Chapter 19

No matter how one looked at it, this expression didn’t seem like that of someone who had just apprenticed under their admired Shizun.

“Hasn’t the color of your eye ribbon changed?” When they left earlier, it was clearly Yonglu Mountain’s crescent white—the same hue as their disciples’ robes—but now it appeared pure white upon his return. Moreover, its texture seemed subtly reminiscent of fish scales, with a velvety feel.

Wen Xu touched the ribbons over his eyes. “It’s quite a long story, but these were bestowed by my Shizun.”

Chen Zui, straightforward as ever, immediately asked, “Which elder did you apprentice under?”

Bian Chunzhou blinked, genuinely curious himself. After successfully securing his apprenticeship today, he had promptly visited Kai Yuan Peak to receive his Inner Disciple identification token and welcome package. While collecting the package, he chatted briefly with an older shixiong from Kai Yuan Peak, learning that this year marked a record high for elders seeking new disciples at Juyong Hall—there were fifteen Transcendent Spirit great masters and twenty-five Primordial Infant True Monarchs altogether.

Naturally, there were no Divine Venerables present, so neither considered them as possibilities.

“Is it Swordmaster Mo Rong from Sword Peak? Or perhaps Pill King Ji Bai from Pill Peak? I heard from a Kai Yuan Peak shixiong that Daoist Sui Yuan, the last disciple to obtain Scented Pill King Grass, apprenticed under Pill King Ji Bai.”

The title “Pill King” was essentially an honorific bestowed upon high-level alchemists. Generally speaking, any alchemist capable of refining seventh-tier medicinal pills or higher could be called a Pill King. However, achieving such mastery invariably required cultivation at the Transcendent Spirit stage or beyond.

In truth, ever since news broke about the sect’s unique wind elemental spiritual root talent, everyone had been eagerly watching to see which master this prodigy would choose. It wasn’t just limited to the Inner Sect; even well-informed Outer Disciples were closely following the matter. Among the candidates, these two venerables garnered the most support from the masses—one for their immense strength, and the other…for being highly specialized in the relevant field.

However, Wen Xu shook his head, contradicting their assumptions. “Neither.”

“Huh? Then who is it? Not the sect leader, surely?”

Wen Xu thought, If only the sect leader had the courage to step forward—I’d gladly take him as my mentor. Instead, he said, “My Shizun goes by the Dao name Cheng Wei.”

Ah? Cheng Wei? Bian Chunzhou was taken aback; he’d never heard that name before. Could it be that amidst fierce competition among Transcendent Spirit great masters, a Primordial Infant True Monarch snatched up the apprentice? But how could that be? Didn’t the sect leader intervene to maintain order?

“Woah, Chen ‘Zuizui,’ what’s with your reaction?!”

Indeed, Chen Zui’s response was quite dramatic—he nearly overturned the鸳鸯锅 (twin-flavor hotpot) on the table. “Bian Chunzhou, haven’t you heard the tales of Divine Venerable Cheng Wei?”

Huh? Wait, Divine Venerable?!

Bian Chunzhou could no longer sit still, but fortunately, his protective instincts over food kept the twin-flavor hotpot on the table bubbling steadily.

“Wen Xu, you apprenticed under a mighty Paragon Stage cultivator as your Shizun?!” Bian Chunzhou thought to himself, Wow, won’t you be unstoppable at Yonglu Mountain now? “Then why do you seem…not too happy about it?”

Chen Zui shot Bian Chunzhou a peculiar glance. “So, there really are people in the cultivation world who haven’t heard of Divine Venerable Cheng Wei.” Surprisingly, his aunt hadn’t lied this time.

Bian Chunzhou looked from one to the other. “Uh, is it strange that I haven’t heard of him?”

“It’s not surprising for him, since he came from the Mortal Realm, but it’s quite odd that you don’t know,” Chen Zui said with evident confusion. “I’ve heard my aunt say that every cultivator in the cultivation world knows the tale of Divine Venerable Cheng Wei and his enemies spanning across the heavens.”

“Hah? How extensive are we talking here?”

“Just imagine, whenever you step out, among any ten cultivators, at least one would hold a grudge against him—or their mentor or siblings would have a vendetta against Divine Venerable Cheng Wei.”

Wen Xu felt like he was slowly cracking inside—just a meme waiting to happen.

He had known his shizun might be somewhat problematic, but never expected it to be this extreme. Considering the scale, his reputation must indeed be formidable.

Chen Zui glanced at Wen Xu, whose complexion had turned slightly pale. “However, in recent years, Divine Venerable Cheng Wei has remained secluded and rarely ventures out. Consequently, rumors about him have diminished significantly. But… if his enemies learn he’s taken on a disciple, they might likely send ‘gifts’ as congratulations.”

Gifts read as tributes, but written as death threats, perhaps?

Even Chen Zui could surmise this much, so naturally, Bian Chunzhou understood too. His genius friend seemed to have found an extraordinary shizun! With enemies scattered throughout the cultivation world yet still able to reside peacefully on Yonglu Mountain, there was no doubt that this must be an immensely powerful Divine Venerable in the Fusion stage.

“But what Cheng Wei is most renowned for isn’t just his widespread enmity,” Chen Zui said, turning towards Wen Xu. “What truly sets him apart is his ability to perceive people’s inner thoughts. No one with lesser cultivation can hide from him.”

Bian Chunzhou wondered, Why does everyone else’s cultivation journey sound so fantastical, while mine ends up dealing with incompatible elements like water and fire?

“Is it really that exaggerated? Is there any hyperbole in those words?”

Chen Zui shook his head. “I’m not sure; my aunt mentioned it that way. She described Divine Venerable Cheng Wei as a divine dragon, gifted with the innate skills of discerning hearts and probing destinies.”

What? What kind of nonsense is this? Did he miss something?!

Bian Chunzhou sprang to his feet once more. A divine dragon from China’s mythological tales—no self-respecting Chinese person could remain calm at the mention of dragons, okay? “You’re saying the Divine Venerable is a divine dragon? Like, a real flying dragon?”

Chen Zui nodded, puzzled by Bian Chunzhou’s reaction. “Of course. Why are you so excited?”

It was a dragon, for heaven’s sake! How could he not be thrilled?! If only he could… Well, since his brother had apprenticed under a dragon master, that practically counted as having met one himself, right? Oh yeah, this transmigration was totally worth it, who cares about water and fire spiritual roots! He belonged to the same sect as a divine dragon, after all. Thank goodness he chose Yonglu Mountain due to its prestigious reputation back then :).

No wonder—it seems I’ve always had some luck on my side, Bian Chunzhou thought smugly.

”…Why do you seem even happier than Wen Xu?” Chen Zui pondered briefly before adding, “Aren’t we going to eat hotpot? Weren’t you looking forward to it just now?”

Oh right, hotpot! While divine dragons were significant, hotpot was equally important.

Wen Xu found a pair of chopsticks thrust into his hands. As someone still in the Qi Refinement stage, he hadn’t yet reached the fasting phase. However, Yonglu Mountain lacked a dining hall; Qi Refinement disciples either consumed Fasting Pills or ventured down the mountain to purchase food. Naturally, the hotpot they enjoyed today was painstakingly carried uphill by Bian Chunzhou and Chen Zui.

Wen Xu had tasted hotpot before, but compared to the bowl of steaming meat before him now, those past experiences seemed to pale in comparison. This meal unexpectedly proved incredibly delicious.

Wen Xu rarely experienced such moments of tranquility and peace. In his previous twenty years, he was either consumed by the struggle for survival or engrossed in his studies. Due to his blindness, he had few close friends; even with his personal study attendant, he seldom relied on their assistance. At times, Wen Xu would forcefully push himself, compelling him to do everything within his power because one never knew when fate might strike him down again.

Reality proved his concerns valid—if not for his vigilance, he might have met a gruesome end upon stepping foot in the capital.

Bian Chunzhou became, in every sense, his first true friend.

In truth, Wen Xu’s concept of friendship was rather vague. To recognize people he’d encountered, he diligently memorized everyone’s distinctive traits. Since he couldn’t remember faces, at one point, he had considered every person he met as a potential friend. Moreover, among scholars, even those who shared intellectual camaraderie from afar could be deemed friends. Despite his excellent memory, there were still instances where he misidentified individuals.

“Why aren’t you eating anymore? Is it not to your taste?” That shouldn’t be possible—he had never failed at seasoning dipping sauces before. Was his title as the “Prince of Haidilao” losing its charm?

“No, I just…”

“Just what?”

Wen Xu composed himself. “I just haven’t asked yet—under which elder did you become apprenticed?”

“Oh right, I almost forgot to tell you!” Bian Chunzhou excitedly continued, “Honestly, I thought my chances of entering the Inner Sect were slim to none, but fate took a surprising turn! It seems like several elders showed interest in me, although I’m well aware of my own limitations. In the end, I apprenticed under Ifeng Zunzhe.”

“My shizun is incredibly beautiful and fierce, with such a kind heart too,” Bian Chunzhou said, thumping his chest proudly. “And she specializes in talismanry, so once I start crafting water-fire talismans, we won’t have to worry about their high cost anymore! Just wait until I master it—you two can count on me for your paper talismans!”

Chen Zui stroked his blade handle. “I don’t use talismans.”

Oh, you stubborn kid, truly impenetrable.

Wen Xu listened to their exchange, unable to suppress a smile. “Well then, I’ll gladly rely on you for my future talismans.”

“Hey, now that’s more like it!”

The trio enthusiastically resumed their hotpot feast. Naturally, Bian Chunzhou couldn’t stop talking, chattering away about various topics. By the end of the meal, Wen Xu learned that Chen Zui had indeed apprenticed under his desired mentor, Blade’s Edge Zunzhe. He also discovered that in one year, there would be a major sect competition, where all disciples below the Gold Core stage must participate.

With the aroma of hotpot still lingering, Chen Zui hastily grabbed his blade and rushed off, claiming he needed to practice swordplay to make up for today’s idleness.

“Wen Xu, I just realized something incredibly serious.”

Wen Xu was puzzled. “What is it?”

“Considering Divine Venerable Cheng Wei’s seniority, isn’t it quite high on Yonglu Mountain?” After all, being a Nascent Soul powerhouse and a divine dragon likely meant his age must have surpassed four digits at least.

”…The sect leader calls him ‘Shizun’ as his young grand-uncle,” Wen Xu acknowledged, having reached the same conclusion.

Bian Chunzhou looked constipated with disbelief. “Then doesn’t that mean…even the sect leader has to address you as ‘young uncle’?”

“He hasn’t yet.” Having spent considerable time in the cultivation world, Wen Xu had become less circumspect in speech. Primarily, if he spoke too diplomatically, chances were neither of his friends would understand him.

“Aha, so even the sect leader…” Bian Chunzhou struggled for words before changing tack. “I suppose I should call you ‘young grand-uncle’ too, huh?”

Indeed, not just him—across all of Yonglu Mountain, my friend holds the second-highest generational rank!

An ultra-promoted buddy indeed.

Wen Xu smiled. “Why don’t you give it a try then? Call me once and see how it feels?”

Bian Chunzhou fell uncharacteristically silent. Let’s not dwell on this—he couldn’t even bring himself to call Wen Xu his elder brother, let alone… Well, actually, calling him “young grand-uncle” wasn’t entirely unbearable—if the sect leader could do it, so could he!

“Aiya, isn’t tonight’s moon exceptionally bright? Wen Xu, your ring looks quite dazzling.”

Wen Xu lifted his hand. “This is a storage ring my shizun gifted me.”

Aaaaaah, that divine dragon of a shizun sure knows how to be generous! thought Bian Chunzhou. But mine isn’t too bad either.

“I have some gifts too. My shizun gave me numerous protective paper talismans—would you like any, Wen Xu?”

Inwardly, Wen Xu marveled at how straightforward Bian Chunzhou was. If only he could someday achieve such openness, perhaps his anxiety about the future would dissipate. Yet if he became too candid, maybe he wouldn’t truly be himself anymore.

His shizun was right; he needed to swiftly advance to the Gold Core stage and then return to the Mortal Realm to thoroughly investigate this supposed imperial destiny. If someone had indeed maliciously twisted his fate, they must pay a thousandfold price.