Chapter 75
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Chapter 75: Li Xingci
When Xu Fan saw the little boy, he decided to take him as his disciple, even without the connection to Wang Yulun.
Seeing the little boy lifted Xu Fan’s spirits significantly; he was touched by the boy’s pure aura.
“What’s your name?” Xu Fan asked, looking at the fortunate little boy.
“Li Xingci. I’m six years old, and I can recognize a thousand characters now,” the little boy said with a contagious smile.
“Do you want to be my disciple?”
“Yes! Uncle Wang said that if I become your disciple, I can fly in the sky like an immortal.”
“Can you tell me why we cultivate?” Xu Fan asked again.
“To improve my cultivation and make my dad apologize at my mom’s grave,” the little boy replied.
Xu Fan’s fingers sparkled with spiritual light as he gently pointed to the boy’s forehead to conduct a final test.
“Actually, your dad is also a victim, but I still support your intention.”
Saying this, Xu Fan carried the little boy to the guest room bed.
To take on a disciple, there was a prerequisite; he had to pass a final spiritual test. This was to prevent him from teaching a thankless disciple in the future.
Once, when Xu Fan left the sect for a break and encountered villagers outside the fairy city, they rushed to offer their children to be his disciples upon hearing he was an immortal. However, during the final soul test, none passed; in the Soul World, those children’s progress made them abandon their low-level master.
Even if they passed, Xu Fan would only introduce them to Que Tian Gate, with no plans to take on disciples.
That evening, on Xu Fan’s little hill, the four of them had dinner together.
This was a habit of Xu Fan; even though he could fast for a month, he never missed breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
“Xiangchi, make sure to visit your parents often, and let your senior brother take you to the inner sect,” Xu Fan said, as this little guy clearly acted like he thought of Xu Fan as his father.
“Got it, Master,” Wang Xiangchi replied, looking up from his meal. Going home was nowhere near as fun as learning swordsmanship with his master. He wished his master was his father.
At that moment, Xu Gang happily said to Xu Fan, “Master, I finally mastered the Nuclear Blast Technique today.”
Looking at his top disciple, Xu Fan sighed, thinking how hard it was, but he finally mastered a second secret technique.
Xu Gang, now in his twenties, had become the strongest at the Foundation Establishment Stage in Jia Hall, with a remarkable achievement of single-handedly blocking a beast tide at the Foundation Establishment Stage level during a mission, which nearly shattered his fellow disciples’ worldviews.
“Hmm, very good. Make sure to contemplate more and don’t rush to learn new secret techniques,” Xu Fan advised. “The most powerful techniques might not suit you.”
His top disciple had a clear goal; knowing he wasn’t the brightest, he focused on one direction, sharpening his attack techniques.
A small Fireball Spell released from his hands had power no less than that of general Foundation Establishment Stage spells.
“Hmm, I understand,” Xu Gang nodded. Although he greatly desired the spells of the Foundation Establishment Stage, he trusted Xu Fan’s words deeply.
“I know you want to learn the techniques available at the Foundation Establishment Stage, but there is no rush. You’ve just established your foundation, and it’s crucial to solidify your cultivation now, so take your time.”
“Also, since you’ve established your foundations, I want to announce that you must practice for at least 60 years in the Foundation Establishment Stage before you can break through to the Golden Core Stage,” Xu Fan said.
Xu Fan felt some regret for Xu Gang and Xu Yuexian. They were both second-grade Foundation Establishment, which made Xu Fan somewhat displeased. With the top resources, the best techniques, and the best master, they still ended up at the second-grade Foundation Establishment level, on par with Wang Yulun.
“Master, my senior brother and senior sister both have secret techniques. Do I have one?” Wang Xiangchi looked at Xu Fan expectantly. He had long yearned for the secret techniques his master imparted to his senior brother and sister.
It was said that these secret techniques were custom-made by Xu Fan for them, and he wondered when it would be his turn.
Xu Fan looked at Wang Xiangchi.
“Xiangchi, have you decided on your sword path?”
“Sword Formation Path, Heart Sword Path, Dominating Sword Path, Guarding Sword Path, Killing Sword Path…”
“Which one will you choose?” Xu Fan asked.
“The Heart Sword Path—the heart is the essence of all paths,” Wang Xiangchi responded firmly. The power of the heart is limitless.
Xu Fan nodded in understanding; the Heart Sword Path was the most mysterious and profound in swordsmanship. When mastered, it could challenge the heavens and the earth; when weak, it could easily be overcome by a stronger opponent.
“Very well. After three days of heart cultivation, come to me in your peak condition.”
“Once you pass through my soul illusion realm, I will teach you a secret technique,” Xu Fan said.
“Thank you, Master,” Wang Xiangchi replied with a smile.
At that moment, a clean and cheerful little boy, about six years old, emerged from one of the guest room’s bedrooms.
“Master, I’m hungry,” the little boy said.
Seeing the boy, Wang Xiangchi felt an odd sense of familiarity, as if he were looking at a younger brother.
“This is your fourth junior brother, Li Xingci,” Xu Fan introduced to the three disciples.
Xu Yuexian stood up and set a bowl and chopsticks for the new junior brother.
“Hello, junior brother,” the three greeted, their first impression of him quite positive.
“Hello, senior brothers and senior sister,” Li Xingci replied with a warm, infectious smile.
Watching the four disciples interact harmoniously, Xu Fan nodded with satisfaction. He was pleased with them, and unless something unexpected happened, his plan to take on a few more disciples skilled in artifact crafting and alchemy would soon be complete. After that, all that remained was to nurture them well.
Once these disciples grew into great beings, he could finally relax, enjoying a peaceful retirement crafting artifacts and brewing spirit pills. Perhaps he’d even bring the internet into existence and spend a few millennia in blissful seclusion.
After dinner, Xu Fan arranged a room for Li Xingci and then returned to his own quarters.
“I’ve made some progress in understanding techniques beyond the Twelfth Layer of Qi Refinement. Should I really pursue them?” Xu Fan muttered to himself.
As Xu Gang and Xu Yuexian’s cultivation levels rose, Xu Fan’s interest in advancing beyond the Twelfth Layer of Qi Refinement waned.
“Any technique that burns through one’s lifespan is too dangerous. It could cost me my life.”
“My only hope now is to figure out how this system defines time. Unfortunately, I haven’t found two places with different flows of time yet.”
“Could it be that my level is still too low?” Xu Fan wondered.
Xu Fan despised the life-limiting system he was bound to. As time passed, he felt the frustration of being unable to advance.
It was disheartening to see his disciples surpass him in cultivation, which was why Xu Fan had recently turned his attention to studying the system’s definition of time.
