Back then, Chang'sheng had already figured out where Ye Qiubai was hiding.
He'd even discovered there were people out to kill him.
The system had finally given him a mission—how could he let a bunch of punk kids ruin it?
Upon hearing this, Ye Qiubai immediately cupped his fists. "Thank you for your help, senior!"
Chang'sheng nodded, turned his gaze to the man in black, and with terror in the man's eyes, pressed his palm onto the top of his head.
Right then, under Ye Qiubai's shocked gaze, a transparent spirit body emerged from the top of the man's skull!
"This... the Soul Searching Technique?"
Chang'sheng nodded slightly, and with a flip of his palm, streams of information poured into his mind.
At the same time, the spirit body showed a look of pain.
After a moment, Chang'sheng stopped Soul Searching.
The man in black had already had his soul completely destroyed.
Looking at Ye Qiubai, he said softly, "Do you want to know the truth right now?"
Ye Qiubai was stunned for a second, then nodded resolutely, determination in his eyes.
Seeing this, Chang'sheng decided not to conceal anything and spoke the truth: "Jiang Chan."
Boom!
Hearing that, Ye Qiubai felt like he'd been struck by lightning, frozen in place.
He stayed there for as long as it took a stick of incense to burn before slowly regaining his senses, letting out a bitter laugh, eyes filled with sorrow.
He'd racked his brains, wondering who would want him dead so badly.
But the last thing he expected was that it would be his childhood friend—Jiang Chan—the one who did everything with him as a kid.
"Do you want me to handle this for you?"
Ye Qiubai raised his brows, then shook his head. "No need to trouble you, senior. I'll settle this myself."
Hearing this, Chang'sheng looked at him with approval.
Even at his lowest, he didn't back down.
Charging ahead in adversity—that's how you grow strong, and fast.
Ye Qiubai cupped his fists and asked, "Your great kindness, senior—I will repay you one day. May I know your name?"
Chang'sheng looked at Ye Qiubai, chuckling softly. "My name is Chang'sheng. I'm here because I intend to take you as my disciple."
Ye Qiubai was stunned, then forced a bitter smile. "Senior, please don't joke. My cultivation's crippled, my talent's gone—how could I possibly have the right to be your disciple?"
With such a transcendent aura and that ruthless method of killing, it was obvious Chang'sheng was anything but ordinary. Why would someone like him choose Ye Qiubai in this state?
Chang'sheng didn't answer. He just placed a finger on Ye Qiubai's forehead, checking his condition.
[His meridians are full of sword qi; his foundation is damaged. With the right cultivation techniques and medicinal pills, break and rebuild is possible.]
Hmm?
The system can do this too?
"So what techniques and pills do I need?"
[Given as a reward after you take Ye Qiubai as a disciple.]
"Senior?"
Chang'sheng snapped out of his thoughts and smiled. "If I said I could help you return to your peak, even make your talent surpass your old self—would you come with me?"
When he heard that, Ye Qiubai's eyes instantly lit up.
To return to the peak, to surpass even his former self—wasn't that exactly what he wanted?
And seeing how confident this senior was, it didn't seem likely he'd lie. Besides, he didn't have anything valuable anyone would covet.
So why not?
Without hesitation, Ye Qiubai dropped to his knees and performed a deep bow before Chang'sheng.
"Disciple Ye Qiubai pays respect to Master!"
Chang'sheng smiled, saying, "It's just becoming my disciple, you don't have to make such a grand gesture."
But Ye Qiubai's face was serious. "Once a master, a father for life. Of course I should show due respect."
Hearing this, Chang'sheng couldn't help but nod in satisfaction.
Good talent, good character.
Taking in a disciple like this wasn't bad at all.
[Disciple task complete. Received Disciple Big Gift Pack.]
[Top-grade Sacred Artifact—Green Cloud Sword]
[Primordial Sword Scripture]
[Creation Pill]
[Disciple Training Missions are now unlocked]
Hearing the system, Chang'sheng nodded to himself, turned to Ye Qiubai and said, "Alright then, come with me."
...
While riding his sword, Ye Qiubai asked, "Master, where are we going now?"
Chang'sheng replied, "Hidden Dao Academy."
Hidden Dao Academy?!
Ye Qiubai was shocked.
Even though Hidden Dao Academy isn't in the Tianyuan Dynasty,
in the Southern Region, who hasn't heard of it?
It's the most renowned place for spreading the Dao in the whole Southern Region!
"Master, are you an elder at Hidden Dao Academy?"
Chang'sheng shook his head. "Our group is part of the academy, but not under its direct control. It's called The Cottage. Have you heard of it?"
Ye Qiubai shook his head.
As expected—The Cottage had never done anything earthshaking, and since Chang'sheng took charge, he hadn't accepted any disciples at all.
Ye Qiubai wanted to ask what realm his master was really at, but thought better than to ask too many questions, and held back his curiosity.
...
Hidden Dao Academy. Right now, the various elders were still picking disciples.
But things were almost wrapped up.
The ones left would go to the outer court to study.
But…
Out in front of the gathered elders, one girl in red was being extremely stubborn.
"I want to join The Cottage."
That was the only thing she'd said so far.
From then on, she just stood there, face icy.
And whether in terms of background, talent, or power, she was the best among this batch—in fact, likely the best in the past few years.
The elders were feeling helpless about it.
After all, if she didn't want to be their disciple, they couldn't force her!
Just then, two figures arrived, riding their swords.
"Oh? The selection isn't done yet?"
The elders looked up at the man on the sword, emotions complicated.
Chang'sheng was puzzled. "Do I have something on my face?"
One of the elders pointed at the girl standing on the practice field and said helplessly, "Chang'sheng, she wants to join The Cottage."
Her?
Chang'sheng looked at the red-robed girl by the gate.
The girl just said, "I want to join The Cottage."
Chang'sheng refused her, smiling. "Join one of the other elders. I'm not taking on disciples."
With that, he started walking into the academy, taking Ye Qiubai with him.
"Why?"
The girl couldn't accept it.
Her family had sent her to join The Cottage—and told her of its past deeds.
That's the only reason she'd come to Hidden Dao Academy.
Chang'sheng thought for a moment, then replied, "I'm lazy, and I like peace and quiet. I'd rather not mess up anyone's future."
One nearby elder noticed Ye Qiubai and asked, "Chang'sheng, this person is?"
"My disciple."
With that, Chang'sheng led Ye Qiubai into the academy.
"..."
I thought you were lazy, liked solitude, and didn't want to ruin anyone's future?
Didn't you say you weren't taking disciples?
The elders all looked at each other, smiling bitterly, turning to the girl. "Xin Hongyi, why not pick another elder?"
But Xin Hongyi shook her head, cupped her fist, and said, "If I can't join The Cottage, I'll just cultivate on my own."
Sounded arrogant, but with her background and talent, she didn't really need an elder's guidance anyway.
Xin Hongyi gazed after Chang'sheng as he left, quietly muttering, "I will prove myself."
Clearly, Xin Hongyi thought Chang'sheng didn't take her as a disciple because he looked down on her talent or ability.
Little did she know, Chang'sheng really was just lazy!
As for taking Ye Qiubai?
That was just a system mission, nothing more.