Chapter 179: Chapter 0179: From Now On, You Are My Companion_1
Tian Bingbing was taken aback, feeling that Zhang Bin made too much sense. She said shyly, "I can accept this rule. If I ever get married in the future, I’ll marry a sect disciple."
Zhang Bin laughed heartily in his mind. This beauty is mine now! Since I’m the only man in our sect, who else could she marry but me?
At that moment, his heart filled with pride and joy. His gaze became increasingly intense as it rested on the enticing beauty before him. He found himself unable to look away; the more he looked, the more he liked her.
"Xiao Bin, can I really join your sect? Do I have the talent and the affinity for it?" Tian Bingbing asked anxiously.
"You have decent talent, and the affinity as well," Zhang Bin said, silently adding in his heart, None of that really matters. What’s important is that you’re gorgeous—a breathtaking beauty.
That said, if it were any other woman, no matter how beautiful, Zhang Bin would not have considered taking her on as his junior sister. Tian Bingbing was different. She had practiced martial arts since childhood and had already reached the peak of the Lianqi Realm, giving her a solid foundation.
Once she learned the Three Purities Secret Technique, she could quickly break through to the Rushing Pulse Realm. After that, advancing to the Qi Sea Realm, the Liquid State, and even the Golden Core Realm was entirely possible. This was because he could provide her with Spiritual Energy for cultivation. In this way, the strength of their Taiqing Sect would grow once more.
Moreover, since Tian Bingbing could only be his woman—his future wife—he would naturally spare no effort in cultivating her.
"Do you mean I can really join the Taiqing Sect?" Tian Bingbing’s face erupted with ecstasy.
"Yes," Zhang Bin nodded.
"That’s great! When will you take me to your sect?" Tian Bingbing asked with anticipation.
"There’s no need to go to the sect. I’ll first impart the sect’s Cultivation Technique to you, and you will start as a Recorded-Name Disciple. If your cultivation reaches the required level, you can then become an Official Disciple," Zhang Bin said seriously.
"Do you mean, from now on, you’re going to be my master?" Tian Bingbing asked in surprise.
"No, no, no. From now on, you will be my junior sister and also my partner. I’m accepting a disciple on behalf of our master," Zhang Bin explained.
"But you already have a girlfriend..." A beautiful blush spread across Tian Bingbing’s face.
"Bingbing, the partner I’m talking about isn’t necessarily a spouse. It could mean a confidante, a soulmate, or a companion who provides mutual support—a senior brother and junior sister bound together through life and death," Zhang Bin said. "Once you join our sect and set foot on the path of cultivation, we will have to journey on together, weathering every storm. Only then can we endure countless lonely years and overcome innumerable hardships."
"I understand, Senior Brother," Tian Bingbing’s voice turned exceptionally tender, a look of anticipation appearing on her face.
"Our sect doesn’t have too many rules. Just kowtow three times toward Great Green Mountain... and then give your senior brother a hug. That will count as your induction into the sect," Zhang Bin said mischievously.
"Yes, Senior Brother."
Tian Bingbing excitedly agreed, immediately kowtowing three times respectfully in the direction of Great Green Mountain. Then she stood up, hugged Zhang Bin tightly, and said shyly, "Senior Brother, please take good care of me in the future."
"I will, my lovely junior sister." Zhang Bin also hugged the woman, who was as beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal, taking deep breaths of her intoxicating fragrance. At that moment, he was completely enchanted.
Tian Bingbing seemed lost as well, clinging to Zhang Bin. She even shouted with excitement in her heart, From now on, I am a Recorded-Name Disciple of the Taiqing Sect! And Zhang Bin is my Senior Brother! With such a noble and immensely powerful senior brother to accompany me on the path of cultivation, what is there to fear?
She even found herself inexplicably recalling the night they had shared a bed. Could it be that fate has decreed that I am to be entwined with this youth? Even if we can’t be husband and wife, are we destined to be companions on the path of cultivating the Dao?
It was a long time before they let go of each other, their faces alight with joy. This joy was like finding a confidant, like finding one’s other half.
Without any delay, Zhang Bin immediately imparted the Three Purities Secret Technique to Tian Bingbing. However, he only gave her the portion for cultivating up to the Qi Sea Realm, holding back the subsequent techniques. He said with a serious expression, "For now, you are only a Recorded-Name Disciple, not an Official Disciple. Therefore, I can only teach you the Cultivation Technique up to the Qi Sea Realm. Once you reach the peak of the Qi Sea Realm and become an Official Disciple, I will then impart to you the techniques for reaching the Liquid State and the Golden Core Realm."
"Thank you, Senior Brother." A look of delighted surprise appeared on Tian Bingbing’s face, for she had never before seen such a marvelous cultivation technique.
Zhang Bin then led Tian Bingbing out to the balcony. Overlooking the vast lake, he explained the principles of cultivation to her in detail. These were concepts from the annotations he had read in the Tao Te Ching, mixed with some of his own insights.
"Junior Sister, the saying ’The Dao follows nature’ is wrong. Cultivating the Dao is an act of defying the heavens. We must contend with heaven to extend our lifespans and plunder resources from nature to strengthen ourselves. And yet, ’The Dao follows nature’ is also correct. It means that our cultivation must be a natural process, progressing step-by-step. We cannot be reckless..." Zhang Bin said softly.
Tian Bingbing kept nodding, her previous confusions about cultivation swept away. Her gratitude toward Zhang Bin grew beyond measure. Senior Brother, your kindness is too great. I’m willing to do anything for you, she thought.
What touched and shocked her even more was when Zhang Bin took out a large bottle of Spiritual Water from his backpack and gently said, "Junior Sister, this is Jade Liquid I brought from the sect. It’s a Heaven and Earth Treasure for cultivation, and extremely precious. Take it and use it for your cultivation. When you run out, come to me for more. I’ll go back to the sect and get some."
"Senior Brother, why are you so good to me?" Tian Bingbing was so moved she began to cry, hugging Zhang Bin tightly. Is this what it feels like to be companions?
"That’s right. This is what it feels like. From now on, our destinies are linked. Even marriage can’t compare to our partnership. How long can a married couple be together? Sixty years at most. But we, as cultivation companions, could be together for hundreds, or even thousands, of years," Zhang Bin said, gently wrapping an arm around her waist and whispering in her ear.
How wonderful it would be if Senior Brother didn’t have a girlfriend... then I could be his wife... The thought suddenly surfaced in Tian Bingbing’s mind, but she quickly snuffed it out. I’m already so fortunate to be his junior sister and partner. What more could I possibly hope for? I absolutely must not ruin his relationships with Xiao Fang and Liu Ruolan. But... but what if he asks me to be his woman? At that thought, her heart began to race.
But then she steadfastly reassured herself. A man as noble as my Senior Brother would never make such a request, right?