"I see it!" After experiencing the ups and downs, Wan Mingchuan was overjoyed by the hope that followed the dark clouds and brightened his outlook. He immediately knelt on the ground again, trembling slightly with excitement, "I can understand, I can see it, these lines are the meridians on my body. Staring at them, I can feel the airflow!"
Jiang Yuan: ???
Really? How come I can't see anything? Are you trying to fool me?
[Wan Mingchuan requested to be taken as an apprentice. With sincerity at 100%, there's no easy betrayal. Would you like to form a master-disciple relationship by accepting the apprentice?]
The system prompted again.
Even if he can really understand, I don't know anything myself, so taking an apprentice would make me the blind leading the blind, wouldn't it?
What exactly can Wan Mingchuan see that I don't? If he's not lying and can truly comprehend the "Heaven-Burning Scripture" in one glance, it means he's a cultivation prodigy. Generally, with this kind of background and talent, he'd be the chosen one in a web novel. Would carelessly accepting him as a disciple hinder his potential?
Lin Chunxi was shocked to hear this, looking at her brother. He obviously couldn't see anything, just like her, so why could Wan Mingchuan see the meridians and airflow?
"I truly have no other options. My grandfather was murdered, our house was burned down, and we're facing bullying from the big clans. I want to find out the truth and avenge my grandfather uprightly, and I want to fight for justice for the small households in the village!" Seeing the expert's hesitation, Wan Mingchuan misunderstood and demonstrated his resolve by pounding his head on the ground with a loud thud, "I beg you to accept me as your disciple; I am willing to be your servant!"
When he kowtowed so forcefully, it revealed the festering wound on his back. Jiang Yuan was moved. As a modern person, he wasn't accustomed to others kneeling and begging, which made him uneasy.
"Get up first; I don't need servants." He grabbed Wan Mingchuan's arm, but couldn't stop his stubborn strength as he insisted on kneeling, with a bit of a 'die or train' mood.
He had to agree initially, at least to stop him from banging his head on the ground, "You can take me as your master, but I need to make some things clear first!"
Upon hearing this, Wan Mingchuan became even more excited and, ignoring his master's attempt to stop him, desperately banged his head three times on the ground, "Master, no matter what you say, I'll follow your orders!"
To be honest, the NPC's character was quite vivid. Jiang Yuan felt a mix of laughter and helplessness as he pulled him up and explained, "You're different from me; your cultivation path is also different. Even if you take me as your master, understanding the 'Heaven-Burning Scripture' relies on your self-comprehension and learning. I cannot guide or teach you.
In the future, if I have the opportunity to find other cultivation techniques, you should learn as much as you can. If you can't, there's nothing I can do. If you achieve something and want to explore the outside world, just go. There's no need for endless entanglements in the master-disciple relationship. I don't need you to repay me.
Stayed here taking me as your master, you'll need to figure out your own food. Also, don't spy on my affairs or spread them everywhere. If there's no problem, I can accept you as my disciple, but you'll have to help me with chopping wood, collecting mushrooms, or watering the fields."
"I can! Master, please accept my respect!" Wan Mingchuan believed for sure his master wanted to see his cultivation talent.
Being unable to teach or guide is no issue. Diligence makes up for lack; as long as he puts effort into comprehending the cultivation technique, he can become the master's proud disciple!
As for chopping wood and watering, what does it matter? Being a blacksmith's apprentice, one not only serves the blacksmith's family doing all chores for three years without pay but also has to give gifts during festivals!
That's just for learning to forge iron. He is about to learn immortal cultivation techniques. Getting this opportunity is worth it, even if it costs him everything!
[Title Obtained: Role Model. Would you like to equip it?]
[A teacher who propagates the doctrine, imparts book knowledge, and resolves doubts is eternally respected. Equipping the title increases authority by +10.]
Oh? There's even a title?
As Wan Mingchuan initiated the ceremony with heartfelt devotion, the system page updated their relationship to master-disciple, immediately alerting Jiang Yuan of acquiring a title. Without hesitation, he chose to equip it, instantly filling him with an indescribable aura.
Lin Chunxi stared blankly at the scene before her, sneaking a look at her brother who maintained a faint smile, yet somehow after he agreed to accept apprentices, he seemed to be much more majestic.
Inexplicably, a sense of awe welled up within her.
Lin Chunsheng felt the same, quietly sidling closer to his sister, worried he might be blamed for not understanding the book.
"Alright, get up." Jiang Yuan glanced at the individual page of Wan Mingchuan in the master-disciple section: Physical Strength 55, Attack Power 25, Life Energy only 32. He hurriedly pulled him up and asked with concern, "You still have wounds on your body; if not treated in time, they might become seriously infected. Do you know any hemostatic herbs?"
[Disciple Wan Mingchuan's impression +40]
He hesitated slightly, opened the details, and saw that there was an affection level in the relationship section. Wan Mingchuan's initial affection level was three hearts, and now there was an increase of forty, just midway to leveling up to four hearts.
Lin Chunxi's affection level for him was also three hearts. Lin Chunsheng had only one heart.
The three stood lined up, feeling a nervousness like being questioned by a teacher, not daring to raise their heads and silently shaking them.
Jiang Yuan was puzzled. Typically, villagers during agrarian times often interacted with land and forests, so how could they not know herbs?
"Our village used to have a Guardian God statue. The High Priest could obtain 'Divine Medicine' through sacrificial ceremonies," Lin Chunxi explained in a soft voice, "Whether sick or injured, we could ask the He Family for some medicine powder. There was never a doctor in the village, nor was anyone allowed to fiddle with herbs. If caught, the entire family would be driven out of the village!"
He suddenly understood; the big clans monopolized it.
"Without the Guardian God statue now, can you still get medicine? What will you do if you fall ill or get injured?"
"It's left to fate, or..." Lin Chunsheng timidly replied, "Take a gamble, try what feels edible, with good luck you'll survive, bad luck and you'll either die from illness or poisoning."
He paused to add, "That's what my mother said."
The village had just suffered a disaster and reverted to the state from a hundred years ago. Life became much more difficult without the protection of the Divine Statue. Most people, accustomed to protection, did not realize the dangers they faced besides nighttime safety and the need for frugality.
After hesitating, Wan Mingchuan pointed to a clump of Mugwort on the ground and said, "When I learned hunting with my grandfather in the forest, I often got injured, and he used Mugwort on my wounds. Drinking water boiled with Ma Huang can reduce fever. You two remember to tell your mother when you go back, don't let the big clans know."
Lin Chunxi felt that from today onwards, she and Wan Mingchuan were no longer on the same path, while the little brother she cared about was already extraordinary. Unable to learn the Secret Technique Manual, she lagged behind and couldn't help, leaving her a bit melancholic.
She handed over the package she was carrying, "I remember what you said. If our benefactor doesn't need these biscuits, keep them. Once you've mastered the skills and can return to deal with the He Family, we too can benefit and lead a good life."
"You can take over my family's land to farm, but..." Wan Mingchuan frowned slightly and sighed, "I don't know if the village will take it back. Also, don't tell anyone I've taken a master and stayed at Shuiyun Lake; if they cause trouble, it will disturb my master's peace of mind. Tell them we've gone our separate ways."