"Teacher, thank you. I really don't know what I would have done without you."
Seeing the domineering way Su Ran had protected her, Zhu Zhuqing was deeply moved. No one had ever defended her like that before.
"You are my disciple. Naturally, I will not stand by and watch others bully you," Su Ran said calmly.
"What about me? What about me? Will you protect me, Teacher?" Ning Rongrong pouted playfully at his side.
Su Ran nodded. "Of course. You are my student as well, and my very first direct disciple at that."
Zhu Zhuqing was a little taken aback. She seemed to recall hearing that this very same Ning Rongrong, a support-type Spirit Master, had beaten up Ma Hongjun, a power-attack type. She had assumed Ning Rongrong would be a rather tough and bold young woman, but she never expected that in private, she was... this cute.
Hearing Su Ran's words, Ning Rongrong's mood brightened a little, but she still felt a bit uneasy. Oh no, is my private life with Teacher in the inner courtyard over just like that? I haven't even successfully captured his heart yet. What if Zhu Zhuqing steals all of Teacher's affection? This is such a headache.
"Zhuqing, did you hear that? I am the teacher's first direct disciple, which means I'm your Senior Sister from now on. In the academy, you must not only respect the teacher but also listen to your Senior Sister, okay!"
Zhu Zhuqing simply nodded. "Understood, Senior Sister Rongrong."
"Alright, Rongrong, you should go back and cultivate for now. This is a critical period for you to solidify the second layer of your Golden Bell."
Beneath his mask, Su Ran's exquisite face couldn't help but break into a smile. This Ning Rongrong was already trying to boss Zhu Zhuqing around.
"Okay," Ning Rongrong said, though she was reluctant to leave. She kept looking back every three steps. Aahhh—I really don't want Teacher to be alone with Zhu Zhuqing, but I have to listen to him. Teacher doesn't like disobedient students.
"Teacher, is there something else you wanted to say to me?" Zhu Zhuqing asked smartly, noticing that Su Ran had sent Ning Rongrong away.
"Mmm." Su Ran began to speak calmly. "Although I will protect you, you heard what Dai Mubai said just now. He will not let you go easily."
"I did not agree to the Spirit Master duel he proposed, but my academic requirement for you within the next year is for your strength to completely surpass Dai Mubai's. If he dares to bother you again, you can hit him back with your own hands and wash away today's humiliation."
Su Ran didn't accept disciples without any expectations. For Ning Rongrong, a support-type, his requirements were a bit lower—as long as she could protect herself and had some fighting capability, it was enough. But Zhu Zhuqing was an agility-attack type, a combat-oriented Spirit Master, so his requirements for her would be much stricter.
"Surpass... Dai Mubai."
Zhu Zhuqing wanted to, but she clearly lacked confidence. Although the Hell Civet was a top-tier Martial Soul, it was still slightly inferior to the White Tiger. Furthermore, to counter the Hell Civet's agility, Dai Mubai's first spirit ability, the White Tiger Protective Barrier, was a defensive skill, highly effective against the attacks of an agility-type Spirit Master.
"He's a high-level Spirit Elder, not far from breaking through to the Spirit Ancestor realm. I'm only rank 27, and my Martial Soul isn't as powerful as the White Tiger. In one year's time, I'm afraid..."
"What, you have no confidence?"
"Mmm... but I will work hard."
"As my disciple, you must have this confidence. Rongrong was able to duel with Ma Hongjun after just over a month. After a full year, do you still lack the confidence to surpass Dai Mubai?" Su Ran smiled.
"I believe in you," Zhu Zhuqing said, meeting the immortal eyes beneath Su Ran's mask, and a spark of confidence was ignited within her. Wasn't it precisely because Teacher Su Ran could create miracles that she had so resolutely chosen to become his disciple?
"I have one movement technique and three ultimate techniques here. I can teach you the movement technique directly, but of the three ultimate techniques, I can only teach you one."
"The movement technique is called 'Crossing the Yellow Springs'. It is said that on the waters of the Yellow Springs, even a goose feather will sink, and no boat can sail. Only the spirits of ghosts can walk upon it. If you master this movement technique, you will be able to move freely across the Yellow Springs, your body as if weightless and formless, completely silent."
"As for the three ultimate techniques, their names are:"
"The Great Demonic Transformation Art."
"The Biyou Path."
"And the Ten Halls of Yama."
Su Ran recited the names of the three ultimate techniques, letting Zhu Zhuqing choose for herself. Each name sounded incredibly powerful.
Zhu Zhuqing found it difficult to choose and decided to ask for her teacher's help. "Teacher, which ultimate technique do you think is most suitable for me to cultivate? Which one is stronger?"
"The Great Demonic Transformation Art can demonize your Martial Soul, strengthening your muscles, bones, and bloodline, and evolving your Martial Soul. To what extent it can ultimately demonize the Hell Civet is unknown," Su Ran explained, outlining the effects of the three techniques.
"As for the Biyou Path... ahem, it seems to be a method of dual cultivation? What the..." As Su Ran read the description, even this usually calm Peach Blossom Immortal became flustered. The text described in blush-inducing detail various methods of yin and yang union cultivation used by demon gods.
Not suitable for children, not suitable for children.
"Teacher, what is 'dual cultivation'? Why did you stop talking? Can I learn that one?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, puzzled. She noticed a distinct change in Su Ran's demeanor when he mentioned the Biyou Path. Could it be something incredibly powerful?
"Ahem, you are not suited to learn this technique right now. It's better to choose one of the other two," Su Ran coughed, slightly embarrassed. Even if you dared to learn it, I wouldn't dare to teach it!
"Is that so?" Zhu Zhuqing was a little disappointed. I must find out what 'dual cultivation' is next time.
"The Ten Halls of Yama allows you to cultivate the Ten Halls of Yama, unlocking the power of the Hell Netherworld and greatly increasing your combat effectiveness."
"So, Teacher's meaning is for me to choose between the Great Demonic Transformation Art and the Ten Halls of Yama?"
"Mmm."
"Whichever one Teacher teaches, I will learn!"
"To put it simply, it's not a matter of which is better or worse, but that they have different cultivation paths. The Great Demonic Transformation Art gives your Martial Soul a chance to demonize and evolve, offering long-term growth potential. The Ten Halls of Yama is a powerful offensive ultimate technique. Just cultivating the first hall's blessing might be enough to close the rank gap between you and Dai Mubai."
Su Ran thought for a moment and then summoned the manual for the Ten Halls of Yama.
"You should learn the Ten Halls of Yama first. When the time is right, I will see about teaching you the Great Demonic Transformation Art."
"What about the Biyou Path?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, her curiosity piqued.
"That... well, that one... perhaps... if you can master the Ten Halls of Yama, and if you still want to learn it, we can look for an opportunity then," Su Ran stammered, which only made Zhu Zhuqing more interested.
As the manual for the Ten Halls of Yama appeared, Zhu Zhuqing could feel an extremely dark and domineering aura emanating from it. This aura faintly resonated with her own Martial Soul, and she knew at a glance that it was no ordinary item.
"Teacher, whether it's the Ten Halls of Yama or the Great Demonic Transformation Art, can I really succeed in cultivating them? They both sound so dark. Can I control them?"
"Are you afraid?"
"No, I'm not afraid. I'm only afraid of being too weak." Zhu Zhuqing hugged the ultimate technique manual, a glint of excitement flashing in her cold eyes. Her teacher had said that just mastering the first hall would be enough to defeat Dai Mubai. That was a ten-rank difference. If she mastered two halls, three, or even all ten halls of Yama, how powerful would she become?
"Oh, right, Teacher. Why do you always wear a mask?" Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but ask the same question Ning Rongrong had asked before.
(End of Chapter)