his skull. How many times could you say one word in one sentence? This kid was going to be a handful...