The Nine Leaf Sword Grass and the Apprenticeship System

On the Douluo Continent, outside Suotuo City, a young man walked along the road, muttering to himself, "Damn it, I'm clearly a transmigrator, so why haven't I awakened a system?"

The youth was named Ye Feiyang. He was a transmigrator who had arrived on the Douluo Continent without any golden finger. Fortunately, the martial soul he awakened was quite impressive: the Nine Leaf Sword Grass.

That's right, it was the very same Nine Leaf Sword Grass from a certain pinnacle mystical novel.

This martial soul was truly miraculous; for every soul ring he obtained, it would grow an additional leaf, and his strength and cultivation speed would double.

Relying on this heaven-defying talent, Ye Feiyang had cultivated his Soul Power to level 79 by the age of 18, a feat considered extremely rare across the entire continent.

Yet, he remained unsatisfied. If he could possess a system, his strength would be even more monstrous.

[Ding! Hello, Host. Congratulations on awakening the Apprenticeship System!]

A strange voice suddenly rang out.

Ye Feiyang was startled; he hadn't expected to awaken a system at this late stage.

But he was nearly a Soul Douluo—what was the point of a system now?

Ye Feiyang suddenly curled his lips into a smile: "You arrive only now? But today... perhaps I no longer rely on you so much."

[Host, please reconsider! You still possess immense potential for growth, and this system can provide help beyond your imagination.]

[For example: increasing the age of your current soul rings!]

[Winning top-tier secret manuals from high-martial worlds, supreme divine abilities from the Mystical Plane, and Cultivation Methods from the Immortal Civilization!]

Ye Feiyang's eyes narrowed sharply, and he involuntarily drew a deep breath.

Martial arts? Divine abilities? Immortal techniques?

These words stirred up a massive storm in his heart!

Regardless of whether these were empty promises, the temptation was simply impossible to resist!

In particular, increasing his Soul Ring Age addressed his most urgent need at this very moment!

His soul ring combination of yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, while a standard configuration, always felt like a flaw when paired with a martial soul like the Nine Leaf Sword Grass.

Now that the system had descended, was it not entirely redundant?

Could it be considered the icing on the cake?

No! If this could truly be added, it would surely bloom into a magnificent sea of flowers!

Ye Feiyang's tone softened, carrying a hint of probing:

"Is that so? Then explain carefully: what kind of system are you exactly? What are your specific capabilities?"

[Host, this system's mission is to preach and teach, achieving the status of a supreme Immortal Master! Its core is: taking on disciples!]

[As for the delay, it was truly because the energy level of this realm is not high, which consumed a significant amount of time...]

"So that's how it is. Then how does taking on disciples work exactly?"

Ye Feiyang raised an eyebrow, no longer interested in pursuing the matter of the broken promise; dwelling on it was meaningless.

[Each of your soul ring slots can be linked to a personal disciple you have designated! The final age of that soul ring will be equal to the sum of all the soul ring ages of the bound disciple in real-time!]

Upon hearing this, Ye Feiyang felt as if thunder were roaring in his mind, shaking his very soul.

Was this ability merely extraordinary? To him, it was perfectly suited.

It was undoubtedly a heaven-defying cheat.

Although the system itself was already a transcendent existence, this function was truly astonishing!

Previously, he had felt a slight regret regarding his soul ring configuration, but who would have thought the situation would turn around, presenting such a twist of fate?

Did this mean that as long as he took on disciples with exceptional talent, his own soul ring age could skyrocket?

Why keep a low profile? He had to take the initiative!

Take on disciples! Take on disciples immediately!

And he couldn't just pick anyone; he had to screen them strictly, searching for those future Heaven's Chosen!

Excellent candidates... here and now, where would the geniuses be?

Speaking of geniuses!

Ye Feiyang's gaze involuntarily turned toward the distance of the road, toward Suotuo City.

"Ha! Isn't that a coincidence?"

A profound smile appeared on his lips; the trajectory of fate aligned perfectly at this moment.

"Isn't this the perfect time?"

"System, is there a status bar? Also, there should be some compensation, right? Like a beginner's gift pack?"

[There is, Host, there is.]

[Ding, obtained one Martial Arts Gift Pack, Charm stat permanently increased by 99 points (already in effect)! Please receive...]

Ye Feiyang shifted his thoughts, sensing the presence of the gift pack.

Charm increased by 99?

He looked down to inspect himself, but finding no obvious changes, he decided not to dwell on it for now.

His attention shifted to the Martial Arts Gift Pack, which contained the essence of martial arts from various worlds.

The highest level reached the Grandmaster Realm.

He made a rough assessment, feeling that the standard was roughly on par with the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record from Tang San.

These martial arts techniques were numerous and could be left for slow study in the future.

With a slight stir of his mind, he quietly summoned the system interface:

[Name]: Ye Feiyang

[Age]: 18

[Charm]: 99+

[Martial Soul]: Nine Leaf Sword Grass

[Traits]: The Nine Leaf Sword Grass Martial Soul provides the host with a constant boost to base combat power and cultivation speed. Current multiplier: 7x

[Level]: 79, Power Attack Battle Soul Saint

[Soul Rings]: Yellow (420 years), Yellow (750 years), Purple (2,000 years), Purple (6,000 years), Black (14,000 years), Black (40,000 years), Black (60,000 years)

[Soul Bone]: None

[Soul Skills]: First Soul Skill · Azure Edge Pierces the Sky: The grass leaves transform into sharp azure blades, releasing a strange sword energy with immense penetrating power, capable of armor-piercing and tearing effects against energy-based defensive soul skills.

Second Soul Skill · Thousand Leaf Protection: Condenses phantom images of the sword grass to surround the body, forming a barrier of leaf blades that can both attack and defend, blocking or striking at will.

Third Soul Skill · Life Recovery: Stimulates the life essence of the sword grass to be released onto a designated target, rapidly healing wounds and restoring a portion of Soul Power.

Fourth Soul Skill · Sword Rain Barrage: Using himself as the origin, he conjures countless dense sword energies. Wherever his mind directs, ten thousand blades fire simultaneously, forming a wide-range blade storm.

Fifth Soul Skill · Sword Domain Growth: Deploys a unique Sword Domain. Within the domain, hard and sharp sword grass grows from the ground, while the air is filled with invisible sword energy and pressure, continuously cutting, interfering with, and suppressing opponents.

Sixth Soul Skill · Law Severance: Gathers the essence of the Nine Leaf Sword Grass to launch a final strike, containing a trace of the intent to "sever rules," possessing a law-breaking property:

It can forcibly sever the energy connection of a target's active soul skill, interrupting the casting.

It can tear through energy shields, barriers, and other defenses.

It can ignore physical defense to deal true damage.

Seventh Soul Skill · Sword Grass Avatar (Martial Soul Avatar): Transforms into the true form of the Nine Leaf Sword Grass, significantly boosting all attributes and unleashing torrents of majestic sword energy with every movement.

Ye Feiyang quickly browsed the panel information; the content was indeed meticulous.

"Hmm, having this panel is certainly convenient; it allows me to grasp my own status more directly." He silently acknowledged.

Although he had a clear understanding of his own strength, a digitized display was undoubtedly more intuitive.

His gaze turned once again toward the direction of Suotuo City, and a strong sense of anticipation surged in his heart.

With his current level, nearing that of a Soul Douluo, combined with the augmentation of the Nine Leaf Sword Grass and numerous powerful soul skills, he should no longer fear that formidable enemy who had always been lurking in the shadows.

Even if they hadn't clashed head-on, he was confident he could handle it.

Moreover, he vaguely felt that the threshold for breaking through to Soul Douluo seemed to be right before his eyes!

In a pleasant mood, Ye Feiyang strolled leisurely along the forest path.

Suddenly, a panicked black figure darted into his field of vision.

The figure had an exquisite silhouette, appearing even more charming in her rapid flight.

Even a brief glance was enough to make one unforgettable.

The woman's black clothing was torn in many places, revealing striking bloodstains underneath; clearly, her injuries were not light, and she stumbled as she ran.

This unique attire and these distinct features instantly brought a name to Ye Feiyang's mind.

"Hmm? Could this person be Zhu Zhuqing?"

A hint of interest flashed in his eyes. "Judging by her dire situation, it seems she has run into trouble."

"Did she just escape from the Zhu Family? To travel thousands of miles to this Heaven Dou Empire, she must be looking for that fiancé she has never met..."

Ye Feiyang had transmigrated six years before the protagonist group was born; counting the time, it was exactly when they were headed to Shrek.

As if to verify his guess, no sooner had the thought arisen than several figures radiating murderous intent chased closely in the direction where Zhu Zhuqing had disappeared.

Having roughly confirmed the other party's identity, Ye Feiyang immediately made a plan.

She was indeed a suitable candidate to be his first disciple!

Now that she was in dire straits, wasn't this a god-given opportunity?

Even though he knew that if he didn't intervene, Zhu Zhuqing would still escape according to the original development, with no threat to her life.

But since she had caught the eye of Ye Feiyang, how could he let her go?

"Heh, you and I had no connection, but it was all arranged by fate. This first disciple of mine, it has to be you!"

His figure flickered, and he followed silently behind.

Zhu Zhuqing was indeed sharp, knowing how to leverage the strengths of her own Martial Soul.

During the chase, she darted into a dense forest.

The ancient trees here towered into the sky, and the complex terrain provided an excellent natural screen, significantly hindering the pursuers' line of sight and speed.

In her original fate, she might have used this cover to successfully escape.

Ye Feiyang followed unhurriedly from behind, watching from the sidelines.

With his strength, dealing with those few Soul Elders and the leading Soul Ancestor would be as easy as turning over his hand.

However, he was not a righteous hero; how could he offer a helping hand without expecting a reward?

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he suddenly accelerated. His figure swept past the group and appeared silently in front of Zhu Zhuqing, calmly blocking her path.

"Miss, why are you so panicked?"

He wore a faint smile and continued, "Do you need help?"

This sudden voice exploded against Zhu Zhuqing's highly strained nerves!

She stopped abruptly, her chest heaving violently, a breathtaking sight.

Her rapid breathing revealed the turmoil in her heart.

A pair of beautiful, guarded eyes locked tightly onto Ye Feiyang.

She was secretly horrified; she hadn't even noticed when this man had appeared!

Her heart rate accelerated involuntarily—not out of attraction, but purely from shock.

"Who... who are you? Why are you blocking my way?"

Ye Feiyang did not respond, his gaze sweeping indifferently behind her.

In this brief delay, the footsteps and shouts of the pursuers became clearly audible, rapidly closing in.

Zhu Zhuqing turned at the sound and saw those familiar faces. Her face turned ashen, and the last glimmer of hope in her heart was extinguished.

Looking back at the composed man before her, she almost burst into tears.

She pointed at Ye Feiyang, her lips trembling, and finally let out a long sigh:

"Sigh!"

"Leave quickly! These people are after me; if you don't go, you'll be caught up in this too!"

Although she was annoyed that he had delayed her escape, she did not want to implicate an innocent person.

Ye Feiyang replied calmly, "I'm not leaving. Answer my question first."

Zhu Zhuqing paused. Was this man out of his mind?

Had she not made herself clear enough?

Could he not see the murderous intent of the group behind her?

She shook her head, abandoning the thought of communicating with this fool.

She had given her warning; let fate decide the rest!

Still, seeing his handsome features, she offered one last reminder:

"They are here to capture me! The leader is a Soul Ancestor!"

"If you don't want to lose your life, leave at once!"

Having said that, she stopped looking at Ye Feiyang and braced her exhausted body, preparing for a final stand.

The long-distance flight had already drained her Soul Power and stamina.

She had originally planned to use the dense forest as cover to reach Suotuo City, where she would be safe.

Now, watching the figures slowly closing in from the front, a deep sense of despair gripped her.

"Must you force me to my death?" She leaned against an ancient tree, her voice filled with indignation and unwillingness.

The leading Soul Ancestor looked conflicted and cupped his hands, saying, "Why must the Third Miss ask? We are merely following orders and have no choice in the matter. I hope you can forgive us."

His tone carried a hint of respect.

Throughout this chase, Zhu Zhuqing's tenacity and agility had left a deep impression on him.

Since her identity had been revealed, he simply addressed her as Third Miss.

In truth, they had not been pursuing her with full force, and had even intended to let her slip away.

As long as she could escape into Suotuo City, they would have an excuse to report back.

Who would have expected an unexpected interloper to completely disrupt their plans?

In the grievances of powerful families, subordinates like them could only obey orders.

"Enough talk, do it." The Soul Ancestor sighed and waved his hand helplessly.

"Boss, should we take her alive or...?" a Soul Elder asked, licking his lips.

"Keep her alive and bring her back to report!" the Soul Ancestor ordered in a low voice.

As soon as he finished speaking, the soul rings around the several Soul Elders lit up one after another. Yellow and purple lights flickered and intertwined, quickly surrounding Zhu Zhuqing in a fan formation.

To be so cautious against a Soul Grandmaster—it was clear he had suffered at Zhu Zhuqing's hands before.

Zhu Zhuqing gritted her teeth, activating Spirit Cat Possession as two yellow rings rose from beneath her feet.

Yet, the gap in cultivation and her physical exhaustion made her resistance appear futile.

After only a few exchanges, worn down by her opponent's intentional attrition, she was sent flying by a blast of Soul Power, landing precisely in the direction of Ye Feiyang.

Ye Feiyang calmly spread his arms and caught the flying girl with fluid, practiced ease, pulling her lithe body into his embrace.

This woman fought at the drop of a hat; he hadn't even had a chance to speak.

The expected pain of impact never came; instead, she fell into a warm, solid embrace.

Zhu Zhuqing was dazed for a moment.

This sudden sense of protection.

She raised her eyes, falling into the depths of Ye Feiyang's gaze.

Her composure slipped for a heartbeat.

How did she end up in his arms?

After a brief moment of confusion, a wave of embarrassment surged in her heart.

She instinctively pushed against that solid chest, only to find his arms as immovable as iron.

Heavens! How could this man's body be so hard?

Feeling the strength and warmth radiating from his taut muscles, her heart hammered like a drum.

She lamented inwardly: It's over. This man was born with Peach Blossom Eyes that look affectionate no matter who he gazes at, paired with a sturdy frame, but he's a fool. He didn't listen to my warning earlier, and now he'll likely be buried here with me.

Looking at his handsome face so close to her own, the anger in her chest inexplicably dissipated by more than half.

"Sigh..." She let out a resigned sigh.

"Didn't I tell you to leave? Why didn't you listen? I wasn't joking..."

Unable to push him away, she truly lacked the strength to struggle.

With her Soul Power exhausted and her legs weak, even standing had become a luxury.

Having something to lean on at a time like this felt unexpectedly reassuring!

Ye Feiyang clearly felt the slight trembling of the lithe body in his arms.

The corners of his lips curled up: "Become my disciple, and I will save you from this predicament. How about it?"

Zhu Zhuqing froze, wondering if she was hallucinating from blood loss.

Become his disciple?

At such a critical juncture, he was actually thinking about taking on a student?

She didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

However, before she could respond:

"Brat! Pay with your life!"

A roar filled with fury exploded!

The leading Soul Ancestor's face was as dark as water, his eyes brimming with murderous intent!

Although they were here to capture Zhu Zhuqing, she was, after all, the Third Young Miss of the clan; her status was noble!

To see her being held intimately by a man of unknown origin?

Four soul rings rose from beneath his feet, and his surging Soul Power locked onto Ye Feiyang instantly!

"I gave you a way out, but you chose to seek your own death. Now, I'll send you on your way."

The Soul Ancestor's voice was bone-chillingly cold; killing an ordinary person was as effortless as crushing an ant to him.

He curled his fingers into a claw, his Soul Power coalescing as he struck directly at Ye Feiyang's throat with a sharp, piercing whistle!

Ye Feiyang raised his eyes, a faint, elusive smile playing on his lips.

In the split second that the Soul Ancestor's savage expression peaked and his Soul Power was about to make contact—

Ye Feiyang didn't even manifest his soul rings; he simply raised his hand casually and uttered four words:

"Azure Edge Pierces the Sky."

The moment the words fell, time seemed to stand still.

Before anyone could track any trace of Soul Power, a faint yet lethal emerald light flashed and vanished.

The imposing Soul Ancestor's body suddenly stiffened, his savage grin frozen, his eyes filled with sheer terror.

He couldn't even make a sound, his lips moving silently.

Then, a thin line of blood quietly appeared across his throat.

Immediately after, blood gushed out like a fountain, staining the surrounding grass red.

Thud!

The heavy body collapsed straight to the ground, life extinguished, eyes wide with terror.

A deathly silence fell!

The few Soul Elders who had accompanied him saw the fierce expressions on their faces instantly replaced by horror, each of them trembling with fear!

Only now did they realize that the seemingly gentle young man before them was no lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

He was clearly a terrifying existence whose very aura was impossible to detect!

Even a powerful Soul Ancestor had been killed by him in an instant!

He hadn't even had the chance to struggle!

What were they, mere Soul Elders, in the eyes of such a person?

He was absolutely not to be provoked! He must never be offended!

Was it still too late to kneel and beg for mercy?

Forget about running; they had lost even the courage to move a single inch.

They stood frozen in place, breathing with extreme caution, waiting for their final judgment with ashen faces.

Zhu Zhuqing was also stunned by the sudden turn of events.

Watching the Soul Ancestor drop dead in an instant, she turned to stare at Ye Feiyang, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"You... you killed him?" Her voice trembled slightly.

Ye Feiyang felt helpless at her reaction; wasn't it an obvious fact?

"Why shouldn't I?"

"He was clearly trying to take my life just now."

"I never show mercy to my enemies."

Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily speechless; that was not what she was worried about.

"You... you will bring great trouble upon yourself. After all, they are..."

Ye Feiyang interrupted her directly, his gaze sweeping toward the terrified Soul Elders.

"How should we deal with these people? Should I finish them off as well? If I may say so, one should never be so indecisive when dealing with the world."

"They came for you, after all. Think carefully about why you ended up in this state. If you were captured and taken back, what fate would await you? You should know that better than anyone."

"What? Am I wrong? Or would you prefer I just leave now?"

Zhu Zhuqing's thoughts were in turmoil, her mind a chaotic mess.

Ye Feiyang's words left her unable to argue, and she even felt a faint sense of logic in them.

Could it be that I was truly wrong?

She struggled internally for a moment, looking at the pale-faced Soul Elders—throughout this entire chase, they had ultimately never tried to kill her.

Otherwise, with a lineup of one Soul Ancestor leading several Soul Elders, how could she, a mere Soul Grandmaster, have escaped this far?

"Let them go. They were only following orders."

"I don't intend to return to that place anytime soon, anyway."

"I will settle this grudge with my own hands; consider this a message for them to take back."

Ye Feiyang said nothing more, merely shaking his head slightly to respect Zhu Zhuqing's decision.

He turned to the Soul Elders, "Did you hear that clearly? Consider yourselves lucky to have escaped death. Leave at once."

Zhu Zhuqing felt a strange tightening in her chest, vaguely sensing that she had made the wrong decision.

But then she felt secretly annoyed: I don't even know him, so why should I care what he thinks?

As for the Soul Elders, hearing the word "leave" was like hearing music from heaven!

The extreme terror was instantly replaced by the wild joy of escaping death.

No longer caring about their dignity, they kowtowed repeatedly in Ye Feiyang's direction, babbling incoherently in their gratitude:

"Thank you for sparing our lives, my lord! Thank you for your mercy!"

"Many thanks for your grace, my lord!"

Who would choose to die if they could live?

At this moment, their eyes actually showed gratitude as they scrambled to their feet and fled in a panic into the depths of the dense forest, terrified that Ye Feiyang might change his mind.

Having dismissed the eyesores, Ye Feiyang's attention returned to Zhu Zhuqing.

"Alright, now you can answer my question."

"I want to take you as my disciple. Tell me, are you willing or not?"

Zhu Zhuqing's tightly wound heartstrings finally relaxed; the threat had finally been temporarily lifted.

She wanted to express her sincere gratitude, but Ye Feiyang's persistent question blocked the words in her throat.

She truly found it hard to understand, even feeling that this man was bizarre to the extreme!

Why was he so insistent on taking her as his apprentice?

Although she couldn't gauge his true depth, the way he had instantly killed a Soul Ancestor earlier had truly shocked her, proving his strength was unfathomable.

Yet, he looked so young; no matter how strong he was, what realm could he possibly have reached?

A Soul King? Or perhaps a Soul Emperor?

No, this man must have ulterior motives; otherwise, why would he be holding her so tightly?

She bit her lower lip gently and countered, "If... if I refuse? Can we just be ordinary friends?"

Ye Feiyang raised an eyebrow. "Refuse? Then you're choosing the hard way, and I'll have no choice but to..."

Before he could finish, a wave of intense exhaustion washed over her.

Zhu Zhuqing felt the world go black, and before she could say another word, she lost consciousness and went limp.

Ye Feiyang looked at the girl who had suddenly fainted in his arms, his expression a mix of surprise and helplessness.

"Uh, she just passed out like that?"

"Could it be that I scared her unconscious?"

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing covered in wounds, Ye Feiyang raised his hand and activated his Third Soul Skill: Life Recovery.

A soft, emerald light enveloped her entire body.

He rarely used this healing skill, but the results were surprisingly good.

He speculated that it might be related to the unique characteristics of his own martial soul.

The crisscrossing wounds on Zhu Zhuqing's body healed at a speed visible to the naked eye under the light, revealing fresh, new skin.

"Tsk, the effect is quite impressive."

Ye Feiyang nodded with satisfaction. After carefully checking to ensure there were no hidden injuries, he finally felt at ease.

Without hesitation, he leaned over, hoisted Zhu Zhuqing onto his shoulder like a sack, and strode toward Suotuo City at high speed.

The closer he got to Suotuo City, the denser the crowds on the main road became.

Ye Feiyang tried his best to avoid the crowds, but carrying a full-grown person was inevitably too conspicuous.

All sorts of shocked, suspicious, and even condemnatory gazes kept falling upon him.

A few passersby who fancied themselves righteous even tried to play the hero, only to be kicked aside by an impatient Ye Feiyang.

"Noisy."

He couldn't be bothered to explain; he'd rather spend that time making progress.

Strength spoke for itself; if they weren't happy, they'd just have to endure it.

After nearly two hours of fast-paced travel while carrying her, the towering walls of Suotuo City finally came into view.

Ye Feiyang stopped and looked up at the soaring city gates and the endless stretch of walls.

"Whoa, that's quite impressive!" he exclaimed with genuine admiration.

The architecture inside the city had a distinct exotic flair, but Ye Feiyang wasn't particularly interested, glancing at it twice before losing interest.

Not long after entering the city, the girl on his shoulder began to squirm restlessly—Zhu Zhuqing had woken up.

She had been shaken awake by the jolting motion; she couldn't even find peace in unconsciousness.

"You! Put me down right now!"

She pounded on Ye Feiyang's back, her voice filled with shame and anger.

Thanks to Ye Feiyang's healing, her injuries were no longer a major concern, though her spirit still felt exhausted.

As soon as her feet touched the ground, she stood firm. Although her face remained pale, she was no longer as weak as before.

"Oh, you're finally awake! My dear apprentice."

Ye Feiyang brushed off his sleeves and looked at her with a smile.

He had long since grown tired of the strange looks from passersby, so he was happy to put her down.

Zhu Zhuqing frowned at his words. "I haven't agreed to be your apprentice!"

Ye Feiyang shrugged nonchalantly. "Did you forget something? Does it matter whether you agree or not? The result won't change anyway..."

He shifted his tone, adding a hint of playfulness. "You should be content to be my disciple; countless people beg to be my apprentice, and I'm not even sure I'd accept them."

Zhu Zhuqing muttered to herself: This man is incredibly thick-skinned and hopelessly narcissistic!

If he had said he wanted to pursue her, it would have sounded more plausible than taking her as an apprentice.

Wait, why would she even have a thought like that?

She took a deep breath and explained again, "I am here to find someone, and I have many personal matters to attend to. I really cannot be your apprentice. I'm sorry..."

Ye Feiyang chuckled, understanding the situation perfectly.

He naturally knew who she was looking for, but it wasn't his place to point it out.

"Oh? Don't tell me my dear apprentice came all this way just to meet a lover?"

He eyed her teasingly. "So young, yet instead of focusing on improving your strength, you're already preoccupied with matters of the heart?"

Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily speechless.

The words were unpleasant, yet they seemed to hold a grain of truth.

No! She was indeed searching for someone, but it was her fiancé, not some lover.

Besides, it was for the sake of survival and revenge, absolutely not for romance!

"Stop spouting nonsense! I did no such thing!" she retorted, annoyed.

Ye Feiyang couldn't be bothered to argue with her and waved his hand impatiently. "Fine, fine, no need to explain. It's getting late, and after traveling for so long, I'm starving."

"Hurry up and find a place to eat, then we'll find somewhere to stay for the night."

He added, "You have money on you, right? This meal is on you."

Zhu Zhuqing felt a wave of helplessness, as if she had punched a pile of cotton.

Speaking of paying, she did have a few Gold Coins left, but not many. Would this guy eat her into poverty?

Only then did she notice that her previously agonizing wounds were now completely painless.

She instinctively looked down to check her arm and discovered that the scars had almost entirely vanished.

A flicker of surprise and gratitude crossed her eyes as she looked at Ye Feiyang. "That... you were the one who healed me, weren't you? Thank you..."

"Don't mention it."

Ye Feiyang waved his hand dismissively. "You're my apprentice; healing you is only natural."

Zhu Zhuqing opened her mouth, but ultimately swallowed her rebuttal.

Forget it. Arguing with this person was a complete waste of breath; he wouldn't listen anyway.

"What would you like to eat? I'll pay."

"Anything is fine, I'm not picky."

Ye Feiyang replied immediately, looking easy to please. "Whatever you order, I'll eat. As long as it fills me up!"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded silently, saying no more.

The two found a clean and elegant restaurant in the city and walked inside.

After a whirlwind of eating, they were both satisfied.

Zhu Zhuqing watched Ye Feiyang's table manners—did he look like a master at all?

He wanted to take her as his apprentice? He didn't seem reliable in the slightest.

Following their original plan, the two continued to look for a place to stay.

Whether by fate or coincidence, they wandered along until they found themselves standing in front of the Rose Hotel.

Ye Feiyang's eyes lit up the moment he saw the name—they would stay here!

He had been curious about this hotel for a long time.

He had spent these past years in deep cultivation, and this was his first visit to Suotuo City.

He pointed excitedly at the uniquely decorated hotel. "This place looks good, let's stay here!"

Zhu Zhuqing looked in the direction he was pointing, her footsteps coming to an abrupt halt as a blush crept up her cheeks.

She was secretly annoyed: was this guy doing this on purpose? Could he not tell this was a hotel for couples?

"No, let's find another one. This place is..." she tried to explain.

"Find another one? What a hassle, this is the one!"

Ye Feiyang waved his hand, then seemed to remember something and added, "Oh, right, you're paying..."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's cat-like eyes went round. Why was she the one paying again?

Only she knew that her remaining travel funds were dwindling; if she kept squandering them like this, she wouldn't even have enough for the academy's registration fee.

Ye Feiyang walked a few steps ahead, noticed she hadn't followed, and turned back to urge her:

"Are you coming? What are you spacing out for? What, are you stingy with your Gold Coins?"

His eyes rolled, and he sighed deliberately. "Sigh, fine. Go find a place to stay yourself. As for me... I don't mind roughing it out on a street corner for the night."

His tone carried a pitiful air.

The words made Zhu Zhuqing's face burn, as if she were a cold-hearted person.

She bit her lower lip and gripped her thin coin purse. This man was truly infuriating; it was a waste of a handsome face.

In the end, she reached out to grab the corner of Ye Feiyang's robe and dragged him toward the hotel entrance with her head bowed.

Just as they reached the door, a conspicuous sign caught her eye:

"Couples stay, 20% off!"

Ye Feiyang saw this and chuckled, leaning in close to Zhu Zhuqing to tease her in a low voice:

"See that? Twenty percent off for couples! How about we play along?"

The word "no" was almost out of Zhu Zhuqing's mouth, but thinking of the few Gold Coins left in her purse, she swallowed the refusal back down.

She even began to seriously suspect that this man had been plotting something from the very beginning.

"Hey!"

Zhu Zhuqing suddenly stopped, looking embarrassed and annoyed. "You... you still haven't told me your name!"

Ye Feiyang was stunned, only then realizing his oversight.

Right, he knew she was Zhu Zhuqing, but she knew absolutely nothing about him!

This was a lapse caused purely by his subconscious familiarity with her.

"Look at my memory!"

He slapped his forehead. "My name is Ye Feiyang."

"I... I'm Zhu Zhuqing," she replied in a small voice.

"Oh, right. Well, apprentice, since that's settled, hurry up and book the room!"

Ye Feiyang let out a massive yawn. "I just want a good sleep; I'm so tired I feel like I'm falling apart."

That wasn't a lie; he truly hadn't closed his eyes in days.

The two arrived at the front desk to check in, and only then did Zhu Zhuqing realize a problem.

Pretending to be a couple might get them a discount, but it meant they could only book one room!

She was truly caught in a dilemma.

She turned her head, staring at Ye Feiyang with cat-like eyes full of resentment.

Were they still going to book this room or not?

The receptionist, wearing a professional, sweet smile, spoke up at the perfect moment: "Are you two looking for a room? Couples currently enjoy a twenty percent discount. Are you two a couple?"

The receptionist was clearly accustomed to such situations, and the implication in her words couldn't have been clearer.

Zhu Zhuqing was instantly struck dumb, as if her throat were blocked; her cheeks burned, and she couldn't speak for a long moment.

Ye Feiyang, however, naturally reached out to wrap his arm around her slender waist, pulling her gently toward his side.

He then flashed a bright smile at the receptionist: "Of course we're a couple!"

"She's injured and needs to rest here for a few days, so please arrange a room for us quickly."

Zhu Zhuqing went rigid, shocked by his sudden intimate gesture.

Before this, no man had ever been in such close contact with her.

How many times had this happened today?

Should she push his hand away?

But the warm sensation against her waist...

She was surprised to find that she didn't feel the resistance she had expected.

What was going on?

She had always considered herself someone who didn't care about appearances, but at this moment, that conviction seemed to be wavering.

If Ye Feiyang knew her thoughts, he would surely attribute it to the system's hidden 99-point charm bonus.

He might even think smugly, "This charm of mine is just too much..."

In the past, he had been intentionally marginalized by the system, a person with absolutely no presence.

It was even less likely for him to easily win someone's favor.

But with this 99-point charm bonus, his presence was maxed out.

Just as her thoughts were in turmoil, the hand Ye Feiyang had around her waist pressed down ever so slightly.

"Hmm~~"

"What are you spacing out for?"

He leaned close to her ear, urging her in a low voice, "Pay the money..."

In that brief moment of distraction, the receptionist had already efficiently processed the paperwork and was smiling as she handed over the room card.

"Dear guests, that will be three Gold Coins for a three-day stay. Thank you for your patronage!"

Zhu Zhuqing felt her heart bleed... three Gold Coins for three days?

This was daylight robbery!

But the room card was already in front of her; it was clearly too late to back out.

She gritted her teeth and glared fiercely at Ye Feiyang.

She had never met such a stingy man!

Did he just pinch her waist a moment ago?

She detested this kind of boundary-crossing contact more than anything!

Were they even that close? Was her waist something he could just wrap his arm around? And all that talk about taking her as a disciple—it was clearly a pretext for ulterior motives.

Handing over three gold coins and taking the room key, Zhu Zhuqing, still fuming, gave Ye Feiyang's waist a sharp, forceful twist.

"Hiss... that hurts!" Ye Feiyang gasped, drawing in a sharp breath.

"Stop messing around; you can do whatever you want once we're back in the room," he said with a grin, rubbing his waist.

Zhu Zhuqing felt a tightness in her chest from the anger and slapped away his hand as he tried to lean in again.

She walked briskly toward the room, wanting nothing more than to put some distance between herself and this indecent man.

Covered in blood and grime, she felt sticky and uncomfortable, longing only to bathe and change as soon as possible.

The two walked into the room one after the other.

Disregarding the usual boundaries between men and women, Zhu Zhuqing headed straight for the bathroom.

"Oh? In such a hurry?"

Ye Feiyang leaned against the doorframe, drawing out his tone to tease her deliberately.

He was met with a bone-chilling glare.

Zhu Zhuqing, usually cold and composed, found her nerves frayed by this man.

The rise and fall of her chest betrayed her current irritation.

She had always despised people who lacked a sense of propriety.

"Bang!"

The bathroom door slammed shut, causing the frame to tremble slightly as she vented her dissatisfaction.

Ye Feiyang shrugged, dropping his playful expression, and walked toward the large bed without a care in the world.

He threw himself onto it, rolling comfortably amidst the soft bedding.

"So comfortable," he sighed in satisfaction.

His gaze swept casually around the room, eventually settling on the frosted crystal wall of the bathroom.

After all, this was a couples' hotel; certain designs were standard.

Behind the translucent crystal glass, a graceful figure was hazily undressing, her curves appearing and disappearing in the mist.

Ye Feiyang watched, momentarily dazed, his body reacting beyond his control.

He had lived two lifetimes and possessed vast experience; logically, he should have had enough self-restraint.

But the problem was that this eighteen-year-old body seemed to have a mind of its own!

He forced his gaze away with difficulty, deciding not to torture himself any further.

He compelled himself to calm down and began studying the various martial arts manuals rewarded by the system, using them to divert his attention.

Inside the bathroom, Zhu Zhuqing had shed all her clothes.

She didn't step into the tub immediately, choosing instead to stand before the mirror and examine her body carefully.

She had felt as though her injuries were completely healed, and now she wanted to confirm it.

"The wounds are really all gone? Not even a scar left behind?"

The skin in the mirror was as smooth as before, with no sign of any injury.

She clearly remembered having dozens of wounds, large and small, yet now they had vanished without a trace.

"His healing methods are truly extraordinary."

Recalling how Ye Feiyang had killed a Soul Ancestor silently with a wave of his hand, her doubts resurfaced.

"But if he is a healing-type Soul Master, how could he possess such lethal combat skills?"

This man who had suddenly appeared by her side stirred a quiet sense of curiosity within her.

"Hmm, perhaps I should ask him for the truth once I've finished bathing."

Wrapped in warm, flowing water, Zhu Zhuqing slowly submerged herself into the tub and let out a satisfied sigh.

She couldn't remember the last time she had enjoyed such a comfortable bath.

The warm water soothed her fatigue, allowing her thoughts to drift.

Her mind involuntarily replayed every experience she'd had since meeting Ye Feiyang.

Why did he happen to appear there and save her?

How could he possess such strength at such a young age?

Why had she inexplicably followed his arrangements throughout this journey?

And how did she end up in the same room as this man, confused and bewildered?

Was his insistence on taking her as a disciple sincere, or did he have other intentions?

Zhu Zhuqing was well aware that her appearance often invited trouble, and appearing in public inevitably drew unwanted, malicious gazes.

She pondered it over and over, yet she still couldn't make sense of the situation.

Forget it, I'll just consider this repayment for saving my life.

She silently made up her mind.

She wondered if she should find an excuse to leave after her bath.

After all, she and Ye Feiyang were not truly familiar with each other; for a man and a woman to be alone in the same room, how could that be considered proper?

She felt a faint worry that things might get out of hand.

Meanwhile, Ye Feiyang, lying on the bed, was naturally unaware of what was going through Zhu Zhuqing's mind.

He was currently communicating with the system.

He asked the question that had been puzzling him directly:

"System, what exactly counts as a successful apprenticeship?"