Apprenticeship

Master above, your disciple bows!

Mu Bai's voice was clear and loud, echoing across the Langya Family's training grounds.

He knelt on both knees, his forehead striking the bluestone slabs with a heavy thud.

This kowtow was genuine, without a hint of pretense.

Silence fell upon the training grounds; everyone held their breath.

Even the elders at the Innate realm widened their eyes, watching the scene unfold in disbelief.

The Grand Elder was taking a disciple? And he was taking this outsider kid who had just passed the test?

Mu Bai lowered his head, a slight smile playing on his lips.

As a web writer in his past life, he knew too well the importance of latching onto powerful figures.

The Grand Elder before him was, without a doubt, the strongest pillar of support in the Langya Family.

Three hundred years of Martial Dao cultivation placed him among the top existences in the entire cultivation world.

Being accepted as his disciple was like a pie falling from the sky.

"Rise." The Grand Elder's voice was gentle yet carried authority.

Mu Bai finally straightened his body, but he remained in a kneeling posture.

He secretly glanced up, appraising his future master—his hair was as white as snow, his face aged, but his eyes were as deep as the starry sky, as if they could see through a person's very soul.

What shocked Mu Bai the most was that the Grand Elder exuded no aura, yet he felt as if he were one with heaven and earth.

"I have cultivated the Martial Dao for over three hundred years and have never had a disciple. Taking you as my disciple now does not dishonor my Dao."

The Grand Elder nodded slightly. "Come find me in the forbidden area behind the mountain tomorrow."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Grand Elder's figure dissolved into the air like a bubble, without causing the slightest ripple.

Mu Bai's pupils contracted—what kind of realm was this?

He slowly stood up, only to realize his back was soaked with sweat.

Facing the Grand Elder, even though the latter had deliberately restrained his pressure, the gap in their life essence still made him struggle to breathe.

"Mu Bai!"

A familiar voice called out from behind him. Mu Bai turned and saw Langya Xing striding towards him.

The young master who had brought him into the Langya Family was now beaming with excitement, his eyes shining with unconcealed envy.

"You kid!" Langya Xing punched Mu Bai's shoulder. "I knew you weren't simple, but I never expected you to attract the attention of the Grand Elder! The first disciple in three hundred years! Do you know what that means?"

Mu Bai rubbed his sore shoulder and said with a wry smile, "I didn't expect it either..."

His words trailed off as he noticed everyone's gaze fixed on him.

Among those gazes were admiration, jealousy, shock, and even a few with hidden hostility.

Especially the elders beside him, their expressions varied.

The Third Elder stroked his beard and smiled; the Fifth Elder frowned, seemingly lost in thought; while the Seventh Elder lowered his head, his expression shifting unpredictably.

Mu Bai's heart stirred, recalling what the silver-armored guard had said earlier in front of the main hall. This Seventh Elder was one of the culprits who had insisted on making him undergo the three trials.

Now, it seemed, this elder must be regretting it immensely.

"Let's go, back to my separate courtyard first." Langya Xing grabbed Mu Bai's arm and whispered, "You're the center of attention right now. If we stay any longer, you'll probably be mobbed."

Mu Bai nodded and followed Langya Xing as they quickly left the training grounds.

He could feel the gazes behind him like thorns on his back; the intensity of many of them made the hairs on his neck stand on end.

Deep in the night, in the forbidden area behind the Langya Family's mountain.

A figure weaved through the dense forest like a phantom, moving at astonishing speed without disturbing any of the nocturnal birds or beasts.

Under the moonlight, a person in a purple-gold robe could be vaguely seen, their face stern. It was the current head of the Langya Family—Langya Tianxing.

He quickly reached the mountaintop, where only a simple thatched hut stood, a stark contrast to the magnificent palaces of the Langya Family below.

Langya Tianxing tiptoed to the front of the thatched hut and respectfully knocked on the door.

"Enter." An aged voice came from within.

Pushing the door open, the dim interior held only an oil lamp.

The Grand Elder sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his eyes closed, seemingly in meditation.

"Have you found out?" the Grand Elder asked without opening his eyes.

Langya Tianxing bowed slightly. "Replying to the Grand Elder, I have investigated. Mu Bai, eighteen years old, is from the Carefree Prince's Estate in Great Yan, the Young Master of the Carefree Prince. Three months ago, he fought to a draw with Xing'er in Great Yan. Due to his exceptional martial talent, he was brought back to the clan for training."

"Is his background clean?"

"Very clean. Such a person does exist in Great Yan. Furthermore..." Langya Tianxing hesitated. "He didn't display any extraordinary abilities when he was in Great Yan, clearly possessing a mature disposition."

The Grand Elder finally opened his eyes, his gaze sharp. "Since Xing'er brought him back, why is there still...?"

Langya Tianxing's face flickered with a hint of embarrassment. "This... it involves a dispute among the younger generation of the family. Elder Er and Elder Qi proposed it, and I found it inconvenient to object."

The Grand Elder let out a cold snort, and the temperature in the thatched hut seemed to drop a few degrees. "Internal family strife, you, the family head, take it quite lightly."

Cold sweat beaded on Langya Tianxing's forehead, and he dared not reply.

After a long silence, the Grand Elder spoke again. "Tianxing, how many years have you been the family head?"

"Replying to the Grand Elder, it has been twenty-three years."

"Twenty-three years..." The Grand Elder sighed softly. "Time flies so fast. When your father passed the position of family head to you, you were just a young lad."

Langya Tianxing lowered his head, a flicker of reminiscence in his eyes.

"Internal family strife has existed since ancient times," the Grand Elder said slowly. "But as the family head, you must know where to draw the line. I don't care what happened before, but since Mu Bai is now my disciple, such things must never happen again."

"Yes, this disciple understands."

"Also, give Xing'er a great reward." the Grand Elder added. "If he hadn't brought Mu Bai back, our Langya Family might have missed out on an unparalleled genius."

Langya Tianxing's expression changed slightly. He seemed to want to say something but swallowed it back.

The Grand Elder's gaze was piercing. "Speak your mind."

"Grand Elder, Mu Bai's talent is indeed astonishing, but... is he worth such importance? Our Langya Family has produced many geniuses, and in this generation alone, we have Langya Xing, Langya Xin, and others..."

"Foolish!" The Grand Elder suddenly roared, startling Langya Tianxing, who trembled all over. "Is your vision so short-sighted?"

Langya Tianxing quickly bowed. "This child is dull-witted. Please guide me, Grand Elder."

The Grand Elder stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the bright moon in the night sky. "Although I still have over a hundred years before my lifespan ends, I must also consider the family's future. Mu Bai... might be the next pillar of our Langya Family."