Martial Cultivator

Yu Lu bowed once more, overcome with gratitude toward Daoist Yinli. Though he had endured a beating from the Bone Corrosive Whip, Daoist Yinli now regarded him differently. Naturally, this meant he could establish himself in Infatuation Daoist Temple. As for how far he could go in the future, that would depend on his own talent.

Daoist Yinli looked at him and said calmly, “If you didn't already have a master, I'd have considered taking you as my disciple.”

Daoist Yinli's words made Yu Lu's eyes widen in shock. The lingering pain across his body seemed to vanish at this moment.

“This disciple is deeply grateful for Sage's guidance. Though this disciple lacks the fortune to become Sage's disciple, serving by Sage's side is already an incredible honor.”

Yu Lu knelt and kowtowed with utmost sincerity.

Daoist Yinli nodded slightly and said casually, “I've never taken a disciple in my life. But even if you're not my disciple, if you prove yourself, why can't you become the next temple master?”

Hearing this, Yu Lu was utterly speechless. He had lived at the lowest rungs of Infatuation Daoist Temple, suffering humiliation for years. It had already been difficult enough to change his circumstances, but who could have imagined that, beyond that, he might even have a chance to become the temple master?

Anyone in his place would be just as stunned, just as incredulous, and just as overwhelmed.

“This disciple will serve Temple Master loyally for the rest of my life and never harbor any disloyalty!”

At a loss for words, Yu Lu could only frantically express his unwavering loyalty at this moment.

“I believe in you, otherwise, why would I bestow you the waist token?”

"Oh right, from now on, you may collect medicinal pills from the Alchemy Hall every month. Your talent is decent, but you've been delayed for some time. Catching up won't be an issue. Cultivate diligently, and before long, you will surpass your peers. After your cultivation realm is higher, I'll be able to entrust you with greater responsibilities."

Daoist Yinli spoke slowly, his voice carrying a clear sense of appreciation and encouragement.

Yu Lu nodded and kowtowed once more.

Daoist Yinli waved a hand. “Go and rest. By tomorrow, your injuries should no longer be an issue.”

Yu Lu respectfully expressed his gratitude once more before slowly turning to leave.

After he left, the black ox emerged from the shadows and eagerly sought credit. “Sage, the person I chose this time wasn't bad, right?”

Hearing the black ox speak, Daoist Yinli did not respond. He just rose to his feet and walked to the edge of the cliff, looking at the pitch-black sky in the distance, his hands clasped behind his back.

Only at this moment, did Daoist Yinli truly felt that Infatuation Daoist Temple was now under his complete control.

“Senior Brother, just watch, the Infatuation Daoist Temple in my hands will be a thousand times better than it ever was in yours.”

……

……

Yu Lu hobbled down the mountain. Before long, he spotted a figure on the mountain path at mid-slope. The person quickly approached and supported Yu Lu as he said worriedly, “Senior Brother Yu, are your injuries alright?”

This person was none other than Chen Lin.

Yu Lu glanced around before saying self-deprecatingly, “No one else came. Why did you come?”

Chen Lin was straightforward, answering honestly, “The Temple Master gave Senior Brother a beating with the Bone Corrosive Whip but still summoned Senior Brother to go see him afterward. That means that the Temple Master wasn't truly angry, he was just putting on a show for others to see.”

Yu Lu nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile, “You're quite sharp. No wonder you tried to pin the missing medicinal fruit on me.”

“Senior Brother Yu, if you bring this up again, then this junior brother is truly in the wrong. Otherwise, this junior brother doesn't mind taking a lashing from the Bone Corrosive Whip too.”

Chen Lin let out a bitter laugh, watching Yu Lu cautiously.

“Chen Lin, you and I are the same kind of people, so I don't hold any grudge against you. I won't stand in your way. Climbing from a nobody to a somebody is a very difficult path, but since we both have the chance now, we must seize it at any cost. Maybe one day, you'll climb even higher than me, but I hope you'll at least remember the good I've done for you. I'm not asking you to pull me up when the time comes, just don't step on my head and it's good.”

Yu Lu spoke earnestly, his tone so sincere that people could not discern any trace of falsehood.

Chen Lin thought for a moment before replying, “Why are you saying this, Senior Brother? I, Chen Lin, am no saint. Just as Senior Brother said, anyone who stands in my way will earn my resentment. But for the kindness Senior Brother showed me that day, I'll remember it for life. I, Chen Lin, will never dare to forget it.”

Yu Lu nodded, rubbing his face wearily. He did not speak after that. After Chen Lin helped him back to his quarters, he lit a candle and let Yu Lu lie on the bed.

Yu Lu sighed. “People like us, without some stroke of fortune, we'd really never be able to lift our heads for life. All we could do is watch those gifted senior brothers shine with boundless radiance."

Hearing this, Chen Lin also added, “To be honest, I don't think those standing above us are truly any better than we are. They were merely a little luckier!”

“You must never think that way. Since you view them as our rivals, then you have to take them seriously. You can't afford a single moment of complacency, only then, will there be a chance to surpass them one day.”

Yu Lu spoke softly, “This road is very long. Chen Lin, we can't afford to take a single misstep.”

Chen Lin nodded, then suddenly knelt before Yu Lu, and kowtowed as he said, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother. From this day on, my, Chen Lin's, life belongs to you. I'll follow wherever Senior Brother goes."

Yu Lu smiled and shook his head. "For people like us, saying we'd entrust our lives to someone, it's just not realistic."

Chen Lin said nothing, simply looking at Yu Lu quietly.

Yu Lu waved his hand. "Go on, I need to rest."

Chen Lin nodded and stood up, turning to leave. But just as he reached the door, Yu Lu suddenly spoke with a smile. "Chen Lin, have you ever tried the pastries from Chen's Bakery in the town at the foot of the mountain?"

Chen Lin was confused, then shook his head. "Ever since I came up the mountain, I haven't gone down the mountain."

Yu Lu chuckled. "I go down every now and then to buy some from that Chen's Bakery. Their pastries are quite good. Too bad I don't have any left here, or I'd let you try some."

Chen Lin hesitated for a moment before saying, "If Senior Brother wants some, I'll go down and buy them for Senior Brother tomorrow!"

Yu Lu shook his head. "Forget it. You know what things are like on the mountain now, why stir up trouble for no reason?"

Chen Lin did not speak. He simply clasped his hands in salute, then turned and left.

Yu Lu watched Chen Lin's departing back view. There was no emotion in his eyes, but he just smiled.

……

……

The next morning, at the break of dawn.

Chen Lin had already gone down the mountain.

He had not slept a wink the previous night, tossing and turning as he wrestled with the decision of whether to go down to the town at the foot of the mountain. For disciples on the mountain, especially ones like him, leaving without their master's permission was strictly forbidden.

But if he took the risk and brought back the pastries, his standing in Yu Lu's eyes would likely rise another level. Thinking of this, Chen Lin gritted his teeth. Taking advantage of the early morning hours, he finally slipped down the mountain in secret.

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