Chapter 609: Late Wang Mingren

He bowed respectfully to Ye Feng.

Ye Feng narrowed his eyes and asked, "You never intended to become my disciple, did you? You simply didn't dare to refuse in front of so many people."

"No, I just wanted to think it through carefully. Becoming a disciple would go against my Dao heart. I hope you can understand, Senior."

Wang Qingshan felt somewhat uneasy. Ye Feng had offered to take him as a disciple, and he had refused the offer to avoid going against his Dao heart. He couldn't be sure Ye Feng wouldn't hold it against him.

"So, you're not unwilling to take me as your master, but rather unwilling to join the sect?"

Ye Feng pondered for a moment before asking in a deep voice.

"Exactly."

"Alright then! I'll accept you as a nominal disciple. You won't need to formally join the sect. However, as a result, I won't be able to teach you a great deal. If you ever change your mind, you can always come to the Taiyi Immortal Sect to complete the admission procedures and officially become my disciple. What do you say?"

Ye Feng currently had only two disciples. To be honest, he wasn't desperate to take Wang Qingshan as a disciple. His insistence on taking Wang Qingshan as a disciple was primarily due to the Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor. The Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor's nominal disciple, Zhou Yunxiao, had fought Wang Qingshan to a draw. Ye Feng had always wanted to spar with the Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor himself but hadn't had the chance. What the master cannot achieve, let the disciple achieve. Zhou Yunxiao had explicitly stated his desire to spar with Wang Qingshan in the Great Yan Dynasty once Wang Qingshan reached the Core Formation stage. Since the Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor had taken Zhou Yunxiao as a nominal disciple, it was only fitting that Ye Feng also take Wang Qingshan as one. Once both reached the Core Formation stage, they could have a match. If Wang Qingshan won, wouldn't that prove Ye Feng's superiority? Naturally, as a nominal disciple, Wang Qingshan wouldn't receive the treasured cultivation techniques and secret arts from the Taiyi Immortal Sect. However, Ye Feng could still offer guidance, sharing his cultivation insights and understanding of swordsmanship.

Having already refused Ye Feng once, Wang Qingshan naturally didn't dare to refuse a second time.

"Your disciple, Wang Qingshan, respectfully greets Master."

Wang Qingshan no longer hesitated. He knelt down and kowtowed three times to Ye Feng.

Ye Feng laughed heartily and said, "Excellent, excellent! From now on, you are my disciple. You have an elder brother and an elder sister in the sect, but they are currently out on missions. I'll introduce you to them another day. Wear this protective magical artifact; it will automatically activate and save you once if you ever face mortal danger. This is a one-time use item."

He produced a small, green sword-shaped accessory. The entire sword was crystal clear, exuding powerful spiritual energy.

Wang Qingshan thanked him, accepted the green sword, and fastened it to his chest.

"Though I've taken you as a nominal disciple, you must not use my name to act recklessly or do anything that would bring dishonor to our sect, understand?" Ye Feng cautioned him, still a little unsure.

"Yes, disciple understands."

Wang Qingshan readily agreed. Even if Ye Feng hadn't said anything, he wouldn't have dared to act that way. After all, he was only a nominal disciple. Still, bearing the title of the Carefree Sword Venerable's nominal disciple, he doubted many would dare to target him.

"Senior Brother Ye, was all that necessary for a pot of spiritual wine?" A beautiful woman in palace attire, in her early thirties, emerged with a faint smile on her face.

Ye Feng chuckled. "Junior Sister Yang," he said, "you can't put it that way. A nominal disciple is still a disciple, and you can't go back on your word. Oh, and Qingshan, this is your Martial Aunt Yang." He unhooked the gourd from his waist, took a few gulps of the spiritual wine, and a look of satisfaction spread across his face.

"Your disciple, Wang Qingshan, respectfully greets Martial Aunt Yang."

Wang Qingshan did not dare to be disrespectful and bowed to the beautiful woman.

"Since you've called me Martial Aunt Yang, I'll give you this low-grade third-tier Hundred-Mile Spirit Escape Talisman. Even though you are a nominal disciple and haven't formally joined the sect, you must still adhere to the rules and regulations of our Taiyi Immortal Sect. Any violations will result in punishment, do you understand?" The beautiful woman in palace attire flipped her delicate hand, revealing a light silver talisman. The talisman radiated an astonishing surge of spiritual energy, with shimmering ethereal light flowing around it.

Wang Qingshan thanked her and accepted the talisman.

Ye Feng stayed on Green Deer Mountain for seven days, guiding Wang Qingshan in his cultivation. Under Ye Feng's guidance, Wang Qingshan made rapid progress. Previously obscure and difficult concepts became clear and easy to understand.

Seven days later, Ye Feng departed from Green Deer Mountain, with Wang Qingshan personally seeing him off.

"When I am not by your side, do not be lazy. Diligent cultivation is paramount. I hope that the next time we meet, you will have already formed your Core." After speaking, Ye Feng transformed into a long white rainbow and soared into the sky.

"Your disciple will engrave your teachings into his heart, Master," Wang Qingshan said respectfully, facing Ye Feng's disappearing form.

After bidding farewell to Ye Feng, Wang Qingshan led his clan members back to Peach Mountain.

Upon learning that Wang Qingshan had been accepted as a nominal disciple by the Carefree Sword Venerable of the Taiyi Immortal Sect, Wang Qingjun, Wang Qingling, Wang Qiuling, and Wang Qiuming felt extremely envious.

"Tenth Sister, Twelfth Brother, I've gained some insights and intend to go into secluded cultivation for a while. I'm entrusting Peach Mountain's affairs to you."

Wang Qingjun grinned, patting his chest. "Seventh Brother, you can go into secluded cultivation without worry! We'll handle Peach Mountain's affairs perfectly."

"That's right, Seventh Brother. Just focus on your cultivation!"

After offering a few instructions, Wang Qingshan entered his secluded cultivation chamber. His battle with Zhou Yunxiao had provided him with numerous insights, and coupled with the Carefree Sword Venerable's guidance, he was confident he could advance to the eighth, or even ninth, layer of Foundation Establishment.

Wang Qingshan sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion and slowly closed his eyes. A crisp sword hum rang out as numerous hazy green sword shadows appeared in the air. A sharp sword intent permeated the room.

Half a month later, a red streak of light flew from the distance, landing at the foot of Peach Mountain. It was Wang Mingren. Wang Mingren's face was pale. He had traveled ceaselessly, day and night, finally reaching Peach Mountain. He took out a voice transmission talisman, spoke a few words into it, and then tossed it towards the mountain.

Shortly after, Wang Qingjun and Wang Qingling descended the mountain. Before long, the three of them were together in a secluded courtyard on Peach Mountain.

"Where is Qingshan? Why isn't he coming out?"

"Uncle-Grandpa Mingren, Seventh Brother entered secluded cultivation just a few days ago. He is now a nominal disciple of the Carefree Sword Venerable." Wang Qingjun then gave an embellished account of the Dao Discussion Assembly.

Wang Mingren felt immensely envious upon hearing that Wang Qingshan had been accepted as a nominal disciple by the Carefree Sword Venerable. While Wang Qingjun and the others might not have fully grasped the significance of the title "Carefree Sword Venerable," Wang Mingren understood perfectly. Being able to become a disciple of the Carefree Sword Venerable, even a nominal one, was something countless people could only dream of.

"He's actually in secluded cultivation. It seems I've come at an inconvenient time." He had intended to ask for Wang Qingshan's help, but to his surprise, Wang Qingshan had just entered seclusion.

Wang Qingjun nodded. "Indeed, Uncle-Grandpa Mingren. Seventh Brother is in seclusion. If there's anything you need help with, please just say so. We can make decisions."

Wang Mingren sighed softly, then produced over a dozen jade slips. "These are all major criminals wanted by the Taiyi Immortal Sect," he explained. "They are extremely wicked individuals and are skilled in disguise. Send people to investigate discreetly. If you find any information about them, do not alert them, and notify me immediately."

"Yes, Uncle-Grandpa Mingren. I will instruct my subordinates to handle this at once."