"Senior, did you need something from me?" Xiao Yi Xian asked in puzzlement, hearing Yao Chen's question.
"Girl, would you like to become an alchemist?" Yao Chen asked Xiao Yi Xian with a kindly look.
"Senior, please don't joke with me. I've only just started cultivating, and my aptitude is poor."
"Though I've always longed to become an alchemist, neither my constitution nor my Dou Qi attribute is suited to it."
Xiao Yi Xian said helplessly.
"What if I told you I could improve your constitution and change your Dou Qi attribute? Would you believe me?"
Yao Chen couldn't do such a thing right now, but he had the system! With the system around, it shouldn't be difficult.
So, in order to take her as his disciple, Yao Chen planted in Xiao Yi Xian's mind the idea that she could become an alchemist.
"Really? Senior, I've never heard of any method in this world that can improve someone's constitution, let alone change their Dou Qi attribute."
Xiao Yi Xian asked, her face full of doubt.
"The Dou Qi Continent is vast beyond measure, and it holds all manner of wonders. I came upon this secret art by chance."
After saying this, Yao Chen's face brimmed with confidence, inspiring complete trust.
Hearing how confident Yao Chen sounded, Xiao Yi Xian immediately bowed to him.
"Senior, if you can truly make me an alchemist, I'll gladly serve you as your slave for the rest of my life."
"I don't want a servant. All I ask is that you become my disciple of your own free will."
Yao Chen stroked his snow-white beard and spoke kindly to Xiao Yi Xian.
Xiao Yi Xian stood there, deep in thought for a moment, wondering to herself:
What does this senior see in me? Why choose me as his disciple? I'm fairly pretty. Could he have taken a fancy to me?
Xiao Yi Xian's cheeks flushed faintly, and her eyes unwittingly drifted toward Yao Chen's face.
Senior is quite handsome, too. I've never seen anyone this good-looking in Green Mountain Town. I suppose it wouldn't be out of the question. But he's so much older than me. Better not.
Watching Xiao Yi Xian's expression shift from one mood to another, Yao Chen realized she had gotten the wrong idea. He laughed and said, "Hahaha, don't read too much into it. I'm too old to be carrying on like that. I took notice of your kindness and innocence, and saw that you had potential. That's why I took pity on you and decided to accept you as my disciple."
At that, Xiao Yi Xian's pretty face turned bright red, as if she had been roasted by a Heavenly Flame.
"Senior, please don't tease me. I, Xiao Yi Xian, am willing to become your disciple."
In a tranquil, secluded part of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, trees cast deep shade and streams burbled softly.
Yao Chen stood with his hands behind his back on a level patch of ground. The breeze gently stirred his robes, and his white hair fluttered as he stood with the air of an immortal.
Xiao Yi Xian stood before Yao Chen, her face filled with delight and reverence. She nervously twisted her fingers together, her wide eyes fixed on him with eager anticipation.
Yao Chen smiled faintly and looked at Xiao Yi Xian warmly. "Girl, I've seen your talent and kindness. Today, I'm willing to accept you as my disciple and pass on everything I've learned in my life."
Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian's eyes reddened with excitement. She quickly knelt and bowed her head. "Thank you, Master, for your great kindness! This disciple will study hard and won't let you down!"
Yao Chen nodded and gestured for Xiao Yi Xian to rise. "Come, let us perform the discipleship ceremony."
Xiao Yi Xian respectfully stood up before Yao Chen, picked a bouquet of flowers from nearby, and presented it to him with both hands. "May Master remain as full of life as these flowers."
Yao Chen accepted the flowers, his face full of satisfaction.
Then Xiao Yi Xian knelt and solemnly kowtowed three times. "Master, please accept your disciple's three bows."
Each time she bowed, her head struck the grass with a heavy thud, showing the sincerity and resolve in her heart.
Yao Chen helped Xiao Yi Xian to her feet. "From now on, you are my disciple. I will teach you with care and help you achieve success in alchemy and cultivation."
At that moment, sunlight filtered through the leaves and fell upon the two of them, illuminating their figures in a scene both warm and solemn.
"Ding! Congratulations, host, on successfully accepting a disciple! System check: this disciple meets the requirements!"
As the system's voice rang out, the disciple-taking was declared a success.
"Why didn't I get any rewards this time?" Yao Chen complained to the system.
"Only your first disciple comes with a gift pack. The system does not provide gift packs for subsequent disciples!"
Yao Chen was speechless. He muttered an insult at the system under his breath: "Damn system."
"Ding! The host has insulted this system. The host has three minutes to apologize. Otherwise, this system will shut down immediately and will never be able to reopen! Three-minute countdown begins!"
The system's haughty voice echoed in Yao Chen's mind.
Yao Chen immediately backed down and pleaded with the system.
"My dear system, I was wrong. It was my fault. Please forgive me, okay?"
As soon as Yao Chen dutifully apologized, the countdown stopped, and the system's voice abruptly fell silent.
Looks like I'd better treat the system well from now on.
By the way, my dear system, I told Xiao Yi Xian earlier that I could improve her constitution and Dou Qi attribute, making her an alchemist. Can you actually do that?
Yao Chen asked the system cautiously, afraid of angering the haughty thing again.
"No problem. With this system around, nothing is impossible!" the system replied confidently.
"Good! I knew my system was the best!" Yao Chen continued to coax the system, but it made no further sound.
Just then, Xiao Yi Xian asked Yao Chen:
"Master, are we part of a sect? Do I have any senior brothers or sisters?"
Yao Chen thought for a moment. He had founded Star Fall Pavilion in the Central Plains, but had left Feng Xian in charge of it. For now, he would take disciples one at a time. Once they went to the Central Plains, he would talk to Feng Xian.
"We don't belong to a sect at the moment. Before you, I accepted another disciple. In a little while, I'll bring him here so you can meet. You two can spar with each other then."
Yao Chen didn't mention his evil disciple, Han Feng, to Xiao Yi Xian or Xiao Yan. He was afraid that telling them now might affect their cultivation. Once the system had helped him recover enough strength to easily defeat that evil disciple, he would tell them. He could even take them to see it in person; perhaps they would gain some insight from it.
"Girl, what's your current cultivation level?" Yao Chen asked Xiao Yi Xian gently.
"This disciple has only just begun cultivating. My Dou Qi cultivation is at the third stage of Dou Qi. I've also learned to make a few poisons for self-defense." Xiao Yi Xian looked at Yao Chen with her wide eyes as she replied.
"That's all right. I have a secret art that can rapidly raise your cultivation without any side effects."
"Really? Then let me thank you in advance, Master." Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian gratefully bowed to Yao Chen.
"Before that, come with me to a certain place."
Before you continue