Chapter 1278: Becoming a Disciple

At this moment, Yu Feng Qingyin’s heart was filled with complex emotions. Initially, she had only intended to rescue Dongbo Xueying out of her innate kindness in the Great Wilderness, coupled with a sense of admiration and longing for someone daring enough to venture alone into such perilous lands.

Later, upon learning that he was an ‘Ascender,’ her curiosity about Dongbo Xueying grew even stronger.

Moreover…

Dongbo Xueying, having just arrived in this world, sought to integrate quickly. Thus, he subtly employed the techniques of the Illusory Realm Path, though not overtly, which significantly enhanced his ‘charm.’ On that great ship, the majority held Dongbo Xueying in high regard, with only a few exceptions like ‘Tie Chengliu,’ who disliked him.

Yu Feng Qingyin, influenced by the Illusory Realm Path, felt an even greater affinity toward Dongbo Xueying! So much so that she actively invited him to become her cultivation mentor.

“I never expected him to be this formidable,” Yu Feng Qingyin mused silently.

“Divine Lord Feixue,” Yu Feng Lei had already greeted with a hearty laugh.

Whoosh, whoosh.

Dongbo Xueying and the Bat Mountain Master both flew out of the arena, landing beside Yu Feng Lei.

“Young Master,” Dongbo Xueying and the Bat Mountain Master both offered slight bows.

“Divine Lord Feixue, you’ve been too modest. With such strength, you surpass even the Bat Mountain Master,” Yu Feng Lei remarked with a smile.

“In truth, I must thank you, Young Master, and the Third Lady,” Dongbo Xueying replied.

“Thank me?” Yu Feng Lei was taken aback, and Yu Feng Qingyin beside him blinked in surprise, her lips parting slightly.

Dongbo Xueying continued with a smile, “Before this, my strength was slightly inferior to the Bat Mountain Master’s. It was only after becoming a cultivation mentor—thanks to you and the Third Lady—that I gained access to the Scripture Repository and exchanged for the cultivation manual ‘Sundering Void Sword Art.’ After studying it, I was inspired to comprehend a new killing technique, which allowed me to narrowly surpass the Bat Mountain Master.”

“What?” The Bat Mountain Master was stunned. He had only gained an edge after studying a manual in the Scripture Repository? Meaning, before entering the repository, Divine Lord Feixue had been slightly weaker than him?

It was precisely because he had been overly cautious.

In a ‘friendly spar’ within the Yu Feng Clan—where there was no life-threatening danger—that he had lost?

“Regardless, even if I had acted sooner, I wouldn’t have been able to harm him in the slightest,” the Bat Mountain Master consoled himself inwardly.

Dongbo Xueying turned back to Yu Feng Lei and Yu Feng Qingyin. “That’s why I said I must thank you both—especially the Third Lady, who saved me at my weakest and most injured.”

“Haha, it was simply fate,” Yu Feng Lei laughed. “In that case, today I shall host a banquet at Floating Mountain Palace. Divine Lord Feixue, Bat Mountain Master, Divine Lord Jian Yin, and all of you are invited! Let us celebrate Junshan City gaining a formidable expert like Divine Lord Feixue.”

…

Above Junshan City, three floating mountains served as the central hubs of the city’s grand formation.

The Yu Feng Clan had constructed palaces upon them, turning the area into the most luxurious and indulgent place in all of Junshan City. Now, Floating Mountain Palace was filled with gathered experts, numerous Divine Lords arriving to befriend the ‘Divine Lord Feixue,’ who had bested even the Bat Mountain Master.

“Divine Lord Feixue, I am Chuan Qing, a mere soldier of the Profound Fire Army stationed in Junshan City,” an elderly silver-haired man introduced with a smile.

“So you are Divine Lord Chuan Qing of the Profound Fire Army,” Dongbo Xueying replied in surprise.

After searching through memories, Dongbo Xueying had become as familiar with Junshan City’s factions as any native. The ‘Profound Fire Army’ represented one of the three most transcendent imperial clans of the Divine Realm—the Golden Saint Clan. Though these three clans stood aloof from the conflicts of the world, they still exerted influence through various means.

For example, the ‘Tianxin Clan’ operated a ‘Tianxin Tower’ in nearly every major city. In Junshan City, one of the top ten renowned experts, ‘Tower Master Xing,’ presided over the local Tianxin Tower.

Similarly, the ‘Golden Saint Clan’ stationed small squads of the Profound Fire Army—usually just five members—in nearly every major city. While such a force couldn’t sway large-scale conflicts, it allowed the Golden Saint Clan to maintain detailed knowledge of the entire realm.

“Divine Lord Feixue, your duel with the Bat Mountain Master ended so quickly I didn’t even have time to witness it,” Tower Master Xing chimed in, engaging Dongbo Xueying in conversation.

One after another, figures approached to speak with him.

Only those at least at the Divine Lord level dared to initiate conversation.

Clearly, everyone understood that such a powerhouse would inevitably influence the power struggles within Junshan City. In the Divine Realm, ‘spatial teleportation’ had long become a mere legend. Wars between cities required long voyages aboard great ships, traversing the Great Wilderness—a journey that took considerable time.

Thus, conflicts between cities were rare.

Each city was akin to a sovereign nation. Figures like Tower Master Xing and Divine Lord Chuan Qing, though backed by imperial clans, had long been rooted in Junshan City.

“Divine Lord Feixue,” Yu Feng Qingyin approached, seating herself beside Dongbo Xueying as a servant promptly poured fine wine.

“Third Lady,” Dongbo Xueying smiled warmly. Among all in Junshan City, he held the greatest fondness for her.

“Divine Lord Feixue, today you are truly the center of attention. All the Divine Lords treat you with such enthusiasm, and even my elder brother has gifted you a mansion and servants,” Yu Feng Qingyin remarked, though her tone carried a hint of melancholy.

Dongbo Xueying paused.

Her tone was off. He could only respond with a smile, “Had you not rescued me in the Great Wilderness, I might still be fleeing for my life.”

“With your strength, Divine Lord Feixue, you would have easily reached the nearest city once past the danger,” Yu Feng Qingyin scoffed lightly. “Do you know why I left Junshan City on that ship? I sought to become a disciple of the Dawnbreak Sect Master.”

“I did not,” Dongbo Xueying thought to himself. How would I know about your pursuits?

Yu Feng Qingyin’s gaze grew distant. “But the Dawnbreak Sect Master refused me. Rightly so—I haven’t even broken through to the Divine Lord realm, and I come with too many troubles. Why would he accept me?”

Dongbo Xueying listened quietly, offering no interruption.

“Soon, I must either go to Eastwood City or…” Her voice trailed off. Either outcome—whether becoming a plaything for Eastwood City’s Ninth Young Master or facing the annihilation of the Yu Feng Clan—meant she would never have another chance to seek a master.

“Divine Lord Feixue,” she said suddenly.

“Yes?” Dongbo Xueying blinked.

“Can you be my master?” Yu Feng Qingyin asked abruptly.

“Your master?” Dongbo Xueying was taken aback. “Third Lady, is your bloodline of the Void lineage?”

“No,” she admitted.

“Then my guidance would be limited,” Dongbo Xueying said helplessly.

“I’m simply asking—can you be my master?” Yu Feng Qingyin pressed, her eyes fixed on him.

“I am already a cultivation mentor for the Yu Feng Clan. If you seek my guidance, of course I can offer it,” he replied.

“I need a true master,” she insisted.

Dongbo Xueying sensed an almost obsessive determination in this noble lady. Taking a disciple? After a brief hesitation, he nodded with a smile. “Very well. I accept you as my disciple.”

He owed her a debt. If taking her as a disciple would repay it, so be it.

Originally, he had no intention of taking disciples in this world, merely passing through. But since he owed her, refusing would only delay repaying the favor.

“Qingyin pays respects to Master,” Yu Feng Qingyin declared, rising to offer a formal bow.

Dongbo Xueying accepted the gesture.

From a distance, Yu Feng Lei and Yu Feng Jin watched silently. They knew the Yu Feng Clan’s sole hope for survival lay with Eastwood City—even if it meant their sister suffering under the notorious Ninth Young Master. For the sake of their countless clansmen, they had no choice.

As for her becoming a disciple?

Divine Lord Feixue ranked among Junshan City’s top experts. For the Third Lady of the Yu Feng Clan to take such a master was no disgrace.

“How many of these people would truly stand with the Yu Feng Clan to the death?” Yu Feng Lei and Yu Feng Jin surveyed the gathered Divine Lords in the hall.

Those born into the Yu Feng Clan bore its mark for life.

But many others might initially aid in defending the city—yet once the walls fell, they would swiftly withdraw. The ‘Heart Devil Sect Master,’ seeking to control the city, would still need to rally these experts. The Heart Devil Sect had no use for a city of the dead. Thus, figures like the Bat Mountain Master, Tower Master Xing, and Divine Lord Jian Yin would endure.

The city’s ruler might change, but most of these experts would remain unshaken.

…

Yu Feng Qingyin seemed far more cheerful after the ceremony, chatting animatedly with Dongbo Xueying, who listened patiently.

Finally, the celebration concluded.

As Dongbo Xueying prepared to leave with the others, the Bat Mountain Master approached him with a sly smile, transmitting his voice privately. “Brother Feixue, regarding our earlier… misunderstandings—they were all due to a certain ‘Tie Chengliu.'”

“Tie Chengliu?” Dongbo Xueying nodded slightly. From the memories he’d searched, he already knew the truth—the guard on the ship who had despised him despite his subtle charm.

“I wished to ask how you’d like him dealt with. I considered simply executing him, but I thought to seek your opinion first,” the Bat Mountain Master whispered.