Gu Chengming had already formed a preference in his heart.
However, just then, another cultivation method voiced its opinion.
[Hundred Bones Ming was ecstatic!] [Hundred Bones Ming thought, A body-refining sect? If I go there, I probably won't be short on body-refining resources. And Hua Daiyi is a high-level cultivator, someone worthy of being called a senior.] [It eagerly hoped you would accept this opportunity!]
Gu Chengming: "..."
Seeing that Gu Chengming was still hesitating, Hua Daiyi assumed the offer wasn't enticing enough, so he added another inducement.
"If you agree, I can teach you the Hunyuan Gate's most superior Body Refining Technique right now."
"That will be far stronger than the unknown Body Refining Technique you're practicing now. Your technique is somewhat interesting, but in the end, it's an unorthodox method, unfit for the grand stage."
At those words, Hundred Bones Ming, which had been frantically urging Gu Chengming to agree, exploded.
[Hearing this, Hundred Bones Ming felt as if struck by lightning. After a long moment, it came to its senses, furious.] [Not only had he insulted its low cultivation, he even wanted to steal its opportunity and snatch its most precious treasure?!] [This was a disgrace beyond measure—utterly hateful! That old dog had a death wish!] [Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; never look down on a poor Cultivation Method! Once it mastered its cultivation, it would kill this fiend!] [It desperately hoped you would refuse him! It also began frantically touting its own merits!]
The Divine Person, Hundred Bones Ming.
Ignoring the reaction of this Divine Person's Cultivation Method, Gu Chengming had actually made up his mind long ago.
He cupped his hands and politely declined.
"I'm deeply grateful for your favor, Senior. This junior is overwhelmed by the honor."
"But..."
"This junior is a Wenjian Sect Disciple. Though my talent is dull, I dare not forget my roots. The sect has treated me well, and my teachers have guided me with great care."
"Besides, though the Cultivation Method I practice isn't the finest, it suits me best. As the saying goes, even a worn-out broom is precious to its owner. For now, I have no plans to change sects."
"So... I can only turn down your kind offer, Senior."
PS: This chapter has three thousand five hundred words. Together with the previous chapter, that makes six thousand words in all. Three updates complete.
As usual, extra chapter for recommendation tickets—!
Hua Daiyi clearly hadn't expected Gu Chengming to refuse so decisively.
He froze, forgetting even to bring the Wine Gourd he'd just picked up to his lips.
This was an offer of a place as a personal disciple of a Hunyuan Sect elder, along with a top-tier Cultivation Method and abundant resources.
Anyone else would probably already be calling him Master.
But this kid had the nerve to say "even a worn-out broom is precious to its owner" and "I dare not forget my roots"?
At the same time, system notifications rang out in Gu Chengming's mind.
[Clear Heart Art Favorability +5] [Current Favorability: 35/Friendly] [It thinks you understand what matters, know when to advance and retreat, and won't let outside temptations shake your heart. This is what a worthy male lead in its storybook should be like... No, what a worthy host should be like.] [Hundred Bones Ming Favorability +3] [Current Favorability: 28/Unfamiliar] [Hundred Bones Ming breathed a sigh of relief and even felt a little touched.] [It thought, As expected of its Golden Finger! When it mattered, it still took its side!]
Though he'd been rejected, Hua Daiyi clearly hadn't given up.
If he let such a superb seedling—one with both talent and integrity—slip through his fingers, he reckoned he'd regret it for years.
"Kid, don't be so quick to shut the door."
Hua Daiyi chuckled, a sly glint flashing in his cloudy old eyes.
"I know what you're worried about. You're afraid that if you go to the Hunyuan Sect, your talent in the Sword Way will go to waste, right?"
"But every word I said was true. Though I'm with the Hunyuan Sect, my attainments in the Sword Way are in no way inferior to those old fossils from the Wenjian Sect. And I'm not one to resort to trickery. If I intend to take you in, I'll naturally give you the best."
As he spoke, he reached out and tapped the air.
"The Hunyuan Sect's guardian Cultivation Method is restricted by sect rules; it can't be taught to outsiders. But this sword art was created by me and belongs to no sect. I'll pass it on to you today."
"Watch closely!"
Before his words had even faded, a streak of Flowing Light shot from his fingertip and sank into Gu Chengming's forehead.
Gu Chengming felt a boom in his mind as a torrent of information poured in.
A Cultivation Method called Hidden Immortal Wine Sword Art was clearly imprinted in his sea of consciousness.
This sword art...
Gu Chengming merely skimmed through it, yet his heart trembled.
This was no mundane sword art. It used wine as its medium, gathering the cosmos within a gourd, and used the sword as a brush to write of freedom between heaven and earth. It held the ancient, untrammeled essence of wandering immortals, embodying the profound mysteries of "seeing the true world through drunken eyes, while the sun and moon linger long within the gourd."
It was clearly a high-level sword art.
Before he could recover from his shock, Hua Daiyi casually tossed him a token.
The token was pitch-black all over, made of some unknown material. A single forceful character, "Hua," was carved upon it, its surface radiating an ancient, weighty aura.
"Take the sword art and practice it. Once you've trained it, you'll understand its wonders."
Hua Daiyi waved a hand, looking completely unconcerned.
"As for the token, keep it too. If you ever grow tired of staying in the Wenjian Sect, or regret your decision, you can come find me with it anytime."
Gu Chengming stared at the token in his hand, feeling as if it were burning hot.
This old man... He was forcing a deal on him!
He hurriedly cupped his hands, trying to refuse.
"Senior, this... I haven't done anything to deserve such a gift. I really can't—"
"Why are you making such a fuss over rules?"
Hua Daiyi impatiently cut him off, glaring at him.
"If I want to give it, I'll give it. If you want to learn it, then learn it! Quit fussing like a woman!"
"I'm off!"
With that, he didn't wait for Gu Chengming to say another word. His figure blurred, and in an instant, he vanished, leaving only a faint trace of wine in the air to prove that what had just happened wasn't an illusion.
After leaving the courtyard, Hua Daiyi hummed a little tune, seemingly not at all put out by his rejection.
To be honest, Hua Daiyi had been somewhat surprised, but deep down, he'd been prepared for the possibility that the other man might refuse.
He'd already learned from his earlier observations that the kid knew how to repay kindness. It was only natural that a few words from him wouldn't be enough to sway him.
But that didn't mean he was giving up.
In the world of cultivation, favors weren't settled with a simple back-and-forth exchange.
The kid had received his sword art. Once he began practicing it, their Karma would be bound together.
The Hidden Immortal Wine Sword Art was his proudest creation. As long as Gu Chengming practiced it, he'd naturally bear the mark of Hua Daiyi's lineage.
By then, he'd count as half a disciple, no matter how you looked at it.
This was a masterful scheme.
Open and aboveboard, yet impossible to refuse.
"Heh heh, kid, we have plenty of time."
Hua Daiyi picked up his Wine Gourd, intending to take another swig as he thought.
But just then—
His body suddenly stiffened, and the relaxed expression on his face froze.
The Wine Gourd hovered at his lips, but the wine inside seemed frozen solid; not a single drop would pour out.
The air around him grew viscous. The wind died, and even the insects fell silent.
The newcomer was Ren Wencai.
The Great Elder of Huiyuan Gate was standing in midair, his hands clasped behind his back.
He'd witnessed the whole thing: Hua Daiyi's arrival, Gu Chengming's refusal, and the old rascal shamelessly shoving a Cultivation Method and token at him...
Ren Wencai was furious.
So, Wine Old Man, you act like such a fine gentleman every day, but your hide is thicker than anyone could have imagined!
You failed to poach him and still wouldn't give up. Now you were resorting to forcing a deal on him?
Giving him a Cultivation Method? Giving him a token?
That was a fine little scheme: cook the rice before the pot was ready, then force a master-disciple bond on the kid!
Utterly shameless!
Ren Wencai took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to simply beat the man up. He forced a fake, humorless smile and looked at Hua Daiyi, who was trapped before him.
"Daoist Hua, what brings you to my Wenjian Sect for a stroll?"
Hearing the sarcastic voice, Hua Daiyi felt a chill run down his back, and cold sweat broke out at once.
Not good.
He'd been caught in the act.
To be honest, if he'd run into Ren Wencai in some wilderness outside the sect, Hua Daiyi wouldn't have been intimidated.
They'd known each other for hundreds of years and understood each other well.
If they fought, the odds would be about even.
But this was the Wenjian Sect, the other man's home ground. And Hua Daiyi had been the one trying to poach his disciple, so of course he felt a little guilty after being caught red-handed.
Hua Daiyi's eyes darted about as he tried to think up an excuse.
Seeing that he wasn't answering, Ren Wencai didn't hurry him. He simply straightened his sleeve and spoke at an unhurried pace.
"I was in seclusion just now when I suddenly sensed an exceedingly subtle ripple of Sword Intent nearby. I wondered which esteemed expert had arrived, so I came to take a look."
"Never did I imagine..."
He raised his eyes and stared at Hua Daiyi with a half-smile.
"It would be Daoist Hua."
"What? Have things been going badly for the Hunyuan Sect lately? Has the sect suffered such a Talent Drought that its dignified Elder Hua has to personally seek out talent at other sects?"
Hua Daiyi's old face reddened. He chuckled awkwardly, trying to bluff his way through.
"Ahem, Daoist Ren, you're joking. I was just... just passing by. The scenery here was lovely, and I couldn't resist practicing a few sword moves. I didn't mean to alarm you. My apologies, my apologies."
"Oh? Just passing by?"
Ren Wencai raised an eyebrow, his smile growing brighter.
"Since you were just passing by, was that Hidden Immortal Wine Sword Art and token you gave away a gift for one of my sect's disciples?"
"That's quite an expensive way to pass by, isn't it, Daoist Hua?"
Hua Daiyi cried out inwardly, This is bad.
Before you continue