Taking a master
The Sect Master's words meant that Zhuge Xiang could choose any of the Cultivator present to become his disciple, clearly including himself in the list. Originally, upon hearing this, the Cultivator present had given up on vying for Zhuge Xiang's hand, thinking that the Sect Master also intended to take Zhuge Xiang as a disciple. However, the next sentence clearly rejected Zhuge Xiang, which reignited the passion in the hearts of the elders present.
"Indeed, I possess a Spirit Artifact sword, but I haven't found a suitable successor. I believe the sword is destined for you. If you become my disciple, this Spirit Artifact sword will serve as your apprenticeship gift," one of the elders said to Zhuge Xiang, directly taking out a Spirit Artifact sword from the Void. The sharp Sword Intent emanating from the Spirit Artifact seemed capable of cutting through even the line of sight.
"I have an Ancient Times scroll of fire Spell. If you follow me to cultivate, you will surely go further in your mastery of fire Spell. Combined with the power of the Fire Phoenix, it will be like adding wings to a tiger. What do you say? Will you become my disciple?" On the other side, another elder presented a powerful Cultivation Technique to Zhuge Xiang.
"I have several Spirit Vein in my possession. If you go in to cultivate, you will definitely achieve twice the result with half the effort," some elders even offered up the Spirit Vein directly.
One after another, the elders in the Great Hall stared intently at Zhuge Xiang, but Zhuge Xiang remained unmoved by their offers of benefits, focusing instead on the Sect Master Luo Ba of the Asura Sect.
Although Luo Ba was outwardly rejecting him, Zhuge Xiang could tell that he was trying to sway him with an Asura Path.
The Asura Path is one of the Three Realms and Six Paths. What is the tenet of the Asura Sect? It is the Way of Battle. Even if one dies in the end, one should transform into Asura and continue to fight in the Asura Path.
Although the Asura Path mentioned by the Sect Master cannot be the true Asura Path of the Three Realms and Six Paths, it should be a part of it, and it should be filled with monsters that are fighting insanely. Why should Zhuge Xiang be sent to guard it?
For others, guarding the Asura Path is indeed a tedious and boring job, but for Zhuge Xiang, this task of suppressing the Zhuge Xiang Asura Path is the real temptation, a temptation that is far more enticing than Spirit Vein, spiritual energy, and Cultivation Technique...
Did Luo Ba intend to take Zhuge Xiang as his disciple? Of course he did. Otherwise, he could have simply let Zhuge Xiang choose Master from among the elders. Why would he leave a place for himself and then speak in a tone that seemed to reject Zhuge Xiang?
Looking at Luo Ba, Zhuge Xiang chuckled inwardly. As the Sect Master, even if he wanted to accept him as a disciple, he wouldn't say it outright. Was he going to resort to such petty tricks for the sake of his so-called Sect Master's dignity? Of course, Zhuge Xiang wouldn't expose him. Instead, he walked directly to Luo Ba, knelt on one knee, and bowed.
"I am Zhuge Xiang of the Asura Sect. I wish to become the Sect Master's disciple and be guided on the path of Sect Master, and I will do my best to fulfill your wishes," Zhuge Xiang said with a solemn expression.
His words caused all the elders to widen their eyes in surprise. They never expected that even though the Sect Master had directly rejected him in advance, he would still choose to become the Sect Master's disciple.
Looking at Zhuge Xiang kneeling on one knee, a hint of joy flashed in Luo Ba's eyes, but his face remained calm, revealing no inner thoughts. He simply asked calmly, "I believe you heard what I just said? Not only will you not receive a generous apprenticeship gift from me, but you will also be assigned the arduous task of guarding the Asura Path. Have you thought this through?"
"Disciple has thought it through, and hopes that Sect Master will grant my request," Zhuge Xiang said, nodding emphatically.
As the Sect Master of the Large Sect and one of the strongest Cultivator in the Great Qin Empire, he was too embarrassed to ask Zhuge Xiang to take him as his master, so Zhuge Xiang would just have to consider his feelings.
"Very well, since you're mentally prepared, I'll accept you as my disciple." Seeing Zhuge Xiang nod, Luo Ba was delighted, but he remained expressionless, calmly nodding as he said, then announced to the surrounding crowd, "From this day forward, Zhuge Xiang is my Luo Ba disciple."
"Congratulations, Sect Master!" Upon hearing Luo Ba's words and seeing that his master-disciple relationship with Zhuge Xiang had been confirmed, the surrounding elders, despite their disappointment, also offered their congratulations. Even Myriad Flowers Elder, whose face was grim, had to force a smile and congratulate Zhuge Xiang and Luo Ba.
"Alright, the formal apprenticeship ceremony will begin in seven days. Now, all elders, please disperse for the time being." He casually beckoned to an Asura Sect Disciple and asked him to arrange the apprenticeship ceremony in seven days and to notify the high-ranking members of the Asura Sect and the high-ranking members of the various forces in the Great Qin Empire. Finally, Luo Ba spoke, and the elders dispersed one by one.
The Asura Sect was, after all, one of the Nine Great Sects of the Great Qin Empire, and Luo Ba was one of the most outstanding experts in the Great Qin Empire. His formal acceptance of disciples was no small matter in the entire Great Qin Empire, and naturally it required a grand ceremony. Soon, the news spread like wildfire throughout the entire Great Qin Empire...
The Asura Sect Master is about to formally recruit a disciple. Who could possibly win Luo Ba's favor? It's none other than Zhuge Xiang, who caused quite a stir some time ago, triggering the genius of the Lightning Crystal Dragon Palace.
This news attracted the attention of many powerful figures, and given Luo Ba's influence, these figures replied one by one, indicating that they would attend the Asura Sect Master's disciple-acceptance ceremony on time.
On one hand, there's Luo Ba's status and position; when he formally accepts a disciple, the high-ranking officials of various forces naturally have to attend, out of respect for the strong. On the other hand, these high-ranking officials also want to see what kind of genius Zhuge Xiang, who is said to have triggered the Thunder Lightning Crystal Dragon Palace, really is.
In the past few days, the Asura Sect has been even more lively. Even in the entire Great Qin Empire, this news is quite a storm, let alone the Asura Sect itself. The disciple-acceptance ceremony has already begun to be carried out in a grand manner. Many Cultivator of the Asura Sect were surprised that the news of Zhuge Xiang's death was actually false, and then they envied Zhuge Xiang for becoming a disciple.
To be able to become the Sect Master's disciple is a huge leap forward. To be the Sect Master's personal disciple is, to put it simply, like being a prince in the Asura Sect.
As the Sect Master of the Asura Sect, Luo Ba's status is undeniable, so his acceptance of disciples is naturally very strict, unlike ordinary elders. Luo Ba has cultivated for hundreds of years, and his cultivation level is infinitely close to that of Gods and Buddhas of all Heavens. In the past few hundred years, he has only truly accepted a handful of disciples into his fold. Including Lu Yuling and Zhuge Xiang, who were recently accepted, there are only seven disciples in total. This shows how strict he is as the Sect Master when it comes to accepting disciples.
The Sect Master's disciple-acceptance ceremony was a lively affair throughout the Asura Sect. Many disciples who had been traveling in the Great Qin Empire or even other countries returned one by one. Even the three Hall Masters of the Asura Sect Inner Sect had long since returned to the headquarters, waiting for the day the ceremony would officially begin.
Because of their apprenticeship, Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling both stayed in the Asura Sect and did not rush to the East Sea. As for the Melting Jade, Zhuge Xiang successfully fused the Mad Dragon Sword and the Sword of Judgment together. As for the Azure Nether Blade's effect of 10,000 points of damage, it is now somewhat useless.
Dragon's Judgment Sword (Six-Star Treasure Artifact): No level requirement, Attack +5400, Attack Speed +10%, Passive 1: Reduces the Attack Speed of surrounding enemy targets by 20%, Passive 2: Every strike carries the Mad Dragon Power, whether it's a normal attack or Skill, its destructive power is increased by 20%, Passive 3: 15% defense penetration, Active 1: Mad Dragon's Wrath, can instantly convert all defense into an equal amount of attack power, a desperate strike, cooldown time 100 seconds, Active 2: Can make the target's HP equal to the user's HP, cooldown time 1 day, Durability 460460, Weight 18.
The Dragon's Judgment Sword is truly amazing. With an attack power of over 5000, a 10% Attack Speed bonus, three passive effects, and two active abilities, plus no level requirement, the Dragon's Judgment Sword is indeed powerful. For those who haven't even reached the Deity Transformation stage, its value is even higher than a Spirit Artifact.
No level requirement, what does that mean? Even the lowest level Qi Cultivation Realm Cultivator can use it, and it might even be used to kill Deity Transformation Stage Cultivator.
Phantom Cloak (Five-Star Treasure Artifact): Defense +3200, Active: Creates an uncontrollable phantom Clone, granting the user an undetectable stealth state. After 3 seconds, the phantom explodes, dealing twice the user's own damage, and simultaneously cancels the user's stealth state. Duration 320/320, Weight 8.
The Phantom Cloak was dropped when Zhuge Xiang slew the Ascending Heaven Divine Tree and completed Bai Qi's mission to prove himself. With these two pieces of equipment, Zhuge Xiang's overall strength has increased once again.
In particular, the Dragon's Judgment Sword's attacks, if not handled carefully, could cause even a top-tier Deity Transformation Cultivator to suffer losses due to its active effect.
Seven days passed quickly. Although the Great Qin Empire was vast, it didn't take a true powerhouse much time to travel Great Qin Empire. As the seven days went by, the day of the apprenticeship ceremony officially arrived. Rays of light, like a meteor shower, slid towards the Supreme Peak.
Besides the 108 elders of the Asura Sect, almost all of them were present, as well as high-ranking Sect and cultivation families, such as the Void Realm Great Expert of the Heavenly Dragon Temple, the Yin Yang Demonic Palace, the Heavenly Sword Sect, and several cultivation families like the Dongfang Family. Even the Imperial Clan of the Great Qin Empire personally sent high-ranking members to offer their congratulations.
"Zhuge Xiang, before the ceremony officially begins, let me introduce you to a few senior brothers and sisters," Zhuge Xiang said, pointing to a row of five Cultivator beside him, without rushing to greet the high-ranking members of the various forces.
Clearly, these five are all Luo Ba's True Disciple, and are Zhuge Xiang's senior brothers and sisters. (To be continued...)