Successful Disciple Acceptance

He was inwardly wincing at the cost.

A single trip out had burned through five Gold Coins!

It seemed even cutting in line required capital.

If only he'd known Flender would be so easygoing, he should have haggled down to one Gold Coin...

Zhu Zhuqing's mood was indeed low, but Ye Feiyang's matter-of-fact tone carried a strange magnetism that slightly eased the knot in her chest.

She slowly turned her head, her gaze landing on the takeout boxes on the table, fragrant with food.

Suddenly, a surge of impulse rose within her—to drown sorrow in appetite.

"Thank you," she murmured softly.

The scent of the food made her feel ravenously hungry.

"Eat up quickly; it'll lose its flavor once it cools." Ye Feiyang refrained from teasing her for once.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded, silently walking to the table and sitting down.

She picked up the bamboo chopsticks, not bothering to see what dishes lay before her, and vengefully shoveled the food into her mouth.

Each bite seemed to chew on disappointment and anger, as if she were filling the vast emptiness inside with sustenance.

Soon, several generous portions of pastries were completely devoured!

Ye Feiyang watched, dumbfounded—this girl had quite an appetite!

He'd originally thought to join her in eating, but now there wasn't even a crumb left.

"Uh..."

He rubbed the tip of his nose, staring at the empty takeout boxes, and sincerely remarked, "I didn't expect you to be not just a good sleeper, but a good eater too... impressive!"

Zhu Zhuqing didn't laugh; she couldn't.

She just silently set down the chopsticks, her eyes hollow as she gazed out the window at the gathering dusk.

The tangle and confusion in her heart wound like vines, trapping her in a dead-end alley with no way forward or back.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing still lost in thought, Ye Feiyang understood that simple words of comfort wouldn't do much for her.

The predicament she faced went far beyond a broken heart.

The Star Luo Empire's royal marriage system, the shackles of the Zhu Family—all of these had to be considered.

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 exploiting her vulnerability.

This kind of thing couldn't be rushed; it needed time and strength as a foundation to slowly unravel.

For now, the priority was to sever the bond between her and Dai Mubai—at least not let it deepen any further!

At the same time, he had to give her a path that held hope.

Once she was strong enough, she could say no to fate.

"After you eat, go bathe and get some proper rest. I can't stand seeing you so lifeless," Ye Feiyang broke the silence.

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

Zhu Zhuqing snapped out of her thoughts, lifting her head with a hint of confusion in her eyes: "Help?"

"Yes, help."

Ye Feiyang met her gaze and said, "I'm planning to found an academy and recruit disciples. I want you to come and assist."

"Found... an academy?" Zhu Zhuqing froze, wondering if she'd heard wrong.

Wasn't that a bit of a leap?

Ye Feiyang nodded in confirmation: "Exactly. Since you haven't decided whether to become my disciple yet, I'll have to look for someone else..."

These words pierced like a fine needle, striking a hidden corner of Zhu Zhuqing's heart, leaving a hollow ache.

As if something she'd thought was hers was about to be taken away.

"No!" she blurted out, urgency in her voice.

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

She wanted to say: How can you give up so soon?

But the words caught in her throat, a look of grievance spreading across her face.

Before Ye Feiyang returned, she'd sat for an entire afternoon, forcing herself to think calmly.

Their chance encounter, his rescue, and the afternoon spent watching the drama in the hotel lobby—all seemed coincidental, yet carried a hint of deliberate design.

So she still harbored caution toward Ye Feiyang, reluctant to make a hasty decision.

But deep down, a voice screamed: Accept him quickly; if you miss this, you'll regret it for life.

So what was she really hesitating about?

These two days marked the start of enrollment for the major Soul Master academies.

Ye Feiyang chose this moment to reveal his plan of establishing an academy, precisely to force her into a decision under the pressure of urgency!

After all, the scene with Dai Mubai was already over; one day or three made no difference.

"You think over your matters, I'll run my academy—neither interferes with the other."

Establishing an academy naturally meant recruiting students.

Zhu Zhuqing's mind suddenly flashed to the girl in the pink dress she had seen in the main hall today!

Ye Feiyang had even deliberately made her remember that girl back then!

At that time, his eyes had held a peculiar spark, as if he were quite interested.

A nameless sense of crisis quietly rose within her.

She lifted her head, casting a suspicious gaze at Ye Feiyang.

As if trying to pierce through his handsome features to see the true thoughts in his heart.

Silence spread through the room, broken only by the faint sound of their breathing.

Zhu Zhuqing waged a fierce inner battle, reason and intuition pulling at each other.

Finally, she took a deep breath and asked a question: "Can I... trust you?"

After asking, she felt a slight relief in her heart, but couldn't help cursing inwardly: This dog of a man is utterly despicable! He said he'd give me three days to consider, yet every word and sentence is pressuring me!

Ye Feiyang met her gaze, his eyes deep: "Naturally."

"But whether to trust or not—the choice is yours."

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her eyelids, her long lashes casting shadows on her fair face, still weighing the matter internally.

Setting aside his stingy habits, there seemed to be nothing she couldn't accept.

But establishing an academy?

It required funds, paperwork procedures, qualification reviews—could he really pull it off?

With him being so tight-fisted, would he actually be willing to spend that money?

A sly curve lifted the corner of Ye Feiyang's lips. An academy? It was merely a convenient name for taking on disciples.

Did he actually want to be the dean and manage all those trivial matters? Not a chance!

What he cared about was never an academy, but finding nine Personal Disciples who could help him reach the summit!

All his energy would be poured solely into these nine people.

As for the academy?

It was just a name to hang things on, convenient for getting things done.

Zhu Zhuqing gritted her teeth silently. Looking at that handsome face of his, she decided to trust him!

Becoming his disciple didn't seem so bad.

Ye Feiyang's strength was plain to see—a solid 79th-level Soul Saint!

No matter how she looked at it, she was the one getting the better deal.

She was almost about to blurt out those words, I am willing to become your disciple, when something else occurred to her.

If she became his disciple, would there be nothing left between them but the bond of master and student?

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

Ah, what a bother.

But if she didn't take him as her master, then this young and powerful man might truly, as he said, turn around and leave her world without hesitation.

Thinking of this made her heart tighten for no reason.

She suddenly realized that in the short span of a single day and night, she had spoken more words in front of him than in the past few months combined.

That instinctive wariness toward strangers had somehow quietly dissipated in his presence.

Just seeing him, hearing his offbeat yet inexplicably reassuring voice, seemed to bring a shred of comfort to her shattered heart.

"Alright, I trust you."

Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, finally making up her mind, and spoke clearly: "I... I am willing to take you as my master."

The decision was made, but she still felt as if she were about to lose something.

She shook her head with a soft sigh: Oh well, one can't be too greedy.

Ye Feiyang was visibly stunned for a moment, a flicker of unexpected delight passing through his eyes.

He had thought it would take a few more days, even prepared to keep provoking her tomorrow, never expecting her to give her answer right now!

Delight! Utter delight!

He struggled to suppress the upward twitch of his lips, forcing a serious expression as he pressed: "You're not fooling me? Sincere? Voluntary?"

Zhu Zhuqing always meant what she said, and once she decided, she never looked back.

But seeing his expression—half hopeful, half afraid of being tricked—that little knot of stubbornness in her heart stirred again.

Had she agreed too quickly?

"Of course I'm willing!"

She lifted her chin slightly. "What? You think I'm messing with you?"

"No, no, no!"

Ye Feiyang waved his hands hastily, a bright smile spreading across his face. "I'm just overjoyed, afraid you're not being sincere. This master, you see, hates forcing people..."

Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but roll her eyes hard.

Hates forcing people?

How could he say that with a straight face? Who was it that pressed step by step, set trap after trap, roasted her over the fire until she had no choice but to speak up so quickly?

She straightened her back, her graceful curves outlined clearly, and met Ye Feiyang's gaze with clear, bright eyes. "I, Zhu Zhuqing, willingly take Ye Feiyang as my master. Is that good enough now?"

The smile on Ye Feiyang's face deepened, and he reined in some of his usual flippancy.

His expression turned serious. His right hand closed around empty air, and a Sword Leaf Bracelet, shimmering with a warm, verdant luster, materialized in his palm.

The bracelet was uniquely crafted yet elegant, its soul power swirling faintly—clearly no ordinary item.

"Good. My disciple, Zhu Zhuqing..."

"Since you sincerely wish to enter my tutelage, this master bestows upon you the token of a Personal Disciple."

He held the bracelet out to Zhu Zhuqing. "This bracelet is not only a token but also a storage device, containing a hundred cubic meters of space. Take it."

Zhu Zhuqing was startled. A hundred-cubic-meter storage device?

She wanted to confirm it, but it was rare to see Ye Feiyang so serious.

She instinctively reached out. The moment her fingertips touched the warm, jade-like bracelet, a strange, cool sensation spread along her fingers.

This bracelet must be priceless!

And this stingy guy—when had he ever been so generous?

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

Only when the bracelet was worn would it signify his successful acceptance of a disciple.

Zhu Zhuqing hesitated no longer.

She slipped the bracelet gently onto her slender wrist.

The instant it touched her skin, a strange, thrilling pulse surged through her!

It was as if the bracelet had always been a part of her, finally returning to its place!

Startled, she looked down at the bracelet glowing faintly green on her wrist, and couldn't help but look up to ask, "Master, this is..."

Before she could finish, she noticed Ye Feiyang's gaze had gone slightly unfocused, as if he were lost in another world.

At that moment, in Ye Feiyang's mind, the system's chime rang like celestial music:

[Ding! Congratulations, host, on successfully accepting your first disciple: Zhu Zhuqing!]

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

[Current host's first soul ring age dynamically updated to: 1600 years]

[Zhu Zhuqing's information panel expanded:]

Name: Zhu Zhuqing Talent Rating: S-grade Martial Soul: Hell Spirit Cat Current Soul Power: Level 26 Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, Yellow

[Zhu Zhuqing has been fully analyzed by the system! Exclusive growth gift pack granted:]

Martial Soul Advancement Pill*1: Optimizes martial soul origin, enhances potential, guides benign evolution. Shadow Profound Nether Art*1: Top-tier shadow system technique, perfectly suited to Spirit Cat martial soul traits. Cultivation greatly boosts speed, stealth, assassination skills, and grants attacks a soul-eroding effect.

[Recommended supplementary training:]

Nine Yin Manual: High compatibility with movement techniques, claw skills, tendon-strengthening and bone-forging chapters, etc. Instant Hell Kill: Ultimate burst assassination technique.

[Compatibility assessment: Perfect match! This disciple has immense potential. This technique system will maximize her speed, stealth, and assassination talents, while compensating for weaknesses in attack power and soul attack.]

Ye Feiyang scanned the system information swiftly, the joy of successfully taking a disciple just rising in his heart.

But when he saw the Martial Soul Advancement Pill and the Shadow Profound Nether Art, that joy was instantly diluted by a wave of bitter sourness!

Good grief!

So he was nothing but a pure tool, a delivery boy for techniques and pills, wasn't he?

Look what good stuff the system is giving the disciple!

A Martial Soul Advancement Pill! Top-tier cultivation arts!

And what about this master? Just standing here watching? Not even a little reward for the hard work? This system is way too biased!

After a round of complaints, Ye Feiyang calmed his mind and carefully examined the system-rewarded cultivation arts.

[Shadow Profound Nether Art Core Technique Summary:]

Shadow Refinement Transformation: Draw dark-attributed energy from heaven and earth into the body, tempering the bones, muscles, and blood vessels, gradually transforming the physical form into a shadowy spirit body between existence and emptiness!

At great mastery, not only does speed and stealth skyrocket, but physical collision resistance is greatly weakened—passing through walls and gaps as if entering an empty realm!

Profound Nether Step: Top-tier shadow movement art! Steps tread upon the veins of shadows; short-distance shifts are nearly teleportation, while long-distance dashes are like ghostly flowing light—silent, swift beyond lightning! It can also split into multiple indistinguishable afterimages, confusing enemies without a trace.

Netherworld Eyes: Temper the pupils, see through the dark and examine the subtle! Pierce through mist, break illusions, and see in absolute darkness as if in daylight.

It can also sense the strength of life force, the flow of energy, and even weak points in spatial structure, anticipating the enemy's moves.

Soul Devouring Claw: Condense yin-sha netherworld power at the claw tips; attacks carry soul-eroding force and extreme armor-breaking effects! Pursues ultimate single-target lethality, aiming for a one-hit kill—claw out, soul wounded!

Martial arts cultivation techniques and combat skills:

Nine Yin Manual: A martial arts treasure; its Spiral Nine Shadows is a top-tier lightness skill, Nine Yin Divine Claw is fierce and ruthless, and Soul Shifting Great Art excels in mental interference and defense.

Long-term cultivation of Soul Shifting Great Art can subtly enhance mental power!

This art greatly compensates for weaknesses in movement, close combat, and mental resistance.

Instant Hell Kill: A pure, extreme burst assassination technique! Compress essence, energy, and spirit into a single point in an instant, unleashing speed and destructive power beyond limits in a fleeting moment—one strike, certain death!

The advantage of these two martial arts techniques is that their consumption is relatively low; they can be used effectively right after learning, with little burden on soul power.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk..." Ye Feiyang watched with burning eyes and a racing heart.

"Damn system, you're even pulling out arts of this level?"

This is a divine treasure tailor-made for dark-attributed soul masters, perfectly matching Zhu Zhuqing's Spirit Cat Martial Soul.

Sour! He couldn't help but feel sour!

Being this master is just being a cultivation art porter!

Still, if the disciple gets stronger, that means he gets stronger too!

"System,"

"You're biased as hell—can I cultivate these arts?"

[The host can naturally cultivate them.]

The system answered crisply.

[But the attribute compatibility won't be as good as a dark-attributed soul master's, so the effects will be reduced. Please be patient, host; your exclusive rewards are still coming later~ Stay tuned...]

"Exclusive rewards later?" Ye Feiyang's eyes lit up, and his heart found solace.

Everyone knows the finale often brings the best stuff, right? He'll take this promise!

Since it's a disciple-recruiting system, prioritizing investment in the disciple makes sense. Fine, he'll stop being sour for now!

Next up, it's time for a moment of showing off in front of others!