“Disciple, could you take a closer look?” Purple Melody Sage looked as if he was about to cry. Countless cultivators in the world dreamed of entering this place, yet in the mouth of his precious disciple, it had somehow become “a shabby little—thatched hut.”
“But Sage, it really is just a shabby thatched hut!” Indigo couldn’t bear to watch Purple Melody Sage stubbornly pointing at the dilapidated hut to torment her master and couldn’t help but interject.
“What does a little demon like you know?” Purple Melody Sage scowled, causing Indigo to shrink back timidly.
Yun Qingxue frowned, then suddenly had an epiphany. She raised an eyebrow at Purple Melody Sage and asked, “Could this actually be some kind of treasure vault?”
As soon as she spoke, Purple Melody Sage’s face lit up with a proud, approving smile. He straightened his posture, brimming with confidence and even a hint of arrogance, and declared, “Exactly! Inside lies the most precious treasure in the world! Countless cultivators dream of obtaining it!”
“Though I don’t know what it is, Sage… you really stored a treasure coveted by so many in such a… such a shabby thatched hut?” Indigo, hiding behind Yun Qingxue, timidly voiced her doubt.
Purple Melody Sage, however, smirked proudly and said, “Too many people in this world judge by appearances! Hah! Beneath a tattered exterior may lie something extraordinary, while gilded splendor may hide nothing but emptiness!”
“Mmm.” Yun Qingxue responded indifferently. “So, in other words, this dump doesn’t attract thieves.”
Purple Melody Sage nearly stumbled. The lofty principle he had just expounded had been translated by his disciple into something so down-to-earth… so straightforward… so… lowly and pathetic!
And yet, the translation wasn’t wrong at all!
Purple Melody Sage chuckled, his smile eerily reminiscent of a creepy uncle trying to lure a child. “My disciple is so clever! Would you like to go inside and take a look?”
“No!” Yun Qingxue answered bluntly.
Purple Melody Sage instantly felt the urge to cough up blood. Couldn’t his disciple just play along? They were both part of the same world—couldn’t she spare him some face? Would it kill her? Would it? Would it?!
“If you want to know what’s inside, you’ll have to formally become my disciple first.” Purple Melody Sage chose to ignore Yun Qingxue’s uncooperative behavior.
Yun Qingxue: “…”
Just how thick-skinned was this man?!
Indigo: “…”
Was this really the legendary Purple Melody Sage, the extraordinary master who transcended worldly desires? He seemed more like a lunatic and a scoundrel!
*Thud!*
Yun Qingxue had no intention of kneeling. But suddenly, her knees—no, her entire body—felt as though it was being controlled by some unseen force.
Against her will, she knelt before Purple Melody Sage and kowtowed three times.
Purple Melody Sage grinned triumphantly. “Good, good, good! My obedient disciple!” He presented the ceremonial gifts for the apprenticeship. “Now our master-disciple bond is officially sealed!”
Who wanted to give him any gifts?!
Yun Qingxue cursed inwardly, yet her hands moved against her will, retrieving two Shuo Na Fruits from her storage bracelet and presenting them to Purple Melody Sage.
Purple Melody Sage’s expression turned solemn as he accepted the fruits, then quickly dispelled the control spell he had cast on Yun Qingxue.
Oh no. His disciple seemed angry.
A sword aura materialized out of thin air.
Purple Melody Sage stepped back, still holding the Shuo Na Fruits, and raised his hand. A radiant barrier erupted from his palm, shielding Yun Qingxue, Indigo, and himself within its glow.
“Fear not, disciple! Your master will never let anyone harm you!” Purple Melody Sage declared righteously.
Yun Qingxue and Indigo exchanged exasperated glances. That sword aura had clearly been aimed at him! What did it have to do with them, two helpless women?!
Purple Melody Sage also looked slightly embarrassed. It seemed he was the one in danger. And the sword aura clashing with his power… appeared to belong to his eldest disciple, Mo Changxing.
“Changxing, my disciple, what a fine way to greet your master in the morning—with a sparring session! Admirable!” Purple Melody Sage offered insincere praise.
Mo Changxing, however, was unimpressed. His star-like eyes glinted coldly as he retorted, “Master, is it appropriate to bully others first thing in the morning?”
Purple Melody Sage’s embarrassment deepened. His eldest disciple must have witnessed him forcing Yun Qingxue into the apprenticeship ceremony.
But so what if he saw? So what?!
“Don’t spout nonsense, disciple!” Purple Melody Sage feigned sternness, putting on an aggrieved expression. “Am I the kind of person who bullies others?”
Yun Qingxue: “…”
A dark glint flashed in Mo Changxing’s eyes as he smirked and enunciated clearly, “Yes—you—are!”
Purple Melody Sage felt like choking on blood. He shot a pitiful look at Mo Changxing. Couldn’t he spare some dignity? Did the process matter? Did it?! The result was what counted!
If he hadn’t resorted to force, would that girl have willingly performed the ceremony? Would she have acknowledged their master-disciple bond?!
Mo Changxing intensified his sword aura. Purple Melody Sage, on the verge of tears, turned to Yun Qingxue and whined, “Qingxue, my disciple~ Look, your senior brother is bullying me~!”
The whining tone made both Yun Qingxue and Indigo shudder, feeling goosebumps rise all over.
“Senior Brother Changxing, go for it!” Yun Qingxue called out blandly.
Purple Melody Sage nearly spat blood, his eyes growing even more aggrieved. What kind of disciples had he taken in?! Why did neither of them side with him?! Truly… one was more scheming than the other!
“Rest assured, Junior Sister!” Mo Changxing turned to Yun Qingxue with a dazzling smile and further strengthened his sword aura.
Suddenly, Purple Melody Sage smirked mysteriously. With a swift hand gesture, the protective barrier before him shifted.
The radiant shield split—part of it continued blocking Mo Changxing’s sword aura, while the rest morphed into sharp, dart-like projectiles!
“Go!” Purple Melody Sage commanded, and the projectiles shot toward Mo Changxing like a torrential rain.
Mo Changxing had no choice but to withdraw his sword aura and dodge the incoming barrage.
Yet, as he retreated, the remaining barrier transformed into another wave of sharp projectiles, attacking him from all angles without a single blind spot.
Mo Changxing’s expression hardened. His intangible sword aura solidified into a gleaming blade before him, forming a new protective barrier.
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