1441 A Little Early
Yuan stared at the Great One's overbearing eyes and spoke after a moment of silence, "You're actually serious about recruitingas your disciple?"
"Of course. I wouldn't joke about something like this. What makes you think I am joking?" The Great One asked.
"I thought most beings of your stature typically avoided such things, especially since you're a Divine Beast."
Since Divine Beasts and humans have different cultivation methods, it wouldn't make sense for a Divine Beast to teach a human in cultivation. Another reason would be their lack of human cultivation techniques and resources.
However, the Great One was an entity that stood at the very top of the cultivation world with unimaginable wealth and resources, so such problems weren't an issue for him.
"If it were a few million years ago, I would've simply laughed at such an idea, but times have changed. Divine Beasts and humans are no longer isolated in their own world, and the world itself is evolving in ways even I cannot fathom."
"In fact, you won't be my first disciple—or even second, but the third."
Yuan smiled and said, "It's a very enticing proposal, especially since it's coming from an entity such as the Great One. Unfortunately, I will have to decline."
The Great One narrowed his eyes, his gaze seemingly filled with disappointment.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Why?" he asked.
This marked his first experience of being rejected in such a matter. He wasn't exaggerating when he claimed that even immortals and gods would be willing to bechis disciples due to his unfathomable wealth and unshakable position within the Nine Heavens.
"Honestly, there's no particular reason besides the fact that I don't like taking the easy route. While I may be able to progress much faster if I were to becyour disciple, it doesn't necessarily mean I'll becstronger than if I were to take my own path."
"You think that by becoming my disciple, you'll be taking the easy route…? I didn't anticipate being underestimated in such a manner, and by a human, at that."
"I am not underestimating you, but I'll definitely have an easier life if I ignore everything else in my life to becyour disciple, as there are sthings that could only be experienced and gained in the wild cultivation world."
Of course, Yuan had other reasons for not becoming the Great One's disciple, but he didn't need to reveal such information.
The Great One fell silent, his thoughts unknown.
Sometlater, he spoke, "Since you have already refused, I have no reason to persist, nor would I go out of my way to beg someone to becmy disciple. Good luck findingin this vast universe."
The Great One disappeared the following moment without uttering another word.
Yuan didn't think too much of it and left the building.
After preparing himself, Yuan left the city and made his way toward the direction of the treasure room.
Sometlater, he halted his movements when he arrived at his destination.
After looking around and taking a deep breath, he shouted in a loud voice that was amplified by his spiritual energy, "Immortal Fairy Yu Ning and Sect Master Ji Ran, are you here?! I, Yuan, have returned to fulfill my promise!"
Yuan's voice echoed for hundreds of miles in every direction.
A few minutes passed without any responses, but he didn't panic and closed his eyes to wait while thousands of banished souls that had been alerted by his voice circled him like a school of fish without daring to get too close.
A few more moments later, Yuan's eyes snapped open as he sensed a powerful presence approaching his location.
"Scram!" A cold voice boomed, causing the banished souls around Yuan to scatter like startled pigeons.
Yuan turned to look at the feminine shadowy figure before him and smiled, but before he could say anything, he sensed another powerful presence approaching them.
Yuan waited for the second presence to arrive before speaking, "It's been a while."
"I hadn't anticipated you would return so soon," said Yu Ning, the Immortal Fairy, her voice filled with surprise.
Ji Ran then spoke, "While I am glad to see you again so soon, it appears to be a little too early for your return, Yuan. You're only a peak Spirit King."
"I recall telling you to cback only after you've reached the cultivation of Spirit Emperor. You were too hasty to return..." Yu Ning recalled with a slightly dispirited tone after realizing that he was only a Spirit King.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmYuan nodded, "I am well aware that I was only supposed to return after reaching Spirit Emperor but rest assured, I have more than enough soul strength to get the both of you out of this gloomy place."
"Really?"
The two immortals exchanged glances with each other, seemingly in disbelief.
"I wouldn't joke about something like this. I promise," he reassured them."Now then, how does one go about housing souls in a Soul Weapon?"
Ji Ran then said, "First, we'll need a Soul Weapon that isn't already occupied by another soul or spirit. Then one of us will attempt to enter it. The Soul Weapon's master will be able to sense any intruders and reject them, but it'll be fine if you don't do anything and allow us to dwell within the Soul Weapon."
"Will there be any side effects for my Soul Weapons?" Yuan asked.
"No, there won't be any since we're only using it as a temporary huntil we can recreate our physical bodies."
Yuan nodded and retrieved the Starry Abyss, his first Soul Weapon, and asked, "Who wants to be first?"
"Me!"
They both responded simultaneously.
"Ji Ran, I've been in the Shadow Realm for much longer than you, so it should only be natural forto leave first. Also, ladies first." Yu Ning said to him the very next moment.
"That's bullshit." Ji Ran immediately sneered.
Seeing this, Yuan shook his head and said, "Relax, you two. Did you forget that I have two Soul Weapons?"