Chapter 78

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Passing through the pavilion with its carved beams and painted pillars, the scene suddenly opened up before her eyes. A naturally formed volcanic cave lay ahead, devoid of heat, with a peculiar cool comfort and a faint medicinal fragrance that invigorated the spirit.

Entering the cave, she saw that one of the cave walls was perforated with holes of various sizes, filled with layers of ancient scrolls, along with scattered turtle shells, scrolls, and jade boxes.

Night pearls were embedded in the walls like stars, illuminating the cave with a bright light, revealing every detail. On the cave ceiling, clusters of white orchids bloomed, their pure petals exuding a sacred and graceful charm.

In front of the wall of scrolls stood an antique low table, on which an old six-stringed zither was placed. As Mu Lingwei entered, the zither strings trembled slightly, emitting a pleasant sound, and then a faint light flowed across the zither’s surface, as if welcoming its master.

Xiaoba, the tortoise, looked intoxicated, sniffing the fragrant air and began searching for something to eat.

Chen Mo took out half a jade pendant, excited and eagerly waiting for Lu Huazhen’s arrival.

"Chen Mo, actually..." Mu Lingwei looked at Chen Mo with hope in his eyes, hesitating to speak, and then took out her half of the pendant.

The two halves seemed to have their own awareness, flying out of their hands and hovering in the air, entwining like two playful fish. In an instant, the fish intertwined closely, and the jade pendants slowly merged, emitting a dazzling light that transformed the cave into a beautiful and mysterious place.

Suddenly, Chen Mo’s expression changed, and a peculiar scene gradually unfolded in his mind. The ancient patterns on the fish transformed into words: Cinnabar Grass, White Puhu Chrysanthemum, Fifth-Rank Demon Core... It was clearly a medicinal formula. As he tried to see more clearly, the divine consciousness faded, and the words became blurry. Chen Mo only saw part of it, and as he tried to focus his divine consciousness, a sense of fatigue and confusion overcame him.

At this moment, the two fish jade pendants had merged, the light receded, and they fell into Mu Lingwei’s palm.

"This is the jade pendant my master waited for a long time. It has finally merged, and her wish can be fulfilled. Unfortunately, my master didn’t see this moment; she has already passed away." Mu Lingwei choked up, filled with sorrow, and told Chen Mo the truth.

It was like a bucket of cold water poured over Chen Mo’s hopeful heart, making it feel icy cold. His fists clenched and unclenched, his heart filled with bitterness and suppression.

No way? He had traveled thousands of miles, enduring hardships, only to be told that his future master had already passed away? Oh, is there anything more tragic in this world?

"However, my master left a will, and I will follow her wishes. As long as it’s within my power, you can ask for anything. Or you can choose some items you need, such as high-grade elixirs, high-grade mystic techniques, or cultivation methods." Mu Lingwei pointed to the scrolls, jade bottles, and boxes, knowing that Chen Mo would be affected and trying to compensate with these items.

Chen Mo lowered his head, a bitter smile on his lips. High-grade elixirs and cultivation methods were indeed rare and valuable, and he understood that they were what he desperately needed. His heart was inevitably moved.

But what about the future? Only by mastering true skills and becoming strong could he avoid being trampled and protect his loved ones.

His heart struggled, and he thought, "I, Chen Mo, have come from adversity, believing that there is always a way out. I will stick to my beliefs, and even if I have to fight to the death, I will forge a path forward."

He chewed on Mu Lingwei’s words, a spark of determination burning in his deep eyes.

Mu Lingwei watched Chen Mo in deep thought, waiting for his response. Although she had casually mentioned the treasures, if Chen Mo chose wisely and worked hard, he could break through to the Spirit Master level and reach the innate realm within two to three years, which would make him a standout in the Great Wind Kingdom.

"I know what I want." Chen Mo finally looked up, his clear and resolute eyes filled with determination: "I want to be your disciple, and I want you to be my master."

Be his master? Mu Lingwei’s mouth opened slightly, a look of surprise in her eyes. She had never thought Chen Mo would propose such a condition. She had never taken a disciple before, didn’t know how to teach, and the Floating Pavilion had never housed a man...

Seeing Mu Lingwei’s reluctant expression, Chen Mo remained firm, feigning disappointment: "Didn’t you say you would agree to anything within your power? Teaching a beginner is something you can definitely do."

"How can that be? You can choose the items I suggested." Mu Lingwei’s eyebrows furrowed, annoyed that Chen Mo was using her own words against her, and turned away, ignoring him.

Chen Mo was taken aback, but then had an idea. He sighed, "Alright, alright. I don’t want any compensation. Just give me back that half of the jade pendant, and I’ll leave as if I never came." He held out his hand, asking Mu Lingwei for the half of the jade pendant, looking determined.

Then he started to nag, "Tomorrow, I’ll climb the mountain wall again and try to match it with your half. I’ll come back to be your disciple. I’m not afraid of hardship..." His voice trailed off, and he looked deeply sad.

It was as if Mu Lingwei would be a bad person, a very bad person, if she didn’t take him as a disciple.

"You..." Mu Lingwei couldn’t resist, turning back to face Chen Mo, both amused and exasperated. How had this boy turned into a stubborn piece of gum?

"Think about it again, I can..." Mu Lingwei shook her head, wondering if she should really let him take the jade pendant back and climb the steep mountain wall every day, drawing the attention of the valley’s residents. It would be difficult and awkward.

Those who knew would say he was here to become a disciple, but those who didn’t might have all sorts of dirty thoughts.

Sighing, Mu Lingwei explained, "Not everyone can become an alchemist. The purity of one’s mystic energy is essential, and one must use a pure divine consciousness to skillfully control the flames, extract the essence of herbs, and harness the power of demon cores. The hardest part is combining various materials with different properties according to the formula, refining them into elixirs, and mastering the timing and awareness. Some alchemists spend their entire lives only reaching the second rank. Do you understand?"

"I understand, but I haven’t even tried. How can I give up?" Chen Mo’s voice was firm, representing his determination. He also understood that what Mu Lingwei said was true; Old Bai, with his white beard, had only reached the second rank after many years.

Xiaoba also joined in, lying cutely at the goddess’s feet, extending its round head to rub against Chen Mo’s leg, blinking its watery eyes, and looking pitifully at her with a begging expression.

Its lively eyes and cute demeanor did soften Mu Lingwei’s heart a bit.

Seeing Chen Mo’s determination and stubbornness, Mu Lingwei couldn’t resist any longer. She finally nodded and said, "Alright, before I take you as a disciple, you must pass various tests. Only if you pass will I, Mu Lingwei, take you as a disciple. If you fail, you will gain nothing and must leave here, never to step into the Eternal Spring Valley again."

There is no success that comes easily. Since he had made his choice, he must bear the pressure.

Chen Mo was overjoyed, shouting, "Alright!"

He had fought for this opportunity and now had to seize it, or it would slip through his fingers like sand.

What he feared most was that the fairy master wouldn’t give him this chance.

A few tests were nothing. As long as he could become Mu Lingwei’s disciple, his future would be boundless.

Firm in his belief, he thought, "Let the storm come more fiercely. As long as I can forge strong, unbreakable wings, I will cross the storm, break through the obstacles, and touch the scorching sun in the sky."

Xiaoba, hearing Mu Lingwei’s agreement, immediately became familiar with the place, treating the Floating Pavilion as his home. He started searching for food, sniffing the air and reaching out to grab a jade box on the wall.

Chen Mo was embarrassed by this pet. He shouted, and Xiaoba, startled, lost his grip and tumbled down.

"Let’s go to my Bamboo Pavilion. The tests will start there." Mu Lingwei gently shook her head, her breath like a fragrant breeze, and pointed at a blank cave wall with her delicate finger.

The wall trembled and emitted a rumbling sound, revealing a cave entrance. Green vines hung down like a green curtain, and a white light filtered through the leaves, creating a magical scene.

Even Xiaoba, who was still mourning, was attracted. He sensed a familiar, warm, and invigorating aura, the same one he had felt in the egg.

"Chen Mo, follow me." Mu Lingwei lifted the green curtain and entered.

In a daze, it felt like passing through a transparent vortex.

Hmm? This feels like passing through a spatial vortex to a small paradise?

Is this also a small paradise?

But it was clearly much smaller, without the terrifying blood-red vortex or the scorching lava. Everything was peaceful and serene.

The half-mountain was covered with strange rocks, and a stream flowed gently, passing over a broken stone bridge and into a small lake. White lotus buds were about to bloom, their shy beauty captivating. Spiritual birds flew by, their wings brushing the water, creating ripples.

At the foot of the mountain, a lush bamboo forest swayed in the breeze, and a bamboo house stood half on the lake, elegant and unique. By the lake, several plots of fertile land were filled with thriving medicinal herbs.

Truly, it was a rare and beautiful paradise.

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