Chapter 278: The Black Armor Scripture and Illusionary Art

"You're not yet my direct disciple, so don't call me Master yet—just address me as Teacher."

"Although you're only a registered disciple, there's still a customary gift after becoming a formal student. I heard Mei'er say you've been practicing the Strength Monk Breathing Method. Lucky for you, I recently won a second-rank body-refining scripture in a wager—it's quite mysterious. I'll bestow it upon you." The Old Ancestor Tianchan spoke without emotion, pulling a gray-white book from his person and tossing it over.

"Thank you, Teacher, for this gift."

Wang Yu, hearing this, beamed and quickly caught the book.

He had been worried—the third level of the Black Tiger Breathing Method could only take him to the peak of first-rank body refinement, with no further cultivation path available; he'd found no higher-level body-refining techniques in the Scripture Library. Now, his wish had been fulfilled.

Wang Yu glanced down at the book's cover, where three large characters were clearly written: "The Black Armor Scripture."

"Grandfather, since you know Wang Yu excels in body refinement, why not give him the 'Rolling Stone Pill'? This pill has extraordinary effects on body refinement, and none of your other disciples practice the Strength Monk method." Ximen Mei suddenly interjected.

"The Rolling Stone Pill is too potent for your Wang brother—he'd be overwhelmed. But I have three vials of 'Black Bone Pills,' the complementary pills for this Black Armor Scripture. I'll give them to you too." Upon hearing "Rolling Stone Pill," the Old Ancestor's eyelid twitched slightly, but then he flicked his sleeve, sending three white pill vials flying toward Wang Yu.

"Thank you, Teacher."

Wang Yu caught the three small vials and bowed again in deep gratitude.

Behind the golden-robed elder, Ximen Mei smirked slightly, still dissatisfied, but said nothing further.

After Wang Yu had secured the Black Bone Pills, the Old Ancestor Tianchan spoke again:

"Wang Yu, your performance in the secret realm already gave you a strong chance to become a true disciple. Now that you're my registered disciple, there's no doubt about it."

"Here is my token. When we return to the sect, use it to transfer from the Vermilion Bird Line to my Black Tortoise Line. But our sect's principle is: the capable rise, the weak fall. I can support you becoming a true disciple now, but if someone later surpasses you and takes your place, I won't intervene."

After speaking, the Old Ancestor pulled a jet-black token from his robes and tossed it over.

Wang Yu caught the token and eagerly accepted it with repeated thanks.

Being a registered disciple of this Jin Dan elder was truly worth it—there were real benefits.

"Enough. You may go. Whether you truly become my direct disciple depends entirely on your future performance," the Old Ancestor Tianchan waved dismissively.

Wang Yu bowed and withdrew respectfully.

In an instant, the hall was left with only the Old Ancestor Tianchan and Ximen Mei.

"Jin Lao, why didn't you give Wang Yu the Rolling Stone Pill? Didn't you promise to help me properly?" Ximen Mei, who had stood obediently behind the golden-robed elder, suddenly stepped forward, grabbed the old man's beard, and scowled like a puffed-up kitten.

"Puff."

The golden-robed elder vanished in a burst of white mist. The golden giant toad, previously lying motionless beside him, suddenly lifted its head, its eyes flashing green light, while a weary, aged voice emerged from its body:

"Little master, haven't I helped you enough? I've taken the Master's name to make this boy a registered disciple, and even lent him the Master's token—he'll surely be scolded when he returns."

"Hmph, you're just being indecisive—you won't even give a registered disciple status to someone who brought me the Blood Essence Mushroom I needed most in the secret realm. He deliberately left without even seeing Wang brother's face, just trying to get rid of him with a worthless book and a few vials of pills."

"I promised him everything in the secret realm. Even if you know now, you'll have to swallow it—you can't go back on your word." Ximen Mei huffed.

"This way, the Master truly can't renege—it would be humiliating. But this boy will grow to resent the Master even more, and the Master will never help him again." The giant golden toad's eyes showed unmistakably human-like resignation.

"I can't control what happens later, but I must keep every promise I've already made."

"As for what happens to Wang brother afterward? We'll see once he reaches Foundation Establishment. Otherwise, he won't even clear the hurdle of becoming a true disciple."

"Wang brother may be astonishingly strong, but who could have foreseen that the Azure Dragon Line suddenly produced a Heaven-Spiritual Root prodigy? The Yun and Li families also have young cultivators who just achieved Foundation Establishment. Without your grandfather's nominal support, his chance of becoming a true disciple is slim."

"Heh, I've heard too—this prodigy from the Azure Dragon Line is truly extraordinary. Not only a Heaven-Spiritual Root, but rumored to possess some special physical constitution."

"As for the Yun and Li families' newly established Foundation cultivators, they clearly forced their breakthroughs to seize the vacant true disciple slots. If any of the three true disciples from the secret realm dies or is severely injured, they'll use their family's influence to claim the position."

"That's precisely why the Master didn't want to take this boy in—even a registered disciple status draws too many entanglements."

"Hmph, with your grandfather's Jin Dan Elder status, even if entanglements arise, what's the harm? He just thinks Wang brother is a mere Qi Refinement cultivator, easy to dismiss. If it were another elder's descendant, you'd see a completely different treatment." Ximen Mei fell silent, then huffed again.

"It seems Mei-ya still resents the Master's arrangement to marry you to Yuan Huatian."

"The Master had no choice. Though we investigated and found Yuan Huatian has issues, among the descendants of the Four Symbols Elders, only you match his age and status—and you know the sect's situation back then." The golden toad sighed and continued to reason.

"I know that's why I didn't refuse. But let me have two or three rebellious moments before marriage—surely Grandfather can tolerate that."

"Enough, Jin Lao. Don't mention it. Your Illusionary Art has grown even more astonishing—you conjured Grandfather so perfectly, even standing right beside him, I couldn't tell a single difference. Hmm, if you used this divine art in battle, you could kill enemies without a trace, effortlessly tricking them to their doom." Ximen Mei walked over to the giant golden toad and began skillfully massaging its back with both hands, grinning.

"Naturally—Illusionary Art is my innate divine ability. Below Jin Dan, no cultivator can discern its truth. Even Jin Dan cultivators need effort to see through it. But unfortunately, it has no offensive power, can only be used once every seven days, and has strict time limits—so its practical use is limited." The giant golden toad's eyes gleamed with pride.