Yun Ming's heart felt as if it had been squeezed to death; he opened his mouth but couldn't speak. Honestly, he was touched by the old man.
It turned out that for all these years, not letting him wander around or seek attention, keeping him tied to his side like a belt, was all to protect him.
He decided that when Xuan Mingzi became too old to walk, he would absolutely not push him onto a wall or pull his beard... Master, your Apprentice misunderstood you.
"Master—"
"Cough, cough, Yun'er, don't rush. I still have something to say."
Xuan Mingzi looked at his deeply moved Apprentice, feeling very pleased in his heart. He stroked his beard, but his gaze was a little evasive.
It wasn't because of his great influence that he managed to acquire the Spirit Crystal this time. One must know that this Spirit Crystal was a product from inside the Black Wall of Zero Hollow.
It possesses excellent aether conductivity and energy storage capabilities, and it can even carry something as ethereal as will.
Years ago, Yun Kui Mountain used Spirit Crystals to forge the Qing Ming Sword, while the Hoshimi Family, with their unique techniques, forged another demonic blade, mubi.
People die, but swords and blades are passed down through generations.
So, this item was indeed priceless.
However, the specific origin of the Spirit Crystal had been lost in records, and Yun Kui Mountain had never obtained this item again.
It was just that Xuan Mingzi had learned during an early visit to the Hoshimi Family that they still had some in stock.
He naturally set his sights on it.
"This Spirit Crystal was not easy to obtain. The Hoshimi Family naturally has something they want from us. Firstly, when you become strong enough to delve deep into the Black Wall in the future, you'll need to retrieve another Spirit Crystal and return it..."
Yun Ming blinked. This wasn't asking too much.
The Hoshimi Family was the foremost martial family in Ailidu, renowned and celebrated for their great achievements in suppressing Voids and eradicating heretics.
Their eldest daughter was even a key character in the main storyline of the game, but she probably hadn't grown up yet... Even if his Master had some influence, there was no reason for them to give away such a treasure for free. So, what's the second condition?
"Secondly, I... have taken another Apprentice for you. In three years, you'll need to go and fulfill your promise to be her Master until she reaches the Yun Zhuan Realm, the second realm of my Yun Kui Mountain."
"What if she can't reach the second realm?"
"How could that be? I've seen her. That girl has exceptional talent in martial arts. At just three years old, she can perform impressive moves with a blade or sword."
"If complemented by the Hoshimi Family's breathing techniques, and you put in some effort to empower her, she can reach the Yun Zhuan Realm in less than two years."
"But what if?"
Xuan Mingzi remained silent, glaring at Yun Ming with a dark expression.
Where did all these 'what ifs' come from?
She's the esteemed eldest daughter of the Hoshimi Family! How many people want to teach her but don't get the chance? Why does this rebellious Apprentice have so many questions?
Could he really sell his own Apprentice?
"There are no 'what ifs.' It's settled!"
Seeing that his Master's mind was made up, Yun Ming no longer argued. He just gazed out the window at the bright moon in the mountains with a hint of melancholy.
He had a feeling of 'years passing, unsure when I can return.'
Xuan Mingzi only thought that he was attached to the sect and unwilling to travel far from home, but a fledgling eagle must eventually spread its wings in the high skies, and this path was also his own choice.
He gently patted his Apprentice's shoulder, with a reassuring implication.
But then he heard Yun Ming muttering softly.
"Sigh, Master, aren't you afraid that the Hoshimi Family will try to make me their live-in son-in-law? After all, I'm so handsome and talented..."
"What if they use a honey trap on me?"
"You're too trusting of me, old man. I still want my children to be named Yun. Of course, if there are two, it's fine for the other to be named Hoshimi..."
Yun Ming wasn't joking; he really thought that way.
Three years later, he would be sixteen, at the peak of his youth, full of vigor. The Hoshimi Family would only need to use a small trick to make him leave a child behind.
Tell me, should he take responsibility as a husband, or as a father?
Wait, it's not like Master didn't have the intention of 'kidnapping' someone's child back. The sect and families are not absolutely opposing forces.
He marries a noblewoman from the Hoshimi Family, and the one from the Hoshimi Family joins the Yun Kui Sect. Isn't this just a conspiracy of interests?
Damn it, these old guys are plotting this!
He was about to protest to Xuan Mingzi, but he turned his head and saw his Master's face as dark as it could be, his eye twitching.
He hasn't even gone yet, and he's already thought about children!?
Are there no women in my Wei Fei Territory, or is your Yun Ming's standard too high?
"...Get out!"
"Alright!"
Yun Ming walked towards the window without another word, but was called back halfway.
"Come back here! Can't you use the main door?"
Xuan Mingzi picked up a long sword made of aether alloy from the wall and led his Apprentice out through the main entrance.
The moonlight was perfect, and bamboo shadows swayed.
The old Master's back was, after all, still a bit taller than his Apprentice's, though slightly hunched. He walked to an open space and made a hand seal.
Faint light illuminated various acupoints.
Holding a sword in one hand, the aether in the world began to gather.
"Since you have inherited the Qing Ming Sword, I will teach you the last form of my Yun Kui Mountain sword technique. This is a life-sacrificing technique; do not use it unless absolutely necessary."
Of course, teaching a Apprentice was merely a demonstration, not yet to the point of risking his own life.
With Yun Ming's talent, he quickly grasped the essentials.
He just lacked time.
Xuan Mingzi always believed that if he reached the peak of the second realm with spiritual power and wielded the Qing Ming Sword, there would be no place in the vast world he couldn't go.
Time flew by; a night passed in the blink of an eye.
Xuan Mingzi looked at his Apprentice skillfully wielding the Qing Ming Sword with great satisfaction. He could have waited until dawn to teach him.
But he was truly afraid of unforeseen changes if he delayed, and didn't want to wait a moment longer.
"Master, does this sword move have a name?"
"No."
"Then how about we call it 'Heaven and Earth Share Longevity'?"
Xuan Mingzi was startled, and couldn't help but repeat the name.
"Heaven and Earth Share Longevity... A good name. You're quite the clever one. Let's call it that then!"
Yun Ming's lips curled into a smile. My youth is back!
Since Lan Tu is dead, I have no heart to explain right or wrong. Take this, Heaven and Earth Share Longevity!
But it involves sacrificing loved ones... which doesn't seem very auspicious.
Forget it, who cares? Now I've managed to get Master to pull out his ultimate, hidden skill. Not bad, not bad.
He looked up at the sky. The morning light was beautiful.
The sea of clouds surged. Not bad, not bad.
Wait, he remembered today was the weekend, right? Yun Ming slapped his head. Oh no, he had to hurry down the mountain to catch the bus, otherwise he'd miss the early bus.
"Master, I'm going down the mountain to find Hong Dou!"
He shouted and disappeared in a flash. Xuan Mingzi was about to open his mouth, "Wait, there's one more thing."
But it was too late.
He sighed softly. Fortunately, there was this thing called a mobile phone. Surely Yun'er wouldn't not check his phone, right?
["Xuan Mingzi: I have registered you with the Hollow Investigation Association as a special investigator under my Yun Kui Mountain. From now on, I will not interfere much with your affairs..."]
["You..."]
["They might contact you in the next few days, or perhaps after the New Year. Remember to greet them properly, don't be too negligent."]
Xuan Mingzi originally wanted to tell him to be cautious and careful in his actions, not to be deceived when out and about, especially since the Hollow Investigation Association would definitely send a young girl as a liaison.
Intentionally building a good relationship with him.
But after thinking about it, given his Apprentice's character...
If you say he's shrewd, he's also somewhat slow in emotional matters, like a block of wood... It would probably be very difficult for outsiders to succeed.
Oh well, as for matters of fate, let it be as heaven wills.