Bitter Experience

Bitter Experience . . .

Qin Wentian was taken aback, to say the least. Despite his stellar performance in all three trials, the Eastern Sage Great Emperor was an immortal realms powerhouse, unrivaled and supremely powerful. When someone of that caliber decided to take on a disciple, it sent shockwaves throughout the immortal realms, drawing countless cultivators to this remote particle world in search of the coordinates.

Qin Wentian understood the immense gap in strength that separated him from the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor. In the eyes of such supreme beings, talent often paled in comparison to their might. They had witnessed countless prodigies over the eons, rendering mere talent insignificant. A single word from them could make the most gifted geniuses in the immortal realms kneel before them.

Regardless of your talent, could it truly match the value of the attendees at this banquet?

Even these immortal kings, who had to show utmost respect to the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, considered talent as nothing more than the potential of a martial cultivator with a slightly higher ceiling.

Qin Wentian had braced himself for an even more grueling trial, assuming that the next test would be the toughest yet, given that none of the remaining seven participants lagged significantly behind him. At the very least, that's how it seemed at this moment.

Yet, the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor had called out his name, expressing his desire to take Qin Wentian as his disciple.

"Could it be because of Qing'er?" Qin Wentian pondered, taking a deep breath as his heart surged with emotions. This was a supreme being from the immortal realms. With the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor as his master, the Royal Sacred Sect would become utterly insignificant.

"Congratulations, Qin Wentian," the Undying Immortal King beamed, nodding approvingly.

"Congratulations on becoming his Majesty's disciple," the other immortal kings chimed in, their smiles genuine, even Deepflame's. No longer did he regard Qin Wentian with a cold, distant demeanor. Shocked as he was, he could only accept the decision of his Emperor.

Meanwhile, in a distant immortal region, Qing'er and the Evergreen Great Emperor stood together, silently observing the events unfold. Father and daughter watched with rapt attention, even catching the words spoken by the immortal kings.

A faint smile touched the lips of the Evergreen Great Emperor as he turned to Qing'er. "Qing'er, now that Eastern Sage has given his word, he won't renege on his promise. Moreover, he allowed us to witness the entire process, a clear indication that he won't intentionally make things difficult for him. As long as Qin Wentian's talent measures up, Eastern Sage will grant him an opportunity. In fact, even though Qin Wentian hasn't demonstrated a significant difference from the other seven, Eastern Sage has chosen him directly."

"Mhm," Qing'er replied crisply, her eyes betraying hints of happiness that softened her once-cold countenance.

In the grand banquet hall, Qin Wentian drew a deep breath, fixing his gaze on the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor. He knew why he had come here today. And now, the Eastern Sage Majesty had extended an invitation to him. Though taken aback, the outcome was precisely what he had hoped for. If he could enter the tutelage of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, he would dedicate himself to cultivation and not squander the goodwill Qing'er had shown him.

"Naturally, I am agreeable," Qin Wentian replied, his voice steady and resolute.

Smiles graced the faces of all present, unsurprised by Qin Wentian's answer. Even immortal kings would feel a stirring in their hearts if the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor sought to take on a disciple, let alone someone like Qin Wentian. He had no reason to decline; this was a heaven-sent opportunity.

"If you are willing, why then do you hesitate to pay your respects to your master?" Dongsheng Ting, standing by the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, prompted.

Qin Wentian nodded, stepping forward to bow before the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor and then kneeling, saying with utmost respect, "Disciple Qin Wentian pays his respects to master."

"Rise," the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor commanded, his wave lifting Qin Wentian back onto his feet. He smiled and continued, "Now that you have entered my tutelage, I have a responsibility for your cultivation. You originate from this world, correct?"

"Yes," Qin Wentian affirmed.

"Very well," the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor nodded. "It's exceedingly rare for someone from a particle world to possess such talent. Nevertheless, you still require rigorous tempering to refine yourself. Regardless of one's talent, true expertise is forged through trials and tribulations. Whether they be my sons or disciples, they cannot forever rely on my protection. Otherwise, they'll amount to nothing more than mediocrity."

"I understand," Qin Wentian replied with conviction, sharing the same belief.

"I'm glad you do. Do not expect a life of leisure after joining my tutelage," the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor chuckled. Then, he turned to Deepflame and said, "Deepflame, your troop conducts punitive expeditions and engages in combat. As I cannot always guide Qin Wentian in his cultivation, I entrust him to your care. Treat him as you would any other member of your troop and train him diligently."

"Deepflame's troop?" Surprise registered on the faces of the other immortal kings. They had certainly heard of this before; Deepflame's troop was known for its stringent discipline and rigorous training conditions. The mortality rate was exceedingly high. However, those who emerged from such trials were exceptionally powerful. Some lucky ones were even chosen as guards for the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's immortal palace. It was astonishing to think that the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor intended to place his new disciple in Deepflame's troop for training.

But they dared not question the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's intentions.

If Qin Wentian could endure the trials of Deepflame's troop, his future would indeed be boundless.

"I obey the Emperor's orders. May I ask how long he should train before I grant him a break?" Deepflame inquired.

"Once per thousand years. Each break would last for three months, and if I have the time, I will personally guide him," the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor calmly declared. He made it clear that every mission undertaken by the Deepflame Regiment was exceedingly perilous, with stringent restrictions and no room for deserters.

"Understood, your Majesty. At what realm should he be released from the regiment?" Deepflame inquired further.

"When he reaches your current realm. After becoming an immortal king, he can come to my immortal palace for my personal guidance," the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor responded.

"Your Majesty's generosity is deeply appreciated. Even as your humble servant, who has been in the Immortal King Realm for so long, I have never had such an opportunity," Deepflame nodded. He turned his gaze to Qin Wentian and said, "Qin Wentian, from today onward, you will follow me. I will temper you on behalf of his Majesty."

Qin Wentian had been silently observing their conversation, and now a peculiar expression graced his countenance.

"Master, if I join the Deepflame Regiment, does that mean I will only have three months of freedom every thousand years?" Qin Wentian asked the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor.

"Yes, this regiment is the strictest among Deepflame's troops. However, those who survive return greatly empowered, with many at least reaching the Immortal Foundation level and some even ascending to the Immortal King Realm. It will be an excellent training ground for you," the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor affirmed.

"Master, a thousand years is too long for me. Might it be possible for me to choose my own method of tempering?" Qin Wentian asked respectfully. He didn't wish to defy his master immediately upon acknowledging him. However, having cultivated for only thirty years, the concept of a thousand years seemed overwhelmingly long.

Could he forsake Mo Qingcheng for a millennium? He couldn't bear it. While he was dedicated to his cultivation, freedom was integral to his essence. He was unsuited for prolonged restraint and wished to explore alternative approaches.

The main reason he sought the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's tutelage was to enter the immortal realms, hoping to find Qing'er. However, if he could only be free for a brief period every thousand years, the distance between them would only grow wider.

The Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor and the others at the banquet were surprised by Qin Wentian's proposal. The Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor then replied, "Qin Wentian, it is well known throughout the immortal realms that I treat all my heirs, disciples, and subordinates with equality and strictness. Since you've accepted me as your master, I will be responsible for your cultivation. While you may have only cultivated for a short time, you must understand that a thousand years is quite brief in the immortal realms. If you wish to become a supreme existence in the future, you must endure the test of time. This is essential for tempering your character. The Deepflame Regiment's strictness is due to the exceptional talents it nurtures."

"Master," Qin Wentian persisted, "I don't mean to dispute your kindness, but I am only twenty-nine years old this year. A thousand years is an exceedingly long time for me. Perhaps I might even break through to the Immortal King Realm within that timeframe. If you could consider my circumstances and arrange for alternative methods of tempering, I would be truly grateful."

"Qin Wentian, a thousand years is truly short in the immortal realms," the Undying Immortal King chimed in, attempting to convince him.

Deepflame's eyes narrowed with a hint of hostility as he retorted, "Qin Wentian, ascending to the Immortal King Realm is an immensely challenging feat. Even among those here, Bai Wuya achieved it in the shortest time, taking 8,000 years. You, on the other hand... Furthermore, his Majesty has your best interests at heart. It is not appropriate for you to question his Majesty's plans so soon after joining his tutelage."

"Do you comprehend the gravity of my father's decision to accept a disciple?" Dongsheng Ting inquired, his voice carrying a weight of solemnity. Qin Wentian inclined his head, meeting Dongsheng Ting's gaze head-on. There was a sharpness in Dongsheng Ting's eyes, tinged with a hint of biting mockery. This involuntary gesture caused Qin Wentian to recall how Dongsheng Ting had been assigned to escort Qing'er here.

Would becoming the disciple of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor truly be a remarkable opportunity?

Earlier, the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor had stipulated that he would only enjoy freedom once every thousand years and receive personal guidance only when the Immortal Emperor had time to spare. This implied that if the Immortal Emperor was preoccupied, Qin Wentian, as his disciple, wouldn't even have the chance to meet him. Unless...

Unless he ascended to the immortal king level. Only then would he be deemed qualified to receive the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's personal tutelage.

Qin Wentian hadn't accepted a master with the expectation of constant one-on-one guidance from the Immortal Emperor. He believed that if a master genuinely valued his disciple, such guidance would occur naturally without the need for explicit arrangements. However, if the master held no such intentions and only accepted the disciple due to external factors, like Qing'er in his case, then the master might not truly value the disciple. This could explain the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's decision to delegate his training to one of Deepflame's regiments rather than nurturing him personally.

With his head slightly tilted, Qin Wentian gazed into the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's impassive eyes and the cold mockery present in the immortal kings' and Dongsheng Ting's gazes. He could keenly sense their arrogance. In their eyes, merely being accepted as a disciple was an extraordinary opportunity that might only arise once in a millennium. To them, it was a rare blessing that he should humbly accept without proposing alternative ideas.

The majority of those present believed this was the right course of action. After all, Qin Wentian hailed from a particle world, and the Immortal Emperor was an immortal realm's sovereign. Many assumed that with a mere wave of the Immortal Emperor's hand, countless geniuses on par with Qin Wentian would eagerly seek his mentorship. They thought Qin Wentian should consider himself fortunate to have an audience with a supreme existence like the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, let alone question his arrangements – an act that could be perceived as disrespectful.