Sacrificial pig.

Ace's breath hitched as he looked down at Shan Yifeng, who remained kneeling on the ground. The boy's shoulders trembled, but his fists were clenched tightly, knuckles white with strain.

For a long moment, Ace couldn't speak.

Taking in a disciple wasn't a light matter. This wasn't just about teaching a few lessons—it was responsibility. A bond. A promise. And right now, Yifeng was vulnerable, acting on grief, on desperation.

Was this really what he wanted?

Ace glanced at Liu Mei, who stood a step behind Yifeng, fidgeting with the hem of her sleeves. Her expression was conflicted—part hopeful, part nervous.

She wasn't saying anything, but her eyes kept darting between Ace and Yifeng, silently urging Ace to respond.

Did she want him to accept?

Ace sighed inwardly. He wasn't a real master, not in the traditional sense. Hell, he was barely managing his own life, let alone guiding someone else's. But…

He looked at Yifeng again.

This wasn't just some whim. This kid wasn't just seeking a teacher—he was looking for something solid, something to hold on to when everything else had crumbled around him.

And deep down, Ace knew—if he turned Yifeng away now, the boy might never recover.

With a slow breath, he stepped forward.

"If you want to be my disciple, you'd better be prepared," he said, his voice firm. "I'm not a kind teacher. I won't coddle you. I won't hold your hand. You'll have to work hard, endure pain, and prove yourself every step of the way."

Yifeng didn't hesitate. His forehead touched the ground. "I will!"

Liu Mei let out a small breath of relief, a soft, almost imperceptible smile forming on her lips.

Ace exhaled.

"Then get up, disciple."

Zhao Yun and Hua Tiger exchanged glances before nodding in understanding.

"We'll take our leave then," Zhao Yun said with a respectful bow. "Master Xiao, I trust we'll speak again soon."

Hua Tiger clasped his hands together. "Congratulations on accepting a disciple. I hope your path together is a prosperous one."

With that, they turned and walked away, leaving Ace alone with his disciples.

As the front door shut behind them, Ace turned to the two kids, arms crossed. He could already see the tension brewing between them.

"Yifeng," he said, making the boy stand at attention. "Meier is your elder sister from now on."

"Yes! Call me Senior Sister!" Liu Mei immediately chimed in, puffing out her chest with exaggerated confidence.

Yifeng shot her an incredulous look. "But I'm older than you!"

Ace sighed, shaking his head. "She was my first disciple, you're my second. In cultivation, age is nothing but a number."

Yifeng groaned. "That's unfair! How can I have a younger senior sister?"

Liu Mei smirked. "You're just jealous. It's okay, junior brother. I'll take care of you~."

Yifeng crossed his arms. "I don't need taking care of! I can fight too, you know?"

"Sure, sure," Liu Mei said, patting his head as if he were a child.

"Stop that!"

Ace smirked as he stepped away, letting the bickering continue while he headed toward the kitchen. The teasing banter between them was refreshing—it was the first time since yesterday that Yifeng sounded like a normal kid again.

He let the background noise fade as he focused on preparing a meal.

First, he retrieved a few spirit apples from his inventory, their vibrant color glowing faintly under the lantern light. He set them on the table before moving to the back, where the spirit pigs were kept.

Spirit pigs were well-fed and brimming with spiritual energy, their meat not only delicious but also nourishing. Ace quickly picked one and, with practiced ease, ended its life swiftly.

The kitchen soon filled with the rich scent of cooked pork as he roasted the meat over a controlled flame, ensuring it remained juicy and tender. The milk was set to warm on the stove, and soon, the aroma of freshly prepared food filled the house.

Meanwhile, back in the main room—

"Fine, but since I'm your junior brother, you have to teach me stuff!" Yifeng declared, still frowning.

Liu Mei tilted her head, pretending to think. "Hmm… I suppose I could teach you how to get free food at the market."

"What?! That's not real training!"

"It is if you're hungry."

"That's just tricking people!"

"It's called strategy~."

Ace shook his head as he listened from the kitchen, allowing himself a small smile. The two of them… maybe they'd be okay after all.

.....

....

Ace finished plating the food, the scent of roasted spirit pork, warm milk, and fresh apples filling the air. He stepped into the main room, setting the dishes on the table.

"Eat," he said simply.

Liu Mei was the first to react, her eyes lighting up as she eagerly reached for a piece of pork. Yifeng hesitated for a moment, his usual enthusiasm dimmed, but eventually, he sat down and picked up his chopsticks.

The meal started quietly, but as soon as Liu Mei took her first bite, she let out a pleased hum. "Mmm! Master, this is really good!"

Ace leaned back, watching them. "Good food is important for cultivation. Your bodies need to be strong."

Yifeng nodded absently, chewing slowly. He wasn't speaking much, but Ace decided not to push him.

As the meal came to an end, Liu Mei glanced at the leftover food and hesitated before speaking. "Master… can I bring some of this to my mother?"

Ace met her gaze and nodded. "Of course."

She beamed. "Thank you! She's been tired lately, so she'll really like this."

Beside her, Yifeng had gone quiet, his chopsticks resting against his bowl. His brows were furrowed slightly, as if he were deep in thought.

"…Mother, huh," he mumbled under his breath.

Liu Mei, still excited, didn't notice his change in mood right away, but Ace did.

Yifeng was staring down at his bowl, his fingers tightening around the edges. He was trying to remember, trying to grasp at something faint in his mind—but it wasn't there.

Ace remained silent, watching as the boy's expression twisted slightly before smoothing over.

"I'll… help pack it up," Yifeng said finally, his voice quiet.

Liu Mei grinned, oblivious. "Okay!"

Ace didn't say anything, but he made a mental note—Yifeng's wounds weren't just from yesterday. Some scars had been there for a long time.