The Monkey Elder suddenly knelt down, startling Ye Qiu. “Monkey Elder, what are you…”
“Master above, please accept this disciple’s obeisance.” The Monkey Elder finished speaking, then kowtowed three resounding times to Ye Qiu.
In an instant, everyone present was dumbfounded.
No one had expected that the Monkey Elder would actually take Ye Qiu as his master. After all, he was the strongest alchemist of the demon race.
“Monkey Elder, this must not be done. You must not. Please get up quickly.” Ye Qiu reached out to help the Monkey Elder up.
Unexpectedly, the Monkey Elder remained kneeling motionless on the ground and said, “Master, if you do not accept me as your disciple, I will not rise.”
How has he become so insistent?
Ye Qiu felt somewhat speechless and said, “Monkey Elder, this is not appropriate.”
“You are one of the ten great elders of the demon race, with exalted status. How can you take me as your master?”
“Your age is also far greater than mine. By rights, I should address you as senior.”
“Moreover, my cultivation is lower than yours. You are a heaven-level alchemist. I simply do not have the qualifications to be your master.”
The Monkey Elder wore a stubborn expression and said, “Master’s words are mistaken.”
“Although I am currently a heaven-level alchemist, your pill-refining talent far surpasses mine. In the future, you are certain to claim the title of supreme alchemist. You are fully qualified to be my master.”
“There is also this ‘Pill Book’, which is exceedingly precious, yet Master gave it to this disciple without reservation. This disciple is overwhelmed with gratitude and wishes to follow Master for life.”
“If Master minds my status as a demon race elder, then I will simply relinquish this elder position.”
The other elders were once again astonished.
They had never imagined that the Monkey Elder would have such determination, to the point of not even wanting his position as a demon race elder.
Ye Qiu inwardly complained, Damn it, I have not even accepted you yet, and you are already calling me Master. Is this not putting me in a difficult position?
After thinking for a moment.
Ye Qiu said, “Monkey Elder, how about this? Let us continue to address each other as brothers. In the future, we can discuss pill refining together, learn from each other, and progress together…”
“No!” Before Ye Qiu could finish, the Monkey Elder said, “I do not wish to be brothers with you. I wish to be your disciple.”
“Master, do you disdain my mediocre aptitude?”
“Indeed, this disciple’s aptitude is quite ordinary, but rest assured, I will practise diligently and will never bring shame to Master.”
Ye Qiu hurriedly said, “Monkey Elder, you misunderstand. You are the strongest alchemist of the demon race. Your talent is remarkable. It is only that I…”
“Master, say no more.” The Monkey Elder said, “If you do not accept me as disciple, then I will end my life here.”
Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow.
The little white fox said, “Monkey Elder, is this how one requests apprenticeship? In this National Lord’s view, you are forcing Ye Changsheng.”
The Monkey Elder replied, “National Lord, I know my behaviour is somewhat improper, but I sincerely wish to become a disciple under Mr Ye.”
“Mr Ye, please, you must accept me.”
“I beg you!”
After speaking, the Monkey Elder desperately kowtowed to Ye Qiu. Soon, blood flowed from his forehead.
Ye Qiu had never imagined that one day, a monkey demon would take him as master.
But this fellow is a demon race elder!
If I accept him as disciple, will the other demon race elders have objections?
At that moment, the various elders spoke up one after another.
“Brother Ye, why not fulfil Old Monkey’s wish?”
“I have known Old Monkey for so many years, and this is the first time I have seen him like this. It is clear he truly wishes to become your disciple.”
“Although your cultivation is temporarily inferior to Old Monkey’s, with your talent, surpassing him is only a matter of time. You are qualified to be Old Monkey’s master.”
“Brother Ye, if you do not agree soon, Old Monkey’s head will shatter.”
“…”
Helplessly, Ye Qiu looked towards the little white fox with a pleading gaze, as if saying, Please say something to help!
The little white fox said, “Ye Changsheng, since the Monkey Elder is so insistent on becoming your disciple, then accept him!”
Ye Qiu’s eyes widened in some dissatisfaction. He thought, I asked you to help stop the Monkey Elder, but instead, you are speaking in his favour.
The little white fox explained, “The Monkey Elder is right. Your pill-refining talent is unmatched through the ages. Surpassing him is only a matter of time.”
“Although the Monkey Elder is an elder of our demon race, you will claim the title of supreme alchemist in the future. You are fully qualified to be his master.”
“Moreover, the Monkey Elder is already so old. He wishes to take you as master. Can you bear to refuse?”
With these words from the little white fox, Ye Qiu was rendered speechless.
After a brief hesitation.
Ye Qiu said, “Monkey Elder, rise. I… am willing to accept you as my disciple.”
“Really?” The Monkey Elder was overjoyed.
“Really.” Ye Qiu personally helped the Monkey Elder up and said, “Monkey Elder…”
The Monkey Elder smiled and said, “Master, do not call me Elder. In future, you may call me Little Monkey.”
Ye Qiu: “…”
“Master, do you have any instructions?” The Monkey Elder asked respectfully.
Ye Qiu said, “You are far older than I. I will still call you Old Monkey!”
“Old Monkey, since you and I have now formed a master-disciple bond, I should give you a meeting gift.”
“Unfortunately, I do not have many treasures worthy of presenting. How about I give you a saint-level anomalous flame?”
“No!” The Monkey Elder hurriedly waved his hands.
“Why, do you look down on a saint-level anomalous flame?” Ye Qiu asked.
“No.” The Monkey Elder said, “With my current cultivation, I am fundamentally unable to control a saint-level anomalous flame. If Master gives it to me, you will immediately no longer see me.”
“Because I would be burned to ashes by the saint-level anomalous flame.”
Ye Qiu: “…”
The Monkey Elder continued, “Master, there is no need to be so polite. Being accepted as your disciple already satisfies me greatly.”
“Besides, did you not already give me the ‘Pill Book’?”
“I dare assert that throughout the entire cultivation world, there are not many such ‘Pill Books’. Especially the pill formulas recorded within. They are extremely useful to me.”
“Master, I hope in future you will guide this disciple often.”
The Monkey Elder kept his posture very low, his words full of respect. It was clear he genuinely admired Ye Qiu from the bottom of his heart.
Ye Qiu said, “You taught me so much pill-refining knowledge. The ‘Pill Book’ was my gift in gratitude for your kindness. As for the meeting gift, I will owe it for now. When I find a suitable treasure later, I will give it to you then.”
The Monkey Elder said, “Master…”
“This matter is settled.” Ye Qiu then turned to the other elders and said, “I wonder which elder I should follow next to learn their supreme technique?”
Not one elder spoke. They all looked towards the little white fox. Clearly, they would obey the National Lord’s command.
The Monkey Elder’s eyes darted as he said, “National Lord, how about Old Ox!”
The little white fox swept her gaze over him. “You cunning monkey. You have only just become his disciple, yet you already think of Ye Changsheng in everything. You truly treat him well.”
The Monkey Elder grinned and said, “After all, he is my master.”
“Very well, then Elder Ox it is!” The little white fox said to Ye Qiu, “Ye Changsheng, do you know? Elder Bear once evaluated Elder Ox’s strength in two sentences.”
“Below saint, he is invincible. Against a saint, it is one for one!”
