The old beggar trembled in terror, so frightened it looked like he might wet himself.
"Are you kidding me?! A Transformation Stage cultivator—here, in the middle of this barren Arid Province? Could he be connected to that guy?"
Given Hong Qianye's extraordinary background, the beggar suddenly began to suspect that Ye Junlin might truly be someone of legendary origin—perhaps even his ancestor.
With that chilling realization, regret flooded the old man's heart.
What a nightmare. What rotten luck.
"O exalted Divine Lord, I didn't know this young friend was connected to you! Please forgive my ignorance—I beg for mercy!"
He dropped to his knees, groveling like a man on the brink of ruin.
In the world of cultivation, each major realm came with its own title of respect.
Golden Core cultivators were known as Real Persons.
Nascent Soul cultivators were called True Lords.
But those who stepped into the Transformation Stage?
They were revered as Divine Lords.
Ye Junlin didn't even spare the beggar a glance. With a casual wave of his hand—like brushing away a fly—
Boom!
A formless force slammed into the beggar, sending him flying like a ragdoll. Blood spewed from his mouth as he crashed into the ground, half-buried in dirt before blacking out completely.
As the silver-haired youth walked forward, step by unhurried step, Hong Qianye's expression twisted into a bitter, complicated smile.
There was no escaping this fate.
Just as despair began to take root, a calm voice drifted to his ears.
"You have a remarkable foundation and rare potential. From today onward, you'll be my disciple. Do you accept?"
The voice was quiet, yet it struck like thunder, leaving Hong Qianye stunned.
"What?!"
He stared blankly at the silver-haired youth, thoughts swirling chaotically.
A Transformation cultivator wants to take me as a disciple?
Could he be after the secrets I hold? Then why not just force a soul search? Maybe... he's trying a different approach. Earn my trust, plant a sense of debt—and once I regain my strength, expect me to repay it?
Honestly, his suspicion was justified.
As a former powerhouse of the Demonic Path, he had clawed his way through countless battles to become an Immortal and make a name for himself in the Central Region. He had seen too many so-called "righteous cultivators" hide ambition behind kind words.
Compared to the brutal honesty of the Demonic Path, their hypocrisy was far more repulsive.
Of course, not everyone was like that—but Ye Junlin's offer reeked of ulterior motives.
"You're not willing?" Ye Junlin asked, a faint, amused smile playing on his lips.
Hong Qianye's heart clenched.
No point resisting. Survival came first.
Once I recover my strength, I'll reclaim control.
This is just another role to play.
"Disciple Hong Qianye greets Master. It's an honor to be accepted into your school."
He dropped to his knees, offering a formal kowtow, his expression respectful—on the surface.
"Good. Rise, my disciple," Ye Junlin said with a nod. "Hong Qianye, huh? Not a bad name. From now on, I'll just call you Little Hong."
He smirked faintly. He knew this ex-Demonic Sect leader wasn't genuinely grateful, but that didn't matter. All he needed was to complete the system's task.
Whether Hong Qianye tried to betray him later didn't concern him in the slightest—his own cultivation would only continue to climb.
"L-Little Hong?!"
Hong Qianye's expression twitched.
That nickname was far too casual. For someone who once led a feared demonic sect, it felt downright humiliating.
---
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the disciple recruitment task!]
[Reward: Divine Ability martial arts technique with auto-cultivation function!]
[Ding! Host has obtained the Burial Heaven Coffin: Contains 108 seals that unlock with cultivation progress. Current grade: Low-tier Spirit Tool!]
> [Burial Heaven Coffin]: Capable of burying Heaven and Earth, this tool refines all living things and can eventually entomb entire realms.
---
[Ding! System has detected outstanding potential in the host's disciple. Activating bonus upgrade package—free of charge!]
[Reward: Fire-type martial arts technique — Three Thousand Flame Sutra!]
[Reward: Fire Source Pill — restores fire-based spiritual roots and builds a flawless foundation!]
[Task rewards complete. Host, are you satisfied?]
A crisp, pleasant system voice echoed in Ye Junlin's mind.
"Hmm. Good service. You're dismissed," he replied calmly, though excitement surged within.
[Ding! Acknowledged!]
"This is what proper treatment looks like. A true traveler from Huaxia deserves nothing less," Ye Junlin thought, nodding in approval.
With the Divine Ability and auto-cultivation system, he had just skipped years of bitter effort.
After all, Divine Abilities weren't just techniques—they evolved. Their stages were: Beginner, Minor Success, Major Success, Perfection, and Transformation.
Each stage brought massive improvements—sometimes hundreds, even thousands of times stronger than the previous.
Cultivation realm mattered, yes. But raw strength paired with profound techniques could easily allow someone to crush opponents above their level.
And now with the Burial Heaven Coffin in hand?
Even as a low-tier Spirit Tool, it gave Ye Junlin a huge edge over most cultivators in the Eastern Domain.
Many cultivators in the Kunlun Realm would never even lay eyes on a real magical treasure, let alone wield one!
He couldn't wait to see how powerful the coffin would become with time.
---
"Master! Master!"
Hong Qianye's voice pulled Ye Junlin out of his thoughts.
Seeing that striking face filled with restrained eagerness, Ye Junlin cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Little Hong, as a welcome gift, I'll pass you a technique to help with your cultivation."
"Thank you, Master."
Hong Qianye bowed respectfully—though his lowered eyes glinted with cold disdain.
Tch. A Transformation cultivator teaching me? What kind of trash technique is he about to pass off?
Swish!
Ye Junlin pointed lightly, and a stream of glowing information flowed directly into Hong Qianye's mind.
"Three Thousand Flame Sutra?"
He frowned, instinctively beginning to analyze—
Boom!
His thoughts exploded.
The dismissiveness on his face vanished. His breathing grew erratic, a blush rising unbidden to his cheeks as he trembled under the sheer depth of the technique.
"Ah… ah…"
His spirit shook violently, utterly immersed in the Flame Sutra's mysteries.
Until now, he had cultivated the Chaotic Anger Flame Law—considered top-tier even in the Central Region. He had been proud of it, believing it would one day restore him to immortality.
But this?
This was in a whole different league.
Compared to the Three Thousand Flame Sutra, his old technique was trash—a pitiful imitation.
There was no comparison. It was like a flickering flame beside a blazing sun.
"This… this could qualify as an Immortal art… maybe even Saint-tier!"
He felt like he'd been struck by a divine blessing. His mind reeled—this wasn't just an upgrade.
It was a turning point.
Containing three thousand distinct fire-based Divine Abilities, the Flame Sutra ranked them by power. With this alone, his cultivation speed and potential would skyrocket beyond imagination.
Reclaiming his status as a True Immortal?
Forget that.
He had set his sights even higher now.
As he stood there, stunned by the promise of his future, Ye Junlin casually tossed a red pill toward him.
"And here. Take this too."
"…What's this?"
He caught it, looked down—and his eyes widened.
"Fire Source Pill?!"
His voice rang out like thunder.
---
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