C2 My Master Is Poisonous

The voice of the System chimed in at that moment: "Ding! Discipleship established. Reward: 10 points of Teacher's Virtue!"

Prince Su Mountain.

Zhuo Qingyao trudged up to the summit of Prince Su Mountain alongside Chen Ming, her limbs sore from the journey. Inwardly, she grumbled, "Isn't my master supposed to be an immortal? Why walk when he could fly with a sword?"

Chen Ming glanced back at Zhuo Qingyao, aware that his choice to walk might seem odd. He explained, “True cultivation is about constantly seeking insight into the profound mysteries of the cosmos. You've followed me without a word of complaint, showing a commendable disposition.”

Would Chen Ming ever confess that he feared his spit might accidentally fall and kill the protagonist's parents while sword-flying? Not likely.

A newfound respect blossomed within Zhuo Qingyao. So, her master was in pursuit of cosmic truths and testing her character. Indeed, he was a true sage!

Upon reaching his cultivation courtyard, Chen Ming regarded Zhuo Qingyao and inquired, “Do you know the protocol for becoming my disciple?”

Zhuo Qingyao nodded with earnest.

After directing her to the tea leaves and kettle, Chen Ming reclined on the wicker chair, observing as she prepared the tea. She really was quite adorable, with skin so delicate it seemed to hold droplets of moisture, her hair a lustrous green, and her eyes brimming with unspoken words, as clear and expressive as a silent conversation.

Wait a minute!

Why is the disciple a girl?

Could this be one of those matriarchal tales?

He was doomed. Such stories often reveled in forbidden romances between master and disciple, perhaps even spanning lifetimes. And now, he might just end up as one of Zhuo Qingyao's many suitors, the proverbial understudy in love. (Note: This is all in jest, Chen Ming's mind is wandering!)

As Chen Ming entertained these wild thoughts, Zhuo Qingyao approached, tea in hand, and knelt before him with reverence, offering, “Master, please enjoy your tea.”

Chen Ming took a sip of tea and turned his gaze to Zhuo Qingyao before him. "Qingyao, what do you think about the name Loong Aotian?"

Zhuo Qingyao was at a loss for words. Why was her master asking such an odd question? "It's quite commanding," she replied.

Chen Ming studied Zhuo Qingyao thoughtfully. It wouldn't be fitting for a girl to adopt the name Loong Aotian. He let the thought go and asked, "Qingyao, do you have any other family members?"

"My brother," Zhuo Qingyao answered. "He was taken by the City Lord's Palace and enslaved."

Chen Ming kept a composed expression, though inwardly he was delighted. The story was practically writing itself—a resilient girl, her family destroyed, her sole brother enslaved by the City Lord's Palace. She braved countless hardships to join an immortal sect and train. Upon her return, she would exact vengeance on her formidable foes.

Taking another sip of tea, Chen Ming declared, "Well then, since I've partaken of your tea, I am now your master."

Zhuo Qingyao looked at Chen Ming, concern etched on her face. "Master, my aptitude is lacking. I fear I may bring you shame."

Chen Ming chuckled. "Not at all. To me, you're a prodigy of monstrous talent."

Zhuo Qingyao blinked in surprise.

Clearing his throat, Chen Ming explained, "Each person's constitution is unique. Perhaps you haven't yet unlocked your Ren and Du Meridians, which is why your protagonist's halo isn't shining as brightly."

Zhuo Qingyao's face was a picture of confusion. "Ren and Du Meridians? Protagonist's halo? But Master, I've been training for seven years and have only reached the Dao Enlightening Stage Level One."

Chen Ming waved off her concerns. "Minor details. Practice your cultivation now, and let's see your progress."

Zhuo Qingyao settled into a cross-legged position on a green stone in the courtyard and began her practice. The Dao Enlightening Stage involved drawing Qi into the body to temper the meridians, which in turn refined the blood, and the blood fortified the flesh. Only with a robust physique could one endure the influx of spiritual Qi during the Dao Entering Stage, ultimately forming an internal spiritual platform.

Typically, cultivators possess ten meridians within their bodies, and unlocking each one signifies ascending a level.

As Zhuo Qingyao began to harness the spiritual Qi flowing between heaven and earth, Chen Ming felt a wild gust sweep by. The Qi swirled into a vortex, converging towards Zhuo Qingyao. Chen Ming's eyelids twitched; she truly was the protagonist. Although at the Dao Enlightening Stage Level One, her cultivation prowess matched that of someone at Level Seven. The sheer volume of spiritual Qi she commanded was monstrous.

Observing Zhuo Qingyao, Chen Ming placed his hand on her back, sensing the spiritual Qi within her refining her meridians. He quickly noticed something amiss. While others focused on their meridians, she was refining her entire body. No wonder she had remained at Dao Enlightening Stage Level One for years; while most cultivators tempered just ten meridians, she was conditioning her whole body. What an extraordinary constitution she must have. Could this be the fabled physique capable of reaching the 81st level?

Awakening such a physique was notoriously difficult, requiring copious Spirit Stones—treasures coveted even by those at the Dao Entering Stage, reserved for their exclusive use. Indeed, she was the main character, requiring resources typically reserved for cultivators at a higher stage.

Chen Ming roused Zhuo Qingyao and produced ten Spirit Stones from his storage bag, suggesting, “Try cultivating with these.”

Zhuo Qingyao glanced at Chen Ming, her eyes tinged with apprehension. “Master, these Spirit Stones are meant for Dao Entering Stage cultivators. At the Dao Enlightening Stage, only those who've reached the tenth level may use them; otherwise, it's fatal.”

Unperturbed, Chen Ming waved off her concerns. “Don't worry, just use them. I'm here to watch over you. What's there to fear?”

With a mix of skepticism and trust, Zhuo Qingyao took a Spirit Stone and began to absorb its Qi. To her astonishment, she didn't feel overwhelmed by the energy. There was no sensation of her body being on the brink of bursting. Her master was truly a sage!

Overjoyed, Zhuo Qingyao devoted herself to absorbing the Spirit Stones. Chen Ming gave them a quick look, confirmed everything was in order, and stepped out of the courtyard. An elderly servant approached and inquired, "Your Highness, do you have any commands?"

Chen Ming gestured toward Zhuo Qingyao and explained, "Faang, this is my apprentice. Notice her? Her brother has been taken by the local lord to be a slave. You get it?"

A light of understanding dawned on Faang's face. "I've got it. I'll dispatch three thousand troops to obliterate the lord's estate, ensuring not even a single blade of grass remains. Then I'll retrieve Ms. Qingyao's brother! That way, she can focus on her cultivation without distractions."

Chen Ming gave Faang a smack on the head, chastising him, "You understand nothing! Send someone from the Dao Entering Stage to do the job."

Faang had thought that three thousand soldiers were overkill, but Chen Ming's approach was even more extreme, opting to send a Dao Entering Stage cultivator to execute the city lord. "Understood. I'll arrange for a Dao Entering Stage cultivator to eliminate the city lord and save Ms. Qingyao's brother!"

Chen Ming clapped Faang on the shoulder once more, "No, Faang, what happened to that shrewdness you had at the Yihong Brothel when you avoided paying? If you kill the city lord, where will my apprentice find her challenge? Where's the little boss for her to defeat? Can you conjure one up? How is this story supposed to unfold? Send a Dao Entering Stage cultivator to keep an eye on my apprentice's brother. As long as his life isn't in danger and he's not maimed, let them rough him up. Ideally, he should be battered enough to break Qingyao's heart. A heartache could lead to a breakthrough epiphany – it'd be perfect! Initially, Qingyao will probably only manage to take down the city lord's son. Then, surely, the city lord will have a relative, a formidable expert at the eighth or ninth level of the Dao Enlightening Stage, to give Qingyao a hard time. That's when you have the cultivator step in and rescue both Qingyao and her brother."

Old Faang rubbed his head, trying to absorb the elaborate plan.

Chen Ming finished tidying up and asked, "What's the problem?"

Old Faang replied, "It's somewhat convoluted."

Chen Ming dismissed his concerns, "Why fuss over the details? Just follow my instructions!"

Old Faang pondered, "But consider the City Lord, a mere ant. If he finds out that Ms. Qingyao has been taken as a disciple by the Crown Prince and decides to release her brother, what then?"

A spark of realization hit Chen Ming, "Ah, Old Faang, you're showing your wisdom once more. Dispatch an additional ten thousand troops to completely lock down the city. I want no information getting out!"

With a silent lament for the City Lord, Old Faang assured, "I shall see to it immediately!"