"How can one claim to have reached the pinnacle of the Martial Dao? To view the heavens from the bottom of a well is to limit one's vision." Luo Hao's expression shifted through a spectrum of emotions as she grappled with admitting her mistake. The mental anguish felt more profound than physical torment.
Yet... in the end, she conceded.
"Excellent. The Martial Dao knows no bounds. May this truth sink deep. Only by humbling oneself can one traverse the path of martial arts further."
"If you perceive the Martial Dao's limits as so shallow, then your achievements will remain equally confined. Such a narrow view... renders the martial path itself futile."
Hearing Luo Hao's acknowledgment, Phoenix felt a mix of surprise and satisfaction. Perhaps... changing Luo Hao wasn't as daunting as imagined. The seed of improvement might yet take root.
"..."
Luo Hao remained silent, but inwardly she had to admit - Phoenix's words carried undeniable truth.
"Luo Hao..."
Phoenix gazed at the peerlessly beautiful young girl before her. Luo Hao wore a white Han-style dress, her hair—smooth as silk—braided into three vertical strands that framed her face like a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old maiden.
Luo Hao was more driven by conquest than even Erica.
"..."
Hearing her name, Luo Hao turned to Phoenix with a puzzled expression, unsure of the other girl's intentions.
Now that she'd been defeated, if Phoenix wanted to seize anything, Luo Hao had no means to resist. As for the people and factions who pledged loyalty to her, they'd be like eggs smashing against rocks when facing a Campione.
Not a single chance of victory!
"Luo Hao, become my disciple!"
Phoenix stared calmly at Luo Hao, her words completely unexpected.
"What?" Luo Hao felt as if she were hallucinating. Phoenix was actually asking her to become her disciple?
"Become my disciple and take me as your master!" Phoenix declared, her hands clasped behind her back.
"What exactly do you think you're doing?" Luo Hao demanded, her words now crystal clear. She was certain she wasn't hearing things, but... this only deepened the mystery of Phoenix's intentions.
Moreover, as the world's foremost hero, even if Phoenix had defeated her today, Luo Hao remained convinced it was merely an anomaly.
After all, Phoenix was someone who had lived from ancient times until now. If Luo Hao herself had lived that long, her martial prowess would undoubtedly surpass Phoenix's by countless measures. She held absolute confidence in her martial talents.
So, disregarding this Phoenix incident, who in the present world would dare challenge her?
As for Marquis Voban?
In Luo Hao's view, his demise was merely a matter of time.
Therefore, why would someone as powerful as herself need a master? Wouldn't that be laughable?
Luo Hao would never agree to this.
"Unwilling? In the Martial Dao, the accomplished become the master. Besides, I'm far older than you. Taking me as your master wouldn't be shameful at all. You should know I don't accept disciples lightly."
"With my guidance, your path in the Martial Dao will advance far more swiftly than through self-discovery. If I'm not mistaken, your martial cultivation has stagnated for years without progress, hasn't it?
"Choose between pursuing breakthroughs in the Martial Dao or maintaining your pride and reputation. Consider this carefully!"
Phoenix could effortlessly discern Luo Hao's thoughts from her expression. Without mincing words, she pressed Luo Hao to make a choice.
"..."
As expected, Luo Hao began pondering deeply. Phoenix's words rang true - her martial arts and cultivation had indeed plateaued for decades, with no discernible progress. Luo Hao had even convinced herself that she stood at the pinnacle of the Martial Dao, with no path forward remaining.
But Phoenix's appearance shattered this illusion. Luo Hao now realized the Martial Dao was far more complex than she'd imagined. She'd witnessed Phoenix's overwhelming superiority in martial cultivation, with an immeasurable gap between them. With proper guidance, advancing further in the Martial Dao might not be impossible after all.
After agonizing over the choice between martial advancement and her cherished pride, Luo Hao finally... turned to face Phoenix.
"Disciple Luo Hao pays respects to Master."
True enough, Luo Hao was an exceedingly narcissistic and arrogant person. Even when facing someone stronger than herself, she would at most acknowledge their existence.
But... if that person were superior in martial arts, far surpassing her in the very skills she prided herself on...
That would be an entirely different matter.
"Excellent! Very well! From this moment forth, you shall be my fifth disciple."
Seeing Luo Hao truly take her as a master, Phoenix herself was somewhat taken aback. Making Luo Hao her disciple had been a spur-of-the-moment decision.
She hadn't seriously thought it would work, but... events had unfolded far too quickly.
Could it have... succeeded so easily?
Was it because Luo Hao's obsession with martial arts blinded her to all else? Or was there some other reason? Phoenix wasn't entirely sure, but she was certainly pleased to have secured Luo Hao as her disciple.
After all, this made everything much simpler going forward - even easier than she'd anticipated.
"Fifth? There are four senior disciples before me?" Luo Hao frowned at this, feeling somewhat dissatisfied. But then she considered - this master... must be at least ten thousand years old, right?
Having only accepted four disciples in ten thousand years was already quite remarkable. It seemed Phoenix's previous four disciples must have been exceptionally outstanding individuals.
With this thought, Luo Hao's mindset became more balanced.
"Right, but... they're not in this world anymore."
"..."
Luo Hao froze. Did they all die? Her prepared questions about her four senior sisters and brothers immediately vanished.
It made sense. After ten thousand years, how many could survive?
"Now that you've become my disciple, you can ask me about anything you don't understand. Additionally... regarding my main cultivation techniques, the [ Reversed Feather Strike ] and [ Inch Force ], I can teach you both." Although [ Inch Force ] was originally Fu Hua's power, it didn't mean Phoenix couldn't master it. After all, Phoenix was essentially Fu Hua herself, though... not as proficient as Fu Hua.
"The [ Reversed Feather Strike ] is an immortal martial art that fuses the essence of celestial beasts from all realms into its techniques. Each move carries the power of these celestial beasts. By 'celestial beasts,' I don't mean those so-called [ Heretical Divine Beasts ] or [ Heretic Gods ]. You should already have some understanding of this concept."
"As for the [ Inch Force ], when cultivated to its pinnacle, it can 'split the heavens'."
Phoenix extended her finger, her tone blending truth and jest as she explained her martial arts to Luo Hao. Though these two great arts were somewhat problematic for Luo Hao.
The [ Reversed Feather Strike ] required Li Fire's assistance for proper cultivation. Without Li Fire, its power remained severely diminished.
As for the [ Inch Force ], it was easy to learn but difficult to master.