Chapter 395: Chapter 297: Accepting Another Disciple_2
“My father practices a cultivation technique of Yang-attribute, and he has contributed greatly to the expansion of our family. He has a total of twenty-seven children, however, only five of us have spiritual roots. Among them, my two sisters have already been used as tools for marriage alliances, married off to two other cultivation families.”
“I was supposed to be the third to be married off, but my spiritual root is suitable for cultivating the Art of Eternal Life. On average days, I flatter and mix up with my brother, who happened to be heading for the Divine Wood Sect and was a bit upset about going alone. So, he let me accompany him.”
“I knew this was my only chance to change my destiny, so I tried desperately to cultivate. However, I also knew that if I surpassed my brother, the family would see me as an uncontrollable factor and might even cut off my spirit stone resources. I might end up with the same fate as my mother.”
“So, I carefully controlled my cultivation progress, ensuring I remained a step behind my brother. But I also needed to secure my position as a true disciple in the Sect’s grand competition four years later.”
As Luo Yixuan finished speaking, Zhuo Ming, who was by her side, widened her eyes in disbelief. She couldn’t believe that this beautiful young lady from a noble family was carrying such a heavy psychological burden from a young age.
“It seems that your relationship with your father is mediocre.”
After listening, Chen Mobai was also somewhat surprised by the customs of the cultivation families in the Tianhe Realm. Despite being cultivation practitioners, their thoughts were still so feudal and traditional.
“If I become a true disciple and acquire the Foundation Building Pill, my father will surely ask me to give it to my brother.”
With an expressionless face, Luo Yixuan coldly uttered a sad sentence.
“Will you give it to him then?”
“No, this is my only chance to change my destiny. Even if I die, I will take it.”
As she said this, Luo Yixuan’s eyes were resolute. Amid her pair of clear, dark eyes, there was a touch of defiant determination.
“Well, with such a determined spirit, there’s a 30-40% chance of you building your foundation.”
Chen Mobai nodded satisfiedly. He indeed didn’t misjudge these people. Both Yu Lian, and Luo Yixuan were geniuses second only to him.
On the other hand, Zhuo Ming’s spiritual root was also not bad, but she didn’t have the same ruthless mentality as these two.
Perhaps because of her impoverished childhood, she didn’t harbor any deep hatred or oppressive fears, allowing her to have a normal childhood.
“Master Chen, if my family found out about what I said today, my life would be over.”
Suddenly, Luo Yixuan appeared on the verge of tears, with a faint sheen moistening her eyes. She hung her head in a seemingly defeated manner, revealing a sorrowful expression that Chen Mobai could just see.
“Don’t worry about that, I promise I won’t let them know. As for Zhuo Ming, you can also rest assured, she is not a tattler.”
Chen Mobai immediately made a promise. However, it was only a verbal promise. He would certainly not let himself and his disciple be sworn to oath over this matter.
“Master Chen, what do you think of me?”
“?”
But at this time, Luo Yixuan said something ambiguous that caused confusion.
Zhuo Ming immediately widened her eyes and looked at Luo Yixuan as if she were a vixen, rolling up her sleeves preparing to cast her out.
“What do you mean?”
Chen Mobai furrowed his brows.
He was a man of integrity and could absolutely withstand such questioning. If he wasn’t considering the girl’s face in front of him and pitied her unfortunate childhood, he would probably turn his face immediately.
“Master Chen, I also possess a True Spirit Root with three attributes. I wonder if this qualifies me to become your disciple?”
Suddenly, Luo Yixuan knelt before Chen Mobai. This action and her words left both master and disciple sighing a breath of relief.
[So, that’s what she meant.]
“Master Chen, both my brother and I have been cultivating under our sub-uncle for the past few years, but we have never formally acknowledged him as our master. Right now, our sub-uncle might be involved in a matter about betraying the sect. If I can acknowledge you as my master, our family will surely be ecstatic, and I can free myself ahead of time. Furthermore, if I become your disciple, I will be sincere and absolutely loyal to you. After all, my family has only ever given me negative emotions since I was a child.”
As Luo Yixuan spoke, she started to perform the ritual of three kneels and nine prostrations towards Chen Mobai, who instantly waved his large sleeves, and a gentle, dense surge of Longevity Spiritual Power transformed into an invisible cushion, preventing her from performing the ritual.
“Master Chen, are you unwilling to accept me?”
Luo Yixuan saw this scene, the teardrops finally fell from the corners of her eyes, traversing along her smooth and fair cheeks and dropping to the ground. The sight of her vulnerability even stirred up some heartache in Zhuo Ming.
“It’s not that…never mind, please transfer some of your spiritual power to me first.”
Chen Mobai didn’t know what to say.
Throughout his life, he had never seen such posturing, and at first thought to refuse. But soon after, he considered that Liu Wenbo and Zhuo Ming already did, so accepting another one wouldn’t be such a big deal. Moreover, having a mentor-student relationship would be beneficial in the Divine Tree Secret Realm in the future.
Most importantly, given this disciple’s determination and potential, she could probably enter the top ten of the true transmission disciples. As long as there were no accidents, she had a good chance of reaching Foundation Establishment, which would greatly enhance his reputation.
Luo Yixuan did not understand why but obediently held the jade box with one hand, and offered her fair, slender right hand, transferring a thread of spiritual power she had cultivated to Chen Mobai.
[Gold 21, Wood 22, Water 37, Fire 10, Earth 10]
The spiritual root is indeed good, especially the Water Spirit Root, these numbers could already be considered above average.
“Well then, you’ll be my registered disciple first.”
Chen Mobai thought for a moment. Seeing the dried tear stains on Luo Yixuan’s fair cheeks, he nodded his consent.
“Disciple pays respects to Master.”
Luo Yixuan immediately performed a grand salute. This time, Chen Mobai did not stop her.
“Hmm, after you go back, tell your clan leader about this matter. You should also stop trying to please your brother, just move into Xiao Nanshan and live with Zhuo Ming.”
“Yes, Master.”
Two voices answered.
In Luo Yixuan’s tone was a joy unlike any she had known before, and at that moment, Zhuo Ming finally came to a realization.
From now on, she was no longer the youngest disciple.
Unexpectedly, she felt a sense of loss.
[Everyone says that adults pay the most attention to the youngest child. I wonder if Master will stop paying as much attention to my cultivation progress.]
Zhuo Ming thought so, but as the respect for a teacher is paramount in the Tianhe Realm, and with her gentle personality, she could only smile and welcome Luo Yixuan, her new junior sister, to the Xiao Nanshan lineage.
“These spirit stones were your personal property; take them with you. Your Master doesn’t lack them.”
Chen Mobai motioned towards the storage bag full of six hundred spirit stones that Luo Yixuan had earlier offered. She hesitated at first, but noticing the serious look in Chen Mobai’s eyes, she took them back. However, she returned the jade box she had been holding onto her chest.
“Master, now that I’m your disciple, you should take this medicinal herb. In two days, I will deliver the herb that the clan elder sent to the sect. Nobody will know.”
Luo Yixuan had good intentions, but Chen Mobai still shook his head and pushed back the jade box.
“You don’t tell, I don’t tell, and Zhuo Ming won’t tell either. But the people in your clan know about this as well. As long as I’m in the Sect, the Luo Family won’t dare to publicize this matter. Nonetheless, it remains a potential problem. If someone with ill intentions learns about this, they might report it to the Sect Leader.”
“If this matter is brought up in the future when I am competing for key positions in the twelve divisions of the three halls of the sect, it could cause a great deal of trouble, accusing me of disregarding the sect’s well-being and prioritizing my own interests.”
“In fact, I don’t really care about what your Luo family has sent, you came today, and you brought offerings, they’re valuable enough, so that will do.”
This principle was something Chen Mobai learned from his grandfather when he was a child. Every New Year, his grandpa, the village chief, would bring special fruits, vegetables, Spirit Rice, and Spiritual Wine from Green Mountain Village to the town leaders. Even if they didn’t accept the modest gifts, he would still offer them every year.
One of his phrases left a deep impression on Chen Mobai.
Even if the leaders don’t accept, you still have to offer.
After sending Luo Yixuan, who was listening attentively, out of the front door, Zhuo Ming smacked herself in the forehead.
If she had known a younger sister would come along today, she wouldn’t have opened the door!