Chapter 9: Do Not Mention the Master to Anyone

"Hmm."

Li Xuan nodded, feeling it necessary to admonish his disciple. How could he forget to cook?

It wouldn't do to have his mind solely focused on cultivation.

"Labor and rest must be balanced. Cultivation should not be excessive. Do you understand?"

Li Xuan said with a serious expression.

Xu Yan, hearing this, looked ashamed. "Yes, Master, your disciple will remember this!"

He was deeply moved: "Master is worried that I might blindly push myself to the point of harming my body. That's right, although persistence is important, it should be gradual. I have just started bone tempering, and if I push myself too hard, it could easily lead to problems!"

"You must understand that persistence also has its principles. One must balance relaxation and effort. Only by appropriately relaxing your mind can you cultivate more efficiently and gain deeper insights!"

Li Xuan earnestly instructed.

"Your disciple understands and will not make this mistake again!"

Xu Yan respectfully replied.

"Indeed, blindly pushing yourself can easily lead to problems. You must appropriately relax your mind; otherwise, you'll be like a taut string that can break if stretched too tight for too long!"

Xu Yan instantly understood.

"Go on!"

Li Xuan waved his hand, sending Xu Yan to cook.

"This disciple listens well, but unfortunately, I am not a true master, and the cultivation methods I taught him are just made up. Persistence won't help!"

He sighed inwardly, but since he had already deceived him, he had to continue the charade.

...

After entering the bone tempering stage, every time Xu Yan's blood and qi further penetrated his bones, he would feel a sensation like sand rubbing against his bones.

However, Xu Yan did not continue to push himself. Whenever he felt he was about to give in, he would stop and do something else to relax his mind.

Five days later.

While cultivating, Xu Yan felt a surge of blood and qi, and his entire skeletal system vibrated. When the blood and qi penetrated his bones, it felt smooth.

He felt a sense of strength, and his blood and qi had also improved.

"Finally, I have entered the initial stage of bone tempering."

Xu Yan was extremely excited. After five days of intense cultivation, he had finally completed the first stage of bone tempering.

The subsequent bone tempering would be much smoother, and he would no longer experience the painful sensations of ants biting or sand rubbing.

The painful sensations would only return when he reached the initial stage of bone tempering to the level of copper.

"I am now in the initial stage of bone tempering to the level of iron. Since I have entered this stage, the subsequent tempering until bone tempering to the level of copper will be easier."

Xu Yan was elated. Without the painful and difficult sensations during tempering, he could persist longer and spend more time cultivating.

"I have been out for almost a month. Now that I have entered the initial stage of bone tempering, my strength is such that I am not afraid of a hundred people attacking me bare-handed."

"I should go back once. The gifts I brought for Master have all been used for cultivation. I should buy some rare medicinal herbs and prepare another gift for Master."

Xu Yan felt that although Master did not care about the gifts, as a disciple, he could not neglect the respect for his teacher.

"Given Master's realm, rare and precious herbs would not be of much interest to him. After all, what ordinary people consider precious is just mundane. What gift should I prepare for Master?"

Xu Yan fell into deep thought.

Suddenly, he slapped his head: "How could I be so stupid? Master doesn't care about rare treasures. I just need to convey my sincerity. Something like gold or jade to decorate Master's house should please him."

Feeling relieved after this realization, Xu Yan became much lighter.

"I'll catch a wild rabbit and a fish from the stream to prepare a hearty meal for Master before I leave."

Xu Yan finished his cultivation and left the village to gather the ingredients.

...

Looking at the abundant table, Li Xuan was very satisfied. This disciple is quite good!

The food was becoming more delicious, and the variety of dishes had increased.

"Master, I have been out for almost a month. I want to go home for a visit."

After the meal, Xu Yan spoke up.

Li Xuan's heart skipped a beat: "If this kid goes back and talks about becoming a disciple, won't I be exposed? His parents and family members can't be as dim-witted as he is, right?"

But if he didn't allow Xu Yan to go home, it wouldn't make sense and might raise suspicions.

After a moment's thought, Li Xuan said, "Going back is fine, but I must remind you that before you have entered the initial stage of cultivation, you must not reveal anything about cultivation to anyone, including your parents. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master, your disciple will not mention anything related to cultivation to anyone!"

Xu Yan was taken aback but immediately gave a solemn promise.

"I prefer a quiet and low-profile life. I do not like to draw attention. Although I have accepted you as a disciple, you must not mention me before you have entered the initial stage. I hope you understand!"

Li Xuan said with a serious expression.

"Yes, Master, your disciple will not mention you at all before entering the initial stage!"

Xu Yan respectfully guaranteed.

"If I have not entered the initial stage, it means I am not destined to be your disciple. If I fail to enter the initial stage, it would tarnish your reputation. As a disciple, I must prioritize maintaining your reputation!"

Xu Yan felt a bit ashamed, thinking his talent was still lacking.

If he failed to enter the initial stage, tarnishing Master's reputation would make Master a laughingstock.

As a disciple, he must prioritize Master's honor and reputation!

Li Xuan's intention was to avoid being exposed and recognized, so he reminded Xu Yan not to mention him or anything about cultivation.

He didn't realize that Xu Yan had made his own assumptions.

"I naturally trust you. Go back soon, and be careful on the way."

Li Xuan's expression softened, and he added, "You will need to pass through the thirty-mile Evil Forest, which is filled with fierce tigers and beasts. Be very cautious and avoid getting hurt."

The Evil Forest was extremely dangerous. If Xu Yan encountered fierce tigers or beasts alone, he might not survive.

Li Xuan could only give a warning; whether he could pass safely depended on his luck.

"Yes, Master!"

Xu Yan knelt down with a thud and respectfully bowed three times, saying, "Master, I will return in six to seven days at the earliest, and no more than eleven to twelve days at the latest, to serve you!"

"You are thoughtful!"

Seeing Xu Yan's respect and filial piety, Li Xuan was a bit moved.

"How did I end up feeling something for him while deceiving him? Sigh, indeed, I am not a qualified deceiver. This is all forced upon me!"

Li Xuan felt helpless.

He really didn't want to deceive anyone, but it was all because Xu Yan was not very smart and insisted on being deceived. Moreover, the gifts he brought—were really too much!

Xu Yan left.

Li Xuan stood at the village entrance on a hill, watching Xu Yan's retreating figure with a complex expression.

"I hope he can safely pass through the Evil Forest. This foolish boy... sigh!"

He sighed, and as Xu Yan's figure disappeared from sight, Li Xuan returned to his residence.

Lying on a chair under a big tree, he suddenly felt... lonely!

"Damn!"

"Getting used to having a disciple to serve me, suddenly being alone again, it just doesn't feel right!"

Li Xuan slapped his face and couldn't help but curse.