Logic dictates that being taken as a disciple by a Core Formation cultivator is an unimaginably great fortune for any low-level cultivator. Yet, after hearing these words, Han Li was first stunned, then instinctively sensed something amiss.
With his aptitude and cultivation technique, such a blessing would never fall upon him. As for Patriarch Li's claims of rewarding him heavily for his great contribution to Yellow Maple Valley, Han Li didn't believe a word of it. If the Patriarch had won the bet, he might have genuinely taken Han Li as a disciple on a whim. But to want to take him as a disciple after losing so badly? That was highly suspicious.
While Han Li's mind raced through countless possibilities, Patriarch Li grew displeased.
After offering to take Han Li as his disciple, he had expected the boy to be overjoyed and immediately accept. Instead, Han Li just stood there blankly, his face full of astonishment, offering no immediate response. This made the Patriarch a trifle annoyed.
Of course, on the surface, Patriarch Li maintained the dignity befitting his status and spoke calmly again:
"Han Li, if you are unwilling to become my disciple, simply say so. I will not force you! I can bestow several magical treasures upon you as compensation."
Hearing this, Han Li knew the Patriarch was speaking sweetly but was definitely dissatisfied inside. He didn't need to think deeply to understand the consequences of offending this Patriarch. Moreover, for a Qi Condensation stage disciple to refuse a Core Formation cultivator's offer was completely unreasonable. He feared that refusal would only bring about greater trouble.
With this thought, he gritted his teeth. Regardless of the Patriarch's true intentions, he had to navigate this immediate crisis first. It was clear that refusing the offer would not end well for him.
"To be taken under the Patriarch's tutelage is naturally what this disciple desires. It is my great honor! Just now, I was simply overwhelmed with joy and forgot to speak. Please forgive my rudeness, Patriarch!" A deep flush spread across Han Li's face as he pretended to have just snapped out of his excitement. He spoke in an eager tone.
Immediately after, Han Li tactfully kowtowed several times to Patriarch Li, swiftly completing the formal master-disciple ceremony.
"Excellent! From today onward, you are Li Huayuan's disciple. This Azure Light Blade is my greeting gift to you." Li Huayuan beamed with satisfaction, reached out to help Han Li up, and handed him a long, jade-green blade. It shimmered with spiritual light, clearly a top-grade magical treasure.
Han Li solemnly accepted the blade with both hands, then kowtowed once more to show his respect before standing up as if overcome with joy.
The surrounding disciples, who had been watching in stunned silence, were now glaring with burning eyes. Their gazes toward Han Li were filled with complex emotions—they wished desperately that they were the ones receiving the magical treasure, not this long-despised Han Li.
Although Han Li couldn't read their thoughts, the scorching stares directed at him told him enough, making him feel both amused and helpless inside.
If possible, he would have much preferred the Patriarch to have taken a liking to someone else rather than him, this unlucky fellow. He still vividly remembered the bitter lesson brought by his previous master, Doctor Mo. Now, to have another, even more capable master with hidden motives—this truly left Han Li speechless.
"In a while, if you succeed in Foundation Establishment, I will bring you to my place and take you as a formal disciple. Even if you fail Foundation Establishment, it's fine; I will also offer you some guidance in your cultivation techniques." Patriarch Li instructed Han Li.
"Yes, Master!" Han Li had no other opinions and respectfully agreed.
"Alright, it's getting late. Let's return to Yellow Maple Valley!" Patriarch Li glanced at the sky and said.
Subsequently, everyone once again rode upon Patriarch Li's Silver-Armored Horned Python. After flying for several days, they returned to Yellow Maple Valley.
Once inside the valley, Patriarch Li Huayuan took his two stewards and headed straight for the Council Hall. The others dispersed, returning to their own quarters to await the rewards that would be given in a few days.
...
Inside a thatched hut within the Hundred Herb Garden of Yellow Maple Valley, the small, elderly Uncle-Master Ma stared wide-eyed at Han Li as if he had seen a ghost, muttering incessantly:
"Impossible! Not only did you not die, but you also picked up a bargain in the Forbidden Grounds, handed over more than twenty spiritual herbs at once, and were taken as a nominal disciple by Martial Uncle Li!"
"That's right, Uncle-Master Ma! Would you say I'm blessed with incredible fortune?" Han Li sat opposite the small old man, a faint smile playing on his lips, looking quite smug.
Upon hearing Han Li's words, the small old man's expression returned to normal, but he fixed Han Li with a strange, unreadable gaze that made Han Li's scalp tingle with unease.
"Kid Han, your trip to the Forbidden Grounds this time truly yielded more than I ever anticipated!" The small old man sighed deeply.
"I didn't expect it myself either!" Han Li replied casually.
"But do you know the real reason behind Martial Uncle Li taking you as a nominal disciple?"
The small old man's next words, tinged with regret, left Han Li stunned before bursting with internal joy. He forced down his excitement and pretended to be puzzled:
"Uncle-Master Ma, did Patriarch Li have some other reason for taking me as a disciple?"
"Uncle-Master Ma? Heh heh! Since you've already been taken under Martial Uncle Li's tutelage, you may call me Brother Ma from now on. I wouldn't dare answer to 'Uncle-Master' anymore!" The small old man shook his head slowly, speaking leisurely.
"Cough! Uncle-Master Ma, why must you tease this nephew? Everyone knows that in the cultivation world, seniority is determined by cultivation level. As long as I haven't entered the Foundation Establishment stage, you remain my elder." Han Li spoke very sincerely and promptly poured a cup of medicinal flower tea for the small old man, handing it over.
"Good, good! A teachable youth! It seems you haven't let these events go to your head. Then I'll explain it to you ahead of time. Actually, even if I didn't tell you, you'd know in three or four days anyway." The small old man nodded with satisfaction, speaking calmly.
Han Li was slightly taken aback but listened attentively to what followed. He had been on edge ever since Patriarch Li's sudden offer, and he would naturally seize any chance to learn the inside story early.
"What kind of reward do you think you'll get for handing over so many spiritual herbs this time?" The small old man suddenly changed the topic and asked.
"I should be able to exchange them for two Foundation Establishment Pills. I inquired beforehand—anyone who hands over around ten spiritual herbs can exchange them for one Foundation Establishment Pill." Han Li knew the question must have a purpose and answered honestly.
"Hmph! When the rewards are given out in a few days, you'll only be entitled to one Foundation Establishment Pill. Don't even dream about two!" The small old man said with a hint of mockery.
"What? How can that be! Is someone skimming the rewards?" Han Li nearly leaped to his feet, his face a mask of disbelief.
"No one is skimming, and no one would dare! The only one whose reward will be reduced is you. Everyone else will get their full share. Otherwise, who would participate in the Blood Arena trial next time?" The small old man pursed his lips and said.
"Is it because of Patriarch Li?" Han Li tilted his head, thinking for a moment, then asked seriously.
"You're not entirely dull—you hit the nail on the head quickly. It is indeed because Martial Uncle Li took you as his disciple!" A flash of admiration appeared in the small old man's eyes as he nodded.
"Our sect has an unwritten rule: when there is a clear master-disciple relationship, the master has the right to take half of the disciple's tribute to the sect as a master's tribute. Of course, this applies only once and is not repeated. And the spiritual herbs you gathered in the Forbidden Grounds count as a tribute of sorts to the sect. So, from what I estimate, the reason Martial Uncle Li was so eager to take you as a disciple is that he had his eye on those ten or so herbs as his tribute. With only half the herbs reaching the higher-ups, your reward naturally will be halved as well. So, don't hope for two Foundation Establishment Pills anymore." The small old man explained carefully to Han Li.
Han Li furrowed his brow slightly but showed no trace of anger or dissatisfaction. He simply lowered his head in silence. This surprised the small old man, who hadn't expected such a reaction. Little did he know that Han Li was actually feeling relieved; he had finally let go of the weight that had been pressing on his heart.
This new master, it turned out, had simply been after his spiritual herbs. This was truly unexpected, but it put Han Li at ease. A single Foundation Establishment Pill meant nothing to him, who was about to refine his own pills. As long as his pill refinement succeeded, one pill was nothing to him.
The small old man didn't know Han Li's true feelings. Seeing Han Li remain silent, he assumed the boy was swallowing his frustration but was simply too good at controlling his emotions. He chuckled softly and tried to comfort Han Li:
"Although you lost one Foundation Establishment Pill, gaining Martial Uncle Li as a patron through becoming his nominal disciple isn't a bad deal. Your aptitude really isn't that great—even with two Foundation Establishment Pills, your chances of success would still be slim. It's better to trade one for a powerful backer like Martial Uncle Li. Even if you remain in the Qi Condensation stage, no one in the sect will dare bully you easily. After all, even though Martial Uncle Li didn't take you as a disciple sincerely, you still bear his name. What ordinary disciple or steward would dare trouble you lightly? Besides, from what I know, Martial Uncle Li is very protective of his own!"
Han Li felt a touch of warmth in his heart. Ever since the small old man had given him two bottles of pills before he entered the Forbidden Grounds, he had known the man was cold on the outside but warm within—a genuinely good person. These words now solidified that impression; this man was worth knowing on a deeper level.
While thinking this, Han Li maintained a facade of being reluctantly convinced by the old man's words. He forced a few bitter laughs before finally speaking, exchanging a few casual pleasantries.
Seeing that Han Li seemed to have recovered from the blow, the small old man was quite pleased and soon took his leave. The Hundred Herb Garden was naturally returned to Han Li's care once again.