How did my disciple become my junior brother?

The first day at the academy slipped away as Lu Chuan familiarized himself with the surroundings.

In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived.

In the early morning, after a simple tidy-up, Lu Chuan took a deep breath and said faintly, "Today is the day we choose masters."

"I wonder who will become my master."

In addition to the regular teachers and students, Azure Dragon Academy also had a master-disciple system reminiscent of the martial arts world.

Of course, the master-disciple relationship within the academy wasn't as close as father and son like in the martial arts world, but it was certainly deeper than that between a teacher and a student.

There were also many benefits to taking a master. Besides attending the master's classes for free, disciples would receive rewards from their master for excelling in monthly, final, and advancement exams.

Furthermore, the master would impart all their knowledge and legacy.

Naturally, it was not mandatory to take a master; the academy didn't force anyone.

However, taking a master was ultimately a good thing. Setting aside resources, one at least gained a background.

Lu Chuan didn't mind it anyway.

Half an hour later.

The Combat Department's Integrated Service Hall.

The twelve newly recruited students for the Combat Department were all gathered here.

Inside the hall, six desks were set up.

Six teachers who were willing to take on disciples sat in their office chairs.

Beside them, their disciples were helping to explain the benefits of becoming their master.

"Combat Department Regular Teacher: Lu Feng.

Requirements for disciples: Fourth-Rank realm, Seventh-Rank talent. Negotiable with discretion.

Benefits of discipleship: Upon becoming Lu Shī's disciple, Lu Shī will bestow one hundred Academic Credits and allow free learning of the martial arts Lu Shī has mastered. Those with excellent results in major exams will also receive resource rewards from Lu Shī!"

"Combat Department Regular Teacher: Feng Chuan.

Requirements for disciples: Fifth-Rank realm, Seventh-Rank talent. Negotiable with discretion.

Benefits of discipleship: Feng Shī will bestow one hundred Academic Credits and three high-grade martial arts, along with free learning of the martial arts Feng Shī has mastered. Those with excellent results in major exams can enter the secret realm affiliated with Feng Shī for cultivation!"

"..."

Listening to these introductions, the students were a bit overwhelmed, feeling that every teacher was worth learning from.

However, this had nothing to do with Lu Chuan.

"Whoa, the minimum requirements for taking disciples are Fourth-Rank realm and Seventh-Rank talent. Aren't they deliberately making it impossible for me to find a master..."

Lu Chuan shook his head with a wry smile.

There was nothing he could do; his aptitude was just average.

"Fortunately, I have my cheat. Not taking a master won't affect my future achievements."

"Oh well, what's mine will be mine, and what's not, I won't force."

Just as Lu Chuan was about to leave, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder. "Haven't found a master yet, right?"

Lu Chuan turned around and, as expected, saw Chu Feng looking at him with a smile.

"No."

"I don't meet their requirements."

Lu Chuan smiled and shook his head, not showing much disappointment on his face.

"I expected this."

Chu Feng nodded. "In fact, when I specially recruited you, I anticipated this day."

"After all, with your aptitude, you wouldn't have been able to get into Azure Dragon Academy, so finding a master was out of the question."

"Then why were you willing to specially recruit me, Brother Feng?" Lu Chuan asked, puzzled.

"There are many reasons."

Chu Feng explained, "For example, my Combat Department is short on students, and your comprehension is good. Or perhaps your alchemy talent is extraordinary; if cultivated patiently, you could become a pillar of my Combat Department in the future."

"Or maybe, your cultivation speed far surpasses your inherent talent; I suspect you have some secret."

"With this secret, you might not be inferior to those geniuses."

"Of course, you don't need to be afraid. I won't pry into your secret. Who doesn't have a secret?"

This explanation dispelled Lu Chuan's doubts.

He had to admit, Chu Feng was quite candid, even admitting he suspected Lu Chuan had a secret.

This also made Lu Chuan believe that Chu Feng wouldn't harm him.

"Alright, come with me." Chu Feng patted Lu Chuan's shoulder.

"Come with you?"

Lu Chuan was stunned. "What for?"

"To become my disciple, of course," Chu Feng replied with a smile. "You were personally scouted by me, so I'm responsible for you. That naturally makes me your master."

"Technically, I could take you as a disciple right now."

"But before I do, I need to take you to meet your grandmaster. He'll assess you."

"After all, I'm counting on him to guide your alchemy."

"Guide my alchemy?" Lu Chuan asked, surprised. "Is our grandmaster also an alchemist?"

"Of course," Chu Feng said with a grin. "Your grandmaster is renowned throughout the academy as a prodigy in both pills and martial arts. Not only is his martial arts talent outstanding, but his talent in alchemy is also freakishly good."

"We almost fought with the Alchemy Faction to recruit him back then."

"Although your grandmaster chose our Combat Department, he didn't neglect his alchemy skills. He's already advanced to Seventh-Rank."

"With his guidance, you'll eventually become an Alchemist Master too."

"I see," Lu Chuan understood and didn't refuse. He followed Chu Feng to his grandmaster's residence.

In a manor within the mixed district.

"Master, this is Lu Chuan, the one I told you about."

After they arrived at the living room, Chu Feng's master appeared.

The man had sharp eyebrows and piercing eyes. His clothing resembled a Zhongshan suit, and his hair was a tangled mix of white, gray, and black. His deep-set eyes were full of the traces left by time.

"Lu Chuan, this is my teacher, Lin Lei. Hurry and greet him as Grandmaster," Chu Feng urged.

"Greetings, Grand..." Lu Chuan made to bow.

"Wait!"

At that moment, a surge of spiritual energy stopped Lu Chuan.

Lin Lei scrutinized Lu Chuan from head to toe. "Your name is Lu Chuan? You became a First-grade Alchemist at seventeen?"

"That's right," Lu Chuan nodded.

"Little Feng said your comprehension is good. Even with only Fourth-Rank martial arts talent, you have a chance to learn the Sky Swallowing Art."

"I don't quite believe it. Prove it to me."

Lu Chuan understood that this was Lin Lei's test.

"Prove my talent?"

Lu Chuan slowly raised his right hand.

Instantly, a vortex of spiritual energy appeared from his palm.

The surrounding spiritual energy was drawn in, surging towards the vortex one after another.

"This..."

Lin Lei's expression flickered, then he said incredulously, "Sky Swallowing Art!"

"You've already started the Sky Swallowing Art?"

Chu Feng was also stunned. "That's impossible. I only gave you the Sky Swallowing Art a week ago. How could you have comprehended it so quickly?"

"A week ago?"

Lin Lei was initially taken aback, then he grasped Lu Chuan's wrist, carefully sensing his energy.

After a moment, a look of pleasant surprise appeared in Lin Lei's eyes. "The talent is indeed there, it's Fourth-Rank, and you've started the Sky Swallowing Art."

"I never expected to encounter a heaven-blessed genius with such incredible comprehension!"

With that, Lin Lei released Lu Chuan's hand, his eyes filled with satisfaction. "Lu Chuan, let me ask you, are you willing to take me as your master?"

Chu Feng: ???

"Master, Lu Chuan is..."

"Shut up!" Lin Lei reprimanded. "I've been thinking about taking on a disciple recently. What, do you have a problem with that?"

"I wouldn't dare!" Chu Feng quickly shook his head, feeling bitter inside.

What a turn of events.

A disciple he had clearly intended to train had now become his junior disciple.

His very first disciple!

Wuwuwu...