Chapter 1404 - 1401: Apprenticeship, Draw the Blade!

Luo Feng noticed the unusual expression of the Tiger King and asked, "Senior, please tell me."

The Tiger King nodded and said, "Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

"Become your disciple?"

Luo Feng was slightly taken aback and said in surprise, "Senior, you previously said you disliked restrictions and didn’t plan to take me as a disciple."

"Cough..."

The Tiger King’s thick brows twitched, and he coughed lightly twice, "Indeed, I hadn’t planned to take you as a disciple before. However, the cultivation below can only be practiced by members of my Southern Forest Tiger-head Tribe. You are not from my Tiger-head Tribe, so to continue with the training, you must become my disciple."

Hearing this, the Falling Star Sky-Splitting Tiger resting nearby snorted two streams of hot air from its nose, its eyes filled with disdain.

It had followed the Tiger King for millennia and had never heard of such a rule in the Tiger-head Tribe. This was clearly an on-the-spot decision.

Indeed, that was exactly the case.

After spending the past few days together, the Tiger King had developed a fondness for Luo Feng’s talent. Knowing that such talent was rare, he decided on the spot to take Luo Feng as a disciple.

Of course, he wouldn’t say such words, hence the nonexistent rule of the Southern Forest Tiger-head Tribe.

"I see..."

Luo Feng nodded, not suspecting anything, though a hint of hesitation appeared in his eyes.

The Tiger King glanced at him and said, "What? Do you think I am unworthy of being your master?"

"Of course not."

Luo Feng hurriedly shook his head, cupped his hands, and said, "It’s Luo Feng’s fortune to be accepted as a disciple by you, senior. However, I am currently a disciple of Linglong Hall, and when I left the Canglan Dynasty, I promised the two Hall Masters that I would represent Linglong Hall in the sacred selection..."

Luo Feng truthfully informed the Tiger King of the situation. Since he had made a promise to Shui Linglong, he naturally couldn’t break it. However, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"Is this what you’re worried about..."

The Tiger King chuckled, sat down on a nearby rock, and said, "There’s no need to worry about that. I wander the Four Seas and can’t always guide you. I’ll only take you as a named disciple, without so many rules. You can still participate in the sacred selection and train at the sacred site, as long as you don’t forget about me as your master. What do you say, are you interested?"

Luo Feng took a deep breath and bowed, "Luo Feng greets Master."

"Hahahaha..."

The Tiger King laughed heartily, appearing extremely pleased. Though he often guided the younger generation of the Tiger-head Tribe, he had never formally taken a disciple. Hearing Luo Feng call him Master was utterly satisfying. He waved his hand, smiled, and said, "Very well, stand up."

Luo Feng stood up and asked, "Master, may I ask your name?"

Up to this moment, Luo Feng only knew that the other was the shopkeeper of the South Mountain Restaurant in Azure Sky City and nothing else.

"You will naturally know in due time. Additionally, for now, don’t spread the word that I’ve taken you as a disciple, including to your friends," the Tiger King said.

He was concerned that if Luo Feng knew his identity, he might rely too much on his reputation when venturing into the martial world, which wouldn’t be beneficial for Luo Feng’s growth.

"Alright."

Luo Feng nodded and refrained from asking further. More than his master’s identity, he cared about the upcoming training and asked, "Master, what is the next stage of training?"

"No rush."

The Tiger King shook his head, looked at Luo Feng, and a fierce light flashed in his eyes as he smiled, "The upcoming training is life-risking. You’d better rest well while you can. Tomorrow, you won’t have the luxury of rest."

Luo Feng felt a slight tension and nodded. He sat cross-legged.

The previous training was already quite challenging. From the Tiger King’s words, it seemed the upcoming training would be even more arduous, potentially life-threatening. It was better to seize the time to recover to peak condition.

The Tiger King gazed at Luo Feng, a hint of admiration in his eyes. Few could remain calm in the face of temptation.

"Luo Feng, how did you end up involved with the Sword Tomb? Was it because of Yue Haitang?" the Tiger King recalled Yue Haitang’s identity and asked.

Since it was unnecessary to hide, Luo Feng nodded in acknowledgment, "Yes."

"Haha, I thought so."

A smile appeared on the Tiger King’s face as he said, "When he saw you being taken by me, he almost fought me to the death. It seems he values you more than his own life."

Luo Feng smiled, "Master, though that young man seems weak, he’s quite resolute in action."

"That young man is?"

The Tiger King was taken aback, appearing somewhat surprised.

Luo Feng said, "It’s Yue Haitang. He’s also a blood relative of the Holy Swordmaster at the Sword Tomb."

"You don’t mean..."

The Tiger King paused, about to say something but suddenly stopped halfway.

Luo Feng asked in confusion, "Master?"

"Hahaha... It’s nothing. Rest well. Tomorrow morning, we start the next phase of your training."

The Tiger King laughed heartily.

Luo Feng was curious but remembered the training of the next day. Instantly, his blood boiled with excitement, and he stopped dwelling on the peculiar conversation, closing his eyes to begin cultivating.

"Indeed, there’s no such thing as a jack-of-all-trades genius in this world. You rascal, let’s see how you handle it in the future..."

The Tiger King looked at Luo Feng, seemingly amused by something intriguing, smiling all the while.

The moon set, and the stars faded.

On the next early morning, the first ray of sunlight shot out from the eastern mountaintop.

Luo Feng recovered from his training, opened his eyes, and saw that the Tiger King was already waiting by his side.

"Master," Luo Feng quickly stood up.

The Tiger King nodded, clasped his hands across his chest, and said to Luo Feng, "Use all your strength to attack me."

"This..."

Luo Feng hesitated slightly, frowning.

The Tiger King snorted, "You rascal, you don’t actually think you can harm me, do you? You’re still eight hundred years too early for that."

Luo Feng realized he was overthinking and said, "Master, be careful."

"Just make a move. But I worry you might not even be able to draw your saber."

The Tiger King raised an eyebrow and said, "How about this: if you can draw your saber in front of me, I’ll give you a volume of fist techniques."

"Really?"

Luo Feng’s eyes shone. With his cultivation level advancement, the Sky Fire King Fist was no longer suitable for him, and he had long wanted to switch to a different fist technique but had found none suitable.

"Of course. As long as you can do it." The Tiger King nodded.

"Alright then!"

Excited, Luo Feng thought that although he didn’t know his master’s true strength, it surely surpassed the Yuan Sea Realm. The martial arts his master offered would be anything but simple. Defeating his master was absolutely impossible, but merely drawing his saber seemed much easier.

"Prepare yourself!"

With a long shout, Luo Feng stepped forward, ready to draw his saber.

At that moment, a sudden change occurred.

The Tiger King, standing with arms folded and unmoving, suddenly seemed to loom indefinitely in Luo Feng’s eyes. His piercing eyes resembled two blazing suns, scorching Luo Feng’s very soul. The massive, overwhelming pressure descended like a torrent, making him feel unbearably heavy, rendering even the movement of a fingertip a struggle.

"What’s this..."

Luo Feng broke into a cold sweat. The Emperor Yan’s Sky-breaking Saber, which he could easily draw before, now seemed fused with its sheath. No matter how much force he applied, it wouldn’t budge an inch.

"Why are you hesitating? Draw your saber. Or do you not want the secret manual on fist techniques?"

The Tiger King looked at Luo Feng and said nonchalantly.