Formally Taking a Disciple

Formally Taking a Disciple

Qiangu Wuji was a little dazed.

What was this?

Why was this guy acting like some creepy old man, asking what color of sack he liked? Wasn't the Body Sect an upright sect? Since when had it become a kidnapping syndicate?

"Hmm, you're such a little guy, almost like a little girl. Don't worry, I'll find you a cuter sack. I promise you won't think it looks bad."

Qiangu Wuji's face darkened. He was at a loss for words.

"Senior Mu Ye, stop joking around. If you kidnap me, my family definitely won't let you off."

"Tsk~"

Mu Ye clicked his tongue.

Qiangu Wuji's words irritated him a little, but they were true.

Kidnapping him would only bring trouble to the Body Sect. Unless Mu Ye wanted to face the full force of the Spirit Pagoda and the retaliation of two Limit Douluos, there was no way he could do something like that.

Thinking about Qiangu Wuji's identity gave Mu Ye a headache.

Why did such a talented kid have to be the child of those two? What kind of ridiculous luck had the Spirit Pagoda stumbled into?

"Senior Mu Ye, I'm with the Spirit Pagoda, so I definitely can't join your sect. But I could still become your disciple."

Just as Mu Ye was feeling deeply regretful, Qiangu Wuji spoke again, his voice solemn.

At that, Mu Ye glanced at him and said coolly, "If you don't join my sect, how can you become my disciple?"

Qiangu Wuji looked him straight in the eye and answered earnestly.

"I grew up at the Spirit Pagoda. That place is my home, and I could never betray it. I'm sure you wouldn't want to take on a disciple who was a traitor, either."

Mu Ye nodded. He couldn't deny that. If Qiangu Wuji had immediately said he wanted to leave the Spirit Pagoda and join his sect, Mu Ye would have had to think carefully about whether to accept him.

"But even though I can't leave the Spirit Pagoda, I've always admired the Body Sect, Senior Mu Ye. So, if you don't mind, I could become your nominal disciple."

"Nominal disciple?" Mu Ye murmured, then immediately realized what was going on. "Wait, how do you know who I am?"

"Well, I like learning about the stories and rumors circulating across the continent. I've always admired you, the only senior on the entire continent said to have reached the pinnacle of both mecha and Battle Armor. My goal is to become as strong as you one day."

Flattery didn't cost anything. If he laid it on thick now, maybe Mu Ye would be so pleased that he'd teach Qiangu Wuji the Body Sect's core techniques.

As it turned out, his flattery worked pretty well. After hearing all those glowing words, Mu Ye was practically floating.

"So I'm that famous?"

"Haha." He chuckled and waved a hand. "Of course, of course. As long as you study under me for a while, I guarantee you'll become just as strong as I am."

"Study under you? Does that mean you accept me?"

Qiangu Wuji was delighted.

Mu Ye glared at him, stroking his beard as he put on a fierce expression.

"You admire me this much. Surely an old man like me can't make things difficult for a little brat like you? All right, aren't you going to call me your teacher?"

Qiangu Wuji wasn't stupid. He quickly bowed and respectfully called out, "Teacher."

"Haha, good! From today onward, you're my disciple. I'll do everything I can to teach you."

After Qiangu Wuji performed the apprenticeship ceremony and Mu Ye acknowledged him, the two were officially master and disciple.

Mu Ye looked at Qiangu Wuji and said seriously, "Because of who you are, I can't force you to join my sect. But even as a nominal disciple, I still want you to remember one thing: as my disciple, you must always put the sect first."

"Don't worry, Teacher. I'll make sure the Body Sect grows stronger and more prosperous."

Qiangu Wuji nodded solemnly.

He wasn't just saying it. Since he'd given his word, he would do everything in his power to keep it.

"All right, go home for today. I'll be staying here for a while. From now on, come see me every day after school. I'll build up your foundation as quickly as I can and help you formally begin your training."

"Okay, Teacher. I'll head back now."

Qiangu Wuji bowed again and said goodbye.

Mu Ye didn't say anything, only nodded quietly.

And so, Qiangu Wuji left, and the room fell silent once more.

Mu Ye walked to the window. Through it, he watched the boy walking away below.

The lighthearted expression on his face was gone, replaced by solemnity.

"Looks like Zhen Hua really did recommend me an extraordinary disciple this time!"

What Mu Ye liked most about Qiangu Wuji wasn't actually his talent, but the maturity that stood in such stark contrast to his appearance.

Mu Ye had only shown the slightest hesitation, yet Qiangu Wuji had noticed immediately and come up with the safest way to resolve the situation.

And then there was the matter of becoming a nominal disciple. That had impressed Mu Ye even more.

"That little guy must have realized I was seriously considering kidnapping him, right?"

That was right. When Mu Ye had asked Qiangu Wuji what color sack he liked, he hadn't been joking around. He really had considered doing it.

Qiangu Wuji must have sensed what he was thinking and offered to become a nominal disciple to give him a way out.

Mu Ye had to admit, it was a good solution. It let him take on the disciple he wanted while avoiding the possibility of making an enemy of the Spirit Pagoda.

With outstanding talent and the maturity to handle things so well, a genius like this couldn't fail.

Mu Ye couldn't help but look forward to seeing how far this boy would take the Body Sect in the future.

"I can't wait for that day to come!"

By the time Qiangu Wuji returned home, it was completely dark.

Leng Yaozhu was sitting upright on the sofa in the living room of the old house, clearly waiting for him. As soon as she saw him come back, she stood up anxiously and fired off questions, asking if he was all right.

She mostly wanted to know why he'd been gone so long and whether he'd run into any danger.

Qiangu Wuji repeatedly assured her that he was fine, but Leng Yaozhu was still worried and kept pressing him for details.

With no other choice, he told her everything that had happened, including Mu Ye's real identity.

Leng Yaozhu was a little surprised when she heard.

"It was him?"

"Mom, you won't be upset that I agreed to become his disciple without asking you first, will you?"

Qiangu Wuji looked at her cautiously, a little worried.

Leng Yaozhu smiled and tapped him on the forehead.

"How could I be upset? My son is so clever. He knows how to use his own judgment."

"Besides, studying under him is a good thing. I've heard of him. His cultivation might not be anything special, but he's deeply accomplished in both Battle Armor and mecha."

Only someone like Leng Yaozhu, a Limit Douluo, would say that his cultivation wasn't anything special.

Mu Ye was a ninety-fourth-level Titled Douluo.

At that, Qiangu Wuji breathed a sigh of relief. He'd been worried that Leng Yaozhu would object when she found out.

It seemed she was quite open-minded.

"By the way, Wuji, did you see Gu Yue when you came home?"

Just then, Leng Yaozhu abruptly changed the subject.

"Gu Yue?" Qiangu Wuji froze. "What happened to her? Wasn't she at home?"

"No. Gu Yue said she was worried about you, so she went out to look for you. You didn't see her?"

"Gu Yue went looking for me?"

Qiangu Wuji froze again. What was going on?