"To be honest, with your talent, I'm not brazen enough to be your master, but having lived for so many years, though without major achievements, I can still teach you some things..."
Elder Cheng said sincerely.
He didn't care, even though he was an Inner Sect Elder, about saying in front of everyone that he wasn't brazen enough to be Mu Jinyu's master.
He feared no mockery. Since Mu Jinyu had even rejected the Sect Leader's offer of apprenticeship, what was strange about rejecting him?
Hearing Elder Cheng's words, Mu Jinyu furrowed his brows slightly, not replying, his gaze flickering with unknown thoughts.
Seeing this, Elder Cheng spoke again, "I think you have a great talent for alchemy, truly. I've never encountered such good potential in the Heavenly Sword Faction. I don't want to die without someone inheriting my legacy..."
As he spoke, Elder Cheng gritted his teeth, preparing to say that if Mu Jinyu didn't want to be his student, they could at least call each other fellow Daoists and learn from each other, right?
At this moment, Mu Jinyu looked up at him and asked, "If I become your student, can I see the pill formulas in your possession?"
Upon hearing this, Elder Cheng let out a sigh of relief and smiled happily, "Of course, you can. Whatever you want to learn, as long as I know it, I will share it without reservation. Any secret formulas, I will reveal to you completely!"
"Even what I don't know, as long as I can acquire it to teach you, I will do my utmost!"
Elder Cheng promised.
"Alright, then I agree," Mu Jinyu nodded.
Then, he performed the disciple's salute to Elder Cheng, without kneeling, yet Elder Cheng was still very pleased.
"Hahaha, good, good, good..." Elder Cheng laughed heartily, then hurriedly turned to Lin Feng, "Old Lin, quickly, bring the item to me!"
At this, Lin Feng showed a bitter expression and said, "I thought you had forgotten."
With a helpless shake of his head, he retrieved an ordinary-looking branch from his storage bag.
Elder Cheng snatched it at once and handed it to Mu Jinyu, saying, "Today, as you become my student, I have nothing special to give you, so let this be my gift to you."
"Thank you, teacher." Mu Jinyu looked at the branch, his eyes showing a hint of curiosity, as he reached out to take it and expressed his gratitude.
Suddenly, he recalled that Elder Cheng and Lin Feng seemed to have wagered on his trial time earlier, with this item as the stake.
Although he wasn't sure what it was, it must be something valuable, otherwise Elder Cheng wouldn't have given it as a greeting gift.
Many Outer Sect Disciples thought the same. Though few knew about the Sacred Wood Branch, they recognized from Elder Cheng's solemnity that it was something precious and looked on with envy.
If they could become Elder Cheng's disciples, they would be very willing.
Despite Elder Cheng not being of high alchemist rank, he was the only alchemist in the Heavenly Sword Faction, following him yielded benefits beyond those of ordinary Inner Sect Elders.
Li Xiaoxiao stopped and watched Mu Jinyu accept the branch, her beautiful eyes flashing with curiosity.
She knew that the Sacred Wood Branch in Lin Feng's possession was coveted by the Heavenly Sword Faction's upper echelon and was surprised that Lin Feng had given it to Elder Cheng, and Elder Cheng had given it to Mu Jinyu.
"Is wooing a Spirit Root genius really worth it?" she wondered curiously.
Seeing Mu Jinyu accept the Sacred Wood Branch, Elder Cheng said with a smile, "Alright, go back and pack up. Once you reach the Inner Sect, come find me to start learning."
"Mm," Mu Jinyu nodded.
With a smile, Elder Cheng and Lin Feng left together.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother Mu!"
As soon as Elder Cheng and Lin Feng left, Li Xiaoxiao approached Mu Jinyu, congratulating him with a smile.
Mu Jinyu toyed with the branch in his hand and asked, "What are the congratulations for? Becoming Elder Cheng's student, or... this branch?"
Li Xiaoxiao laughed and said, "Both congratulations, but more envy for this Sacred Wood Branch!"
Mu Jinyu asked, "Sacred Wood Branch?"
Li Xiaoxiao explained, "Perhaps you don't know, Senior Brother?"
Looking around, she suggested, "Let's talk while we walk."
"Alright," Mu Jinyu nodded.
He then joined Wen Rou and Jian Ruyan, walking with Li Xiaoxiao towards their living quarters.
The surrounding disciples, eager to know what Elder Cheng had given Mu Jinyu, were disappointed as they didn't dare to eavesdrop.
Once they were at a distance, Li Xiaoxiao began to explain the origin of the Sacred Wood Branch to Mu Jinyu.
"Sacred Wood Branch, possibly a Builder Wood Branch?"
After listening, Mu Jinyu looked at the branch with more seriousness.
If Li Xiaoxiao was telling the truth, then this Sacred Wood Branch was indeed precious.
"But why would Elder Lin be willing to gamble it?" Mu Jinyu wondered.
"Maybe because Senior Brother Mu has great potential, and he wants to befriend you?" Li Xiaoxiao smiled and said, "He did say that you have the potential to be on the Four Sects' Genius Ranking."
Mu Jinyu, moved by her words, asked, "By the way, what is this Four Sects' Genius Ranking? Is it like the Hidden Dragon List?"
Li Xiaoxiao, having a vague understanding of Mu Jinyu's background, patiently explained, "The Four Sects' Genius Ranking isn't related to the Hidden Dragon List, but its creation is somewhat because of it."
"Have you heard of the Four Sects Martial Meeting held every ten years among the Four Great Sects in the Yan Kingdom?"
Mu Jinyu, embarrassed, nodded and said, "I've heard a bit..."
Li Xiaoxiao didn't expose him but continued, "Yan Kingdom's cultivation resources are limited, and each of the Four Great Sects wants to secure more. In the past, they fought fiercely, causing numerous casualties. Eventually, the sect leaders decided to establish the Four Sects Martial Meeting, where the new generation disciples fought for resources."
"With its inception, the Four Sects' Genius Ranking was introduced to motivate disciples to be fearless and ambitious. Those who make it to the ranking receive ample sect resources."
"The nearer to the top of the Genius Ranking, the greater the rewards from the sect, including cultivation resources."
"As they fought their way up, they not only progressed but also won considerable resources for their sect."
"Thus, it's a win-win situation,"
Pausing for a moment, Li Xiaoxiao continued meaningfully, "Senior Brother, once you enter the Inner Sect, there's no need to deliberately hold back. Our Inner Sect's senior brother, Yun Ge, advanced unabashedly, now ranking in the top three of the Genius Ranking, standing in the Ninth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, just a step away from the Fanxu Realm!"
"And our Heavenly Sword Faction has never treated him unfairly!"