Chapter 224: Becoming a Disciple

"Is Elder Zuo wandering outside, having not returned for years?" The duty disciple frowned, muttering as he surveyed the long-neglected summit.

"What brings you here? Speak quickly!" A weary voice echoed from deep within the ancient palace.

The duty disciple's heart leapt; he bowed hastily. "Elder, a disciple has completed the task you issued fifty years ago."

"Did I issue a task fifty years ago?" A puzzled voice came from deep inside the palace.

Xia Daoming's expression subtly changed.

This Elder Zuo wasn't just eccentric—he was forgetful and unreliable!

"Elder, you did issue a task fifty years ago: to locate a Blood Rain Dragon's Breath Grass over three thousand years old. In return, you promised to take the finder as a nominal disciple," the duty disciple explained patiently.

"A Blood Rain Dragon's Breath Grass over three thousand years? Ah, now I recall. Though I no longer need it, since I issued the task, I'll honor my word. You may leave. Have the one who completed the task enter."

"Disciple takes leave!" The duty disciple bowed quickly and departed, casting one last glance at Xia Daoming—his eyes brimming with pity.

To the duty disciple, Elder Zuo had clearly forgotten the task; he was only keeping Xia Daoming around because he'd once issued it.

Sensing Xia Daoming's arrival, he had no intention of acknowledging him, continuing to polish the broken sword.

"Creak!"

What a waste—why not use a Blood Rain Dragon's Breath Grass over three thousand years for something better?

"Still just an outer disciple!"

Had he not seen it with his own eyes, he could never have imagined a Jin Dan Elder lived in such a place.

Zuo Zuo Dongge grew even more surprised; the broken sword in his hand flashed like cold light and vanished into his palm.

The palace was vast, filled with many gardens and courtyards.

By the pond stood an ancient wooden cottage, surrounded by lush green grass.

"Qi Refining ninth layer!"

But like everywhere else, the ground was littered with fallen leaves and spiderwebs—Xia Daoming shook his head in dismay.

Yet the fluctuation of Xia Daoming's aura made him pause, lifting his head in surprise to look at him.

Xia Daoming pushed open the palace gates; the screeching hinges echoed loudly.

Dust rained down in cascades.

What a waste! What a waste!

The duty disciple shook his head and left.

Xia Daoming glanced around, then walked toward the ancient, dilapidated palace.

To Xia Daoming's surprise, deep in the palace's center lay a pond spanning over ten mu.

Fortunately, Xia Daoming wore the Flowing Cloud Immortal Robe gifted by his two beloved wives—it repelled dust and grime, a faint aura and breeze keeping the falling debris at bay.

A short, unkempt old man sat beside the pond, his hair wild as straw, clad in an ancient Daoist robe, gently polishing a broken sword.

"Outer disciple Xia Daoming pays homage to Elder Zuo!" Xia Daoming stepped forward and bowed.

Passing through corridors and crossing several thresholds, Xia Daoming finally reached the palace's depths.

Under these circumstances, Xia Daoming would likely be expelled within days.

Xia Daoming's eyes narrowed slightly.

Above magic artifacts came magic treasures.

Only magic treasures could be absorbed and nurtured within a cultivator's body.

The broken sword was a magic treasure.

"Sit wherever you like."

With the magic treasure stowed, Zuo Zuo Dongge waved his hand.

"Thank you, Elder."

Xia Daoming bowed slightly in thanks, then stepped closer and sat casually on a flat patch of grass beside Zuo Zuo Dongge.

Zuo Zuo Dongge's gaze toward Xia Daoming held another flicker of surprise.

Even inner disciples in Foundation Establishment wouldn't dare approach him without trembling in awe.

"How old are you?"

Zuo Zuo Dongge asked.

"Thirty-two, Elder," Xia Daoming replied.

"At thirty-two, you've only reached Qi Refining ninth layer? And you dare seek to become my disciple?" Zuo Zuo Dongge frowned.

He himself had been a prodigy of Qingyuan Sect—achieving Core Formation before sixty, reaching Jin Dan mid-stage before a hundred, and nearing Jin Dan late-stage in less than thirty more years.

Had he not been severely wounded over a century ago, he might now have touched the Nascent Soul threshold—or even become a Nascent Soul Ancestor.

What sort of master would take a mediocrity as a disciple?

"If you think my talent too poor to be your nominal disciple, that's fine—I only ask for an inner disciple status," Xia Daoming said calmly.

He had already decided: this eccentric, sloppy master, barely at the early stage of the Jin Dan, wasn't worth apprenticing to.

If he did, he'd only invite endless trouble.

At the very least, this elder's residence would need a thorough cleaning and repair.

Besides, reasoning with such a man was pointless. Better to trade a three-thousand-year Blood Rain Dragon's Breath Grass directly for an inner disciple status—clean, simple.

Zuo Zuo Dongge's eyebrows shot up.

Even if his power had declined, he was still Jin Dan.

Over a century ago, he'd already reached the threshold of Jin Dan late-stage; in the intervening years, his understanding of the Dao far surpassed ordinary Jin Dan Elders.

Yet now, this Xia Daoming didn't seem to care about becoming his nominal disciple—he wanted the inner disciple status more.

How could an inner disciple status compare to being his nominal disciple?

"At thirty-two, Qi Refining ninth layer—your talent is truly abysmal. I, Zuo Zuo Dongge, am no one to take a fool as a disciple—wouldn't that invite ridicule?" Zuo Zuo Dongge said.

"Yes, yes, I agree entirely! So here is the Blood Rain Dragon's Breath Grass—three thousand seven hundred years old. I offer it as fulfillment of your task. In return, please grant me inner disciple status," Xia Daoming said, eyes brightening, immediately pulling out the herb and offering it with both hands.

Zuo Zuo Dongge didn't even glance at the Blood Rain Dragon's Breath Grass.

When he needed it, its rarity made it precious.

Now that he didn't need it, even a five-thousand-year specimen meant nothing to someone of his caliber.

"No—I insist on taking you as my disciple. And I change it: you'll be my direct disciple!"

"Huh? Why?" Xia Daoming stared blankly.

This old man was truly bizarre—I've clearly rejected him, yet he still insists on making me his direct disciple?

"I, Zuo Zuo Dongge, never break my word. As for others mocking me—do I care? On the contrary, I'll show them: not only do I take a mediocre disciple as my direct disciple, I'll mold him into a formidable Foundation Establishment cultivator!" Zuo Zuo Dongge declared proudly, though his voice faltered slightly at the end.

"Foundation Establishment cultivator?" Xia Daoming sneered.

Who was he? Did he need this old man's special training to reach Foundation Establishment?

Uh!

Zuo Zuo Dongge had expected this mediocre outer disciple to burst into tears of gratitude and kowtow in thanks—but instead, the fellow looked almost disdainful.

This surprised Zuo Zuo Dongge, then annoyed him.

"Kneel and become my disciple!" Zuo Zuo Dongge waved his hand, deciding he'd patiently correct this brat later and teach him humility.

"Elder, won't you reconsider? I'm just a mediocre outer disciple. If you suddenly take me as your direct disciple, then discard me days later—"

"I don't care. As long as I have inner disciple status, I can cultivate in the inner sect. But others will assume you've lost faith in me and abandoned me halfway."

Zuo Zuo Dongge's eyebrows shot up again.

He fixed Xia Daoming with a piercing gaze.

He strongly suspected Xia Daoming was using reverse psychology.

But Xia Daoming was open and honest.

Zuo Zuo Dongge saw no trace of manipulation—only genuine concern for his elder's dignity.

Zuo Zuo Dongge's emotions churned.

Yet soon, he made his decision. He sat upright, his expression stern. "Kneel and become my disciple!"

Who was he? Would he renege on his word? Would he be deterred by such trivial concerns?

Fine—he'd keep the disciple. What harm could such a mediocre talent do?

"Disciple Xia Daoming pays homage to my Master!" Xia Daoming rose, straightened his robes, and bowed three times to Zuo Zuo Dongge with solemn reverence.

"This is the magic artifact I used in my youth—Qingyun Sword. Wind and clouds rise with the blade; the sword hides within the storm, hard to anticipate."

As he spoke, a sword wreathed in mist and clouds floated before Xia Daoming.

"Thank you, Master," Xia Daoming accepted Qingyun Sword with both hands, bowing respectfully.

Qingyun Sword was already a top-tier flying magic artifact, refined by Zuo Zuo Dongge for years—it was a masterpiece among top-tier flying artifacts, worth more than the Blood Rain Dragon's Breath Grass Xia Daoming had surrendered.

Zuo Zuo Dongge had expected Xia Daoming to be ecstatic upon receiving such a sword—but the boy showed no reaction.

Zuo Zuo Dongge's emotions churned again.

"This is the token of my direct disciple."

Zuo Zuo Dongge handed Xia Daoming a token of unknown material.

One side bore the character "Zuo"; the other, a sword.

The token emitted a faint aura unique to Jin Dan cultivators.

"Thank you, Master. With this token, can I freely enter the Scripture Library?" Xia Daoming took the token, and for the first time, his face lit up with eager anticipation.

Zuo Zuo Dongge's facial muscles twitched; a surge of unnamed fury rose within him.

This was unbearable!

He was a Jin Dan Ancestor! With Xia Daoming's talent and cultivation, even a few casual pointers from him would benefit the boy for years—even decades—why would he obsess over the Scripture Library?

You have no respect for your seniors!

"If you want to learn something, just ask your master—I can tailor my teaching to your nature. Going to the Scripture Hall yourself wastes time, and trying to understand on your own, given your talent and cultivation base, risks misinterpretation; one slip could lead to qi deviation." Zuo Zuo Dongge suppressed the unnamed fire in his heart and forced himself to appear the benevolent master.

There was no help for it—he had foolishly insisted on taking Xia Daoming as his personal disciple, and now regret was too late.

He had to put in some effort to nurture him, at least help him reach Foundation Establishment; otherwise, how could he save face?

"Thank you, Master. I do have a question I wish to ask." Xia Daoming's face lit up with delight.

"Ask then." Zuo Zuo Dongge stroked his unkempt, forked beard—untouched for who knew how many days—and finally felt a flicker of the superiority befitting a teacher.

"Master, do you know how to proceed beyond the rank of Grand Master of Martial Arts?" Xia Daoming asked, his expression tinged with hopeful tension.