Chapter Twenty-Three: The Decision

When Nuotian appeared, Meng Fantian ignored the murderous look in his eyes and said cheerfully, “Come, little junior brother, I didn’t expect your maid’s grilled fish to be so delicious. You must try some.” Qin Yixin, seeing Nuotian emerge, hurried over with light steps, her bright eyes fixed on him. “Young Master, you’ve finished your retreat!”

Catching sight of her radiant smile, Nuotian nodded slightly and then turned to say, “You two are really something. If you want grilled fish, find a maid of your own—surely among all the outer sect’s female disciples, there are those who can cook. Yixin isn’t here to be your personal cook.” After returning with the group, Qin Yixin had already introduced herself and explained a little about her background. That she, a princess of the royal family, could grill fish—a task of no little difficulty—still surprised Nuotian a bit.

He accepted the grilled fish Qin Yixin handed him. The golden skin shimmered with delicate oil, looking irresistibly appetizing. He took a simple taste and was surprised by how good it was, immediately offering generous praise. The little maid beamed with delight at his words.

Seeing her reaction, Meng Feiyun teased from the side, “Little girl, we’ve been praising you for days, but I’ve never seen you so happy.” The playful tone made her blush.

Oblivious to her embarrassment, Nuotian found a stool and sat down. The area before his cave dwelling had become a favored spot for meals and leisure in Minghe Ravine. With tables and benches arranged and the open space cleared by his two senior brothers, it was spacious enough that even a dozen people wouldn’t feel crowded.

“Is the old man and senior sister still in seclusion?” Nuotian asked curiously, glancing around.

No sooner had the words left his lips than two figures appeared. As ever, Fu Tianji was elusive as a dragon, always vanishing to who-knows-where for a drink, but now he appeared at the cave entrance alongside a beautiful silhouette.

“Oh, senior sister, you’ve come out too!” Nuotian exclaimed in surprise.

“Junior brother, I just woke up and heard your voice, so I came to have a look,” Dongfang Linglong replied sweetly.

“You little rascal, are you getting too bold? I show up and you ignore me to greet Linglong first. Where’s your sense of respect? And I am your master! Stop calling me ‘old man’—people might think my sect suffers for it!” Fu Tianji berated him with apparent irritation.

Qin Yixin was curious about this “old man” her young master spoke of. When she realized he was actually Nuotian’s master, she was stupefied.

After scolding, Fu Tianji noticed the unfamiliar little girl in Minghe Ravine. “Hey, little one, bring that fish over here. I’m their master—you ought to honor me properly,” he said, shamelessly demanding.

“Oh!” Qin Yixin quickly picked a well-cooked fish from the fire and brought it to him.

Fu Tianji took a hearty bite and roared with laughter. “Not bad at all! Better than what that rascal makes,” he declared, washing it down with a large swig from his flask.

Nuotian was speechless at his master’s antics. So much for the sect’s dignity—he wondered where else one could find such a master.

He said to Qin Yixin, “Don’t be afraid. He’s our master. He might be a bit of a scoundrel, but he’s a good person.”

Hearing her young master’s reassuring words, the little maid’s fear melted away. Ever since joining Nuotian, she’d come to rely on him completely—his words carried more weight than anyone’s.

Linglong, with a teasing expression, said, “Junior brother, I’m amazed. It’s only been a few days and you’ve broken through again—and even picked up a little maid.”

Nuotian could only look helplessly at the waterfall. Fu Tianji, seizing the opportunity to play the wise master, said, “Very good, very good. To break through so quickly in my absence shows you’ve worked hard and lived up to my expectations.”

Nuotian was even more exasperated, but thinking of his rapid progress, which was thanks to gaining a new Dragon Dao, he let it go.

Qin Yixin had returned to Nuotian’s side, every bit the dutiful maid. Seeing this, Fu Tianji added, “Since you’re now Nuotian’s maid, you’re one of us, a member of Minghe Ravine. From now on, just mention my name outside—no one will dare trouble you.”

Qin Yixin looked curiously at this old man. She had never heard of Minghe Ravine before, but it seemed extraordinary. Every time the young masters’ senior brothers mentioned it, there was a trace of pride. What did it mean?

Nuotian seemed to read her confusion. “This old man might not look like much, but his status and abilities are more than enough. You won’t lose face. And he has another identity—he’s the Master of the Divine Dragon Hall.”

On hearing this, Qin Yixin thought she must be hallucinating, but since her young master said so, she had to believe it. The Master of the Divine Dragon Hall—she had heard countless legends about him even before joining the sect. Of the four Hall Masters, the Blood Dragon Master of Earth Dragon Hall was a prodigy, the Supreme of Hidden Dragon Hall had boundless cultivation and had slain countless demons, and the White Dragon Supreme of Heavenly Dragon Hall was the East Domain’s foremost expert. But the Divine Dragon Hall’s Master was always shrouded in mystery, a dragon glimpsed but never seen.

Yet to be a “dragon glimpsed but never seen” was the highest praise. She never imagined she’d meet him in person, nor that her young master was his disciple, making him at least a core disciple. No wonder her young master was so exceptional—being the Divine Dragon Hall Master’s disciple, how could he not be? Still, it was hard to believe that this unremarkable old man was one of the continent’s supreme powers.

Hearing Nuotian’s remark, Fu Tianji flared up. “What do you mean, making people lose face? Would my status as Divine Dragon Hall Master embarrass you?” He felt his standing in his disciple’s heart was unaccountably low.

Sensing his anger, the little maid tensed, but Nuotian ignored it. “Old man, I’m planning to go out for a while.”

Fu Tianji’s anger was immediately diverted. Nuotian continued, “If I want to become the Earth Dragon Hall Master in two years, staying in the sect won’t bring any great breakthroughs. If I want to improve, I need to go out and seek opportunities.”

At these words, everyone except Fu Tianji was stunned—even Linglong, usually smiling, showed a flash of surprise. Meng Feiyun and Yang Fantian dropped their fish to the ground, and the little maid covered her mouth in shock.

None of his senior brothers and sister ever imagined that this junior, who had only recently joined, would set such an ambitious goal: to become the Earth Dragon Hall Master, the pinnacle for the younger generation—a goal they themselves had pursued for years.

The little maid simply thought her young master’s ambition was astonishing.

Ignoring their stares, Nuotian fixed his gaze on his master. Fu Tianji frowned and nodded. “You may go, but remember: cultivation must proceed step by step, without impatience. Your talent is the most extraordinary I’ve ever seen. Do not rely on external aids—it would only waste your gifts. Do you understand?”

Nuotian nodded. He’d long heard of the dangers of shortcuts. He was letting Fu Tianji know his intentions because he felt his master truly cared for him. Ever since learning about his origins from Jiuyou, Nuotian had felt a certain distance from humanity, but he sincerely wished things could be different, especially with his senior brothers and master, for whom he had genuine affection.

Seeing the expressions on his master and junior brother’s faces, it was clear his words were not a joke. Yang Fantian said, “I never thought you’d have such lofty aspirations from the start, junior brother. To want to become the foremost of your generation within two years of entering the sect—how bold.”

Meng Feiyun looked at his junior with a peculiar expression.

Linglong’s smile returned, as enigmatic as ever. No one knew what she was thinking, but Nuotian would not underestimate this ever-smiling senior sister, the sole true heir of their master.

Hearing his master’s words, Nuotian’s face took on a strange smile—a sly, scheming look none of the others had ever seen before. Even Qin Yixin found her young master unfamiliar in that moment.

“Master,” he began—a title which, for the first time, made Fu Tianji feel that he almost preferred being called “old man” or “old bastard.”

“What is it?” Fu Tianji asked warily.

“Since I’m your disciple, and you’re one of the most powerful supremes on the Archaic Continent…” Before Nuotian could finish, Fu Tianji cut him off. If anyone else spoke of him so, he’d be flattered, but from this brat it always felt wrong. “Just spit it out.”

Nuotian returned to his usual brash self. “So I don’t meet an untimely end, why don’t you give me a few of your treasured items? That way, I’ll be better equipped on my journey.”

At this, everyone was shocked once more. They’d seen shamelessness, but never someone so brazen—to ask for treasures and even threaten his master with his own safety.

Fu Tianji finally understood Nuotian’s aim. Though somewhat exasperated, he had no intention of letting his precious disciple set out unprepared. He’d gone to great lengths to find this treasure of a pupil and couldn’t let him be lost so easily. Though it pained him, he still reached into his storage ring and produced something.