NOVEL WEB CHAPTER 301
CHAPTER 301: A Master’s Decision
Lu Ming’s words left Jiu Han momentarily stunned. The murmurs from the surrounding crowd quickly died down.
It wasn’t just what Lu Ming had said—it was his tone, his unwavering expression, so genuine that it made everyone second-guess their assumptions. Could he really be 27 years old?
Jiu Han narrowed his eyes. You think you can fool me, young lad? His thoughts flickered. Or maybe you’ve used some secret technique to alter your bone age?
Fine, Jiu Han decided. I’ll check your bones, but if I find anything out of place, you’ll learn a hard lesson today.
Jiu Han didn’t believe for a second that Lu Ming was a 27-year-old Silver-Patterned Ancient Realm expert. Yet, since the young man had extended his hand, Jiu Han had no choice but to follow through. And not only would he pinch his bones, but he would do so thoroughly—very thoroughly.
“I don’t believe it…” Jiu Han muttered under his breath.
He grasped Lu Ming’s arm, his fingers moving with practiced precision. As he pinched and assessed, the crowd below resumed their hushed conversations.
Those who knew Jiu Han’s true identity were watching closely, expecting Lu Ming to be exposed. Those unaware of the elder’s true nature simply assumed Lu Ming was bluffing.
“That kid’s a compulsive liar, clearly,” Bai Yao muttered, shaking his head in disapproval. As a fellow Silver-Patterned Ancient Realm expert, Bai Yao knew all too well the challenges of cultivating silver patterns. It wasn’t something that could be rushed.
Even for someone with high talent, it could take over a century. For those with lesser abilities, they might spend a lifetime trying. It had taken Bai Yao more than 4,000 years to cultivate just two silver patterns. Two thousand years per pattern was no small feat.
Nearby, Lin Feng, cold and arrogant, heard Bai Yao’s comment and snorted. “He’s probably used some secret technique to alter his bone age, hoping to cheat his way in.”
He sneered. “But if he thinks he’s the first to try this, he’s sorely mistaken. How many fakes has the Three Elements Academy kicked out over the years for this exact trick?”
Lin Feng’s gaze was hard. He might fool the crystal pillar, or even the Ancient Realm examiner, but can he fool Jiu Han? Can he fool the gods?
A 27-year-old Silver-Patterned Ancient Realm expert would undoubtedly attract Jiu Han’s attention. But when the truth came to light, there would be no mistaking it.
Shaking his head, Lin Feng muttered, “He’s probably already earned admission into the academy. But stunts like this will make his time here far more difficult.”
The idea that Lu Ming could actually be telling the truth? That was too ridiculous to even consider.
In the center, Jiu Han’s brow furrowed as he pinched Lu Ming’s wrist, his face shifting through a range of expressions. A long silence passed before he finally spoke.
“This isn’t right...”
Lu Ming blinked. “What’s wrong?”
“There are imprints from other Divine Realm experts in your body,” Jiu Han said slowly, his eyes narrowing further.
“You can tell that?” Lu Ming asked, surprised.
“And one of them belongs to someone I have a deep, deadly feud with,” Jiu Han added darkly. The elder’s voice lowered to a near whisper, but Lu Ming understood immediately. There was no need to explain further.
So, he’s figured out part of it already, Lu Ming thought. But Jiu Han didn’t press for details. Instead, he shook his head, frowning.
“It’s still not right...”
“What now?” Lu Ming asked, cautious.
“Your cultivation time. It’s... unusually short.”
“That’s true,” Lu Ming nodded. “I’m a contemporary tribulation transcender. I’ve only been on the path to transcendence for two and a half years.”
Jiu Han’s hand trembled slightly, his grip tightening on Lu Ming’s wrist. The crowd waited, tension hanging in the air as time seemed to stretch.
After a long pause, Jiu Han’s voice came again, quieter now. “It’s still not right.”
Now, Lu Ming was truly confused. “What’s wrong this time?”
Jiu Han studied him carefully, deep in thought. “Your age. You’re not 27.”
Lu Ming straightened. “I really am 27.”
Jiu Han shook his head, a small, amused smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “No, according to your bone age, you’ll turn 27 in three months. Right now, you’re 26 years and nine months old—give or take five or six days.”
Lu Ming’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You can determine age that precisely?”
Jiu Han chuckled softly. “You’re still young, easy to read. And I’m no ordinary elder—of course I can.”
Then, Jiu Han’s expression shifted, becoming more serious. “Your talent is indeed extraordinary, but it’s not unique.”
His tone grew softer, more reflective. “Think of the Corpse God, for instance. He reached the Ancient Realm in just a few years, starting from the Mortal Realm. And then there’s Eternity—he ascended to the Ancient Realm in less than five years.”
Jiu Han continued, “In the Black Mist Zone, there are many who break through to the Ancient Realm within a hundred years, especially with the power of silver patterns. Your talent, while impressive, is not singular.”
“In any case,” he warned, “don’t let this make you arrogant.”
Lu Ming, who had no idea who Corpse God or Eternity was, nodded without hesitation. He wasn’t arrogant about his talent. If anything, he took pride only in his current strength. Talent, to him, was just a means to an end—it meant nothing if it didn’t translate into power.
“I understand,” Lu Ming replied.
Jiu Han stroked his beard, smiling slightly. He could see that there was no arrogance in Lu Ming’s eyes. In this, the young man was already leagues beyond someone like Lin Feng.
Satisfied, Jiu Han released Lu Ming’s wrist. After a moment’s thought, he smiled warmly. “Very well. I, Jiu Han, have been idle for far too long. And they say, after a long rest, the mind needs new challenges. Your talent is worthy of such a challenge.”
He paused, studying Lu Ming for a moment longer.
“I’ll take you as my direct disciple,” Jiu Han finally declared. “What do you say?”
Lu Ming had already deduced the old man’s identity from the conversation. When the offer came, he didn’t hesitate. He dropped to one knee, bowing deeply.
“Greetings, Master!” Lu Ming’s voice rang through the hall.
Jiu Han stroked his beard again, nodding with approval. But then his tone shifted.
“However, you must still pass the temperament test. Your talent is undeniable, but if your temperament isn’t up to par, I cannot accept you as my direct disciple.”
He paused briefly before adding, “In that case, you would only become a named disciple.”
The distinction between a direct disciple and a named disciple was significant.
Lu Ming nodded confidently. “I understand, Master.”
“Good.” Jiu Han’s voice was satisfied. “Now, continue with the assessment. I’ve just remembered something I need to attend to, so I’ll leave you for now.”
With that, Jiu Han turned and hurried from the hall. The entire room was left in stunned silence, the air thick with disbelief. The only sound was the echo of Jiu Han’s footsteps fading into the distance.
As he passed by Lin Feng, Jiu Han stopped suddenly, turning to regard him with a faint smile.
“You... Oh yes, the ‘lucky child’, right?”
Lin Feng blinked, caught off guard by the sudden attention.
Jiu Han seemed to consider something for a moment. “I think I still have a spot for a named disciple. Do you want it?”
The crowd stared, shocked. As the saying goes, ‘whether you herd one sheep or a flock, the effort is the same’. Since Jiu Han’s interest in disciples had been reignited by Lu Ming, he figured he might as well take Lin Feng too. The young man’s potential, while not worthy of becoming a direct disciple, was promising enough for him to serve as a named disciple.
Lin Feng’s face flushed with emotion—whether from excitement or embarrassment, no one could tell. After a brief hesitation, he knelt down and bowed deeply.
“Greetings, Master!”
Jiu Han nodded, though his voice remained firm. “You’ll also need to pass the temperament test.”
With those final words, Jiu Han disappeared, vanishing into thin air.
End of Chapter 301