Becoming Leng Yaozhu's Disciple

"You're only six years old this year; you haven't officially taken on a master yet, have you?"

The question was asked casually, yet it carried significant weight in the quiet room.

Chu Yan raised his head, meeting her deep brown eyes for a brief moment.

He did not rush to answer, nor did he show any sign of being flattered; he simply nodded calmly.

"Not yet."

He truly hadn't.

The Chu Clan had its own inheritance system. With Chu Yuntian as an eighty-third-level Spirit Douluo and a Two-Word Battle Armor Master, his personal instruction was more than sufficient. At the very least, before reaching the Spirit King level, the Chu Clan's staff techniques were perfectly capable of supporting his cultivation.

However, the subtext behind Leng Yaozhu's question was far too obvious. Given her status and position, she would never take the initiative to ask an unrelated child if they had a master.

Since she had asked, the implications were clear.

Sure enough, Leng Yaozhu picked up her teacup and took a sip, as if giving him a few seconds to process her words, before continuing unhurriedly:

"Before I came to East Sea City today, I had no intention of taking on a disciple. To be honest, I haven't had the thought more than a few times in my life. Teaching is too much trouble; I can barely manage my own affairs, let alone worry about a disciple's daily needs and cultivation progress."

Her tone was casual, even carrying a hint of self-deprecation, completely unlike the solemn demeanor expected of a Limit Douluo standing at the pinnacle of the continent.

But then, her tone paused slightly, and her gaze returned to Chu Yan.

"However, you little one are truly special. It's been six or seven years, and I haven't seen another six-year-old child capable of your performance."

Chu Yan listened quietly, not interrupting.

Leng Yaozhu didn't wait for a response, continuing on her own, her voice calm: "The sense of composure you possess is steadier than many adults, your spiritual power is already in the Spirit Connection Realm, and your Martial Soul is so unique. More importantly, you didn't lie to me just now."

When she said the words "didn't lie," her gaze lingered on his face for a moment. Her tone was unreadable—neither praise nor anything else, merely stating a fact.

"I've been in this position for too long; I've seen too many people feed me sweet words. The older they are, the better they get at it. As for the younger ones, they are too prone to showing fear. You, however, are just right."

As she spoke, Leng Yaozhu leaned back against the sofa, her posture relaxed.

She looked up at Chu Yan, her tone no longer as casual, becoming a bit more serious than before.

"So, I'm considering making an exception."

"Of course, taking a disciple is no child's play. Even if I do, I won't be by your side every day to teach you hand-in-hand. I spend most of my time in Shrek City, dealing with Spirit Pagoda affairs; the time I can spare for a disciple is limited."

At this point, Leng Yaozhu glanced at Chu Yan, as if observing his reaction.

Chu Yan's expression remained unchanged; he showed neither disappointment nor eagerness.

Seeing this, the interest in Leng Yaozhu's eyes deepened, and she continued: "But what I can give you is something you cannot obtain on your own within the Chu Clan. For instance, higher-tier cultivation resources, broader connections, and more comprehensive training of your perspective. With your talent, being confined to a place like East Sea City is a bit of a waste."

The room fell silent for a moment.

After finishing those words, Leng Yaozhu did not continue, simply sipping her tea as if leaving the choice entirely in Chu Yan's hands.

Chu Yan did not hesitate for long.

He lowered his head to ponder for about two or three breaths, then looked up at Leng Yaozhu and said earnestly: "I am honored by your favor, Senior. This junior is willing."

He did not feign modesty or offer a refusal; he accepted cleanly and decisively.

In truth, there was no downside to becoming Leng Yaozhu's disciple; the benefits far outweighed the costs. In the future, she could help him conceal issues regarding his Martial Soul, Soul Rings, and more, not to mention the other forms of assistance she could provide.

Hearing this, the corners of Leng Yaozhu's mouth curled slightly.

"Straightforward, at least."

She set down her teacup, stood up, and walked to the window. With her back to Chu Yan, she gazed at the skyline of East Sea City, her tone returning to its usual composure and laziness.

"Then it is settled. But I will say this plainly: just because I have taken you in, it does not mean I will cover for you in everything. You must still walk your own path. I will only push open certain doors for you at critical moments. As for what lies behind those doors and how much you can obtain, that depends on your own ability."

"This junior understands," Chu Yan nodded.

Leng Yaozhu turned around and looked at him, seemingly confirming if he truly understood, then nodded slightly, her tone softening.

"I am returning to the Heavenly Spirit Pagoda this afternoon. There is no rush for the formal apprenticeship ceremony; you can complete it once you come to Shrek City. Before then, stay in East Sea City and solidify your foundation. Learn what you must, and practice what you must."

"Understood," Chu Yan replied.

Afterward, Leng Yaozhu thought for a moment, took a palm-sized, crimson token from her sleeve, and tossed it over.

Chu Yan reached out and caught it. It felt slightly heavy in his hand; the token was made of some dark red metal, with a pattern of a spreading phoenix engraved on the surface, and a single character carved in fine lines beneath it.

"Leng."

"This is my private token. Keep it. In the future, when you go to Shrek City or any branch of the Spirit Pagoda, you can use this token to call upon basic resources. You can also use the Spirit Ascension Platform for free. If you encounter trouble you cannot resolve, you can also use this token to contact the Heavenly Spirit Pagoda, and someone will relay the message to me."

Chu Yan held the token in his hand, his fingertips tracing the texture of the spreading phoenix; the touch was delicate and distinct.

He did not refuse, tucking it directly into his robes.

"Thank you, Senior."

"Still calling me Senior?" Leng Yaozhu glanced at him.

Chu Yan reacted quickly. He paused for a brief moment, then naturally changed his address: "Thank you, Teacher."

Hearing this, the corners of Leng Yaozhu's mouth finally curved into a genuine smile. "That sounds much better."

She walked back to the tea table, sat down again, and refilled her cup. She then glanced at the tea in front of Chu Yan, which had barely been touched, and said: "You certainly aren't one for formalities. You haven't even touched the tea I poured you. Do you not like flower tea?"

"It's not that I don't like it," Chu Yan said, picking up his teacup for a sip, "I'm just too full from the banquet earlier to drink any more."

Leng Yaozhu let out a soft laugh at his explanation. "That's true. I saw you sitting in the corner eating quite a bit earlier; you had several helpings of that Earth Dragon Meat. You certainly have a healthy appetite."

Chu Yan didn't mind being called out and replied candidly, "I exerted myself quite a bit yesterday, so it was just the right time to replenish my energy. Besides, it really did taste good."

"If you enjoy it, come to the Heavenly Spirit Pagoda next time. The chefs there are even better than the ones here."

As she spoke, Leng Yaozhu set down her teacup. Seeming to recall something, she glanced at him and said, "Right, since you are now my disciple, there are some rules I need to make clear to you in advance."

She paused, the casual tone in her voice receding to make room for a more serious demeanor.

"First, my position within the Spirit Pagoda is rather unique. There is no need to announce to the outside world that you are my disciple for the time being. The internal situation of the Spirit Pagoda is more complex than you imagine. If the Qiangu clan finds out about your existence, they might very well harbor ulterior motives. The fewer people who know, the safer you will be until you have grown strong enough."

"Second, do not mention your ability to self-condense Soul Rings to anyone else. Just say they were obtained from Soul Spirits provided by the Spirit Pagoda. As for the age of your Soul Rings, tell the public they are around five hundred years old; I will handle the rest."

"Third..."

She looked at Chu Yan, her gaze filled with an indescribable warmth, yet her tone held no hint of jest. "Since you have taken me as your teacher, cultivate diligently and do not give up halfway. I do not demand that you become a powerhouse of any specific rank, but at the very least, do not waste the gifts you possess."

"Furthermore, since you have become my disciple, you are now part of the Spirit Pagoda. You must not join the Tang Sect, the War God Hall, or any such organizations."