Chapter 250

"Master, rest assured, this disciple is well-versed in the art of hiding one's light," Xia Daoming said, bowing.

Zuo Dongge looked deeply at Xia Daoming and nodded.

Although this statement was boastful, Zuo Dongge still agreed with it.

"Master, what about the matter of taking apprentices?" Soon, Xia Daoming brought up the old topic again.

Zuo Dongge glared at Xia Daoming, then sat down again, picked up his fishing rod leisurely, and continued fishing by the pond.

Seeing this posture, Xia Daoming knew there was a chance, so he hurriedly served Zuo Dongge tea and water diligently. Not only that, he specifically took out some fruits and pastries from his storage ring to serve the old man.

At first, Zuo Dongge enjoyed it.

It was rare for this disciple to be so sensible now.

But after a long time, he couldn't stand it anymore.

There was no help for it; this brat was too diligent.

The pastry was still being chewed in his mouth, and this brat immediately offered fruits and tea.

"Enough, go call Liu Qiaolian and those three, Shao Shiyu and the others, over. I will examine them first; if they are acceptable, I will grant your wish. Anyway, taking one is taking one, and taking a group is also taking a group." Zuo Dongge really couldn't stand Xia Daoming's diligence and waved his hand helplessly.

"Master is truly magnanimous! If you're going to take apprentices, take a group, and let the other Jin Dan Elders open their eyes!" Xia Daoming offered a piece of flattery upon hearing this.

"Get lost!" Zuo Dongge couldn't stand it.

"Watching Lan Xue, you take the apprenticeship first; Big Xu Shixiong will go call your sister-in-law and the others over right now," Xia Daoming said casually and left on his flying boat.

"Disciple pays respects to Master!" Watching Lan Xue was actually very smart; knowing this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, she had already knelt and kowtowed respectfully to Zuo Dongge while Xia Daoming's flying boat was still in the air.

"Get up. In the future, don't learn from your eldest brother and make me angry for no reason." Zuo Dongge casually threw a direct disciple identity token to Watching Lan Xue.

Watching Lan Xue hurriedly caught it with both hands, feeling extremely surprised and happy.

She hadn't expected that just over a year ago, she was still an outer disciple with no hope of entering the inner sect, and now she had become a direct disciple of a Jin Dan Elder.

"Thank you, Master!" Watching Lan Xue said respectfully soon after.

Crimson Flame Shanfeng.

Liu Qiaolian was directing Mo Yongzhi and the others to connect the spiritual veins.

Connecting the spiritual hub nodes of a large third-rank spiritual vein and guiding the spiritual vein to Crimson Flame Shanfeng was somewhat similar to dredging a river channel to form a river network flowing through the territory of Crimson Flame Shanfeng; it was a rather large project.

However, all four of them were very enthusiastic and didn't feel tired at all.

For the former, it was mainly due to her interests; such a large project was actually an excellent opportunity for her to comprehend and practice the Great Dao of Formations.

Therefore, Liu Qiaolian was busy here all day, and not only did her cultivation not stagnate, but it became even more refined, nearly reaching perfection.

Mo Yongzhi and the others saw a bright future and worked with increasing vigor.

Xia Daoming called the four busy people over.

"Master, why did you come suddenly today?" Liu Qiaolian asked curiously.

"Xu Shixiong Xia, you, you've reached Foundation Establishment!" Mo Yongzhi and the others stared at Xia Daoming in disbelief, looking him up and down.

"The three Xu Shixiong Sisters have sharp eyes." Xia Daoming first praised Mo Yongzhi and the others with a smile, then said: "I came this time because my Master wants to summon you."

"Elder Zuo wants to summon us? Why does he want to summon us?" All four were surprised and shocked.

"Isn't the Heavenly Jianfeng lineage withering? So, I went to discuss with my Master today to have him take a few more direct disciples and nominal disciples," Xia Daoming said with a smile.

As soon as Xia Daoming said this, Liu Qiaolian was fine; relying on such a husband, she didn't care much about whether she could be under Zuo Dongge's tutelage.

But it was different for Mo Yongzhi and the others.

Being under the tutelage of a Jin Dan Elder was simply a path to success for them.

Therefore, Mo Yongzhi and the others were all shocked and looked at Xia Daoming in disbelief.

"You, you mean Elder Zuo is summoning us, possibly to take us as nominal disciples?" Shao Shiyu, who was usually cold and taciturn, reacted most intensely, asking nervously soon after.

She knew very well that given their age and cultivation, it would be unprecedented for Zuo Dongge to be willing to take them as nominal disciples, and they were eager for it.

As for being direct disciples, they didn't dare to hope.

Mo Yongzhi and Wan Yan also stared at Xia Daoming with nervous anticipation upon hearing this.

"Yes, but taking apprentices is not a small matter after all; my Master still needs to examine you," Xia Daoming replied.

"Thank you, Xu Shixiong, thank you, Xu Shixiong. We are already grateful for this opportunity." Shao Shiyu and the others bowed deeply to Xia Daoming to thank him immediately.

They knew very well that this opportunity was fought for by Xia Daoming.

"Let's go!" Xia Daoming smiled slightly and took the four of them to fly toward Heavenly Jianfeng.

Soon, the four arrived at Heavenly Jianfeng.

Seeing Zuo Dongge, Liu Qiaolian remained relatively calm.

Anyway, she cared most about her husband, and she didn't care much about whether she could be under Zuo Dongge's tutelage.

Having no desires makes one strong.

Mo Yongzhi and the others were very nervous.

Zuo Dongge didn't talk nonsense and began to examine Liu Qiaolian first.

Because he already knew that Liu Qiaolian had re-awakened her spirit at twenty-seven and stepped onto the path of cultivation, Zuo Dongge didn't look down on her cultivation this time; on the contrary, he looked at her with higher regard and examined her carefully.

After the examination, Zuo Dongge found that Liu Qiaolian's true qi and magic power were purer and more vigorous than he had imagined, and her understanding of Earth-type Dao techniques was quite profound and on point.

"Not bad, worth cultivating. If everything goes smoothly, there is hope for Jin Dan," Zuo Dongge nodded soon after, not sparing his praise.

"Master, Qiaolian has great talent in formations." Xia Daoming took the opportunity to mention it when he saw Zuo Dongge appreciating Liu Qiaolian.

"Oh, you also know formations?" Zuo Dongge looked surprised upon hearing this.

"Replying to Elder, this junior knows a little," Liu Qiaolian said modestly.

"Knowing a little is also quite good. Formations contain the profound laws of the operation of heaven and earth; even I have only just glimpsed the mysteries." After saying this, Zuo Dongge casually asked Liu Qiaolian some knowledge about formations.

As a result, Zuo Dongge found that although Liu Qiaolian didn't know some advanced formations, she had unique insights into formations, and some of her explanations even made Zuo Dongge feel quite surprised.

If one considered that Liu Qiaolian's knowledge of formations was all self-taught, without a teacher, then she was absolutely gifted in formations.

"Very good. From today on, you are my direct disciple. Given your talent in formations, after you reach Foundation Establishment, I will discuss with the Sect Master to promote you to a true disciple," Zuo Dongge said, unable to hide the joy on his face.

The Dao of formations is obscure and difficult to understand, and the Qingyuan Sect lacks talent in this area.

Liu Qiaolian was a good seedling.

Zuo Dongge's mindset had changed after being struck by Xia Daoming's words like a blow to the head last time; he was unwilling to continue living a muddled life, just getting by.

He wanted to do something in his remaining years.

Even if he had already returned to mediocrity, if his disciple could surpass him, it could be considered a way for him to continue his peak in another way.

It was precisely because of this that Zuo Dongge finally agreed to Xia Daoming's suggestion to take several disciples at once.

Now, seeing that Liu Qiaolian was not only more excellent in cultivation than he had imagined but also had astonishing talent in formations, even with his personality, he couldn't hide his inner joy.

"Disciple pays respects to Master, thank you, Master!" Liu Qiaolian knelt down hurriedly upon hearing this and kowtowed respectfully three times.

"Get up!" Zuo Dongge instructed Liu Qiaolian to get up and took out six earth-colored beads from his storage ring.

Looking at the six earth-colored beads in his hand, a look of reminiscence appeared in Zuo Dongge's eyes.

"These six beads are called the Six-Harmony Earth-Fiend Beads. Each Earth-Fiend Bead is a top-tier magic tool. When all six are used together, those with profound attainments in formations can set up the Six-Harmony Earth-Fiend Formation once released. It is unpredictable and has immense power, comparable to a magic treasure.

These Six-Harmony Earth-Fiend Beads were the most prized set of magic tools of a late friend of mine. Even after she formed her Jin Dan, she often used these tools to trap and kill enemies. After she passed away, I kept this set of tools as a memento. Today, I will bestow them upon you."

Used together, the six beads were comparable to a magic treasure.

Everyone was shocked upon hearing this, and Xia Daoming was no exception.

Liu Qiaolian was even more shocked and hurriedly knelt to decline: "This set of magic tools is too precious; this disciple cannot accept it."

"Magic tools must be used to be called magic tools; otherwise, they are just ornaments. You have extremely high talent in formations and are very sensitive to the changes in heaven and earth energy and the trends of terrain and celestial phenomena. You also cultivate Earth-type techniques, so this set of tools is best suited for you to unleash their power, and it can be considered finding a good owner for my late friend's tools.

In fact, bestowing this set of tools upon you can be considered fulfilling a wish. So just accept them; there is no need to decline. However, this set of tools has immense power and consumes a lot of energy and spirit once used. With your current cultivation, it is not suitable to activate them now. But after you reach Foundation Establishment, with your foundation, it should be no problem to use them for a short time."

Zuo Dongge looked meaningfully at Xia Daoming after saying this.

He didn't believe that this brat wouldn't have reserved a drop of Jin Dan liquid for his beloved wife.

With Liu Qiaolian's talent, once she reached Foundation Establishment with Jin Dan liquid, her foundation would inevitably be far more vigorous and solid than other Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Otherwise, with the power of this set of tools, a Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivator would not be able to activate them.

"Thank you, Master!" Liu Qiaolian received the Six-Harmony Earth-Fiend Beads with both hands and put them away.

Seeing Liu Qiaolian put away the Six-Harmony Earth-Fiend Beads, Zuo Dongge turned to Mo Yongzhi and the others and began to examine them one by one.

With Zuo Dongge's vision, Mo Yongzhi and the others certainly couldn't meet his requirements.

However, although Zuo Dongge appeared to dislike his disciple Xia Daoming and found him displeasing no matter how he looked at him, in reality, deep down, he had long regarded him as his most prized student.

Loving the house and its crow, Zuo Dongge, whose mindset had changed greatly, finally reluctantly accepted Mo Yongzhi and the others as nominal disciples and also bestowed a magic tool upon each of them.

Mo Yongzhi and the others were moved to tears.

"Your talent is not high, and the path to Core Formation is difficult. However, cultivation is inherently an act against heaven; the more so, the more you must practice diligently.

Your eldest brother is a person of talent and good fortune; try your best to assist him. If he rises in the future, he will inevitably promote you. At that time, even if Jin Dan remains hard to seek, there will at least be a hope of a False Dan."

Seeing the three moved to tears, Zuo Dongge couldn't help but feel a trace of compassion and exhorted them earnestly while looking at them.

"Disciple will strictly follow Master's decree!" Mo Yongzhi and the others knelt respectfully to accept the order.

"Master, rest assured, this disciple will definitely revitalize our Heavenly Jianfeng lineage." Seeing this, Xia Daoming felt moved and knelt to say in a deep voice.

Zuo Dongge nodded with satisfaction and called up his disciples.

"If your other wife returns, you can also bring her to see me," Zuo Dongge said proactively.

"Thank you, Master. This disciple is now a true disciple and has his own mountain peak and cave dwelling, which needs someone to manage. It just so happens that I and my two wives all come from the secular Martial Dao world of Mangzhou, where we have also built a force called the Tenglong Mansion, and there are some usable people in the mansion.

So I let Ji Wenyue go with her sworn sister to the Tenglong Mansion in Mangzhou to scout for some people to manage the mountain peak and cave dwelling, and by the way, also scout for some alchemy seedlings to bring back to the sect for cultivation," Xia Daoming said.

"Alchemy seedlings? Could it be that your other wife, Ji Wenyue, is an alchemist?" Zuo Dongge looked surprised upon hearing this.

As for the Tenglong Mansion Xia Daoming mentioned, he didn't feel surprised.

With Xia Daoming's strength, and coming from the secular world, it would be surprising if he didn't have his own force in the secular world.

"Exactly. Wenyue has outstanding alchemy talent and can now refine second-rank low-grade spiritual pills," Xia Daoming replied.

"I remember you said she was also at the ninth layer of Qi Refinement; she can already refine second-rank low-grade spiritual pills!" Even though Zuo Dongge was a Jin Dan ancestor, he was startled by this.

Others might not know, but Zuo Dongge knew clearly that Ji Wenyue had only stepped onto the path of cultivation after re-awakening her spirit.

Calculating this, her alchemy talent was truly astonishing.

"In fact, Watching Lan Xue also has great alchemy talent and has learned alchemy from my sworn sister. It's just that at that time, she and I were both outer disciples, and I was worried that if she revealed her alchemy talent and skills, she would be conscripted to refine pills all day, delaying her cultivation, so I didn't let her reveal this talent and ability," Xia Daoming said.

"What? Watching Lan Xue also has great alchemy talent!" Zuo Dongge's gaze toward Xia Daoming went straight upon hearing this.

This guy was simply too incredible.

The three women around him were actually one formation genius and two alchemy geniuses!

And Xia Daoming looked at Zuo Dongge, beginning to show a look of pride.

"Master, the apprentices I found for you are impressive, aren't they!"

Zuo Dongge looked at Xia Daoming's smug appearance and really wanted to strike back hard, but the words of counterattack just wouldn't come out.

"Is your sworn sister an alchemist?" Zuo Dongge changed the subject soon after.

"That's right, she is a False Dan cultivator and a third-rank alchemist!" Xia Daoming replied, his expression becoming even more proud.

Zuo Dongge's heart was shaken, and he looked at Xia Daoming, unable to speak for a long time.

After a while, Zuo Dongge and Xia Daoming felt something almost at the same time and turned their heads to look toward the east.

In the east, a flying boat was flying toward Heavenly Jianfeng.

Standing on the flying boat was a woman, who was none other than the true disciple Luo Mu.

Xia Daoming frowned as he watched Luo Mu arrive on the flying boat.

And Zuo Dongge suddenly realized that Xia Daoming had turned his head almost at the same time as him just now, and he turned his head again, looking at him with astonishment.

(End of chapter)