Murim's Weakest Princess
Chapter 174: Ci Wang’s Debut

Chapter 174: Ci Wang’s Debut

After finishing the bun, Anji felt a little warmer. The morning air was chilly even if the successor robes were thick. Senior Researcher Mo said nothing even when Anji started circulating her qi mid-hike to keep up with the pace and keep warm. If anything, Anji had a feeling the man secretly created a barrier of condensed energy around them to protect them from the cold wind as they climbed.

The hike took nearly two hours, even with the shortcuts. By now, Anji could hear the first birds of the morning. However, it was still very dark. They were navigating an underused mountain path with only a light talisman. It was difficult, and Anji almost fell several times.

"This won’t do," the man eventually stopped. "We’re going to be late."

Panicked, Anji gathered her skirt fabric and suggested running, but Senior Researcher Mo had other ideas.

Anji yelped in surprise when Senior Researcher Mo told her to hold onto his light talisman after picking her up. The girl was immediately reminded of the time when he carried her the same way to the academic central.

"It should be fine if you appear like you’ve walked all the way up. Don’t let them know you hitched a hike, or I’ll get in trouble. Now, hold on tight. We’re going to take a shortcut."

Nodding, Anji wrapped her hands around Senior Researcher Mo’s neck as he stepped onto his sword and started flying into the sky. Anji had no idea why cultivators did not travel this way more often. Her shifu travelled by sitting on her staff, and Senior Researcher Mo used his sword like a boat sailing through the air above the clouds.

Despite the poor visibility, Anji was finally able to see this sight in person and not in her soul form. The vastness of the Mystical Qilin Mountain range that she could not reach previously was now finally available to her. Awed by the view, Anji casually asked if she would be able to learn how to fly on swords or staffs after she became the successor.

Amused by one of Anji’s more child-like moments, Senior Researcher Mo explained that succession had nothing to do with flying on weapons.

"Anyone who reaches the Enlightened Core level can easily do this," he explained. "The only reason why it isn’t normally permitted in the sect is due to the high chances of collision. When travelling at such a speed, it is often difficult to stop or change the direction suddenly."

Nodding along, Anji wondered how long it would take her to reach the level her older sister achieved. Even with acceleration cultivation chambers, Anji had a feeling she might master the art of spiritual weaving quicker than improving her cultivation base.

Within twenty minutes, Senior Researcher Mo and Anji arrived at the meeting point. Anji only needed to walk for ten minutes after the aerial shortcut. Thankfully, nobody seemed to have noticed the transportation hack Senior Researcher Mo used to get them here on time.

"You’re here right on time," Yan Ping noted. "Let’s quickly finish the ceremony."

Although her shifu’s words sounded nothing out of the ordinary, Anji blushed. From the slight change in the tone, Anji knew that her shifu had noticed their use of the shortcut. Then again, maybe that was part of her intention when she allowed Senior Researcher Mo to escort Anji to the peak of the mountain.

In the blanket of darkness, only the faint glow of light talismans from behind Anji helped to illuminate the area. Anji had no idea what the surroundings in front of her looked like. However, she could tell there was a large stone tablet with some carvings she could not make out in front of her and a small altar prepared by the elders.

Anji inhaled deeply and composed herself. She practised hundreds of times over the last few days how to recite the vow and do the three kowtows.

"Zhao Anji stands before the founders and previous sect leaders in front of the sect elders and current sect leader to bear witness to my vow. On this day, I, Zhao Anji, will cast away my birth name and take upon the name Ci Wang as the 9th successor of the Mystical Qilin Sect.

I vow to uphold the impartiality of our teachings, to seek only the truth of the world, and to protect the integrity of the sect’s traditions. I shall not be swayed by emotions nor power and remain steadfast in my duty to guide the Sect towards wisdom for humanity.

With this oath, I pledge my life to the Mystical Qilin Sect and remain neutral in worldly affairs to protect the sanctity of our ways for generations to come.

Please receive my bows and let the heavens bear witness to my pledge."

Although there were some stumbles with the more difficult words, Anji safely made it through the pledge. Now, all she had to do was wait for the sun to rise before giving her three kowtows towards the altar and serving morning tea to her shifu.

Thankfully, the skies were clear on such an important day. The ancestors from after ascension must have given their blessings. Anji was glad it did not rain. Although she would still remain standing and waiting for the first rays of the sun to pay her respect, she had no idea if her weak body would hold up if that happened.

The birds were noisier, and the sky’s colour became lighter. The first rays of dawn would break at any moment, and Anji kept her eyes trained on the horizon.

When the first streaks of orange filled the sky, Anji quickly dropped to her knees and gave her three kowtows, ensuring she pressed her forehead to the ground in front of the altar. When the bows were done, Anji felt slightly dizzy. However, Senior Researcher Mo was quickly by her side with a cup, subtly steadying her as he passed her the cup.

Behind her, Yan Ping stood silently and waiting. Nobody moved from their positions even though the light talismans were now deactivated. The sun rose quickly, and soon, the entire area was filled with a gentle orange glow.

"A- Ci Wang greets shifu," Anji kneeled before her teacher and raised the teacup as high as she could above her head. "Please drink some tea."

Unable to tell where the teacup and Anji’s hands were, Yan Ping took a little longer to locate them. However, when she did, she quickly drank the tea and ended the successor ceremony. With this many witnesses, it was only right to declare that Ci Wang was now the official ninth successor of the Mystical Qilin Sect.

As soon as the serious ceremony concluded, the teacup was thrown back into a basket, and a new spread of food was displayed on picnic blankets that were not there before.

"Eat lots of meat, Ci Wang!" A senior researcher lady Anji had never seen before cooed, shoving a roasted chicken drumstick in her hand. "It must have been difficult for you this past week."

"No fair!" an elderly senior researcher with half black and half white hair split perfectly in the middle roared. "How can you talk to Ci Wang before me?"

Yan Ping wisely backed out of the chaos and gave Anji a short wave before disappearing. She hated crowding, and while she wanted to give Anji her gift, she would do it later when they were alone in the hut. The feast she troubled Aunt Wine to prepare smelled good. Anji deserved only the best.

Anji could barely call out to her shifu. The cacophony of congratulatory yells and arguments between petty elders of the sect quickly drowned out her voice. Senior Researcher Mo remained behind but deliberately averted any eye contact with Anji, who was mobbed by other enthusiastic elders. He was not going to get himself swept away in that mess, even if he felt bad for Anji, who was now at the centre of their attention.

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