Taking a Golden Core Cultivator as Master

"Junior Brother Shen, congratulations!"

Yang Xue walked over and congratulated Shen Long.

Zhao Lei walked over and said warmly, "Junior Brother Shen, I'm hosting a dinner tonight for many of our fellow disciples. If you're free, come and have a drink."

Shen Long has mastered more than a dozen Law Technique to the Great Perfection, demonstrating his strength. He is also Alchemist, so his future prospects are limitless. This made Zhao Lei and Yang Xue want to befriend him.

Before this, they didn't take Shen Long Shen Long seriously at all, mainly because they didn't know his strength.

Shen Long's performance at this Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly was outstanding. With his Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivation, he ranked third. In all the Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly held so many times, the worst of the top five were at least Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivation.

"Junior Brother Shen, it's my aunt's birthday in six months. Would you like to come over for a drink sometime?"

Lin Sisi walked over and extended an invitation.

Qian Dafu, Ye Yuqing, Qin Bao, and the others were filled with envy and excitement.

The Immortal Realm of cultivation is very realistic; the strong are respected.

Gan Kong walked over, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Shen Long, and said with a smile, "I am Gan Kong. Fellow Daoist Shen has truly broadened my horizons. Perhaps we can spar sometime in the future?"

"No problem."

Shen Long agreed.

Many Foundation Establishment Cultivator came over to greet him, but Shen Long didn't recognize most of them, and he felt a little uncomfortable.

A man of medium build, dressed in a gold robe, emerged from the crowd. He was Xu Xin, the eldest disciple of the Master Ice Silkworm.

Xu Xin also participated in the Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly, but was defeated by Liu Sheng.

"Junior Brother Shen, Master needs to speak with you. Come with me!"

Xu Xin said.

Shen Long agreed, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Lin Sisi and the others, and followed them.

In the Spirit Control Garden, Master Ice Silkworm, Fairy Ice Centipede, and Xu Yang sat in a Cyan Stone Pavilion, as Xu Xin led Shen Long over.

"Disciple pays respects to Senior Uncle Lin, Senior Aunt Li, and Senior Uncle Xu."

Shen Long bowed and said.

"Nephew Shen, would you be willing to become my disciple?"

Master Ice Silkworm spoke up and asked.

Shen Long was taken aback at first, but quickly recovered and said, "This disciple is willing."

"Alright, after returning to the General Headquarters, we will hold a formal apprenticeship ceremony. This Ice Silkworm Pendant is a gift from your master for your protection."

Master Ice Silkworm took out a White Jade Pendant and handed it to Shen Long.

Judging from its Spiritual Qi fluctuations, this is a Top-Grade Dharma Artifact.

"Thank you, Master."

Shen Long thanked him repeatedly and accepted the Ice Silkworm Pendant with both hands.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Lin! You've gained a fine disciple at this Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly."

Fairy Ice Centipede offered her congratulations.

If it weren't for the fact that Master Ice Silkworm's cultivation level wasn't the highest, she would have wanted to take Shen Long as her disciple.

"Yes! Congratulations, Senior Brother Lin."

Xu Yang offered his congratulations.

Master Ice Silkworm smiled slightly and said, "Shen Long, this is your senior brother Xu Xin. You also have a second senior sister, but she is traveling and has not yet returned. I will introduce her to you later. You may leave now!"

Shen Long agreed, bowed, and left with Xu Xin.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Shen! From now on, we're fellow disciples. Don't hesitate to ask for help if you ever need anything."

Xu Xin said.

"Definitely, Senior Brother, there's still so much I need to learn from you."

Shen Long said modestly.

Xu Xin was very satisfied with Shen Long's attitude. He was a little worried that Shen Long, having won third place in the Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly, would become arrogant and disregard him. Now it seemed that his worries were unnecessary.

After chatting for a few minutes, Shen Long and Xu Xin parted ways.

As Shen Long walked out of Spirit Control Garden, he saw Lin Sisi, Qin Bao, Qian Dafu, Ye Yuqing, and Ye Yutang standing at the entrance.

"Junior Brother Shen, what does Senior Uncle Lin want with you?"

Lin Sisi asked politely, already having guessed most of it.

With his Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivation and over a dozen Great Perfection Law Technique, Shen Long achieved third place in the Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly, demonstrating great potential. It's quite normal for Core Formation Cultivator to accept him as a disciple.

"The apprenticeship ceremony will be held at the General Headquarters, according to Master."

Shen Long explained with a broad smile.

Upon hearing this, Lin Sisi and the others were filled with envy.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Shen! I've already booked a table at the Dry Sun Pavilion. We're all disciples who entered the sect at the same time, how about we have a small get-together?"

Lin Sisi said politely.

Shen Long was taken in as a disciple by the Master Ice Silkworm, and was also one of the 72 Talents and Alchemist, holding a higher status than her.

"I would be honored to accept your offer; I'm sorry to have troubled Senior Sister Lin."

Shen Long agreed.

He wasn't averse to socializing. Lin Sisi took the initiative to get close to him, naturally because of Shen Long's strength. Shen Long was also willing to befriend Lin Sisi, after all, Lin Sisi also had a Core Formation Cultivator standing behind her.

"Junior Brother Shen is kind enough to grace us with his presence, so it's no trouble at all. Let's go to the Dry Sun Pavilion and have a few drinks."

Lin Sisi said enthusiastically.

The six of them arrived at the Dry Sun Pavilion, where the waiter quickly led them to a private room. They sat down, sipped tea, and chatted.

Before long, the waiter brought up the dishes: nine dishes and a soup, plus a pot of Spirit Wine.

"Senior Sister Lin, you've gone to a lot of trouble. This meal must have cost at least a thousand Spirit Stone."

Qian Dafu said.

"Junior Brother Qian also booked a banquet at the Dry Sun Pavilion?"

Lin Sisi asked, puzzled.

"No, but I know the approximate value of these dishes."

Qian Dafu explained.

"A thousand Spirit Stone is nothing. Let's raise a glass to Junior Brother Shen and congratulate Junior Brother Shen on winning third place."

Lin Sisi raised her glass and clinked it with Shen Long and the others.

The group toasted and chatted, and after more than an hour, the banquet ended. Shen Long and the others left Dry Sun Pavilion and returned to their respective residences.

······

In a secret chamber, runes flickered on the stone walls, where a short, stout young man in a yellow robe and a tall, thin old man in a golden robe were talking.

"The Golden Condensation Mirror, that's the Xu Family's ancestral magic Law Artifact. It seems Daoist Xu and the others were killed by this person."

The young man in the yellow shirt analyzed.

"It's possible he bought it, but this person is indeed impressive."

The old man in the golden robe looked on with admiration.

"Hmph, the Xu Family sent people to investigate the Azure Cloud Mountain Range and found some dead Gold-Eating Ant. This person raised so many Gold-Eating Ant, it must have been him. No wonder the Spirit Control Sect was able to discover that Golden Jade Ore Vein, it was probably this person who tipped them off."

"That's what the young man in the yellow shirt said."

"This is none of our business. Just send the message back. The rest is none of our concern."

"That's what the old man in the golden robe said."

The young man in the yellow shirt nodded and agreed.

······

Seven days passed quickly, the Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly had ended, and many cultivators left one after another to return home.

In a secluded room, Shen Long sat cross-legged on a Blue Prayer Mat, Gold-Eating Ant.

The Gold-Eating Ant were a great help at this Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly.

Their teeth were very sharp, and before long, the Gold-Eating Ant had finished eating all the refining materials on the ground.

A Sound Transmission Talisman flew in and landed in front of Shen Long.

Shen Long grabbed the Sound Transmission Talisman and crushed it. Qian Dafu's voice rang out. "Senior Brother Shen, we're preparing to return to the General Headquarters."

Shen Long put the Gold-Eating Ant back into his Spirit Beast Bag, got up, and walked out.

He went outside and saw Qian Dafu.

Qian Dafu was all smiles. Lin Sisi had also invested in their business, taking a 20% stake. Profits were secondary; getting closer to Shen Long was the main goal.

"Senior Brother Shen, Senior Uncle Lin wants us to go over; we're preparing to return."

Qian Dafu said.

Shen Long is no longer the same as before. Qian Dafu is closer to Shen Long, and his status has risen accordingly. Other Foundation Establishment Cultivator also look up to him.

Shen Long nodded and followed Qian Dafu outside. They arrived at a Cyan Stone Pavilion where Master Ice Silkworm, Fairy Ice Centipede, and Xu Yang were sitting. Lin Sisi and the others were also there.

When they saw Shen Long, they all greeted Shen Long.

"Is everyone here? Let's set off now and return to the General Headquarters as soon as possible."

"Master Ice Silkworm said."

"Master, everyone's here."

Xu Xin said.

The three Master Ice Silkworm led Shen Long and the others out of the Spirit Control Garden and headed towards the outside of the Marketplace.

After leaving the Marketplace, the Fairy Ice Centipede released a Snow Wing Ice Centipede Snow Wing Ice Centipede, and Master Ice Silkworm and the others climbed onto its back.

With a gentle flap of its wings, the Snow Wing Ice Centipede soared into the sky.

After returning to the General Headquarters the Spirit Control Sect, Shen Long went back to the Green Lotus Garden.

He lay on a Cyan Stone Bed, recalling the events of the Mystic Yang Dharma Assembly. It felt like a dream; he had successfully become a disciple of the Master Ice Silkworm Immortal and would henceforth be a disciple of Core Formation Cultivator.

Early the next morning, Shen Long left Green Lotus Garden and rode his magical artifact to the outside of a Giant Valley surrounded by mountains on three sides. The valley was shrouded in a blue mist, and outside the valley stood a Golden Stele more than ten feet high, with the three silver characters "Ice Silkworm Valley" engraved on it.

He sent a Sound Transmission Talisman, and soon after, the mist churned and surged, and Xu Xin's voice rang out. "Junior Brother Shen, come in!"

Shen Long strode inside. Inside the valley was a sprawling manor. Xu Xin stood at the entrance, a smile on his face.

Shen Long followed Xu Xin inside. There were pavilions, towers, bridges, flowing water, exotic flowers, and rare rocks.

After passing through three arched courtyards, they arrived at a small Blue-tiled Courtyard. Inside the courtyard stood a three-story white pavilion with the three large characters "Ice Silkworm Pavilion" on the plaque. The main gate was wide open.

Shen Long and Xu Xin went inside. Master Ice Silkworm sat in the main seat with a solemn expression.

A portrait hangs on the wall, depicting a spirited old man in a green robe.

"Disciple greets Master."

Shen Long bowed.

Master Ice Silkworm pointed to the old man in the green robe in the painting and said, "This is my master, Master Azure Silkworm Venerable. Only after paying respects to my grandmaster can you be my disciple."

"Shen Long pays respects to his master."

Shen Long knelt down and kowtowed three times to the portrait.

"From today onwards, you are my third disciple."

Master Ice Silkworm said with a gentle expression.

"Master, where is Grandmaster?!"

Shen Long asked curiously.

Master Ice Silkworm sighed and said, "Your grandmaster and I traveled to the North Sea, competing with powerful enemies for cultivation resources. My master was killed by those enemies."

Shen Long suddenly realized what was happening and said nothing more.

"By the way, what kind of Cultivation Method do you practice?"

Master Ice Silkworm got down to business.

"Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Technique!"

Shen Long said.

"Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Technique!"

Master Ice Silkworm frowned.

"Master, what serious flaws does this Cultivation Method have?"

Shen Long asked somewhat nervously.

"No, you should know the origin of this Cultivation Method. It is indeed Cultivation Method, but the Flood Dragon Essence Blood is difficult to collect."

"Master Ice Silkworm said."

"That's true. Everything has its advantages and disadvantages; there is no perfect Cultivation Method."

Shen Long said seriously.

Master Ice Silkworm looked approving and said, "It's best that you think this way. I've heard you're also Alchemist."

"This disciple has only learned a little bit."

Shen Long told the truth.

"Junior Brother Shen, Master is Artifact Refiner. It's a pity, otherwise Master could have taught you weapon refining."

Xu Xin explained.

Shen Long had already inquired about Master Ice Silkworm's situation from Qian Dafu and knew that Master Ice Silkworm was Artifact Refiner.

"Mastering one skill is enough. You already know alchemy, so there's no need to learn weapon crafting as well. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Whether it's alchemy or weapon crafting, cultivation is the foundation, understand?"

Master Ice Silkworm patiently instructed.

"Your disciple will remember your teachings, Master."

Shen Long said.

Master Ice Silkworm inquired about Shen Long's cultivation progress, Shen Long answered truthfully.

"It's rare that you still spend some time practicing Law Technique every day, but as I said before, cultivation is the most important thing. Don't lose sight of the bigger picture for the sake of small gains. Some of our ancestors were so obsessed with their skills or controlling insects and beasts that they neglected their own cultivation. When they finally realized this, their lifespan was almost over, and they didn't have the chance to reach a higher realm."

Master Ice Silkworm spoke slowly.

"This disciple knows what is important."

Shen Long said.

Master Ice Silkworm nodded, gave Shen Long a few words of advice, and then let him leave.