Formally Becoming a Disciple

Yun Qingyao, riding the Cloud Sparrow, brought Lu Ren to the outskirts of the side courtyard and was about to leave.

Lu Ren suddenly spoke, asking, "Master, I've already opened seven Spiritual Apertures. There are still many things I don't understand, and I hope you can clarify them for me!"

Yun Qingyao was silent for a moment, then walked into the main hall alone, sat down, and said seriously, "Disciple, do you truly still wish to continue cultivating?"

Although Lu Ren had opened seven Spiritual Apertures, it was impossible for him to enter the Spirit Stream Realm. Even with the lowest-grade Cultivation Method, he couldn't break through to the Spirit Stream Realm.

Lu Ren nodded and said, "Master, I definitely want to continue cultivating. Although I still have a Scrap Bloodline, I believe a Scrap Bloodline can still become a strong individual!"

"Go pour me a cup of tea!"

Yun Qingyao said.

"Yes!"

Lu Ren poured a cup of cool tea and handed it to Yun Qingyao.

"Kneel!"

Yun Qingyao commanded.

Lu Ren complied and knelt down.

"Disciple, to be frank, when I first took you as my disciple, it was merely to complete a sect mission. I didn't genuinely intend to take you as a disciple. Today, I officially accept you as my disciple!" Yun Qingyao said.

Lu Ren felt a warmth in his heart. He handed the tea to her and said solemnly, "Master, please have some tea!"

Yun Qingyao took the teacup, took a symbolic sip, and smiled slightly, "Good. From today onwards, you are my Yun Qingyao's true disciple, and my only disciple. Get up. What questions do you have for me?"

At this moment, Lu Ren knew that Yun Qingyao truly considered him her disciple!

Lu Ren stood up and asked, "Master, can comprehension be improved?"

Yun Qingyao looked at Lu Ren with a strange expression. "Disciple, you are already a Person of Divine Enlightenment in the Martial Dao. Why are you asking this question?"

"Hehe, I'm just curious!"

Lu Ren chuckled.

"Comprehension can indeed be improved. In the Martial Dao, alchemy, and crafting Talismans, one can improve their comprehension through continuous hard work. Practice makes perfect, that's the principle. However, without bloodline talent, even with great comprehension, it's futile!"

"For example, you have a Scrap Bloodline. You can cultivate a Human Tier Low-grade Martial Skill in a very short time, but you cannot cultivate more advanced Martial Skills!"

Yun Qingyao shook her head gently.

"As expected!"

Lu Ren nodded inwardly.

"Any other questions?"

Yun Qingyao asked.

"Since my bloodline is scrap and I can't cultivate more advanced Martial Skills, why can I cultivate the Sword Technique you taught me?"

Lu Ren asked.

Yun Qingyao fell into thought, then shook her head. "I'm not entirely sure about this point either. However, it's a good thing that you can cultivate my Sword Technique. When I finish creating the sixth sword, I will teach it to you. With the Celestial Phenomenon Sword Skill, you might be able to establish yourself in the outer sect of the Qingyun Sect!"

Lu Ren stood aside, lost in thought, then a look of surprise appeared on his face.

Could it be that Master is also an Ancient Martial Artist?

Snapping back to reality, Lu Ren continued to ask, "Master, what exactly must be done to break through the limit and open the eighth Spiritual Aperture?"

Yun Qingyao replied, "You need to slowly sense the existence of your eighth Spiritual Aperture. Then, by consuming Hundred Aperture Grass and using its medicinal properties, along with the Spiritual Energy stored in your seven Spiritual Apertures, you can gradually excavate it. This sounds easy, but it's very difficult to do!"

"What about the ninth Spiritual Aperture?"

Lu Ren pressed on.

"For every subsequent Spiritual Aperture, you'll need to rely on your own senses, and the difficulty will increase. Moreover, don't waste time on the Aperture Opening Realm. Generally, being able to open the eighth Spiritual Aperture by the age of sixteen or seventeen and then entering the Spirit Stream Realm is already considered genius!"

Yun Qingyao said calmly.

Many Martial Artists who couldn't enter the Spirit Stream Realm might open their ninth or tenth Spiritual Aperture after thirty or forty years of cultivation, but it would be meaningless.

"Master, how many Spiritual Apertures have you opened?"

Lu Ren asked curiously.

"Eleven!"

Yun Qingyao said, "Alright, ponder on it yourself. Oh, and don't leave the sect for now. You killed Tang Hao, and the Ghost Sword Gate might target you!"

"Yes!"

Lu Ren nodded.

"Disciple, in your cultivation, do what you can. Don't be afraid of being ordinary. With me here, you can remain ordinary forever!"

After saying that, Yun Qingyao sighed inwardly and turned to leave.

Lu Ren not changing his bloodline also brought her some disappointment as a master, but she could only accept this reality.

Lu Ren stood rooted to the spot and said, "I have the Nameless Treasure Pagoda. As long as I can find enough Hundred Aperture Grass, I can open eighteen Spiritual Apertures. Then I'll be able to cultivate the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill and break through to the Spirit Stream Realm!"

Watching Yun Qingyao leave, Lu Ren came to the courtyard, sat down, and began to sense, wanting to locate his eighth Spiritual Aperture. However, after sensing for a long time, he felt nothing.

"I have a million copper coins, and quite a few Human Tier Mid-grade and High-grade, even Yellow Tier Low-grade Cultivation Methods, as well as a spirit herb. I can sell them all for some Low-grade Spirit Stones!"

Lu Ren made up his mind and headed towards the Contribution Hall.

The outer sect's Contribution Hall could be used to trade ordinary cultivation resources, although the prices were lower than on the market.

This way, he could earn the price difference, and the sect disciples found it convenient to sell to the Contribution Hall.

The Contribution Hall in the outer sect area was incredibly magnificent, standing three to four zhang tall!

Lu Ren arrived at the Contribution Hall. The main hall was quite deserted, but he didn't go deeper. Instead, he went to the side of the Contribution Hall.

Here, there was a side hall where resources were bought and sold, but only ordinary resources.

To truly purchase rare resources, one still needed to use contribution points for exchange.

"Elder, how many Spirit Stones can I get for these items?"

Lu Ren took out all the resources he didn't need.

"You want to sell a Yellow Tier Low-grade Cultivation Method?"

The elder couldn't help but be greatly surprised upon hearing Lu Ren's words.

Even in the outer sect, Yellow Tier Low-grade Cultivation Methods could only be borrowed using contribution points. Now, this disciple before him actually wanted to sell a Yellow Tier Low-grade Cultivation Method to him.

"That's right, I want to sell it!"

Lu Ren nodded. He had a Scrap Bloodline, so forget Yellow Tier Low-grade Cultivation Methods; he could barely cultivate Human Tier Mid-grade Cultivation Methods.

Even if he spent a lot of time in arduous training, it wouldn't be worth it. It was better to sell it and get some Spirit Stones for cultivation.

"Disciple, I advise you to think twice. A Yellow Tier Low-grade Cultivation Method isn't considered rare, but if you can cultivate it, it can enhance your strength!"

The elder offered some advice, then asked, "Have you already cultivated that Cultivation Method?"

Lu Ren shook his head and said with a wry smile, "Elder, with my talent, I can't cultivate a Yellow Tier Low-grade Cultivation Method!"

The elder looked puzzled. Those who could become outer sect disciples almost all had Fourth-grade Bloodlines, and cultivating a Yellow Tier Cultivation Method was not difficult.

"You are Lu Ren?"

The elder blurted out.

Lu Ren nodded.

"I heard you obtained the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Legacy, yet you are still a Scrap Bloodline. Your future cultivation will likely be extremely difficult, and breaking through to the Spirit Stream Realm will be as hard as climbing to heaven!"

The elder couldn't help but let out a long sigh, then began to help Lu Ren with the calculations.

All the Cultivation Methods combined could be exchanged for twenty Low-grade Spirit Stones.

Afterward, Lu Ren spent another million copper coins to exchange for five Low-grade Spirit Stones, totaling twenty-five Low-grade Spirit Stones.

Now, Spirit Rice no longer served much purpose for him in replenishing Spiritual Energy; using Spirit Stones was the best option.

"You're also planning to sell this Hundred Aperture Grass?"

The elder asked in surprise, holding a spirit herb that looked like a lantern.

"This is also Hundred Aperture Grass?"

Lu Ren stared at the spirit herb, utterly shocked.

Why was this Hundred Aperture Grass different from the one Senior Sister Qin Yu had picked last time? He needed Hundred Aperture Grass to break his limits and open his eighth Spiritual Aperture.