Chapter Six.

It is now morning and Duan Xinyue is seated at the dressing table and seems to be deeply immersed reading something. If you get a clearer view he's definitely reading a small poster . Su Jiali brings him breakfast and her eyes directly shift towards the poster. It's a poster advertising the recruitment of new disciples at Ziran Sect. Only eleven applicants will be able to acquire a spot at the sect.

"Don't tell me you want to apply for that. Aren't you a little old to learn martial arts? "Su Jiali asks nervously not sure of how Duan Xinyue will react.

"I'm only twenty years old. I might be a little a little old to learn martial arts but that can't stop me from learning alchemy,"Duan Xinyue declares confidently.

"If you want to learn alchemy you must learn martial arts. That's the rule of Ziran Sect."

"Tell someone to prepare a carriage for me. I'm going to apply."

"Aren't you gonna eat the cakes first?"

Duan Xinyue picks up a piece of cake and stuffs it greedily in his mouth.

"Keep the rest,I'll come back to eat them,"with that Duan Xinyue rushes to the bathroom to bathe.

Several young masters, be it rich or poor flood at Ziran Sect. They enter the sect to fill the application forms. Lei Qiang's attendant Hong Yi is in charge of the application with Cai Huifen and Hong Rong helping him. Some applicants are here to admire Ziran Sect's beauty. The pavilions are made of precious stone walls with flowers surrounding them. Several types of trees can be seen. Outside White Pavilion,where Lei Qiang lives,there is a willow tree which acts as a shade for people who sit on the bench below it. Behind the pavilions is the combat ground,where disciples practice physical hard martial arts techniques.

Among the applicants , Duan Xinyue is the last to show up. Hong Yi is busy arranging the application forms when Duan Xinyue shows up. At first they think he's here to visit Lei Qiang, and end up being shocked when he reveals his real agenda for coming. It's their fault for not including the age requirement in their posters. As Duan Xinyue walks away after filling the application form,Lei Qiang arrives to analyze the application forms.

"Master Lei, please consider my application form for the sake of our brotherhood,"Duan Xinyue says out loudly and walks away disappearing out of sight.

At first Lei Qiang thought Duan Xinyue had not seen him when he arrived since Duan Xinyue did not look back as he walked away. He didn't expect this man to have eyes at the back of his head.

"Shifu, should we throw his application form away?"Cai Huifen asks not sure of Lei Qiang's true thoughts.

"He looks like someone who loves pestering people. Even if you throw it away he will still pester you my Lord,"Hong Yi adds.

"Just leave it. I will find out his real intention soon,"Lei Qiang declares.

'It's my fault for allowing him to pry into my life,'Lei Qiang thinks.

As Cai Huifen scrutinizes Duan Xinyue's application form,she notices something. Duan Xinyue had specified he wants to learn alchemy. She quickly shows it to Lei Qiang.

"Shifu ,could it be that he can't practice martial arts or he already knows?"

Lei Qiang suddenly recalls the incident where he felt Duan Xinyue's pulse. The pulse was so weak. But alchemy also requires energy,can he do it?

"Shifu,in our sect one must learn both alchemy and martial arts . Will you accept it?" Cai Huifen's question brings Lei Qiang back to reality . He ignores her question and instructs Hong Yi to keep the application forms then he heads towards White Pavilion.

"Do you guys think something is wrong with master?"Cai Huifen asks arousing their curiosity.

"I think it's got to do with that Duan gongzi,"Hong Yi replies.

Duan Xinyue enters Qingfeng Pavilion with a playful smile lingering on his face. He immediately spots a couple enjoying a meal with the man feeding the woman . He walks towards their table as if he knows them. Upon seeing him ,the man quickly gets up from his seat and bows to Duan Xinyue as if he's some god.

"No need to stand on ceremony Mister Yu."

"You're my benefactor,of course I must bow to you,"Yu Ding acknowledges.

Apart from being a musician,Duan Xinyue is a part time matchmaker. He can't help seeing some people die hiding their feelings for the people they fancy. And this Yu Ding is a grateful former client of his. Duan Xinyue teases them a bit and heads upstairs leaving the couple to enjoy their meal. When Duan Xinyue opens the door to his room,he's shocked to see Madam Ruo lying on his bed. Madam Ruo is a woman in her late thirties. A few years ago her husband divorced her, stripped off her title and threw her out of her residence. She became a mad woman since then and tried to end her life but Duan Xinyue saved her. Ever since,she is always clingy with Duan Xinyue.

"Xinyue, you're back ,"she smiles mischievously.

Madam Ruo's mischievous smile is what Duan Xinyue fears the most. Madam Ruo gets up from the bed and walks towards him.

"Madam Ruo,why are you here?"Duan Xinyue asks in a panicking voice.

"What? You don't want me to visit you?" Madam Ruo moves step by step closer towards him. Every time she takes a step forward,he takes a step backwards in a cringe. When he reaches the door,he turns around and dashes downstairs panting.

"Who allowed her to enter my room?"

Su Jiali and Qin Lanhua look at each other in confusion then look back at him.

"Who did we allow to enter your room?"

"Madam Ruo,"he replies still panting.

The girls' gaze shift towards Madam Ruo who's walking downstairs majestically. Duan Xinyue follows their gaze and sees Madam Ruo. He runs past the girls and disappears leaving the girls laughing at him.