Taking Another Disciple

"This item is indeed precious, but it should have been given to the sect."

As Chen Mobai spoke, he picked up the Third Grade Herb to verify the knowledge he had learned about identifying medicinal herbs over the past two years.

"Uncle Chen has a discerning eye. Our Luo Family's Spirit Camel Mountain is very suitable for the growth of this Herb, so we specially opened a medicinal garden to cultivate it. The family has been established for more than 300 years and it has reached a certain scale. Every ten years, we will provide the sect with a Camel Thorn."

Luo Yixuan didn't hide anything; when Chen Mobai asked, she told him the truth.

"Since it's meant for the sect, giving it to me would only delay the sect's important task of refining Foundation Establishment."

Chen Mobai asked again, but Luo Yixuan smiled and said something that made him realize something.

"In fact, several Camel Thorn can mature in the family's medicinal garden every ten years. In addition to supplying the sect, if other Eastern Wasteland Great Sect have a need, our Luo Family is also willing to sell them."

In the Sky River Realm, although most Cultivating Family are affiliated with the Great Sect, they each have their own means of survival.

For example, in South Stream Market, where Chen Mobai started his business, there was the fish-raising technique of the Liu Wenbai family and the Spirit Camel -raising technique of the Luo Family.

However, regardless of the family, once they have a Spirit Land to settle down in, they will basically set up a medicinal garden to grow spiritual herbs.

After all, in the Sky River Realm, all cultivators know that the best way to improve their cultivation is to take pills.

Moreover, once one's cultivation level is high, Spirit Stone can no longer attract those high-level cultivators. At this point, century-old medicinal herbs and Millennium Herb become the hard currency for trade.

The Eastern Wasteland Seven Great Sects also held an encouraging attitude towards this.

After all, everyone knows that to catch a net full of fish and shrimp, you first need to fatten them up.

However, the Eastern Wasteland Seven Great Sects all understand the principle of sustainable development. As long as the Cultivating Family behave themselves, they will purchase the high-aged medicinal herbs they cultivate according to the market value.

After all, to refine pills of the Third Grade or higher, at least a hundred kinds of main and Auxiliary Medicine are needed.

Herb are highly dependent on the Spirit Soil and climate. Giant Wood Ridge is said to have thousands of acres of medicinal fields, but some Herb simply cannot be grown or raised here. Although the sect has also established many separate residences for planting and breeding in various parts of the Four Kingdoms, due to a lack of manpower, many things are handed over to the Cultivating Family below, which actually yields better results.

The "Camel Thorn" of the Luo Family is one of them.

Every time the Divine Wood Sect needs to refine Foundation Establishment, it purchases a Third Grade plant from the Luo Family.

"In other words, this one is to be sold to the sect."

Chen Mobai asked, and Luo Yixuan nodded.

"Last night, my brother reported the current situation within the sect to the clan leader through the Heart-to-Heart Talisman. The clan leader will have the family urgently send another Camel Thorn to the sect for Alchemy. This one will be given as a token of gratitude to Uncle Chen for speaking out for justice."

Refining Foundation Establishment is a significant undertaking for the Divine Wood Sect. While most of the main Auxiliary Medicine can be harvested in Giant Wood Ridge, some need to be purchased from outside the Cultivating Family and merchant guilds. Therefore, delaying the Luo Family family's Camel Thorn Tree by two days is not a big deal.

Although Luo Yixuan said that, Chen Mobai still put the precious Third Grade Herb back into the Jade Box and closed it after hearing it.

"I accept the gratitude of the Luo Family, but please give this Camel Thorn to the sect first."

As Chen Mobai spoke, he gestured for Luo Yixuan to come up and take the things back. Upon hearing this, the latter was slightly surprised and hesitated in place, not daring to step forward.

"Although it will only take two days, as you say, the sect's affairs are definitely more important than my personal matters, so this Herb must be given to the sect first."

Zhuo Ming was baffled by these words, but Luo Yixuan understood them. Her expression first showed astonishment, then understanding, and finally, she showed an expression of being taught, and respectfully took the Jade Box back.

"Uncle Chen's attitude of prioritizing the sect is something that juniors should learn from."

After saying this, Luo Yixuan picked up the Jade Box next to Chen Mobai and stood gracefully beside him.

"There's something I want to ask you. If it's inconvenient for you to say, you don't need to answer."

Seeing the beautiful woman in palace attire so close to him, Chen Mobai remembered the Sect Grand Competition and asked about it. The woman nodded and said that he could ask without hesitation.

"Why are you hiding your cultivation level? Are you afraid that your brilliance will overshadow your brother?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of panic flashed in Luo Yixuan's eyes, but she quickly shook her head with a wry smile.

"As expected, my Return to Origin Secret Art still couldn't hide from Foundation Establishment Cultivator."

"No, you've already practiced enough. Among the Foundation Establishment Cultivator who have come into contact with you, I'm probably the only one who can see through you."

Luo Yixuan stood there in silence for a long time. Just when Chen Mobai thought she was unwilling to speak, she sighed and spoke.

"In a family, women always have to get married. If they perform too well, their reputation will spread, and other Cultivation Clan around will send people to marry them and use them as breeding tools, or they will be sought after by high-level cultivators from higher sects to be used as a vessel for sexual cultivation. Although my brother and I share the same father, we do not share the same mother."

"My mother was a female cultivator from a small family in the Yun Country. Because she was beautiful and had good Spiritual Root and talents, my father took her as his sixth Daoist partner when she was eighteen years old, using one hundred Spirit Stone and two first-tier Magic Artifact."

"My father cultivated the True Yang Art and made many contributions to the expansion of the family. He had a total of twenty-seven children, but only five of them had Spiritual Root. Among them, my two older sisters have been used as tools for the Marriage Alliance and married off to two other Cultivation Clan."

"I should have been the third one to get married, but because my Spiritual Root is suitable for cultivating the Longevity Sutra, and I usually flatter and befriend my brother, he was going to the Divine Wood Sect and was a little unhappy about being alone, so he asked me to come with him."

"I knew this was my only chance to change my fate, so I cultivated desperately. But I also knew that if I surpassed my brother, my family might see me as an uncontrollable factor and even cut off my supply of Spirit Stone and other resources. I might end up like my mother."

"So I carefully maintained my cultivation progress, making sure I was a step behind my brother, but also ensuring that I would become a true disciple in the Sect Grand Competition four years later."

After Luo Yixuan finished speaking, Zhuo Ming stared wide-eyed, completely unable to believe that this seemingly beautiful young lady from a prestigious family had been carrying such heavy psychological pressure since childhood.

"It seems your relationship with your father isn't very good."

After listening, Chen Mobai was also a little surprised by the customs of the Cultivation Clan in the Sky River Realm. They were all cultivating immortality, yet their thinking was still so feudal and traditional.

"If I become a true disciple and obtain the Foundation Establishment, my father will definitely make me leave this one to my brother."

Luo Yixuan remained expressionless and coldly uttered a sorrowful statement.

"Would you give it to him?"

"No, this is my only chance to change my fate. Even if it means death, I will take it."

When she said this, Luo Yixuan's eyes were firm, and in her beautiful, dark, clear eyes there was a stubbornness and determination that refused to accept her fate.

"Very good. With such ambition, you have a 30-40% chance of reaching the Foundation Establishment."

Chen Mobai nodded in satisfaction. He hadn't misjudged them after all. Both Yu Lian and Luo Yixuan were geniuses second only to himself.

In comparison, Zhuo Ming's Spiritual Root was not bad either, but his temperament was not as ruthless as the other two.

I guess it's because although we were poor when I was a child, we didn't have any deep-seated hatred or a repressive and fearful environment, so I had a normal childhood.

"Uncle-Master Chen, if the family finds out what I said today, my life will be over."

At this moment, Luo Yixuan suddenly burst into tears, her eyes filled with tears. She lowered her head slightly with a sorrowful look, as if she had broken down, but this was just enough for Chen Mobai to see her sad expression.

"Don't worry about that, I promise I won't tell anyone. You can also trust Zhuo Ming; she's not a gossip."

Chen Mobai immediately made a promise, but it was only a verbal one. He certainly wouldn't make himself and his disciple Dao Heart Oath because of this matter.

"Uncle-Master Chen, what do you think of me?"

"?"

But at this moment, Luo Yixuan said something that was very misunderstood.

Zhuo Ming's eyes widened immediately, and she looked at Luo Yixuan with an expression as if she were looking at a vixen. She rolled up her sleeves and was about to chase her away.

"What do you mean?"

Chen Mobai frowned.

He is an upright person and can definitely withstand this test. If it weren't for his concern for the girl's feelings and his pity for her unfortunate childhood, he probably would have turned on her on the spot.

"Uncle-Master Chen, I also True Spirit Root with three attributes. I wonder if such talent qualifies me to become your disciple?"

Luo Yixuan suddenly knelt down in front of Chen Mobai, and her action and words relieved both the master and disciple.

Oh, so that's what you were talking about.

"Uncle-Master Chen, although my brother and I have been cultivating under our great-uncle's tutelage for the past few years, we have never formally become disciples. It just so happens that our great-uncle may be involved in the issue of betraying the sect. If I can become your disciple, the family will definitely be happy, and I can be freed from this predicament sooner. Moreover, once I become your disciple, I will definitely be wholeheartedly devoted to you and loyal to you without any reservations. After all, my family has only ever evoked negative emotions in my heart since I was a child."

As Luo Yixuan spoke, she began to Three Kneels and Nine Bows to Chen Mobai. The latter immediately waved his sleeve, and a gentle and dense Longevity Spiritual Power surged out, turning into an invisible cushion to support her and prevent her from bowing.

"Does Uncle Chen not want to accept me?"

Seeing this scene, tears finally welled up in Luo Yixuan's eyes and dripped down her fair and smooth face to the ground. Her pitiful appearance made Zhuo Ming feel a little sorry for her.

"No, it's just... never mind, transfer a strand of spiritual energy to me first."

Chen Mobai was speechless.

He had never seen such power in his life, and at first he naturally thought of refusing. But then he thought, since he had already accepted Liu Wenbai and Zhuo Ming, what difference would one more make? Moreover, having a master-disciple relationship would make things easier in the Divine Tree Secret Realm in the future.

Most importantly, if this disciple performs seriously, he can also enter the top ten of the true disciples. In the future, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he is very likely to Foundation Establishment, which will greatly enhance his reputation.

Although Luo Yixuan didn't understand why, she obediently held the Jade Box with one hand, and extended her fair and slender right hand to transfer a strand of spiritual power she had cultivated to Chen Mobai.

[Metal 21, Wood 22, Water 37, Fire 10, Earth 10]

The Spiritual Root are indeed excellent, especially the Water Spiritual Root, whose value can be considered above average.

"Then, let's start with him as Unregistered Disciple."

Chen Mobai thought for a moment, then noticed the two tear tracks still wet on Luo Yixuan's fair cheeks, and nodded in agreement.

"Disciple greets Master."

Luo Yixuan immediately performed a deep bow, and this time Chen Mobai did not stop her.

"Well, when you get back, tell your Luo Family family patriarch about this. From now on, you don't need to flatter your brother anymore. Move to Little South Mountain and live with Zhuo Ming."

"Yes, Master."

The answer was two tones.

Luo Yixuan's tone was filled with unprecedented joy, and Zhuo Ming suddenly realized what was happening.

From now on, she is no longer the little apprentice.

For no apparent reason, I felt a sense of loss.

Everyone says adults only pay attention to the youngest, I wonder if Master will stop focusing on my cultivation progress from now on.

Zhuo Ming thought to herself, but in the Sky River Realm, Teacher Bian were of utmost importance, and being of a kind nature, she could only smile and welcome her junior sister Luo Yixuan to join the Little South Mountain Lineage.

"Since these Spirit Stone are your own private stash, take them. Your master doesn't need them."

Chen Mobai pointed to the storage bag that Luo Yixuan had initially offered, which contained six hundred Spirit Stone. Luo Yixuan hesitated for a moment, but seeing the serious look in Chen Mobai's eyes, she took it back. However, she put the Jade Box she was holding to her chest back down.

"Master, now that I am your disciple, please accept this Herb. I will give the one that the clan elders sent to the sect in two days. No one will know."

Luo Yixuan's intentions were good, but Chen Mobai still shook his head and pushed the Jade Box back.

"Even if you don't say it, I don't say it, and Zhuo Ming won't say it either, your family members know about this matter. Although as long as I am in the sect, the Luo Family will not dare to publicize this matter, it is still a hidden danger. If someone with ulterior motives finds out, they might report it to the Sect Leader."

"If this gets exposed when I'm competing for key positions in the sect's Three Halls Twelve Departments, and it turns out I have a reputation for disrespecting the sect and valuing myself more than the sect, wouldn't that be a huge hidden danger?"

"Actually, I don't care what the Luo Family gave us. You came today, and you gave us something, which is valuable enough. That's enough."

These principles were told to Chen Mobai by his maternal grandfather when he was a child. During the Spring Festival, he, as the village chief, would bring some special fruits, vegetables Spirit Rice, Spirit Wine from Green Mountain Village to the homes of leaders in the town as gifts. The gifts were not valuable, and many people would not accept them, but Tang Lu still sent them every year.

There's one thing he said that Chen Mobai still remembers vividly.

You can refuse to accept gifts from your superiors, but you cannot refuse to give them.

After seeing the appreciative Luo Yixuan off at the door, Zhuo Ming slapped his forehead hard.

If I had known there would be another junior sister, I wouldn't have opened the door today!