Apprenticeship – The Persistent Cao Jinxuan

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Lunchtime had arrived, and since the morning matches had been so effortless, none of the three had expended much energy. There was no need for meditation; their soul power would naturally recover on its own.

Yuwen Tuo dined with Xiao Xiao and Lian Yue. This should have been a moment of relaxation and enjoyment. After all, Xiao Xiao was lively and adorable, while Lian Yue, though not a stunning beauty, was still pleasant to look at—a charming young woman in her prime.

But now…

"Master, please have some tea! Allow me to massage your shoulders and help you relax. You'll surely win the afternoon match!"

An unwelcome presence shattered the peaceful lunch hour, chattering incessantly and grating on everyone's nerves.

"Cao Jinxuan, I've already told you—I don't understand the power of time. Look at my spirit, it's fire-based. All my soul skills revolve around physical attacks with condensed flames. How could I possibly possess such an advanced ability? You've got the wrong person!" Yuwen Tuo said exasperatedly.

"No… You do know it, Master! You must! My spirit is a clock, extremely sensitive to the power of time. Just moments ago, when I foolishly tried to use Time Imprisonment on you, your far superior time power countered it. In that instant, I couldn't be mistaken. The aura of time emanating from you was like a vast river of time—so intricate and profound. I know why you didn't use it in the tournament—it's because your opponents weren't worthy. A mere freshman competition doesn't deserve the use of such a high-level power as time manipulation."

"But I'm different! Both of us wield the power of time. You must be the master destined for me by the heavens. Please, take me as your disciple!" Cao Jinxuan pleaded earnestly.

"I'm still a student in my own sect. I don't have the qualifications to take on disciples," Yuwen Tuo replied.

Even Xiao Xiao was only his nominal disciple under his master's name. How could he possibly accept Cao Jinxuan as his own disciple?

"If that's truly impossible, then… Master, if you don't mind, I, Jinxuan, who has wandered aimlessly for half my life, regret only not finding a wise mentor sooner. If you'll have me, I'd gladly become your adopted son…"

"Enough!" Yuwen Tuo quickly clamped his hand over Cao Jinxuan's mouth. This guy was really overstepping boundaries—first begging to be a disciple, and now proposing to become an adopted son?

Still, Yuwen Tuo could understand where he was coming from. The opportunity to master the power of time was something no one would easily pass up.

In truth, Yuwen Tuo wasn't entirely incapable of teaching him. After all, his master was the reincarnation of the Kunlun Mirror, and he himself had traveled through time twice. His soul had even been repaired by his master using the River of Time. He had some understanding of both time and space.

But if he were to take on a disciple, his first choice would undoubtedly be a cute little girl who could follow him around and call him "Master" adorably. What was this talk of accepting a chatterbox male disciple? It was ruining his dreams.

Lian Yue, amused by the antics of these two, couldn't help but laugh. "Hehe, Yuwen, this Cao fellow seems genuinely sincere. If you're reluctant to fully commit, why not make him a provisional disciple? If he proves himself worthy later, you can consider making him an official disciple."

"Ah, this young lady is not only beautiful but also wise and kind-hearted. Whoever marries her in the future must have saved the entire continent of Douluo in a past life!" Cao Jinxuan exclaimed joyfully. Why hadn't he thought of this brilliant idea earlier? Any form of discipleship would do, as long as he could get closer to Yuwen Tuo.

"Stop flattering me!" Lian Yue blushed furiously. What nonsense about saving the continent—this was too exaggerated.

"But my Tuo Tuo is already exhausted from teaching me…" Xiao Xiao chimed in, feeling sorry for Yuwen Tuo. He still had so much to cultivate himself, and she didn't want him to expend extra energy teaching others.

"Don't worry, Master Xiao. I'll be very self-reliant. Master only needs to guide me on the cultivation method—I'll practice on my own and won't cause any trouble. If I fail, I'll willingly leave the sect," Cao Jinxuan vowed solemnly.

Xiao Xiao, who had just been worried about Yuwen Tuo, now smiled brightly. "Tuo Tuo, this is a good kid. Look how sincere he is! Why not give him a chance?"

Cao Jinxuan had promised not to demand too much of Yuwen Tuo's attention, which resolved her main concern.

Most importantly… he called her "Master Xiao."

Such a well-behaved disciple was hard to refuse.

Yuwen Tuo was utterly speechless, surrounded by these troublesome individuals. With a serious tone, he asked, "Cao Jinxuan, do you understand what becoming a disciple means for soul masters on the continent of Douluo?"

Cao Jinxuan nodded gravely. "I do. Once accepted into a sect, one lives and dies as part of it. Betrayal is forbidden, and those who break this vow will lose all their soul power and be eternally shunned by the continent."

Though not from a prestigious family, Cao Jinxuan was a native of the continent and well aware of this rule.

Since he sought to become a disciple, he had already mentally prepared himself.

"So, you're not afraid that I might not truly understand the ways of time? Is it worth gambling your entire life on a fleeting sensation?" Yuwen Tuo asked.

"It's worth it! Because life is a gamble. Moreover, time is fleeting, and our existence is inherently rushed—who are we to control it? Above all, the concept of time itself is worth the gamble. I trust the sensation I felt when you nullified my soul skill. That fleeting glimpse of the River of Time couldn't have been fake!"

Cao Jinxuan gave three reasons in quick succession.

Yuwen Tuo couldn't help but view him in a new light. No wonder he possessed a time-related spirit.

He was right—the mere concept of time was indeed worth the risk.

The laws of time were among the most powerful principles in any world.

Unfortunately, in the world of Douluo, they couldn't be fully explored because the understanding of these laws here was shallow.

Even gods like the God of Time and the God of Space in the divine realm were only Tier-1 deities, on par with elemental gods and original sin gods.

If someone truly mastered the laws of time and space, they would likely start at the God King level or higher.

"Fine. I'll give you a chance," Yuwen Tuo said, extending his finger and pressing it against Cao Jinxuan's forehead. At that moment, a vision appeared before Cao Jinxuan—a figure moving with incredible speed, fingers striking out like the wind, each strike imbued with immense power.

"Master, what is this…?"

"The Finger Technique of Intercepting Meridians, a simplified version of my Flaming Sun Finger. When you've mastered it, come find me. But let me warn you—I'm not an expert in the ways of time. I've merely observed others practicing it. What I can teach you is limited. If you decide to back out before formally joining, it's fine. A single simplified finger technique isn't worth pursuing you over," Yuwen Tuo explained.

Cao Jinxuan bowed deeply to Yuwen Tuo. "Master, your honesty and sincerity touch me deeply. How could I, Cao Jinxuan, ever regret this? Rest assured—I will perfect this technique and return to pay my respects!"

With that, Cao Jinxuan took his leave. Yuwen Tuo had given him a chance, and he wouldn't push his luck further. He knew what he needed to do now—seize the opportunity.

As for why Yuwen Tuo decided to give him a chance, it was partly because possessing a time-related spirit was indeed intriguing. Perhaps it was worth taking under his wing.

After all, he was just a freshman with no deep ties to Shrek Academy.