Chapter 176
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Chapter 176: Apprenticeship
Peach Blossom Valley was a name Wang Chen had chosen himself.
He once believed this land to be unclaimed, never imagining it to be a memorial garden established by a Purple Palace master for his late wife.
Indeed, had it not been for Changchun’s guidance, Wang Chen would not have returned to this small valley.
At the valley’s entrance, the peach trees still blossomed vibrantly, with countless flowers smiling in the spring breeze, as if time had paused for over half a month, showing no change at all!
Wang Chen retrieved the peach wood talisman given by Changchun, infused it with his energy to activate it.
As he stepped into the peach orchard, the peach trees silently parted, revealing a winding path paved with colorful pebbles, leading deep into the valley.
Wang Chen walked along this forest path without encountering any obstacles.
The mountain breeze brushed past, swaying the peach branches, and countless petals gently drifted down.
A few landed on him, filling the air with a subtle fragrance.
With each step, Wang Chen’s heart grew increasingly calm and serene.
At that moment, the distant sound of a flute reached his ears, as if someone was narrating an ancient tale.
Following the sound, Wang Chen once again arrived at the depths of the valley.
There, he saw Changchun, clad in a grey robe, sitting on a rock by the pool, holding a jade flute and gazing at the waterfall ahead.
Wang Chen respectfully bowed and said, "Disciple Wang Chen pays respects to the elder."
Changchun put away the jade flute and with a wave of his robe sleeve, appeared before Wang Chen in an instant.
The Purple Palace master squinted his narrow eyes, glanced at Wang Chen, and nodded, saying, "I’ll give you one last chance; become my named disciple and bring one thousand spirit fragments."
His words were clear and concise.
Wang Chen understood perfectly and without hesitation, bowed deeply: "Disciple Wang Chen pays respect to Master!"
This was the second time Changchun expressed his intention to accept him as a disciple.
If Wang Chen refused again, it would be too disrespectful to the Purple Palace master.
Moreover, he had already realized that Changchun was certainly not as weak and incompetent as others claimed; he was far from being a "tofu" master.
Immediately, Wang Chen took out an Evil Energy Pearl from his storage bag, along with one hundred and fifty spirit fragments.
He apologetically said, "Disciple has only this much; can I pay part now and make up the rest later?"
In fact, after participating in the Yunyang Sect’s Clearing the Demons operation, Wang Chen had made quite a profit.
Even without selling those magical tools and elixirs, he could gather one thousand spirit stones.
But pulling out so many spirit stones at once didn’t fit his character.
It was still necessary to play the role of being slightly poor!
"That will do."
Changchun accepted the Evil Energy Pearl and spirit fragments offered by Wang Chen, a glimmer of joy flashing in his eyes: "From today on, you are my seventh named disciple."
The Seventh Named Disciple?
Wang Chen was taken aback.
Changchun was notoriously greedy for wealth; as long as he had enough spirit stones, he could even offer spots for true disciples.
Why were there so few Named Disciples at such a lower price?
Changchun noticed Wang Chen’s confusion but had no intention of explaining.
He held the Evil Energy Pearl and said, "You can produce Evil Energy Pearls, which shows you have good fortune. I hope you live many more years."
Everyone knew that when Evil Spirits were defeated, there was a chance of dropping Evil Energy Pearls.
But very few cultivators would hunt Evil Spirits just for the pearls.
Because the odds were extremely low.
Those with bad luck might kill hundreds or even thousands of Evil Spirits without any reward!
This was also the fundamental reason why Evil Nests in the outer realms remained uncleaned; as long as they didn’t pose a significant threat, no one would bother dealing with them.
However, Changchun’s words suddenly made Wang Chen feel like he had fallen into a trap, and he cautiously asked, "Master, what about my senior brothers?"
Are they still alive?
"You only have one senior sister."
Changchun replied lightly, "No senior brothers left."
Wang Chen was speechless.
Being Changchun’s disciple carried such a high risk?
He wanted to ask if he could get a refund!
Instead, Changchun put away the Evil Energy Pearl, stood with his hands behind his back, and said seriously, "I have three swords. One is called Thunderbolt, one is called Four Seasons, and one is called Longing. Which sword do you wish to learn?"
I want to learn them all!
Wang Chen’s spirits lifted, immediately discarding the idea of a refund: "How many spirit stones?"
He could hear the pride and confidence in Changchun’s voice.
This Purple Palace master undoubtedly excelled in swordsmanship!
Now that the tuition was paid, he of course wanted to learn some skills in return.
But he knew very well about this cost-effective master’s temperament.
Changchun glanced at him.
His eyes were filled with satisfaction: "The method is not lightly shared. Thunderbolt costs five thousand, Four Seasons thirty thousand, Longing is priceless!"
Wang Chen: "Uh…"
"I know you can’t afford it."
Changchun was easygoing: "It’s fine; you can learn it later when you gather enough spirit stones. Right now, you need to solidify your foundation. Show me your Sword Control."
"Yes."
Wang Chen bowed and stepped back to take out the Fire Crow Sword: "Please guide me, Master!"
Since the original owner began cultivating until Wang Chen took over, he had never received any teachings or guidance from senior experts, except for free listening sessions.
He had relied entirely on his self-study and understanding.
Now that he had this opportunity, Wang Chen certainly would not let it slip away!
Clang!
The Fire Crow Sword suddenly unsheathed and, under his control, soared into the sky, thrusting, slashing, cutting, circling, pointing, bursting, and intercepting…
He practiced the nine basic sword forms one after another.
In the valley above, the sword light swirled, dancing and spiraling, suddenly quickening and then slowing down, creating an astonishing momentum!
Wang Chen revealed his understanding and mastery of Sword Control without holding anything back.
This was not the time to hide his flaws.
To receive true guidance from this Purple Palace master, he first needed to let the other party understand his situation.
Only then could he receive targeted advice.
"Enough."
Before Wang Chen could finish all his moves, Changchun suddenly reached out and grabbed the Fire Crow Sword in the air.
The flying sword that Wang Chen had refined day and night fell into his hand without any resistance.
Wang Chen almost spat out a mouthful of blood and quickly adjusted his chaotic breath within!
"This is not how you practice the sword!"
Changchun reproached mercilessly: "At your young age, your sword practice is filled with clumsiness. It’s neat, but it lacks spirit. How can you realize sword intent?"
Wang Chen was left speechless.
Although he had worked hard, objectively speaking, his level in Sword Control had been raised by the Cultivation Panel.
With no guidance, relying solely on his own hard work, such an evaluation was actually quite normal.
After all, Wang Chen did not possess exceptional talent in the sword path.
He also had no intention of becoming a true sword cultivator.
"However, your foundation is stable."
Changchun shifted his tone: "I will now demonstrate what true swordsmanship looks like!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he held the sword in his left hand, pressed his index and middle finger together in his right hand, and swept across the body of the Fire Crow Sword.
Then he tossed it upward!
The Fire Crow Sword trembled vigorously in midair, its spiritual light greatly enhanced.
The little bit of spirit that had been damaged by the Blood God Child not only fully recovered but also exhibited a touch of spiritual resonance.
In the next moment, the sword light erupted!
Pe551
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