Chapter 118: Taking a Disciple?
"Grandpa Xu, your—master?"
Ji Yuan was sowhat surprised upon hearing this answer.
Xu Fugui's master should be a Foundation Establishnt cultivator, right? Or, to be bold, a Golden Core True Person?
That seed a bit too bold.
Previously, Xu Fugui had always ntioned going to see a senior, but he hadn't expected it to be his master.
"Yes, my master, the Iron Hamr Island Lord."
Xu Fugui smiled, then summoned a flying boat in the courtyard. "If there's nothing else, co with ."
"Alright!"
After speaking, Ji Yuan also summoned the Chixiao Boat.
Seeing this, Xu Fugui widened his eyes.
"Where's the Thunder Falcon Boat?"
"Well—" Ji Yuan said sowhat embarrassedly, "I put it away. Within the sect, the Chixiao Boat is more convenient."
"Convenient?"
Xu Fugui chuckled, understanding the implication behind Ji Yuan's words.
"You youngster, so cautious at such a young age. I don't know where you learned that."
"Alright, I asked you to bring out the Thunder Falcon Boat because I intended to have my master hamr it a few more tis. Such good materials were refined into a high-grade magical artifact—what a waste."
"After my master hamrs it a few tis, it'll beco a supre-grade magical artifact."
Ji Yuan couldn't help but feel a surge of joy upon hearing this.
"Senior Iron Hamr is also a weapon refiner?"
"Yes, quickly follow ."
"Grandpa Xu, this is my first visit. Should I prepare a gift?"
Ji Yuan couldn't gauge this senior's temperant. Not bringing a gift seed impolite, but bringing one might feel inappropriate, so he decided to ask first.
"Heh, if you plan to bring one, it's best not to co. I'm afraid you'll be beaten to death."
Xu Fugui naturally knew his master's temperant.
"Then I won't bring one, I won't bring one."
Xu Fugui laughed and flew off.
After Ji Yuan switched to the Thunder Falcon Boat, he hurriedly followed.
Foundation Establishnt cultivators usually established their islands on the outskirts of the many islands of the Water Dragon Sect.
So directly chose existing islands, while others requested the sect's protective formation to fill lakes and create land, conjuring an island out of thin air for themselves.
The Iron Hamr Island Lord's island was located on the western side of the Water Dragon Sect.
Ji Yuan followed Xu Fugui, and after flying for most of the day, they finally reached the cluster of islands belonging to Foundation Establishnt cultivators from Hatchling Dragon Island.
Upon arrival, out of respect for Foundation Establishnt seniors, their flying boats did not soar in the sky but skimd across the water's surface.
Several more hours passed.
Finally, at the ti when the moon hung atop the willow branches, they arrived in front of an island.
From afar, Ji Yuan could see that these Foundation Establishnt cultivators' islands were not as large as his own Misty Island.
"Master, disciple Xu Fugui pays his respects."
Old Master Xu led Ji Yuan and bowed outside the island's protective formation.
Soon, a gap opened in the formation, and a rough voice ca from within, "How many tis have I told you? Next ti you depart from Hatchling Dragon Island, leave at night so that it's dayti when you arrive here."
"Making open the door for you in the middle of the night every ti is so annoying."
"Hehe, since you don't sleep anyway, what's the problem?"
Xu Fugui nodded to Ji Yuan, then said, "Master, this is Ji Yuan, whom I've been telling you about. I've brought him here."
"Damn it, I'm not blind. Just get in here."
This senior had a straightforward personality.
Compared to those who spoke with pretense, Ji Yuan preferred interacting with such seniors.
At least it wouldn't feel so uncomfortable.
Ji Yuan followed through the formation and imdiately felt a surge of heat rushing toward him.
Indeed, this was a place for weapon refining.
In the center of the island was a courtyard, and behind it seed to be an open-air weapon refining area.
Ji Yuan didn't dare to look too closely.
As Ji Yuan and Xu Fugui entered the courtyard, they saw an exceptionally tall, white-haired old man seated within. His hair and beard bristled, and his tiger-like eyes were wide open, presenting a fierce appearance.
Upon seeing the visitors, the Iron Hamr Island Lord looked up.
With just one glance, he uttered, "Hmm?"
Before Ji Yuan could react, the old man took a step forward and was suddenly right in front of him.
"You are Ji Yuan?"
The Iron Hamr Island Lord scrutinized Ji Yuan from head to toe, his eyes gleaming with excitent, as if he were examining a rare treasure.
"Yes—yes, I am."
Ji Yuan was so startled by his gaze that he took a few steps back.
"Good material, excellent material."
The Iron Hamr Island Lord muttered to himself.
"Master, please restrain yourself a bit; don't scare the young man," Xu Fugui said helplessly, giving Ji Yuan a look to indicate that the Iron Hamr Island Lord was just like this and ant no harm.
"You know nothing!"
The Iron Hamr Island Lord turned and shouted at him, "This physique is naturally suited for forging."
Xu Fugui's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
"Master, do you an you're willing to take Ji Yuan as your disciple?"
Take a disciple?!
Ji Yuan was startled. So, Old Master Xu had this in mind all along.
That would explain why he had taken such good care of him.
Indeed, Ji Yuan didn't have much resistance to the idea of apprenticing under a Foundation Establishnt cultivator.
Moreover, judging by how Xu Fugui interacted with the Iron Hamr Island Lord just now, this senior seed to be a decent person.
If he beca a disciple under a Foundation Establishnt cultivator, even without inviting Li Changhe, he would have a reliable backer within the Water Dragon Sect, at least not having to worry about being coerced.
Just as Ji Yuan was looking forward to it, he saw the Iron Hamr Island Lord shake his head.
Ji Yuan, who had been full of anticipation, suddenly felt disheartened.
How could a Foundation Establishnt cultivator casually accept soone as a disciple? Ji Yuan couldn't help but sigh inwardly. If soone didn't want to take on a disciple, there was nothing he could do.
But unexpectedly, the Iron Hamr Island Lord then said:
"Take a disciple? I'm not worthy to take him as my disciple."
"What?"
Xu Fugui blurted out, "Master—Master, what are you saying?"
"Heh."
The Iron Hamr Island Lord chuckled, "You just took a liking to this kid's body-tempering talent and wanted to take him as my last disciple to pass on my legacy."
"That's—exactly."
Xu Fugui nodded stiffly.
The Iron Hamr Island Lord turned to Ji Yuan again, "Kid, your body-tempering has already reached the minor achievent stage, and now you're stuck at the threshold of major achievent, unable to break through, right?"
"What? His body-tempering is about to reach major achievent?"
This news surprised Xu Fugui even more.
Suddenly, he understood why the Iron Hamr Island Lord said he wasn't worthy to take Ji Yuan as a disciple.
Because in the path of body-tempering, the Iron Hamr Island Lord had only reached the major achievent stage himself, and now Ji Yuan had also reached the threshold of major achievent.
"Exactly."
Ji Yuan nodded repeatedly.
Several years ago, Ji Yuan's body-tempering had already reached the minor achievent stage, and in the following years, he hadn't stopped consuming spiritual pig at.
Yet, his physique had remained stagnant.
"I always feel that sothing is missing in my body, unable to grasp the key to body-tempering, hence unable to achieve major success. I humbly seek your guidance, Senior!"
It was rare to encounter a senior in the path of body-tempering, so Ji Yuan naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity.
"That's simple."
The Iron Hamr Island Lord clasped his hands behind his back and slowly paced in the courtyard.
"Compared to spiritual cultivation, the path of body-tempering is indeed sowhat lacking. Of course—perhaps it's due to my lack of skill."
"If one achieves major success in body tempering, it's sufficient to rival the peak of Qi Refining. Once the body becos as resilient as diamond, one can even contend with Foundation Establishnt cultivators. But progressing beyond that becos challenging."
The Iron Hamr Island Lord sighed.
"For spiritual cultivators, the next stage is the Golden Core realm, where they can refine powerful life-bound magical treasures. The alchemical fire they wield can incinerate anything. It's said that at even higher realms, they can cultivate divine abilities, harnessing the forces of heaven and earth. As for body tempering—perhaps it's possible, but on the Cangluo Continent, we've never heard of such cases."
He shook his head as he spoke.
"Alright, let's not dwell on that."
"Let's discuss why you haven't achieved major success in body tempering."
Upon hearing this, not only Ji Yuan but even Xu Fugui perked up their ears.
He also wanted to understand Ji Yuan's situation.
"I humbly seek your guidance, Senior."
Ji Yuan took a deep breath and bowed deeply to the Iron Hamr Island Lord.
"It's simple—because you've never truly exerted your strength."
"Never exerted his strength?" Xu Fugui exclaid in disbelief. "How is that possible? He's nearly achieved major success in body tempering; how could he have never exerted his strength?"
The Iron Hamr Island Lord replied calmly, "Ask him yourself."
Xu Fugui turned to Ji Yuan, looking at him incredulously.
Ji Yuan gave an embarrassed smile.
"Actually, I have exerted strength, just not my full strength."
He spoke the truth.
From the beginning, Ji Yuan had never used his full physical strength.
The only tis he exerted force were perhaps when slaughtering pigs and moving their carcasses.
Other than that... there really weren't any instances.
"Heh, I truly don't know how you've managed to temper your body to this extent."
The Iron Hamr Island Lord chuckled, but his eyes grew even brighter.
In his view, what did Ji Yuan's situation signify?
This was undoubtedly innate talent!
Without ever exerting full strength, he had managed to temper his body to this level. If this wasn't talent, then what was?
"Just lucky, I suppose."
Ji Yuan smiled sheepishly.
"Alright, stay here for ten days, and I'll help you achieve major success in body tempering."
The Iron Hamr Island Lord pounded his chest, making a resounding thud, as if assisting Ji Yuan in breaking through was a trivial matter.
"Master—"
Xu Fugui was montarily stunned by these words.
Indeed, when the Iron Hamr Island Lord previously said he wouldn't take Ji Yuan as a disciple, Xu Fugui had given up on the idea. But now, unexpectedly, he was willing to assist.
"Co on, don't get all sentintal."
The Iron Hamr Island Lord waved his hand dismissively. "The reason I'm willing is because I recognize this kid's talent. Forming a good relationship is like making a friend."
"Making a friend?!"
Xu Fugui's eyes widened.
"What's the matter!"
The Iron Hamr Island Lord's eyes grew even wider. "Do I need your permission to make a friend?!"
Ji Yuan silently shrank his neck and took a step back.
"No, it's just that this kid calls —Grandpa Xu." Xu Fugui chuckled awkwardly.
"Heh, are you implying that I should also call you Grandpa Xu?"
"No, no, no."
Xu Fugui hurriedly denied it.
But the Iron Hamr Island Lord was no longer listening. He pointed towards the room on the right.
"Go copy scriptures for . Damn it, is there no respect for authority anymore?!"
When the Iron Hamr Island Lord asserted his authority as a master, Xu Fugui had no choice but to comply, sighing as he entered the adjacent room.
"You, co with ."
The Iron Hamr Island Lord waved his large hand and headed towards the weapon refining area at the back.
Ji Yuan looked around but wasn't worried that this senior would harm him.
There was no need. If he truly had such intentions, he wouldn't go through all this trouble.
Moreover—if he couldn't trust this senior, could he not trust Old Master Xu?
When Ji Yuan arrived at the back room, he saw a massive bronze furnace standing in the center, nearly two people tall.
The ground, though made of soil, had a sheen that made it seem harder than iron.
The Iron Hamr Island Lord casually picked up a hamr from the ground and tossed it behind him.
"Take it."
Ji Yuan hurriedly caught it with both hands.
At first, it was so heavy that he nearly fell over.
"Useless. You're on the verge of major success in body tempering, yet you handle it like this. Use your strength; it's not like you can't lift it!"
The Iron Hamr Island Lord shouted, prompting Ji Yuan to gradually apply force, eventually realizing he could indeed lift the heavy hamr slowly.
Moreover, this didn't seem to be his limit.
"I'll teach you a set of hamr techniques. For the next few days, don't go anywhere—just keep hamring here."
"If you don't die from hamring, then hamr until you're dead."
After speaking, the Iron Hamr Island Lord took an iron ingot from his storage pouch and tossed it at Ji Yuan's feet with a loud "thud."
"Once you've hamred this iron ingot down to the size of a palm, your body tempering will have achieved major success."
Ji Yuan looked down.
The iron ingot was as large as a human head and appeared to be of high purity.
"Wait, Senior, are you serious?"
"Heh, take a blow from !"
Without further words, the Iron Hamr Island Lord raised a hamr and swung it towards Ji Yuan's forehead.
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