Apprenticeship

Master, please accept a disciple's bow!

Mu Bai's voice was crisp and loud, echoing across the Langya Family's martial arts arena.

He dropped to his knees, his forehead striking the bluestone pavement with a heavy thud.

This kowtow was solid and sincere, without the slightest bit of pretense.

The martial arts arena fell into absolute silence, and everyone held their breath.

Even the several Xiantian-realm elders widened their eyes, looking at this scene in disbelief.

The Grand Elder was taking on a disciple? And the one he was taking was this newcomer who had just passed the test?

Mu Bai kept his head lowered, but the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

Having been an internet webnovel author in his past life, he knew all too well the importance of latching onto a powerful backer.

The Grand Elder before him was undoubtedly the thickest pillar of support in the entire Langya Family.

Three hundred years of martial arts cultivation made him a top-tier existence throughout the entire cultivation world.

Being able to enter his sect was simply a pie falling from the sky.

Get up. The Grand Elder's voice carried a dignified warmth.

Only then did Mu Bai straighten his body, though he still maintained his kneeling posture.

He secretly raised his eyes to size up this future master—white hair like snow, an aged face, and a pair of eyes as deep as a starry sky, as if they could see right through a person's heart.

What startled Mu Bai the most was that the Grand Elder did not leak the slightest trace of aura from his body, yet he gave off a feeling of complete harmony with heaven and earth.

Old man, I have cultivated in the martial arts for over three hundred years and have never yet taken a disciple. Now, taking you as a disciple does not disgrace my martial arts.

The Grand Elder nodded slightly. Come to the Forbidden Land in the back mountains to find me tomorrow.

The moment his voice fell, the Grand Elder's figure dissipated into the air like foam, without causing the slightest ripple.

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

He slowly stood up, only to find that his back had already been soaked through with sweat.

Facing the Grand Elder, even though the other party had deliberately reined in his pressure, that gap originating from the level of life still left him unable to catch his breath.

Mu Bai!

A familiar voice came from behind. Mu Bai turned around and saw Langya Xing striding over.

This young lord who had brought him into the Langya Family was currently brimming with excitement, undisguised envy shining in his eyes.

You brat! Langya Xing punched Mu Bai on the shoulder. I knew early on that you weren't simple, but I never expected you to alarm the Grand Elder! The first disciple in three hundred years! Do you know what this means?

Mu Bai rubbed his aching shoulder and smiled bitterly, I didn't expect it either...

His words came to an abrupt halt as he noticed that everyone's gazes in the martial arts arena were focused on him.

Among those gazes were envy, jealousy, shock, and even a few hidden, hostile stares.

In particular, the several elders off to the side wore varying expressions.

Third Elder stroked his beard with a smile and nodded; Fifth Elder furrowed his brow, seemingly pondering something; while Seventh Elder kept his head down, his expression shifting uncertainly.

A thought stirred in Mu Bai's heart, and he recalled what the silver-armored guard had said before outside the main hall—this Seventh Elder was precisely one of the chief culprits who had insisted on putting him through the three trials.

Now it seemed this elder probably regretted it so much his intestines were turning green.

Let's go, let's head back to my courtyard first. Langya Xing grabbed Mu Bai's arm, lowering his voice. You're a focal point now. If you stay here any longer, you'll probably get mobbed by onlookers.

Mu Bai nodded and followed Langya Xing in leaving the martial arts arena at a brisk pace.

He could feel the gazes at his back pricking him like thorns, the intense heat of so many stares making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

Late at night, the Forbidden Land in the back mountains of the Langya Family.

A figure shuttled through the dense forest like a ghost, moving with astonishing speed without alarming any roosting birds or beasts.

Under the moonlight, the newcomer was faintly visible in a purple-gold robe with a majestic countenance—he was none other than the contemporary head of the Langya Family, Langya Tianxing.

He quickly arrived at the summit, where only a dilapidated thatched cottage stood, forming a sharp contrast with the glittering and magnificent halls of the Langya Family down below.

Langya Tianxing lightened his footsteps, walked up to the thatched cottage, and knocked respectfully on the door.

Come in. An aged voice drifted out from inside.

Pushing open the door, he found only a single oil lamp inside, casting a dim light.

The Grand Elder sat cross-legged on a straw mat with his eyes half-closed, seemingly in deep meditation.

Did you find out clearly? The Grand Elder asked directly without opening his eyes.

Langya Tianxing bowed slightly, Reporting to the Grand Elder, it has been cleared up. Mu Bai, eighteen years old, hails from the Carefree Prince's Estate of the Great Yan Kingdom, and is the Carefree Prince's Young Master. Three months ago, he fought to a draw with Xing'er in Great Yan, and because of his extraordinary martial arts talent, he was brought back to the lineage to be cultivated.

Is his background clean?

Very clean; such a person does indeed exist in Great Yan. And yet... Langya Tianxing hesitated for a moment. He never displayed anything extraordinary while in Great Yan, which clearly shows a seasoned disposition.

The Grand Elder finally opened his eyes, his gaze like lightning, Since he was brought back by Xing'er, why were there still trials?

A trace of awkwardness flashed across Langya Tianxing's face. This... involves the internal struggles of the younger generation in the lineage. It was proposed by Second Elder and Seventh Elder, and it wasn't convenient for me to object.

The Grand Elder let out a cold snort, and the temperature inside the entire thatched cottage seemed to drop by several degrees. Internal lineage struggles, and you, the family head, are quite tolerant of them.

Cold sweat seeped from 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 family head?

Reporting to the Grand Elder, twenty-three years already.

Twenty-three years... The Grand Elder sighed softly. Time flies really fast. When your father passed the position of family head to you back then, you were still just a brash kid.

Langya Tianxing lowered his head, a trace of nostalgic recollection flashing in his eyes.

Internal lineage struggles have existed since ancient times. The Grand Elder said slowly, But as the family head, you must grasp the proper measure. I don't care how things were before, but since Mu Bai is now my disciple, this kind of thing must never happen again.

Understood, Disciple understands.

In addition, record a Great Merit for Xing'er. The Grand Elder added, If not for him bringing Mu Bai back, my Langya Family would likely have missed out on a peerless genius.

Langya Tianxing's expression shifted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but swallowed it back down.

The Grand Elder's gaze was like a torch, Speak your mind.

Grand Elder, Mu Bai's talent is indeed astonishing, but... is he worth placing such importance on? My Langya Family has geniuses emerging in droves; this generation alone has Langya Xing, Langya Xin, and others...

Foolish! The Grand Elder suddenly shouted sternly, startling Langya Tianxing into a full-body tremble. Is your vision truly that short-sighted?

Langya Tianxing hurriedly bowed, Your child is dull-witted; please enlighten me, Grand Elder.

The Grand Elder stood up, walked over to the window, and gazed at the bright moon in the night sky, Although I still have over a hundred years before my limit approaches, I must also plan more for the lineage. Mu Bai... might well be the next pillar of our Langya Family.