Disciple Jiang Keran! Paying Respects to Master!

That night,

Within the confines of the bamboo house, Ning Lang assumed a cross-legged position on the bed.

Subtle threads of spiritual energy encircled his body, undergoing absorption before converging into the reservoir of spiritual energy within.

"Knock, knock, knock."

A rhythmic knocking echoed from beyond the door.

Ning Lang raised his head, acknowledging the sound, and then closed his eyes once more, saying, "Come in."

With a creak, Jiang Keran pushed the door open and entered. Upon seeing Ning Lang engrossed in his cultivation, Jiang Keran, initially surprised by Ning Lang's presence, bowed and spoke, "Junior Jiang Keran expresses gratitude for senior's life-saving grace."

In a hushed tone, Ning Lang inquired, "Have you sought refuge here due to conflicts in the capital's struggle for the heir position?"

Jiang Keran looked up suddenly.

An undercurrent of killing intent pervaded the room, a reflexive response borne out of being hunted for over a month.

Ning Lang opened his eyes, calmly meeting Jiang Keran's gaze. He spoke, "With your surname being Jiang and donning the python-dragon robe, I deduce you are a prince. Your presence here, as an injured prince escaping the capital, likely stems from a succession dispute."

"And if I intended to harm you, do you believe you would have survived until now?"

A wry chuckle followed Ning Lang's words, a mockery of Jiang Keran's perceived inadequacy.

In response, Jiang Keran's guard crumbled instantly.

Furthermore, he received a spirit crystal and three elixirs.

Filled with self-blame, Jiang Keran bowed deeply and said, "Junior was impolite; please forgive me, senior."

Stepping away from the bed, Ning Lang approached the window, his gaze fixed on the moonlit night. He spoke, "The clothes on the table are yours to wear if you decide to. By donning them, you become my third disciple from this day forward. However, you must temporarily forsake your identity. Alternatively, if you choose not to wear them, idle people have no place here. Tomorrow morning, you may depart on your own."

The set of clothes on the table was the attire of a direct disciple, delivered by Jiang Chen.

Contemplating Ning Lang's words, Jiang Keran hesitated.

His uncle's words from the previous night infiltrated his thoughts. Returning now, would be defenseless against the Crown Prince's faction. Intercepted before reaching the capital seemed more likely than not.

With a touch of sadness, Jiang Keran asked, "May I inquire, senior, how long would it take for me to reach the Crystallization with my current strength?"

Ning Lang responded, "It took me less than eleven years to progress from the Mortal Realm to the top grade of the Crystallization Realm. Your journey depends on your own destiny."

A thunderous revelation struck Jiang Keran.

Eleven years! From the Mortal Realm to the top grade of the Crystallization Realm! Could such a feat truly be possible?

"Is it... true?"

Turning to face Jiang Keran, Ning Lang wore a faint smile and said, "Do you think I have any reason to deceive you?"

The air stood still for three breaths.

Plunk!

Jiang Keran knelt on the ground, his head knocking against the wooden floor, and declared, "Disciple Jiang Keran pays respects to Master!"

Approaching, Ning Lang lifted Jiang Keran from the ground, smiling as he said, "A gentleman takes revenge ten years later. Now that you have bowed under my tutelage, as long as you continue to call me Master, I will ensure your safety."

"Thank you, Master."

[The bond character Jiang Keran's loyalty has been refreshed.]

[Current loyalty: 74.]

Observing the prompt, Ning Lang felt a twinge of disappointment.

Jiang Chen, for instance, achieved 80 loyalty with just one bow.

Not to mention Gan Tang, who started with 90.

Why did Jiang Keran have only 74?

I saved you and even provided a spirit crystal and three elixirs.

Ning Lang sighed subtly, consoling himself: Well, let's take it slowly.

"Your injuries aren't fully healed yet. Take these days to recuperate. If questioned about your identity, say you were a casual cultivator at the mountain's base, drawn here by the celestial anomaly last night."

"Disciple understands."

"Go then."

"Yes."

Early the next morning, at the gate of Mount Taihua.

"Halt! Identify yourselves!" Two inner disciples guarding the sect gate confronted three black-clothed individuals approaching and promptly stepped forward to intercept them.

The old man, with straight eyebrows, spoke coldly, "We're here to investigate traitors on the king's orders."

"This is Mount Taihua, a hundred thousand miles from the capital. How did you trace traitors here?"

"Make way!" The old man's stern command resounded.

Several inner disciples advanced, stating, "Without orders from the sect master and the elders, outsiders cannot enter the Haohui Sect."

The old man prepared to act, but his companion intervened, whispering, "It's better not to escalate the situation."

The old man relaxed his fist, and his companion stepped forward, saying, "We have the king's order. Please let them know."

"State your names."

"Gao Qiu, Gao Hua, Gao Sheng."

In the capital area, the names Gao Qiu, Gao Hua, and Gao Sheng resonated with everyone. Listed as assassins by the Dark Tower, their reputation extended to high officials and commoners alike, with countless lives claimed at their hands.

"Wait here."

An inner disciple proceeded towards the mountain.

Half an hour later, the inner disciple returned, and the others eagerly inquired, "How is it?"

"The Grand Elder instructed me to take them to Golden Yuan Peak," he responded, turning to Gao Qiu, Gao Hua, and Gao Sheng. "Follow me."

The four of them ascended the mountain at a deliberate pace.

Gao Qiu casually inquired, "Have there been any strangers in your sect recently?"

"No, our sect only accepts disciples at the beginning of each summer," one of the inner disciples replied.

The three brothers exchanged glances, and Gao Qiu pressed on, "Two nights ago, was the celestial phenomenon in the sky caused by your sect leader?"

"No."

The inner disciple explained casually, "It was the Seventh Elder of our Haohui Sect."

"The Seventh Elder..." Gao Hua asked, "Did he breakthrough to some realm and cause the celestial phenomenon?"

The inner disciple frowned, not kindly, "Why so many questions? Aren't you here to find someone?"

The capital was thousands of miles away.

Moreover, Haohui Sect was formidable.

Cultivators pursued the dao, and even though the palace recruited many powerful individuals, who would fear those in the palace when aligned with Haohui Sect?

Gao Hua gave his elder brother a meaningful look, signaling him to stay calm. Following the inner disciple, they arrived at Golden Yuan Peak, where Grand Elder Qiu Yunze was located.

"Report to the Grand Elder, the people have arrived."

"I know."

A few moments later, the door of the pavilion opened, and Qiu Yunze walked out. After glancing at the three men, he asked, "Are you truly sent by the palace?"

"Indeed."

"Why did you come to our Haohui Sect?"

"We are here on royal orders to investigate traitors."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Yunze waved his hand and said, "Then you can leave. Our Haohui Sect has no traitors as you mentioned."

"You!"

Gao Sheng was about to get angry, but Gao Qiu recognized that Qiu Yunze's realm was formidable. Stepping forward, he said, "Excuse us, please. Could you do us a favor?"

Qiu Yunze said coldly, "Our Haohui Sect has thirty-six peaks and nearly ten thousand disciples. If you want to investigate, how long do you think it will take for you to check everything?"

"This..."

The three seemed not to have considered this problem. After hesitating, Gao Hua suddenly recalled the celestial phenomenon from two nights ago. He quickly bowed and said, "We only need to go to the place where your Seventh Elder is."

"Seventh Elder?"

Qiu Yunze, initially planning to let them leave, smiled when he heard they wanted to find Ning Lang. He shouted, "Xiao Ran."

"Here!"

"Take these three to Miao Peak."

Xiao Ran had been worried about finding an excuse to go to Miao Peak to see his fellow apprentice Gan Tang. So, after hearing this, he quickly arched his hand and said, "Yes!"

...