“Exactly, I can vouch for it. Ling Xiao not only won, but he defeated the 26th-ranked Li Anle in a single move and completely outclassed the 10th-ranked Yang Cheng!”
Lan Yuer had entered from outside at some point, her voice carrying unshakable certainty.
“Impossible!” Qing Mu exclaimed, stunned.
“Nothing’s impossible. Or is Deputy Hall Master Qing Mu doubting my expertise in martial arts?” Lan Yuer said, frowning.
“How could I? Deputy Hall Master Lan’s martial arts prowess rivals that of Hall Master Yang. I wouldn’t dare question it. It’s just shocking—Martial Vein Eighth Layer Peak defeating a Half-Step Master?” Qing Mu looked at Ling Xiao as if he were a monster.
“Also, Deputy Hall Master Qing Mu, Ling Xiao’s challenge was approved by both Hall Master Yang and me. Are you suggesting we lack the authority to make such decisions?” Lan Yuer, unlike Hall Master Yang, showed Qing Mu no courtesy.
“Haha,” Qing Mu laughed awkwardly. “Of course not. I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”
He hurriedly left the alchemy room of the Medicine Hall, practically fleeing.
“Hmph, that Yang and that girl surnamed Lan—I’m backed by Demon Flame Heavenly Venerate. Sooner or later, I’ll be the new Hall Master of the Medicine Hall. Just wait and see,” Qing Mu fumed as he left.
“As for Ling Xiao, hmph, you’ve crossed this Hall Master. Prepare to be disciplined.”
As the Deputy Hall Master overseeing the Medicine Hall’s rules, Qing Mu knew the regulations inside out. He could exploit their loopholes to target Ling Xiao legitimately, leaving even Hall Master Yang and Lan Yuer powerless to intervene.
“Hall Master Yang, you’d better be cautious. Qing Mu is close to Demon Flame, and you know Demon Flame has a Wisdom Bone, making him the most outstanding genius in Moonlight Sect’s thousand-year history. His martial soul is peculiar, and even the Sect Leader indulges him. If he backs Qing Mu, you’ll be in trouble,” Lan Yuer said. Her master, a Supreme Elder of Moonlight Sect, likely knew more secrets than Hall Master Yang.
“No matter,” Hall Master Yang waved dismissively. “I’ve lived long enough to see it all. Demon Flame’s talent is remarkable, but his Wisdom Bone was stolen from someone else. It’s not fully integrated with his body, and it’ll cause problems eventually.”
“Let’s drop it. Lan, step out for a moment. I have important matters to discuss with Ling Xiao.”
“Alright,” Lan Yuer said, puzzled by Hall Master Yang’s secrecy but willing to leave since it was a private matter.
After Lan Yuer left, Hall Master Yang brought Ling Xiao to his cave mansion.
This elder-level cave mansion was far superior to those of inner disciples. Even a single breath there felt like it boosted true essence.
“Senior, whatever it is, just say it. I’ll keep it confidential,” Ling Xiao said earnestly.
“This concerns you. Old friend, you tell him,” Hall Master Yang said, glancing at the small dog on his shoulder.
“Ling Xiao, would you take me as your master?” the dog asked bluntly, without preamble.
“Wait, what’s going on? A beast that speaks human language? What level is this?” Ling Xiao knew that for a beast to speak, it had to be at least Heavenly Human Realm, qualifying as an immortal beast.
Ordinary Beast—Demonic Beast—Fierce Beast—Immortal Beast, corresponding to ordinary humans, Martial Vein Realm martial artists, Mortal Realm martial artists, and Heavenly Human Realm martial artists.
“What fierce beast? My origins are unique, but I can’t reveal them yet. Just say if you’ll take me as your master. Your respected Hall Master Yang was trained by me,” the dog said proudly.
“No way,” Ling Xiao said, stunned.
Hall Master Yang chuckled, “You refused to take me as your master because you feared my strength was inferior to Demon Flame Heavenly Venerate’s. But my old friend here is far stronger, though he’s currently recovering in this beast’s body. If you take him as your master, you won’t regret it.”
“But what about you, Senior?” Ling Xiao felt a bit embarrassed.
“Hahaha, if you take my old friend as your master, you’ll be my junior brother. Of course, this stays between the three of us—no fourth person can know,” Hall Master Yang laughed. “By the way, I haven’t told you my name. I’m Yang Danlin, and our master, my old friend, you can call ‘Yuan Zun.’”
“In that case, I’m willing to take Senior Yuan Zun as my master!” Ling Xiao said. If Yang Danlin respected Yuan Zun, he couldn’t be lacking, especially if his strength surpassed Demon Flame Heavenly Venerate’s.
“Good. Today, I take you as my disciple, my third. The first isn’t worth mentioning. The second is Yang Danlin, also my friend. Without him, I’d be dead. You’re the third,” Yuan Zun said. “But since I’m not part of Moonlight Sect, you can publicly claim to be Yang Danlin’s disciple. I won’t mind.”
“I understand,” Ling Xiao said.
“Alright, that’s it for today. With your current strength, I don’t need to guide you personally. Danlin, teach him alchemy and medicine on my behalf, and offer some martial arts guidance. If there’s anything you can’t handle, come to me,” Yuan Zun said, then lay down to sleep.
“Don’t mind him, Ling Xiao. Yuan Zun has severe soul injuries and needs to sleep often. Unless we’re in danger, he won’t act,” Yang Danlin explained.
“I understand,” Ling Xiao said, unbothered. As a Martial Vein Realm martial artist, Yang Danlin’s guidance in martial arts and alchemy was more than sufficient.
“Now, your task is to strengthen your foundation in pharmacology and start studying *Fire Control Art*, *Pill Refining Art*, and *Medicine Refining Art*,” Yang Danlin said, retrieving the books from his cave mansion rather than the Medicine Hall’s library. As Hall Master, this was no issue.
“The other three books are straightforward, but *Fire Control Art* is a bit special,” Yang Danlin explained. “*Fire Control Basics* only involves controlling flame size and duration, knowing when to use which flame. But *Fire Control Art* requires you to master various types of flames!”
“Senior, how many types of flames are there?” Ling Xiao couldn’t help asking.
