Chapter 290

"I heard that when Wang Yu first entered the sect, you personally received him, and even allowed him to become an inner disciple of Zhuque Mountain."

"There was indeed such a matter—it seems Brother has already investigated this young man; he was certainly not casually taken on as a provisional disciple."

"I heard you received Wang Yu because of his Wind-Fire elemental roots. If I recall correctly, the core of your two-headed Ghost-Faced Crow was also Wind-Fire in nature?"

After that spirit bird perished, you placed one of its innate feathers in the Scripture Hall, and it appears Wang Yu took it as well," said the Celestial Toad Ancestor calmly.

"Brother, what exactly are you trying to say?" The voice from the blue statue grew suddenly low and heavy.

"Nothing much. This young man did save Mei'er's life, so I hope Brother will grant me this favor and abandon your original intentions," said the Celestial Toad Ancestor, gazing at the blue statue.

The moment these words were spoken, the Li Huo Ancestor inside the blue statue fell silent.

The Celestial Toad Ancestor narrowed his eyes slightly, and the miniature golden toad perched on his shoulder likewise fixed its emerald-green eyes on the blue statue.

"Hehe, it seems Brother has misunderstood. I did this merely to find a disciple to raise my spirit bird—after all, only someone with matching Wind-Fire roots could approach the Ghost-Faced Crow. Now that the bird is dead, this matter is no longer relevant," came a light chuckle from the statue after its gaze flickered several times.

"If that is the case, all the better. Once the Nine-Yuan Lifesaving Pill is forged, I will notify you immediately," said the Celestial Toad Ancestor, smiling.

"Then I am in your debt, Brother Ximen. I shall take my leave now," said the blue statue, bowing slightly, stepping a few paces to one corner, where a faint glowing array pattern appeared beneath its feet, and its form vanished instantly.

Seeing this, the Celestial Toad Ancestor shook his sleeve toward where Wang Yu and the other man stood.

The white light barrier that had enveloped them instantly collapsed and dissipated.

"Master"

"Senior Brother"

Wang Yu and the red-haired man stepped forward quickly and bowed respectfully.

"Gu Fei, wait outside," ordered the Celestial Toad Ancestor bluntly.

"Yes."

The red-haired man immediately responded and withdrew respectfully from the stone chamber.

"Wang Yu, you reported the whereabouts of the Lunar Mirror, and just now you handled the young Qingfeng Wolf cub. I promised to reward you—what reward do you desire?" asked the Celestial Toad Ancestor noncommittally.

"I know my elemental roots are mediocre. I humbly ask Master to grant me pills that enhance cultivation," replied Wang Yu, delighted without hesitation.

"You have self-awareness."

"Pills that boost cultivation and qi are useful, but they easily accumulate toxic residue—that's why cultivators at the eleventh and twelfth levels of Qi Condensation cease increasing their qi and instead refine it. If you consume too many such pills early on, you'll spend years later purging the toxins, or your chance of Foundation Establishment will only dwindle."

"For us cultivators, qi cultivated through our own efforts is perfect. But in this world, who still cultivates without pills? Since you asked, I will grant your wish."

"This vial contains three 'Bi Shui Pills' I acquired long ago—each can match years of your arduous cultivation," said the Celestial Toad Ancestor, flipping his hand to produce a pale yellow pill vial, then tossing it to Wang Yu.

"Thank you, Master, for this gift."

Wang Yu eagerly caught the vial.

Though the Celestial Toad Ancestor's words made sense, if he could not even reach Qi Condensation peak and break through to Foundation Establishment in his prime, what use was perfect qi? He couldn't wait until he was fifty or sixty to attempt the already slim Foundation Establishment bottleneck.

"Just now I saw you obtained two pieces of the Green Light Armor. I happen to have the third—I'll grant it to you as well," said the Celestial Toad Ancestor after a brief pause, then pulled a green-hued arm guard from his sleeve and tossed it over.

"Thank you, Master."

Wang Yu caught the arm guard, overjoyed, and bowed repeatedly in thanks.

He never imagined the third piece of the Green Light Armor would come to him so quickly.

"Wang Yu, I have given you your rewards. Now listen carefully to what follows," said the Celestial Toad Ancestor, his expression suddenly chilling.

"I humbly heed Master's instructions."

Wang Yu straightened, bowing deeply.

"First, though you became my provisional disciple by chance, unless there is a special reason, I will not see you again before your Foundation Establishment—and you are forbidden from ever revealing this connection."

"I understand."

Wang Yu replied without hesitation.

"Second, Mei'er has already been betrothed. This marriage concerns relations between the Thousand Bamboo Sect and our own. Henceforth, before she marries, you are forbidden from seeing her again. Do you understand?"

"I have never had any... relationship with Senior Sister Ximen," Wang Yu exclaimed, startled, trying to explain.

"I don't care whether you like Mei'er or she likes you—I only ask if you can obey this command," said the Celestial Toad Ancestor impatiently.

"If Master disapproves of me meeting Senior Sister Ximen, I will never see her again," said Wang Yu, after a swift internal calculation, and agreed.

Though he held some fondness for Ximen Mei, calling it love was far too strong—he felt no great hesitation.

"Good. If you fulfill these two conditions, after your Foundation Establishment, I will consider taking you as a true disciple," said the Celestial Toad Ancestor, his expression softening.

Wang Yu froze. This differed from the original promise—could the master's vow be changed at will?

At that moment, the golden toad perched on the golden-robed elder's shoulder suddenly croaked, its green eyes spinning rapidly.

"You may leave. Call Gu Fei in."

The Celestial Toad Ancestor merely glanced at the golden toad, then waved his hand toward Wang Yu, signaling dismissal.

"Then I take my leave."

Wang Yu bowed again and respectfully withdrew from the stone chamber.

Outside the door, Senior Brother Gu waited. Seeing Wang Yu emerge, he smiled warmly: "Congratulations, Younger Brother Wang, on entering Master Tianchan's lineage. His disciples are few—even as a provisional disciple, your future in the sect is bright."

"Senior Brother, I am merely a Qi Condensation cultivator—how dare I address you as brother or call you Senior Brother?" Wang Yu replied quickly, bowing.

"You are now under a Jin Dan Ancestor's wing—calling each other brothers is only natural. As for Foundation Establishment, it's merely a matter of time," said the red-haired man with a grin.

"Ahem... then I thank you, Senior Brother Gu, for your kind words. By the way, Master is calling you inside." Wang Yu cleared his throat and, following the man's lead, addressed the red-haired cultivator as "Senior Brother."