Chapter 15: Recruiting a Disciple

All the way, the three of them ran back to the Star Dou Great Forest without danger, and looking at the emerald world before them, Bai Yuan let out a long sigh.

They traversed the forest again; Bai Yuan and Bai Yu walked east and west within it, and after an unknown number of circuits, they finally returned to the body of the second disciple.

"It seems Zhao Wuji didn't chase after us, but then again, after I exposed Tang San, he, as the protector, is likely to be hunted together. He just doesn't seem to have the courage to face the Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect's pursuit together."

Bai Yuan looked at Ning Rongrong with a face full of mockery.

Just now, if Zhao Wuji, in his anger, thought that since everyone would be chased by the Spirit Hall, adding the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect wouldn't make a difference, and decided to kill Bai Yuan to vent his hatred, Ning Rongrong would likely meet a tragic end.

As for now, Zhao Wuji might also, to keep the matter concealed, be eliminating the Soul Masters who heard about it and then pin everything onto Bai Yuan and his disciple.

Bai Yuan didn't care about these; he just thought he was too unlucky—he only wanted to take on a disciple, and ended up being hunted.

And he also ended up with a person he couldn't kill nor release.

Ning Rongrong's complexion was pale, their whole body seemed feeble, and looking at Bai Yuan's face sent a chill down their spine.

"Bai Yuan, you've already returned to the Star Dou Great Forest; you should let me go now, right?" Ning Rongrong said.

Bai Yuan smiled, "Ning Rongrong, why do you think I would let you go, hoping you'd return and bring people to take revenge on me?"

Ning Rongrong's delicate body trembled, softened again, and lay in Bai Yuan's arms like a boneless flesh, trembling with terror, "Are you going to kill me?"

Bai Yuan threatened, "I might first defile you before killing you, or perhaps dismantle your body, or strip you naked and toss you into a beggar's den."

Ning Rongrong's complexion grew even paler.

Seeing this, Bai Yuan couldn't help but laugh, "Weren't you the one who was so reckless before? You fought for the ownership of our master–disciple relationship before the battle even began."

Ning Rongrong's voice cracked, "It's my fault, all my fault. Please spare me, okay?"

Bai Yuan smiled, "I could spare you, as long as you obediently follow orders; then nothing's a problem."

Ning Rongrong lowered their head.

After a long pause, the girl gritted her teeth, "Fine, I'll obey you from now on, as long as you don't kill me."

Bai Yuan nodded in satisfaction, reached out and grasped Ning Rongrong's hand, and reattached the finger he had just broken in two strokes.

If Ning Rongrong were killed, the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect would have no scruples, and Title Douluo would pursue them with all its might.

As long as Ning Rongrong remains alive, the Title Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect can only act cautiously.

"Are you really sure you want to obey everything I say?"

Bai Yuan asked.

Ning Rongrong hesitated briefly but still nodded.

Bai Yuan beamed, "Then…"

Ning Rongrong subconsciously clenched their hand.

Bai Yuan's voice reached their ears, "I will have you kowtow and become my disciple right now."

He had gone out to recruit a disciple; now that he hasn't gotten one, binding a disciple back to complete the task isn't bad.

Anyway, it's just a person to fill the numbers.

Ning Rongrong froze in place, thinking they would be forced to strip immediately, to be harshly humiliated and punished, and it turned out to be this?

Just to kneel and kowtow…

As for the formalities of becoming a disciple, Ning Rongrong didn't care; what mattered was what Bai Yuan was scheming next.

After hesitating for a few seconds, Ning Rongrong dropped to both knees and kowtowed, "Disciple Ning Rongrong, I salute you, Master."

Bai Yuan smiled kindly, "Very well, since you sincerely seek apprenticeship, I will accept you as a disciple."

Bai Yuan reached out, intending to help Ning Rongrong to stand.

"Ding! Disciple recruitment failed; the Dao cannot be transmitted lightly. Ning Rongrong is not a sincere apprentice; host, please select another candidate."

Bai Yuan's smile and hand both froze.

Ning Rongrong lay prone on the ground, motionless.

After a few seconds, Bai Yuan flicked his sleeve, turned, and walked toward the building's exit, "Bai Yu, lock her up for me. From now on you two will eat and live together; I'll teach her to cook and stir‑fry. All our meals and daily life will be handled by her."

Bai Yuan, sulked, slammed the door and left.

Ning Rongrong looked up at Bai Yuan's novel‑like silhouette, then glanced at the masked little girl beside them, feeling momentarily at a loss.

Leaving the body of his second disciple, Bai Yuan turned back to gaze at the towering tree, realizing now that this disciple is truly sincere toward him.

Only now he doesn't have a transformation pill for it.

Bai Yuan left alone, sneaking quietly through the forest, hoping to see if any low‑level Soul Beast had awakened its spiritual intelligence.

Obviously, Bai Yuan couldn't encounter one, but while hurrying stealthily, he suddenly came across a familiar silhouette.

It was a girl.

The girl was beautiful, with naturally arched eyebrows, a pair of watery large eyes, and a slightly round, pinkish face that was not only pretty but also gave a hint of coquettish charm.

She was none other than Xiao Wu.

At that moment, Xiao Wu was alone, hopping through the Star Dou Great Forest as if hurrying home.

"Why is she alone here?"

Bai Yuan pondered, then understood the cause and effect.

Tang San's identity was fully exposed; Ning Rongrong got into trouble, so the Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect would certainly send strong forces.

The Sleak Academy would also inevitably receive strong members from the Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect; Xiao Wu staying there would greatly increase the chance of being discovered, so she chose to run away.

"I wonder whether Zhao Wuji chose to raze the city, suppress Tang San's identity, or simply fled?" Bai Yuan mused to himself, smiling at Xiao Wu's silhouette.

If Zhao Wuji chose to raze the city, Ma Hongjun and Oscar would naturally keep it secret; then he would only need to shift everything onto the ten‑thousand‑year reconstruction.

At most, he'd be prosecuted by the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect.

But if he doesn't raze the city, Zhao Wuji's trouble could become huge,

because ninety percent of the Spirit Hall's people would have Title Douluo set a trap, forcing Tang Hao to appear.

Then Zhao Wuji would face, on the surface, a Soul Douluo pursuit, while secretly being followed by several Title Douluo.

Bai Yuan didn't think further; he watched Xiao Wu walking ahead leisurely and silently followed.

Since Tang San's grudges couldn't be settled for now, Bai Yuan prepared to start with his sister; anyway, they'd talk after catching her.

He followed behind all the way.

Bai Yuan appeared very patient.

Xiao Wu walked ahead happily as well; although this departure was unavoidable, how could she not be happy about seeing Great Bright and Second Bright soon?

Bai Yuan quietly observed his surroundings, also sensing the movements of heaven and earth, to prevent the Titan Giant Ape from coming to take the person; he even went up directly.

Finally, Bai Yuan confirmed there were no dangerous Soul Beasts nearby and no signs of a giant Soul Beast approaching; he picked up a wooden stick from the ground and ran to Xiao Wu's back.

With a bang, Xiao Wu collapsed.

Bai Yuan said nothing, scooped her up, and took off running.

(End of chapter)