Volume Two – The Emergence of the Nine Provinces Map, Joining the Spirit Ruins Chapter 114 – Conditions for Accepting Disciples

Chen Yu had not yet come down from the exhilaration of his breakthrough when he faintly sensed a familiar yet strange aura.

“Is it him? That mysterious person!”

Chen Yu looked down the mountain. The other’s presence flickered in and out, as if deliberately signaling Chen Yu to seek him out.

Chen Yu hesitated only for a moment. Whether or not it was the same person, he was eager to uncover the truth behind this mystery. Without delay, he unleashed the Earth-Seizing Golden Light Technique and swiftly pursued.

Just as Chen Yu had suspected, the enigmatic figure was indeed leading him onward. Frowning, he thought to himself that he was but a minor outer disciple of Lingxu. If the other truly intended harm, he would have perished that very night. Could it be that the person genuinely wished to take him as a disciple?

After a short distance, Chen Yu arrived at a grove of tassel trees. The swirling catkins filled the air like clouds, and stepping inside, Chen Yu felt as if he had ascended to a celestial palace above the clouds.

“Not slow to arrive, are you?” At that moment, a man stood atop a green stone, hands clasped behind his back, smiling at Chen Yu. This was Chu Yang, the sect master of Tianqiong Peak and father of Chu Shu.

Though Chen Yu knew the man bore no ill intent, his heart still tightened involuntarily. “May I ask your name, honored elder? Are you a senior of Lingxu?”

“Do you think Lingxu is so easy to enter? Anyone can just walk in?” Chu Yang teased.

“Not at all!” Chen Yu caught his mistake and bowed with a look of sincere remorse.

“Ha ha... I have seen your achievements in the Demon-Subduing Hall; quite impressive. Although you began your cultivation late, your progress is swift indeed. In such a short time, you have already opened two meridians,” Chu Yang said with a hint of approval.

“Thank you, Senior Uncle Lu,” Chen Yu replied with neither arrogance nor servility.

“Hmm? Not arrogant or impatient? Your temperament is acceptable,” Chu Yang nodded. “I once said that if you could achieve good results in the Demon-Subduing Hall, I would consider taking you as my disciple.”

Chen Yu’s eyes brightened with eager anticipation, his heart filled with excitement.

But then Chu Yang’s tone shifted. “However, you are not yet qualified to be my disciple.”

Chen Yu was stunned, caught off guard and embarrassed.

“If you can break through to the Yin-Yang Realm within the next year, then I will accept you as my direct disciple.”

Chen Yu fell silent. He had only opened two of the seven meridians, and breaking through to the Yin-Yang Realm within a year would be difficult indeed. Still, he resolved to give it his all; after all, he had nothing to lose.

“Ha ha... Of course, if you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation over the year, you may come to me. Each month, on a night, I will instruct you here for two hours,” Chu Yang said, seeing Chen Yu’s disposition calm quickly and feeling more satisfied.

“In that case, I, disciple Chen Yu, thank you in advance, Senior Uncle,” Chen Yu said, unable to conceal his joy.

“Remember, my name is Chu Yang. I hope you will not slack off in the coming year.” With that, Chu Yang soared into the sky and vanished from Chen Yu’s sight.

Chen Yu stood there, stunned, then admired and yearned aloud, “Amazing! Has he truly harmonized with heaven and earth? When will I possess such great power?”

He thought to himself: The coming days must not be wasted. He must push himself relentlessly to break through to the Yin-Yang Realm within a year.

Chen Yu then entered the mission hall. Initially, he intended to pick some easy tasks to complete at leisure, but now his mind had changed. Breaking through to the Yin-Yang Realm in a year was no simple feat; it required constant battles and ample resources. Thus, this time, Chen Yu chose only high-risk, high-reward missions—though all within his capability.

Soon, he selected an escort mission to accompany a young lady back to the Great Qing Empire, and another to hunt a Moon Wolf demon at the One-Origin Realm.

These two tasks were headed in the same direction and offered decent rewards.

The Moon Wolf mission could be accepted directly in the hall, while the escort task required going to the Great Qing Tavern. Though the tavern staff were surprised to see Chen Yu alone, they did not refuse him.

They informed Chen Yu that all participants would assemble at Lingxu’s mountain gate in three days. Only then did Chen Yu realize he was not the sole recipient of this task.

Of course, Chen Yu did not mind; as long as others paid their fair share, the rest was trivial.

When the third day arrived, Chen Yu arrived early at Lingxu’s mountain gate. A carriage bearing the Great Qing banner stood nearby.

Chen Yu approached a guard clad in armor and explained his purpose.

“Oh, Master Chen Yu! Please wait here; once everyone arrives, we shall depart immediately,” the guard said, somewhat embarrassed at Chen Yu’s early arrival. Seeing no sign of discontent from Chen Yu, he relaxed.

As the sun rose high, others arrived one after another.

Chen Yu sat cross-legged beneath a large tree, quietly observing the newcomers. To his surprise, he recognized several of them: the Wu sisters, Yuan Xiao, Wen Ye, and also Lü Jie and He Chong.

“Ah, Senior Brother Chen Yu!” Wu Yi greeted joyfully upon seeing him. Wu Yue, equally surprised, asked, “Chen Yu, you accepted this mission too?”

Chen Yu smiled and nodded. “You as well?”

“Yes!” Wu Yi quickly agreed, then added somewhat wistfully and enviously, “We entered the outer sect on the same day, yet you’ve already broken into the One-Origin Realm so quickly!”

Chen Yu calmly regarded them. “Not at all. I think you three are not far from the One-Origin Realm yourselves. Perhaps you are just waiting for the right opportunity.”

The three laughed, not denying it. Wen Ye was inwardly surprised that Chen Yu had seen through her condition at a glance.

The group chatted merrily, but Lü Jie and He Chong’s faces darkened.

“Hmph, I didn’t expect to meet him here,” He Chong said impatiently. “Senior Brother Lü, I think we should—”

“You’d better not cause trouble. Let the past be past,” Lü Jie interrupted, already showing a composed expression, as if he had forgotten previous conflicts.

“Senior Brother Lü, is that the Chen Yu who defeated you with a single sword?” A man approached from the gate, sneering at Lü Jie.

“Senior Brother Su Han, Senior Sister Jia Wan, Senior Brother Guo Ming, you’ve arrived,” Lü Jie greeted them with obsequious respect.

“Heh... Lü Jie, you’re useless. How could you possibly stand against him?” Jia Wan sneered cruelly.

Lü Jie blushed in shame, bowing deeply. “I am no match for you senior brothers and sisters.”