Apprenticeship to the Willow Deity! Clinging to the Willow Deity's Thigh!

At this moment, the Willow Deity was somewhat astonished.

Because as long as this youth stood nearby, the pure spiritual energy constantly radiating from his body would be continuously absorbed by her without end.

That spiritual energy, for the Willow Deity who was struggling through her arduous nirvana, was simply the finest tonic in the world.

In just this brief span of time.

The Willow Deity felt her recovery progress leap forward by a huge margin.

At her usual pace, repairing that cracked piece of bark would require at least ten years of absorbing the Great Desolate Essence.

But now?

A few breaths were enough.

"Ten thousand times..."

The Willow Deity's heart trembled.

"As long as he's nearby, my recovery speed is more than ten thousand times my usual rate."

How could this be a mere youth?

This was clearly a walking, human-shaped Immortal Elixir!

No, even more precious than an Immortal Elixir!

Moreover, the Willow Deity's will rippled faintly.

On Ye Xuan, she vaguely sensed a thread of indistinct karmic entanglement.

That karma was very faint, yet extremely tenacious, as if, long, long ago, at some unknowable point in time, they had already crossed paths.

"Strange karma..."

"A chaotic fate..."

"And this unparalleled physique for aiding cultivation..."

The Willow Deity fell silent for a moment.

This youth appearing here might be fate, or it might be a variable.

But regardless, for her, and for Stone Village, this was an immense stroke of fortune.

Since she couldn't see through him, she would keep him by her side and observe.

Since he was of great use, she would forge a bond of goodwill.

On the charred tree stump, that willow branch lifted once more, gently tapping against Ye Xuan's brow.

This time, there was no probing, only a gentle stream of thought transmitted over.

"Ye Xuan."

The Willow Deity spoke, her tone turning solemn.

"Your physique is exceedingly rare in this world; you are a natural-born Vessel of the Dao."

"Your Dual Pupils are even more extraordinary, containing the profound mysteries of Heaven Splitting and Earth Opening. Even in the Upper Realm, they are a legendary, invincible talent."

Ye Xuan's heart skipped a beat.

Here it comes!

He held his breath, waiting for that crucial sentence.

"Though you now possess this physique, you lack a method of cultivation. You have a treasure mountain but no way to mine it."

"Our meeting is fate."

"Are you willing to take me as your master?"

Hearing these words, the great stone in Ye Xuan's heart finally fell to the ground.

He lifted his head sharply, his eyes brimming with joy.

Taking the Willow Deity as his master!

This was one of the sturdiest thighs in the Perfect World!

An Immortal King Giant as a master—this starting point was far, far higher than any Holy Son of a Great Sect.

And the Willow Deity was right; what he lacked most right now was a method of cultivation.

The Primordial Wilderness side couldn't be cultivated, and the Golden Core Great Dao was still nowhere in sight.

But here, with the Willow Deity's guidance, his Innate Dao Body would absolutely be able to unleash terrifying potential.

"Disciple Ye Xuan, I am willing!"

Ye Xuan didn't hesitate for a moment. He knelt directly on both knees and, facing that charred willow tree, respectfully performed a great bow.

"Disciple Ye Xuan pays respects to Master!"

This bow was sincere and wholehearted.

"Good."

A hint of relief crept into the Willow Deity's voice as well.

"Since you have entered my sect, you shall inherit my teachings. Rise."

The willow branch gently swept, and a soft force lifted Ye Xuan to his feet.

"You have just arrived, and with your unusual constitution, it is not suitable for you to wander the outside world. This Stone Village, though remote and crude, has the virtue of peace and detachment from worldly strife. You may stay here for now and cultivate alongside me."

Ye Xuan nodded. "I shall follow Master's arrangements." He turned his head to look around. This was Stone Village. The place that had produced the Desolate Heaven Emperor. And now, he had come. Not only had he become the Willow Deity's disciple, but he was also the max-level account in this newbie village.

"Master," Ye Xuan suddenly recalled something and spoke up. "Your disciple has just arrived and possesses nothing of value. Yet I notice some children in the village seem quite spirited. I wonder if that..." His gaze passed over several stone houses and fixed on a room at the village center. There, a tiny child lay sleeping. Though still swaddled in infancy, a tenacious life force pulsed within him, like a wounded young beast. The Desolate Heaven Emperor, Shi Hao. At this moment, he was still a little baby who loved drinking beast milk.

The Willow Deity seemed to know what Ye Xuan was looking at. "That child has a troubled fate. He suffered a great calamity and was fostered here. His name is Shi Hao. Now that you are my disciple, if it is convenient in the future, you may look after him a little."

A smile curled at the corner of Ye Xuan's mouth. Look after him? He absolutely would. This was the future Desolate Heaven Emperor, after all. "Master, rest assured." Ye Xuan cupped his hands toward the willow tree and spoke earnestly. "Your disciple will treat him like a younger brother. I'll get him the best milk to drink and take him to fight the fiercest Fierce Beasts."

The Willow Deity: "..."

At dawn, the first ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds of the Great Wilderness. Stone Village awoke from its slumber. The air was thick with the fragrance of soil and the faint scent of grass and trees. A few colorful giant birds circled above the village entrance, letting out crisp calls.

Ye Xuan slowly woke up. After a night's rest, nourished by the dense life essence beside the Willow Deity, his spirit was excellent. His Chaos Heavy Pupils slightly retracted in the morning light, appearing merely as a pair of unusually deep eyes.

On the open ground at the village entrance, many people had already gathered. Clan Chief Shi Yunfeng had risen the earliest, leaning on his walking stick, leading a few strong men to inspect the traps around the village. When they spotted Ye Xuan beside the Willow Deity, everyone's movements paused.

"Who is that?" "Why is he next to the Guardian Spirit?" The villagers whispered among themselves, wariness in their eyes.

Ye Xuan was about to explain himself. "Hmm." The charred willow wood at the village entrance suddenly trembled lightly.

That verdant willow branch swayed in the morning breeze, scattering specks of soft radiance.

A thought, clear and distinct, transmitted into the minds of every Stone Village villager present.

"This child, Ye Xuan, is my disciple."

"From now on, he will reside temporarily in Stone Village. You shall treat him with courtesy."

The voice was ethereal, devoid of worldly taint, yet carried an unassailable authority.

The entire scene fell into dead silence.

Even Shi Yunfeng was stunned.

One must understand, the Willow Deity had been in Stone Village for decades, yet had never communicated with anyone, let alone taken a disciple.

Now, it had spoken of its own accord, and even gained a disciple!

"The guardian spirit's disciple?"

Shi Linhu's bone knife nearly slipped from his hand.

"The Willow Deity spoke! The Willow Deity really spoke!"

"Heaven blesses Stone Village!"

After a brief shock, the villagers erupted into cheers.

In their simple worldview, the more active the guardian spirit, the safer the village.

And this youth named Ye Xuan, since he was the Willow Deity's apprentice, was one of their own.

"Greetings, Young Immortal Master!"

No one knew who started it, but a crowd of men swarmed around, faces beaming with honest smiles.

"Brother Ye is truly handsome, no wonder he's the guardian spirit's disciple."

"Haven't had breakfast yet? My wife just baked some flatbread, still warm!"

"Brother Ye, come to my place tonight. I hunted a Horned Deer yesterday—my family's roast leg is unbeatable!"

Everyone chattered at once, their enthusiasm so overwhelming that Ye Xuan could barely keep up.

This warmth held no trace of falseness, pure affection born from reverence for the Willow Deity, extending to its disciple.

Ye Xuan looked at these simple, honest faces, and a wave of warmth surged through his heart.

Though the humans of the Primordial Wilderness greatly respected him, it was respect for the title of "Human Emperor," tinged with awe and distance.

But here in Stone Village, it felt more like the closeness of neighbors.

"Uncles and elders, you're too kind."

Ye Xuan cupped his hands in return, a gentle smile on his face.

"Since I've entered Stone Village, I'm a part of it. Everyone, just call me by name—no need for 'Immortal Master.'"

His approachable attitude instantly won their goodwill.