Chapter 1403: The Tea of Apprenticeship

Chapter 1403: Chapter 1403: The Tea of Apprenticeship

Yes, unwilling.

These three words are the obsession of countless people, and who knows how many have cursed the heavens because of it.

Take Xv Jiazhi, for instance, or the sixth elder of the Alliance, the guy who spends every day with rare herbs. He was over sixty and hadn’t broken through to the Golden Core until Lin Tian provided a pill recipe to help him succeed. Otherwise, he’d still be a high-ranking Martial Artist.

After achieving the Golden Core, would the sixth elder be satisfied with his situation?

No, he wouldn’t. At least there’s a flicker of desire in his heart.

But it’s impossible for him to improve further.

Everything in the world requires a sacrifice for a gain. The pill recipe Lin Tian gave him allowed him to achieve the Golden Core, but it also meant he would never progress again, no matter the training or medicine taken.

"Sigh~" Lin Tian took a long breath and said, "Let go of this obsession. Your meridians and Sea of Qi are in such a state. Achieving the Golden Core is impossible now, and there’s not much time left. Spend it well with your family and children."

Xv Jiazhi shook his head, his eyes glinting with intensity.

He still wouldn’t accept defeat!

"Do you know why I invited you here today?" Xv Jiazhi asked softly.

"That’s exactly what I wanted to ask."

The effects of the sinister technique Xv Jiazhi practiced, he must have been aware of. Despite that, he didn’t seek help from the Xv Family or other Golden Core masters but sought out Lin Tian, especially when he was already at a critical point of crisis.

This was quite unusual.

Looking at Lin Tian, Xv Jiazhi smiled and said, "Because only you can restore my meridians and help me achieve the Golden Core again."

"Me?" ℴ

"Yes, you!"

Xv Jiazhi said, "Two highly influential elders of the Alliance apprenticed themselves to you to cultivate Spiritual Qi; everyone knows this. Naturally, later, you shared the method of cultivation with everyone in the families. But you’re more cunning than we imagined."

Lin Tian burst into laughter, seemingly pleased. He thought to himself: I’ll take that as a compliment.

Back at the Luoyan Dock, he set up the Spirit Gathering Town to concentrate the Spiritual Qi within a small courtyard, naturally attracting people from the twelve families who came to observe.

Later, a promise was made not to associate with the Wang Family, and they obtained a method for cultivating Spiritual Qi from Lin Tian.

Yet, Lin Tian had a fallback plan. While the cultivation initially progressed rapidly, the advancement slowed down (not yet evident), and they naturally hesitated to abandon Spiritual Qi for their original Inner Strength.

To cultivate Spiritual Qi, there are three stages; Lin Tian only gave them the first stage. Keeping the rest, he could be seen as crafty, or vigilant.

Although this would frustrate everyone, what could they do about Lin Tian?

Kill him? They couldn’t bear the thought!

"After using your cultivation method, I sensed something was amiss after a week, so I cautiously stopped and continued with Inner Strength training."

Lin Tian narrowed his eyes, curiously asking, "How did you realize that? Did you already fully comprehend the method I provided?"

That seemed unlikely. After all, the first stage was enough to keep them busy for a while. As little as three months, as long as three years, depending on talent.

If Xv Jiazhi understood it in a week, he would have already achieved the Golden Core himself.

Xv Jiazhi chuckled and said, "Not at all, but everyone has some talent. I’m interested in arrays, so I researched your Spirit Gathering Town quite a bit. After testing, I realized something was off."

"Is that so?"

Lin Tian opened his mouth in slight surprise; this guy wasn’t simple, managing to find a flaw.

If facing others, Xv Jiazhi might have acted mysterious, but before Lin Tian, he lacked the confidence. This guy was too extraordinary!

Lin Tian stared into his eyes, speaking coldly, "In that case, Mr. Xv has wanted to befriend me for a while?"

Xv Jiazhi quickly replied, "Mr. Lin, don’t misunderstand! That farmhouse incident truly was a misunderstanding! I, Xv Jiazhi, act with integrity and don’t resort to underhanded tactics! Upon hearing about the poisoning, I brought medicine to assist."

After they exchanged glances for five seconds, Lin Tian finally withdrew his gaze and said, "I believe you aren’t foolish. Such tactics are only conceived by those with no brains. Truly lacking scrutiny."

"So, as I said, it’s a misunderstanding." Xv Jiazhi laughed, "Today I invited Mr. Lin here, first for your protection, and second, with sincere apprenticeship... come in!"

As Xv Jiazhi finished speaking, the door was pushed open, and the small Daoist who had guided Lin Tian earlier came in, holding a tea tray.

He placed a freshly brewed pot of tea on the table and respectfully retreated.

Lin Tian lowered his gaze, glancing at the still-steaming teapot.

"Why do you want to apprentice yourself to me?" Lin Tian asked.

With solemn expression, Xv Jiazhi replied, "Because I don’t want to be a waste! I want to cultivate Spiritual Qi! I want to break through to the Golden Core! I don’t want to be left behind!"

"I’m an unqualified master. Even if you learn under me, I can’t guarantee repairing your meridians, let alone your Sea of Qi."

"You’re gifted with brilliance; it’s my fortune to apprentice with you!"

Lin Tian glanced at him again, recalling the Clear Wind Evil-Dispelling Elixir, his heart softened, "Pour the tea then."

"Yes, of course!"

Xv Jiazhi immediately brightened up, his smile radiant.

He let out a muffled groan and dragged his exhausted body, slowly moving to the table. Each step was a struggle; in his words, like an elderly woman experiencing difficult childbirth.

He finally reached Lin Tian.

With the cup raised to eye level, he bent at the waist, presenting the tea solemnly.

Such is the way of the Ancient Martial the Xv Family, an esteemed lineage known for its etiquette.

Lin Tian picked up the teacup, savored it in three sips, and finished it slowly.