Nightmare

Looking at the Void Spirit Pearl in his hand, Zhong Shan already had an idea.

His main body's weapon was a saber. Zhong Shan had thought about the shape of the saber a long time ago. Slowly, Zhong Shan held the Void Spirit Pearl and, following the method Ling'er had taught him, used a knife to make a cut on his hand. Blood quickly filled the Void Spirit Pearl.

Once the blood filled it, the shape of the Void Spirit Pearl seemed to establish a mental connection with Zhong Shan. As Zhong Shan thought, the shape of the Void Spirit Pearl slowly changed, gradually elongating, and finally, it transformed into the appearance of a large saber.

Zhong Shan was about 1.8 meters tall, and the large saber was 1.6 meters long. Its appearance was extremely arrogant. There was a huge groove on the blade, and on the back of the blade, there were six large saber spikes following the momentum of the blade. It looked incredibly fierce, just like Zhong Shan himself, exceptionally fierce.

However, this was just a transparent mold embryo.

Next was the infusion of metal.

Looking at his own large saber, Zhong Shan didn't hesitate and integrated it into the mold. With a light touch, the large saber was enveloped by the mold, and then it seemed to be dissolved by the energy inside the mold and adhered to it.

There wasn't enough metal, so Zhong Shan found a sword from the Listening Water Pavilion and put it in. He also found an axe and put it in. Only then was the large saber completely filled.

Now, it was just a low-grade first-rank magic treasure. From now on, it would be tempered with True Qi and True Essence, and nurtured with his mind to form spirituality and continuously upgrade.

Looking at his first magic treasure, a trace of sadness flashed in Zhong Shan's eyes.

"Sky Splitting Crown Prince, from now on, this saber will become your Nightmare. So, from today onwards, you will be called 'Nightmare'," Zhong Shan said, stroking the large saber.

"Zhong Shan, you're back?" Tian Ling'er called from outside the house.

Zhong Shan opened the door and saw Nan Batian and Tian Ling'er arriving at the Listening Water Pavilion together.

"Whoa, you've already refined it? This large saber is fierce," Nan Batian said in surprise, looking at the large saber in Zhong Shan's hand.

"Yeah, this saber looks fierce. You're fierce, and the shape of this saber is also very fierce," Tian Ling'er immediately said.

"Have a seat. I'll go prepare something to drink," Zhong Shan said.

Then, the three of them sat at the stone table by the small pond outside the courtyard.

"Zhong Shan, you were really something today. Innate Realm third level defeating Innate Realm fourth level. That person must be furious when he goes back," Tian Ling'er said.

"Yeah, I heard that among the four Innate Realm fourth level people, that person was still ranked second in strength. I didn't expect him to fall into your hands this time. This is the first time this has happened in so many years," Nan Batian said.

"Who said that? Senior Brother can also challenge those above his level. Didn't he say he killed someone with a higher cultivation last time?" Tian Ling'er said.

"You didn't see it," Nan Batian said, showing disbelief.

"It must be true. Senior Brother wouldn't lie," Tian Ling'er immediately became anxious.

Watching the two bicker, Zhong Shan didn't interrupt or pay attention. Fighting with others? Defeating someone with a higher cultivation than himself? It wasn't difficult, because between life and death, there were many schemes and methods. However, being with the two of them made Zhong Shan feel very comfortable. Although their cultivation was higher than his, they were younger than him, and their thoughts were relatively naive. In Zhong Shan's eyes, they were like a younger brother and sister.

"What did the Sect Master mean when he said we would meet again in fifteen days?" Zhong Shan suddenly thought of what Tian Xingzi had said in the square during the day.

"Oh, you don't know? This time, we can go out. We can go out for training," Tian Ling'er immediately said excitedly.

"Training?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Yeah, it's going out for training. The last time, Father took me out, and he wouldn't let me run around. I came back not long after. This time, I have a chance to go out alone. I don't have to look at my dad's face anymore, hmph," Tian Ling'er snorted with her little nose, showing a cute expression.

"Who is going? Do I have to go too?" Zhong Shan frowned.

Zhong Shan didn't want to go, because he also understood that the spiritual energy outside was not as abundant as in the Kaiyang Sect, and he had also found a small grotto-heaven. Cultivating inside was much, much faster than outside.

"Not necessarily. It will be voluntary then, but most people will go out, because like me, I've been cooped up here for many years and have long wanted to go out and see. Some people also want to go back to the mortal world and see their relatives," Tian Ling'er explained.

"Yes," Zhong Shan nodded.

In any case, Zhong Shan had made up his mind. Since he had volunteered, he wouldn't go out.

"Ling'er, Batian, are you both here?" At this moment, a ethereal voice suddenly came from out of nowhere.

It was the Sect Master, Tian Xingzi's voice.

"Dad? Why are you here?" Tian Ling'er immediately called out, looking around.

Then, everyone saw the Sect Master, Tian Xingzi, descend from the sky and land in front of Zhong Shan's stone table.

Zhong Shan quickly got up and bowed respectfully to Tian Xingzi: "Greetings, Sect Master."

"Uncle Tian," Nan Batian also greeted.

"Yes," Tian Xingzi nodded. Then, without ceremony, he sat down beside the stone table.

Looking at Zhong Shan, Tian Xingzi said: "Zhong Shan, please sit. I didn't expect your physique to achieve such a level in just one year. You must have cultivated very diligently."

"Of course! Dad, you don't know, look at that kiln over there, Zhong Shan built it for cultivation. He also fought with Demon Beasts in the mountains to cultivate so quickly," Tian Ling'er immediately interjected.

Looking at the kiln over there, and then at Tian Ling'er and Nan Batian, Tian Xingzi smiled slightly.

"You and Batian go over there first, I have something to say to Zhong Shan," Tian Xingzi said.

"What is there that I can't hear?" Tian Ling'er immediately pouted, unwilling.

"It's very important," Tian Xingzi said with a serious expression.

"Alright," Tian Ling'er nodded and stopped arguing. Then she and Nan Batian walked to the other side.

Tian Xingzi gently waved his hand, covering a five-meter radius in a ball of white mist, isolating it from Tian Ling'er and the others.

Looking at Tian Xingzi in front of him, Zhong Shan frowned, wondering what he wanted from him.

"Zhong Shan," Tian Xingzi looked at Zhong Shan seriously.

"Disciple is here," Zhong Shan immediately nodded.

"Hehe, you don't need to be so formal. I am very surprised that you could achieve your current level in one year with that kind of root bone. At the same time, I also understand that your will is very firm and you are not afraid of hardship. To obtain a Restriction Breaking Pill with the body of a mortal at eighty years old, no matter how you got it, I believe that your heart is definitely not as naive as Ling'er's. You have wisdom and know how to work hard," Tian Xingzi said.

Zhong Shan didn't speak, constantly guessing what Tian Xingzi meant by these words, waiting for him to continue.

"So, this time, I have something I'd like to ask for your help with," Tian Xingzi finished, looking at Zhong Shan.

Hearing Tian Xingzi's words, Zhong Shan frowned slightly and didn't immediately agree. Instead, he looked at Tian Xingzi and said: "Sect Master, please speak."

Seeing Zhong Shan's attitude, a satisfied smile appeared on Tian Xingzi's face.

"They should have told you just now that Ling'er and Batian will definitely go out in a few days. You don't need to worry about Batian, he's a boy, and we've given him the final life-saving items, so he won't suffer losses and can also temper his character in the mortal world. As for Ling'er, I'm not at ease with her, so I hope you can take care of her and bring her back safely after one year," Tian Xingzi said solemnly.

"Go out?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Batian needs to train alone. Ling'er's character is too naive, and she is friends with you, so I am at ease with her following you. As long as you bring her back safely after one year, I will personally guide your cultivation," Tian Xingzi said seriously.

Hearing Tian Xingzi's words, Zhong Shan's eyes lit up. Personally guide? That would be much better than cultivating blindly on his own.

"Under my guidance, your cultivation will definitely be faster. As long as you reach the Golden Core Stage, I will accept you as my disciple, how about it?" Tian Xingzi smiled slightly.

This was a zero-cost investment. Taking a Golden Core Stage cultivator as a disciple? If Zhong Shan had the potential to cultivate to the Golden Core Stage, why not take him as a disciple? If he couldn't reach the Golden Core Stage, then there was even less need to fulfill any promises. As for personal guidance, occasional pointers would suffice.

However, this was a huge temptation for Zhong Shan.

Having a master would definitely yield twice the results with half the effort and avoid many detours.

One year, just one year. Everything was worth it.

"Alright," Zhong Shan agreed.

"In that case, I can rest assured. I believe in you," Tian Xingzi stood up, patted Zhong Shan's shoulder, and smiled.

With a wave, the white mist disappeared.

"Alright, you all continue chatting. I won't disturb you anymore," Tian Xingzi smiled at the three of them, stepped onto a white cloud, and left.

"Zhong Shan, what did my father just say?" Tian Ling'er immediately pressed.

"He asked me to go out with you," Zhong Shan shook his head and said simply.

PS: Rushing the rankings, please give recommendation votes.