Chapter 8: Bestowing Treasures! Huo Ling’er’s Reaction! Leaving in Tears!
Chen Xuan stared at the kneeling Huo Ling’er without saying a word, allowing the cold silence to fill the room.
An awkward atmosphere soon spread, with neither party speaking.
Huo Ling’er remained kneeling with her head barely raised and her dress slipping off her shoulders, while Chen Xuan stared down at her.
His intense gaze and the oppressive aura he unknowingly exuded made Huo Ling’er anxious.
Seconds passed.
Just when faint sweat started to form on her forehead, and she was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain her position, Chen Xuan finally moved.
An invisible hand grasped Huo Ling’er’s shoulder and pulled her up, while a gentle, yet aloof, smile emerged on his handsome face.
"Get up," he said, "There’s no need for formalities."
"I believe that you’ve understood that you will be a disciple of the Yin Yang Peak from now on."
"I won’t mention any rules. You can ask the Elders or your fellow disciples," he shook his head.
"As your Master, I will only take care of your cultivation. I will provide you with some benefits. However, those benefits will be within certain limits."
"No one can truly walk the path for you. Your future cultivation journey will have to depend on yourself."
Chen Xuan’s voice was gentle, yet seemed authoritative at the same time.
At least, Huo Ling’er felt pressure that was far greater than what she sensed from her father and family elders.
This was not a difference in cultivation base or strength, but a difference in their status and the way they conducted themselves.
She nodded repeatedly, conveying that she understood.
Chen Xuan was satisfied with her reaction.
Although his words during the Disciple Ceremony were meant to mislead Huo Ling’er and make her grateful to him, they were not necessarily fake.
Huo Ling’er’s talent was obvious. But if her personality was bad or she had undesirable traits, Chen Xuan would rather not accept her as his disciple.
The rewards of the System were good, but he knew very well the consequences of taking in an ungrateful or troublesome disciple.
’Fortunately, it seems that this is not the case,’ he thought before continuing his earlier words.
"You should have been informed that the Yin Yang Peak mostly focuses on dual cultivation. This doesn’t mean that all disciples and Elders engage in such practices, though."
"If someone is unwilling, they can choose to practice normally."
His words made Huo Ling’er blush. Although she was sheltered by her father, she had heard of the term dual cultivation before.
Now, hearing this term from her Master and recalling everything she heard before coming here, she couldn’t help but clasp the corners of her dress and nervously tug on them.
Would her Master blame her if she wished to practice normally? Perhaps even choose to expel her?
Fortunately, Chen Xuan interrupted before she could really think it over.
"You don’t have to decide just yet. There is one more thing we have to deal with first."
"I can sense that the technique you’re practicing is a very basic one. Although it might be fine for other people, it’s not suitable for someone with your talent."
Huo Ling’er did not argue.
She knew that her talent was extremely poor! Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been the case of no Peak Master choosing her.
’Could it be that Master has a way to help me?’ A faint flicker of hope rekindled in her eyes.
A moment later, her guess was proven correct.
A jade crystal with a red pattern appeared in Chen Xuan’s hand, and he gently pushed it toward her.
"This is a technique I obtained in an ancient ruin."
"This technique is also a basic one. One must disperse their cultivation to practice it. However, it has a unique advantage: it has no requirements for the cultivator’s talent."
"Even a person with terrible talent can practice it and make progress faster than a Spirit Body. Now, I’ll give you another choice: are you willing to practice this technique?"
Huo Ling’er was stunned. She had never heard of a technique with such requirements before.
However, she knew that Chen Xuan had no reason to harm her.
"Master! I’m willing to start all over!" she said as she grabbed the jade stone.
Information regarding the technique poured into her mind.
"Vulcan Immortal Scripture..." she muttered its name and could already imagine its power just from the name.
However, she was left disappointed shortly after.
Huo Ling’er discovered that the contents of this technique were extremely difficult to understand, and its principles were nearly impossible to grasp.
She needed to go through them several times before memorizing them, and she was still far from mastering it.
’The Master is right! My talent is terrible! Even practicing such a basic technique is difficult for me.’
’Only such a special technique, with no requirements for talent, can allow me to cultivate further!’ she thought, and her fists clenched in determination.
She had already decided to follow Chen Xuan’s instructions. Once she had made a choice, she wouldn’t hesitate.
Chen Xuan laughed inwardly upon seeing her reaction. However, he remained calm on the surface and maintained the demeanor of a supreme expert.
"Besides this technique, I will also bestow upon you some treasures," he said and handed her a silver sword, a green pill, and a white talisman.
"This sword was the one that my Master gifted me when I became her disciple. Although it’s only a Medium-Grade Magic Weapon, it can still be used until you reach the Foundation Establishment realm."
"This pill is the Evergreen Pill. Its function is to retain the cultivator’s appearance. Once consumed, your appearance will remain unchanged until you enter old age."
Saying this, Chen Xuan’s face grew serious, and he stared at the talisman.
"The talisman may not be the most precious, but it will become your strongest trump card. I was only able to create it after consuming my vitality and Blood Essence. As long as you activate it, it can deliver one of my strikes."
"Anyone below the Core Formation realm will die immediately!"
Huo Ling’er felt the weight of the three items in her hands.
The sword could enhance her combat power, while the Evergreen Pill was the dream of countless women and could maintain her beauty for the foreseeable future.
The white talisman was even more impressive.
She knew how important Blood Essence and vitality were for a cultivator.
Even if it were their own children, cultivators would never give them something like this.
"M-Master, there’s no need. Please take it back," she pleaded and pushed the talisman back to Chen Xuan.
Chen Xuan, however, rejected her offer.
"Don’t worry. It will only take me a few days to recover," he comforted her, but his face turned pale halfway through his words.
"Cough, cough." he immediately turned around and coughed hoarsely, before weakly waving his hand behind his back.
"You can leave. I’m planning to go into seclusion for a few days. You should focus on your cultivation during this time."
Huo Ling’er wanted to say something, but hearing his tone, which left no room for discussion, she could only rise to her feet, kneel once more, and turn to leave.
Chen Xuan’s last words constantly rang in her mind as she did so.
’My Master has paid such a heavy price for me! There’s no way I can disappoint him! I must work hard to cultivate! Only then can I make his efforts worth it!’ she made a vow.
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