"Good disciple, hahaha... take them, take them."
"These are high-grade spirit crystals I've treasured for many years, ten in total. You don't need them now, but you can keep them in your room and absorb the overflowing spiritual energy while you cultivate. Coming into contact with innate spiritual energy in advance is beneficial for your cultivation."
"Here are some Spirit Soul Divine Pills. After you consume them, they are good for stabilizing the soul. I will protect you while you take them first. For martial artists, strengthening the divine soul at the initial stage brings huge future benefits."
"This is..."
"This is..."
...
Sun Yuan was so excited, he could confirm that he had become a hero within his sect!
Such talent, not being taken by a guardian to become a future formidable enemy, was in itself a great achievement.
Success in the future was as good as guaranteed.
As for himself, who discovered such a talent, he was simply...
He almost burst into laughter thinking about it. He felt no heartache over the lifetime savings he was now giving away: after all, they were for his own disciple, his successor, so what's there to be heartbroken about?
And Fang Che accepted everything without refusal, with no mental burden whatsoever.
He even felt like 'it's too little.'
Next, Sun Yuan started to test his new disciple, and the more he tested, the happier he was.
Innate talent, coordination of tendons and meridians, response time—all were exceptional.
"Fourth grade warrior?"
Sun Yuan was a bit puzzled, "How come you haven't attended the Martial Arts Academy as a fourth grade warrior?"
Logically, being a warrior should be enough to upgrade to the academy as a freshman, though not necessarily a top-notch academy. However, any regular academy would still be quite good.
Once one enters an academy with such material, how is it possible that there's no mentorship until now?
"I just broke through to a warrior less than five days ago."
"Not even five days?" Sun Yuan's eyes widened.
"Yes."
After rigorous questioning and investigation, Sun Yuan finally confirmed this fact.
Despite the evidence, he found it hard to believe and asked with his eyes nearly popping out, "Before the breakthrough, you were quite ordinary? Breaking through to a warrior happened without you knowing how?"
"Is what you're saying true, disciple?"
"This, this, this... This is simply, simply amazing!"
Sun Yuan felt like he'd hit the jackpot!
This must be an innate gift that hadn't been awakened until the breakthrough as a warrior when his meridians and innate talent were suddenly enhanced by True Yuan.
Sun Yuan shivered, his eyes shining as he asked, "Che'er, what is your ultimate dream?"
Since he planned to induct him into the sect, it was time to examine his temperament.
Fang Che fell silent for a moment before speaking, "A man in this world should rise above the masses, look down upon all living beings; hold the power of the world, lie drunk on the knees of beauties. To live unbound by conventions, with the freedom to pursue personal grudges; to command the respect of heroes everywhere; to have this vast world at my bidding!"
"Good!!"
Sun Yuan slapped his leg in admiration and loudly praised.
Such temperament, such ambition—just needed a bit of guidance, and he was definitely one of our own!
He had hoped this young fellow wouldn't spout nothing but righteousness and morality, or constantly talk about the welfare of all under heaven. Instead, this young man gave him a huge surprise!
Fang Che's expression remained unchanged.
He knew these guys liked this sort of stuff.
Indeed.
Next, Sun Yuan couldn't wait to impart his teachings to his disciple.
"Show me the cultivation techniques and the boxing, kicking, sword, and blade techniques you've practiced."
Fang Che began to perform: traditional official basic skills, traditional fighting, basic swordsmanship...
"As I thought, you've only laid a bit of foundation."
Sun Yuan revealed a 'just as I expected' look.
Such small families, when training disciples, could only achieve so much.
"Next, I will begin to teach you the true martial arts and help you open the door to true strength!"
Sun Yuan stroked his beard with a smile.
"Master, I want to practice movement technique first," Fang Che said.
"Movement technique?" Sun Yuan didn't understand.
"Yes, movement technique that allows one to nimbly dodge enemy attacks and, in moments of crisis, burst forth with speed several or even more than ten times faster to escape from the battlefield and ensure safety," Fang Che explained.
What he was doing at the moment could be considered extremely dangerous.
A single misstep and he could be killed by his own people; hence, movement technique was critically important—it was his real focus.
In this world, there was no skill better for escaping at the limit than the Wei Wo Zheng Sect's 'Blood Burning Skill.'
The Blood Burning Skill was miraculous, able to instantly burst forth with speed tenfold the usual, and the cost was just a mouthful of blood! Plus a period of weakness afterward.
Not only does it not harm the foundations, but there are also no side effects.
Undoubtedly, it's the number one life-saving skill in this world.
It's an untransmitted secret of the Wei Wo Zheng Sect.
How many times have the upper echelons of the Wei Wo Zheng Sect relied on the Blood Burning Skill to escape from the clutches of the righteous people? Even those a whole realm higher couldn't catch up!
For Fang Che at this moment, it was the most needed thing, incomparable to anything else.
The problem now was one thing: whether Sun Yuan knew the Blood Burning Skill or not.
As expected, Sun Yuan showed a troubled expression.
"According to what you said, there is indeed a cultivation technique that is particularly suitable, which is our Divine Sect's Blood Burning Skill. However, this Blood Burning Skill must be taught to someone who has reached a Grandmaster realm and has made significant contributions to the sect before it can possibly be passed on as an award."
Fang Che rolled his eyes and said, "Master, just tell me directly whether you know it or not."
Sun Yuan's facial muscles twisted, "I really don't know it."
...
Fang Che was hugely disappointed, and it showed plainly on his face.
I'm just a seventeen-year-old youth, so it's perfectly normal for my feelings to be so transparent, right?
So aside from disappointment, there was also a hint of contempt showing on his face.
"You don't even know this, and you still call yourself..."
The youth's face revealed dissatisfaction as he forcibly swallowed the words below.
Sun Yuan's face turned red.
He also felt embarrassed.
Had he just taken a genius disciple and been scorned by his own student?
"However, you don't need to worry. I will report your situation and request exceptional teaching; and even if it's not granted, as long as you earn some merit in the future, I guarantee you can inherit the Blood Burning Skill!"
Sun Yuan gritted his teeth.
"Moreover, your current cultivation level is too low, only at the fourth-grade warrior, at this stage, using the Blood Burning Skill wouldn't have much effect and could easily damage your foundation, which is detrimental to your future prospects, so don't be anxious."
"I see, then I'll rely entirely on Master."
Fang Che showed understanding.
He determined in his heart that he must learn the Blood Burning Skill!
"Next, I will teach you..."
What followed was a rigorous curriculum Sun Yuan devised for Fang Che.
Cultivating, boxing, kicking, improving body functions, honing willpower, and coordinating limbs... starting with the basics.
Fang Che also demonstrated a will that Sun Yuan found 'extremely gratifying'.
And his capacity to learn!
It was nothing to him to apply one thing to another.
He often had his own insights, which, though juvenile, were surprisingly close to the truth.
This made Sun Yuan's heart blossom with joy.
What good fortune did I have in a past life to acquire such a perfect disciple?
Hence, Fang Che would practice with his master Sun Yuan during the day and begin cultivating the Infinite Scripture at night, his progress in cultivation astonishing to all.
In Sun Yuan's words, "not even 'a thousand miles in a day' could describe it."
His talent was just too outstanding!
Three days later, he had already reached the fifth-grade warrior level!
And there were still a full twenty days left until the Martial Arts Academy's entrance assessment.
Now, every day, Sun Yuan would use his True Yuan to perform blood-pushing and massage to his disciple.
He had made a resolute decision: he would ensure that his disciple won the honor of being the number one talent among the new students at the Martial Arts Academy!
"Let the Guardians use their martial arts resources to cultivate disciples for our Yixin Divine Sect!"
Sun Yuan had reported the matter.
And this argument made the higher ranking members of the Yixin Divine Sect feel that it indeed was a good idea.
Just thinking about it was exciting.
Thus, they were very supportive.
They also communicated to Sun Yuan: when the time comes, our people inside the Martial Arts Academy will cooperate. We must make sure this happens solidly!
Of course, all this still required the Sect Hierarch's approval, but it was just a matter of process, and there shouldn't be a big problem, just waiting for Sun Yuan to return and report to the Sect Hierarch for the matter to be settled.
Sun Yuan was very excited.
And naturally, Fang Che was even more thrilled.
After having given so much for the battle between right and wrong, it was only right for me to enjoy some resources.
Furthermore, I'm using a lot of resources from the Yixin Divine Sect, this is killing two birds with one stone.
Sun Yuan had taken on a disciple, and he had also done something big like 'digging the Guardian's corner, cultivating newcomers for the Yixin Divine Sect, and annoying the Guardians', which naturally made him feel very comfortable.
Fang Che, with a detached view of the situation, had mostly guessed the gist of it.
So, he brought up the old matter again, "Master, last time you mentioned that to obtain the Blood Burning Skill, contribution and merit are required. So, what counts as contributing? How can I earn merit?"
Sun Yuan, in a good mood, explained without thinking too hard, "The sect has to issue a mission, and completing it earns merit points..."
Fang Che's eyes immediately lit up, "So, if I get into the Martial Arts Academy and come out on top, wouldn't that be a tremendous mission?"
Sun Yuan's eyes widened in astonishment, "???"
Isn't that what you're supposed to do? How did it become a tremendous mission?
Fang Che said solemnly, "Master, you see, our Yixin Divine Sect and the Guardian Martial Academy are... I'm infiltrating the enemy, which is a huge risk!"
Sun Yuan stroked his beard, his face like still water, yet thinking: That makes sense.
Isn't this just cultivating an undercover agent?
And starting as a child, an undercover agent with no flaws at all! The risk... indeed is not small.
Fang Che continued while striking the iron hot, "Master, such a dangerous mission, and with such high difficulty competing against all the geniuses in the Southeast Road for the top spot, how can this not be a mission? If I don't get a massive amount of contribution points for this, it would... seem unreasonable, wouldn't it?"
Sun Yuan couldn't help but nod his head.
Although he knew this kid's true goal was to gather contribution points to exchange for the Blood Burning Skill, his argument was quite valid!
After all, this was his only disciple!
If he didn't seek benefits for him, for whom should he seek them?
"I will report this matter."
"Thank you, Master." Fang Che quickly added another line, "Once I obtain the Blood Burning Skill, won't I have a higher chance of self-preservation? After being cultivated by Master, I could mix into government affairs, serving Master well."
Sun Yuan's old heart was greatly comforted.
If an adult said this, Sun Yuan would suspect ulterior motives, but a seventeen-year-old child, and his newly accepted disciple at that.
Coupled with the future he had long cherished in his heart...
Sun Yuan felt reassured. Mulling over the thought, he said, "I'll go and fight for this right away."
Fang Che subtly showed an excited face, his eyes shining as he said, "Master, this time I must make a name for myself!"
Make a name for myself!?
Sun Yuan paused for a moment, then smiled meaningfully.
Yes, it's been many years since I've made a name for myself! This time within the sect, I shall make people take notice!
With that, he got right to it.
Sun Yuan immediately began to take action.
...
Bibo City appeared calm on the surface, but beneath it, the undercurrents began to surge violently.
The reason was nothing else.
One of the five great Ninth level Families of Bibo City, the Su Family, news of their incident had spread.
...