Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Becoming a Disciple
 

Peach Blossom Valley was a name Wang Chen had chosen himself.

He had thought it was a land without an owner; little did he know, it was actually a tomb prepared by a Purple Mansion Superior for his deceased wife.

In fact, if not for the instruction of Chang Chun, Wang Chen would have never returned to this valley.

The peach grove at the entrance of the valley remained in bloom as before, with millions of peach blossoms smiling at the spring breeze, as if time had stood still since half a month ago, without the slightest change!

Wang Chen took out the Peach Wood Token that Chang Chun had given him, infused it with mana to activate it.

As he stepped into the peach grove, the trees blocking his path silently moved aside, revealing a winding path paved with colorful pebbles, leading deep into the valley.

Wang Chen walked along this forest path without encountering any obstacles.

The mountain breeze brushed by, causing the peach branches to sway, and countless petals silently fell.

A few landed on his body.

A subtle fragrance lingered.

Wang Chen’s spirit became more tranquil and peaceful with every step he took.

At this moment, the ethereal sound of a flute reached his ears, as if someone was recounting an ancient tale.

Following the sound, Wang Chen once again arrived deep within the valley.

There, he saw Chang Chun, clad in a grey robe, sitting on a rock by a pool of water, playing a jade flute while gazing at the waterfall ahead.

Wang Chen respectfully bowed and said, “Disciple Wang Chen, greets the Elder.”

Chang Chun put away his jade flute and with a wave of his sleeve, he abruptly appeared in front of Wang Chen.

The Purple Mansion Superior narrowed his slender eyes, glanced at Wang Chen, nodded, and said, “I am giving you one last chance, to become a registered disciple, for a thousand Low Spirits.”

His words were concise and clear.

Wang Chen understood completely and without hesitation, he bowed deeply, “Disciple Wang Chen, greets my Master!”

This was the second time Chang Chun had expressed his intention to take him as a disciple.

If Wang Chen refused again, it would be showing too little respect for this Purple Mansion Superior.

Moreover, he had long discovered that Chang Chun was not as weak and incapable as others had claimed; he was not a “tofu” Superior.

Wang Chen immediately took out a Yin Qi Pearl from his Storage Bag.

As well as one hundred and fifty Low Spirits.

He apologized, “Disciple only has this much on hand, can I pay the rest later?”

In truth, by participating in the Cloud Sun Sect’s Cleansing Realm Operation, Wang Chen had made quite a fortune.

Even if he had not yet sold any of the Magic Artifacts or talismans, he could still come up with a thousand Spirit Stones.

But directly producing so many Spirit Stones went against the persona he had established for himself.

It was still necessary to feign poverty appropriately!

“It’s close enough,” replied Chang Chun as he took the Yin Qi Pearl and Spirit Stones offered by Wang Chen, a trace of amusement flashing in his eyes, “From today onwards, you are my seventh registered disciple.”

Seventh registered disciple?

Wang Chen was inwardly astonished.

Chang Chun was famously greedy for money; as long as there were enough Spirit Stones, he would offer the slots for true discipleship.

Why so few registered disciples when their price was much cheaper?

Chang Chun noticed Wang Chen’s confusion but showed no intention of explaining.

Holding the Yin Qi Pearl, he said, “You were able to produce a Yin Qi Pearl, which shows you have quite some luck. I hope you live a few more years.”

Everyone knew that after destroying an Evil Wraith, there was a certain chance of dropping a Yin Qi Pearl.

But very few Cultivators went after Evil Wraiths just for Yin Qi Pearls.

Because the probability was really low.

Those with poor luck might kill hundreds, even thousands of Evil Wraiths without garnering any rewards!

This was the fundamental reason why Evil Nests in the Outer Domain, if not posing much threat, would not be cleared by anyone.

However, Chang Chun’s words suddenly gave Wang Chen the sinking feeling that he had fallen into a trap. He cautiously asked, “Master, my fellow disciples?”

Are they still alive today?

“You only have one elder martial sister,” Chang Chun replied indifferently, “There are no more elder martial brothers left.”

Wang Chen was speechless.

Being a disciple of Chang Chun comes with such great risks?

He really wanted to ask if there was any way to get a refund!

Chang Chun, however, collected the Yin Qi Pearl and said with hands behind his back and a serious expression, “I have three sword techniques: Thunderbolt, Four Seasons, and Lovesickness. Which one do you want to learn?”

I want to learn them all!

Wang Chen’s spirit immediately lifted, as he cast aside the thought of a refund, “How many spirit stones?”

He could detect the pride and confidence laced in Chang Chun’s words.

This Purple Mansion Superior was undoubtedly a master of swordsmanship!

Now that he had paid the fees, it was only natural to learn some real skills to take back with him.

But, when it came to his affordable mentor’s temperament, Wang Chen felt that he had quite a clear understanding.

Chang Chun glanced at him.

His eyes brimming with satisfaction, “The Law Must Not Be Transmitted Lightly. Thunderbolt: five thousand, Four Seasons: thirty thousand, Lovesickness: priceless!”

Wang Chen: “Uh…”

“I know you can’t afford it.”

Chang Chun was easy to talk to: “No matter, you can still learn it once you’ve gathered enough spirit stones. What you need to do now is to solidify your foundation. Show me how you perform the Sword Control Technique.”

“Yes.”

Wang Chen bowed respectfully, stepped back two paces, and took out the Fire Crow Sword, “Please instruct me, master!”

Since the original owner began his path of cultivation until the present day when Wang Chen took over, apart from free lectures, he never received personal guidance or made to understand through demonstration from any esteemed predecessors in the field of cultivation.

He relied almost completely on self-study and comprehension.

Wang Chen certainly wouldn’t miss such an opportunity!

Clang!

The Fire Crow Sword suddenly unsheathed and, under his control, soared into the sky, thrusting, slashing, carving, circling, poking, bursting, intercepting…

All nine fundamental sword moves were practiced one by one.

In the sky above the valley, sword light enveloped the area for a time, spiraling and dancing, abruptly swift and then slow, the momentum astonishing!

Wang Chen displayed his understanding and mastery of the Sword Control Technique without reservation.

This was no time to hide his clumsiness.

To receive genuine instruction from the Purple Mansion Superior, he first had to let the master understand his own capabilities.

Only then could the master provide a remedy fitting for the condition.

“Enough.”

But before Wang Chen could finish demonstrating all the moves, Chang Chun suddenly extended his hand and drew the Fire Crow Sword from the sky into his palm.

The flying sword, which Wang Chen had been refining day and night, fell into his grasp without any resistance.

Wang Chen nearly spit out a mouthful of blood, hastily regulating the chaotic energy within his body!

“That’s not how you practice swordsmanship!”

Chang Chun scolded mercilessly: “You’re of such a young age, yet your sword practice reeks of craft. It might be precise, but it’s devoid of spirituality. How can you ever understand the Sword Intent?”

Wang Chen was left speechless.

Although he tried hard, the level of his Sword Control Technique was artificially boosted by the Immortal Cultivation panel.

With no guidance and only bitter self-cultivation, such criticism was actually quite expected.

After all, Wang Chen didn’t possess any exceptional talent in the way of the sword.

He also had no intention of becoming a true Sword Cultivator.

“However, your foundation is indeed solid.”

Chang Chun’s tone shifted: “I will now demonstrate to you what true swordsmanship is like!”

As soon as these words fell, he held the sword in his left hand and brought together the index and middle fingers of his right hand, sweeping them across the body of the Fire Crow Sword.

Then, with an upward throw!

The Fire Crow Sword, tossed into the air, trembled violently as its sword body burst forth with Spiritual Light.

Not only was the slight spirituality it had lost from its encounter with the Blood God Child completely restored, but it also began to exude a bit more elegance.

The next moment, the Sword Light bloomed!

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The first update is here.