Successfully Taking a Disciple

He was secretly aching over the expense.

Just one trip out had cost him five Gold Coins!

It seemed cutting someone off required capital too!

If he had known Flender was so easy to negotiate with, he should have bargained it down to one Gold Coin...

Zhu Zhuqing was indeed in low spirits, but Ye Feiyang's matter-of-fact tone seemed to possess some peculiar magic, easing the heaviness in her heart slightly.

She slowly turned her head, her gaze falling on the takeaway boxes on the table, fragrant with food.

Suddenly, she felt the urge to turn her grief and indignation into an appetite.

"Thank you," she said softly.

Smelling the food, she realized she was ravenous.

"Eat quickly. It won't taste as good once it gets cold." Ye Feiyang unusually refrained from teasing her.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded and silently walked over to sit at the table.

She picked up her bamboo chopsticks. Without even looking closely at the dishes, she began stuffing food into her mouth in retaliation.

Every bite felt as though she were chewing through disappointment and anger, while also using the food to fill the enormous emptiness inside her.

Before long, she had swept several generously sized portions of pastries clean!

Ye Feiyang stared in astonishment from the side. This girl had quite the appetite, didn't she?

He had originally planned to eat some with her, but now there was not even a crumb left.

"Uh..."

He rubbed the tip of his nose and looked at the empty takeaway boxes. Then he sincerely remarked, "I never expected that besides being able to sleep, you could eat quite a lot too... Impressive!"

Zhu Zhuqing did not smile. Nor could she.

She merely set down her chopsticks in silence, her vacant gaze fixed on the twilight slowly sinking beyond the window.

The conflict and confusion in her heart tangled around her like vines. She felt trapped in a dead end with no exit, unable to advance or retreat.

Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing was still absent-minded, Ye Feiyang understood that simple words of comfort would not do much for her.

The predicament she faced was far more than heartbreak.

The Star Luo Empire's royal marriage system and the Zhu Family's shackles were all matters that needed consideration.

Should he advise her to break off the engagement or leave her family?

That would only make her think Ye Feiyang had ulterior motives, or was even exploiting her vulnerability.

This was not something that could be rushed. It required time and strength as support before it could slowly be resolved.

The immediate priority was to sever the remaining bond between her and Dai Mubai. At the very least, it could not be allowed to deepen further!

At the same time, he needed to give her a path where she could see hope.

Once she became strong enough, she would be able to say no to fate.

"Go bathe after eating, then get some proper rest. I feel uncomfortable looking at you like this, all lifeless and gloomy." Ye Feiyang broke the silence.

"Oh, and remember to get up early tomorrow. I need your help with something."

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing was pulled back from her thoughts. She raised her head, confusion in her eyes. "My help?"

"Yes, your help."

Meeting her gaze, Ye Feiyang said, "I plan to establish an academy and recruit disciples. Come help me out."

"Establish... an academy?" Zhu Zhuqing froze, suspecting that she had misheard him.

Wasn't that a bit too big of a leap?

Ye Feiyang nodded in confirmation. "That's right. Since you still haven't decided whether to become my disciple, I can only go find someone else first..."

Those words were like a thin needle, pricking some hidden corner of Zhu Zhuqing's heart and bringing an inexplicable sense of emptiness.

It was as if something she had thought belonged to her was about to be taken away by someone else.

"No!" she blurted out urgently.

"Didn't you promise to give me three days to think about it? The time isn't up yet, so how could you..."

She wanted to ask, How could you give up already?

But the words reached her lips and were swallowed back down, grievance written across her face.

Before Ye Feiyang returned, she had spent the entire afternoon sitting there, forcing herself to think calmly.

Their unexpected encounter, his rescue, and how he had dragged her to watch the show in the inn lobby that afternoon—all of it seemed coincidental, yet carried the faint air of careful planning.

That was why she still harbored some wariness toward Ye Feiyang and did not dare make a decision lightly.

Yet deep within her, another voice kept shouting: Agree to him quickly. If you miss this chance, you'll regret it for the rest of your life.

So what exactly was she struggling over?

These days were when the major Soul Master academies began accepting students.

Ye Feiyang had chosen this moment to bring up establishing an academy precisely to force her into making a choice under pressure!

In any case, they had already watched that scene involving Dai Mubai. One day or three days made no difference.

"You can think things over while I establish my academy. They don't interfere with each other."

Establishing an academy was naturally for the sake of recruiting students.

Zhu Zhuqing suddenly recalled the girl in the pink dress she had seen in the lobby today!

Ye Feiyang had even specifically told her to remember that girl!

At the time, his eyes had held an unusual gleam, as though he was very interested.

An inexplicable sense of danger quietly rose within her.

She raised her head and looked at Ye Feiyang suspiciously.

It was as though she wanted to see through his handsome face and uncover his true thoughts.

Silence spread through the room, leaving only the faint sounds of their breathing.

Zhu Zhuqing's heart waged an internal battle as reason and instinct pulled against each other.

In the end, she took a deep breath and asked, "Can... can I trust you?"

After asking, she felt a measure of relief, yet she could not help grumbling inwardly: This damn man is truly awful! He said he would give me three days to think, but every word out of his mouth is pressuring me!

Ye Feiyang met her gaze, his eyes deep. "Of course."

"However, whether you trust me or not is your choice."

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her eyes, her long lashes casting shadows over her fair face as she continued weighing her options.

Aside from his stinginess, there seemed to be nothing else about him that she could not accept.

But establish an academy?

It required funding, registration procedures, qualification reviews... Could he really pull it off?

He was so miserly. Would he truly be willing to spend that much money?

A sly curve appeared at the corner of Ye Feiyang's lips. An academy? It was merely a convenient pretext for taking disciples.

Did they really expect him to become a dean and manage all that trivial business? Not a chance!

What he cared about had never been an academy, but recruiting nine Personal Disciples who could help him reach the pinnacle!

All his effort would be devoted solely to those nine people.

As for the academy?

It would only bear the name of an academy for convenience.

Zhu Zhuqing quietly clenched her teeth. For the sake of that handsome face, she would trust him!

Becoming his disciple did not seem so bad.

Ye Feiyang's strength was right there for all to see. He was a genuine rank 79 Soul Saint!

No matter how she looked at it, she was the one getting an incredible bargain.

She was nearly about to blurt out that she was willing to become his disciple when she thought of something else.

If she became his disciple, would their relationship be reduced to nothing but that of master and disciple?

Yet he was so insistent, and what he seemed to want was only the identity of a disciple.

Sigh, this is so troublesome.

But if she did not become his disciple, this young and powerful man might truly turn around and leave her world without hesitation, just as he had said.

That thought made her heart tighten for no reason.

She suddenly realized that although they had known each other for only a day and a night, she had already spoken more to him than she had in the past several months combined.

Her instinctive wariness toward strangers had somehow quietly faded away in front of him.

It seemed that merely seeing him and hearing that unreliable yet strangely reassuring voice of his could bring a trace of comfort to her shattered heart.

"Fine. I trust you."

Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath and finally made up her mind. In a clear voice, she said, "I... I am willing to take you as my Master."

She had made her decision, yet she still felt as though she were about to lose something.

She shook her head and sighed softly. Forget it. A person shouldn't be too greedy.

Ye Feiyang was visibly stunned when he heard this, and a flash of unexpected delight crossed his eyes.

He had thought it would take more time and had even prepared to keep provoking her tomorrow. He had not expected her to give him an answer now!

Delighted! Truly delighted!

He struggled to suppress the upward curve of his lips and deliberately asked sternly, "You're not fooling me? You mean it? You're willing?"

Zhu Zhuqing had always kept her word. Once she decided something, she would never turn back.

But seeing him look both expectant and afraid of being deceived, that little bit of awkwardness in her heart resurfaced.

Had she agreed too quickly?

"Of... of course I'm willing!"

She lifted her chin slightly. "What? Do you think I'm playing with you?"

"No, no, no!"

Ye Feiyang hurriedly waved his hands, a bright smile blooming across his face. "I'm just too happy. I was afraid you weren't sincere. As your Master, I dislike forcing people the most..."

Zhu Zhuqing could not help rolling her eyes.

Disliked forcing people?

How could he even say that? Who had been pressing her step by step and laying traps in every sentence, putting her over the fire and forcing her to state her decision so quickly?

She straightened her back, her graceful figure poised as her clear eyes met Ye Feiyang's. She declared distinctly, "I, Zhu Zhuqing, willingly take Ye Feiyang as my Master. Is that enough for you now?"

The smile on Ye Feiyang's face deepened, though he also put away some of his carefree demeanor.

His expression turned solemn. He made a loose grasping motion with his right hand, and a Sword Leaf Bracelet flowing with a gentle jade-green radiance appeared in his palm out of thin air.

The bracelet had an unusual yet elegant design. Soul Power misted around it, making it obvious at a glance that it was no ordinary item.

"Good, my disciple Zhu Zhuqing..."

"Since you have sincerely entered my school, your Master will grant you a Personal Disciple's token."

He held the bracelet out before Zhu Zhuqing. "This bracelet is not merely a token. It is also a storage device with one hundred cubic meters of storage space within. Take it."

Zhu Zhuqing was startled. A storage device with one hundred cubic meters of space?

She wanted to confirm it, but seeing Ye Feiyang so unusually serious, she hesitated.

She instinctively reached out. When her fingertips touched the bracelet, as warm and smooth as jade, a strange cool sensation spread from her fingers.

This bracelet must be worth a fortune!

Yet this stingy fellow was actually capable of such generosity?

"What are you waiting for? Put it on." Ye Feiyang urged her.

Only by putting on the bracelet would it signify that he had successfully taken her as his disciple.

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing no longer hesitated.

She gently slipped the bracelet onto her slender wrist.

The instant the bracelet touched her skin, a strange throbbing sensation surged up!

It was as if the bracelet had always been part of her and had finally returned to its rightful place!

She looked down at the bracelet on her wrist, glowing with a faint green radiance, in surprise. Unable to help herself, she looked up to ask, "Master, this is..."

Before she could finish, however, she found Ye Feiyang's gaze slightly unfocused, as if he had become immersed in another world.

At that moment, the system notification sounded in Ye Feiyang's mind like heavenly music:

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully accepting the first disciple: Zhu Zhuqing!]

[Personal Disciple Zhu Zhuqing has successfully been bound to the host's first Soul Ring slot!]

[The host's first Soul Ring Age has dynamically updated to: 1,600 years.]

[Zhu Zhuqing's information panel has been opened:]

Name: Zhu Zhuqing

Aptitude Rating: S-rank

Martial Soul: Hell Spirit Cat

Current Soul Power: Rank 26

Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, Yellow

[Zhu Zhuqing has been thoroughly analyzed by the system! Exclusive growth gift package awarded:]

Martial Soul Advancement Pill ×1: Can optimize the Martial Soul's origin, enhance potential, and guide the Martial Soul toward beneficial evolution.

Shadow Profound Nether Art ×1: A top-tier shadow-element cultivation art, perfectly suited to the traits of the Spirit Cat Martial Soul. After cultivation, it can greatly increase speed, concealment, and assassination techniques, while granting attacks an additional soul-corroding effect.

[Recommended supplementary cultivation:]

Nine Yin Manual: Highly compatible with movement techniques, claw arts, the Tendon Transformation and Bone Forging chapter, and more.

Instant Hell Kill: An assassination technique for extreme explosive power.

[Compatibility Assessment: Perfect match! This disciple possesses tremendous potential. This cultivation system can bring her speed, concealment, and assassination talents to their utmost limits, while making up for her shortcomings in attack power and soul attacks.]

Ye Feiyang rapidly scanned the system information, and the joy of successfully taking a disciple had only just risen in his heart.

But when he saw the Martial Soul Advancement Pill and the Shadow Profound Nether Art, that joy was instantly diluted by more than half with a sour feeling!

Well, damn!

So he was nothing more than a pure tool, a courier for cultivation arts and pills?

Look at all the good stuff the system gave the disciple?

Martial Soul Advancement Pill! Top-tier cultivation arts!

And what did he, the master, get? Just sit there and watch? Not even a bit of compensation? This system was way too biased!

After grumbling for a while, Ye Feiyang composed himself and carefully examined the cultivation arts rewarded by the system.

[Overview of the core techniques of the Shadow Profound Nether Art:]

Shadow Refinement Transformation: Draw dark-element energy from heaven and earth into the body, tempering the bones, sinews, and bloodline while gradually transforming the flesh into a shadow spirit body existing between substance and illusion!

Once mastered, it would not only greatly increase speed and stealth, but also drastically reduce the obstruction of physical impacts, allowing one to pass through walls and gaps as though nothing stood in the way!

Profound Nether Step: A top-tier shadow movement technique! Tread upon the veins of shadow, and short-distance movement would be nearly equivalent to Teleportation. Over long distances, one would move like a ghostly streak of light—silent and faster than lightning! It could also create multiple afterimages indistinguishable from reality, confusing enemies without them even realizing it.

Netherworld Eyes: Temper the eyes to perceive the hidden and discern the minute! It could pierce through fog and illusions, allowing one to see in absolute darkness as clearly as in daylight.

It could even sense the strength of life auras, the paths of energy flow, and even weak points in spatial structure, allowing one to predict the enemy's moves.

Soul Devouring Claw: Condense sinister Netherworld power at the fingertips. Its attacks carried soul-eroding force and an extremely powerful armor-piercing effect! It pursued the ultimate in single-target lethality, seeking to kill with a single strike—the claw emerging, the soul wounded!

Martial arts cultivation techniques and combat skills:

Nine Yin Manual: A martial arts classic. Its Spiral Nine Shadows was a top-tier lightness technique, the Nine Yin Divine Claw was fierce and ruthless, while the Soul Shifting Great Art excelled in mental interference and defense.

Long-term cultivation of the Soul Shifting Great Art could also gradually enhance one's spiritual power!

This cultivation art could greatly compensate for weaknesses in movement techniques, close-quarters combat, and mental resistance.

Instant Hell Kill: A pure assassination technique of extreme burst power! It compressed and condensed one's essence, qi, and spirit into a single point in an instant, seeking to unleash speed and destructive force beyond all limits within that fleeting moment, ending the battle with one fatal strike!

The advantage of these two martial arts cultivation techniques was that their consumption was relatively much lower. They could display considerable power immediately after being learned and did not place much burden on Soul Power.

"Tut, tut, tut..." Ye Feiyang's eyes burned as his heart pounded.

"Damn system, you even pulled out cultivation arts of this level?"

These were practically divine manuals tailor-made for dark-element Soul Masters, perfectly suited to Zhu Zhuqing's Spirit Cat Martial Soul.

Jealous! He still could not help feeling jealous!

As a master, he was basically nothing more than a cultivation-art deliveryman!

Fortunately, if his disciple grew stronger, it was the same as him becoming stronger!

"System,"

"You've played favorites to an outrageous degree. Can I cultivate these arts too?"

[Of course the host can cultivate them.]

The system answered crisply and decisively.

[It is merely that your attribute compatibility is inferior to that of a dark-element Soul Master, so the effects will be somewhat reduced. Please be patient, Host. Your exclusive rewards are still to come~ Please look forward to them...]

"Exclusive rewards are still to come?" Ye Feiyang's eyes lit up, and his heart found comfort.

Everyone knew that the finale was usually the good stuff. He would take this bait!

Since it was an Apprenticeship System, it was understandable for it to prioritize investing in the disciple. Fine, he would stop being jealous for now!

Next, it was time to show off before others!