Apprenticeship

After four more times of such worship with Yi, Jia Ruo also learned the origin of these vines.

Jia Ruo's heart clenched. If it were him, he would have definitely set the mountain ablaze and left this sorrowful place long ago.

He didn't have the courage to visit the place where all his fellow disciples had fallen again and again, nor the courage to walk through the ruins buried with all his memories, and even less the courage to face the spirits of his departed compatriots.

Even though he was an outsider, after each worship at the cemetery of hundreds of graves, the desolate feeling was so overwhelming it made him breathless.

The weather turned cold, and Ionia had entered winter. However, Baruo County, located in the southern part of Ionia, had not yet seen any snowfall. Only the white mist in the early mornings had become thicker.

It was in this thick mist that Yi and Jia Ruo were by the river, performing their morning ablutions.

"Master, why do I feel that although the Mana within me has grown considerably, my strength and speed haven't shown any significant improvement?" Jia Ruo squatted by the river, scooped up a handful of clear water, and splashed it on his face.

"Look at this river, what does it bring?"

"Umm, rushing water?"

Yi shook his head: "Water eventually flows into the sea, then turns into rain and falls, continuing to gather into rivers."

"What it truly brings is life."

Yi suddenly unleashed an astonishing aura. The surrounding mist, with Yi at its center, was blown away, revealing the vegetation on the riverbank.

"Mana is like this river; it merely passes through your body. Even if you widen the riverbanks, the Mana will eventually return to the cycle of heaven and earth, ceaselessly. You must use it to irrigate the vitality within your body to fully contain and utilize it. Of course, this requires a special method."

"Then, according to you, what should I do?"

"Don't rush. I'll teach you tomorrow." Yi tidied his robes. "Accompany me for one last trip today."

Jia Ruo had been training with the Sword Saint for another month and six days.

16

11

7

2

Four more numbers appeared on Yi's scroll.

Finally, he had waited for this day.

Yi and Jia Ruo ascended the mountain again. The difference this time was that the Sword Saint had asked Jia Ruo to bring You Meng. Normally, when teaching Jia Ruo basic sword techniques, he would have him use a wooden sword he had whittled.

Jia Ruo replaced the wooden sword at his waist with You Meng. He didn't ask any questions. He knew Yi must have a special reason, and he just needed to follow instructions.

What Yi wanted him to know, he would surely see soon. What he didn't want him to know, there was no need to ask.

Upon climbing to the mountaintop, the giant vines were already writhing rapidly, like living creatures. Sensing life approaching, they unfurled and coiled towards them.

Yi effortlessly sliced them into countless pieces. The vine fragments that fell to the ground didn't wither immediately. They twitched a few times before gradually falling silent.

Yi paid them no mind and calmly walked into the graveyard.

It was the same routine. They arrived at the last three graves as dusk approached.

"Master Doran, Ima, Ibe..."

For the first time, Jia Ruo heard a tremor in Yi's voice.

"Please forgive Yi's filial impiety and disrespect."

He kowtowed nine times before the graves, his voice resounding.

"Jia Ruo, come here."

Yi's tone returned to calm as he reached out and drew You Meng from Jia Ruo's waist.

On this land of Ionia, blessed with spiritual energy, martial arts sects abounded. Coupled with the abundance of Magic Power, experts and geniuses emerged endlessly. This led to each sect adopting an arrogant stance, with constant competition and rivalry among them.

Through centuries of continuous sparring, though few lives were lost, the rifts between the sects gradually deepened, further reducing interaction. The higher echelons of Ionia were not as united as people might imagine.

The original Wuji Sect was even more extreme. They considered themselves aloof and hidden behind Wuji Village like transcendent immortals. In the original Wuji Sect...

Therefore, the original Wuji Sect had extremely strict requirements for disciples, only accepting those from Wuji Village based on their family background.

But after the invasion war by Noxus and the subversion of the Wuji Sect, Yi believed it was time for the Wuji Dao to change, to embrace inclusivity and harmony, which would be the true Wuji.

Yi held You Meng horizontally with both hands and said, "Kneel."

Hearing this, Jia Ruo seemed to guess what was about to happen and knelt facing the graves.

"I ask you, after learning the Wuji Dao, can you remain true to your original intention and cultivate yourself towards goodness?"

"This disciple can."

"Good. If you encounter someone unarmed but suffering injustice, do you possess the mercy to pity the weak?"

"This disciple does."

"If you encounter someone who bullies the weak and acts recklessly, do you possess the courage to draw your sword against the strong?"

"This disciple does!"

Yi nodded, raised his voice, and declared loudly, "Today, Yi humbly requests all my compatriots to witness me taking Jia Ruo as my disciple, passing on the Wuji legacy!"

Then, he looked at Jia Ruo. "Kowtow."

Jia Ruo first prostrated himself nine times towards the graves in the cemetery, and then towards Master Yi.

"Master!" Jia Ruo shouted to Yi after completing the last bow, straightening up. Before, he had pestered Yi daily, wanting Yi to accept him sooner, but now that the moment of officially becoming a disciple had arrived, he wasn't as excited.

"Originally, after you joined Wuju, Master Doran would personally forge a sword tailored for you, but now, You Meng is just right." As Yi spoke, he handed You Meng over to Jia Ruo.

Jia Ruo accepted it with both hands and then stood up. While putting You Meng away, he asked, "From now on, I can directly use You Meng to practice sword techniques?"

"As you wish, I'm just worried you'll hurt yourself."

"Then, I'll use the Wooden Sword for now." Jia Ruo chuckled awkwardly and scratched his head.

"You go down the mountain first. Starting tomorrow, I will begin teaching you Wuju techniques and take you to find Wukong. I still have things to do," Yi said.

"Then, I'll head back. Master, you... you... take care."

He had already guessed what Yi was going to do.

As night fell, Jia Ruo lay in his small makeshift shelter, looking at the blazing mountain peak. He said to Neeko, "Master said we'll set off tomorrow to find my senior brother, Wukong."